[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
[Hidden Quest...the Noblest Tears...completed!]
[Reward...Elixir of Eternal Life...acquired!]
As Mithras reached his mysterious destination, the system's voice echoed, making the youth blink in confusion.
"Damn. Now I'm even completing quests by talking. With all these rewards and Ero Points, I don't even know what I should buy. Do I even need to buy shit? Let's just focus on mastering our current abilities." Mithras shook his head, and in a burst of sanguine mist, blitzed into the distance.
Meanwhile, Ishtar awoke in an unknown location, with her eyes bandaged but her arms and legs left unrestrained. Confused, the dragoness ripped off the bandage, shocked to find out that she'd landed at the entrance of an obsidian cave.
"Huh...interesting. Why do I have a feeling my cute brother is playing the imp?" Ishtar asked out loud, eyes arching into a lopsided slope.
"Because he can't help himself. We all need an imp in our lives. And I just signed a contract with the Lord to be yours for a lifetime." A bass-like voice came from Ishtar's back and surprised by how easily the newcomer had sneaked up on her, Ishtar's heart skipped a beat.
Still, she didn't lose her composure, eyes lighting up as the newcomer wrapped his arms around her—holding tight while kissing on the temple.
"You're so naughty. Why are you so naughty?" Ishtar asked, and with a 180 spin, turned to face Mithras—cheeks red and eyes beaming as her lips curled into a spellbinding smile.
"To keep that smile on your face," Mithras replied immediately, gently stroking his sister's cheek.
With Arian out of history, Mithras inherits the opportunities that should have been reserved for Arian—meaning that in this new timeline, the headmistress is one of his teachers growing up, teaching him all that should have been Arian's.
Sadly, this blessing became a double-edged sword. For now too close to Mithras, the headmistress discovers Ishtar anyway, driven by Sucuria to use her to get in Akamana's good graces.
Why did Sucuria try to harm her nephews? Because she is a hussy. Hates Odoacer more than anyone, but at the same time, doesn't have the courage to try and ruin his plans by outright murdering or ruining his children.
Hussies will receive their hussy medicine. But now that he'd recovered his sis and knew the truth of the matter, Mithras couldn't help but feel sorry for Suri. The headmistress' life is indeed unfortunate, with no control over her body, yet always being aware of everything that Sucuria makes her do.
But to cure Ishtar's condition...the Grand Priestess wasted...about half of the Angra Theocracy's resources!
Not her personal resources, but the entire theocracy's—effectively putting her empire at risk of financial ruin.
Even a blood relative might not do that for you. Making Mithras wonder what the hell was going on in the Grand Priestess' demented mind.
"I'm sure she has her reasons," Ishtar said, referring to their mother.
"That's your problem. You have too much faith in people. But it's fine. I can be suspicious enough for the two of us. And I'm not here to discuss sorrowful things. I'm here to spoil my goddess.
So come on then, beautiful. I have a surprise for you," Mithras said, and with one hand on Ishtar's eyes, and the other on her back, he guided her into the obsidian cave.
The entrance closed behind them, and unlike what Ishtar expected, the inside was warm and pleasant, with a soft breeze that ruffled her hair despite the enclosed setting.
Better, even with Mithras' hand blocking her sight, Ishtar could feel the luminous rays coming from a distance. Mithras stopped at last, removing his hand, and letting his sister's eyes open to a new scenery.
There, a spacious and luxurious suite of ruby walls and lavish furniture took shape. With tall red pillars topped by bright, burning flames that flickered towards the ceiling. Ishtar ignored it all, staring dumbstruck at the ruby altar standing in the distance.
Overbearing blood flames burned on top, rippling with ancient and horrifying energies. Yet Ishtar wasn't afraid. Better, her lips curled into a silly smile, tears dropping from her eyes as she shifted between the Blood Flame Altar, and the red wedding dress Mithras had managed to put on her shoulder without her realizing.
The how didn't matter. Because as her eyes darted between her brother's suit and the altar...Ishtar understood the meaning behind this setup.
"In the last centuries of the Empire, to preserve the purity of their lineage and prevent the nonstop decline of their bloodlines from destroying them all, the Blood Aristocracy established the Divine Blood Marriage—breaking Hadubrangr's taboo—and sealing the deed before an Altar of Blood Flames.
I made the altar myself and had the best tailor of the Purple Dawn make this pair of scarlet suit and dress for us.
Red is the color of passion. Regardless of the world, this will never change. And so, it is in the Red...that I would like to inherit my forefathers' legacy...and take you as my wife.
Ishtar...will you marry me? Though we may not be able to honor this bond before the law, I swear to treat you as my spouse, spoiling you today, tomorrow, and every day after...till death do us part," Mithras said, and in an explosion of wild emotions, Ishtar threw herself into his arms, kissing him with burning passion.