Chapter 361 Meeting With Ancestor Noah Once Again!
Catching both her fists, Damien said in his gentlest tone, "Just calm down. I came in peace."
"And on account of everything, I'm way stronger than you," he added. "So there is no point in fighting me. Let's settle this verbally, in peace."
"You want to talk this out? Not a chance," Lucrecia retorted with a snort. "Hmph! No one in the Infinite City can get away after killing Xander Gon. So you can only redeem yourself by rotting inside the Internal Six Souls Torturing Purgatory of our Protector Family for eternity."
"So what about someone with Darhk Surname?" asked Damien with a grin.
Hearing the noble surname "Darhk," Lucrecia stopped resisting. She gave him a meaningful look as if asking what that had to do with him.
Releasing her hands, Damien said, "I heard someone with the 'Darhk' surname has the authority to bend any rules within Infinity City." He then reintroduced himself by making a pose. "I'm Damien Darhk, son of Gregory Darhk. Now, you tell me. Do I have the right to kill Xander Gon?"
This thunderstruck Lucrecia, as she was not expecting this at all. With realization, she knelt before him and gave a military salute. "I, Lucrecia Munchi of the Third Xander Gon, greet milord Damien Darhk!"
"Now-now, can you release Miss Kimura of Onsen Clan?" asked Damien.
"Yes, I'll release her immediately," Lucrecia said. "Please punish this servant for my earlier discretion."
"Oh, about the punishment stuff. Let me think this through," Damien said.
While he was pondering on how to take further advantage, a familiar pitched black-dark spatial rift materialized, and the man in the white bandage walked out along with Grand Elder John Bradford.
John sighed, looking at both the youth and Lucrecia's underlying tension, and said, "Are you done troubling this fine lady?"
"I'm here to release Miss Kimura of the Onsen Clan," Damien responded. "Sure! I'm done here."
"Excellent," John added with a sly grin. "Then follow us. Our esteemed ancestor has requested your presence."
"Very well, until next time, Miss Lucrecia," Damien replied, oozing with confidence as he strolled through the spatial rift.
John fixed his gaze on Xander Gon and offered a stern warning. "Know your place, Xander. My grandson may have a soft spot for you, but that doesn't make you untouchable. If this ever happens again, I won't hesitate to take action. Now, release the Onsen Girl and reflect on your behavior by arranging a banquet. This time, consider it a minor reprimand."
With that, John departed through the spatial rift, his walking stick making a series of thudding sounds as he went.
The man with the white bandage gave a casual wave before jumping into the spatial rift. In an instant, the rift sealed itself, leaving no trace of their presence.
Lucrecia let out a deep sigh, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Who would've guessed that brat was a Darhk?" She paused for a moment, then continued with a fierce glint in her eye. "Regardless, I'll make you pay for what you did to my brother, Les Munchi."
Beyond the walls of the Infinite City, a rocky cave covered in green moss lay near the riverbank. Despite the frequent and violent waves crashing against the shore, an invisible barrier prevented water from entering the cave.
As the morning birds sang their melodies, a pitch-black circular spatial rift appeared in the air. Damien, John, and Captain Sparta emerged from the rift in a grand entrance.
Just as they arrived, a deep, thunderous voice echoed from within the cave. "Damien may enter, but the rest must leave!"
John and Captain Sparta kneeled on the sandy ground, saluting with reverence as the two left through the spatial rift. Damien strode into the cave with effortless grace, his steps leaving a trail of spider-web-like lights across the dark interior. He glimpsed the relics of ancient gods, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he proceeded further.
It wasn't until he took his sixteenth step that the scenery changed entirely. The rocky cave transformed into a luxurious, massive hall adorned with hand-drawn, colorful murals. Seated on a red dragon's cadaver dais, he found the Protector Family Ancestor, Noah Darhk, waiting for him.
Noah beckoned Damien with a tap on the chessboard and a beaming smile. "We meet again, Damien. Why don't you join me for a match?"
"Sure, why not?" Damien replied, making his way to the opposite seat, which turned out to be the dragon's head. The carcass emitted a repulsive aura of the tremendous pressure that would have blasted Damien away before he entered the Tenderloin World. But he snorted dismissively and sat casually, crumbling the terrifying aura under his prowess.
"You have grown so much," said Noah, admiring his prowess. "Good lad! Alright, let's have a fabulous game." He waved his palm over the large chessboard and shuffled the two sets of pieces. "C'mon, you're white. So, the first move is yours."
Damien's eyes scanned the board, and he started playing virtual games in his mind, running through thousands of settings, both losses and wins. "I've waited long enough. Can we call this a win by default?" Noah suggested, seeing his hesitation.
"Not even a minute has passed. Here I go," Damien responded, picking the pawn in front of the left baron.
"You have a huge gall to make that move from the very start," Noah commented, also moving his pawn piece ahead of his queen.
"Caught you!" Damien whispered, barely audible.
And soon, he announced his victory with a checkmate in the next fifteen moves, much to Noah's surprise.
Noah's eyes widened in shock as he watched Damien make his moves. "What? That's impossible," he exclaimed, looking at the board in disbelief.
"Believe it, old man. Checkmate," Damien said with a grin.
Noah let out a hearty laugh. "Well done, my boy! You truly are a prodigy," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. "I haven't lost a game in years."
Damien shook his hand and shrugged. "Beginner's luck, I guess." Still, this was the second time they played chess, as in the previous game, out of the ten matches they played, Damien only won the last match.
"No, no, no. I don't believe in luck. It's all about skill and strategy," Noah said, still smiling. "But let's see if you can keep it up in the next game."
They started playing again, and this time, the game was much closer. They both made some brilliant moves, and it was difficult to predict who would win. But in the end, Damien emerged victorious once again.
"Unbelievable," Noah said, looking at the board. "I don't understand how you're doing it. You're like a chess master."
Damien chuckled. "I wouldn't say that, but I do enjoy playing."
They played a third game, and once again, Damien won. This time, Noah looked a bit frustrated.
"I can't believe it. You've beaten me three times in a row. I think I need to go back to the drawing board," he said, rubbing his chin.
Damien laughed. "It's just a game, Ancestor. Don't take it too seriously."
Noah smiled. "You're right, of course. But I must say, I'm impressed. I haven't met someone as talented as you in a long time."
"Thanks! That means a lot coming from you," Damien said, feeling a bit flattered.
Noah stood up from the dais and stretched his arms. "Well, I think that's enough for today. Let's talk about the proper business here." He then continued sitting back, "Enough with messing around in Infinite City. No matter how you feel about it, this place is a part of your family, too. If you don't mind, just tell me. What is your main reason for visiting this city?"
(please, stay tuned!)
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