Chapter 5 - 'This Is Simply Unbelievable!!!'

"Forcing a little girl to your demands. Aren't you getting excessively shameless these days, Divine Lord Foeni?" a girl's voice suddenly chimes into their conversation.

A beautiful red phoenix descended before them, transforming to a small Lolita girl, around four or five years old. She is in a flaming red dress, and her voice is somewhat high pitched, and her tone has a tinge of sarcasm.

Her curly blazing red hair has gold streaks and is tied in two high ponytails — a few stray strands cascade in layers that frames her cute, blushing face. Her eyes are beautifully sharp and scarlet. She looks like a four or five-year-old toddler but gifted with a visually inappropriate and rather sharp tongue.

"Oh, fancy meeting you, Little Vermilion. So this is where you are. I can't believe all of you have abandoned me like that." the Divine Lord responded teasingly at the newcomer as he approaches her and continues, "How is life in isolation? How are your elders? I hope everyone has recuperated well enough."

Ever since the Holy War, the four Holy Guardian Lords, Vermilion, Azure, Tiger, and Turtle disappeared, probably to recuperate from their sustained injuries. It's been ages since they have made an appearance.

The Divine Lord is searching for his subordinates for a long while. They seem to have hidden quite well as if they never wanted to come back. He can't believe he accidentally bumps into her today as he looks at Little Eu. If it weren't for Eu, he wouldn't come across with this naughty Little Lord.

"I'm rather well until you decided to show up, my Lord. Thank you." Vermilion spoke rather straightforwardly.

She rolled her eyes as her lips twitch. She does enjoy her peaceful life and has no intention of going back if he didn't discover her whereabouts. Who wants to go back living in a world of turmoil?

Hearing a familiar name, the girl curiously tilted her head to their direction and saw the cute, adorable little girl. She sits on a floating, red grimoire hovering beside the Divine Lord. They seem to discuss important matters, so she didn't come closer and gave them some space.

While she thought to herself, and wanting to cuddle her into her arms as her eyes sparkle in excitement, 'This little girl is the Great Holy Guardian Lord Vermilion of the Southern territory? I can't believe I can meet such a prestigious person. She is so adorable~.'

Lord Vermilion noticed her somewhat familiar expression, as her blazing red eyes involuntarily twitch in annoyance. She is aware of what's on this little Oracle's mind, and it truly annoys her.

Having an inappropriate human form is annoying, but she can't do anything about it. It seems like more of a curse than a gift as everyone forgets she is also a powerful Gaurdian proficient in magic arts.

How can everyone have cool and gorgeous human forms, and all she has is this a five-year-old toddler's body? She shrugged off her concerns and held her tongue as she inquired about their business for coming to the sacred grounds.

"Isn't it obvious? We came to use the Origin Furnace."

"Well, I can be wrong since you and your little girlfriend looks like on a date. I can suggest better locations if ever..."

"That is my little sister, Eu…"

"Firstly, my good Lord, you don't have a sister, and secondly, I wasn't born yesterday." Vermilion retorted as she rolls her eyes.

She might look like an innocent toddler, but she is not gullible to believe his excuse. She can tell something is between these two in a glance.

He refrains himself from arguing further as Vermilion started the incantation to open up the sealed door. The orbs decorating the door lights up when she reaches on specific parts of the chant. Finally, the ancient diagram seal appears before them that completed unlocking the sealed door.

Little Eu waited on the side as they began their conversation. She can't help her disappointment when she learned Lord Vermilion had broken the seal without her. She can only sigh dispiritedly.

After a quick introduction, Vermilion escorted them into the cave as she rides comfortably on her thick red golden rimmed grimoire. Inside, Little Eu didn't expect to find a beautiful palace that one can only describe as an enchanting blazing scenery. It resembles a hidden civilization born of flames. Even the flora around them flickers like fire.

"This the Flame Palace of Feirnisia. The Ancient Flame Guardians use to reside here. Now, it is just an abandon ruin. It's part of the remnants of the Ancient's past." Vermilion said as if replying to the little girl's inquiry.

She is using a softer tone now. She mentioned it was an ancient ruin, but everything seems well maintained. She wonders how she could probe even further, but the Divine Lord suddenly spoke near her ear.

"Don't touch anything. It might be pretty, but it will burn you." the Divine Lord whispered to the little girl.

She is in a dazed state as she looks around the fiery scenery. He can't blame the little girl for being enthralled by this is once an enchanting place in Astra.

They never wanted to discuss or reminisce about what has happened in the past. Some things are better left unsaid. Little Eu somehow senses their feelings as she completely drops the subject. She knows that, if they wanted to, they would disclose the story themselves.

"How long are we going to stay here?" the little girl curiously asked.

The Divine Lord was preparing the materials with Vermilion as he responded, "With the type of weapon you requested, it will take at least three days. Standard armaments require less, but your weapon of choice is unique, and it needs extra time to be completed. Don't worry. This Lord will sure to create the best weapon you can wield."

"The Great Divine Lord of the Sacred Ancient Spirit Beasts is taking requests from a little girl? You won't even teach me magic, and now you are taking jobs? You are unbelievably unfair!?" Vermilion snorted in disbelief with a tinge of jealousy.

This high and mighty Purple Phoenix Lord is proud and powerful. They've known each other for more than one thousand years, and he is never an approachable person, especially by a simple young girl.

He is easily offended and overbearing. Ever since he came in with this little girl, he has been strangely out of character. The girl even indulges herself in asking the Great Divine Lord to forge a weapon for her. What kind of enchantment did she do to him?

Hearing her comment, the little girl can't help herself to argue with her and defends him. The Lord she knew is amiable and understanding. Why is she saying slanderous things about him?

"The Lord has treated me with kindness ever since we met and took me in. I am under his care ever since I was three years old. I don't understand why you continued saying evil things about him. He is a very nice person!" Eu said on his defense.

"Amiable? Kind? Nice? Who? This Lord? Divine Lord Foeni?" she bombard the girl with questions in disbelief as she recalls how many times that same Lord almost killed her, "You got to be kidding me! In our years of knowing each other, never have I've seen this Lord without intending to kill me. Probably today is an exception."

The Divine Lord smiles as he heard Vermilion's grievances towards him over the years. Since Vermilion resembles a rebellious child, he tends to reprimand her many times.

He can't deny that he didn't go overboard reprimanding her and might have done what the cute little bird's complaints. It somewhat trained her to be more agile, too, as she became competent dodging his attacks.

On the other hand, the little girl defended him wholeheartedly. Not even Vermilion could ruin his reputation towards this adorable little girl. He is contented to have only this little girl's adoration. It doesn't matter if the world looks at him with disdain.

"You don't have to defend me, Little Eu." he approached the young girls are engrossed with their debate. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he looked straight into her purple amethyst misty eyes and said in a very gentle voice, "Even if the whole world hates your big brother, as long as my beloved little sister loves and believes in me, I am contented."

'OMG~ what in tarnation did I witness? Even if I reveal this with Big Brother Azure and Turtle, or even to Big Sister Tiger, they will all laugh at me in disbelief. My eyes… my ears… This is simply unbelievable!!!'

Vermilion is about to vomit blood from watching him. She decided to leave them alone before she goes insane. She can't believe what poison or magic or even curse this Divine Lord Foeni used on the girl to have so much faith in him or probably is it the other way around? She can't help mumbling into herself as she can't contain her disbelief.

When she finally disappeared, the Divine Lord pat the young girl's head as he said, "Thank you for defending me even if you don't have to. I am not a kindhearted person. I have tons of enemies, and many do hate me." he paused as he continued, "But I am touched that you put your faith in me."

"But you are kind…" she pouts and retorts as she looks down to avoid his gaze.

How can he abandon this little girl who put so much faith in him? She never doubts his intentions and believes him wholeheartedly. He fears it will put her life in constant danger. He wants to keep her close so he can watch over her.

He can't say anymore as he gently smiles at this innocent, naive girl as he pats her head again. He stood up to continue preparing the Origin furnace so they can finally start what they came for.