BXBX NOVEL Chapter 357: Gift and Proposal
The surrounding castle walls loomed tall, casting shadows across the helipad, while the distant sound of samurai training echoed in the air. Servants and guards bustled about, ensuring everything was in order for the arrival of their esteemed guests.
Despite the bustling activity, there was a sense of tranquility in the air, as if the castle itself acknowledged the significance of this moment. Daniel glanced around, taking in the sight of the castle grounds, while Koyuki smiled softly, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of belonging.
In front of the trio, a stern-looking old man in a black suit approached, accompanied by a gorgeous, mature woman who followed him with a warm smile, eagerly rushing over to embrace Koyuki.
"Mom!" Koyuki exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.
"Koyuki-chan!" her mother replied, their embrace a testament to their deep bond, while Daniel observed with a gentle smile.
The old man turned his stern gaze towards Daniel. "You must be the blasted foreigner who successfully courted my great-granddaughter," he said, his tone carrying a hint of haughtiness.
"I am Daniel Emberweave," Daniel replied respectfully, bowing towards the old man. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Mori," he added, unfazed by the old man's demeanor.
The old man scrutinized Daniel from head to toe before nodding in satisfaction, noting Daniel's attire of traditional kimono, a gesture that seemed to earn him approval in the old man's eyes.
"Very good! You've just arrived! Why don't you come with us to the guest room and rest first? We can discuss matters there," the old man suggested, leading the way alongside Koyuki's mother and the trio towards the guest room, situated near the Zen garden within the castle.
As they entered the serene Zen garden, the atmosphere shifted from the bustling activity of the castle to a tranquil oasis of calm. Delicate cherry blossom trees swayed gently in the breeze, their blossoms scattering petals like confetti upon the meticulously raked gravel pathways. Stone lanterns dotted the landscape, casting a soft, ethereal glow as evening descended upon the castle.
The guest room, nestled amidst the verdant greenery of the garden, exuded an air of understated elegance. Sliding shoji screens adorned with intricate patterns allowed dappled sunlight to filter into the room, creating a serene ambiance. Tatami mats lined the floor, offering a traditional touch to the otherwise modern furnishings.
Seichuro Mori, the old man, gestured towards the seating area, where plush cushions adorned with embroidered cherry blossoms awaited their guests. A low table, intricately carved with motifs of nature, stood at the center, upon which a pot of steaming green tea awaited them.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Seichuro said graciously, but his haughty tone was still there, his stern demeanor softening slightly in the tranquil surroundings. "I've had the room prepared for your rest. Koyuki-chan, my dear, you must be tired from your journey. Blasted foreigners!, I trust you will find everything to your liking."
"Grandfather, his name is Daniel… Please address him properly, don't make a scene," Mayumi, Koyuki's mother, admonished the old man as she sighed tiredly.
"I'll call him whatever I want! Even if I want to call him a dog foreigner, he still needs to accept it! Who told him to snatch my precious great granddaughter!" The old man exploded with unreasonable logic.
"I don't think it's a good idea to call me a dog foreigner, esteemed great grandfather-in-law. No offense… but… If I'm a dog… Then what about your precious great granddaughter? After all, we already did all the activities of what a marriage would entail," Daniel said with a smile, but his words carried a sharp edge.
The old man needed a bit of time to process what Daniel said since he spoke Japanese with a heavy English accent as he followed the words that Reiko told him in his mind. As for Mayumi, her face flushed, and her hand covered her mouth as if in disbelief of what Daniel just said.
Meanwhile, Koyuki repeatedly hit Daniel's shoulder with both hands, making a sound like rapid tapping.
"You! How rude!" Koyuki scolded Daniel while continuing to hit him. If it were acceptable, she would have bitten him.
"You!!! You!! You insolent cur!" The old man exploded, pointing his katana at Daniel's face. "Do you want to test my blade, you! blasted foreigner!?" he shouted, waving his weapon around.
Daniel's smile only widened. "I don't have any problem if we're going to have a spar, great grandfather-in-law, but may I suggest you drink this first?" Daniel said, placing a longevity elixir on the table.
The vial containing the longevity elixir is a marvel to behold. Crafted from the finest crystal, it gleams with a pristine clarity, refracting light in a mesmerizing display of iridescence. Its delicate shape resembles that of a water droplet, elegantly tapering to a slender point at the bottom.
Within the crystal vial, the elixir itself swirls in captivating hues of emerald green and deep blue sapphire, each color blending seamlessly into the other like rivers of liquid gemstones. As light passes through the elixir, it dances with an ethereal glow, casting enchanting reflections that shimmer and sparkle with otherworldly allure.
The old man, Seichuro, couldn't resist the temptation as he opened the crystal lid, releasing the elixir's enchanting scent into the air. It filled the room with a delicate fragrance reminiscent of fresh spring blossoms and the crisp, clean scent of morning dew.
With every inhalation, one could almost feel the rejuvenating energy contained within, promising vitality and longevity to whoever partook of its mystical properties.
"This… this…" Seichuro was baffled by the scene before him. This elixir was the dream of many rulers in the world — the dream of youth, immortality, and a long-lasting lifespan — and it was just within his grasp!
He lifted the crystal vial and took a deep breath, feeling the scent of spring blossoms rejuvenating his lungs. The old man, whose lungs had felt staggered and uncooperative, now felt noticeably smoother, as if his age had turned back for more than several decades.
"Great grandfather-in-law, the only drawback of this elixir is that it will revert your appearance back to the middle age, which might cause some misunderstanding among your subordinates," Daniel explained. "I attempted to create a version that could retain the consumer's appearance for those who wish to keep their aged appearance, but it was not successful."
"Moreover," Daniel continued with a confident smile before clapping his hands twice.
At that moment, another VTOL landed on the helipad nearby, and Samurai's voice echoed as the team that arrived later seemed to come with many packages.
"Grandfather! It seems Daniel has brought some gifts for us," Mayumi nudged Seichuro, who quickly contacted his subordinates outside to clear the way for the arriving team.
Heracles, clad in black, entered carrying a large wooden box and placed it near the tea table where Daniel sat before opening it.
Inside the box was a fiercely red samurai armor with a mask, its steel shining even brighter than the best armor in Seichuro's possession. Next to it stood a katana, equally magnificent. The set was clearly precious.
"Both the armor and katana were forged and designed by me," Daniel explained. "They were created from adamantine, making them nearly indestructible, with the power to absorb kinetic energy only slightly lower than that of power armor, since this set has no machine parts. It can even repair itself if damaged."
"This is my gift to you, Great grandfather-in-law. And this…" Daniel produced a small dagger with clockwork on its handle guard and placed it in front of Mayumi. "This dagger holds power over time. It can't stop time, but it can provide you with an experience akin to time stopping."
Card: Clockwork Stiletto
Picture: The dagger was crafted from a rare blue steel, emitting a faint blue aura that surrounded it. Its handle was adorned with intricate details and embedded with a small, vintage clockwork mechanism that appeared to be ticking away, imbuing the blade with a mysterious and powerful energy.
Rarity: Epic Rare
Type: Artifact - Equipment
Mana Cost: 4 Non-Element
Description:
Equip Creature Get +1/+0
[First Strike]
When Attack, Can Distribute attack power to any target.
When Block, Can choose to block more than 1 target.
Flavor text: This dagger may not be powerful enough to stop time altogether, but it does possess the ability to control the flow of time in a way that suits the wielder's desires.
"I wasn't sure what you might like, and as a woman, I wasn't sure if an armor and katana set would be appropriate, so I thought this dagger would be more suitable in terms of usability.
Even though its power may not be as formidable as the katana gift I just presented to Great grandfather-in-law, its ability to manipulate time could potentially save your life in many dangerous situations," Daniel explained.
"And, I've come here today to formally ask for Koyuki's hand in marriage. I seek both of your blessings for our union. Please grant me this," Daniel said with a warm smile as he held Koyuki's hand, causing her to blush beside him.