"So, what exactly is going on here?" Owena was still half-kneeling on the ground, rubbing her arm with one hand, frowning as she asked; the energy body’s figure looking like it was made of platinum, her eyes with white irises resembling semi-transparent rings that occasionally hinted at her thoughts when they slightly contracted - she was clearly irked.
"The reason is quite simple," Brand grinned, his voice echoing playfully in the darkness. Suddenly, he raised his hand to Qian’s back, pushing the girl who had been standing in the shadows with her head bowed to stand before him: "Lord Owena, you must have heard the legend of the Elf’s Golden Apple?"
Qian appeared somewhat nervous, surprised to glance back at her Lord. But Brand shook his head at her, signaling that she needn’t be anxious. His intention was for Qian to leave a deeper impression on Owena, as Owena would undoubtedly select one of the three as the inheritor of the Holy Gun Sky. He himself had greater expertise in swordsmanship, and William’s identity and profession were unsuitable for inheriting the Sky Blue Spear, so he hoped Owena would choose Qian as the inheritor of the Sky Dome.
The key was that he hoped to impart courage and confidence to Qian, allowing this mountain girl to understand that no existence in this world must rely on others. He hoped Qian would have her thoughts and destiny, to pursue her ideals.
Qian, forever standing behind him like a silent shadow, though this made his heart soft. Yet for this reason, he wished the girl would understand that there is no such thing as a humble origin; a girl from Buqi’s countryside, in a certain era, could also become the hope and guardian of many.
Only confidence and effort are the driving forces behind every individual’s progress in civilization and order.
Owena carefully looked at Qian, her pupils appearing like burning golden flames, her eyebrows like extended flames that slightly furrowed, "The fruit of yearning?" She closed her eyes and slightly sniffed: "I see, indeed it bears the unique scent of elves. The residents of Valenya’s Land of the Elves have long been researching ways to change predestined fate, unexpectedly they succeeded, but only in breaking the law, while progress in chaos remains unhelpful... I was too careless."
Owena uttered a segment of inexplicable words and then reopened her eyes, looked at Qian and Brand: "I heard her call you Lord, is she your subordinate?"
"Oops," Brand feared Owena might hold a grudge and quickly explained: "She could barely be considered my subordinate."
"Barely?" Owena stared at Brand with suspicion, her tone slightly drawn out.
Brand pondered for a moment and quickly organized his words: "Approximately because I helped Qian in her time of difficulty; thus technically, Qian is now by my side as my guard. Of course, you could think I’m seeking repayment, but regardless, our contract shall continue until she considers her debt repaid."
"Lord." Qian turned her head and whispered, Brand’s self-deprecation clearly making her nervous.
Brand hurriedly shot her a look.
Owena glanced at the two disdainfully: "How clumsy, but I can’t deny you still have some goodwill. Yet don’t you find it rather inappropriate for me to acknowledge her? Not just because of lacking strength—since that’s not the crux—the crux is lacking the heart to become strong. Without confidence, unable to face oneself, how can one realize their beliefs? Perhaps even confused about the beliefs themselves, the Sky Blue Spear in her hands will merely bury me."
She stared at Qian, the latter silently lowered her head.
Then Owena turned her head, somewhat appreciatively looking at Brand: "You, however, although still unproven, already possess certain potential. Otherwise, that existence wouldn’t have chosen you, right? So, haven’t you realized it? You possess a quality incompatible with this world... And precisely because of such a quality, there’s a probability to change history. Interested in considering a pact with me to become the new master of the Sky Dome, Human?"
Brand was slightly taken aback; he hadn’t expected Owena to recognize him. But he sighed, shaking his head: "You are mistaken, Lord Owena, no one is born a strong entity, nor born to change the world. Yet constantly, everyone changes themselves for some reason. As long as there’s something important in the heart to protect, anyone can become strong, the strength and weakness in this world are never a fixed factor."