Chapter 114: Dibs
Azrael and Zephyr reached Noir’s house in a few minutes.
It was a wooden bungalow planted in the centre of the village.
Compared to the other houses they had seen around, this one was definitely top-notch.
But Azrael and Zephyr were people who had come from one of the most influential places in the universe.
There was no way such a sight could amaze them.
As they neared the door, it slid open by itself, revealing a large living room made of wood.
There were just two chairs made from exquisite wood that seemed to cost more than what an ordinary village chief could afford.
The decoration looked like something from ancient Japanese culture.
"Please come in," Noir said, gesturing for them to enter.
"Please don’t mind the mediocrity," Noir added as they walked through the door.
Both of them nodded in response.
"Jasmine," Noir called after Azrael and Zephyr settled into the chairs.
A soft, melodic voice was what responded to the call.
Soon, a lady came out from a door opposite where they sat.
She carried herself with the allure of a goddess.
Blue wavy hair with black tints at its tips cascaded gently down her back. Her crimson eyes had sharp slits in their centres.
She looked to be 20 at a glance.
A low whistle came from Zephyr’s mouth as he looked at the lady.
Azrael shook his head subtly at Zephyr’s actions.
’But she bears the same name as Jasmine,’ Azrael wondered with a slight smile.
"Please, go prepare dinner for our guests," Noir said with a smile.
"Okay," she said calmly before walking back in.
"Dibs on her," Zephyr whispered into Azrael’s ear.
Azrael raised a brow. "Okay."
Aside from noting that she shared the same name as Jasmine, Azrael had not thought too much about her.
"That’s my daughter," Noir said with a smile as he walked out of their sight.
He soon came back with a smaller stool.
"What brings you to our village, sirs?" he asked again, this time a little more serious.
"I thought we told you already. We were just exploring," Azrael said, his tone raised.
"Oh," Noir sighed. "I thought you were the ones sent from the Nigura Army to fight the monsters attacking this village."
As he spoke, he looked down.
"Seems like they are still processing our request."
"What do you mean?" Zephyr asked. "This village seems peaceful to me."
The image of the village surfaced in his mind. There was no way a village plagued by monsters was going to be so quiet.
"We were able to create a barrier that hides the village from monsters. But since they are still outside, we cannot leave the village."
Azrael understood immediately.
Such a thing was definitely going to reduce the productivity of the village.
Importing and exporting were going to be cut off too.
There was one issue though.
"Why didn’t we see any of these monsters on our way in?" Zephyr asked.
"No, I felt them," Azrael replied before Noir could speak.
He had indeed felt these monsters, but none of them approached due to his passive Sovereign Of All Sins.
The pressure drove them back.
’At least I am sure that the monsters are weak,’ Azrael mused.
"That’s strange. I didn’t feel anything," Zephyr muttered with furrowed brows.
But he did not let those thoughts distract him.
"We can help you, maybe tomorrow before we leave," Azrael said.
There was no harm in helping them clear the monsters, especially with the possibility that they were weak.
Noir’s eyes brightened as he looked up.
"Really?" he asked.
Azrael nodded calmly.
"Thank you so much," Noir said, holding Azrael’s hand in appreciation.
"But what I don’t get, though, is that you are at Tier 5. Shouldn’t you be able to do something to those monsters? They seem weak."
Noir sighed as he sat back on his stool.
"I am a blacksmith. My combat ability is at most comparable to a Tier 3 warrior."
"Oh," Azrael said, nodding slowly in realization.
As they concluded, Zephyr leaned closer to Noir.
"So, your daughter, is she seeing anyone?"
Noir’s brows twitched.
He did not know what to say in response.
"Please, try to behave yourself," Azrael interjected, pushing Zephyr back to his seat with a long sigh of exasperation.
"What?" Zephyr asked with raised shoulders.
Azrael shook his head at his shamelessness.
Time passed slowly as they talked.
Most of it was centred around Zephyr trying to learn more about Jasmine.
And even more of it was spent trying to ask Noir if she was seeing anyone.
"Ask her about all this yourself."
That was the answer Noir gave most of the time. He only answered a few non-personal questions.
"Food is ready," Jasmine said, breaking their conversation.
As if it were a way out, Noir jumped up from the stool.
"I guess we can continue this over the table," he said as he walked to the door Jasmine had just come out of.
Jasmine’s eyes followed Noir as he entered. They were furrowed.
Azrael stood up calmly and nodded at Jasmine.
"Thank you."
Jasmine replied with a smile and a nod.
Azrael looked back at Zephyr and winked before entering the door.
"Why are you winking at me?" Zephyr asked, standing from his chair. "Do you think a girl as beautiful as her would fall into your harem?"
Jasmine raised an eyebrow before turning to Azrael, who carried a tired expression.
Azrael sighed as he entered the door.
Zephyr and Jasmine were the last ones there, and for a moment, there was an awkward silence.
"Don’t worry. I will make sure he doesn’t force you to join his harem," Zephyr said, walking closer to the girl.
Jasmine nodded calmly before walking into the room.
She did not spare Zephyr another glance after his first approach.
Zephyr looked at her retreating figure with a chuckle.
"Enjoy your ice-cold personality with me now," he said. "It wouldn’t last long."
"Snap out of your delusion and come here," a voice sounded in his mind, cold and aloof.
He turned to Azrael with a smug smile before walking through the open door and shutting it behind him.