Seeing Sapphira’s face so close to his and her eyes wandering over his face, he raised both eyebrows.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking.”
Sapphira’s response made him short of words.
She got to her feet, walked to the table, and brought back a cup of steaming tea.
“Take. It will replenish your strength.”
Asher took the cup, brought his nose close to it, and raised an eyebrow.
“What’s this?”
“It’s green tea. I made it from the herbs in my garden.”
“Oh.” Asher sipped it, and his eyes flickered. He felt a warm current flowing down his oesophagus.
While he was relishing the green tea, Sapphira walked past the bed and pushed the curtains aside, and the sunlight flooded the room, which was lit up by a floating lamp.
A relic Asher was curious about.
“You’ve made the town a beautiful place. No one would know of the great battle we fought here.” Gazing at the townscape, she spoke softly.
Asher turned his head toward her.
“The Evergreen olive tree is the heart of this town, and even after my domain grows beyond its current borders, this town will always remain relevant. It should also cover a good amount of my domain’s revenue.”
Sapphira chuckled.
“Thanks. Nimrim and I will forever be grateful.”
She bowed her head, causing Asher to raise a brow.
“Have you agreed to follow me?”
Sapphira averted her gaze from the townscape to him. “Perhaps. You have several incredible traits that point toward a future with you as a powerful lord.”
After saying those words, she walked toward him, her bare feet gracefully tapping the polished floor. “I shall follow you only if you sign a contract that if you fail to do as you have spoken to me, you shall let me go.”
Hearing those words, Asher stood up.
“Where is the contract?”
Sapphira’s lips curled up in amusement at Asher’s anxiousness to gain her allegiance. She left the room and returned to find Asher pacing the room with his hand clasped behind him.
“Here.”
Sapphira unfurled the rolled-up paper, and when Asher read the requirements, he took an ink pen on the table where the green tea was taken from and signed.
Sapphira’s eyes flickered when she saw that Asher didn’t hesitate, even for one split second.
‘Are the old races really alive?’
Hope slowly rose up within her.
Seeing that he had fulfilled her requirements, Sapphira kneeled and lowered her head.
“Greetings, Lord Asher. I, Sapphira Cyrene, am now officially your priestess.”
“Arise.”
She got to her feet, and Asher’s smile blossomed.
“For sacrificing your men to help Nimrim, I have something to give to you.”
Sapphira led him to the main temple hall and took a scroll from one of the columns, and when he opened it, Asher saw a map. Written boldly on it was: Silver Blood Horse Den.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a map that will lead you to the den of a rare war horse species called the Silver Blood Horse. These horses are said to have an ancient connection to the legendary dragons, which is why they have thick silver scales. Their defense makes them one of the most powerful of their species.”
Asher took the map and studied it.
“Have you seen them?”
Sapphira nodded. “I was the one who drew the map. I did not plan on disturbing them, but I think my lord should know of such a high-quality mount. Although they’re not many, they should have enough numbers for you to equip your personal troop.”
Sapphira’s words made Asher imagine his King Swordsmen on such a powerful horse. Horses that had a layer of defense stronger than steel plate itself!
“This is great.”
Asher took a step forward and patted Sapphira’s shoulder. Not used to such, Sapphira froze in shock, and her cheeks grew pink.
She blinked several times, and by the time her mind became calm, Asher was already at the exit. His backview kept getting smaller until he vanished from her sight.
After leaving Sapphira, Asher located his BloodBlades outside Nimrim, in the camp pitched by the Desolate Wolf. About 1,500 Desolate Wolf Infantrymen had returned to Nineveh along with their commander.
“Your Lordship!”
Nero rose up because he was the first to sight Asher. Alex stood, sheathed his sword, and approached Asher, whose expression was unusually radiant.
A knowing smile appeared on his face as he recalled that Asher came from the temple, where the temple priestess was.
Maybe his lord had found a woman to his liking, or how else would he look so radiant when he was feeling down about the men he lost?
Even the remaining King Swordsmen were relieved to see their lord’s expression.
“I see that Lady Sapphira is quite the beauty.” Alex winked, but Asher shot him a hard look, causing him to take a step back.
He couldn’t understand. His lord had beautiful women around him, but his heart might still be as stone because they weren’t more beautiful than Liya, but Sapphira was several fold more beautiful and elegant than Liya.
She even had a noble bearing. By all indications, she was the right partner, but his Lord still didn’t seem interested.
This matter might have to reach all the higher-ups. Asher almost died before his eyes, and because of this, he wanted his lord to produce an heir that would rule after him.
[Ding! Targets in sight. Should I begin with the upgrade? Yes or No?]
Asher sighed. He wanted to see the new version of his BloodBlades.
‘Do it.’
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Blinding golden and white light enveloped them. The light kept growing brighter and brighter, causing Asher to not only shut his eyes but also shield them with his arm.
Finally, the light came down, and Asher opened his eyes. He saw his BloodBlades and was taken aback by their noble, inspiring, and imposing look.
Their armor became gold, and the pauldrons became more compact with small silver spikes. Silver chains were the straps that held their golden vambraces in place. Their helmets had a T-shaped opening, but due to how it was made, no one could see their faces.
It was just darkness.
Their blue cloaks covered some part of their chestplate. The chest plate had the structure of abs molded into it, and the upper part, which covered the chest, had a blue gem in the middle. It was forged to deflect piercings and even blunt strikes.
The magnificent armor made Asher wish his own had been completed!
