Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Asura stepped onto the bridge of the ship, feeling no different from the land. He thought it might sway or make him feel strange, but it didn't. Rather, the view of the huge, expansive ocean and the distant land that existed beyond made his heart throb.

[I am looking in your direction right now. One day, I will come to visit.]

[Eh!? Idiot, just use that thing... What do you mean, speaking in such a strange tone?]

[Haha, in the future sure]

He couldn't help teasing the elf Celine on the other side of the world. Asura really desired to meet her in person rather than use the teleportation symbol she gave him.

[You better!]

Although she would call him an idiot, he would call it a man's pride.

"Captain, it is time."

The captain was a serious-looking person who had served on the ship for decades. He would constantly sigh with regret when drinking. However, he maintained complete focus as he guided the ship, even with the presence of extra crew members.

Asura gave the old man a nod.

He resembled his father, and so Asura showed him respect before heading towards the private lower deck made for him and Vela. Meanwhile, the other Valkyrie spread through the bridge and deck, performing the menial tasks that sailors and knights would normally do.

In the distance, hundreds of commoners watched in awe of the enormous ships all forming a beautiful formation.

The crew on the ship were muttering amongst themselves as they couldn't hide their nervousness at seeing such an illustrious group. They could barely remain calm in the presence of a royal and her husband.

However, thanks to the queen's actions, Asura's ship only had those he knew well to avoid any danger or assassination issues while on the voyage.

"Asura."

"Vela."

"Today is the day."

"It is."

The two were so close to one another, speaking words of affirmation to each other. A cheerful smile on Vela's face, as her hair waved gently in the wind. Beside them, Mu Xue held Asura's other hand, fidgeting with his fingers, while Xavida hugged him back.

All the women involved with him relaxed as their room's dark walls opened up to reveal clear glass showing the beautiful view, like magic. The sound of seawater created a gentle sea breeze as the ship's position gave a stunning view of the towers and waterways of the city.

"To think the city looked this wonderful from this angle," Lorem muttered while Lucia sat on a sofa eating some olives. The private room came with comfortable sofas across the wall in a horseshoe shape, with Asura on the most central sofa looking out toward the ship's bridge.

"Attention, this is your captain speaking."

A voice resounded throughout the ship as a broadcasting stone on the main bridge was used to transmit the voice. The entire crew snapped to attention, and so did those in the large private room.

"In order to perform the launch of our ship, you are all to stand by for the upcoming countdown. At the end of the countdown, the crew are to move to a secure position, and the knights and royal family will maintain a vigilant watch as the ship's mana crystals activate."

"Princess Vela and Prince Asura, please remain calm and enjoy the view as we show you the might of Drakkur's naval fleet."

At these words, Asura smiled slightly. The captain was showing off for the new royal pair, something that was certainly warranted. He found the man's words very amusing while feeling the whirring vibrations below, the loud sounds from the engine's turbines twirling, and a beautiful glow of purple magic fluttering from the deck, using the excess energy to light the ship.

'What a genius to think of such a use for the wasted magic. I bet it was that damn old dwarf.'

The Valkyrie stood in uniform, forming a line, standing to attention on the main deck. The other ships spread out and followed in a 'V' formation, flying the flags of Drakkur, Asura Phoenix, and Silvara in unison.

"3... 2... 1... Go."

The tremendous roar of mana within the turbines awakened. It felt like a demon's roar or the awakening of a demonic beast that could destroy the world. Asura felt the acceleration, while Mu Xue, Lorem, and Lucia seemed shocked. Vela gripped his hands tightly, keeping her smile while Asura's arm wrapped around her waist.

The private room rumbled as the turbines gradually activated, and the ship began moving smoothly, pushing the water out of its way. The mana crystals glowed brightly, causing a white halo to appear that caused the sky to become darker and more fearsome.

The ship's magnificent speed gradually sped up, and the sound of water spraying became like a beautiful wave. In a few moments, it had reached the limit, and Asura stared outside the window, admiring the view.

"Woah."

Lucia stood up from her chair, looking at the view that they were making through the glass window in a daze.

"Unbelievable," Lorem muttered. Though used to the best ships of Silvara, they never got the chance to enjoy the dreadnaughts created by Drakkur, which had a speed almost double that of the queen's fastest ships. With their heavy armour and artillery still unmatched, it felt that Drakkur's secrets were beyond the world's current technology.

"Vela, look at how beautiful the coastline is," Asura muttered.

"Yes, so beautiful," Vela whispered. "Ahh... A fish!"

Thud!

The ship's engines seemed to snap into a faster gear, the coast and horizon almost becoming a blur. A sharp sensation coursed through Vela's body as her legs went limp. Her body leaned into Asura's arms, her face slightly pale. "Ah... fast, I feel a little."

"Fufu, not only have the humans been hit with their wings clipped, but even my dear princess is feeling ill. Truly, what a sight to behold." Lorem chortled as she admired the scenery.

"Asura, it's the ocean!" Mu Xue grabbed his shirt, her eyes shining. It was the first time he saw her look so overjoyed by something irrelevant to him.

"Yes," Asura spoke.

He glanced at her with a smile while Vela curled up beside him.

"This is only the beginning. A few days from now will be a momentous day." He muttered to himself, his heart thumping in excitement, unable to contain his expectations for the future.

***

Meanwhile, in Silvara, Sigurd sat across from Garrett and Ophelia. She planned to negotiate the academy and its location and officially announce her involvement with Asura.

The trio were in a room on the highest floor of the Magic Academy, overlooking the academy's courtyard. This was Sigurd's former residence, which she gave back to the palace after choosing to move her home to the Phoenix Glade so that the east would feel a sense of fear stopping their constant invasions.

"Greetings, Lord Garret and his wife, Lady Ophelia. My name is..."

"I know!" Garret couldn't help but grimace, "You are the sword saintess of Silvara. Sigurd!"

"Nice to meet you. I am Ophelia. Asura's mother and his number one fan!"

"Darling!?" Garret gasped.

Sigurd and Ophelia gazed at one another, both wearing smiles as they introduced themselves. Their understanding was simple: They both loved Asura, and that's all that mattered, so they needed to be close in order to support them in the future.

"I would like to introduce myself. Sigurd Phoenix, future wife of your son Asura and guardian of the phoenix glade."

"Eh?"

Ophelia was stunned while Garret choked on the glass of water he was drinking.

"If you are here to talk about the location of the magic academy, then we don't need to continue. I plan to ask you again in the future with Asura's present. Today, I just wanted to greet you and let you know that your son has many talented women. Opening a school in your territory might also help for the future children we will all give birth to."

Garrett didn't seem surprised but didn't speak either. Ophelia's smile only grew wider; she felt a sense of joy from Sigurd's words: "Sigurd, as a mother, I only want to see Asura happy, so I want you to become his wife, no matter what. If you love him and cherish him, you have my support. No matter how old or how many there are, you are all my future daughters."

"Ophelia." Sigurd smiled with her eyes filled with emotion, her cheeks blushing. "I have little in my life, as my parents died, and I never got to meet my siblings, but if Asura has a mother like you, no wonder he is such a loving and caring man."

"Fufu, the sword saintess, is such a cute woman. Who would have guessed?" Ophelia grinned.

Garret, who was looking at them in silence, couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy as he grumbled to himself, his hand leaning against his cheek as he pouted.

But then he saw it, the distant ships taking sail. His lips curled into a smile as he remembered his son's face and a determined voice speaking of his decision to conquer the east of Romantica. "Sail safely, my dear son."

"Ah~ it's my lovely husband's soft moment. He's doting on Asura, but don't forget Amalia is also with him! That girl.... saying she would abandon her sibling relationship with Asura and chase him as a man!"

"WHAT!? MY AMALIA SAID THAT!?" Garret shouted, standing up while panting. "My little girl is too young for boys!!!"

"Calm down, darling; Asura has his plans and is even more direct than you. Amalia is older than Asura by two minutes. You know that, right?"

"..."

Garrett's power and rage vanished when he saw his lovely wife's smile—a smile so beautiful and pure that it made one feel her beauty. However, only her husband could see the sharp blade and angry reflection of her true feelings. "Yes, wife..."

Like a defeated soldier, he turned back to the sea, hearing the two women speaking and could only feel sorry for his son...

'Asura, one woman can bring the most powerful man down... Yet you have ten... Your father worries deeply.'