Combat Maid Harem

Veronica knew she was inferior to Inferno, but that didn't put out her competitiveness. Rather, it ignited it to a much greater flame. She wanted to gain the recognition of her father and defeat Inferno, who was a man.

"I'm proud of you two," Lawrend said.

His words stung a little to his other children, but they couldn't exactly say anything. They were all inferior to both Veronica and Inferno. Trying to compare them would only lead them to depression.

They were both lucky and unlucky at the same time. It was their fortune to be Lawrend's children, but it was also their downfall since they had very talented siblings, and the competition between them was great.

"I will bring you all there," Paeia said.

He flew forward and took the lead. Lawrend glanced at Ember, and she nodded her head. They followed behind Paeia, and he brought them to the Phoenix Garden.

It was located at the center of the Phoenix Main Hall, and it was surrounded by a tall flaming wall. It wasn't harmful to Earth Mages, but it would turn anyone weaker than an Earth Mage to ashes. This was done to prevent anyone from sneaking in.

After all, it was much easier to detect Earth Mages. They stored significant amounts of mana within their bodies, so the Heaven Mages could sense them if they dared to trespass.

"We're here," Paeia said not even a minute later.

He waved his hand, and a way was made at the flaming wall. Everyone passed through and entered. A beautiful scene greeted them.

There were flowers everywhere as far as the eye could see, and it was cooler than outside.

Unlike the black, hot, and red outside, the atmosphere here was relaxed and calming. It was as if they weren't at the very center of a dormant volcano.

"The ancestors worked really hard to make this violent place into a sanctuary for the Ignis Clan," Paeia explained.

They continued onward, and they would pass a small house once in a while.

Soon, they arrived at a huge flat black area. Many were already there, and they turned their heads once Paeia's large group arrived.

"Oh?"

They raised their eyebrows at the sight of the group and looked on with eyes filled with interest. Lawrend, in particular, was scanned by many eyes. They whispered between each other, and it made him feel slightly uncomfortable.

"My family has arrived," Paeia said.

"Hahahaha! It seems like that outsider has arrived too!" a loud male voice cackled in laughter.

A fat and handsome middle-aged man walked forward. He carried with him a red crystal staff and a long robe that touched the ground. Overall, he looked like a big shot.

"Clan Head, greetings," Paeia coldly said.

"Oh, Paeia! If it weren't for the Third Ancestor and your grandfather, your daughter would have been betrothed to my nephew," the Clan Head snickered.

Lawrend was shocked at the Clan Head's attitude. He assumed from the letter that the man was friendly with him. It seemed like there really were more things than they seemed on the surface.

"Clan Head, calm yourself. You are before the public."

Paeia remained calm and didn't lose his cool. Unlike the current Clan Head, he had more experience. He could tell that the man was trying to incite him to do something so that he could use it against him.

"Hmph. I want him to apologize to my nephew!"

The Clan Head didn't let them catch a break as he pointed his index finger at Lawrend. The aggression he had on Lawrend couldn't be more obvious.

Lawrend furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't even retort when the man said Ember would have married another man. He thought he was already being nice, but it seemed that being nice wasn't the right thing to do in this situation.

"Bring him out then! I can't wait to beat him once more!" Lawrend shouted back in anger.

He took a step forward and raised his chin up. He imitated Ember's usual posture in an attempt to intimidate the Clan Head. But of course, the Clan Head was used to receiving such treatment from his fellow clan members.

"Nephew! Come out! I will help you gain justice today!" the Clan Head shouted behind him.

Luther timidly walked out from the crowd. He cursed his uncle under his breath. He didn't want anything to do with Lawrend, but his pig uncle actually ordered Lawrend to apologize to him!

It was crazy, but he couldn't voice out against his uncle since the man helped him bring him to where he was today.

Lawrend glared at Luther.

"I'm sorry! Please forgive my uncle! He doesn't know your greatness!"

Luther's confidence broke after seeing Lawrend's facial expression. The scene of Lawrend killing the City-General of Virgo City was still fresh in his mind. If he didn't have the gem to protect him, he would've definitely died a thousand times over.

The Clan Head was shocked at his nephew's sudden act of submission. He never thought that this usually arrogant and confident kid would become scared of someone. It was even an outsider.

"Hey! Don't you have no shame!" the Clan Head shouted angrily.

If they weren't in public, he would've kicked Luther's ass already.

"Uncle, please! He can easily defeat you!" Luther begged.

He felt ashamed, but it was better than dying a pointless death. Lawrend had already spared his life by not going after him. He didn't want to give him another reason to kill him.

"You…"

The Clan Head was dumbfounded. He wanted to shout in anger again, but logic told him that his nephew wouldn't plead to him like this if he was lying.

"I won't get in between you and your goals," Luther said and bowed to Lawrend.

He then hurriedly left the scene. He didn't dare to stay longer because of this humiliation. He also couldn't bare to stay near Lawrend.

In all of his duels, he had never come so close to death as when he met Lawrend. That experience traumatized him.