“I’d been here before as a kid. Years ago when father had some business in a nearby city, we stopped here for a bit of sightseeing. It was at this time that I saw a moving theatre with him and Mother.

Viers and Ciel were at the lake’s bank, looking at the body of water side by side while sitting on the ground. Their wet clothes had been dried using simple magic. Ciel suddenly talked while hugging both of her knees close to her chest.

“It was then Mother told me about the special Star Pearl that grants wishes, you see... The play of the theater was still fresh in my mind, I jumped into the lake so I could wish to be a beautiful princess like the lead actress.”

“Did you find it?” Viers asked.

“Nope.”

“Glad you didn't find it.”

“Why?”

“Cause you’re amazing just the way you are.”

“Pfft. Cheesy,” Ciel lightly scoffed.

The silence between them was pleasant, like a warm blanket that provided comfort. Ciel broke the silence first.

“Seeing this place again brought back the memories of that time... Back to a happier time. When the relationship between us wasn't so... strained.”

Viers sensed the forlornness in her voice. “I take it that the talk with your father didn't go well? I thought I mellowed out your dad earlier.”

“I thought so too... Yet he was adamant. He wanted me to marry Patrick. When I gave the name of another, he refused. We argued.”

“Whose name did you give? Mine?” Viers said with a perfectly normal expression.

“...Don't make me say it, idiot.” Ciel turned her red face in the opposite direction. “It’s embarrassing.”

“I think your father didn't buy our acting. Might have not from the start.”

“He pressed for an answer, Viers... Your face is the only one that came to mind.”

Ciel’s heartbeat was on overdrive and she could hear it.

“...Father wasn't having it. He said he’d rather me be a nun than marry you.”

“Ouch. He really doesn't like me, huh?”

“Before I could leave in anger, he bound me using an Arte then shipped me back home under guards. But he underestimated me and I escaped then I ended up here.”

Viers hummed in contemplation, crossing his arms. “This is highly unusual. I wonder what the duke's priority is? Your well-being? Your partner’s qualification? House Valentine? His reputation? His grandchild? Is there a political or personal matter involved? The root behind his actions is puzzling.”

“Might be all of them and more. Sometimes their reputation is worth waging war over for nobles. Either way, my own feelings are clearly placed somewhere at the bottom.”

“There’s still a chance you might be somewhere in the middle.”

“...Doesn't make me feel better.”

“Right... When I agreed to be your windbreaker against unwanted marriage proposals at the ball, I was well aware I might have to deal with your father’s wrath.”

“Deal with? A strong choice of words,” Ciel let out a small laugh.

“Since the gap of power between me and a Level 5 peak won't be bridged anytime soon, I’m aware I must placate him. At least to the point, he is disinclined to... make me disappear. I plan on achieving this by proving myself I’m not as lowly or unqualified of you as much as he’d think. Perhaps I have to duel his representatives or your other spouse candidates. If not, winning the Grand Prix is as good as any. Besides, it will benefit Croix too. Two birds with one stone.”

“Are you saying you intend to deal with Father in the future? He’s unmistakably one of the strongest Pathseekers in this country, you know.”

“With no disrespect towards your father, I intend to surpass everyone and anyone since my first step onto the Path of Power. But as I said, I am obviously far below the duke at this point. With how fast the situation is evolving, I think I missed my chance. Now I think the possibility that he’ll turn hostile towards me is quite big.”

“You think Father will eliminate you personally? Even he couldn't possibly-”

“It doesn't have to be him. He just needs to speak the word and there will be people doing the job for him.”

Ciel gnashed her teeth and didn't say a rebuttal.

“That’s my part of the problem. Then there’s you. You escaped this time but you’ll be found sooner or later. What then? If the duke is hell-bent on bringing you home, can you prevent it?”

“...I have been inconsiderate. I apologize for bringing trouble and more trouble upon you.”

“Don't be. There are two reasons. One, the Soulterror Banshee's core, the price you paid for our transaction is still worth more than this amount of trouble. Two, because we’re comrades in battle and you're a dear friend. You saved my life first, then I saved yours, and we repeated that a couple of times. We’ve fought together in Valkut and now here. I’ll give you a hand. As I said, I’ve got your back.”

Ciel stayed silent and hugged her knees tighter. She feared her heart would leap out of her chest.

“Taking into account our circumstances, now we must figure out our next move. If worse comes to worst I can go over the border and go hiding while you can go back to the Silver Legion. But that means leaving Croix and Latias alone for an extended time so it isn't ideal. Still, I have a plan.”

“...So do I. You made me realize it. That is the case, Father.”

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Ciel stood up and turned. A man approached from the darkness. His strides were uncompromising. Viers wasn't surprised about his appearance. Even he was able to find Ciel. There was no telling the means at the duke’s disposal.

“Ciel. My tolerance for your treasonous actions has run dry. It was a mistake to allow you to leave home.”

“Treasonous, is it? I beg to differ.”

This time, Duke Sterling Valentine seemed to have no intention of holding back. His Victa crashed upon them like a deluge. Ciel and Viers were already in a battle-ready state before he came into view.

Viers took a step forward and half-shielded Ciel with his body. “Milord Duke. I want-”

“The ties between you two are stronger than I anticipated. A tangled knot... shall be cut by a blade.”

Won't even listen to me, huh? Alright. That’s it. Now I’m mad. No more Mr. Nice Guy. You think I’m a pushover, dude?

Viers unsheathed his Umikirimaru with his right hand while on his left he channeled the maximum output of Futon’s lightning. He tore down his fake Level 3 cultivation and revealed his true Level along with the power it entailed, bolstered by the 900% multiplier of his Horizon Aspect. It was at this state Viers defeated the Level 4 peak Magisterium Tower Master.

Impressive it might be, even that paled in comparison to what Ciel was doing.

A hilt of a sword materialized from her chest. As she pulled the sword out in a slow, deliberate motion, a beam of light engulfed her body and it extended to the sky, for the second time it shined in the night sky. Viers felt the Divine-class power from an arms reach and it was wonderful to behold.

The entirety of Bright Sky came into view. It was a straight sword with a fitting design for a fantasy setting. Cool and sleek, most of all, powerful. Viers could not quantify the amount and quality of mana packed inside the item and gauged its capability for destruction. The blade itself looked as if it was forged from solid light. The sword looked different from what Viers remembered, only the blade part was the same. It was also more powerful than it was in his hands. As a wielder that it acknowledged, Ciel could draw out more power than Viers did.

All in all, Viers put the sword on par with the legendary Excalibur from the Fate series. It had similar power and regality.

Ciel’s cultivation was no slouch either. Like Viers, she too was a new Level 4 but her power was much greater than it was supposed to be. Adding that with cheat-level equipment, Ciel should be able to defeat a Level 4 peak too.

Viers and Ciel pointed their swords side by side at the angry father. The two represented the brilliance of world-class cultivation talent, the bright stars among their generations, able to bridge the strength gap between several Path of Power steps. One step was great enough but several marked the brokenness of their build.

And yet, the Level 5 didn't even reach for the sword on his hip.

If the upper caste of the Latias society could see Viers now, they would be beyond surprised. Everybody knew Ciel Valentine was special and that was before she used her Divine Weapon. But the current Viers, the lack of Divine Weapon withstanding, was undoubtedly qualified to stand on her side. Powerwise, at least.

Little did they know Viers still had hidden cards. Divine Weapon? He also had one and two pseudo-ones. Whether it was RNGesus’ will or just plain progression, all three were swords: The Dark Moon broadsword Divine Weapon, the Spear of Leonidas that Viers used more as a shortsword than an actual spear, and the newest one, the Beam Saber. The latter two couldn't compare to Bright Sky and Dark Moon in terms of power but they had their uses. For example, Spear of Leonidas’ short-range teleportation was very useful in most situations.

“Even with all this, we can't win. I know that.”

After a moment of awe from the first time she felt Viers’ full power, Ciel put all her attention to the colossal threat in front of her.

Ciel’s analysis was seconded by Viers. The gap between them and the Level 5 peak, the maximum power ceiling of this world without crossing into the divine, was simply too large.

“But we can hold on for a few seconds,” Ciel added. “And that’s all we need.”

Again, Viers concurred. And those few seconds would make all the difference. Behind his show of power, he was readying his escape. Dia had been signaled to open a portal to Viridis on his mark.

Despite the duke’s hostility, Viers doubted he would try to kill his own daughter. That meant he would pull his punch to a certain degree. While Ciel might not be his target, Viers definitely was. However, he had multiple life-saving items that he burned money to get for these exact circumstances.

Therefore, Viers was confident he and Ciel could last several seconds against the duke, enough time to escape into the Biome. Should the duke pursue, Dia would match him using the power of the land. He would assist his lovely familiar and it would be a tough battle, but they should be able to cast the duke back out. The Biome had been prepared extensively against hostile Level 5s.

At this point, several people had joined the initial three, the duke’s men who had been searching for Ciel. It couldn't be helped. Ciel’s Divine Sword was too eye-catching. They kept their distance but were ready to move at a moment's notice and more was coming.

Viers didn't use his three most powerful weapons because he wasn't planning to fight the duke to the bitter end. The Divine Weapon was formerly Lucan Duchy’s. There was a chance Duke Valentine might recognize it, which would bring all kinds of trouble. The Beam Sword was similarly too conspicuous. That said, Viers didn't need them to survive this ordeal so he kept them hidden.

Just in case, he even prepared to use his most destructive Arte in his arsenal, Soul Snake’s Disintegration Decree. He doubted it would kill the Level 5 even if he took it head-on but it should make him flinch.

This was Viers’ plan in response to the immediate danger he was in. Not bad if he said so himself. The duke’s men would not pose an issue to his and Ciel’s retreat, not unless another of the duke’s caliber showed up.

But Ciel had another plan. The only similarity they shared was the need to delay the duke for several seconds.

“Father, this is my answer. A path I chose of my own free will!”

Viers attention was at his front. His concentration was sharpened to a fine edge because of how strong the duke was. Therefore he was blindsided when Ciel pulled him close and kissed him for a second time.

However, it wasn't the same as the one they shared earlier. A magic circle appeared on their feet.

“Lady Ciel, no!”

“Is that!?”

“Such rashness...”

The duke’s men expressed their surprise, even the duke himself finally broke his stoic expression.

“I have invoked the Vow of Souls,” Ciel said after she ended the kiss. “By the ancient rite of this land, our souls are now tied. A spark of my soul resides in him, freely given. I am now his wife!”

As if sending her declaration to the land, the magic circle seeped into the earth until there was no trace of it left.

Viers didn't know what to say. This was not in his plans or contingency plans.

“Ciel... What have you done?” The duke’s voice was accompanied by an unwillingness to believe what he saw.

“I’m sure you need not be reminded of how the ancient marriage ceremony of this land works, Father. The pact is done. He can do whatever he wants with me as a sign of unconditional trust. From now on, I will live my life my way and lead House Valentine my way too! If you don't like it, kill me, banish me, disown me, I don't care. You either accept it or House Valentine ends with me!”

Ciel paused as she normalized her breathing. She was high on adrenaline.

“A word of warning. If Avel dies because of you or your malicious designs, I will take my own life. I swear this with the Goddess as my witness!”

The duke and his men were struck by a sledgehammer for the second time.

On the other hand, Ciel exhaled. Her face looked relieved as if the cotton that smothered her lungs had been removed.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Grand Prix to win so I’ll take my leave here,” Ciel did a curtsy like a noblewoman. “Gentlemen, please help the duke return to Gryphon’s Reach, before he suffers another heart attack. Good evening everyone.”

Viers felt a tug on his arm.

“It’s getting late. Shall we go home?” Ciel asked with a bright smile.

“...Let’s.”

The duke and his men didn't stop them, as if their feet had turned to stone.