A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 103: The inheritance of Moonstone House

"Mother sealed it inside me when I was an infant. But the heart's power… it was too much." She touched her chest lightly as if feeling for something beneath her skin. "It needed an anchor. A source of stability, or else it would start consuming me from the inside. Our ancestor, Athena Moonstone thought the same, wondering that not every descendant would have the same capability as her. So, she made it her life work to create the seal."

Kael couldn't help but remember Artemis and the same identical tattoo on her arm. He thought. "So, Raiden seal and that mystic seal of Moonstone House have nothing to do with each other. Perhaps Athena Moonstone doesn't want people to trace down her bloodline and figure out who carried the demon's heart. Hence, she might have it mandatory for all Moonstone female descendants to bore that seal."

Silence filled the room for a while before Kael broke it with a calm statement. "And I bet you decided to keep it to yourself for the whole life if this incident never happened, right?"

Mia turned away, shame evident in her posture. "I should have told you. But I want nothing but a peaceful life for you, brother. An ordinary life filled with no worries."

Kael shook his head, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "It wouldn't have changed anything, Mia. Do you think just because you are strong, I won't worry about you? I worry about you every single day of my life, sis. After all, we only have each other in this world."

As Mia looked at him emotionally, Kael took a deep breath and spoke, determination burning in his eyes. "They think they can use you," His voice steady. "Let them do that."

"Eh? What do you mean?" Mia's eyes widened, wondering what was going on in her brother's mind.

Kael analyzed everything Mia just said and what happened so far. And he put everything together to understand the situation.

The Clowns of Ark wanted Mia not just for the heart sealed inside her, but because they didn't know how to extract it safely. If they killed her outright, there was no telling what would happen—would the heart die with her? Would it vanish? Would it lash out in vengeance? It was too great a risk. That was why they needed Kael to convince her instead. Best if it is voluntary…

And then there was Gabriel—the so-called Angel, the man who had tried to rescue Mia. He had likely come to the same conclusion. That's why he thought if he couldn't save her, he would rather kill her than let the Monarch of Darkness resurrect. Alas, he failed. Well, atleast according to that supreme being with an alias, Jagger.

Kael exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of his situation press down on him. The warriors of today were nothing compared to those of the past. Centuries ago, even demigods were rare—but not as rare as they are now. The strength of humanity had dwindled, and if the Monarch was resurrected, there would be no one powerful enough to stand against him. Not to mention the fact that races were now more hostile to each other than ever. The elves never venture out of their forest. The dragons retreated into their lairs. The angels were all almost extinct. Perhaps the Necromancer could face the Monarch, but he highly doubts she will do that, as her interests lie more in research. Moreover, she doesn't care whether people die or not. After living for centuries, one would naturally lose a lot of human emotions. Empathy is one of them.

Luckily for both of them, the Clowns of Ark were showing quite a bit of hospitality, treating him far too politely for captors. That meant they were desperate.

They were afraid of making the wrong move.

Kael wasn't sure whether to take comfort in that—or feel even more unsettled.

He needs to take this opportunity to turn to his advantage.

But what should do? Grab Mia and try to escape, perhaps?

But the moment the thought crossed his mind, another, far more terrifying reality set in.

If they ran, the Clowns of Ark would never stop hunting them. Never.

This wasn't just about him and Mia anymore. If the organization couldn't find them, they would go after his wives. Laura, Leiza, Shiera, even his grandmother—no one would be safe.

And worst of all…

He wasn't strong enough. If he was, the situation wouldn't be like this.

Right now, he could barely hold his own against Jagger, let alone the priest, who was undoubtedly in the demigod realm. If he fought them now, he would die. But if he accepted their request, if he allowed the Monarch of Darkness to be revived—the world itself would be doomed.

No matter how he sees it, he can only find one option, where they can be free of worry about being hunted.

He had to kill the priest and also destroy the demon's heart.

Kael's body tensed. Could he even do it?

First of all, he was an assassin, not a warrior. His battles were fought in the shadows, through precision and deception—not in open confrontation. A full-fledged battle against a demigod was beyond anything he had ever attempted.

Secondly, his energy clone was still back at the campsite. It was too far away for him to control it properly. If he dismissed it now, it would take 24 hours before he could summon it again.

And he wasn't sure if he had that kind of time.

Kael's thoughts were a whirlwind as he pondered his next move.

Just when he thought of a perfect strategy to ambush the priest, taking him and the demon's heart at the same time, a voice—small and familiar—spoke inside his mind. "I smell something…" It belonged to the black cat spirit, Cleodora.

Kael blinked, momentarily snapping out of his thoughts. "What? Again?" he replied, his mind still clouded with worries. The last Cleo said that— he found that his biological maternal grandmother was still alive. He couldn't help but wonder what it would say this time.