Chapter 28: Tanya

We walked through the gray concrete pathway leading to the mansion at the very center of the huge place surrounded by decorative shaped bushes and maple trees lining beside the road.

However, behind those lines of trees and bushes were huge plain grasslands all the way to the towering fences from afar.

Just like what I saw outside, the huge white mansion became a lot clearer now that we were already near it.

From our location, the mansion looked incredibly gargantuan, it's the very first time I saw a mansion this huge in my entire life.

The exterior of the white mansion was filled with chiseled stone pillars and wall decorations giving it a sophisticated vibe.

At the end of the road, there's the white fountain encircled by the roundabout that would lead to four pathways, the other two would lead to the side part of the mansion, the other one would lead to the gate where we came from and the one in front of us would lead to the staircase towards the entrance of the mansion.

Karoon and Gareth took the path towards the left part of the mansion and we followed them there.

As we turned in the direction leading towards the back part of the mansion. What greeted us was a miniature forest at the side of the road. 

As we walked past it, we finally reached our destination, a huge grassland quadrangle in the middle of the forest.

"We are here!" Karoon announced.

There's nothing inside it, except grass, maybe it's her designated arena if there's someone confident enough to challenge her.

I turned my eyes towards the 4 people I was with but unlike me who was looking at the huge grassland in front of us, all their eyes were dwelling on the person sitting on her white metal chair and white circle tea table under the shelter of the shade of a tree.

She's completely concealed from my line of view because the tree she's staying at was hiding her, plus the fact that I couldn't see her mana.

I already tried the extent of how low I could conceal my mana, it could go very low, as low as what an average human has, and that's the lowest it could get. 

This is the first time I've seen someone who can completely conceal all of her mana manifestation.

She's currently crossing her legs while sipping her tea, a small smile emerged on her face as she stared at us. "Tea, anyone?"

She's smiling but I could feel the heavy pressure lurking around her. I couldn't see it, but my instinct told me it's there and it's extremely dangerous.

"Tan-tan, he's already here!" Karoon excitedly announced as she sat next to her.

She nodded and wandered her eyes on us. "Yes, I can see it, Karoon."

She stood up and approached us, revealing her elegant attire.

She's a freaking silver-haired gothic lady!

Wearing a black gothic dress complete with headband, arm sleeves, and freaking thigh highs as the cherry on top!

She stood a meter away from me, but with our distance, I could see that she's just tall enough to level on my chest, the perfect height for a gothic lady!

A puzzling little smile emerged from her pale red lips that perfectly complemented her white skin. "So, you are the one everyone is talking about?" There's a hint of superiority in her tone, but it somehow faultlessly worked on her elegant appearance.

Gothic supremacy! 

I bowed my head as the sign of my utmost appreciation of such a blessing for my eyes, which was the person standing in front of me. "Thanks for the meal."

The moment I opened my eyes I found her glaring at me. She softly exhaled and gazed upon the people who were with me.

"It's fancy meeting you 2 losers in here, though, since the 2 of you are already in here and I'm not that awful to kick you out. Well, it can't be helped, I have to endure the torment of seeing you 2 until the battle is done."

"Oy, Gareth, haven't I told you to teach your grandma some proper manners? She's spouting nonsense again." Leo retorted.

On the other hand, Leal just nodded at him.

Her eyebrows instantly furrowed. "How despicable. I'll deal with your annoying mouth first."

Mehrad walked towards her. "Maybe you already know why we are here, Tanya?"

Tanya? So she really is the Shadow fairy, Tanya. The faction leader of the Spriggan faction!

But, unlike what Leo described, she doesn't look like an old hag. She looks like an egocentric noble young lady who always has a proud smug on her face.

Tanya nodded at Mehrad. "Yes, I do." She shifted her gaze back at me. "You have come to challenge me, right?"

I nodded. "Yes."

She nodded and proceeded to walk towards the quadrangle in front of us. "A meruem. And the whole world thought that your entire tribe was already wiped out 30 years ago? Where have all of you been all these years? Hmm, how long has it been since the last time I have seen a meruem? It's been more or less than 80 years now."

I stopped for a second. "80 years? How old are you?"

I mean, she looks way younger!

She immediately looked back and glared at me. "You should know that it's common courtesy that you should never ask a fair maiden about her age, it is absolutely rude."

"Ah, my bad, then."

Her glare instantly converted to a puzzling smile. Her air became gentle but at the same time became more menacing. She slowly raised her hand while still maintaining her elegant smile.

I instantly walked back upon sensing the intense tension building up around us.

I don't know what she's doing, all I know is, this girl is dangerous!

"Beat her, boss!"

"You can do it, Big bro Casimir!"

"Before we get started, may I know the reason why you're doing this?"

"I want to create a safe place where every race can live together in harmony and I think this is the best place to realize that goal."

She covered her mouth using her fingers. "How amusing, a destroyer who wants to build something, and not just anything, a place where every race can live in harmony? Isn't that a little bit contradictory?"

I shrugged. "I don't think it is, I don't have the intense urge to destroy anything in sight, if I must say, we are not as destructive as everyone thinks we are."

The smile on her face instantly disappeared. "Don't worry, it doesn't matter to me even if you are."

In just a blink of an eye, a burst of fire materialized around us and completely engulfed all the grass throughout the quadrangle, and instantly turned them to ashes.

"Pardon me for introducing myself this late. My name is Tanya Latora of the Spriggan faction, now, show me what you've got, and don't disappoint me, the imitator of the meruem tribe."

I smiled and acted tough. "Worry not, you won't get disappointed."

Yup, I hope she won't beat me to a pulp!