The moment Darian and the Emperor stepped into the massive hall, a loud, harsh voice struck them. "You little bastard, you’ve got a lot of guts to challenge me!" Darian walked into the hall and saw, on a raised platform, the figure he was looking for. She was a Dragoness, only about one meter and sixty-five tall, standing with her hands on her hips and a barely hidden look of anger. Her name was Painita, the Spiritual Sovereign of that planet. She wore black scale armor, and a bloody, oppressive aura naturally surrounded her. Her short, bright crimson hair framed a pale face, while four small dark horns curved back from her forehead. Her eyes, glowing with a reddish-golden tone, locked onto Darian. Large, blood-red membranous wings stretched from her back, and a long, scaled tail completed her figure. Her aura was dominating, and with her grim expression... "Brat Morion! What took you so long?!" she roared at the Emperor. "Matriarch... young Darian was dirty and needed to change clothes," he replied quickly. Darian noticed he wasn’t actually afraid of her — there was something else in his tone. On both sides of Painita, slightly below her level, were dozens of elders wearing golden robes. Their life energy was weak, and they were probably near death. But despite their age, each of them had nine rings — and Darian could tell that just one of them could easily wipe out all the Earth’s emperors combined. Next to Painita, at the top, there were three chairs. Morion jumped up and sat in the only empty one. In the other two sat two young women who looked at Darian with faint smiles. One of them looked a lot like Tetoya physically, but she was clearly older and more mature. "Change clothes? Don’t lie to me! You took him to see my daughter?!" Painita said sharply, glaring at Morion. He swallowed and nodded. "Matriarch, calm down. He really just went to change. I already asked around. Darian’s origins aren’t ordinary — ten years ago, he was famous and well-known among all humans in the universe. He definitely deserves the love your daughter gave him." Hearing that, Painita snorted dryly. Darian watched everything, puzzled. The Emperor was clearly lying — and he wasn’t scared of her, nor did he show the kind of extreme respect and reverence she should command. Everyone in that hall was part of the royal family — meaning they were all related to that immortal. She was the youngest among the Spiritual Sovereigns in the universe, but still many times older than everyone there. She didn’t emanate malice — just anger directed at Darian. And judging from the looks of everyone and the atmosphere in the hall, it was obvious that all of them saw her as a true Matriarch: someone who cared for them, and whom they deeply adored in return. Darian sighed. That immortal had a short fuse and seemed a bit troublesome, but apparently, everyone liked her — and the royal family truly acted like a family. Painita had no children of her own, but she adopted many from outside and cared for them like a mother. "Hmph, youngsters these days don’t know how high the heavens are. I want to see just how much skill he has to dare talk to me with such arrogance," Painita grumbled. At that, Tetoya’s possible mother exchanged a look with the other woman — there was something teasing in their eyes. Everyone’s attention focused on Darian. The air in the hall grew tense. All eyes pierced into him like sharp blades, as if trying to see straight through his soul. Of course, Darian kept his soul sealed — he was there to propose a marriage, not to intimidate anyone. "He’s just a plain human, but handsome. His gaze is firm too... strange, Niara said he was skinny and looked fragile. Guess he’s the type that pretends to be a sheep to devour the wolf," the other woman commented bluntly. Darian stopped in the center of the hall, ignoring everyone’s stares. While they were observing him, he was also watching them closely. That made Painita narrow her eyes even more — after all, for a mere human to look around like that, standing before the Emperor and a Spiritual Sovereign, was incredibly rude. Still, Darian didn’t seem to care. Showing submission or weakness before those beasts would be far worse. It took him less than five seconds. After confirming that everyone there carried an ordinary karma and nothing special, Darian met Painita’s gaze head-on. "I’m grateful to you for taking care of her all these years in my place. I heard she’s been happy here, and even without having any connection to this planet, you accepted her as your daughter. Over the years, she’s grown into an adult — so I decided it was time to make things official between us. Since she sees you as her mother, it’s only fair that I personally come and formally ask for this marriage." The two women smiled and nodded at him with friendly expressions. The body Niara was using at the moment was probably only eleven or twelve years old, but age worked differently for beasts. Depending on their race and the nutrients they consumed, they could reach physical adulthood in as little as one year. When Niara arrived on that planet, she was already considered an adolescent by human standards. So right now, she was definitely a full-grown adult. Minutes passed in awkward silence. Until one of the elders finally couldn’t hold back and said in a stern tone, "Don’t you know proper manners? Can’t you even tell the hierarchy of this place?" It was clearly disrespectful not to bow before the Matriarch. Darian only looked at Painita, who stared right back at him. As they locked eyes, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze. The uncomfortable silence dragged on for several minutes... Until Painita exploded: "What an ill-mannered brat! How dare you not show me respect?!" "Oh?" Darian’s expression changed slightly, a faint smile forming on his lips. "I wasn’t born on this planet and have no ties to you. Besides, I only kneel before my father and mother. Well... since you mentioned it, I’ll take that as a yes. Fine then, mother-in-law, accept your son-in-law’s respect." "Stop! When did I ever agree to that?!" Painita shouted furiously. She waved her hand, and before he could kneel completely, a surge of power struck him. Everyone’s eyes widened. That idiot had pissed her off — now he was done for... As a result, Darian was forced back three steps before stabilizing his trembling body — his heart pounding hard. A seven-colored glow flashed briefly in his eyes before fading. The others, seeing him stabilize himself in just three steps, were stunned — even Painita herself. Considering the power of an immortal, under normal circumstances, he should’ve been thrown straight out of the castle, smashing through every wall on the way. That was clearly Painita’s intention. However, Darian only took three steps back. He didn’t even crack the floor or wrinkle the carpet — which meant Painita’s power had been completely absorbed by his body instead of being dispersed under his feet. Everyone’s expressions changed completely. A human — supposedly fragile and with only four rings — had just endured something even they would struggle to withstand? "What’s this? The Matriarch going back on her word? That doesn’t really suit your status, does it?" Darian said with a faint smile. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩 "How ridiculous! Kneeling before me is a greeting to the Spiritual Sovereign, damn it! Now that you’ve entered my territory, you’ll obey my laws, brat!" Painita snapped coldly. She didn’t care much for formalities, but Darian’s shamelessness annoyed her deeply. Darian just shrugged, indifferent. "Spiritual Sovereign... so what? I’ll only kneel if you become my mother-in-law." "You insolent fool! You only have four rings and an average face! What right do you have to even dream of marrying my beloved daughter?!" Painita roared. "Have you ever looked in the mirror? I heard you never married or had children... now I get why. A cranky woman like you must’ve scared off any man remotely interested." Darian’s reply echoed like thunder. The entire hall fell into deadly silence. Everyone froze — that human must’ve grown tired of living. Painita’s face turned dark, the scent of blood filling the air. She had met all kinds of beings throughout her life, but never someone who dared to insult her like that. As her killing intent spread, everyone felt suffocated. But... Darian stood unmoving at the center, staring back coldly. Among beasts, not showing confidence or lowering one’s head was a sign of weakness. And that woman... she was arrogant, fiery, and impulsive. Darian truly felt cursed. Lately, he’d been dealing with many women who had similar personalities, but this was the first time he’d seen all those "qualities" in a single person. Niara wasn’t arrogant, but she had the other two traits — which explained why the two got along so well. He remained still while the power of chaos flowed through his soul, erasing any external interference. Not even an immortal could shake his mind, soul, or intimidate him. After a few seconds, Painita’s expression changed; a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes. Since becoming immortal, she had never met a mortal who could resist her bloodlust. Darian, on the other hand, showed no fear. He was already starting to understand her personality. If she were truly cruel — the kind who killed over mere words — Niara would never have cared for her. Painita was clearly the overprotective type — guarding her family like a furious lioness. And Darian, as an outsider who could hurt her daughter, had to prove his sincerity. "You’re talking nonsense!" Painita roared. "I’ve had plenty of relationships, but they all died along the way because they were weak! You little bastard—" "Matriarch, please, control yourself!" one elder shouted sternly. Painita turned away, fuming. The sight almost made Darian laugh. This was the immortal who ruled the planet? In front of her family, she looked like she’d lost all authority. "This is unfair! He knows nothing about rules or etiquette! He even attacked people on the street! With that kind of personality, what right does he have to touch my daughter?!" Painita shouted coldly. "Don’t judge me by your own standards," Darian said flatly. "That idiot’s family has a long history with me. If he hadn’t provoked me, I wouldn’t have attacked him. And I took care of Niara, even left her here to train. You’re the one trying to take her away from me, aren’t you? She had a rough life on Earth and was born with a complex illness. Yet I did everything I could for her." Painita’s rage spiked. "You... are you using that as blackmail? Who cares where she came from? I accepted her as my daughter, and she accepted me as her mother! I’ll do anything to protect her happiness! A rude, mediocre brat like you doesn’t deserve her!" Darian almost smiled — he could feel the genuine sincerity in her words. She truly cared for Niara. "What damn blackmail? Niara and I love each other sincerely. I’d sacrifice my life for her. A woman who’s never been loved like you wouldn’t understand that, right? That’s why you’re so angry and confused." "You son of a— you’d better watch your mouth!" Painita yelled, almost jumping toward him. "Matriarch! Dignity! Decorum! Using vulgar words doesn’t suit your status!" the elder warned again. Everyone in the hall was stunned. They weren’t exactly afraid of her, but seeing some stranger argue and curse at someone so powerful — that took both insane courage and stupidity. "But he started it! Why aren’t you scolding him?!" Painita’s veins bulged across her face. "He’s just a kid who hasn’t even lived a century. With no name or status, he’d be the most ordinary commoner on this planet. And you — you’re yelling at a commoner and swearing! What kind of decorum is that?" Being lectured like that, Painita trembled with anger. A respected immortal across the universe was actually being scolded . She clenched her fists and roared at Darian, "Fine, brat, you’ve got guts!" Seeing her completely lose her composure, Darian felt a bit guilty — but he knew that if he showed any weakness, she’d humiliate him and never allow the marriage. He sighed and dropped the mocking tone. "Matriarch, I may be arrogant too, but that depends on who I’m facing. Niara is my beloved, and she means more to me than my own life. I came to this planet sincerely. My home is a tiny, ridiculous world compared to yours, and as you can see, I only have four rings — nothing that could please you. So I brought only my life and my honesty." This time, his words were calm and straightforward. Hearing that, many nodded slightly. Despite his reckless behavior, Darian knew when to step back. Still, Painita heard something different in his tone and snapped again: "So you’re saying that if I don’t agree to the marriage, you’ll fight me with your life? What a joke! You think I’m scared of you?!" Darian almost lost it. How could she twist his words that badly? "Matriarch, Darian was only expressing his sincerity metaphorically," said one of the women, trying to calm things down. Painita huffed and pointed at him. "Hmph! Marriage is a serious matter. Niara was born with no family, but you have one, don’t you? I have every right to know about them. Where’s the sincerity? Brat, why didn’t you bring your father, mother, or any relative?" At those words, Darian’s face darkened instantly. Painita saw the pain in his eyes and swallowed hard, realizing she’d touched a nerve. Her expression softened right away. She’d heard plenty from Niara about him — and she knew he wasn’t a bad person. After a long sigh, she said, "If you truly wish to marry Niara, know that it won’t be easy. You’ll have to follow the rules and be mentally prepared." "Young man, do you truly wish to marry the princess?" The elder who had scolded Painita several times looked at Darian seriously as he asked.