A proposal, and a rejection!

Once Cole and Clara had exchanged formal greeting, they decided to go somewhere more appropriate for their discussion as they were still outdoors.

During which, Amelia had tried to dismiss Alan from their meeting as the topic they were about to discuss was rather sensitive and not something someone his age should hear.

However, Alan refused her dismissal and insisted on joining them, he wanted to learn more about the world beyond these walls, so he persists adamantly and thanks to Cole's assistance Amelia reluctantly conceded and Alan was allowed to join in on their meeting. 

And thus, they were now inside a rather luxurious meeting room of the dragon clan decorated with various ornaments.

Cole sat at the head seat, while Amelia sat next to him. Seated opposite of them were Alan and Clara who sat on a sofa. Suzu was elegantly preparing black tea for everyone. During which no one uttered a word as they silently watch her pouring the tea from a small metal container into a small teacup.

As the steam rose high into the air the fragrance of the tea whiffed through the nostrils of those inside, giving the room a soothing atmosphere. After she was finished with her duties Suzu went towards the door and bowed her head gracefully before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

After a moment of silence, it was Clara who decided to break the silence. "Before I start, do you mind telling me what happened a few days ago on the outskirts of the forest?"

Her sharp eyes reflected both Cole and Amelia as she asked. On her way here she had spotted what seems to be signs of wreckage. The trees were trampled and there were large craters around the surroundings. 

The vast vegetation of the fields was also particularly ruined.

It was because of this scene why she was so worried on her way here; it was only after she saw Amelia safe and well did her anxious heart finally calm down.

Her emerald, green eyes shone as she awaited their response. After a moment of silence Cole finally spoke, "Yes, just recently we were attacked by an army of dragons." He explained plainly. His answer however, left Clara stunned as she held her still opened fan that hid her mouth.

"Ehh, you were attacked by an army of dragons?" A dubious look flash across her face for a second as she mimicked his words.

It was well known that the mountainous regions were home to the subspecies of dragons.

Starting from the Wyrm, a serpent type dragon and the Basilisk who were known to be very violent in nature and leading them were the wyvern the strongest dragon subspecies that dwelled inside the forest.

Of course, there were many other dragon subspecies that lived in this world but those were the only kind that has ever been spotted inside the forest.

It was currently unknown if there were any other living there. "... I don't see why you are so surprised, after all dragon attacks were generally very common in this area. There have also been many villages that were wiped out by stray dragons." Cole said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Y-You have a point but, dragons are known to be very wise creatures, aren't they? Why would they attack a kingdom with a strong sturdy defense such as the kingdom of Nahinil?" Clara commented as she closed her feather fan.

The military prowess of the kingdom of Nahinil were known to be very overwhelming. Although the defense of a dragon was very sturdy if the king deemed it necessary, he could always use a secret art to annihilate them in a single attack.

It was "Annihilation magic" the highest form of destructive magic the country could produce. However, the king had hesitated to use it as it could only be used once, and it would take the union of twenty mages working together for the spell to work successfully.

In actuality, the reason the king had refused to use it was due to how chaotic the battlefield was, if he had used the "Annihilation magic" in that situation he would also risk wiping out those already on the battlefield as well!

And upon hearing that Cole furrowed his brow, "W-Well... We do have a suspicion that those dragons were being use by someone. It seems there was someone hunting the dragons within the mountains." Cole said in a deep voice.

"Someone... Had been hunting the dragons?" Clara tilted her head skeptically.

'Who would be foolish enough to provoke a dragon?' She wondered. Dragons were creatures capable of creating disasters wherever they go, was there anyone valorous enough to go wondering into a dragon's den hunting them?

"... I think I get the general gist of things now; thank goodness you were all able to get away without many casualties." Clara said as she heaved a sigh.

Although she never particularly cared for the dragon clan, her daughter and grandson were both a part of it so she hoped nothing bad would happen to them while they were here.

At her concern Cole put on a troubled smile as he said, "Fortunately, a mysteriously powerful mask warrior dressed in black had appeared when we were in a pinch."

"A mysteriously powerful mask warrior dressed in black, you say?" Clara cocked her head in confusion. 'Was the battle not resolved by the dragon clan?'

"Yes, during that battle an unknown warrior had suddenly appeared and displayed great mastery over the sword." Cole explained. "Was he not an adventurer?" She questioned. "Unfortunately, he left before we could ascertain his identity." Cole sighed as he shook his head.

King Miles had also been very curious about his identity as well, back then they had a long discussion as they thought about various possibilities. The major nations had many powerful warriors and mages, some of which were very well known and renowned a crossed the land but, 'That person had the ability to manipulate blood, if I recall. I've never heard of such an ability before.' Cole frown as he thought back to that encounter.

Meanwhile, Alan's expression was completely calm and indifferent as he drank his tea. Since he was wearing a hood and hid his face using a mask, he wasn't concerned about them discovering his identity.

'Since I had used blood manipulation out in the open, I probably should avoid using that while being Alan before them.' He thought inwardly.

[Hehe he... How do you feel Mr. Mysterious?] Akane's playful giggle resounded inside his head.

'Hmph, what am I supposed to feel. I am not a child who plays superhero, but wearing that hood and mask is convenient for hiding my real identity from the view of the public.' Alan replied, indifferently.

This was the first time he was ever hiding his identity, when he was still Ellard, he never cared about such trivial things.

"Investigation are still being made at this time but that just about sums things up." Cole replied as he used his hand to support his head. He leaned back in his chair and his countenance which had been rather easy-going until now, changed and became more serious as he decided to take the initiative this time.

"Now, matriarch of the azure flame clan, surely you didn't come here just to ask about the affairs of our kingdom, so why don't you tell me the real reason for your sudden visit."

Hearing his question, Clara's expression also contorted into seriousness as she changed from her relax posture into a more formal one.

The atmosphere within the room suddenly became serious as the patriarch and matriarch both stared at the other.

Clara grimaced as she stared at Amelia regretfully before speaking, "I came here to inform you of a marriage proposal." Cole and Amelia both exchanged looks as they tilted their heads in confusion.

"A marriage proposal?" Cole repeated her words, confusion evident on his face. 

"What kind of proposal do you speak of?"

"A proposal that would bring the azure flame clan and the clan of flashing swords together." Clara responded.

"The clan of flashing swords, isn't that one of the major clans of the kingdom of Tarisa?" Cole said sternly. "You are correct. A few days ago, the patriarch of the flashing sword clan arrived at our azure flame clan and made this proposal. He wishes for his eldest son, the current heir of the flashing swords clan to marry into our clan."

Clara sighed as she spoke, she then glanced at Amelia and said with some shame mixed into her voice, "Normally we would refuse and dismissed him but, our azure flame clan cannot provoke the clan of flashing swords right now, since recently they had formed an alliance with the black demon oblivion clan."

The black demon oblivion clan was an extremely powerful clan that even after several hundreds of years since its establishment still stood tall and strong a crossed the nation.

Even the kings of the mightiest empires refuse to become enemies with the black demon oblivion clan, as their military prowess alone could easily cause the downfall of an entire nation.

In reality, the black demon oblivion clan was the strongest clan of the kingdom of Luonami. It was because of the existence of this clan why no one dared to provoke that nation.

Indeed, both Cole and Amelia had an ugly expression on their faces. Miles, the king of Nahinil would rather avoid any kind of direct confrontation with the black demon oblivion clan if possible as their chances of winning were very slim.

"... I see. With the backing of the black demon oblivion clan there isn't that many clans that would be willing to oppose them. The only clan I can think of with the power to openly oppose them are the Rasing jade Heaven clan or the white tiger clan. But those clans are located far away from the black demon oblivion clan." Cole held his head as though he was enduring a painful headache.

"... I see. Mother, so they want me to marry the current hair of the flashing sword clan?" Amelia's lips trembled as she asked.

Before she was forced into a political marriage with the heir of the dragon clan, and now she was being forced to marry the heir of the flashing sword clan. She didn't know how to feel about this. And to make it worse, she was still grieving over the death of her late husband.

Alan silently listened to their conversation with a deep frown. 'I don't approve of this!' He thought. However, despite his inner thoughts his outwards disposition was extremely calm.

"M-Mother I cannot accept this!" Amelia said in a mosquito like voice.

How could she accept this?

Clara sighed as she saw the state of her daughter. She wasn't surprised by this, before she came here, she had come expecting this answer in the first place.

Many of the members of the azure flame clan were also reluctant in becoming enemies with the black demon oblivion clan. If it was just the flashing sword clan alone, they at least had a chance to resist but, with the black demon oblivion clan in the mix they couldn't take that risk.

So, if sacrificing one individual was enough to avoid a storm, they will gladly do so. Clara's expression gradually contorted into full seriousness as she said, "Since you do not want to marry the heir of flashing swords, naturally I will not force you to do so. I just wanted to tell you about it."

"Hmm... Are you sure about this? The patriarch of the black demon oblivion clan is known to be a very powerful mage who used dark magic. Among those spells are no shortage of advanced spells."

"Hmph, no one will force my beloved daughter for marriage, even if I have to face that man myself. I will turn him to ash if he tries!" Azure flames gathered around her palm as she said so.

Before she had deeply regretted not being able to do anything when her daughter was being forced to marry into the dragon clan.

And now, someone was actually trying to force her daughter to marry into another clan!

'I'd like to see who dares!'

Her emerald eyes shone coldly as she clenched her fist.

Cole broke out into cold sweats as he felt the terrifying amount of heat from the blue flames.

"That man also has the demon sword as well. Do you have countermeasures against that blade?" Cole asked, the demon sword was known only in legends by most as not many had witnessed its might before.

It was a sword that was bathed in the thousands of sacrifice lives and was now cursed with the soul of its victims.

Only those with malicious intent could wield that sword, as anyone it deemed unworthy would have their souls destroyed and absorbed by the sword.

Clara snorted as she responded, "Even then if the black demon oblivion clan gets involved, my azure flame clan will valiantly face them!"

'Hmmm... The flashing sword clan and the black demon oblivion clan. Maybe I should pay them a visit.'

[Oh, are we going to sneak out again?] Akane inquired, curiously. She seemed excited for some reason.

'Perhaps, even though her voice seemed to be filled with confidence I can tell she is bluffing.' Alan's emerald, green eyes shone faintly as he thought of various ways, he could prevent the situation from becoming too troublesome.

'In the end this is for mom, if she doesn't want to remarry then I won't allow anyone to force her.' He thought.