The next day, Mariel was still sitting and crying because she didn't expect to encounter this situation. Jerrick's parents and others had made an appointment to come and ask for Deric and Claudia at the wedding after graduating from the third year. The dowry was unlimited. They were ready to go all out because a lovely daughter-in-law who was well-prepared and skilled in swordsmanship, which the family highly valued for this type of fighter, like Mariel, was very rare person in this society.
Most women used to be magicians, archers, assassins, or healers. There were very few swordsmen, and most of them had skills that could not compete with men. However, this was not the case with Mariel, who was strong and could fight same as men.
"Come on, it's ok, Mariel. When that time comes, we'll tell them about your decision again." Deric came to comfort his daughter who was still sitting there and feeling sad.
"But our daughter is not ordinary. She has made the entire royal family like her very much." Claudia said with joy.
"I just wanted to protect my friend, but I didn't think that it would be a plan to prove my sincerity." Mariel tried to explain.
"This is good. It's a way to prove to them that you have morality and sincerity to always protect others. This is the most important quality of a swordsman's class. Friends and members party always come first." Deric said.
After this, Mariel felt better and helped her parents with their daily routine as usual. In the afternoon, she would train with Deric to further improve her fighting skills.
"As time goes by, you become more and more skilled, it's shocking me. I have to admit that I can't fight you one-on-one anymore." Deric praised her after receiving a powerful attack from Mariel's magic ice sword, leaving him so numb.
"I'm not that good yet, Dad. I still need a lot of practice this." Mariel said.
"Then it's time for some serious fight. Claudia, come here please." Deric said, turning to Claudia, who was watching from a distance.
Claudia, aware of the situation, walked up to Deric with her magic staff, then cast a healing spell and further enhanced Deric's Ice Magic skill.
"Come on, Mariel!" Deric shouted.
"Yes, Dad!" Mariel replied.
Scorching! Scorching! Scorching!
The three of them, father, mother and daughter, fought as if it wasn't training at all. The more ice magic Deric shot at Mariel, the more ice magic swords she fired at her father. Both sides were heavily injured, but neither showed any sign of slowing down their attacks.
After two hours, they all sat down to rest and recover their energy. Mariel's skills had now advanced so much that she could fight Deric Combo with Claudia without any weakness.
"If Segal and Mariel were to pair up, we would definitely not be able to compete you." Claudia said.
"To be honest, your shadow technique skill was almost too much for me to fight. I still get goosebumps watching you fight Kehal on that day because your ultimate skill was like a demon with immense strength. It took Kehal to use his ultimate skill to defeat you." Deric said.
"Has Master Kehal ever used this technique before?" Mariel asked curiously.
"In my whole life, I've only seen him use it twice. You're the third person that I've ever seen that made him use this skill to fight you." Deric said with admiration in his eyes.
While they were talking, a familiar voice suddenly echoed into Mariel's ears.
"Are you free? Come and see me at the usual place."
"Lord Apophis?" Mariel said, so that Deric and Claudia could hear clearly.
"Apophis spoke to you?" Deric asked to which Mariel nodded in response.
"This is urgent?" Mariel asked again.
"It was about the secret plan we agreed on." Apophis said in a scary tone that even Mariel got goosebumps.
"Can Mom and Dad go with you?" Claudia asked, worried about her daughter having to go alone.
"Would you mind if my parents come with me?" Mariel asked.
"Sure, no problem." Apophis immediately granted.
"Lord Apophis has given his permission." Mariel said.
The three of them rode their horses deep into the forest and headed straight for a mysterious cave with a small symbol on it, not forgetting to bring a large package of food for Lord Apophis. Mariel used the items Apophis had given to open the way inside, they tied their horses' ropes to a large tree each and walked into the cave together.
When they arrived at the hall, they saw Apophis in his young form, standing tall in the center of the hall, looking at them with eyes that showed concern.
"Hello, Lord Apophis." All three of them said in unison.
"Hello, hmm, it smells so good." Apophis said, taking a deep breath of the foods.
Mariel handed Apophis a large package containing food. He quickly placed it on the floor and unwrapped it to reveal a large roasted chicken, as well as various side dishes, mashed potatoes with sauce, a vegetable and fruit salad, multi-grain fried rice, and a large bottle of orange juice.
Apophis ate the food with relish and chatted with the three of them in an amusing manner, focusing on their past battles and mischievous teenage deeds, which brought laughter to the group. Everyone felt relaxed until all the food had gone into Apophis's stomach.
"Phew, I'm so full. Thank you for this delicious meal." Lord Apophis said, rubbing his belly with happiness.
"I'll make it for you again when I have a chance." Claudia said.
"Alright, let's get to the main point. In months, the minister named Sakitis will be negotiating a deal to sell illegal goods and other valuable goods to his allies in Cascorn." Apophis said.
"Sakitis ? But isn't he a good person? From what I've heard, he has donated a lot to the city he's governed, built various facilities, and even given money to the poor and provided them with jobs so they could live well." Deric said.
"Yes, that was true, but behind the scenes, he was an evil man who was ready to eliminate everyone who were in his way. Moreover, I was his bait, so he succeeded in his plan to assassinate the king with poison and incriminated me. Until now, all the wanted notices posted in various cities are still embarrassing me and making it difficult for me to live and hide." Lord Apophis said with resentment.
"Then he doesn't plan to take over that city?" Mariel asked curiously. Considering this person's characteristics, he wouldn't be satisfied with what he had.
"That's right. He was just waiting for the right time because the current king who ruled the city had his own army and many people surrounding the king, he didn't have the chance to kill the king yet." Lord Apophis said.
"How did you know that there would be a trade in the months?" Claudia asked.
"Do you know how to hypnotize people?" Lord Apophis said in a terrifying tone.
"This skill!!! Normally, it can only be used by a few people." Deric said in surprise.
"Yes, but a genius like me can do anything. Lol." Lord Apophis said.
Deric and Claudia were stunned by Lord Apophis's abilities. They just kept quiet and listened to the plans. Mariel kept asking about the plans until she memorized them.
"Alright, let's make a deal. When that day comes, I'll contact Mariel again. As for Deric and Claudia, you two can follow me. Don't worry about getting badly injured. I can guarantee with my life that no one will die from this fight." Lord Apophis said.
"Thank you." Derek and Claudia replied.
"Your back's still not healed, right?" Apophis said after staring at Deric for a moment.
"Yes, my spine is still not recovery." Deric replied.
"If this mission is successful, I will take all of you on a journey to find the magical grass: Filment. This grass is extremely rare, but it will cure your chronic back ailment." Lord Apophis said.
"Really? We've been searching for years and haven't found one. It's almost impossible to buy in the market. Once, someone auctioned it for almost 1 million gold." Deric said.
"Is it really that expensive, Dad?" Mariel was shocked at the price of a single herb, but it was more expensive than the entire mansion.
"It can cure all kinds of diseases, my dear. It can only be used once, but anyone who is sick with an incurable disease, I guarantee that if they take this herbal medicine, they will be cured immediately." Claudia said.
"In the future, if I hunt these herbs and sell them, I'll probably make a lot of money." Mariel said, thinking of ways to make money in advance.
"It's not easy to find, kid. Lol. Never mind, I know where it is. Let's go together after that mission when we have time." Lord Apophis said.
The three of them bid farewell to Lord Apophis before leaving the cave and riding back home together.
"Dad will be fine now. I will be able to go on adventures with two of you." Mariel said happily.
"Of course, my dear. If there's any mission you need help with, we're always ready for you." Claudia said with a smile.
"I have one question. Why did Lord Apophis ask us to go with him? Oh I got it!" Deric said as if he had remembered something.
"What is it?" Mariel asked curiously.
"That hypnosis technique requires a lot of magic energy to control the other person's mind. If Lord Apophis uses this technique, his magic energy was almost depleted. So, if we had to fight after that, then he might be at a disadvantage and lose, that's why we have to go with him." Deric explained in detail.
"That's how it happens." Mariel nodded in understanding.
"And I believe that Sakitis's skills must be extraordinary person. Otherwise, he wouldn't be famous, well-known, rich, and have so many followers." Deric said.
"This secret plan will definitely succeed, I'm sure of it." Mariel said. She feels more excited while imagining fighting with Lord Apophis. The two illusionary techniques must be something amazing at that time.
After that, they returned home, had dinner together, and then went their separate ways to their rooms because the next day they had to go into town to buy Mariel's second-year textbooks together. Mariel had already made an appointment with Beatrix and Mania in advance.
Mariel practiced Qi magic power for several hours before going to bed. When she finished, she fell asleep because she had many things to do the next day.
"I'll see my friends tomorrow. I miss you so much." Mariel said, thinking about the faces of her two friends. Beatrix's image in her mind longer than anyone else's.
"See you tomorrow, my love." Mariel said while she fell asleep exhaustedly.