[: 3rd POV :]
"Let me join the fight, and I insist on that," Daniel stood and said.
He wanted to seize this chance and the opportunity to showcase a sliver of his strength.
Zuke gazed at Daniel, teetering on the border of letting him join the battle.
After all, he needed all the manpower he could get.
He only had about ten guards who were cultivators, and he was facing a pack of Flame Lions.
Even though there were only 5 Flame Lions, there's no telling whether or not they would win without losing one or two members.
With that, Zuke hesitated, and Daniel could see his worries.
"Don't worry, even if I somehow lose my life, I won't blame you," he reassured.
Eventually, with a surrendering sigh, Zuke had no choice, and he was glad that Daniel was willing to join.
With that, his opinion of him increased once more.
"Then, don't blame me if something happens to you, and I won't be responsible for it," Zuke said.
"Fine with me," Daniel shrugged his shoulders.
On the other hand, Elizabeth was blaming herself for not being able to do anything in this situation.
Without the ability to cultivate, all she could do was watch.
As she looked down and gazed at her hands, she bit her lips and clenched her fingers.
'Why did I even exist at this point if I can't even help my father...?'
She started to blame herself and was holding back her tears.
When Zuke went out to wear his armor, Daniel noticed her state, and he approached her.
"Are you alright?"
He asked while offering her a cloth to wipe her tears, where she didn't notice that she was crying.
"T-Thank you."
She quickly took the cloth and wiped her tears, embarrassed that she had shown him such a sight.
"T-That was so embarrassing, and I apologize for showing such a sight."
She apologized, surprised that she had shown her vulnerable side to him.
"It's fine, and you don't have to apologize," he said with a smile.
"About what you said... earlier on... is it... true?"
Gathering up her courage, she finally spoke and wanted to know if those words were the truth.
With a smile, Daniel answered her, "Well, what do you think?"
Stunned by his answer, Elizabeth didn't know how to answer.
What did she think of it?
Did she believe it was the truth?
Or did she simply believe it was a lie?
Which one did she believe?
"I think... it's the truth."
Elizabeth wished to put her hope and belief once more.
Her life dream was to cultivate, and if putting her belief in him would grant it, then she would have no hesitation.
"I'm glad you put your trust in me, and all the more that I shouldn't disappoint your expectations,"
"So watch how I will deal with Flame Lions later"
Daniel declared with a smile.
Afterwards, he was about to leave the carriage when he was stopped by Elizabeth.
"W-Wait! But is it really true that you can create spiritual roots?"
This was a question that she wanted the answer to, and she was anxious about it.
However, Daniel replied mysteriously, "Well, only time can find out," he said.
"T-Then, how about the cloth?"
Elizabeth wanted to return the cloth, but since it was dirtied by her tears, she wanted to wash it before returning it.
"You can keep it with you,"
Daniel smiled, and only then did he leave the carriage.
Once he had left the carriage, Elizabeth stared at the spot he had left, and for some reason, she kept holding onto the cloth as though it was a treasure.
Even though she had only met Daniel, for some reason, she found his presence extremely comforting.
It was hard to put into words, but she didn't dislike it.
Even though the words he claimed might be hard to believe, she decided to put her trust in him.
"Please be back safely..."
Instead of uttering those words to her father, she intended them for Daniel, someone whom she had just met.
On the other hand, once Daniel was out, Zuke gazed at him.
"I was waiting for you to come out, but you were flirting with my daughter?"
Zuke wasn't mad; rather, he was amused by him.
Even though Elizabeth was his daughter, no boy of her age seemed interested in spending time with her.
She possessed a beauty that even talented women in his city, which he ruled, were jealous of.
Yet, there weren't any boys interested in starting a relationship with her.
Of course, many fancied her, but when it came to a serious relationship, no men would take up the offer.
"Well, who wouldn't want to flirt with a beautiful girl like her? I'll take any chance to date her," Daniel claimed without any fear.
On the other hand, Zuke had a mixture of being impressed and mad.
He was both speechless and clueless about how to react.
"Nevermind, I'll see whether or not by the end, after we deal with the Flame Lions, you can still maintain that cheeky mouth of yours,"
Zuke declared with a challenging smile.
"I believe I could,"
Daniel replied without being bothered by how Zuke might feel.
At the same time, Zuke was liking Daniel more and more for his bravery towards him.
The only factor about him is the lies that he had claimed.
Otherwise, he wouldn't mind Daniel matching up with his daughter.
"Let's deal with the Flame Lions, and after that, we're going to have a good talk,"
Zuke grabbed his spear as all of them were prepared for the battle against the Flame Lions.
"I don't mind having a talk with you,"
Daniel declared as all of them gazed towards the 5 Flame Lions who were just hanging out on the route they need to cross.
As they approached the Flame Lions, only then did Zuke remember to question Daniel.
"I forgot to ask you, but what's your cultivation realm?"