Eternal Master: Path to Godlike Status-Chapter 42: Naivety

"High Priestess." She stepped forward, just past Erick’s shoulder. "Allow me to simplify things."

She reached into the fold of her robe and produced a document—sealed, official, stamped with the guild’s mark.

"The Sky Rider was contracted under our name. Three days ago." She held it at a slight angle, not offering it, just making sure it could be seen. "Paid in full. Departure confirmed."

She let that breathe for exactly one second.

"So technically—and I do mean technically—you’d be asking us to surrender a vessel we’ve already secured." A small pause. "Which would be rather inconvenient."

Rhean tilted her head, just slightly.

"That said." Her tone didn’t warm exactly—but it made room. "The Sky Rider holds four. We currently have three. So, if the High Priestess genuinely requires passage to the Capital, we would be willing to consider the arrangement."

She glanced briefly at Rain.

"You would, of course, need to leave your attendant behind."

Her tone carried no malice toward him. She was simply offering a practical solution to a troublesome situation—one that would leave both sides satisfied.

Rain found himself quietly impressed with Rhean’s approach.

Despite being the granddaughter of an emperor rank, she relied on logic and common sense rather than status.

Unfortunately for her, the person she was dealing with was a woman who led with emotion rather than reason.

Alicia smiled.

It was the kind of smile that didn’t reach her eyes because she had no interest in going there.

"How generous." She let the word sit in the air like something slightly spoiled. "Truly. I’m moved."

She turned her gaze to Erick.

"Though I do wonder—" Her voice stayed perfectly conversational. "If space is the concern, perhaps the solution is simpler than rearranging my arrangements."

She gestured toward him. "Leave Erick."

"No talent. No function that I can identify beyond occupying space and reminding the room who his father is."

She clasped her hands in front of her, the picture of diplomacy. "And since his father is, as we’ve established, spectacularly useless—that’s not much of a recommendation."

She looked back at Rhean.

"You’d still have your four seats. The Grandmaster. Myself and my attendant."

Erick’s face went through several colors. He settled, for the moment, on something between marble and fury.

Rhean didn’t even glance at him. Instead, she actually contemplated, which was even worse.

Her gaze moved between Alicia and Rain as she weighed the situation.

Doing the Church a favor was far preferable to offending the son of a mere governor.

Rhean closed her eyes.

When she opened them, she looked at Erick directly—something she hadn’t done since entering the hall.

"Mr. Erick." Her voice carried no victory in it. That was perhaps the most cutting part. "Please give my thanks to your father for the hospitality. The manor was comfortable, and his arrangements were considerate."

She folded the contract back into her robe.

"Due to the circumstances, I’m no longer in need of your assistance."

That was all.

No elaboration. No apology dressed up as explanation. Just a clean, final sentence.

The hall understood immediately what had just happened, even if Erick’s expression took a half-second longer to catch up.

He spent weeks on this. His father rerouted resources. Guest quarters. Private dining.

Introductions were carefully staged. Every arrangement built around a single goal—spending time beside Rhean.

Yet in the end, it seemed she barely noticed him, let alone the effort he put in.

And now she dismissed him the way you dismiss a hired carriage you no longer need.

In front of many witnesses. Once word spread, he’d become the laughingstock of all Franiz.

His composure wavered, though nothing showed on the surface. A dozen options raced through his mind, and in the end, he turned—not to Rhean, not to Alicia—but to Rain.

"You!" His finger came up, pointed across the hall.

"I challenge your attendant, High Priestess." His voice had found its footing again, climbing just enough to fill the room. "Let’s settle it plainly—let’s see who between us truly is useless."

Rain didn’t move. There was no need to bully someone so clearly weaker. His judgment wasn’t biased—he could naturally recognize a stronger opponent.

Erick didn’t feel threatened by Rain either—but for a different reason.

Rain had a natural talent for fading into the background, doing so without effort.

"Alright," She let the word sit alone for a breath.

"Though—just fighting." She tilted her head, almost thoughtfully. "That’s rather boring, isn’t it? People fight every day. No one remembers it."

Her hands unclasped. She stepped forward, letting him drink in her beauty. That intentional, deceptively dangerous smile could melt the heart of any man.

"If we’re going to do this in front of everyone—" her gaze swept the hall, acknowledging the audience for the first time. "—we ought to make it worth remembering."

Erick frowned in confusion.

"Let’s bet your lives."

The silence that followed was so thick, Erick could practically hear his own heartbeat.

Rhean’s eyes widened just a fraction, finding the challenge far too bold.

She felt no trace of magic—or anything holy—around Rain, which made her assume he was merely an aide, not a fighter.

She glanced at the Grandmaster Warlock. He nodded, confirming he thought the same.

Alicia struggled to keep herself from laughing. Only a few knew Rain’s true abilities.

If he really went all out, he could even take down a Grandmaster. Making him face Erick was practically a death sentence.

Rain already knew how this would play out. He just hoped the other party was smart enough to refuse the challenge.

It was very obvious she sought nothing more than amusement from others’ misfortune. Truly, an insane woman.

"So be it! I’ll bet my life." Erick announced. "But if I win, I want another reward: the right to ask any favor of you, High Priestess."

Alicia bit her lip, struggling to hide the twisted excitement swelling inside her. He was so naive, so easily manipulated.

"Ask for anything—anything your heart desires. Win, and whatever you command of me shall be yours."