Chapter 472 Shaking Grip (2)
𝐍𝗈𝑣𝑬𝓵𝚗𝚎xt.𝗰𝑶𝔪
It took Basil two days to integrate himself into the village. Knowing the ins and outs of the village could be done through the help of the Guide, but he didn’t ask the Guide anything as he wanted to get to know his big family directly. The Pacifer clanswomen still found it boggling that the person they had been waiting for had come, but they no longer put him on a pedestal. At least, some of them no longer did.
Basil couldn’t warm up to just anybody. He was naturally stoic and aloof. Given his demeanour, he always gave off the aura of absolute regality that would put any King to shame. This made many clanswomen feel unworthy whenever they interacted with him. Some wouldn’t even hesitate to kiss the ground before him, which never ceased to irk him.
The Maha Dmitras themselves had a profound respect for Basil. Even though they could joke around and laugh together with him, Basil could tell they still couldn’t bring themselves to treat him as casually as Zina did.
He honestly felt quite disappointed that Margaret, his aunt, also couldn’t bring herself to be casual around him. There were even some instances when she accidentally treated him as if he was her master. It was as if she was putting on an act whenever she treated him like her proper nephew. He knew, though, Margaret behaved that way because of the Pacifer blood.
The Lord truly owned the Pacifer. Basil realized this even more upon coming to the village. Every time he activated his Pacifer Seal, a lot of the Pacifer clanswomen wanted to kneel before him. It came instinctively. Margaret and most of the Maha Dmitras also felt the same but were better at controlling themselves.
“We only have one month to clear up this place and announce our presence to the whole world. The Church has been secretly cooperating with Demons. The fact that we are still not found yet means Goliath thinks we are still useful to him. Nevertheless, we need to kill him as soon as possible. The Church might offer him something which is enough to entice him soon.”
In the meeting room of the Maha Dmitra Mansion, Basil sat at a long round table along with the Maha Dmitras, Iliana, Ione and the two Pacifer Servants he brought. Everyone’s eyes were planted on him who occupied the head seat. He looked everyone in the eyes, accepting their hopeful gaze. He didn’t feel burdened as he was sure he would fulfil their expectation.
“Therefore, I will like to introduce all of you to someone.” This remark made everyone quirk an eyebrow, but Basil didn’t bother to explain who this someone was. “She will help you a lot in things you think you are already good at.”
They got even more curious about whom Basil would introduce them to. They scanned the room sneakily, anticipating a presence that they hadn’t registered, but didn’t find anything. They wondered if Basil would introduce them to the said someone through a Visual Orb. It would be weird, though, since that someone wouldn’t be able to teach them directly that way.
Completely floored, they gave up. They just looked at Basil in expectation, hoping for him to let them see the person whom he was going to introduce. Given the look, Basil took out Durendal, much to everyone’s bafflement. Iliana, however, had a look of realization as she had figured out who the person was. She had met the person on Mount Khirokiev.
Her guess was correct as the beautiful woman who hugged Basil when he lost consciousness after his fight on Mount Khirokiev appeared in the room. Her long azure hair fluttered graciously in the air without the wind blowing it. Half of her face was covered by her veil, but it didn’t obstruct her radiant beauty. Her sharp eyes swept through the room and only softened when they landed on Basil.
“Meet my spiritual wife, Asia,” Basil introduced simply.
“Esteemed Lady!” the senior Pacifer Servants exclaimed.
“Great Matriarch!” the Maha Dmitras shouted in shock.
Iliana took a few seconds to process the information. She pondered about the title Basil gave to Asia before realizing who she was. It slightly bothered her that Basil had such an intimate relationship with the First Matriarch but she was quick to shrug it off. Since it was Basil, it wasn’t wrong for him to call Asia that. After all, he was indeed the soul vessel of The Lord who was Asia’s husband.
“Hello, my descendants. Before I guide you as I should, I would like to apologize for my absence during your hard times,” Asia said melodiously before gracefully bowing. “You can’t say you don’t mind my absence. You may berate me for that and if you don’t want to, you can simply accept my apology.”
Her words made the Maha Dmitras pause. They straightened their posture before saying in unison, “We accept your apology. Now, please; raise your head, Great Matriarch.”
Asia raised her head and smiled pleasantly. Her smile made everyone’s heart flutter. Her otherworldly beauty attracted both males and females. Even Iliana needed to remind herself that she already had Basil. It also made her wonder how Basil was not head over heels for Asia given the fact that she was in his mind 24/7.
Realizing that Basil might be serious when he called Asia that way, Iliana quipped her head toward him. Her eyes were asking for an answer and Basil merely shot her a confused look as if he didn’t get what she was on about.
“My husband’s return is not the only solution we have in our hands. The naïve me of the past thought that he would be able to solve everything if he was given a second chance.” Asia gazed at Basil fondly. “Meeting Basil, I realized how wrong I was. There is always a way as long as we determine ourselves to stand on our feet and not lean on someone else.”
Despite her words, Asia leaned on Basil. Iliana gazed at Asia coldly but couldn’t find herself hating Asia somehow. It was plain for her eyes to see that Asia bore feelings for Basil, but she didn’t find their interaction irritating. It felt just right to see them that way, but she still didn’t like it. It was very conflicting.
“We can face our hurdles without my late husband’s or Basil’s help. With my guidance, it is possible. Now that we have my loyal servants and Basil on our side, nothing is impossible. The world shall know the might of the Pacifer again.”
Without wasting a beat, the Maha Dmitras knelt and lowered their heads, “It is such an honour to receive your guidance, Great Matriarch!”
Both Iliana and Asia blinked at the scene. Iliana couldn’t believe her grandmother would easily kneel before someone else meanwhile Asia was slightly baffled by the Maha Dmitras’ enthusiasm. This brought a smile to her face, which then turned into a smug grin. It was invisible because of her veil, but Basil could easily see it. Therefore, he pinched her cheek, bewildering the Pacifer Servants who had been silently watching the scene.
“Ow! That hurts,” she whispered. “You can pinch me somewhere else and it would have made me feel good.”
“Mind your image, Asia. This is not my Mindscape,” Basil reminded her.
“Ah…that’s right. Kuhum! Arise, my descendants!” Seeing the Maha Dmitras stand up, Asia nodded her head. “Very well, let’s drop the formality. It’s tired acting all mighty.” She immediately gave up her front. “Call me whatever you want but don’t call me Great Matriarch. I am not old.”
“You technically are,” Basil retorted.
“Oh, shut it, dear. Age is not defined by how long we have lived but by how we live our lives. For that, I am forever young,” she declared proudly.
Receiving the baffled looks the Maha Dmitras shot her, Asia coughed awkwardly before explaining her past. She told them about how she was sealed in Vagus’ sword and how his nature affected her. She also told them about how Basil’s Sword Soul merged with her soul after he freed her. In short, she was blaming many things for her personality.
“If you want to know how Basil behaves without anyone around, look at me. I am the personality that he has been suppressing.” Again, Basil pinched Asia’s cheek. This time, for her remark. “Ow! I have told you to just pinch me somewhere else!”
Basil did as he was told and pinched her nose. Asia merely pouted and stopped acting as if Basil hurt her, ignoring the disbelieving look everyone gave her. Indeed, it was hard to believe that the mighty and brave First Matriarch they had been hailing was such a person. Most of the time, it is better to not meet one’s hero.
“Very well. Now that everything is clear, I want Asia to guide the Maha Dmitras and help Iliana become a Maha Dmitra as fast as possible,” Basil said seriously, prompting Asia to put on a solemn look. “Xander and Cyrus will guide the clanswomen in the way of fighting. Teach them everything that will make them good warriors even if you have to draw their blood.”
Basil was not joking when he said they were in a rush. Everyone might think getting the Pacifer out of the Obelisk was the only thing they should focus on. Basil, on the other hand, could feel something was going to happen soon. He might have pulled the Beastman, the Elf and the Dwarf to his side, but his instinct told him even their help wouldn’t be enough.
That was, of course, if they didn’t seriously prepare. Therefore; after thinking about it for two days, he scratched his original plan.
“What are you going to do, My Lord?” Xander asked, wondering if he and his fellow servant could have the honour to train with Basil.
“I will conquer the Obelisk of Bael,” Basil answered simply. Receiving everyone’s dumbfounded gaze, he put his hand on Asia’s head and said, “Asia will be the indication of my survival. If she slightly fades, that means my life is in danger. That will happen a lot, you don’t have to worry.”
“I will follow you,” Iliana said sternly.
Basil had always been like that. He knew his capability well, so he never did anything that he wouldn’t succeed at. The bad thing about it was that he would always go forward as long as he deemed himself capable. It never happened before, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t find himself in a situation where he could no longer turn back.
“You are weak—stay,” Basil said bluntly. “I can guarantee you I won’t die but you can’t do the same. If you follow me, you will only be a hindrance. Of course, I don’t mind protecting you. However, I prefer you to improve your skills.”
Basil spoke with a soft non-aggressive tone but Iliana’s chest still ached. The irrefutable reality was hard to accept. She spent a few minutes pondering to herself before nodding her head. She had determined it would be the last time she couldn’t stand on Basil’s side.
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