My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1031 - 1033: The Steel Hooves Sounds

Damon surmised that another individual sought a private audience with him, and indeed, two figures drew nearer. It was his sister and Iris.

Luna had undergone a significant transformation. She was no longer the child he recalled. Now a young woman, her long white hair cascaded past her waist, and her deep grey eyes held a newfound calmness. Possessing alluring curves, she was, without question, breathtakingly beautiful.

Iris, too, had blossomed. She was now a striking woman, her pink hair neatly gathered in a ponytail that swayed as she walked.

Damon found himself uncertain whether three years or a decade had elapsed, given the profound changes in them.

Both radiated the aura of the third class, a feat in itself that was most impressive.

He continued to gently rock the infant in his arms, offering them a soft smile.

"Congratulations on graduating from Aether Academy."

His words were gentle. Over these past three years, both had completed their studies. Damon had also graduated, though the academy, unable to confirm his status as alive or deceased, had withheld his certificate.

Luna smiled and took a seat next to her brother, while Iris settled on his other side.

Damon noticed Luna's intense gaze and frowned slightly.

"What? Why are you staring?"

Luna slowly shook her head. "No, it's nothing. It's just your eyes. They've changed."

Damon raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"She's right," Iris interjected. "You seem... different. Less like your usual self. It's like... how can I put this? You're not as short-tempered and ill-natured as before."

Damon grew more perplexed. When had he ever been ill-natured?

"She's right. Your eyes aren't as cold. It doesn't feel like you're trying to pierce someone with a mere glance. There's no suspicious scrutiny. No paranoia," Luna added, her gaze fixed on his face.

Damon let out a laugh, the sudden sound causing the baby in his arms to stir. He immediately recognized his oversight and began rocking her more cautiously.

"Shush. Shush. There, there. Sleep. Sleep."

Iris shook her head, a faraway look in her eyes. "I can hardly believe that out of everyone, you became a father. Just being my teacher was challenging enough. I still remember the looks I used to receive at the academy."

"Easy for you to say. I'm his sister. I didn't make any friends until graduation. People even thought I was antisocial," Luna retorted with evident indignation.

Damon felt a sudden pang of guilt. He knew he bore some responsibility for that.

"May I hold her?" Luna inquired, her eyes on the baby in his arms.

He chuckled softly and passed the infant to her.

Luna held Ranar with extreme care, as if she were fragile pottery. Her expression was gentle, almost reverent.

"She's beautiful. Her hair is just like Mom's. Is that why you named her after our mother?"

Damon shook his head. While his daughter did resemble their mother, perhaps with the exception of her eye color, that wasn't the reason for the name.

"I named her that because I felt she was like the sun. Warm and radiant. It wasn't because she looked like our mother, but because she felt like her."

It was a faint sensation, but when he was with his mother, his heart always felt at peace. He had been his best self. She exuded warmth, and whenever he tried to recall her, he always pictured her bathed in golden sunlight.

"She's adorable," Iris remarked, leaning closer to gently touch Ranar's cheek.

The instant her fingers brushed the baby's skin, Ranar's small eyes slowly fluttered open. She took a few quiet moments to survey her surroundings.

Her gaze fell upon Luna first. An unfamiliar face. She studied intently, as if imprinting Luna's features into her nascent memory. Then, her head turned slightly, and she noticed Damon.

An immediate sense of foreboding washed over him. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You wouldn't dare," he muttered.

Oh, she dared.

Ranar's tiny face contorted, and she let out a loud cry, stretching her little hands toward Damon, clearly demanding to be held.

He sighed.

He was going to be up all night again.

Just as Damon resigned himself to the inevitable crying, Luna stepped closer, gently drew Ranar against her chest, and began to rock her with slow, deliberate movements.

The effect was instantaneous.

The baby's wails subsided into soft hiccups. Her tiny face relaxed as she gazed up at Luna with wide-eyed curiosity.

Damon blinked in astonishment. "How did you manage that?"

Luna lowered herself to a seated position, settling Ranar on her lap. She leaned forward and lightly tapped the baby's nose with a fingertip. Ranar erupted into delighted giggles, her hands waving exuberantly in the air.

"Because she likes me more. Isn't that right? You favor your Aunt Luna best, don't you?"

Damon tried not to feel envious, but he couldn't help it.

Iris moved closer, joining Luna, and the two young women took turns making playful faces at the baby. Ranar's laughter echoed, pure and bright in the stillness of the night.

"Whose mother is she," Iris inquired.

"Wendy," Damon responded with composure.

Iris slowly nodded, deep in thought.

"How come she lacks horns? I distinctly recall Wendy possessing very prominent ones."

Damon rubbed his forehead, a slight ache beginning to form. "I have no clue. I am still piecing things together."

Luna gently rocked Ranar. "Fear not, Ranar. I shall shower you with all the love your mommy would have."

Damon offered a smile at her words. He raised his gaze towards the moon, a peaceful certainty solidifying within his chest. He wished to remain. He longed to witness his daughter's growth. For once, he desired no part in any conflict.

Iris nudged him playfully. "Ho there. Aetherus calling Damon."

He cast a glance at her. "What is it now, Iris?"

She tilted her head. "You have not forgotten the vow you made to me. To aid me in avenging my family."

He shook his head. "Not in the slightest. You seek the restoration of your noble title. And retribution against the house that wronged you."

"Indeed," Iris affirmed, then paused. "But those objectives hold no importance now. Recently, I have been assiduously investigating the individual responsible for my father's demise. I am now convinced it was Amon, the Enigmatic Ruler."

Damon's heart hammered intensely against his ribs, though his outward demeanor remained unruffled.

"Amon. Are you quite certain? Was it not a beast that claimed your father's life?"

"That is the official account. However, the claw marks do not correspond to any known creature. Your father was utterly consumed by Amon. I uncovered subtle indications. Initially, it appeared that someone had deliberately concealed them within the academy's archives. My primary suspect was Marcus Fayjoy. He and Amon must undoubtedly be linked in some fashion."

A chilling sensation coursed through Damon. Marcus was deceased. Damon had personally ensured it.

"That is hardly conclusive," he stated with an even tone.

"I am aware. But we dedicated three years to this search. We pinpointed the precise location where my father perished. We employed magic to reconstruct the event. It was a costly endeavor. The headmaster was reluctant to release the records, but we enlisted the aid of an adventurer possessing a tracing ability. We managed to locate the burial site of my father's remains, or rather, the absence thereof." Her words poured out in rapid succession, as though held back for years.

Damon recognized that place. The very spot where he had interred Carmen's bow and arrows, near Athor's sanctuary.

"And what did you discover?" he inquired.

"A hastily prepared grave. His hunting equipment was buried there. As if someone held him in respect."

She swallowed with difficulty.

"This puzzled me greatly. If a monster slew him, why would it show him reverence? Why would it ensure his proper burial?"

Damon wished for her line of questioning to cease.

"How does this evidence implicate Amon?"

Iris nodded, her gaze meeting his.

"We petitioned the princess for access to the war games arena a year ago. We thoroughly examined the area where Amon had engaged in combat. Particular attention was paid to his duel with you. The claw marks bore an uncanny resemblance to those found at my father's death site. The official inquiry attributed it to a monster, yet no known monster possesses such markings. This strongly suggests Amon was active long before the war games commenced."

She continued her discourse, presenting one irrefutable point after another. Each piece of evidence drew closer to the undeniable truth. Whispers even began to circulate, suggesting that the presumed deceased Marcus Fayjoy might, in reality, be Amon. This, perhaps, explained why Amon's true identity remained unknown, with no one capable of discerning Amon's gender.

Damon maintained a perfectly neutral expression.

The prophecy resurfaced in his mind: The truth is a steel horse. Your lies shall be shattered.

He looked at the young woman whose father he had slain and offered a gentle smile.

"An admirable effort, Iris. That is a most compelling argument. But what is your strategy for defeating Amon? Even I harbor no certainty regarding my own odds."

Iris's eyes ignited with fierce determination. "Then I shall perish in the attempt."

"No, you shall not," Damon's voice softened considerably. "I will not permit you to meet such a fate, my naive apprentice. You are far too precious to me. You are destined to live. You will find happiness."

These words resonated within his consciousness far more profoundly than their spoken echo.

I extend a solemn caution. Be vigilant. Your trials have merely commenced. The truth rides a steed of steel. Your deceptions will inevitably crumble. And when they do, betrayal shall come from one you hold dear.

Luna leaned her head towards him. "And what of me?"

Damon let out a sigh. "You too are cherished."

"And little Ranar?"

"Her as well. Are you content now?"

They shared a laugh.

Yet, Damon's laughter failed to reach the depths of his heart.