As the door opened, Damien saw a silver colored pencil skirt, as the figure's feet touched the ground. Then as the curtains parted, he had a blinking expression on his face as he saw the figure's face.
'A girl?'
The girl looked about eighteen to nineteen years old and was wearing a silver draped dress with exquisite patterns that matched well with her luminous skin and made her look as radiant as a fairy. Her sapphire hair that fountained down her back like a waterfall contrasted well with her dress. But Damien's attention was lured by her her azure blue eyes which were as blue as the midwinter sky and as clear as water.
When she stepped out from the chariot and her figure completely came into view, she gave a faint smile to Damien. Seeing her smile and face, Damien felt that she seemed as beautiful and refreshing as the glimmering sea.
'When did this continent have two beauties?' Damien thought that Lily was the number one beauty in this continent. But now another one was standing before him. He couldn't tell which one was more beautiful since both had their unique beauty and aura around them.
But he felt a faint otherworldly aura when he looked at her eyes which he had no doubt would make everyone else feel inferior. Even the most arrogant men in the world would feel unworthy when they meet her gaze.
He then heard the whispers of the people behind his back,
"Oh my god...what a heavenly beauty! Isn't she Princess Reva of the Xeton Empire, titled as the Ethereal Fairy?"
"Wait, how do you know for sure that's her? She hadn't made an appearance for 15 years."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Don't you remember 15 years ago that there were rumors of the Xeton Empire's princess having a face as beautiful as a fairy's and sapphire hair even though she was just a child at that time. She was then titled as the Ethereal Fairy not only because of her beauty but because of her rumored heavenly talent in Water Laws. It was said that when she became sad there was a heavy downpour and even the normally tranquil sea became restless. Even though these are only rumors, her water elemental seed must be the real deal."
"But why did she not make any appearance for 15 years…."
…
"Alchemist Azrael?" A silvery voice vaulted Damien's focus from the whispers behind him to the girl in front of him.
The girl had a puzzled look since Damien did not say anything for a while nor could she see his unfocused expression before because of his disguise. She thought he was entranced by her beauty just as any other men and had quite gotten used to such reactions.
Damien had no idea why he was so curious to listen to the gossip between people behind him. His gaze focused on the girl in front of him and said in a formal tone, "Hello, I am Alchemist Azrael. May I know who you are?"
The girl gave a civil smile and said, "I am Princess Reva Xeton of the Xeton Empire. You can call me Lady Xeton. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alchemist Azrael. Can we go inside and talk?"
Damien gestured with his hand, "Of course, let's go inside."
Reva turned back and said to the handsome golden robed man, "You all can wait here. I will be back shortly."
"But, Your Highness—"
"I know how to take care of myself, Elder Ximir." Reva said with a mild smile but her tone was firm and authoritative.
Elder Ximir gave a 30 degree bow and said in a deferential tone, "As you wish, Your Highness." He then moved back towards the entourage.
'Elder?? This dude is an elder?' Damien exclaimed inwardly. Damien knew he couldn't be a prince since they would be sitting inside the chariot and not riding the horse that was drawing the chariot. But he still didn't expect him to be an Elder since he had never seen a young one.
Whenever Damien heard the word 'Elder', he would imagine at least a man in his forties or above. But the person who was known as Elder Ximir only looked in his thirties with a chevron mustache. And his eyes were sky blue just as his hair unlike Reva's azure eyes.
Damien decided to think about those things later and led Reva into his villa.
In the guest room, Reva took a quick look around as Damien prepared some ready-made tea. He then offered one cup and took another for himself.
Reva didn't say anything and simply took a sip from the cup.
"Mmm...This tea has a refreshing and flowery taste. I have never tasted such an exotic tea made using Earth Grade herbs. Usually one couldn't even achieve such taste unless they at least use Low Level Sky Grade herbs. I guess the rumors do you well as this itself speaks a lot about your abilities." Reva said in a courteous tone.
Damien was surprised she was able to tell the quality of the herbs he used.
Damien said in a formal tone, "I am pleased you liked it. As for my abilities, I am sure your empire must have already received the Supreme Tier Pills I had concocted."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmReva nodded and said, "Of course, we don't doubt your ability. Before I say anything else, I am sure you know the reason we are here. I also know you rejected the Gale Empire and the Lancaster Empire to have any sort of dealings with them. To be honest, I don't know whether you would also reject us and we won't mind even if you do as it's all up to you. But before you say your answer, I want to frankly ask you...what do you seek by being an alchemist? If you tell me, at least we will know what we are falling short of if you reject us."
'Wow...she is so direct and quite clever.' Damien was surprised that Reva was the kind of person who talked straight to the point without wasting any time.
He was impressed that instead of showering him with enticing offers, she basically asked him what he needed. And if he wanted to reject her, he would have to come up with some extravagant excuse which even the exalted Xeton Empire wouldn't be able to fulfill for him.
But Damien didn't worry about that since he already decided to go to Xeton Empire a long time ago.
Damien said in a solemn tone, "I seek to be the greatest alchemist in this world. Over the years, I have struggled and sacrificed a lot to become the person I am now. My interest in alchemy peaked when I felt that I have reached a bottleneck in my ethereal cultivation. Even though I don't possess Fire Laws, I worked hard to increase my inferior soul cultivation and manifest an etheric flame. But never did I expect that I had the ability to concoct Supreme Tier Pills. As if I felt a calling, I joined the Alchemist Society in order to give back to the society. So, I would be happy to visit the Xeton Empire and broaden my horizons. I feel that only that way would I be able to find the true purpose of my calling."
Reva's eyes flashed when she heard that Damien was willing to visit her empire. She actually expected him to come to their empire since he had already joined the Alchemist Society. If he wasn't and wanted to simply stay in the Rong Empire, why would he even associate himself with the Xeton Empire.
But hearing that Damien rejected the other two empires even though he could actually benefit from all the empires if he wanted, puzzled her a bit.
However, now that she heard from Damien personally that he was interested in their Xeton Empire, she felt that her job was done.
Reva gave a vague smile as she said, "Great, I am proud that you have such a high opinion of our empire. Since you are even a part of our Alchemist Society as a talented Rank 4 Alchemist, rest assured we would make you feel at home when you visit our empire. By chance, have you planned a date to visit our empire, so that we can arrange things for you."
Damien shook his head, "Sorry, but I can't provide an exact date now. However, you can expect me to visit within a month after I finish up my business here."
Reva nodded with a smile, "Of course, you can take your time. It would be our pleasure to have you and we would be awaiting your arrival."