Chapter 311: I don’t.

Zyra looked at him with sheer, unadulterated disbelief.

Had the valley epidemic of people mistaking her for some savior finally infected the grand elder’s brain, too?

She didn’t want the Sanctum. She didn’t want the divine maiden title. And she definitely didn’t want the mountain-sized pile of headaches and responsibilities that came attached to it.

Trinity had her faults, but whenever something bad happened anywhere, people blamed her in whispers. She had once witnessed an old woman accidentally drop her bread. A group of kids running through the street stomped on it and kept running.

The first person the old woman had blamed was Trinity. Not herself for being careless. Not the kids. Just Trinity!

Zyra did not want to be the one people cursed when their lives were miserable. Etania and Tessi were more than qualified to take on the role.

Reaching out, she gently grabbed the old man by his shoulders and hauled him up from his dramatic posture. "Grand pa, please. I’m not even going to consider it. I am ninety percent sure there are dozens of people better suited for the job than a person who is focused on finding her parents right now." She had missions too, and beasts to tame, and a business to build.

Besides, the Divine Soul maiden would always be in the cross hairs of the Somnivores. Like a sniper’s favorite target! Who wanted that job?

The grand elder dusted off his pants, shooting her a tiny, disappointed look that practically screamed but you would be good at it. "Other people? Like whom, exactly? Sabrina?"

Zyra bit her tongue. She didn’t actually know Hunter’s mother all that well, but every single rumor floating around tagged the woman as a ruthless, scheming villain. So....no.

Side by side, the two of them began walking down the stone path toward the main house.

"Look," Zyra argued, waving a hand casually, "as far as leadership goes, no one could be worse than Trinity. Let us get rid of her first and see what comes next."

The grand elder narrowed his eyes, staring out toward the front courtyard. "If we drag Trinity off that throne, my daughter will snatch it before the seat even cools down. The only difference is..." He stroked his beard, a crafty glint in his eye. "Sabrina is a lot easier to beat into line when she acts up because she is a relative."

By the time they reached the dining hall, it was breakfast time. Albeit a late breakfast. Naturally, the central topic of discussion was Zyra’s hair.

"Let me take a picture for the road." Achilles said as he raised his link band.

Zyra pointed a sharp knife at him, and he put it away but that did not stop him from getting what he wanted.

Every single time someone passed a plate of steamed buns, Achilles made sure to drop a casual, deeply unnecessary comment.

"Pass the jam, please," Achilles said, leaning over. "Ah, match it to Zyra’s left bang_ it’s the exact same shade of angry pink."

"Achilles, keep talking and I’ll dye your eyebrows while you sleep," Zyra sweet-talked through gritted teeth.

Despite the constant teasing, it was easily the warmest, nicest breakfast they had enjoyed in weeks. Steaming milk tea, fresh buns, pastries, fresh fruit and bickering filled the dining room

Maverick eventually walked in, completely dressed. He looked ready to go.

He bowed slightly toward Zyra. "Thank you for taking care of my injuries, Madam Zyra. I’m heading to the capital for the grand tournament before Elliot replaces me."

The entire room fell into dead silence. Chopsticks hovered halfway to mouths.

"I’m fine," Maverick added quickly, waving his hands before anyone could yell. "Seriously! I can fight just fine. Even if one hand was tied behind my back, I could easily beat the fighters from other clans."

The grand elder let out a long, defeated sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I am glad to hear that."

Zyra tapped her chin, letting out a low hmm sound. "If you’re going, wait until the right moment to reveal yourself. Don’t just march through the front gate like you were not close to death few days ago."

The grand elder peeked at her, his sharp eyes twinkling. "You look like a fox that just found a chicken coop, child. You have a plan, don’t you?"

Zyra winced, her eyes narrowing into tiny slits. "Well, maybe a small one. But you deal with the high council first! Mine is just a backup plan in case your plan crashes and burns."

Maverick crossed his arms, looking intrigued. "So, when should I make my grand entry?"

Achilles smirked, leaning back in his chair with a stray toothpick between his teeth. "Timing is everything, dear uncle. Show up right when that arrogant bastard Elliot starts smelling his own victory. Right when he thinks the trophy is in his hands, bam, drop from the sky."

Zyra paused. "Wait, is Elliot actually that strong? Could he win?"

"Win honestly? No," Achilles snorted. "Win by cheating, yes. He will poison drinks, and bribe three referees. He’ll cheat and kill his way to the top if he has to."

Hunter, who had been quietly eating his porridge in the corner, set his bowl down with a heavy clatter. He sighed, crossed his broad arms over his chest, and announced, "While you all plot theater entrances, I’m going to deal with finding the cannibals a place to stay."

"Can we stop calling them that?" Bianca asked before biting into a bun.

"I’m heading out to deliver the supplies as our stores are empty," Achilles chimed in.

Though his voice sounded casual, Achilles was internally sweating bullets. He took a side glance at Zyra and Hunter. These two aren’t married yet! he screamed in his head. If they don’t lock this down, my entire future standing in this valley is on shaky ground! How can I sleep at night knowing Zyra is not officially my sister!"

"I’m staying right here," Zyra declared, pointing a finger at her own forehead. "My brain needs a break. I’ll just stay back and monitor everything here. Then I will leave to find Demerides."

The grand elder waved his finger in disagreement. "Slow down. We need a plan for that; it could be dangerous going around asking questions about Zena. Let us get the biggest threat out of the way first."

What he said made sense, this was a sensitive matter and Zyra understood his worry, but time was not on her side. Fir all she knew, her mother was being used as a medicinal ingredient in those dark blood pills. "I do not know for how long I can wait."

"Not long." Hunter squeezed her hand.

Remembering something, Zyra reached into her pant pocket and pulled out a sleek, polished black jade link band. She slid it across the table toward the grand elder.

"Here," she said smoothly, demonstrating the simple tap needed to activate it. "A total steal for just five high-grade energy stones."

The grand elder’s eyes lit up. "Five high-grade stones only? Done!"

He slammed five stones onto the table without hesitating. It was not because he had the stones on hand. It was because he could not risk Achilles desiring a closer look and suddenly putting a price on it. That kid could charge his own mother for a sip of water!