Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Asura sat inside the royal palace; today, he would meet the Queen for the first time regarding his marriage. He didn't know what kind of woman she was, but the smile and joy on Vela's face after she spoke about her succession ceremony was enough.

'Many of the doubts in Vela's heart have vanished. I'm happy for her.'

However, because of the scale of the wedding and the rules and regulations of the palace. Asura would not see his bride-to-be until the day now.

Last night, he felt a little unbearable being pulled apart by the Valkyrie Royal Guard and considered sneaking inside, but he gave up.

"Asura, you look so handsome..." Verana's eyes watched him with a deep glow in their depths, one of lust and admiration.

"You are the one that dressed me, perverted Drakkur!"

Despite his voice sounding complacent, he gripped her waist.

Their moments together were rare, and because of the past, Verana constantly put the other women before her. After kicking away the fate, he no longer needed to endure the monoliths and their shards.

Now a free man, the first thing Asura swore to do was to love his woman completely with both his hearts.

"I am a clean, pure and lovely woman!"

"Yes, so lovely. I cannot help but want to devour you whole."

"Ah... husband, we can't. The meeting and you look so good." Verana bit down on her red lips as Asura moved forward.

She couldn't stop his sudden advance, her lips tasting his flavour, so suddenly caused her to feel dizzy, as if she was drunk.

Asura kissed her deeply, moving from her lips to her neck, a gentle but affectionate action causing Verana's body to tremble slightly, feeling a sweet sensation from Asura's kisses.

"I don't care." His kisses left her breathless and weak, and her legs almost collapsed beneath her weight—falling into his arms, resting her cheek against his chest.

"You've changed so much. I cannot beat such a charming man."

"Then join me, forever."

"Silly, I've been yours since our first kiss."

He couldn't help but curl his lips into a wide smile before holding her up with his arm.

Today, he wore a special outfit prepared by the palace and his women: a black noble suit with golden accents and the Queen's symbol along his collar and shoulders. However, on his back was an entirely different sigil that few would recognise, the same mark his father Garret once carried.

The two walked outside the room, greeted by several maids who also served as Valkyrie. Under their outfits, they were wearing light armour.

They stood beside Vela and Xavida, who both wore beautiful outfits. The four walked in a line through the hallways to the smaller private meeting hall, where the Queen and several high-ranking Valkyrie had already gathered.

In this palace, only those related to the Queen could bring weapons or armour into the royal palace itself.

However, out of respect for his mother-in-law, Asura brought nothing, unlike his father, who once brought his greatsword and caused a stir.

Asura stood beside Vela, who wore a flowing white dress with various silver accents. In a matching set with Asura, the colours were opposite. As they bowed, the others would wait outside while the meeting began.

Inside the meeting hall, many looked at Asura. Most had already met him and were relieved after seeing his calm manner, while others had their first impression of the Blood Prince.

"Asura, son of the late Garret, it is a pleasure to meet you officially."

The moment the pair entered the room, a gentle yet commanding voice sounded. Vela held Asura's hand tightly, interlocking their fingers.

"May you always protect my daughter; as the future king, I'm sure you are well aware of how many other noble families seek to take her away from you, so I am sure you will cherish her."

'Why is this woman already speaking about stuff like this?!'

He looked at the beautiful woman, sitting on the arm of her chair in a relaxed position, but this woman looked more like Vela's sister than her mother. There was no world in which you could consider this beauty a mother!

However, he stood firm when faced with the immense magical aura she was throwing at him.

Their clash seemed to have started the moment she saw Vela's hand holding his.

A very loving mother.

"I will protect her and the realm with an iron fist." Asura didn't need to pretend anything in front of her.

"Oh?"

He noticed her eyebrows raise and her lips curl into a wicked smile before her magic density increased once again, this time reaching a level that would crush the body of someone below Stage Seven into the ground.

However, Asura's flesh body could resist the pinnacle of Stage Ten.

"Mother?" Vela seemed oblivious as the pair stepped forward, giving a respectful salute before sitting on the opposite side of the beautiful table with beautiful decorations. The wood was dark brown with a glossy finish.

"Let us discuss your marriage."

'Isn't it a bit late for that when you arranged everything?' He thought while keeping his stern gaze on the queen, enjoying her constant pressure that served as nothing more than a comforting massage for him.

"You can call me Mother in the future, Asura."

Asura felt this woman and Vela were so different; despite saying something so nice to him, her magic density increased at another stage and now felt like tiny pins poking his flesh.

Though it didn't hurt, it didn't feel very pleasant, but his magic didn't quite reach her level, so he could only counter her with a poker face.

"Mother, this is supposed to be an official meeting."

"Yes, it is."

She smiled, looking at Asura and continued, "I'm sure you know how many noble families are watching this ceremony, those with grudges against the royal family and even your Fenix household. They might even try to stir trouble during the event. Are you confident you can take care of it without involving me or your father?"

"I will crush anyone who dares to approach if they are not confident to take on the Sword Saintess with their flesh body, then the enemy doesn't stand a chance."

His words were unyielding, and the other Valkyries in the room, which also joined the judgment of the princess and her groom, seemed impressed; they could see the movement of magic with special augments to their eyes, allowing them to see the pressure the young man currently faced.

The Queen's lips curled into a smile as her eyes turned to the young Valkyrie on the side. "I can see that you have quite the body."

"Mother!" Vela shouted.

"Hahaha, it's fine. I approve of you as my son-in-law; however, I look forward to sparring with you in the future. There are many things that only Vela can do; you understand this is her kingdom, and you are marrying into the royal family. However, for the defence of the kingdom and matters involving combat, I believe you deserve some power."

'What does she mean?'

His mother-in-law then flicked her hand, and a tall Valkyrie with silver hair stepped forward, her height above six feet and a tight, muscular body.

She approached the couple before kneeling before Asura, not Vela.

"I am Ignis, Captain of the 7th Elite Valkyrie Sqaud of two hundred. From this day, we are under your complete authority, commander."

Her voice was clear and as strong as her appearance. Asura was taken aback, shocked and curious why this captain suddenly knelt before him.
Experience tales with m v|l e'm,p y r

"Why?"

"Because you are a fearless and trustworthy warrior. When we were given the opportunity, I applied for this service."

"Do you accept?" The Queen asked with a smile on her face.

"I do." Asura wasn't the type to hesitate and saw no issue with the addition of these Valkyrie. He would no longer have to hold his hands and wait for conflicts to happen or end. He knew the world would change, and events might cause the end of Silvara.

'With this, I can take preemptive moves.'

"Good." The queen took a glass in front of her and sipped it.

Asura could see her thoughts changing, her magic increasing again as if she were a natural predator trying to weaken its prey. However, his eyes remained bright, his figure unmoved, while the Queen and Valkyrie watched Asura with a more focused and appreciative eye.

Vela looked at Asura's handsome profile as he faced the intense pressure from her mother. Though oblivious, watching him smiling with a resolute look made her chest flutter.

She believed his attitude today was quite attractive, a charm she never expected to find in such a situation. She knew her mother was amused by the way she smiled and kicked her feet off the chair.

"Haha," the queen laughed.

The room's attention shifted to her, and the glass covered her playful face as she watched her daughter and her new groom.

"My son is too talented. I might have been too harsh on you. Please forgive me. I want to avoid my lovely daughter making my mistake."

"You have nothing to apologise for, Mother."

The Queen smirked, her eyes glowing when he called her mother in his deep voice. Her face became loose, and the surrounding aura vanished completely.

"You are a good boy—I hope you make Vela happy; you will not see her until the special day, but you have my blessing."

Vela's cheeks reddened, but the conversation continued after that, lasting three hours before Asura and Vela exited the room, with various Valkyries dragging her away despite her lovely face and eyes wet with tears.

Ignis stood beside Asura in her full armour, with pale skin and silver hair. It seemed she would not return, so Asura turned to face her.

"Why did you choose me for your commander? You realise I might take you into battles that will be dangerous, right?"

"I have followed your growth since the first moment you appeared because you are from the Fenix house. My family in the past served the Fenix family for generations."

"I didn't hear of anything of the sort?"

"It was in the distant past, over a thousand years ago."

Asura found Ignis spoke strangely, but he didn't find it unpleasant.

"Why did you reach out to me after so many years?"

"Because I want to see my family's oath fulfilled and to follow a master worthy of my bloodline."

She held up her hand, revealing the tattoos on her wrist and the image of a sword. But the hilt of that sword carried phoenix wings, which caused a stir in Asura's chest, and he felt the tattoo carried enough reason for him to accept her.

He reached out and placed his finger on the symbol; the next moment, he curled his lips into a smirk, his black and white phoenix wings spreading from his back, the suit already adjusted for them to unfurl, the huge black and white wing fluttering full of phoenix plumes, that caused Ignis to stand with her mouth wide open.

"Ignis, I am your commander, but it seems I am also the sword on your wrist. Look, my wings prove so, right?"

Asura only joked that he looked like her sword, but the Valkyrie were not a group of people known for their humour. Instead, she kneeled before him and placed her head on his steel boot.

"Master!"