The Strongest Daughter-In-Law Of The Black Lion Family [EN]: Chapter 85

#85.

At that moment, Jerarkiel frowned. As his thoughts became difficult to read, I lost confidence and lowered my eyes for no reason.

“Is it not allowed?”

Even to my question, tinged with dejection, Jerarkiel remained silent.

I must have become too arrogant from receiving too much coddling. Just as I was rolling my eyes, anticipating the coming scolding, Jerarkiel let out a sigh.

“If you say it like that, I can’t do anything.”

“Jerarkiel?”

“I thought I hated losing more than anything.”

Jerarkiel seemed to mutter something incomprehensible before lightly touching my cheek.

“Strangely, I don’t dislike losing to you.”

What should I do with this man who is not only tolerating me but also seems to enjoy being defeated by me?

I could only blink at his increasingly absurd words. Anyway, it seemed he meant he would yield to me.

I seized the opportunity, held his hand tightly, and spoke. Now that I seemed to have gotten my way, it was time to appease this crazy lion. Otherwise, I had no idea where this guy might jump.

“I know you’re doing this for me.”

“Well, judging by your actions, it doesn’t seem like you know my heart at all.”

His tone was somewhat sharp, but his eyes had softened considerably. It was proof that he had already calmed down quite a bit.

I gently shook his hand and said,

“Anyway, I want to do something as a Jabishi too. So, don’t stop me.”

“Haa, how did I end up like this…….”

Jerarkiel let out a deep sigh, as if he knew he couldn’t stop me anymore.

“Promise me, though. Next time, you’ll tell me first.”

“Umm.”

“Then I won’t stop you from doing what you want.”

“Okay.”

I nodded without hesitation and hooked my little finger with his. Just looking at today, it seemed I couldn’t do anything without going through him anyway.

It would be faster to appease him first and have him escort me.

At that moment, Rahel, who had been watching us the whole time, spoke up.

“That’s unusual. Ricky actually yielded. I thought you’d have a good fight.”

Her tone sounded as if she was disappointed that she couldn’t see a fight.

And as if that was the signal, Jerarkiel’s arrow of resentment turned towards Rahel.

“Mother is also a problem.”

Rahel turned her gaze away with a slightly startled expression.

“Oh my, you couldn’t win against that child either, and now you’re blaming your mother?”

Jerarkiel furrowed his brow again, as if recalling that time. Rahel didn’t stay still either.

She raised her voice as if she had also suffered at my hands.

“I was dragged here without any warning, you know? You know how your wife is!”

Well, wasn’t it Mother who told me to come right away?

I bit my lip, trying to suppress all the things I wanted to say. I knew that if I said this here, I would get a second round of nagging from Rahel.

At that moment, Jerarkiel said sternly.

“Don’t insult Chi Chi.”

“Huh, how absurd!”

Rahel only let out a hollow laugh, as if she couldn’t curse at her son. After a moment, Rahel said,

“But I came with you instead of sending you alone, didn’t I?”

“I am grateful for that.”

“Is that how you show gratitude?”

Rahel snorted and kept raising the corners of her lips as Jerarkiel readily expressed his gratitude. She looked happy to be talking to her son for so long.

It was still an awkward mother-son relationship, but that was why it was fortunate.

If they were close, it wouldn’t be strange for a bloody battle to break out, considering their formidable power.

Whether it was the skill to break through Hebel’s entrance or the skill to destroy Jabishi’s gate, they were evenly matched, and it was hard to guess who would win.

Honestly, seeing Zakari and Rahel fight, I felt like Jerarkiel and Rahel would soon be fighting like that too.

Rahel opened her mouth with a nonchalant face.

“First of all, it would be good to send news to your father. He must have been surprised that all three of us disappeared.”

“Why are you suddenly worrying about Father, Mother?”

“That’s…….”

Rahel hesitated, at a loss for words, so I poked Jerarkiel in the side.

I gave him a look that said, ‘Do you really not know?’ Jerarkiel shrugged and looked away.

It was obvious that he had done it on purpose, probably because Rahel hadn’t stopped me.

What a long memory.

Rahel’s face turned as red as a carrot, and she started fanning herself and shouting.

“T, that’s! It’s because I feel sorry for your father’s pathetic life!”

“I’m sure.”

“Eek!”

Rahel was about to start cursing with a flushed face, but Kiara stopped her.

“Rahel, why don’t you have some tea while you wait? Zakari will come here when he hears the news.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Rahel forgot about getting angry at the mention of Zakari coming and started humming a tune.

I tried hard to hold back my laughter at her very transparent behavior.

* * *

It was right after Ella returned to her room. Isaac was sitting on the sofa with a dignified posture, as if he had been there for a while.

He found Ella and raised his head.

“You’re just coming now.”

“Isaac.”

Ella flinched as soon as she saw Isaac. Isaac gestured for her to come closer with an indifferent look, regardless of her reaction.

Isaac, one of Naaman’s twelve most loyal disciples, was Ella’s direct superior and adoptive father.

Naaman’s direct disciples could use power comparable to pheromones through the ‘Guardian Ring’ that Naaman had gifted them.

The Guardian Ring was a ring containing the power of the Guardian, with whom only Hebel’s head could communicate.

The ring in the shape of a Möbius strip [a one-sided surface], symbolizing eternity, was the power that all Hebel priests dreamed of.

Being able to wield that much power in a place with pheromone restrictions was enough to exert tremendous influence.

Most of the beastmen here had no pheromones or only a minimal amount. Because they lived together with those who craved power more than anyone else, everyone was desperate to become Naaman’s direct disciple.

Isaac was one of them, and he recently became the youngest of the twelve disciples and was granted the Guardian Ring.

Ella was his adopted daughter, adopted by him even before he became one of the twelve disciples. A person who stays by your side when you are insignificant is strongly recognized by the other person.

It took quite a long time for Ella to blend into Hebel naturally. Now, Ella had deeply infiltrated Hebel, to the point of going to Jabishi’s castle, thanks to catching Isaac’s eye.

Ella said with an innocent face.

“What brings you here?”

“I can’t come unless I have something to do.”

“……That’s not what I meant.”

Ella lowered her head, and Isaac, who had released his anger, said,

“I came to tell you something. Fortunately, Naaman has entrusted you with that white ferret, so take this opportunity to monitor it well.”

“Monitor?”

“Yes. Isn’t that child full of suspicious things? She’s not an easy opponent, so try to build a friendship and lower her guard if possible. And report any suspicious movements immediately.”

“Yes, I will.”

Ella glanced at Isaac with a familiar, submissive face. She was dumbfounded by his arrogant appearance, as if his shoulders would soar to the sky now that he had become the youngest disciple.

‘I have to be patient.’

Ella put on an innocent expression, reminding herself of her purpose here. In response, Isaac stroked her head affectionately with a satisfied face.

“Good girl.”