A repetitive thump of leather shoes accompanied by sweat dropping onto the floor resonated inside the Training Hall.

Lidien woke up early to train his stamina, joined by Alva and Xyon--Nyomi's brother.

After almost an hour of running, Alva still had her energy without a sign of fatigue. Lidien wasn't bad either; after taking hold of his rhythmic breathing, it could be said he could run nonstop until his legs wouldn't work.

However, Xyon could only pant, struggling to keep up the pace with them... and only his resolute eyes were pushing him not to lie down.

Another few minutes passed, and the three of them stopped their jog when a maid entered the hall and brought sets of clothes and a jar of water.

Lidien watched Xyon sit on the floor, drinking water greedily... then his eyes glanced at Alva. Lidien couldn't help but gulp at her graceful figure, a stark transformation from the battered beggar-princess she had been just days before.

Alva then noticed Lidien's eyes looking at her; though she could only perceive it as a look of apathy, she still smiled, faintly... making Lidien's head turn away slowly.

Now, with his Corpse and Soul Path at Rank 1 Peak Stage, Lidien could feel that his body had not only returned to the power he held as a Hell Stage Demon of Wrath but had perhaps even surpassed it.

'How long would I last sparring with Azer if we fought for real?'

Sighing, Lidien left the Training Hall without saying goodbye to either of them.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the front of the Dining Hall after changing his clothes.

Proceeding inside, he saw Lady Rose and Aria sitting quietly, while there was still no sign of Azer and Kyer in their seats.

Lidien walked to his seat and stared at Aria gently scooping soup.

"Big sis... I'm sorry about last time... when I--"

Aria smiled at him, her emerald fox-like eyes staring at him.

"It's okay, Lidien... there's nothing to worry about, I understand."

Lidien helplessly smiled and glanced at Lady Rose quietly staring at him, intriguingly smiling with a hidden meaning.

'Does she know I advanced? Or... can she feel it but is unsure?'

They quietly ate their breakfast when suddenly Aria asked something unexpected of Lidien.

"It's been more than a month since Lily was gone scouting the Dark Wolf Clan... why has there been no news delivered to us here?"

Lady Rose momentarily paused her hand wiping her mouth with a red cloth, while Lidien only smiled and stared at Aria.

It was reasonable for Aria to ask it; even Lidien would wonder why Lily, who was gone scouting, didn't even report.

As Aria stared at Lady Rose curiously, Lidien spoke.

"Lily said... the Patriarch of the Dark Wolf Clan suddenly died, and all of his seeds are fighting for the position to rule it."

Lady Rose's eyes widened staring at Lidien; it was news that even she didn't know, but Lidien had it... now, her mouth twitched as she thought of Lidien lying to Aria just to feed her curiosity.

"So, when do you plan to proceed with your task?" Lady Rose asked.

Lidien smirked; it was a good thing for him that he had eaten the heart of the Beastfolk to gain the knowledge crucial for the survival of the Dark Wolf Clan.

And since the old ruler was gone now, Lidien could only summarize that either the Dark Wolf Clan already had a new leader, or was still in chaos...

Though he wished for the former rather than the latter, since his only enemy would be one, rather than trying to choose where his coin would hit the jackpot by choosing a new leader and sponsoring it.

"Next week, Mother... I have already informed one of the soldiers to gather forces and slaves..."

Aria laughed, her gentle hands covering her mouth.

"And what could slaves and some soldiers do? Even though their Patriarch is already gone, their forces are still large, so I doubt you could enter freely without casualties..."

This time, it was Lidien who laughed... no matter what situation would come, he had already thought of a plan ahead... as he learned from the wrong calculation he had made that tarnished his name.

Yet, among all his tens of plans dedicated for every situation that might come up, he still liked the last one.

His escape plan.

Because no matter what failure he faced, as long as he lived... there was still a chance for a comeback.

"Relax... if you want, you could join me; at least you could help me live and survive, right?"

Lidien stared at Lady Rose, waiting for her decision if she would accept his hidden request to ask for Aria's help...

However, it was Aria who shook her head before smiling sweetly at Lidien.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Lidien, I still need to look after the fifth floor of the Knowledge Spire... and surely, you have your plan, right? I'm sure you can do it without the help of us, your siblings."

Lidien tapped the table rhythmically with his index finger as he stared at her smiling innocently.

'I guess this is the end of our fake relationship, though it's sad that I lost a chess piece...'

Lidien knows the moment he showed his fangs, his siblings would treat him not as the youngest brother that he was, but as someone who could fight them equally... not in combat, but in politics and ruling.

'The charisma of having the Title of a Heart Eater really is a double-edged sword... well, why would I slash with it if I could point it at someone else... as long as I am the one holding the hilt, I'm safe.'

As the door opened once again, Azer and Kyer entered the Dining Hall.

Lidien raised his hand and waved at Kyer, who waved back at him smiling.

Upon standing, he bowed to Lady Rose and said his goodbye to his siblings...

Without a second thought, he left the Dining Hall, smiling from ear to ear.

'In the end, we only use each other for our own benefits...'

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