Death... and me

Rean and Qia finally got some time to think about a solution. From a game of who can control who to a real engagement was quite a massive jump, and they wanted to see if they could jump back.

Unfortunately, Droman and Tulia didn't give the new couple any time and pulled them into Formations Training.

As soon as Tulia left with Qia, Rena looked at Droman with a dark expression.

"Elder Droman, what the hell are you trying to do? Don't tell me that you really believe I did her because I know you don't."

Droman laughed out loud, not trying to hide his intentions at all.

"Hahaha! Obviously, I'm thinking about your safety. Even today, the Umbral Sect still wants your head. In fact, the other sects are quite wary of you and Roan. However, if you marry a princess of the Empire, things will completely change. You won't need to be afraid of them trying such a thing anymore."

"Also, this is a good thing for both me and the sect. With so many positive points, why should I refuse? Besides, what are you complaining about? That Qia girl is a beauty! What kind of man wouldn't have any interest in her?"

"Wait! Do you perhaps like to frolic on the other side?"

Rean felt like crying.

"Who the hell frolics on the other side? I'm ten thousand percent certain I'm straight, okay?!"

Rean then calmed down before continuing.

"In any case, I have no intention of marrying anyone, especially someone from the Imperial Family. Did you forget that something seems to be an internal conflict in their family? I might as well tell you this. The reason I approached her was that I wanted to investigate this exact issue. It's just that the plans went a little, very, very little, out of line."

Droman's mouth twitched as he said.

"Kissing the girl in front of everyone is just a little? Like hell it is! Then what? If your plans had gone sour, would you have impregnated her for real?"

Rean scratched the back of his head. He couldn't think about an answer to that question.

Droman then sighed and continued.

"Anyway, you said that you approached her to find more about this situation. Did you find anything relevant?"

Rean nodded. Now that he had made this 'contact' with Qia, he didn't need to expose Calina's existence by telling the truth.

"Yes. It goes like this..."

Finally, Rean was able to tell everything related to the Sasamil Empire's fight for the throne. However, after Rean finished recounting the story, Droman's expression didn't change at all.

"Aren't you twins way too smart? You even found out about that already."

Rean was taken aback.

"Wait! Did you know about all of that?"

Droman nodded.

"Yes. After that attack over a year ago, Sect Master had made a thorough investigation. She also had a certain contact that could help her understand the Imperial Family's situation much better. We even found out that the Communication System had accelerated a lot of things on their side."

Rean's expression went dark after hearing that.

"And why didn't you tell me?"

Droman didn't care about what Rean felt as he said.

"We have been involving you two in these kinds of issues a lot recently. Sect Master didn't like that, so she asked to keep it on the down-low unless there was really a need to tell you two about it. Don't forget, you and Roan might be weird, but you are still two low-level disciples. It's the elders' problem to deal with the important matters."

Rean felt depressed. They still treat him as a kid even after all that happened so far.

"Then, why didn't you try to stop this marriage bullshit?"

Droman shrugged his shoulders as he replied.

"I told you, didn't I? This marriage could bring many benefits to you and the sect at the same time. The main one is the fact that with you there, we can investigate even further. We will have an easier time finding when and if the Emperor will really die. We can find out when the new Emperor will take the throne. We can see when and if the war against Chrole will really happen."

"But above all of that, we can make any of the sects back home think ten times before they decide to do something to you, especially the Umbral Sect. If war really starts after the new Emperor rises to the throne, the Sasamil Empire will not join it straight away. It will start with the border countries and will slowly spread as time goes. Unless you want to go out and participate in the war, staying in the Imperial Family would probably be one of the safest places when it happens."

"If you are worried about our research on Circuitry Formations, know that it's the Imperial Family marrying their girl to you, not the opposite. You would bring her back to the sect, where we could still proceed with our research."

Droman then looked seriously at Rean.

"Can you give me any reason why you shouldn't take this marriage deal?"

Rean nodded as if stating a fact.

"Yes. I don't love her."

Droman's expression froze at that moment.

"That's it?"

Rean narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean with 'that's it?'? That's the most important thing!"

Droman sighed as he shook his head.

"This is just a political marriage, idiot! There is no need for either you or the girl to consummate the deed. You can simply be married on paper and have your own lives after that. You don't even need to do Qia at all. In fact, you two can still go ahead and love whoever you want after the marriage contract is made. Even if you ignore each other for the rest of your lives, neither the sect nor the Imperial Family will give a damn!"

"This... Isn't this too irresponsible? Would the Imperial Family really not bother if I suddenly found another woman after marrying their princess? I find it really hard to believe."

Droman nodded.

"Of course, if you go out there and announce to the world that you are betraying the princess, the Imperial Family would definitely intervene. After all, you would be stepping on their face. But as long as you keep it under wraps, they won't mind even if they find out."

Rean began to ponder about it. He and Roan had this ridiculous mission of connecting the two halves of the Universe. Sooner or later, they would have to leave this planet. Well, they had no idea how it would be possible yet. Once they were gone, such a thing as a fake marriage would indeed be of little concern for either Rean or Qia herself.

The Sasamil Empire was still considered one of the strong powers on the planet they were living on. Being connected to them would also be a good thing.

"Still... as a man, I don't mind it too much. However, would it be a good thing for a woman like Qia?"

Droman couldn't help but feel a headache coming.

"Why do you always have to be this naive? You could be a little bit more like your brother at this point. Without a doubt, Roan would take all the possible advantages that he could."

Rean's mouth twitched as h said.

"If there is one thing I'm proud about, it's how I'm not like that guy."

Droman really had some difficulty understanding the twins' relation.

"Sometimes I wonder why the hell you two are together even though you hate each other this much. I don't think your cultivation slowing down is the only reason."

Rean smiled after hearing that. Obviously, it wasn't the only reason.

Droman then continued.

"Whatever. Why don't you talk with Qia later? You two could reach an agreement that would make both the Imperial Family, Dalamu Sect, and you two happy."

Rean pondered a bit and nodded. He had to admit that all the advantages of this fake marriage were huge.

"Alright. I'll talk to her later."

At the same time, Tulia and Qia were having a similar conversation.

"Alright, I can see how determined you are that you really don't have anything to do with Rean. Besides, as far as I can see, that Rean boy doesn't really want to have children with you or anything like that either."

Qia finally let out a sigh of relief. However, her Master didn't stop there.

"In that case, you two can simply have a fake marriage. All we need is the contract, nothing else."

Qia then looked at her Master with her wide eyes.

"I still need to marry him in the end?! No can do!"

Tulia then looked at Qia as if she was looking at an idiot.

"Are you really that dumb? Can't you really see the great opportunity presented right in front of you?"

Qia, of course, was taken aback.

"What is Master talking about?"

Tulia sighed as the look in her eyes became hazy. Tulia couldn't help but remember her own past. Still, she quickly recovered and explained.

"You just found a husband that the Imperial Family definitely won't complain about. This exact same husband doesn't want anything with you. As long as you marry him with a fake marriage, you will be free of any possible marriage contracts since you already have a husband."

Tulia then put her hands on Qia's shoulders.

"Qia, this is a freedom pass. You will be able to do whatever you want as long as it doesn't damage the Imperial Family's face. Do you think the other princes and princesses have this chance? Why would you let such an opportunity pass up?"

Qia couldn't help but rethink about this issue. Perhaps, that was really not a bad thing.

"I... I need to talk with that boy again to confirm his intentions first."

Finally, Tulia showed a sincere smile.

"Sure thing. But for now, it is time to rehearse your Formation Skills."

Qia also smiled.

"Yes, Master!"