Chapter 1062: 1061: An Invitation

"Who are you?"

Simon studied the woman for a moment.

The wind stirred her silver-grey hair, but she kept her eyes on him. Behind her, the others waited above the broken sheets of ice.

"That’s a rather rude way to begin a conversation."

Her brows drew together.

"You approached me," Simon continued. "You should introduce yourself first, then ask for my name."

A male Daegrin stepped forward. He had short silver hair, and the red veins along his neck brightened as his expression hardened.

He was also a Superior Demon Lord.

"Watch your mouth. A mere Greater Demon dares to speak to her like-"

"Enough."

The woman turned her head.

He stopped.

"But-"

Her glare grew colder.

The rest of his words disappeared.

Simon watched without changing his position. Beside him, blood dripped from the Mauler’s hanging forelimb into the sea.

The woman faced him again.

"Forgive the interruption. And my abruptness."

She inclined her head slightly.

"I am Seraya Varn, eldest daughter of Zarven Varn, the First Merchant and Lord of the Daegrins and ruler of Vhal-Sar."

Simon’s expression changed.

The First Merchant’s eldest daughter?

From his past life, Simon knew that the Daegrins referred to their leader as The First Merchant or The Lord of the Daegrins.

He looked from her to the group behind her.

He hadn’t expected the daughter of the Daegrins’ leader to personally accompany a force sent to investigate a Catastrophe Beast. Whatever protection her position provided, it wouldn’t stop the Mauler’s jaws.

But she had come anyway.

Simon gave a small nod and introduced himself.

"Blackmoon."

Seraya waited.

When he offered nothing else, she frowned.

"Only Blackmoon? No family name or affiliation?"

"Just Blackmoon. I’m more or less a wanderer."

The Garrun’s golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Seraya studied Simon for another moment.

"A mercenary?"

Simon shook his head.

"No."

"Then what brings you here?"

He looked toward the faint outline of the island.

"I came to see Vhal-Sar. I’ve heard quite a bit about its beauty and wealth. Some even say it puts the capitals of the great kingdoms to shame."

Seraya raised a brow.

"Oh… Really?"

Simon raised his shoulders and shrugged.

"Well… enough to make me curious."

Seraya examined him in silence.

His plain robe carried no visible insignia. He remained seated in the air with his hands resting on his knees, apparently unconcerned by the armed demons before him.

Her attention moved to the corpse.

"Did you kill the Brineback Mauler?"

Simon raised an amused brow.

"Did you see anyone else here before you arrived?"

"You should understand why I’m asking. You’re a Greater Demon. Defeating a threat that normally requires a Demon King is absurd at your rank."

Simon smiled lightly and tilted his head.

"So what happens if I tell you it was me?"

The atmosphere immediately became cold.

The broad demon carrying the heavy blade shifted his feet. Behind him, several spear shafts turned slightly.

The Garrun’s attention remained on Simon.

Seraya immediately raised her hand and the movement behind her stopped.

Simon gave a quiet chuckle.

"I wouldn’t advise that."

"We haven’t attacked you."

"And I haven’t shown you any hostility. Let’s keep it that way."

Before Seraya could answer, the male Daegrin spoke again.

"That’s what someone afraid of fighting would say."

Simon turned toward him.

The man gave a cold smile.

"There are twenty of us. You’re one Greater Demon. You think sitting there beside a corpse makes us forget-"

"Darik. Shut your mouth."

The coldness in Seraya’s voice made several of the demons look away.

Darik didn’t.

"Why are we being so cautious, Sister? Look at him!"

He pointed at Simon.

"He probably used an artifact. Something powerful enough to kill the Mauler once. Or a technique that consumed everything he had."

Simon’s smile remained and that seemed to irritate Darik further.

"Now he’s pretending he can do it again. Why else would he keep telling us not to attack?"

"Darik."

"If I’m right, he’s too weak to fight properly. We shouldn’t let a bluff-"

Seraya vanished from her position.

PA!

The sound traveled over the water.

Darik’s head snapped sideways.

He lurched to the side before steadying himself. One hand rose toward his cheek, and a narrow line of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

His sister stood before him.

"If you want to die, die alone," she said. "I will not let you drag me and everyone under my command into the grave with you."

Darik stared at her.

For a moment, his mouth opened without producing a sound.

Seraya waited until his pointing hand lowered.

Then she turned away.

The Garrun hadn’t intervened. Neither had any of the others.

Simon watched her return, his interest growing.

"My apologies," she said. "My brother spoke out of turn."

Simon’s smile remained and he chuckled softly.

"That’s twice now."

Her jaw tightened slightly.

"Yes."

Simon tilted his head.

"Do you think he’s right?"

Seraya paused.

"You know his explanation makes sense, right?" Simon continued. "A powerful artifact. A technique that leaves me exhausted. Those things exist and they are plausible explanations as to how I was able to defeat the Brineback Mauler."

The wind pulled at the hem of her green coat.

"No," she said at last. "I don’t share his assessment."

"What convinces you? How do you know I killed it myself and still have enough strength to fight?"

She was silent for several breaths.

Below them, a wave broke against a sheet of ice. The cracked edges rolled apart, carrying pieces of the smaller carcasses away.

"I’ve seen people bluff with borrowed strength," Seraya said. "I’ve also seen what happens when someone mistakes confidence for a bluff."

Her gaze passed over the Mauler.

"I can’t tell you exactly how you killed it. But I don’t believe attacking you would end well for us."

"You could be wrong."

"I could. That doesn’t make my brother’s guess worth twenty lives."

Simon’s brows rose.

Then he gave a small, approving nod.

"You’re a lot more sensible than your brother."

Darik clenched a fist.

Seraya said nothing in response.

Her posture had eased slightly, but her attention never wandered from Simon for long. She wasn’t treating his amusement as reassurance that she and the others were safe or that a battle would not take place.

Simon could appreciate that.

She had stopped her brother from doing something foolish without pretending she understood everything before her.

He saw no reason to make the conversation more difficult.

Seraya glanced toward the carcass again.

"What do you intend to do with it?"

"That’s my business."

"It is," she agreed.

She studied the wounds along its side. Several icicles remained buried in the thick hide, and frost clung to the openings they had made.

"But should you be willing to sell it, I’m certain my father would be interested."

Simon looked at her more closely.

The conversation had changed quickly.

"And if he isn’t?"

"I will buy it myself."

He glanced at the beast.

He had intended to devour it. There was still physical essence to obtain, and perhaps something else worth taking.

But he didn’t need to reject an offer before hearing it.

"It won’t be cheap."

For the first time, Seraya smiled with confidence.

"Blackmoon, you’ve come to the Daegrins’ capital. Our problem has never been finding the money. It’s finding something worth spending it on."

Simon smiled back.

"Then we might get along."

Several demons behind her seemed to relax, though the Garrun continued watching him. Darik remained silent, his cheek still reddened beneath his fingers.

Seraya lowered her hand.

"Would you accept an invitation to dine with my father?"

Simon didn’t answer immediately.

"You’re inviting me to meet the First Merchant?"

"You came to see Vhal-Sar. Allow us to receive you properly. We can discuss the corpse there, should you still wish to sell it."

Simon looked at the faint city outline beyond the mist.

He knew almost nothing about the four Daemons the Sovereign had sent him to assist. He would need information, and an introduction to the man governing their destination could prove useful.

Of course, an invitation wasn’t a guarantee of goodwill.

Seraya had every reason to bring an unknown, potentially dangerous visitor somewhere her people held the advantage.

That didn’t necessarily mean she intended to harm him.

Nor did it give him a reason to refuse.

He glanced once more at the Mauler, then returned his gaze to her.

"Alright, Lady Varn. I’ll accept your invitation."