My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 896 - 897: Road Trip

Exhaustion truly plagued him. Even with the Valtheron Empire bordering the Holy Empire, the trip remained a real hassle. Yet, to secure his prizes from the Temple, Damon pushed through and made his way to the Holy Empire.

Those prizes encompassed a Count's title along with territory, and a host of additional assets bestowed by the Empire. At present, Damon boasted impressive riches and might, outstripping all low- and mid-rank noble clans, without even factoring in his formidable heritage.

The Temple now offered him a sacred artifact and the esteemed Hero title, which promised even greater value.

Earning the Hero designation proved no simple feat, and figures like Seras Blade who claimed it had slain countless foes of the goddess race. Moreover, she stood as a legendary icon in the flesh.

Damon had matured amid stories of Seras Blade. One could easily grasp the vast sway she commanded as a Hero.

Now, Damon himself would receive that very honor, complete with a sacred artifact.

Truth be told, such relics might prove extraordinarily potent or merely worthless junk.

For instance, they could hand him the remains of some ancient holy figure, claiming it wrought wonders, though it was simply the bone of a departed soul.

Alternatively, he might obtain a fabled armament or implement.

A gentle smile crossed his face.

He anticipated that aspect eagerly. Still, drawbacks existed, such as enduring those aged priests. He could even need to pretend they weren't rotten to the core.

"They better not ask me to kiss the ring or anything like that," he muttered coldly.

Renata arched a brow faintly but remained silent.

Three individuals occupied this carriage: Renata, Iris, and Damon naturally.

This marked a pivotal moment for Damon, so his grandfather had naturally overcomplicated matters as usual.

The elder had spared no effort for his grandson, which explained why the entire household journeyed to the Holy City.

A lengthy procession of carriages formed their convoy. Evangeline and Luna rode alongside the Grand Duke in his vehicle, of course. The old fellow had aimed to gather all his grandchildren together, but Damon had evaded it, leaving him solely with Evangeline and Luna.

Duke Cassian traveled with his spouse in their own carriage. How fortunate for them. Peace likely reigned there.

Iris stuck with Damon since she felt more at ease around him. He served as her instructor, yet beyond that, he lacked the daunting presence of the Grand Duke or the fearsome Duke.

Thus, her situation suited her better. After all, she wasn't Damon and couldn't interact so freely with two of the Empire's mightiest figures.

If dismissing the airs of the elite counted as a talent, Damon was withholding it from her. Why hadn't he shared that lesson?

She halted her thoughts briefly. No, that wouldn't end well. Damon was simply unhinged.

Iris stole a quick look at Damon. She longed to share the clues she'd uncovered about her father's demise, but chose to wait. Uncertainty lingered.

He appeared deep in contemplation, his eyes far away.

Renata stayed hushed, leaving Iris without much company for chatter.

"I really should have joined Luna’s carriage."

Damon rolled his eyes at her words.

"Good to know I’m unlikeable. That’s how you treat your teacher, you unfilial apprentice."

Iris scoffed, folding her arms.

"You’re not that much older than me. Why are you acting like an old man?"

Damon extended a finger and prodded her cheeks.

"Which one of us is in the Fourth Class advancement?"

Iris sneered.

Indeed. He had attained the Fourth Class. A titan at such a tender age. She often overlooked that Damon Grey was a genius.

"Big deal. Even cats and dogs are Fourth Class now after the events of the nightmare."

Damon clutched his head. True enough. His companions, that pesky red squirrel and the accursed raven obsessed with eyes, had also hit the Fourth Class.

It felt like soaring to the skies.

"What was that saying from the Demon Continent again? When a man ascends, even his dog reaches the heavens."

Renata sighed. The voyage had dragged on forever. Thankfully, its conclusion neared.

"That’s not how the saying goes, and I don’t think it even truly originated from the Demon Continent."

Damon shook his head, interrupting her.

"I don’t care. Just as long as I got my point across."

Iris pouted her lips.

"Why am I even here anyway? This whole journey is for family members, and well, I—"

"You’re family," Damon interrupted her. Then he grinned.

"You know the saying. Master for a day, father for life. So that means I’m your daddy. Quick, call me daddy."

Iris shot him a repulsed glare as memories surfaced of him forcing Wendy to kneel and address him as daddy.

"Pervert. You’re a pervert. A pervert."

Damon winced.

"I heard you the first time. Didn’t have to say it thrice."

Noting her look, Damon offered a faint smile. At least she wasn't icy and somber. This fiery version captured Iris's true spirit.

He rested a hand atop her head.

"That’s my girl."

She pulled out the pager he'd gifted her.

"I’m calling Knight HQ to report a crime."

Damon clenched his teeth.

"What the hell? I was being nice."

"That’s how nobles start. They act nice, then they take advantage of young girls. It was fine when you were a commoner. You weren’t above the law. But now, who knows? You might start getting ideas," she ranted, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Damon inched away from her a bit.

"What has Lilith been teaching you? And I’ll have you know I like my women older than me, with a nice ass and killer tits. Your developing ass isn’t my type."

She jabbed a finger at him, her hand trembling.

"I knew it. You’ve been staring at me, gauging your prey, huh?"

Damon halted.

"Alright, I admit it. You won this one. Let’s call a truce."

He extended a hand for a shake, which she accepted.

"And you better not forget it," she declared triumphantly, having bested Damon.

He gave a light squeeze out of sheer spite.

Pain contorted her features, yet pride kept her from confessing it.

"What is it, Iris? Anything to say? Maybe a plea?"

Renata sighed, shaking her head.

"We’re here. Welcome to the Holy Empire capital city."