Chapter 88
“Help us p>
A female’s desperate cry rang out as several beastmen came sprinting toward Nina and the others, a pack of magical beasts snapping at their heels.
Seeing the strangers rushing over—bringing the beasts straight toward them—Odian’s brows drew together slightly.
He flicked an impatient glance at Ridan.
He had no interest in helping them. More importantly, he refused to let their trouble interrupt Nina’s meal.
If the magical beasts charged in, lunch would be ruined.
Ridan immediately understood. He led several phoenix warriors forward to intercept.
Their strength far surpassed the beasts’. Within moments, the magical creatures were eliminated.
The fleeing beastmen finally slowed, breathing heavily in relief.
They had spotted smoke from afar and guessed there were others here. That was why they had run in this direction, gambling on help.
Now they approached cautiously.
Nina looked up.
Six males. Two females.
The two females froze the instant they saw Odian. Their pupils widened as they stared at him openly, unable to look away.
Odian didn’t spare them a glance.
He guided Nina back toward the table. “Nina, just a moment longer. The food will be ready soon p>
“Mm.” Nina sat down with the cubs.
The two females finally regained their senses and hurried forward, cheeks flushed.
“My name is Ailin,” said the fair-skinned one, her features delicate and attractive. “We came out to play and ran into magical beasts. They chased us all the way here. Thank you for saving us p>
“No need,” Odian replied flatly, returning to his cooking.
Nina blinked in surprise.
It was the first time she had seen Odian so cold—especially toward a pretty female.
Ailin frowned slightly. She had never been treated so indifferently in her life.
In her tribe, every unmarried male fawned over her, hoping to become her mate. She had never once been ignored like this.
This male was clearly unattached—yet he wasn’t the least bit drawn to her.
And he was breathtakingly handsome. The most beautiful male she had ever seen.
Even if his strength were lacking, she would accept it. But judging from his wings, they were phoenixes—an ancient and powerful race. He likely wasn’t weak at all.
Having a phoenix mate would be glorious.
Suppressing her irritation, Ailin smiled sweetly. “Are you cooking? It smells wonderful. We’ve been running for so long and we’re starving. May we join you p>
Odian’s gaze turned icy.
“Ridan p>
Ridan stepped forward at once. “Little female, the magical beasts have been dealt with. Since you’re safe now, please leave p>
The other female beside Ailin stared in disbelief.
Ailin—the most sought-after female in their tribe—had just been rejected.
And when a female asked for food, males rarely refused.
“C-could you at least give us some food?” the other female asked timidly. “We’re really hungry p>
Ridan glanced at Odian.
“Give them some meat,” Odian said indifferently.
Ridan handed them raw meat. “You may roast it over there p>
“But you’ve already cooked food,” Ailin blurted out.
The aroma drifting from the table was irresistible. And she wanted to taste food made by that stunning male.
Ridan’s expression darkened. “This is all we’re offering. If you don’t want it, you may leave p>
Ailin clenched her teeth but signaled her males to take the meat. They retreated to start a small fire elsewhere.
She cast a resentful glance at Nina. Why could that ugly female eat at the table while they couldn’t?
And she was so plain-looking! Were those males blind?
Odian and the others soon finished cooking and gathered happily around the table.
From time to time, Odian placed extra food into Nina’s bowl. Watching her eat the dishes he had made filled him with quiet satisfaction. A soft smile lingered at the corners of his eyes.
Ailin burned with jealousy.
Was that male blind? How could he treat such an ugly female with such tenderness?
The other female muttered resentfully, “Does he actually like that ugly thing? Even if he doesn’t like me, how could he overlook you? Is his taste broken p>
Ailin chewed her dry, tough roasted meat viciously, her anger growing.
After eating, Ridan and the others cleaned up efficiently and prepared to depart.
Seeing them about to leave, Ailin hurried over.
With a pitiful expression, she addressed Odian sweetly, “Our tribe is nearby. Could you escort me back? I’m afraid of encountering magical beasts again p>
“Sorry. We’re not available,” Odian replied coldly.
He turned to Nina instead. “Nina, are you ready? If so, we’ll depart p>
Nina nodded.
Ailin finally snapped.
“Why are you bringing that ugly thing with you? She’s ugly enough—and she’s carrying wild cubs from other stray males p>
She glared at Nina, indignation blazing.
What did she lack compared to her? Why would he rather bring an ugly female than her?
Odian’s gaze turned glacial. Before he could act, Yinny and Didi leapt from Nina’s arms and each slashed Ailin with their claws.
Hmph! How dare you insult our mama!
And Mama isn’t ugly—you’re the ugly one!
“Aah!” Ailin shrieked, flailing wildly as she stumbled backward, clutching her scratched skin.
“You little wild brats! How dare you scratch me p>
Nina quickly scooped the cubs back up. Her eyes narrowed.
Vines burst forth and lashed toward Ailin mercilessly.
Ailin screamed and scrambled to dodge. The males beside her slashed at the vines to protect her.
Nina’s voice was icy. “Say my cubs are wild one more time, and I’ll whip you to death p>
Bruised and shaken, Ailin hid behind her males, not daring to speak.
Once Nina had finished venting her anger, Odian moved to take her into his arms.
Nina hesitated and stepped back slightly. “Maybe Ridan should carry me instead. I’m a bit dirty p>
The cubs’ paws had gotten muddy when they jumped down, smudging her clothes.
Ridan and the others waved frantically. “No, no! My lord flies the fastest and most steadily p>
They would never dare steal that role from the High Priest.
Odian calmly grabbed Didi’s muddy little paw and deliberately smeared it across his own robe.
“It’s fine,” he said evenly. “My clothes are dirty now, too p>
Nina was stunned.
Wasn’t he a neat freak?
Ridan stared in shock. High Priest… what happened to your cleanliness obsession?
Seeing this, Nina stopped protesting. “Alright p>
Odian lifted her and took flight. Behind them, Ailin stomped furiously.
They searched for two more days.
Yinny and Didi had grown especially fond of Odian, often clinging to him to play.
One day, they landed in a grassy meadow to rest.
The weather was unusually clear—sunlight spilled warmly across the land instead of the usual rain.
The cubs wriggled eagerly.
Nina knew they hadn’t played freely in a while, so she set them down on the grass and released the egg babies as well. “Go play for a bit p>
Yinny and Didi dashed across the field happily, the eggs rolling after them.
They eventually stopped and looked at Odian.
Didi: Brother, I think this bird is pretty good. Should we let him be our father?
Yinny: I think so. He can fly with us.
The egg babies chimed in: We agree!
The cubs scampered over to play with Odian.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Odian indulged them affectionately. Nina watched from nearby, occasionally joining in.
Hidden in the distance, Kith and Finch observed the scene, discomfort tugging at their hearts.
They were the ones who should have been playing with their cubs.
When the little ones grew tired, they returned to Nina.
Suddenly, Yinny and Didi chirped excitedly at Odian, “Father! Father p>
Nina immediately covered their tiny mouths. “Don’t shout nonsense at him p>
But Odian clearly understood their intentions.
He tried—and failed—to suppress the upward curve of his lips.
Kith and Finch’s expressions darkened instantly.
Finch finally lost control and strode out from hiding, pointing at Didi angrily.
“You little brat—who are you calling father p>
Kith sighed and followed him out.
If they waited any longer, their cubs would sprout phoenix wings.
At that very moment, another group of beastmen crept close to the meadow, quietly observing Nina and the others from the shadows.