Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 621: Fire and Honor

Anna stood before the two graves under the oak tree. There were no gravestones erected, however. But she knew that these two graves belonged to Adamʼs deceased parents.

The only reason there were no gravestones was because Adam was illiterate. He didnʼt know what to carve on them.

The red-haired princess stood standing before the two graves with a vacant look on her face. The sun slowly dipped below the horizon, but she remained standing there motionlessly.

”Anna… Iʼm home!” A familiar, weak voice called out to her.

She turned in the direction of the voice and saw Adam carrying a small hemp bag in his hand. He was lowering his head, trying to hide the bruises, but Anna could see just how injured he was.

”Hehe, I managed to get some bread and... fresh vegetables today... Yeah, theyʼre fresh for sure,” said the boy. He hurriedly entered the hut without giving a proper greeting to the woman. ”G-Give me some time, Iʼll cook us some food very soon!”

Annaʼs lips quivered when she saw the boyʼs state. She didnʼt say a word, just silently stared at the hut. The next moment, an orange light flashed, and a small bird appeared above her. It landed on her shoulder and began rubbing its head on her cheek.

”What did you find?” She asked flatly.

The bird closed its eyes and began mentally transmitting everything it had seen earlier today. Several minutes passed as Anna remained standing before the graves, intently listening to the bird.

Tears rolled down her rosy face and dropped to the ground. One after another, drops of tears continued to fall. Her shoulders trembled and her chest heaved up and down as tumultuous waves rose in her heart.

After a long time, she finally found the strength to compose herself. She looked at the boyʼs parentsʼ grave and murmured, ”Your son has taken care of me all this while, yet I have done nothing in return. Iʼm such a selfish person, arenʼt I?”

She took a deep breath and finally came to a decision. The following moment, she did something so shocking that it would greatly surprise everyone who knew her.

She, a noble princess of a mighty kingdom, lowered her head before the graves of two peasants!

”You have birthed a kind and upstanding boy,” she proclaimed. ”I, Anna Fireborne, Princess of the Ignisra Kingdom, solemnly swear to become Adam Constantineʼs guardian. By the flames of my ancestors and the honor of my lineage, I vow to guide him wholeheartedly. This is my oath, sealed in fire and honor.”

”Anna!” A feeble voice called out to her from inside the hut. ”Food is ready!”

”Coming!” Said the princess, wiping away her tears.

She then glanced at the bird sitting on her shoulders, her eyes spewing immense anger and bloodlust. ”Little one, I have one more job for you.”

Sensing its masterʼs emotions, the little bird displayed a menacing face. ”Chirp! Chirp!”

”Burn the Boarʼs Ale to the ground. The tavern owner, his son, all the staff working there, and everyone they hold dear, burn them all,” she ordered.

”Inflict upon them a death so agonizing that their screams will haunt the winds for eternity. Shatter their hopes, crush their dreams, and drown them in despair.

”Let fear carve into their souls, and let agony be their only companion as the flames consume them. Make them understand—this is the price of invoking the wrath of a Fireborne!”

After receiving the orders, the bird took flight and disappeared in the direction of Behal Town. Meanwhile, Anna went back inside the hut, her expression calm and indifferent.

Upon entering, she found that Adam was already sleeping on the mat, his back facing her. A bowl of steaming vegetable soup and bread was kept on her bed.

Before she could speak a word, Adam stated without turning around, ”Anna, Iʼve already eaten. You should eat as well. Leave the bowl outside, Iʼll clean it in the morning. Iʼm… going off to sleep. Iʼm very tired today…”

”…Alright,” Anna softly replied.

She sat on the bed and grabbed the bowl of food in her hands. She looked at the contents of the bowl, thinking back to how Adam had acquired it. The pain and suffering he had to endure to bring this food made her involuntarily tear up.

The princess began eating with immense gratefulness. Despite knowing that the vegetables were leftovers and the bread was half eaten, probably even rotten, they tasted far better than any fancy cuisine she had ever tried in her life.

Through this bowl of food, she could feel Adamʼs pain and his misery. But she could also feel his love and affection.

”S-So good…” she said while munching on the bread. ”This is the best food Iʼve had in my life!” She sobbed silently and added, ”Thank…thank you, Adam… thank you!”

Adamʼs body trembled. He wanted to immediately turn around and look at Anna. He had never heard her say ʼthank youʼ before. But he didnʼt want her to see his bruised face.

Thus, without turning back, he replied warmly, ”Hehe, Iʼm glad you like it, Anna!”

Despite having endured so much beating, that night Adam went off to to sleep with a big smile on his face.

…

The following day, Adam who had gone off to Behal Town for work returned within the hour, his expression full of shock and even relief.

”Anna! Anna!” He called out loud. ”Where are you?!”

The princess stepped out of the hut, looking in Adamʼs direction. ”Whatʼs gotten into you?”

”Anna!” He ran towards the hut and then stopped before her, catching his breath. He looked at the red-haired woman and spoke incredulously, ”The Boarʼs Ale—I mean the tavern I worked at has been burned to the ground! Can you believe it?!”

”Oh?” Anna feigned ignorance. ”I wonder what happened?”

”The townsfolk are saying that it is the work of a group of arsonists,” Adam replied, his expression dumbfounded. ”Not only the tavern! The ownerʼs house and even the houses of all the people who worked there were burned to the ground!”

”Oh,” said the princess in a bored manner.

Inwardly, she thought to herself, If it wasnʼt for the restriction on my mana reserves because of the curse, and the fact that I didnʼt want to draw too much attention, for you, Adam, I would have burned the whole town!

”Anna…” Adam called out, his eyes flashing with fear. ”Those arsonists… they wonʼt come for me, right? After all, I too worked at the tavern. What if they burn down my home? Anna, Iʼm scared!”

”No, they wonʼt,” Anna assured him, fondly ruffling his raven hair. ”Iʼll protect you.”

”But what can you do? You canʼt even cook.” Adam raised a valid point.

Annaʼs lips twitched and suddenly she felt like casting Fireball at the boy.