Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 145: Netra’s Betrothal???

‘I’m sorry, Oli, but that won’t be easy either...’ Vloz sighed. ‘Learning human metamorphosis would take away from her cultivation, right?’

‘Yeah...’

‘Then it’s not a good move. We should allow her to at least become a perennial and stand against her mother. Her higher cultivation would make the metamorphosis easier based on what you said earlier. Also, that would give you two kids time to think more about such an important decision.’

Oli replied, ‘Vloz, I’m not just a kid. I’m a reincarnate of an adult human. And, technically, we’re both adults of our species. What’s wrong with the two of us deciding this for ourselves?’

‘Nothing’s wrong with it in my eyes,’ clarified Vloz, ‘but I’m not the one to convince. That would be your parents.’

‘Mom already agreed to it so long as we take it seriously. Add the manual and I’m sure she’d be thrilled for us.’

‘That’s fair... However, the majority of the opposition is from Netra’s family. There’s always the option to elope but is that what Netra would want in the long-term?’ asked Vloz. ‘Would she be happy leaving her mother, family, and clan behind?’

.....

‘Honestly, I don’t think she would be entirely against that option if it’s the only way...’

Nodding, Vloz added, ‘Even if it is what she would choose, me getting involved would complicate a more than you realize. If I took her away, it would seem as the Iron-body Gorilla Clan is acting against Puula’s wishes. We’d get away with it but that’s not the sort of example we want to show for our patrician clans.’

‘Then what would you suggest?’ Oli questioned. ‘Got any ideas? I’m willing to offer you such a priceless treasure, so you can at least help from the shadows, right Uncle Vloz?’

Both kept quiet for a moment. They seriously pondered, whether motivated by personal emotions or greed.

‘Oli... How soon would you want to take her away?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘We both know that Netra would likely run off and elope without a second thought. Though I’d rather not leave Puula with nothing from this, sadly she and Netra just don’t see eye-to-eye. That being the case... Would you want her to leave Iron Territory as a human perennial or a mortal beast?

‘Think carefully about this,’ Vloz continued, only pausing for emphasis. ‘Her tagging along would change all of your future plans. You would need to care for someone apart from just yourself. Are you strong enough to protect her? Are you able to provide for her right now? Given your goals, would she join now only to feel like a burden?

‘These are the hard questions you need to ask yourself and be honest. If you want to continuously travel and grow as a cultivator like your father, you can’t ignore how he did so alone until he was a perennial.’

Oli blinked, not entirely sure what to say next. Thinking deeper only made solving the problem immediately all the worse...

‘Do you think it’s best to be with her now or later? Now, as you’re unable to fully protect by yourself... Or later, when you’re both stronger and you’ll be able to depend on each other for advice and support...’

Swallowing the stagnant saliva in his throat, Oli sighed, ‘I guess... not now...’

‘That doesn’t mean you still can’t be together if you two are serious about this.’ Vloz mentioned, ‘This just means you’ll need a plan that enables you both to remain single until you’re both strong enough. And I think we’ll be able to trust Netra with the secret of your supposed death, though I don’t necessarily support telling Yeter, Karos, or anyone else. The fewer that know the truth, the better.’

‘That I agree with... But what can we do to make sure Netra isn’t betrothed?’

‘What’s wrong with her being betrothed?’

‘Vloz, that’s–‘

‘Being betrothed isn’t necessarily the issue, it’s the act of marriage... Right?’ Vloz asked slowly.

‘I suppose, but what do you mean exactly?’

‘What if... I was betrothed to Netra?’

‘WHAT?! You–‘

‘Oli, calm down and let me explain.’ Vloz paused, letting Oli have a moment to regain his composure. ‘What if I pushed for a betrothal between me and her? We both have perfect dark affinity, though I only gained that after becoming a perennial. That should intrigue Puula greatly, enough to keep her from seeking other suitors while I could postpone the wedding for as long as possible. It would be a classic case of a master taking their student as husband or wife, but this may also allow me to spend more private time training her. But that’s all if you would be alright with–‘

‘You genuinely wouldn’t do anything to hurt her or take advantage of her?’

‘What? You don’t trust your uncle?’ Vloz chuckled.

‘I thought you knew Rathe better them me?’ Oli commented.

Bursting out in laughter, Vloz replied, ‘Fair! You have my word that nothing will develop between the two of us. Besides, she’s far too focused on you. Apart from her cultivation, you’re the only thing she ever asked about in the few moments I tutored her privately up till now. I only want to find a good middle ground that will work for everyone in the end.’

‘Well... If you and she are technically betrothed, then if at some point you two ‘eloped’ and left the territory for a time, would Puula be too worried?’

‘You want me to eventually bring her to you under the guise of us two eloping?’

‘Hey, the betrothal was your idea,’ Oli admitted. ‘I’m just going off of what you proposed.’

‘Such a scenario might be possible... But what about you? How would we know where to find you and track you down? If I’m not traveling with you and am helping Netra instead, then who will be keeping you alive?’ questioned Vloz.

Oli took a deep breath and opened his eyes, glancing at the tent’s shadow. ‘In your opinion, do you think that shadowy man you met is a bad guy?’

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