The Invincible Full-Moon System

Both of them already had a bad feeling.

Guilt from doing something prohibited might have an effect on them, making them unrest for no reason, so the two tried to keep thinking positively. Perhaps, there's an unforeseen problem that made the entire place deserted like this.

It had happened in the past, and it could happen again.

But when the voice suddenly called out to them, it was obvious that they were in trouble.

Slowly, Rex and Princess Davina turned towards the voice.

Duke Lorcan was sitting on a small platform near the corner, right beside the throne.

He was sitting there in the darkness—drinking something, alcohol from the smell of it.

Unconsciously, the two of them swallowed.

"He's drinking. Should we be worried?"

Rex leaned toward Princess Davina, wanting to know if he needed to prepare himself or not.

Now that he was about to be a son-in-law, he hoped that Duke Lorcan wouldn't go to extremes.

Even though his reputation has nothing that Rex should be worried about, no sign of fondness for any violence—he still couldn't scratch violence from the list of possibilities. After all, nobody who became a duke has clean hands.

"He drinks when he's overwhelmed, good or bad. But right now, I have no idea which one it is."

Princess Davina knew how Duke Lorcan was.

She's his daughter, after all.

But it doesn't mean she could read him all the time.

Sometimes, in a situation like this, he couldn't be read at all.

"Where were you?" Duke Lorcan's thick voice reverberated through the air, measured and loud enough, still not even glancing at them. His eyes remained fixed on the table as he poured himself another drink with deliberate slowness. "I thought I only gave you one day."

Rex glanced at Princess Davina, hoping that she would step in.

But she didn't move.

She doesn't seem to have any intention of answering Duke Lorcan's questions.

How strict can she be? She didn't even have the guts to lie?

Rex shook his head and stepped forward.

"We were circling our territory on Esmeravon. bouncing from bubble to bubble, and forgot the time. It is my idea for us to keep going, so I hope you'd find it in your heart to forgive me. I simply wanted to spend more time with the princess alone."

"Spend more time…" Duke Lorcan let out a humourless chuckle. "What about you, daughter? Do you have anything to say to me?"

Princess Davina gripped the edges of her dress.

She wanted to answer, but she didn't know what to say that would be appropriate.

One that wouldn't go against her character.

Knowing that it was up to him to fix the situation, Rex's eyes narrowed.

System, scan Duke Lorcan, but only scan his status, not stats. I want to know her emotions.

<Notice: the target's power is way beyond the user's current state!>

Can I take it?

<Since the user only wanted to see Duke Lorcan's status, the user can take it, but not easily.>

Do it. I'll endure it.

As soon as Rex said that, the System scanned Duke Lorcan.

Rex immediately felt dizzy as the scanning feature was connected to his head, which gives limitations to who or what he can scan. Since he only wanted to know one section out of many sections, it shouldn't be that hard to endure.

But the disparity of strength between them made even scanning one section incredibly hard.

For a second, Rex's forehead creased together as he tried to keep a neutral face.

He even smelled iron from the blood drizzling down his nose, which he wiped away instantly.

Fortunately, it didn't take long to accomplish.

…

<Duke Lorcan>

Status: Surprised and Excited.

…

Surprised? Excited? Not angry? Is he testing to see if we'd tell him the truth or not?

Realizing that the situation wasn't as bad as the two of them thought, Rex immediately adjusted.

He suddenly bowed his head deeply, surprising Duke Lorcan and Princess Davina.

"I apologize, Your Highness. It was my idea to go to Lorayah Village and have a talk with Kaelthar. I asked Princess Davina to come with me to gain your permission to leave. She has nothing to do with this. So, if anyone is to blame, it's me."

Duke Lorcan looked down at Rex, and his expression eased a bit.

Even though Rex couldn't see the change, he could feel the change in the air.

"Rex…?" Princess Davina called, surprised to see Rex taking all the blame. "What are you doing?"

In response, Rex only raised a hand, gesturing to her that it's fine.

"Rex?" Duke Lorcan looked at Princess Davina, shocked, and then smiled. "Good, this is good…"

He was caught off guard to hear Princess Davina dropping honorifics.

Surely, regardless of what happened, the two had gotten closer than before their departure.

It was then that Duke Lorcan laughed.

Not a small one, but an unrestrained laugh that made his voice reach the entirety of the grand hall.

Rex and Princess Davina looked at him.

One was expectant while the other was surprised.

Duke Lorcan helped Rex to stand straight again and gripped his shoulders, his wide grin nearly splitting his face. "I've heard about how you stood your ground like a knight in shining armor, a knight that has the bravery of ten dragons, defending Lorayah Village against a Voidal Monarch—and forced it to take a detour."

"I'm impressed, Lord Rex. You reminded me of the old days. You truly are worthy to carry the name Castillon," He patted Rex's shoulders with endearing excitement, one that he hadn't felt in a long time. "You've done great."

As he said that, he turned to Princess Davina.

His face still gleaming.

"And you, daughter," Duke Lorcan approached her. "You came to your fiancé's aid despite knowing how dangerous it could be. In a committed relationship, undying unity is the key to longevity. You've taken from your mother. She, too, aided me countless times in the past. I wouldn't be alive right now if it were not for her. I'm proud of you." Need character sheets and glossaries? Visit MV^LEM^PYR.

Princess Davina blinked.

She had been dying to hear that from her own father, actively trying to make him proud.

Dying to hear him say those words.

But she didn't expect that he'd say that easily after doing that.

On one side, she was elated, but on the other, she felt guilty as she saved Rex for herself, not for him.

Noticing that the two were still stiff, Duke Lorcan went back to the table.

"I know you're both worried about what you've done," He said as he poured three drinks. I was well aware that someone had disturbed that brat Kaelthar—I've set up more than a few hidden mechanisms in that village, after all. What I didn't know… was that it was you two behind it."

He went back to them, bringing the three drinks with him.

All three small cups were levitating, following him from the side.

Then, with nothing but his will, he handed a cup to Rex and Princess Davina.

"Care to tell me why, in particular, you are aiming for Kaelthar?"

Duke Lorcan looked at Princess Davina, then at Rex, who should be the one who wanted to go there.

Since it has gone like this, Rex decided to tell what he wanted.

Lying would be distasteful now—he didn't want to ruin the surprisingly light mood.

"I have a friend who was locked somewhere in the Sky City…"

Rex told Duke Lorcan about Devo's situation.

He was reluctant to tell because he thought Duke Lorcan would ask for something hard to do in return.

Like quickly help Princess Davina bear a child.

But with Princess Davina right beside him, Duke Lorcan would certainly not go in that direction.

From start to finish, Duke Lorcan listened—as Rex explained the same thing he explained to Princess Davina, and how he really needed to rescue Devo since he's in trouble and could potentially die. It was a bit different than the real truth, but not too far from it.

Devo is indeed in trouble and could die.

He only didn't say about the quests from the System which would cripple him if he failed.

Duke Lorcan sat down, rubbing his chin in contemplation.

"In that case, I can exchange Kaelthar for asking to meet with this Devoratar Tridan," He stated.

Upon hearing this, Rex's eyes widened.

"You'd do that? I thought Kaelthar was essential to the empire."

"Well, yes, he has his value—but I can't keep him forever. With each passing day, he becomes less an asset and more a liability. Best to deal with him now, while I still can. He's a troublesome brat anyway, I won't lose much giving him back."

It was then that Princess Davina intervened.

"But I promised him to talk to you about giving him a better living space."

"Well, he would. The Sky City is far better than that small village."

"He doesn't want to go back. That's one thing for sure. Are you sure that this is a good idea?"

Duke Lorcan sneered.

He was the one who gave Kaelthar sanctuary, so Kaelthar couldn't get mad at them.

Had it not been for Duke Lorcan, he would've been in a much worse situation than he is right now.

"Like I said, he's a brat. He would not dare say anything to me even—with his standing," He shrugged, then turned to Rex. "Besides, there's nothing wrong with helping my son-in-law. I'd do anything for this family, and he's now a part of it."

Rex bowed again, this time more relaxed.

"I'm honored that you think of me that way already. And I'm very grateful."

"If you're grateful, stop with the formalities. Call me dad! None of my daughters called me dad. All of them called me father, saying that it's more formal. So, instead, you're going to be replacing them!"

As soon as he said that, Rex was stunned.

He wasn't expecting Duke Lorcan to be this blunt about his request.

Fortunately, Princess Davina was here with him.

"Stop with the nonsense, Father. It wouldn't look good if people hear him call you that already."

"He can call me dad in private, like now. That'll do the trick."

"No, I won't let you pressure him to call you that."

Princess Davina said firmly, her face reddening despite her attempt to remain composed.

She couldn't help but feel embarrassed for her own father.

"Oh, aren't you two lovely now. You're even defending him now."

"Okay, that's enough. I'm going back to my room."

Princess Davina turned around and walked away, wanting to be anywhere but in this situation.

It was already out of her hands, so she could only retreat for the night.

Duke Lorcan, however, wasn't done.

"Should I tell the servants to combine both of your rooms together? I heard you guys shared a room in Lorayah Village!"

As opposed to answering, Princess Davina hastened her steps.

She disappeared around the corner, too embarrassed to stay behind.

Now that she's gone, Rex and Duke Lorcan are the only ones remaining in the grand hall.

Since the situation has been cleared, with Duke Lorcan being okay with what the two of them have done in Lorayah Village, Rex has no more matters left to do. "In that case, I shall also go back to my room. I'm really grateful for your help."

Just when Rex was about to walk past Duke Lorcan, his arm was caught.

Duke Lorcan stopped him.

"Actually, I have a small favor to ask…"

…

Soon came the day for Rex to meet with Empress Morgana's envoy.

Since he had already opened up everything to Duke Lorcan, he also got his seal, securing him a clear passage if he decided to visit the Sky City. From the looks of it, he wouldn't need to do it, as Duke Lorcan was already going to handle securing the meeting with Devo.

Of course, Rex told him that there must be a level of secrecy.

After all, someone was aiming for Devo, so it's best not to be on that person's radar.

And Duke Lorcan understood, which was why he was going to probe the matter with his friend.

He'll see if asking to meet with Devo would be a bad move or not.

Princess Davina came with him, but she wasn't going to sit with him.

She'll be watching from the side.

Even though in the end, he didn't need Princess Davina's help for Duke Lorcan's seal, he decided to let her come lest she become hostile to him. He came to that conclusion since it wouldn't matter if she knew about what Empress Morgana wanted from him.

Looking at the inn in front of him, the Miriam Inn, Rex nodded his head.

"Now that Devo's matter is done, it's time to focus on the Spirit Emperor."