King Cultus, who had been ready and waiting to watch a great show, didn't expect to suddenly be thrust into the middle of a storm like this by a daughter he could only say was far too mischievous. He could have never expected that the first meeting he would have with his daughter in nearly a billion years would end up like this.
At that moment, the instant Ailsa appeared, the World Sea Realm experts and the powerful powers below suddenly rushed out, every one of them ensuring that there were no Faeries to their backs.
It could only be said that Ailsa's appearance hadn't just changed the situation a little bit. If there was any power that could really threaten the Martial Gods, it was… An entire Plane of beings!
There were large numbers of Faeries from all sorts of Clans below, and though the Cultus King was just one of the three leading Heads of their race, there was no denying that his actions held a lot of sway. That was why instead of reacting like the others, King Ficia and King Quibus had no choice but to stay by King Cultus' side.
The truth was that they made this choice because the three had always had a great relationship. In fact, King Cultus was married to King Quibus' little sister. How could they not be great friends? Let alone friends, they were family.
As for King Ficia, he too was close with King Cultus. The three men had grown up together from a very young age and the Faerie race had always been advocates of passivism. It was very rare for members of their race to hold grudges against one another.
This 'choice' the two Kings were forced into making though only made the situation more tense. Their remaining by King Cultus' side made it seem like they were all in this together.
"Don, it seems like you've gotten us into some trouble this time." King Ficia said with a bitter smile.
"My little niece is actually still so mischievous." King Quibus smiled just as bitterly.
Still, no smile was more bitter than King Cultus' own. They were no fools, they already realized that there was no 'explaining' these matters. No matter what, King Cultus couldn't allow anything to happen to Ryu if for nothing else than his daughter's life and safety.
If the connection between Ailsa and Ryu had been cut like they originally planned, then Ryu's life and death wouldn't impact Ailsa in the slightest. However, since they had failed to tag Ryu's location back then, they were obviously still Life Partners. As a result, the best case scenario if Ryu died right now was Ailsa being crippled. In the worst case, she would directly die.
The moment Ailsa had appeared, it was as though she had checkmated her father. And, judging by Ryu's reaction, he hadn't expected her to do this either.
None of the three Kings didn't believe that Ailsa didn't know what she was doing. She was just like her late elder brother and completely dissatisfied with the extreme passivism of the Faerie race. They had chosen inaction time and time again, crisis after crisis after crisis. Since reasoning didn't work, why not force their hand?
Even though Ailsa knew that such measures wouldn't stick or last, she still chose this route to make her stance clear. By forcing the Faerie race and the Martial Gods to be at odds, maybe she could at least wake up a few people.
Seeing her sitting proudly on Ryu's shoulder like that, King Cultus knew that he had lost this round, and handily at that.
"King Cultus, what is the meaning of this?"
Seeing the situation, King Adonis truly didn't dare to take actions on Ryu arbitrarily. This might be an even worse situation than if Ryu had a reclusive Sky God backing him. One Sky God might still be manageable without calling out their true powerhouses. However, the entire Ethereal Plane wasn't something they were ready to face just yet.
However, as ugly as King Adonis' face was currently, the charred Galkos who had begun to receive treatment was so infuriated he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. He had seen this supposed fiancée of his in his youth and he obviously recognized her despite how long it had been. To think he had actually called out father-in-law in the face of so many people, only for things to end up this way.
If he was already infuriated before, right this moment he wouldn't care even if the world itself was burnt to ash.
King Cultus cleared his throat a bit awkwardly.
"About this, Adonis… You see my daughter likes to play practical jokes…"
"King Cultus, please don't insult our intelligence. Just tell me very clearly, will you allow us to take him away, or will you not?"
King Cultus opened his mouth to speak before he sighed deeply, shaking his head. How could he allow them to take Ryu away? Firstly, Ryu needed to be present for the separation ceremony to take place. And, secondly, he had to guarantee Ryu's safety until his daughter was free.
King Cultus couldn't help but look up and lock gazes with this 'son-in-law' of his. He had to admit that Ryu was truly excellent. This day alone had made that as clear as a blue sky. But…
'There isn't an ounce of respect in his eyes when he looks at me. I'm a Faerie King, dammit. Even Sky Gods would give me my due respect. This boy is truly too arrogant.'
"No. I cannot let you take him away." King Cultus finally said.
"I see. Then the Faerie race will stand on our opposing side from this day forward?"
Just as King Cultus was about to respond, Ailsa suddenly grinned.
"Little Ryu. Do it now."
Her voice cut through her father's response, clearly done on purpose.
When Ryu realized what she meant, he couldn't help but think that his wife was truly too evil. He had to remember never to get on her bad side.
"Alright…" Ryu said lightly.
BANG!
At that moment, it felt as though another Heaven's Punishment was about to descend, a violent swirling of Fate trickling throughout the air.
Ryu's Heavenly Pupils were about to breakthrough to the Cosmic Realms. This would truly be a day the Martial Gods never forgot.