The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 48

“She’s at home, so go meet her.”

“Is Florin…? Has she already met Ian?”

“You should call him ‘Ian hyung’ [an honorific used in Korean to address an older male], He’s two years older than you.”

“…Did she meet Ian hyung?”

“They met.”

This is getting interesting.

‘The two are just too different.’

First of all, Ian was a tremendous hard worker. He was the type to master various techniques one by one with sheer persistence.

A dagger would suit him better than a greatsword, and he’d be better at ambushing from behind than charging ahead. He also had a good eye for spotting magic, so I thought he’d do well if I taught him marksmanship.

If I had to compare him to something, it would be a blazing flame.

On the other hand, Dante was a genius. What else could explain this child?

He was already showing his presence as a beast standing above beasts, so he would become a great alpha when he grew up.

His natural strength would be enough to wield a greatsword, and he also had the commanding presence to lead others, making him suitable as a captain or commander.

A firmly rooted, large Zelkova tree [a type of East Asian tree known for its strength and longevity] that would neither bend nor break.

Kiraxus saw that image in Dante.

‘They’ll make good rivals.’

What Dante doesn’t yearn for will be what Ian desperately wants.

So Ian will try harder. He has a strong desire to make up for what he lacks.

And Dante needed to learn the tenacious patience, endurance, and flexibility that Ian possessed.

Dante, who had grown up pampered without ever doing a hard day’s work, was the very image of an inflexible, dogmatic, and arrogant ‘high-ranking noble knight.’

Such a personality might have been fine in the days of constant warfare, but in the future era where enemies had to be faced with smiling masks, would Dante really be of help to the family?

The position of head of the family cannot be achieved with force alone.

“If you keep showing everything on your face at the slightest displeasure, you won’t be able to beat Ian.”

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

“Yes, you’ll take care of it. So let’s go home now.”

How cute.

Kiraxus ruffled Dante’s black hair and snapped his fingers.

The surrounding scenery crumbled and reassembled itself.

In the blink of an eye, they were back at the Dribljane mansion.

The poor John left behind would have to take care of the rest at the academy.

* * *

A place so high that even the birds could not easily reach it.

Above the five-colored clouds that the human eye could never follow lies Arkhalik, the Sky Kingdom consisting of seven floating islands.

The islands, connected by bridges of light, were first lifted into the sky by the power of the first king who founded Arkhalik in ancient times.

King Gero, the incarnation of the nature god Gaianos, was able to create tremendous energy in exchange for solar heat, which was powerful enough to permanently support the seven islands.

Of course, besides the first king, anyone in Arkhalik could use alchemy.

At that time, the new human race had just broken away from beasts and was becoming humanized, so the people of Arkhalik, with their amazing abilities and civilization, were truly children of God.

As if to prove that they originated from God, the people of Arkhalik all had the same appearance: snow-white hair symbolizing the most perfect nature, and blood-red eyes that seemed to have the sun embedded in them.

Whether male or female, they valued the body given by God and did not cut their hair.

They never ran recklessly or moved hastily, so they always wore several layers of gowns with sleeves wide enough to cover the back of their hands and long enough to hide their ankles.

At first, they greatly rejoiced at the birth of the new human race, taught them how to use fire, taught them how to live like humans, and created and passed on scriptures and laws.

However, as time passed, the people of Arkhalik gradually became pessimistic.

No matter how much they taught, the new human race could not easily escape from their animal instincts.

Fighting, being greedy, and biting.

After watching this for a century, the people of Arkhalik finally made a decision.

Let’s just go up to the distant sky and live. Let’s never come down to this land again.

They erased all records of themselves and disappeared, making one last decision.

The earth is a prison of the sky.

Those who have committed sins should be banished to earth.

The people of Arkhalik could live for a long time if they received the noble sunlight near the sun.

However, on the ground surrounded by seven layers of clouds, they could not receive proper sunlight, so they would live and die with a lifespan not much different from that of the new human race on earth.

They wouldn’t even be able to properly use alchemy, which proves they are people of Arkhalik.

That was a terrible disgrace to even imagine, so it was a very reasonable punishment for sinners.

“Your Highness, the shockwave was so powerful that three islands shook.”

“The wretches of that land must not know our power.”

“A traitor, a betrayer, a sinner. Or their descendants. Whoever it is, they must be executed. Or, they must be brought back.”

But a strange thing happened.

Someone living on the ground manifested alchemy.

The owners of each floating island, feeling the powerful shockwave, hurriedly gathered at the palace.

For the past 10 years, the owner of Arkhalik had been in a very bad mood. He had even abandoned his duty to look after and manage the earth, falling into endless despair, so he probably wouldn’t listen properly this time either.

Still, the island owners felt they had to say what they had to say.

For nearly 10 years, only winter had existed on earth. That was very wrong.

The god of nature, Gaianos, had given the four seasons, so why did only winter exist?

As a result of endlessly petitioning about this, the king recently used his holy power for the first time in 10 years to return the world to its proper order.

That was regarded as a sign that the king was regaining his senses, so the island owners gained the courage to present an urgent matter while watching his mood.

…Perhaps it was recklessness.

“Alchemy is what Gaianos gave only to our race. It is too much power for the wretches of the earth.”

“You must find them.”

Wearing identical half-masks, they stood in the grand hall where a poisonous scent rose, and bowed deeply.

But the man listening to their request did not answer. As if he hadn’t heard anything.

“Your Highness.”

Why was the one who had driven out winter and brought spring just a while ago pretending not to hear again?

Unable to bear the frustration, they finally took a step forward. Then, at that very moment-

Kwaaaang!

With a roar that seemed to collapse the palace, fragments scattered in all directions.

“You were making so much noise that I took care of the earth a while ago.”

A heavy voice slowly fell into the ruined grand hall.

“I don’t know why you’re bothering me again. Do you want to die?”

Had they taken even half a step further, they would have been torn to pieces and killed.

The owner of the aged Earth Island trembled all over at the murderous intent left in the scratch marks on the floor.

“Please, come to your senses! This is not like Your Highness!”

Seeing the owner of the Earth Island, who finally couldn’t bear it and shouted, the owners of the other islands all shook their heads.

The King of Arkhalik had been ruling this great country for three thousand years. The wise king’s rule was always fair, just, and without fault.

Yes, it was. Until about 10 years ago.

986 years in terrestrial calendar.

It was the very year when the endless winter began on earth. It was when winter came to the king’s heart as well.

“Didn’t you know that compared to Your Highness’s eternal life, that woman had a negligible lifespan! It was a meeting with an end from the beginning… Keok… !”

Oh dear, he’s going to die like that. He’s going to die.

The owner of the Fire Island, who was watching, shook his head and stepped back. The owner of the Moon Island was, as always, silently guarding the king’s side.

“Keok, Keheok… !”

The owner of the Earth Island scratched his neck and foamed at the mouth.

He collapsed like that without even being touched because of the king’s alchemy, which rivaled the power of God.

The king could freely change air into poison, poison into earth, and earth back into air… He could change all things in this world at will. With just a glance. With just a desire.

“Show respect when referring to the Queen.”

The owners of the Water and Metal Islands shrank back at the indifferent gaze as if looking at a bug.

‘Hmm, yes. The atmosphere has to be this harsh for the grand hall meeting these days.’

The owner of the Fire Island, who couldn’t stand watching, glanced at the owner of the Wood Island. But the owner of the Wood Island turned his head away as soon as he received the gaze.

It was an attitude that he had no intention of helping to resolve this situation.

‘I have to step in after all.’

Ah, I don’t want to.

The king had been crazy ever since that day 10 years ago. If I said even one wrong word, I don’t know what would happen, so I have to bring up a story that won’t offend him as much as possible…

In the end, the owner of the Fire Island, who was watching the mood, approached the king with a smile on his face.

“Supreme master of the sky. The one closest to the sun, may I dare to say a word?”

With a card that he could never ignore.