The Ancient Genes

"Fine, I will give you a chance to prove it.." The old man stared at Max.

"What are you looking for? You sure aren't going to be ridiculous and ask me to do it here, are you?" Max asked him with a frown.

The old man's face twitched. He didn't seem to have thought about it perfectly.

"Uh..I mean we can get things clear once we reach Trinity." He cleared his throat and further added.

"That won't work too.." Max shook his head.

"Why?" The old man asked as his brows scrunched.

"The rightful owner is behind in Trinity not in Ocien. So, how are we going to do it?" Max questioned him in return.

"Then let's get off, and go back to Trinity. This is something very important, and can't be delayed."

"I am being sent around by the orders of Old Progenitors of the Ancient Families. You sure want to mess with their plans?" Max asked him with a smile, and the old man's face turned dark. He sure didn't want to cross paths with those old monsters.

"Then tell me the name of the person, I will go and find out for myself."

"That won't do.." Max shook his head.

"What now?" the old man asked in an irritated tone.

"The person isn't aware of the fact herself." Max shook his head.

"Brat, are you trying to play with me?" the old man's eyes began to emit a chill, but Max remained calm.

"You were the one who said that it was impossible for people to know about the artefact. So, aren't you contradicting yourself? How is that girl supposed to know about it?"

The old man turned quiet. He had indeed ignored that point in excitement. He thought that the Artifact had the mechanism which would allow the wielder to know the truth and its purpose.

"If that is the case, then there is even more of a need for me to find that girl. I will train her, and prepare her for what's about to come."

Max's eyes lit up a bit on hearing that.

A person at his level training Erina sure sounded like a good deal. And, he seemed to have only artifacts and the wielder in his mind. So, the old man should be someone who could be trusted.

After all, his story didn't seem false. There were facts which could be crossed checked in his story. So, it didn't seem he had lied at all. And, he had knowledge about the Cemetery as well. Max could confirm that he wasn't lying.

But…

Not so soon..

Max had some other plans for this old man.

'Let's see how he reacts..'

"I don't trust you," Max suddenly said as he looked at the old fellow.

"Are you joking with me? What more do you need to trust me?" The old man sneered at him. He had already provided so much information, and brat was still not satisfied.

"Well, that is true. But, if you can house demons among your people, then …"

"What nonsense are you talking kid?" The old man's face turned serious. He was not happy at all.

"Well, how about I make this easy for you. First of all, let me start with the main reason I don't trust you."

"You said with your own words that the Artifact was passed down to the Lady of Scarlet House, who is now ill.." Max looked at him, observing his silence, and then continued, "The Artifact was retrieved by your family, when the lady fell ill. You should know the suspicious ones here are.."

The old man frowned for a second, but shook his head next, "No, it's true that they had retrieved the artefact. But, I don't think they had anything to do with the illness."

"Hmph! How can you be so sure when you cut yourself from their matters. Do you even know that they tried to assassinate the Lord's son?"

The old man's face turned even more grim. He clearly had no idea about it. Even though he was an Elder, he was just acting like a puppet. And, did what he was told to as he was not interested in anything.

Hence, he had not realised that things were going this bad in his family.

"And, guess what. After the lady fell ill, the Lord married another woman. And, she is a member of the Demon race. And, I am sure she is an enemy."

The old man's eyes went wide.

"Impossible! How could a demon sneak in so easily.."

"Because you might be cooperating with them.." Max smiled at him.

The old man's face twitched, but then he shook his head, "No, it's not possible. She isn't a demon. Otherwise, I would have realised it."

Max shook his head. Hell even he couldn't believe that Ovens were Demons until he came in physical contact with them. And, this was when he was awakened with an extra sensitivity towards their eerily aura.

So, there was no way that this person could have found it as well. It wasn't just about senses here, but something much deeper than that. It was an instinct that came from the body.

"And, what if you are wrong?" Max further asked with a snort.

"Are you challenging me kid?" The old man gave him a disdainful look. The gap between the two in terms of strength was immeasurable. There was no way that Max could discover something which he couldn't.

"Yes, if you win, I will return the artifact to you." Max smiled.

The old man's eyes lit up, unaware of the fact that he was going to be played with.

Even in an unbelievable situation in which Max turned out to be wrong, there was nothing for him to lose. He would return the artifact to the old man. But, the old man would have to pass it back to Erina again and even teach her on top of that.

So, who was the winner here?

And, if he won the bet..

Max smiled.

In this bet, he would win irrespective of the outcome.

"Good the bet is on!" The old man immediately agreed. He didn't consider losing, and hence, didn't even ask Max what he wanted on winning.

…

Scarlet House, Ocien.

"So, you still haven't found it as of yet?"

The Patriarch of the Yule family gulped on hearing that icy voice, he didn't dare to even raise his head, and look at the women sitting in front of him.

This woman was the Lady of the Scarlet House, Talia Scarlet.

She was also the sister of the current Lord of Oven's House.

"How much more time is it going to take for you to retrieve the artifact?" She asked in a calm tone.

"The first elder has already made the move. The Artifact should be back soon," The Patriarch replied while sweating.

"Good, I hope that you won't disappoint. Or else, you know what I am capable of."

The Patriarch immediately broke out in cold sweat, and then hurriedly left the place.

"What now, mom?" Travis walked into the room as he looked at the door from which that guy had left.

"Useless person, he couldn't even complete his job." Talia shook her head before looking at Travis.

"Anyway, according to him, the Artifact was retrieved by Wilson. We can't just let it be like that."

"But, you told us not to make any move on them and provoke the Lord.." Travis asked with a frown.

"Well, I heard Wilson cares a lot about his friends. We just need to target them. I am sure, even though the Lord will be enraged, he wouldn't be foolish enough to burst at it." She let out a vicious smile on her face.

"Regarding that, I have some information.." Travis suddenly smiled.

"James sent a message asking us to take care of a person if possible. He is that guy's friend as well, and is coming to Ocien."

"Well, luck is in our favour as well. Prey is walking right towards us." Talia shook her head, and then stretched her body. One couldn't help, but gulp looking at that enchanting figure full of curves.

That certainly was dangerous for a man's heart and..that thing…

"What about that guy who was rumoured to be Erina's boyfriend?" She suddenly asked after remembering it.

"It went as planned. That guy really doesn't know his limit." Travis shook his head with a laugh. "Good for us though.."

"Now, we need to wait.."

The next event was in Ishtar, and the one after that was in Ocien.

At that time, she would play her moves. And, it would be a sight to see.

"I can't wait to sit on the throne of the Lord.." Travis laughed in excitement as he thought about it.

"I am sure that father will be proud of me when that happens. Will he come to see us all the way here then?" He suddenly asked while looking at his mother.

Tali's face immediately changed, and she glared at him, "How many times have I told you to be careful with that topic?"

"Your father is here already, and you can see him anytime you want." She further added.

Travis immediately broke out in sweat while nodding his head. He knew somethings had to be kept secret and not talked about even when they were all alone.. But, it seemed he had lost himself in excitement.