Born in Blood

The person who arrived at the same floor as them was none other than the Queen of Echoria herself.

She wore an eye-dazzling, graceful white dress made from silk-like threads that covered her shoulder to ankle, leaving her sparkling, shin-height silver hair in full view.

Her icy silver eyes half-drooped, as though everything was uninteresting and not worth her time.

A tiny golden crown sat on the top of her head, glistening like the priceless treasure it was. 

Her presence overwhelmed the room. Some people just didn't know how to react, averting their gazes while sneaking glances at her direction.

Quite frankly, the dress itself was not that special. 

It was Her Majesty's natural beauty that seemed to enamor the eyes. 

No one dared to approach. 

A moment later, she entered a rose-like booth that separated her from the masses, reserved only for crystal ribbons. A maid entered with her, and a curtain closed behind them.

The floor Liam was on was a lavish restaurant on one of the upper floors. 

Just a few people were here, including the Red Flash, the Ice Witch and a few other big names. 

Only ruby ribbons were allowed here.

Till now, Liam didn't have a shred of knowledge about what the Queen's powers entailed. 

But she was definitely dangerous.

"Piss off," Liam told Eyes of Knowledge rudely. "No way that's fair." 

Except…

The orb stagnated. It didn't show a color for several seconds, but after a tense pause… 

It turned green.

Liam paused with a blank look on his face. 

All the while, Eyes of Knowledge continued giggling like the manchild genius he was. 

Liam wanted to accuse Eyes of Knowledge of cheating. 

…But would the man really bother? 

A powerhouse, attempting to trick some small-time cultivator that had a slightly infamous reputation?

Not likely.

In the first place, an accusation wasn't a small thing. A likeness could be a son accusing his father of cheating with his mom… with no proof.

There was a big chance for the father to whip out his belt and leave the kid with a few broken bones.

Figuratively, of course. Or literally in some cases.

'She just had to come at the perfect time,' Liam sneered. 'Do I really have to do this? What stops me from refusing?'

A lot of things.

For one, and this was the weakest reason, but Liam didn't want to do something a celebrity would do.

Secondly, Liam had never willingly retreated from a battle, be it physical or mental.

This was a challenge!

Whatever.

Thirdly, if Liam did this successfully, without being killed, then maybe a third round of truth or dare could give him even more knowledge about Paths.

Liam took a deep, deep breath and braced himself.

'I can bid farewell to my reputation,' Liam thought. 

Eyes of Knowledge slapped Liam's back in encouragement, giving him a cheeky laugh. 

"Don't worry, there's a .00000000001% chance she'll return your feelings. Oh, and you have to say it in front of her, not outside her booth."

'I'll kill him. I know I will. One day.'

As such, Liam took slow steps towards the Queen's booth. He was calm, of course, but annoyance was clearly written on his face.

A few people took notice of Liam.

Was someone finally approaching the Queen? It was a sacrificial lamb! 

And it was the Reaper, no less! The Black Blade! The Butcher!

In the background, Eyes of Knowledge was giggling like a child.

And somewhere within the Temple grounds, Elder Jane was gnawing on her nails.

Arriving at the Queen's booth, Liam waited patiently until she came out.

Several minutes passed with this awkward, tense atmosphere.

And finally, the maid and the Queen exited from the booth.

The Queen's cold gaze connected with Liam's.

It was happening!

Liam coughed into his fist. 

Then, sparing a glance in Eyes of Knowledge's direction, spoke with a monotone voice.

"I, Liam Royce, hereby declare my love for Her Majesty, the Echorian Queen…" 

***

A long, deafening silence descended upon the scene. 

Jaws fell open, dumbfounded. 

Despite everything, Liam's face was perfectly calm and monotone. 

His declaration didn't match his demeanor in the least. 

Even Eyes of Knowledge stopped giggling, limiting himself to an amused smile.

The Queen herself had no visible reaction. Not a trace of emotion appeared on her face. 

Instead, her piercing eyes bore into Liam's very soul. He felt naked under those beautiful irises, which radiated supremacy.

A second later, her eyes shifted focus from Liam… to Eyes of Knowledge.

"This is a new low, Reiner," Queen Thyress said with a chillingly cold, but reserved tone. "Maybe it's time Neren suffered another Devastation." 

Her quiet voice was gentle, almost melodious to the ears. 

Inwardly, Liam felt pure gratitude. 

The Queen wasn't dumb!

She realized who the real criminal was! 

Except, Liam didn't recognize the term 'Devastation'. 

Judging by the name, and the context it was used in, Liam deduced that it had something to do between Echoria and Neren.

A war of some kind? Probably.

Eyes of Knowledge raised his hands in surrender, still smiling playfully. "Please, please, Your Majesty. All I had were good intentio—"

"A challenger to my name cannot breathe the same air as me," the Queen interrupted coldly, voice low but regal with authority. "Let alone bitter my mood with their voice."

The Queen glared sharply at Liam, and if her powers weren't sealed, he'd probably die then and there. "Why are you still here? Leave."

Liam was more than happy to comply, and he wasn't really offended.

The situation was already rotten to its core, and it wasn't going to get better with his presence there.

'Better leave before I get expelled.' 

However, just as he turned to leave, another figure appeared opposite him.

Dressed in an immaculate black-and-red suit, with ashen skin, crimson eyes and a well-trimmed beard, the perfect person to make the situation worse had just arrived.

This person, of course, was none other than Alucard.

"There's more than just one challenger, young lady," the Blood Lord said with a cold tone. "But they're not as compliant and suppressible." 

Silence.