Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

"It seems our break is over. To think so long has passed, and I barely got to enjoy my time in the classroom."

"Why so dramatic? It just means we should cherish the next four months before we complete the year and move up together." Mu Xue pouted, her lips raising slowly as she leaned against Asura's muscular chest. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

Asura looked at his beautiful maid who closed her eyes while rubbing her cheeks against his chest.

He thought back to the last moments in the Elven empire, his promise with Celine and the queen while taking Philis with him purely because her body needed his anima to recover from the severe necrosis that destroyed most of her organs.

'Not to mention, she knows I am related to Azoth.'

The palace rooms were warm and comfortable to relax inside. Now the city began to recover, Maria and Alan started to take part in the meetings and lead the nation more.

Grom took a position to help both the knights and Westrin to help Alan because of how close his clan lived to the port.

As for Asura, Mu Xue, Lucia and the two vampires, the past few weeks were spent enjoying the holiday.

Valerie knew she couldn't stay much longer, and thanks to the letter from the queen, Asura couldn't either, allowing her to leave with him in the next few days.

"It's just that since we killed their saintess and Alistair, the cult hasn't made a single move. It makes me worried about what their retribution might be. Though I doubt they are stupid."

"I don't think they will strike so soon, husband. We should prepare for the half-term exams first; your knowledge of some things is strange!"

"What!? How are they strange!"

Mu Xue giggled at her husband's reaction to her statement.

"That's a secret until after we get back."

"Tease." Asura humphed as his arms surrounded her soft chest, enjoying the cool temperature of her skin. He felt that since she awakened as a devil, the temperature was perfect for him to lean on her like this.

'Once we return, I'll have many women to please and a large wedding to plan.' Asura sighed to himself and tightened his grasp around Mu Xue, pushing her onto the warm and soft carpet while the fireplace roared into the chimney.

However, before he could enjoy her company, a voice sounded from the doorway. "Ahem, Asura... Oh!"

The voice belonged to Alan, dressed in his knight armour before entering the room slowly while the couple untangled their bodies quickly. Mu Xue vanished with a tuft of smoke, while Asura slowly sat on the sofa once more and leaned back with a slightly frustrated look, his lips pressed together, and eyes narrowed.

"Sorry to ruin your moment. But Maria wishes to meet you before you and the queen leave tomorrow."

"Damn, time goes faster than I thought. Very well, where does she wish to meet?" Asura calmed his emotions and nodded to his friend while standing up and removing some creases from the black tunic and pants he wore.

Though he was technically the master of the two, Asura rarely used that authority and kept a very professional relationship when not messing around with Alan in the knight's yard.

"In the second meeting room, man, it feels strange to know you are going to leave soon... I don't know how we will manage without you, Lucia and the other girls helping us with training and the other tasks."

Alan spoke sincerely, showing just how useful they were over the months.

Asura placed an arm over Alan's shoulder and smiled faintly. "Think nothing of it, old man. It's about time you learned these skills to impress your future wife; I think Grom should have some people who can help with the knights, though. As for the other things, you're on your own, haha. I'm not leaving any of my lovely women behind!"

"Tsk, cheapskate."

The two walked down the road to Dull Corridor because they wanted to save on magic crystals and other items. The palace would follow the city and have dimmed lights unless someone needed the light, or the rooms were in use.

This policy reminded Asura of his life as Sura, where energy became scarce, and they had to force places to endure blackouts once a week.

While the two made jokes about Alan's marriage and their future kids, they soon stood outside Maria's door.

Alan knocked a few times, and a delicate voice floated out. "Please, come in, and thank you for escorting Asura, Alan."

The doors pushed in as the two walked into a luxurious bedroom that carried a feminine vibe and held many expensive and decorated gifts over a vast fireplace and white mantle.

Maria lay on a sofa with a fur-lined robe covering her and a plate filled with fruit and a small jar of wine; she seemed at home with the current post given to her, and Asura glanced lightly before elbowing Alan and whispering. "Lucky bastard, look at your cute and sexy wife!"

"Fuck you!" Alan pushed Asura before Maria glared at the pair.

"Sit properly and behave. The pair of you are so unbelievably childish!" Maria commanded.

"Yes, Ma'am!" "Ma'am!"

They responded together with straight backs, and a faint smirk appeared on Maria's red lips.

"Good boys."

Both blushed, Alan out of pride and Asura out of slight embarrassment and discomfort with the conversation. It seemed Alan's love transformed Maria's personality, her pride and confidence now off the charts as Asura leaned back on his seat and took some of the wine from the jar, his nose sniffing the scent, a smile coming to his face.

"A deep flavour, dark chocolate, with hints of cinnamon and cherry? It's not bad..."

As the liquid trickled down his throat, Asura smacked his lips while Alan sat there stunned. "How can you even taste the flavour!"

Maria's gaze locked onto her lover before turning to Asura, who shrugged his shoulders and drank another gulp of the wine, his fingers placing it down before leaning back and glancing between Alan and Maria on the sofa. "Something the matter?"

"It's quite a hard wine to appreciate, the subtle hint of flavours blended by a master and aged for two and a half decades. This was the special batch my father ordered for my wedding a shame that bastard messed with my head." Maria swilled the glass in her hand, the dark red, bordering mahogany colours flickering on the ceiling as she seemed lost in thought.

She brought her gaze to Asura and finally asked, "How come your tongue picks it all up in a simple sip while Alan struggles to appreciate any of the flavours?!"

"It's probably because his head has been hollowed out by cheap ale!" Asura snorted while Alan replied. "Cheap Ale is a masterpiece, mind you! Nothing can compare with its body and flavour."

"Tsk, Men."

Maria finished her glass and moved next to Alan on the three-seated couch; Asura sat alone. He felt the atmosphere felt strange but didn't speak and waited for the two to tell him what they wanted.

"Asura, as you know, our situation is a little weird..." Maria paused for a moment and looked into Alan's eyes, nodding while placing her delicate palm onto Alan's sturdy fingers. He responded instantly and gripped her, smiling like a fool in Asura's opinion.

"Are you sure you can trust us to run this nation without your gaze on us? Alan said you were pulling all of your forces and leaving only a few hundred knights and warriors..."

Maria's golden hair swayed softly, and the crystal earrings rocked with a jingling.

"Maria is worried about her performance, and the nobles may target her directly while you are away," Alan stated honestly.

Asura didn't speak.

He looked at the pair, then took another glass of the delicious wine, swilling and enjoying the aroma, before his lips parted.

"I trust you both; do not think as my pawns, though that oath exists, create the kingdom you desire. As long as you don't betray me and Silvara I will never judge your actions."

Asura spoke the truth; they may act as pawns, but the world was unfair. The strongest rule is that loyalty must be shown through results, not words.

Maria and Alan smiled before nodding, and Alan clasped his hands and bowed his head, only lifting it once he completed it.

However, Asura didn't care. At the time he didn't have the leeway or time to build trust with the pair and used an underhanded tactic to gain this position of advantage, though he wouldn't discard it.

The truth was this kingdom only served as a barrier for Silvara, and thus, he would only protect it when needed. He had to nurture many other pawns and potential aces, some of which remained closer than others.

"Don't worry, Maria. Just do what I asked, and I won't forsake you. To be honest, I am homesick and have to finish my education; maybe in five years or sooner, I might get greedy for the throne, but now? I am just happy to see the world grow stronger."

Asura comforted Maria but wasn't honest about the fact he was tired and wished to see the Elves, rather than managing such a boring kingdom.

Maria and Alan noticed the slight undertone and exchanged knowing glances while smiling and nodding to their future king.

The pair likely thinking how they could prepare the kingdom for when he took the throne.

'I hope that Celine doesn't get scolded too much by her mother... Now she knows her power I doubt that old woman will be as gentle during training.'

Asura then looked towards the western tower, able to see Philis, who stood atop the highest point, looking towards the moon with her arms spread. It seemed to be a form of meditation that she began using after meeting Azoth.

'She looks so peaceful...'

"You two should enjoy your time together. I have something I want to check out." Asura said with a smirk, after downing another cup of the heavy wine.

"Wait! Asura...!" Alan called out, his eyes looking on with despair, being left alone with a drunk Maria.

"Hehehe~ the obstruction left so quickly. Now then, Alan, it's time to make a successor!"

"Ahhh... help! There's a monster in the palace! Brother, save me.... he----"

His foot stepped on the windowsill of Maria. He ignored the shouts of Allan with a huge grin on his face before he flung out of the window and through the skies. Asura's black raven wings unfurled and began to flap slowly.

His target was the tower where Philis stood alone.