System's POV

Beads of sweat formed on Prince Xylen’s forehead after witnessing the battle from start to end.

The battle ended so quickly that even his strategist, Izzakar, had lost all the colors on his face.

The two exchanged a glance with each other. At this point, they truly realized that it wasn’t Zion who’d be at a disadvantage had they decided to capture him during their meeting.

Their entire entourage narrowly dodged a bullet, which otherwise could have resulted in them being captured, just like what had happened to Princess Aracelle.

“Hey, guys~ Did you enjoy the show? Were you entertained?”

The sudden question from behind them made all the five Jinns almost jump out in fright.

“H-Hahaha! That was amazing, Zion,” Prince Xylen was the first to recover and laughed awkwardly. “To think you made a short work of Princess Aracelle—color me surprised. I knew becoming allies with you was the right thing to do. I am truly amazed by my foresight! Hahaha!”

Thirteen smiled faintly at the Prince, whom he could read easily like a book. However, since Prince Xylen didn’t really harm him during their meeting, he decided to give the latter some slack and share a few things with him.

“Tell me the names and locations of the factions that have a good relationship with the Azrakith Court, as well as those who have hostile relationships with you. As for your friend, Zorren, I’m afraid I cannot turn a blind eye to his existence.”

Since the Prince of the Scavari was eyeing Erica, who was engaged to him, Thirteen would not give him any mercy.

“Haha… of course. We are not really friends,” Prince Xylen stated. “We are merely acquaintances who share benefits from time to time.”

“That’s good.” Thirteen nodded.

“Um, Zion, can I ask you a question?”

“Yes?”

“Is Princess Aracelle dead?” Prince Xylen asked.

“No,” Thirteen answered. “She’s a valuable hostage.”

“Then, what do you plan to do to her?” Prince Xylen asked.

“Interrogate and subjugate,” Thirteen answered. “I promised an acquaintance of mine that after I’m done with her, I will put the princess in her custody. What’s wrong? Do you perhaps fancy her?”

“If, and only if, I fancy her, will you give her to me?” Prince Xylen asked in a serious tone.

The teenage boy stared at the Prince long and hard before shaking his head.

“You deserve someone better,” Thirteen stated. “She only has beauty. Deep inside, she’s even more treacherous than a snake. Ah, no offense, Rezzkarin.”

“None takenzzz,” Rezzkarin replied.

Thirteen then patted the Prince’s shoulder and bid him goodbye.

“I still have many things to do, but our collaboration is still in effect. I will keep you updated on the latest happenings in the continent, and I’ll let you know when you can make your appearance.

“Don’t forget to give me the list of the factions that are allied and hostile to your faction. I’ll be making some rounds before their reinforcements arrive.”

After saying what he had to say, Thirteen waved and walked away.

A few seconds later, he disappeared from where he stood, making Prince Xylen and his entourage gasp in shock.

“Your Highness, I think it will be best if we return to our base now,” Izzakar proposed. “We have a lot of things to discuss, if you know what I mean.”

Prince Xylen nodded. “I understand. Izzakar, make sure you tell our reinforcements when they arrive here to not antagonize Zion. I’m sure he still has a lot of hidden secrets that we are not aware of.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

****

Meanwhile, inside the Mobile Fortress…

Sherry, Viola, Sharon, Louise, and Hugo couldn’t help but look at Princess Aracelle with flushed expressions on their faces.

This was the first time that they were seeing someone so perfectly beautiful. The ladies couldn’t even help but feel inferior to her in every way.

The Princess, who had been tied up and unable to move, took the opportunity when Zion was away to look at the humans and activated her power.

A moment later, Sherry and other Wanderers stiffened before their faces became tender and affectionate toward the Princess.

“Release me,” Princess Aracelle ordered.

Sherry nodded and was about to obey her command when a pair of arms wrapped around her body and pulled her away.

“I was wondering why you have so little forces supporting you, but now, I finally know the answer,” Thirteen said before planting a kiss on Sherry’s cheek, making the latter blink in confusion.

When she realized what she had been put under some charm spell, the young lady’s face became pale.

“Z-Zion, I…” Sherry was at a loss of words, but the teenage boy only hugged her tighter and coaxed her that everything was fine.

“Don’t worry. Those below the Champion Rank naturally struggle to resist her charms,” Thirteen said. “Also, her charm will no longer work on you a second time, so you no longer have to be afraid of her.”

Hugo was also affected by Princess Aracelle’s charm but was able to break free from it after a minute had passed.

As for Viola, Sharon, and Louise, Thirteen needed to touch them to negate the effect of the charm spell.

Zion’s Monster army was unaffected by Princess Aracelle’s charm because her power only worked on Wanderers.

As for Stella and Siri, both of them were immune to charm due to their backgrounds.

Frankly, the only people who weren’t really starstruck with the princess’ beauty were Thirteen, Stella, and Siri.

Thirteen and Stella had seen literal Goddesses who would make Aracelle’s beauty pale in comparison.

Lastly, many of Stella’s mothers were also very beautiful, so she wasn’t too impressed by Aracelle’s looks.

Siri, on the other hand, looked at the captured Princess with a calm expression on her face.

If not for the fact that Zion promised her that the princess would be handed over to her after his interrogation was finished, she might have already knocked Princess Aracelle and taken her to see her mother right away.

“I’ll deal with this girl first,” Thirteen said. “Rocky, return to where the others are and protect them for the time being. I already left a message to Grandpa that I’ll be returning tomorrow morning after I’m done with some business.”

The teenage boy then opened a portal and grabbed the chains of the Princess, dragging her toward it.

“Release me!” Princess Aracelle demanded after she arrived at the Domain of the Apocalypse. “Release me, Zion Leventis, or my father will not stop until you are dead!”

The Princess completely ignored Camazotz as if he wasn’t of any importance.

Clearly, this wasn’t the first time she had seen a Majin Prince. After all, her family had a handful of them under her father’s command.

The princess once again activated her powers and blasted Zion with her charm ability.

But the only result was Thirteen looking at her with an amused look on his face.

“It seems you have been spoiled a lot by your family,” Thirteen said. “I guess I’ll have to discipline you in their place.”

The teenage boy heartlessly dragged the kicking and screaming princess toward his laboratory, where he hung her up, forcing her to stand in tiptoes.

“You are my captive, and I will be asking you some questions,” Thirteen said. “And you will answer them if you don’t want to get hurt.”

Princess Aracelle spat at the teenage boy’s face, looking at him in contempt.

“Prideful and arrogant,” Thirteen commented as he wiped his face with a handkerchief. “You know, I plan to treat you civilly, but it seems that both of us are not speaking the same language.”

“I will not give in to you, mongrel!” Princess Aracelle said in disdain. “Lowly beings like you should be happy kneeling and kissing my feet!”

“You know, before today’s operation started, a friend of mine handed me a small notebook,” Thirteen said as he took out the book that had been passionately written by Vincent and Penny a few hours ago.

“I skimmed on it a bit, and I found some interesting things written in it.”

The teenage boy then flipped a few pages of the notebook until he found what he was looking for.

“Ah, this is it,” Thirteen said. “According to what’s written here, if I use this technique on someone, their pupils will turn to hearts. They will become very obedient, and will do whatever you want. Since you glare at me so much, I guess I’ll put this technique to the test and see if it’s true or not.”

“Do your worst,” Princess Aracelle sneered. “A princess from House Pavareth will not yield.”

The princess glared hatefully at the young man, who only smiled back at her.

For a brief moment, the Princess suddenly found herself within a darkness darker than black.

And looking down upon her was a pair of green eyes that seemed to see through her very soul.

“You know, I’m very familiar with the anatomy of peacocks—both in monster and demihuman forms.”

Thirteen’s calm yet devilish voice reverberated in that darkness.

“I hope you won’t break easily,” Thirteen said. “After all, a day in this world is equivalent to a week in Pangea.”

Within that darkness, a faint rustling was heard, and soon, something fell.

And along with it fell Princess Aracelle’s pride, arrogance, and contempt toward the teenage boy, who made her understand that there were some people in the world that she must not antagonize no matter what.

Her earlier shouts of defiance and disdain could no longer be heard, and the only thing that was left was the feeling of loneliness when the teenage boy pulled back the warmth of his hands, making her feel cold in a world where only darkness reigned supreme.