Chapter 24

Fifteen days later, it was the Empress's coronation day.

At this moment, I sat in the long-unseen classroom. Although the teacher was still lecturing tirelessly at the front of the class, half of the students had already left. Since the war began, many students had volunteered to join the army, leaving the classroom daily to head to the battlefield.

During break time, Qin Ying walked into the classroom. With her current rank as a captain, her presence in the classroom attracted admiration and attention from the students.

Qin Ying stood in front of me. The moment I stood up, she pushed me down onto the desk with one hand, propping herself with her hands by my ears, her eyes looking down at me, and her knees pressing inexplicably between my legs.

"Wow... What are you going to do? I have a ceremony to attend at noon."

"Do you know who is behind you?"

I didn't understand the meaning behind her question and directly replied, "You and Elena, right?"

"Then who has a five-style contract?"

"Elena and Guffy..." Suddenly, I seemed to understand something.

"You still remember who is behind, don't you? Their contract is stronger than mine, so what am I! I also need to have a five-style contract, so we can officially become husband and wife, right? And that so-called female knight Hanya should show me some respect."

I understood what Qin Ying wanted and knew what she was after. In fact, it was also a good thing. The abilities of a five-style contract were very powerful. The more girls with five-style contract battle power, the stronger the borrowed power would be when facing Marutian next time.

"Do you want to complete the contract here? You must take it seriously and enjoy the process. If you become addicted, you may end up doing something embarrassing."

"I am not afraid!"

Qin Ying turned her head and cast a strange look into the classroom. Within three seconds, the classroom emptied. Were the classmates suddenly so understanding? In reality, they were all sneakily peeking from outside the classroom.

"Let's begin."

With effort, I rolled over and pinned Qin Ying beneath me. This position would make me more comfortable.

Our lips met lightly in the classroom. I held Qin Ying's body tightly with my hands, feeling her warmth with all my heart, and merged her feelings and intentions to the extreme to enhance the connection of the contract. It felt as if I was in her and she was in me. The rising temperature in the classroom was exciting. Qin Ying's scent reminded me of the time we spent together in the dorm, when we were unsure of each other's gender. Later on, I found out she had an unhappy childhood. In order to make her happy as the heir to the ducal title, fulfilling her father's wish, and now, the right to officially become my wife, both she and I would be very happy.

I wasn't sure when the temperature in the classroom began to rise continuously. A scorching power ravaged the classroom, leading to an astonishing sight. All the desks and chairs gradually lifted, as if everyone saw two phoenixes spiraling and the spectacular sight of the exploding phoenixes at play.

The soaring phoenix flew out of the classroom, danced under the 'Seven Stars' defense Magic, adding a touch of embellishment to the Empress's coronation ceremony.

The phoenix swooped back into the classroom, returning to Qin Ying's body. The contract on her hands began to change, and she looked pained.

"Ugh..." Qin Ying's eyes blazed with fire, and within the flames, I saw a single phoenix. Could it be that Qin Ying's five-style contract turned her phoenix blood into a true phoenix, and she was also a colorful phoenix.

When everything returned to normal, it felt like waking from a radiant dream.

"The ceremony is about to begin, but before that, you need to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Xue'er from The Divine Realm, her father is the Minister of Finance of The Divine Realm. Before the war broke out, her father was sidelined, and she was hunted and fled to Othrie."

"What connection do I have with her?"

"Hisa, she pleads for your help to find Hisa Brandt."

"Elena's uncle? What happened?"

2

Xue'er was in a relatively intact house in the south of the city. The capital is being rebuilt in an orderly manner, and today the various countries of The Human Realm are signing an alliance to resist the colonization of the divine clan across the ocean. The front line is right at the middle of the ocean at the Gateway of Gods and Demons.

When I saw Xue'er, she didn't look too well, and the tiredness in her eyes was evident. It was distressing to see a wise divine being forced into such a state by her own kind.

"I heard it's about Hisa." I entered the room and got straight to the point.

Xue'er respectfully bowed to me.

"Your Majesty, he is besieged by Ellen, and his fate is uncertain. I hope you can find him."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Your sword, anyone with a discerning eye can tell who can wield this sword. It's just that many divine beings refuse to acknowledge it."

"Where were Hisa and you separated?"

Xue'er recounted her escape with Hisa from the divine clan and told me about Hisa's falling out with Ellen.

"Does Elena know?"

"I haven't had a chance to tell her yet, but I don't want to tell her about her father and uncle."

"Elena herself has already broken away from Ellen; she is not as fragile as you think."

"You seem to know her well, no wonder Elena is devoted to you."

"If Hisa returns, I hope you will initiate a reform in The Divine Realm in the name of the Holy Dragon."

"Agreed, we are already planning to reform The Divine Realm. Those old divine beings have gone mad, and more young divine beings are willing to join us."

Qin Ying suddenly entered the room, hastily turning on the TV.

"Hey hey, we are discussing serious matters, why are you turning on the TV?"

"Something big is happening, someone is giving you a 'green hat'!"

"Wow, as my fiancée, how can you say such things!"

"See for yourself."

The TV content was clear: the second prince of Duton - Harudo, publicly proposed to the Empire of Othrie, and the target must be the new Empress - Li Liu.

"Isn't he proposing to Zilin?"

"Could it be the Second Princess? She won't be someone's choice!"

I shook my head in exasperation. There are always such boring people in this world. These people are obviously only interested in artificial elements. It was stated fifteen days ago that all alliance countries would gain access to the research on artificial element "L," and with the combined manufacturing power of all humanity, it was only a matter of time before we equaled the divine clan's strength. However, human suspicion runs deep, and there will always be those who believe Othrie is hiding something.

"Inform the military, if Hisa is found within Othrie's borders, bring him back unharmed."

"Why do you think he would be in Othrie's territory and not in The Divine Realm?"

"Miss Xue, he will definitely not go back on his promise to you, he must be in The Human Realm because I couldn't sense him while fighting in The Divine Realm."

At the coronation ceremony of the Queen, all the guests were watching the Duton embassy. They had been archenemies with Othrie for many years, and this union was a breakthrough. In terms of power, both countries were very strong, so the alliance was a good choice to strengthen their abilities and resist the divine race across the ocean.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the imperial capital was aware of the affair between Princess Zi Liliu of Othrie and Duke Qin Yang's son, Qin Yang.

"Ministers of Othrie, why haven't we accepted our union proposal?" The ambassador from Duton raised the blue marriage contract, adorned with the official emblem of the Duton kingdom, with the highest specifications.

"Sir, our Queen is only ascending the throne today and does not wish to discuss marriage matters, could we postpone this discussion to a later date?" The late Emperor's sister, Zi Liliu, spoke up before her diplomat husband.

"So, are you rejecting the marriage contract?"

"No, just delaying the discussion."

The ambassador held up the marriage contract, showing no sign of backing down.

"We are attending the ceremony today and will return to our country tomorrow. We hope you can quickly process our marriage contract. Our second prince has long admired your Queen and is willing to marry into Othrie."

"But... our Queen already has a fiancé."

"Your country's laws allow for polygamy, as long as all three parties agree."

"But the third party may not agree, and the Queen also has her own considerations."

Deep down, everyone was worried. Duton was initially inclined towards the divine race, and a formal rejection might lead them to ally with the divine race and turn against humans.

As I slowly approached the ceremonial platform, Li Liu had yet to appear. If I didn't smooth things over with these people, the ceremony would be delayed, and dealing with them was truly annoying.

"Duton is here to sign the alliance. We Othrie warmly welcome it, but as for marriage matters, there is no need to dwell on them."

"Who is this?" The usually silent second prince finally spoke, eyeing me askance.

"From his attire, he seems to be a famous student of the Empire's Academy of Wisemen."

"I am indeed a student of the Wisemen, as well as the son of Duke Qin, and..."

The prince cut me off arrogantly, "You don't need to explain too much. Now that the divine race eyes us from across the ocean, only a close alliance between Duton and Othrie can stand against them. I value this union greatly. Please, Othrie, handle this matter seriously."

"Save your breath, brother, the Queen won't even spare you a glance."

Zi Liliu and her polite tone were only due to diplomatic issues; I wasn't a diplomat. Moreover, if the ruler of Duton had any sense, the choice between artificial elements and gifts from the divine race would be obvious.

"Why are you participating in the country's dialogues? Just a duke's son..."

"Keep quiet, why do you have a say in this?" I was irritated by the second prince.

"Get him out of here!"

As soon as the prince spoke, his attendants stepped forward, but weapons were prohibited at the ceremony, leaving them with only their fists.

Strangely, the guards of Othrie and the masked guards were standing in front of me, creating a tense standoff on the ceremonial platform.

"Isn't it strange? Why would Othrie go to such lengths to protect me, just a mere duke's son? Because I—am the Demon Dragon, also known as the Holy Dragon!"

My one sentence, the revelation of two identities, was broadcast live at the scene. In an instant, these words spread to The Human Realm around the world. Since the soul of the Holy Demon Dragon has already merged, I don't want to conceal much. Previously, I acknowledged the identity of the Demon Dragon with an iron mask. Now, I admit everything with the identity of Qin Yang.

The Flame of Punishment suddenly erupted on the marriage contract, burning this tedious document.