"What did you just say?" The delinquent youth by the side erupted in anger after hearing Muria's words. He was used to being looked down on due to his habit of using his father's influence to run amok, but this was the first time someone had dared insult him to his face.
More than that, it wasn't just him being disrespected—this was a blatant disregard for his father's reputation as well.
"I said you're a waste of space. Is there a problem with that?" Muria's calm gaze rested on the delinquent, who instinctively took a step back.
Locking eyes with Muria, he felt an oppressive force emanating from the young Martial Lord. This overwhelming pressure made him want to kneel, as if his very existence was being judged.
"You're not even twenty, but your body is no better than that of a forty-year-old man whose best years are behind him," Muria said flatly. His tone was devoid of emotion; someone like this wasn't even worth his disdain.
"I can only imagine how much damage you've done by abusing your father's authority to indulge yourself. Honestly, for the son of an elder in the Douglas family to sink to this level, it's almost impressive."
Muria turned to the elder, whose face had darkened considerably. "Elder Abios, you must be very troubled to have a failure like this for a son. At this point, he's beyond saving. Just give up. Have another child and toss this one out—it'll save you a lot of headaches."
"You… I…!" The delinquent stammered, trying to muster a rebuttal but found no valid argument. He lacked the confidence to dispute Muria's words.
He knew his body was in terrible condition. Years of excess had taken their toll, leaving him a hollow shell.
"Dad, he's insulting me!" Desperate, the delinquent turned to his father for support, hoping the man who had always pampered him would step in.
"Useless wretch!" Abios roared in fury. He lashed out with a kick to his son's stomach.
Thud!
The delinquent was sent sprawling to the floor, sliding several feet before slamming into the wall. He winced in pain, his frail body unable to withstand even a single blow.
"Dad, you hit me?" The youth looked up in disbelief, a mix of anger, confusion, and grievance on his face.
"Geros, my apologies for this embarrassing scene," Abios said, ignoring his son entirely. He looked exhausted, as though he had finally reached the end of his patience.
"It's fine. This is normal. With such a large population, there are bound to be some failures. You just had the bad luck to raise one yourself," Muria replied sympathetically.
Anyone would feel worn out with a son like this. As a high-ranking elder with access to unimaginable resources, to raise a son worse than the average citizen was a glaring failure.
"Dad…" The delinquent's face fell further at his father's cold indifference. Panic and fear began to creep in as he realized this could drastically change his future.
"It's all your fault!" Driven to rage by fear, the delinquent pulled a futuristic handgun from his pocket and aimed it at Muria.
Thunk!
Before he could pull the trigger, a sharp tail pierced through his abdomen, lifting him off the ground. Blood dripped from the tail that had skewered him, pooling beneath him.
"Ah—!" The delinquent groaned in agony. Though the wound wasn't fatal, it left him gravely injured and on the verge of death.
"Dad, help me!" He cried out, his life slipping away with each drop of blood.
"What is this?" The sudden attack left Abios momentarily stunned.
"Don't worry," Muria said, smiling. "This is one of my pets. Whenever I go out, a few of them follow me as my bodyguards."
"I see." Abios quickly recalled reports about Muria and relaxed. His composure returned, though his face alternated between embarrassment and anger as he looked at his son dangling in the air.
"Geros, could you…"
"Is this really your son? Was there some issue when he was born?" Muria asked mockingly, his tone playful as he addressed the elder.
With his strength, Muria could now converse as an equal with family elders. Moreover, since Abios needed something from him, Muria didn't feel the need to be tactful.
"Geros, I deeply apologize for his offense. This is my failure as a parent," Abios said, bowing slightly.
"No, it's not your fault. He's simply too stupid—beyond redemption."
"He's still my son. His mistakes are partly my responsibility."
"Well, you're a busy elder. It's understandable that you couldn't properly oversee his upbringing," Muria replied with a wave of his hand.
"Could you let him down? As flawed as he is, he's still my son."
"I understand the sentiment. Only a parent can discipline their child." With a casual gesture, Muria signaled one of his nine-tailed monitor lizards to release the youth.
"Thank you." Abios sighed in relief, bowing gratefully as the lizard dropped his son unceremoniously to the ground.
"Dad!" The youth, trembling in fear, scrambled backward, trying to distance himself from the monstrous creature.
"Get out of here!" Abios barked.
Two sharply dressed guards entered the room, carrying the unconscious, bloodied youth out of the suite.
"My deepest apologies for that disgraceful display," Abios said once the room returned to calm.
"To this day, you still haven't had another child. Is there some issue with your body?" Muria asked, studying the elder, whose physique appeared robust.
"…" Abios pressed his lips together, unwilling to respond.
"Martial energy, as a manifestation of life force, often has miraculous properties. It can heal congenital issues that modern medicine cannot address. If you consult a skilled martial artist, they might be able to help."
Abios's eyes lit up. "You really think so?"
"It seems you do have a personal issue. While I can't promise anything without details, why don't you tell me your situation?"
"Years ago, I was sent by the family to the Silver Empire's border to fight the Heavenly Seeds. During one battle…"
Abios explained how an injury during a youthful campaign had rendered him infertile.
"Do you think my problem can be solved?"
"Yes," Muria answered confidently after some thought.
"Wonderful! If you can help me with this, name your price. Anything within my power, it's yours," Abios said, his relief evident.
"Then I won't hold back." Muria raised an eyebrow. "I need some rare materials. I'll send you a list later—help me gather them."
"Consider it done." Relieved at finally having a solution, Abios agreed without hesitation.
With that, the banquet concluded with both sides content. Muria got his resources, and Abios gained hope for a resolution to his long-standing problem.
Soon after, word of the meeting inexplicably spread, and other elders began inviting Muria to similar dinners, each with their own requests and agendas.
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