Asher took all the maps. After emptying the drawer, Asher didn't stop. Taking his chance, he pulled the whole drawer out, which didn't disappoint him. There's still a hidden space underneath the drawer.
Unlike the other maps, this one is smaller but its paper is made of material Asher didn't know. It didn't look old. Although it is covered with dust, it doesn't show any sign of tear or wear.
This looks like a special kind of map so Asher unhesitantly packed it in his bag.
With no more things to get here, Asher exited the underground treasury and into the underground armory. The O'lothe Family is not just any noble family after all. In terms of status and power, they are just below the royal family. That's why things that are normally rare in the other nobilities, such as underground rooms, are in abundance in their residence.
Easily finding the underground armory, Asher was about to enter when he noticed Madesol behind him meters away.
He glanced at her but she turned her head away, avoiding his eyes.
Maybe she got bored, scared, or both. Asher didn't pursue the matter. She can do whatever she wants as long as she's quiet and doesn't interfere.
Asher pinched his neck and got a drop of blood from the wound he got earlier and smeared it on the door.
Afterward, the door opened on its own as if invisible hands were pulling it.
After Asher went down, Madesol followed and felt something slice at her neck. When no drop of blood was detected, the daggers attacked her like mosquitoes. Trying their best to harm her.
This time, Madesol just felt itchy and weird. She learned that impact and pressure give her pain but sharp objects do not as they couldn't pierce her skin.
She slowly learned about the nature of her energyless body. In short, it is physically Divine, physiologically mortal. Her nerves being pressed or receiving impact give false information to her brain that she is getting 'hurt' even when she's physically fine.
Madesol tries to ignore the pain by getting used to it eventually and telling herself that it's fine and nothing bad is happening so don't overreact. However, sometimes, the pain is so severe that it shakes her mind.
Asher walked around the armory and learned that it contained quality equipment. What he was looking for though were the enhanced ones.
Madesol looked around and surprisingly found interest in the design of the equipment. She then remembered the treasures she had in her Dimensional Storage and felt depressed again, recalling that she couldn't access any of them without Divine Energy.
An empty laugh came out of her mouth. Divine Energy? Even World Energy, doesn't have any!
Pathetic!
The reason she found interests in the first place was that she was sick of seeing nothing but ashes, black clouds, and black lands that even mundane things stimulate her mind.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Asher went to the end of the room and was surprised to find something.
"How did it get here?"
He went down on one knee in front of a sword display. The sheath of the sword bore the symbol of the O'Supreme, the god the O'lothe Family worships.
Madesol noticed his reaction and was curious. However, she kept her lips zipped. After looking around for a while, she easily got bored.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Madesol returned to the female servants' quarters.
Meanwhile, Asher looked further around after putting the sword in behind him. He then took light enhanced leather armor. The leather armor covers his shoulders, forearms, chest, and back. He didn't want his speed to be limited, so he didn't take more.
Next, he took a short sword for his weapon.
Satisfied, he went to find a male servants' quarters and took two sets of clothing for himself. He then took a shower and refreshed himself.
Taking some food ingredients from the male servants' quarters, he returned to the female servants'.
There, he found Madesol changing clothes, which made him stop in his tracks.
Creak*
Then they both made eye contact. Madesol frowned, wondering how she didn't sense him as she covered her private areas. She just undressed and was just about to put in another clothing when this guy walked in.
Asher stared at her up and down before continuing to the kitchen as if nothing happened.
He didn't even question why she didn't use the bathroom to change, or use a divider at least.
Madesol's face turned red before quickly changing.
The atmosphere got heavily awkward again.
Why is he here? Is he not going to ask? Is he not going to react?
While she is embarrassed, she also feels hurt that the first time she was seen naked by a man, that man didn't even flinch.
Is the beauty standard here different? She thought to herself. Maybe the culture is different, yes, yes.
Either way, she wanted to protest but couldn't. She internally admitted it was her fault. However, her mood still turned sour.
I was seen naked by a man... thinking about it more, her face paled.
Meanwhile, Asher had to compose his breathing.
That was dangerous!
It is entirely false that he wasn't attracted to her. Asher just said those things before just to destroy her overly grandiose pride. He was still a healthy young man who had a lot of sexual drive.
To be fair, Asher was faring very well against this goddess-like beauty near him. If not for her personality and his animosity towards her, or if he was still not grieving, he wouldn't be able to treat her like air. However, coming face to face with her body would just bring any man in the world to their knees without exception.
Her waist is just so slender that even if she has small breasts and buttocks, she would still have an hourglass body. But no, her breasts seem to be in a 'perfect size' and her buttocks- gulp!
-Wake up, Asher!
This Phoenix is the definition of a toad in swan's clothing. Asher said to himself. Was there a saying like that? He shook his head.
To gain composure, he began cooking. This is the original reason he is here. He still has to fulfill the Oath. Although Madesol's appetite may seem to vanish, eventually she would want to eat again.
Whether she wants to eat or not, he still has to offer her food and water. That's his part of the Oath.
While staying curled up and depressed in one of the beds, Madesol turned her head towards the kitchen after getting a sniff of the aroma.
Grrr*
Her stomach grumbled once more. The refreshment she gained by using that one strand of World Energy didn't last very long.
She plans to refuse to eat again but gets into a dilemma when Asher prepares the food.
It's no longer just roasted potato. This time, it's a meal with flavor and texture!
Grrr* that was why her stomach protested more than before.
Time passed slowly and soon, plates were placed on the table. Madesol tried to look away but after taking a glance, she unconsciously made eye contact with Asher.
"Your food's ready."
Gulp*
Madesol frowned and shook her head.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry."
Grrr* her stomach angrily replied to her decision.
Her face turned red as that one grumble is very audible.
"You've mentioned that you've lived for about sixteen thousand years by now. Is that true?"
Surprised that Asher initiated a conversation, Madesol replied.
"Yes, that's true."
"Then, how come you act so childish?"
Madesol frowned, feeling offended, she snappily replied.
"Why are you stubborn? I said, I don't want to eat!"
Asher shook his head as he sat down and ate his food.
"No, that's not it. You can refuse it if you don't want to. I can eat them both."
No-
Madesol abruptly stood up from the bed. Quietly, she sat down beside the table, one chair apart, from Asher.
They didn't like this close distance but the candle's light was not that bright to illuminate other spots.
"I'll... eat it."
Madesol then turned into her meal and stared at it.
Oops-
She almost drooled. Good thing she was able to wipe it before it was visible.
Did he notice that? Madesol glanced at Asher and noticed him staring at her, so they made another eye contact.
"Can you stop staring at me?"
Ahhhhh, I'm done for. I'm so pathetic. This man had seen everything...
Madesol gave up and just focused on her meal to brighten her mood. The moment the spoon entered her mouth, her toes curled.
Damn it!
This is so good!
She glanced at Asher again. This time, he was also focused on his meal.
Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, Madesol acted like the meal was average. This made her hand tremble as she restrained herself from lifting this plate and devouring everything.
Slowly, she took another bite.
Hmmhhhp~
Fuu fuu
It's warm.
What about this? She pushed her fork on another piece and placed it in her mouth.
MMmmmh!
While Madesol was in her own world, Asher was done eating.
"I'll go sleep in the male's quarters. Tomorrow, I'll finish something and we'll set out."
Madesol didn't reply to him nor ask curiously where they would go. She just kept a straight face as if she was eating cardboard.
Asher knew she heard him so he didn't repeat himself and went back to the male's quarters.
Madesol heaved a sigh of relief.
"He's finally gone. What a nuisance."
She muttered before she went back to her meal. Her feet fluttered in joy as she unrestrainedly ate.
"Gosh..."
In a blink of an eye, the meal disappeared. Madesol turned incredibly sad. That was when she noticed that the aroma still lingered.
Following the delicious smell, she turned her head to see the kitchen still having lots of it.
"Nice!" she hopped many times towards the kitchen.