Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

"Mmmmm?"

Asura didn't show the same attitude he had towards her before.

The moment he defeated the shadow of Auros that likely lingered inside his heart from the moment he started seeing those dreams, he saw almost everything that happened in those days.

The reason for Valerie and her hatred of the Fenix clan.

'To think my ancestors didn't send reinforcements to aid Auros when they accepted a military alliance with Drakkur and Romanica...'

"Are you okay? Your body and clothes are in tatters..."

Verana wore a different outfit from the one he saw when she departed, now wearing a soft black and red dress with polka dots.

'She always wore this dress on Tuesdays in the library... damn seductress, it was the first time I ever got an erection.'

[It is Tuesday, Asura]

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"Hahaha!" Asura felt the current situation amusing, a sense of nostalgia and something different. "It feels like I have been watching the world through dirty eyeglasses. Did I ever tell you how beautiful you looked in that dress?"

He reached into his item storage and pulled out a basic set of clothes; standing almost naked wasn't the best way to reunite with someone after years apart.

Verana herself seemed stunned as he watched her looking at him.

Her soft red lips parted wide as she looked stunned. The pale colour of her skin no longer worried him because he knew she was a vampire. He could see the ethereal beauty instead of his worry.

[She seems confused; maybe you should give her time?]

'If I give her time, then isn't my fun ruined? I need to know something before I can take the next step.'

Asura waited for her to seem to recover. Her lovely red eyes were darker than his, blinking several times as he flashed her a smirk.

He realised the last time they spoke together.

Asura was horrible to her, the feeling of anger, rage and revenge too strong in his heart. However, his actions changed the timeline, and everything the pair might have known could no longer happen.

'So before it is too late, I must find the truth, or what truth she can give me. I am sure Verana is the same.'

"Sorry, your words embarrassed me.." Verana smiled back, her fangs now easily visible, making Asura feel stupid for missing them in the past.

"Don't worry about it. You always enjoyed watching me naked."

"Ah? How did you know! I was discreet!?"

"Hehe. I may not know what happened to me. However, I still remember certain things in the past."

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"Well, I didn't..."

Verana's cheeks turned crimson. It seemed she realised he spoke about events from another life and enjoyed making her play to his tempo.

'I am sure this girl isn't the criminal.'

"Hmmm, now that I think about it, what did we do for our second year wedding anniversary?"

"Second anniversary? But... We did a lot of stuff that year?"

"Really? Like what? If you have an idea, it would be great to hear about it."

Verana was too adorable as she nervously coughed, "You don't remember!?" She seemed to fidget, saying a word with the volume of a mosquito.

"I didn't hear you."

"We tried anal sex!"

Asura almost broke character upon seeing the stone-cold ice queen that others worshipped in their university days now revealing her true colours, as her pale face looked like a tomato. 'Auros, I think we are idiots. If she's this cute, how cute was her mother?'

Asura turned to her, "Verana, there's something I wish to speak about..."

However, he didn't expect her to run away and enter the portal for the next floors.

"Ah... I have something to do, run an errand, I need to water my plants... catch you later, bye!"

Asura blinked, standing alone in the room. He stood in shock, looking at the dark hallways leading away from the floor and the exit leading towards the next floor.

'Was she always this lovely... Maybe I should try getting to know her once again? The past is the past, after all. People change, I have changed and don't wish to piggyback on my former self's success.'

***

Meanwhile, in the Bhalgrim citadel.

Valerie sat in her private chambers, holding a glass of wine made from Asura's blood. She watched the corner, where a beautiful woman with almost identical features climbed through the window and entered.

"You returned, Petra?"

Petra transformed from Valerie's form to a beautiful maiden with blonde hair and green eyes; she looked rustic with a lovely aura rather than the fierce and domineering one that her master emitted. "Yes Mistress, the foolish inquisitor and other men have given me a lot of information regarding Asura Fenix and confirm he is the Divine Son's incarnation this time."

She was a Nymph that Valerie saved in her childhood and spent over four thousand years as her closest friend and ally.

The gigantic tree that intertwines with the capital citadel is Petra's main body and part of the reason Valerie rarely panicked. "Forgive me, letting those filthy men think they sleep with you. Instead, you just drain them with your roots and melt their brains slowly with an illusion."

"Fufu, Mistress, it is a pleasure to drain them and see their disgusting thoughts and plots."

Valerie sighed. "They would kill you if they knew, you know?"

"Do you care about me, Mistress?"

"Hmph! Of course not!" Valerie turned her head. "It's not like we've been sisters for thousands of years!"

"Aw, don't pout like that. Petra will bring you a gift, as always."

Valerie smiled at her but shook her head, "What do you mean by 'This time'? Are you aware of what's going on?"

Petra sat on the table, poured a glass of wine, and drank it in a single mouthful. She then revealed what she knew from the men she drained of knowledge and memories.

The high inquisitor Fenix knew of the next plan for the Divine Son.

"No... It can't be..."

'I won't let them do this again...'

"Mistress? Are you okay?"

Valerie's emotions and facial expression became erratic and filled with despair for the second time since Petra met her.

The first time was after losing her first love as the Cult attacked his kingdom and destroyed it, forcing him into their hands as he became that monstrous, deformed figure. "We will protect him! No matter the cost."

The news brought by Petra caused her heart and soul to scream in despair and anger.

She began writing several magical letters addressed to all her allies, the neutrals, even the queen, and Garrett Fenix himself. With the information she gained, her grudge against the Fenix family seemed to mean nothing.

"Petra, you must find the traitors... discover the enemy within our kingdom."

"There isn't enough time to find them all, Mistress..."

"Then do what you can! I am begging you, this time we can save him!"

****

Asura sat in front of a crackling fire, his eyes half closed while waiting for the meat and vegetables to cook. Sat beside him, the visage of Lucia watched his head bobbing as he fell asleep.

'Has he taken a blow to his head?' She wondered about his strange behaviour.

She knew of his reactions when he regained some lost memories, but this Asura seemed different, more open, playful, and cheerful. Her hand gently stroked his raven hair, feeling the silky strands twirl around her fingers.

"Hm?" Asura tilted his head towards her hand. "That's nice. Keep going."

'Cheeky...'

Lucia saw the resolve in his eyes earlier when he spoke to Verana and fought Auros, and couldn't help but smile. 'Is he aware of his feelings, or are they being affected by the remnants of the past?'

Either way, she didn't mind as long as it meant Asura could smile. 'I had nothing, yet here you are, giving me back a life and purpose.'

She knew that without meeting Asura, training and falling for him, she might never have discovered her true name and birth parents... That's why she stayed beside him, to avoid his death.

The urge to kiss his forehead entered her mind. However, she felt a little hesitant about taking advantage of his sleep-deprived state. Instead, she lifted his head and rested it in her lap.

"Mmm... smells good..." Asura whispered before his breathing became relaxed, and he fell asleep.

'So cute.' Lucia watched his face as he slept in her lap. His pink lips parted slightly, and soft breathing reached her ears. 'This boy... he will change the world with his kindness and mercy or will his anger and rage...'

"Either way, I will follow you... It's too late to throw away this old lady now."

She closed her eyes while turning the meat and dousing part of the flames to slow the cooking speed, wanting the meat to be just right when he woke up.

'I'll keep watch for now...'

Her black eyes focused on the stairs and the entrance to the next floor. She felt jealousy toward the youthful Verana; even an idiot could tell the pair had a strange past and feelings beyond normal. 'He might feel more for her than Mu Xue or Xavida...'

'I'm such a fool to have fallen for you...'

Still, it didn't stop her from dreaming that she could one day have the same level of importance as her. She wanted a romantic relationship like those in fairy tales and novels. However, deep down, she knew that might not be possible.

'How silly... I should think more realistically and just enjoy the moment.'

For now, she felt satisfied being his guardian angel and hoped for at least a part of his heart.

'We are a family. Asura, you and I, our bonds are stronger than blood...'

The sound of heavy footsteps suddenly caught her attention. She felt Asura's breathing and the flow of mana enter his body.

"Princess Vela?"

"Eh... Royal knight Lucretia, I mean Lucia!? Didn't you return to the capital!"

"Shhh... he's sleeping. Please let him rest." Lucia's eyes turned to Vela, seeing the regal aura surrounding her. 'It seems she's better than before, not that shy and immature girl I met in the baths.'

Vela looked at the sleeping Asura and noticed how at peace he was upon seeing Lucia's lap. She sat beside them and watched the meat cook.

"Is he okay?"

"He used a technique that pushed himself a bit too far to defeat a shadow of his former self." Lucia revealed. "He is just exhausted and needs rest."

"Can I help?"

"There is nothing to do but slow cook the meat and let him rest." Lucia wanted to push her away and stop her from becoming close to Asura. 'Am I being too jealous? I should learn from Mu Xue. After all, I am in my forties, and he is not even twenty.'

Vela was only eighteen years old. However, she was at least royalty in two kingdoms, so it would make sense for her to marry in a few years.

'Maybe the one who takes his hand will be someone like her?'

Two hours later, the meat looked golden, with juices oozing from the medium-rare cooked meat's soft, slightly pink interior. The scent and delicious food were mouth-watering.

"The meat is ready." Lucia poked Asura's cheek and heard him grumble as he refused to wake up. "Come on... don't make me kiss you."

Asura blinked awake, his eyes registering Lucia's concerned expression before looking at Vela, who looked eager to eat. He raised his body slowly from her lap. "Just kiss me then, idiot."

'Fufu, how cheeky... he doesn't realise how tempting he makes that offer.'

"Vela, it's good to see you passed the test. Shall we eat, then head to the next floors?" Asura asked while still leaning against Lucia. His fingers interlocked with hers as they spoke casually.

Vela nodded. "Sounds good."

Lucia watched them interact as her body began feeling heavy and lethargic, returning to Asura's shadow without speaking.