The reasons for the King's reluctance were, in truth, easy to understand. He required Kensington's presence for several important matters, yet he also feared the insidious corruption of Nagasmar. That Kingdom, known throughout the continent as the fief of Fallen God Izranavyl, had long carried a dark reputation for allowing the worst atrocities. Someone such as Kinsley could all too easily be enslaved, his Mana drained and exploited. He could find himself forced to sire powerful children who might one day threaten the stability of the Egradia Kingdom. This was no paranoia on the King's part. Such method had already been used many times by Nagasmar's ruling class against other nations' Nobles. Several of those nations had vanished entirely, following such evil deeds. Some of their lands had even been absorbed into the ever-spreading borders of the corrupted Kingdom of Nagasmar.

In the end, Kinsley was sent off by his overly cheerful family and had departed in the company of Egradia's Divine Guardian, who journeyed incognito under the guise of a mere Celestial Guardian. The Royal Family's Celestial Guardian, Lazurek, had agreed to shadow his superior and provide him with a subtle concealment.

Kinsley had already been astonished to learn that the Divine Guardian, who came to their Kingdom only once every millennium and never approached Mortals directly, instead dispatching his Celestial servants, had suddenly deemed it necessary to journey in person to Nagasmar just to meet the venerable Saint Sylia.

He knew now that the claim had been nothing but falsehood. The truth had proved to be far darker than anything he had imagined. The Bird, who had perched upon his shoulder on more than one occasion, was none other than the Maker of the Supreme God Izranaga.

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As if that were not unsettling enough, that overly powerful being had addressed Izranaga as though he was speaking to a lowly servant and had even called Saint Sylia, with deference, "My Lady."

***

Upon his arrival in Nagasmar, Kensington had found out that his son's situation was even graver than he had ever imagined. Now he waited in guarded silence for further information from Saint Sylia and her Lord companion.

The Divine Guardian of Egradia, Lekyosma, had at last joined them after the deception had been revealed by a most amused Lady Sylia.

Yet the mighty Bird barely acknowledged Kinsley's presence. His attention was seemingly fixed solely on Kinsley's granddaughter, Sukuna, and he looked even more taken with the young woman than the false Celestial Bird had been.

His interest was, however, far less striking than the adoration in the eyes of the Royal Family's Celestial Guardian, Lazurek, who was plainly enthralled by Lady Sukuna.

Kensington almost choked on his coffee when he overheard him remark that he would be honoured to be counted among her Source's Flock. Sukuna had answered with a light chuckle, "I am certain you can do better than that."

The Bird, however, persisted until Lady Sukuna gave her assent—on the sole condition that her mother approved. Kensington could only sigh and turn his gaze to his still-shaken son, Duke Kugari Kensington. The young man had yet to recover from the news that Izranaga's Maker was, at that very moment, having a collation with Lady Sylia. As ever, Kugari had complained when first told that the Lady was making them wait, only for their Celestial Guardian to silence him with that crucial revelation.

Unfortunately, Kensington's other son, Marquess Madeas Clawsvio, was still highly amused by his brother's reaction and could barely refrained from chuckling as he observed the Duke of Kensington. It would likely cause trouble later as Kugari did not like to be mocked.

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