Chapter 2.4 Raven the Phoenix
"What did you say?!"
Raven's sapphire eyes widened, her shock impossible to conceal.
"Is that true? Does having the number 1 tag really make me the disciple of Guardian I?!"
"Yes," the silver‑haired man replied simply. "It's true."
"Wow, that's amazing! But... how did you know about that?"
Raven narrowed her eyes at him, suspicion flickering across her face.
"Erm... that's because I am Guardian I. The Guardian of the First Tower—Silver."
The man or now known as Silver, admitted honestly.
"You're Silver?!" Raven nearly jumped. "Are you really him? But seriously, how dumb could you be to just accept a disciple based on a number tag? Isn't that just way too lazy?"
"Well, I am indeed lazy!"
Silver emphasized the word lazy with a smirk.
"But taking the number 1 tag is no easy feat. If you remember, you had to wait patiently for the deskman to finally hand it to you, didn't you?"
"I did do that," Raven admitted with a small nod.
"Normally, humans are not patient creatures. Most would have grown restless within an hour and picked a fight instead. If one wishes to be my disciple, they must first learn patience and discipline."
"But I'm neither patient nor disciplined. I can be rough sometimes."
Raven pouted, crossing her arms.
"Does that mean you don't want me anymore?"
Silver chuckled softly, his ruby eyes glinting with amusement.
"Hmm? Since I've already accepted you as my disciple, and you became one fair and square, why would I not want you?"
Unbeknownst to him, a gentle smile tugged at his lips as his hand reached out, fondly ruffling Raven's unruly peach‑colored hair
"Mou~ stop it!"
Even though Raven was grumbling, she was really enjoying the attention her husband was giving to her.
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In a faraway land—the land of the so‑called "devils," or rather, the Phoenix Clan—a certain brunette was in a foul mood. She hurled one piece of expensive furniture after another across her chamber, her rage echoing through the walls.
"Ahhh! Why was I not chosen as the disciple of Guardian I?! Who else could possibly be more worthy than me? I will never forgive the one who dared to steal what was rightfully mine!"
"First Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince is here," a trembling servant announced, bowing low, not daring to meet her mistress's eyes.
"He's here? Then what are you waiting for? Lead your miss to him, now!"
"Y‑Yes, First Miss."
Yuka's face instantly transformed.
The twisted, ugly expression of fury vanished as though it had never existed. In its place bloomed a radiant smile, her demeanor shifting into that of a virtuous, gentle white lotus as she stepped gracefully out of her chamber.
'Don't let me catch you... or I will personally drag you to hell!'
Yuka seethed inwardly, her thoughts dark and venomous.
Yet outwardly, her eyes sparkled with feigned delight the moment they fell upon the handsome Crown Prince.
Her lips curved into a flawless smile, masking the malice that churned beneath the surface.
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"Then... what should I do as your disciple, Silver?"
Raven asked between bites of her meal.
She had lost much blood, and though she didn't truly need the nourishment—being the Phoenix itself—she ate dutifully, replenishing her strength.
"As my disciple, you need only continue cultivating as you always have."
Silver replied while gently placing more food onto Raven's plate, his movements unhurried, almost tender.
"But you must also learn the meaning behind being a Guardian's disciple. Soon, there will be a gathering of all the Guardians and their chosen disciples. It will be the day we introduce them to one another."
As he spoke, he reached out and brushed a crumb from the corner of Raven's lips, the gesture unexpectedly intimate.
"Then what does it mean, Silver? What's the difference between being an ordinary sect disciple and being a disciple of a Guardian?"
"Of course, the two are completely different."
Silver's voice grew deeper, more solemn.
"You may still cultivate as others do, but as a Guardian's disciple, you will inherit a Holy Technique, one passed down from the ancestors of the Guardians. It is far more powerful than anything taught in the sects."
His gaze drifted away, darkening as if drawn into memories or burdens unseen.
"Do you know why there are seven Towers, each with its own Guardian? Do you know why each Tower must always be watched over?
"A Guardian is there to guard the tower? That's what I heard, at least." Raven shrugged casually.
"A Guardian does not simply guard the tower."
Silver corrected, his tone calm yet heavy with meaning.
"We guard the door inside the tower."
At those words, Raven's curiosity flared.
Her sapphire eyes lit up as she leaned forward, eager.
"A door inside the tower? But I've never heard of such a thing! Where is this door?!"
Silver's lips curved into a faintly amused smile.
"The door? We're standing on it right now."
Raven blinked, stunned. "You mean... this entire tower is the door?!"
"That's right."
Silver's gaze grew distant, his voice low and solemn.
"This tower is not what it seems. It is a door disguised as a tower. If the roof were removed, you would see its true form, a massive gate. That gate is a portal to another world, one far different from ours. Beyond it dwell creatures known as Demons. They bring sickness, death, and ruin to humankind. That is why the Guardians exist, to stand watch, to protect humanity from what lies beyond."
"Then... what would happen if the doors were ever opened?"
"If that day comes..." Silver's ruby eyes locked onto hers, his tone grave. "It might mean the end of the world."
"That's scary!"
Raven shivered, her shoulders trembling.
"But don't worry," Silver said gently, patting her hair with fondness, trying to soothe his "frightened" disciple. "As long as the Guardians live, the door will never be opened."
"What does it take to open the door, Silver?" Raven asked, her curiosity piqued.
At her question, Silver's expression darkened. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes, his voice low and heavy.
"The door can only be opened if the heart of the Guardian who guards it is offered as a sacrifice. That is the one and only way."
"That... that's terrible! Don't worry, Silver—I'll protect you. I won't let anything happen to you, not while I'm here!"
Raven patted her chest with conviction, her sapphire eyes burning with determination.
She swore silently to herself: no harm would ever befall her husband. If anyone dared to even touch a single strand of his hair, they would have to step over her dead body first.
"Raven, you don't need to do that. Just protect yourself. I'll be fine on my own." Silver's voice softened as his hand brushed through her hair, his touch helpless yet tender.
"Hmph! Don't believe me? Then I'll make you see just how strong I am one day!" Raven pouted, her stubbornness shining through.
"Alright, alright."
Silver chuckled, though his eyes betrayed his worry.
"I know you're strong. But you need to take better care of yourself. I worry about you more than anything. You couldn't even protect yourself from me, so what would happen if you faced a true enemy?"
"That's different!" Raven protested loudly.
"What's different?" Silver asked, raising a brow.
"It's different because it's you. But if it were an enemy, I wouldn't hesitate to cut them down in two! I only let my guard down because it's you—because I trust you."
Raven's lips curved into a bright, confident smile.
Silver froze, utterly speechless. His face flushed crimson as he quickly averted his gaze, his ears burning red.
'How can she say things like that so easily...? '
Silver's chest tightened.