Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

"Are you telling me that you have no interest whatsoever in the Royal Spirit orb that had delivered itself right into your doorstep? From what I can see, your bloodline seems to be fairly impure and the heights that you can reach in the future is limited. The Royal Spirit orb can turn all that over" Irene said with a peculiar expression as she eyes Simon.

Listening to her words, it was the first time that Simon got annoyed at her. He said in an irritated voice "Enough! I told you already I have no interest in this so called heavenly treasure of yours whatsoever".

"Although I'm not a saint, but if you think I'll fall as low as to try and snatch the spirit orb from a little girl who is already scared of the world? Then you are looking down on me too much. Besides, you didn't say it but wouldn't they die if their Spirit Orb is snatched from them? Isn't it the very core of their being? If I did something like that, I would no longer be human, what difference would there be between me and a beast!"

"You are right about my bloodline. As a demon, I was born with an impure bloodline in this world. But it was never able to daunt me, I'll choose my own path no matter how many setbacks or restraints I have to suffer on the way. Even if it's the very world it cannot prevent me from rising to the top and if it restraints me similar to how it restraints billions of its inhabitants, then I'll simply break through the chains. That is all there is to it". Simon clenched his hands into a fist and said in a resolute voice.

He had his inherent skill [Main Menu] with him whose one of the functions allows him to purify his bloodline and break the shackles that would have limited his growth. Unlike the other, he was not bound by the unwritten law of this world. He knew that even without using a dirty means such as using the spirit orb of the Forest Spring Spirit clan, he would be able to keep on getting stronger.

A rarely seen look of appreciation bloomed on Irene's beautiful face as she heard what Simon had to say. His voice was full of determination and unyielding will to go against the restraints that have been placed on him.

When Simon saw her absolutely charming smile, he got stunned for a good while. At this moment Irene looked so beautiful that even the very light seemed dim when it fell on her.

He had never seen her smile once till now but now that he had seen it, he could not get the scene out of his head. Irene already had a soul stunning beauty but when she smiled, everything, even the stars, and moons in the sky looked mundane compared to her.

Her eyebrows curved into a beautiful arc as she quickly pointed out the fault in his sentence "If I did that I would no longer be human! Hmmm?… but aren't you a demon?".

"(￣ェ￣;)" The corner of Simon's mouth twitched as he forced a cough and tried to pretend he did not hear what she just said. But in his mind, he was sweating profusely 'This Woman is too sharp'. Earlier he was too flustered and made a mistake, but Irene was quick to spot it.

On the corner of the walkway leading to the dining hall, Cecilia fell to her knees and sobbed unceasingly as she heard Simon's words loud and clear. Her crystal-like teardrops fell into the carpet. She had never felt this much warmth from someone who was not her family much less her clan member.

Even while fully knowing the limitations he suffered and the heaven-defying benefits that the Royal Spirit Orb provided him, he still chose not to plunder it and rely on his hard work to overcome his limitations even though he could easily take the Royal Spirit Orb away from her and she wouldn't even be able to struggle.

Irene looked towards the corner where Cecilia was hiding, smiled gently, and walked towards her. Cecilia's small figure trembled when she heard someone coming near but relaxed soon when she found out that a warm hand had been gently placed on her head, caressing her hair.

Her tear-stained eyes looked at the beautiful woman who had a warm smile exactly like her mother and she couldn't help but dive into her bosom. Feeling the warmth and softness, all her wariness disappeared away as she cried out loud till her throat became sore. All the while, Irene embraced her and softly caressed her hair.

Simon watched the heartwarming scene and couldn't help but smile. He finally knew why Irene had provoked him with her words like that. She was trying to see through his inner thoughts and at the same time give the girl eavesdropping in the corner, peace of mind.

At that time he was too focused on their conversation that he failed to notice Cecilia's arrival but how could Irene miss it. She was well aware that Cecilia was eavesdropping on their conversation and at the same time tried to gouge out what kind of a person Simon was through their conversation.

She was clearly baiting him. Simon felt his skin tingle the moment such a thought arrived in his head.

Coming to a conclusion, Simon felt quite relieved that he didn't fall for her trap. He was sure that given Irene's temperament if he had given a materialistic answer, she would immediately lash out at him and take Cecilia away with her.

After all, there was nothing binding her to him. After the merger of the two menus, the [Summon] option and the [Hero's Altar] became bugged and there was no longer a way to summon subordinates who were absolutely loyal to the dungeon master.

He became aware of that a few days after summoning Irene.