Chapter 16 16

"Sigh, I'm sorry my daughter...your father had failed you once again" Inside a carriage, there were figures of the Tristan Family that were seated with dejected expressions.

"Father...it's not your fault. There's nothing we can do about this. I...have long accepted my fate" Elizabeth, the only daughter, and heir to the Tristan family spoke as she clenched her fist at the thought of her helplessness.

"If only your father is a little bit more powerful, we could have avoided this situation" The father and current head of the Tristan family,

Zuke Tristan spoke.

Zuke has dark blue hair and he has a cross scar on his cheek which holds a valuable history. With blonde eyes and an average yet charming face, he was quite the attractive man that women can't help but nod their heads for his charms.

On the other hand, his daughter was the replication of his deceased wife. With purple hair and hazy purplish eyes, she was a beauty that could topple cities.

Unfortunately, beauty is a weakness without the strength to protect it. And even if she had a goddess beauty, her current situation needed more than just beauty.

"But how dare they! The marriage has been decided by the previous head of the family. How could they just want to break the marriage just like that? Isn't that not giving me any face!?"

Zuke was maddened by the sudden ill-treatment of the Kail Family who had formed a courteous relationship with Tristan when they were at their lowest, yet now, they were biting their backs.

"Just because their heir has awakened an unparalleled spiritual root with abnormal physique, they choose to sever the ties with us, and they have formed a marriage with one of the Imperial Princess which had been offered by the Empress"

Zuke clenched his fist at how absurd the situation is going on. It's impossible for the 'Imperial Nobles' who ruled this continent to take notice of a weakling noble in one of the lowest-ranking cities.

Elizabeth gritted her teeth in sadness as she wondered why she was being treated this way.

She was born with the inability to cultivate and wasn't blessed with any spiritual root, physique, or bloodline. Nevertheless, she never gives up on hope.

But nowadays, the hope that was brighter than the sun began to dim, and she began questioning her existence.

"But don't worry my daughter. Your father will try everything he can to resolve your issue. I don't believe that my daughter can't cultivate, and I believe that one day, you'll soar through the sky"

He tried cheering her up and she smiled knowing her father still cared for her.

However, as the carriage was traveling, it stopped abruptly.

"What the!? What is going on? Why did you stop?" Shocked by the impact, Zuke was a little bit angered, and even Elizabeth was wondering what was happening.

The path they were heading for was towards their household and since the city was huge with some forests, it was inevitable to avoid the forest.

But as of now, they stopped which is why Zuke was baffled by the situation.

'Why would the carriage stop? And who would dare to block our path? There's an insignia that has our noble symbol, and no man would dare to mess with us. So what kind of idiot would mess with us...unless it's a beast...!?'

Zuke clicked his tongue.

"P-Patriarch, there's a group of beasts rushing towards us, and it's none other than the Flame Lion!" One of the guards reported hurriedly.

"Flame Lion!? Why would they be chasing us!? Forget it! There's no time to think about it. Immediately order all guards to prepare for a battle against them" Zuke ordered as he quickly put on his armor.n0VELUSB.C0m

"F-Father, w-what's going on?" Elizabeth had never encountered such situations before and her body was trembling in fear.

"Don't worry my daughter. I'll protect you no matter what happens" He declared as he kissed her forehead.

Before Elizabeth could prevent him from doing a reckless action, he had disappeared from her sight with her last words being 'Be safe'

"Goddamnit! How many are there?" Zuke appeared in front of the carriage with the 12 guards behind him as they were prepared to put down their lives for the sake of protecting their young lady.

"Sir, there are about 10 of them" One of the guards reported.

"10!? I only could hole 2 of them whereas it's hard if there are 8 more of them. Just what the hell is happening? This is the safest route we have taken all over the years!" He let his frustration out.

"Quickly sent a message for reinforcement. Until then, we should remain passive and defensive. There's no escape route and it's too late to turn around. Men gather your swords and prepare!" Zuke ordered.

"On it, Lord!" One of them tore an inscription paper where the purpose of it was to send a signal to the main force of the Zuke Family.

"Then, we can only protect and don't let any harm fall on my daughter, and should any of you fall here...I would compensate your family as a sign of honor and respect" Zuke promised and his cultivation of the 8th Stage of the Foundation Realm was released.

"Such sheer pressure...as expected of the Lord!" The guards not only admired Zuke because of his words and leadership but also because he stood unafraid of the incoming flame lions.

"Here they come! Prepare your shields!" He screamed as he had an insight into the Flame Lions' incoming attack.

* Roar *

The one leading the lions was running at top speed and as it got nearer to the humans, it roared while creating a huge fireball that was shot toward them at an incomprehensible speed.

* Boom *

The fire collided with them, but they were prepared and blocked the fireball. The guards were cultivators but they were weak as most of them were at the mortal stage, and each Flame lion has an average realm of 6th Stage Foundation and below.

They have red and orange fur with huge claws and red bloodshot eyes. They are ferocious and violent beasts that devoured anything in their path. Furthermore, what makes them dangerous foes is their fire abilities.

The reason why the guards can stand still despite the huge difference in ranks was due to their shield that was enhanced and enchanted by 'Runesmith' and 'Array Master'.

Due to that, the damage was reduced. But still, the flames were so hot that they burned the nearby surroundings to dust.