Oben couldn't help but slightly smile for the first time since he died as Viktor's promise meant everything to him, especially since his clan would gain a powerful guardian. After seeing Viktor's true form, Oben wanted to make sure that Viktor wouldn't hold any grudge towards his clan but never expected him to make such a promise.
"Then, from my part, I would like to make amends as well. But as you can see, I won't be there to make amends personally, so even if it's not right, I want to give my granddaughter's hand-in-marriage to you as a show of my goodwill, and my clan's," Oben said without a change in his expression while Viktor had a blinking expression.
However, it was Nyissa who had a baffled expression since she never expected her dead grandfather to easily propose her marriage to someone else.
"Grandfather! I—"
"Nyissa...you are already a mature woman, talented and powerful enough to shoulder the clan's duties and responsibilities. Can you not grant this old man his last dying request? But...I can understand if you refuse. I will just carry this sin with me," Oben said as he lowered his head, making Nyissa feel guilty as if she did something bad by making her grandfather sad.
Nyissa wasn't ready to marry anyone, but then she suddenly remembered what happened between her and Viktor in the broken-down stone building while she was injured. The one thing she remembered the most was how she was seen half-naked by Viktor, the only man who saw her like that, making her feel as if she lost her chastity and couldn't marry anymore.
But at that time, she could only grudgingly let it go due to circumstances and also because she decided to forever remain single. However, now that her grandfather suddenly was making a proposition like this, she couldn't help but think, 'Who else can I marry anyway...sigh…'
She had no idea what came over as she said, "Okay! I will help you absolve you from your sins, grandfather."
'Yes...I am doing this for my grandfather...nothing else…' Nyissa told herself inwardly though she couldn't help but become anxious, wondering what was going to happen later and the very idea of becoming someone's wife seemed strange and foreign to her.
She was not foreign to the concept of arranged marriages since her clan followed it and thought that as long as she married Viktor in name, it would be fine. She believed that it was her duty to help her grandfather rest in peace.
The only reason she didn't get married off was because of her own prowess, making even the most brilliant man in their circle feel ashamed of marrying a woman more marvelous than him. And also because her father was always a bit soft on her.
Sae only smiled in amusement, knowing that Oben purposefully played the pity card to nudge Nyissa to agree. However, she knew Oben did it for Nyissa's sake as well.
As Sae believed, Oben felt that there was something between Nyissa and Viktor, because of which he decided to propose this. Otherwise, he wouldn't do anything to make his granddaughter feel distressed on purpose.
Seeing Viktor's expression, Oben asked with a sigh, "Is my granddaughter not worthy enough to be your wife or should I—"
"Of course not! Who wouldn't want such a beautiful and powerful woman like Nyissa as their wife? I was just surprised since it's been a long while since I married someone," Viktor said with a shrug.
However, hearing his shameless words, Nyissa couldn't help but have her face reddened, making one wonder if it was because she was angry or embarrassed. But hearing him talking about how long it had been since he married someone, Nyissa couldn't help but think in vexation, 'Does he marry a girl every century or what?'
'This crafty old fox…' Viktor knew that Oben was giving away Nyissa to him so that he could make sure Viktor would have more favorable feelings towards his clan.
Still, he wasn't upset or anything since why would he refuse a kingdom-toppling beauty that was offered to him just like that? Even if he and Nyissa weren't really that close now, he liked her since she stood by him despite having some misunderstandings before and helped him save his people.
She didn't owe him anything, and even though he had no idea of her feelings towards him, he was determined to make her his. But the only hesitation he had was just what he told Oben. He hadn't married any girl for centuries and felt it a bit strange.
But then he remembered that Nyissa was no ordinary human but someone who could live longer than any of his previous women ever did. In fact, logically, she was the apt woman to be a wife to someone with an eternal life like him.
This also made him curious to know how it would feel like to court a woman who lived a long life like him.
Oben nodded in satisfaction, hearing his reply, and said, "Then I can leave in peace. Ugh...the portal is going to collapse...It is the only thing that is keeping me here since my soul is tied to it. Otherwise, I would have disappeared the moment I broke the contract. So I will send you two out of here."
"Two? You don't mean…" Viktor's expression became grim as he looked at Sae, who was already tearing up, making Viktor's worst fears come true.
"No...not you too...Please...you can't leave me...not again…" Viktor tightly held her hands as if he was afraid she was going to disappear before him as well.
He had misunderstood her heavily while she was alive, even to the extent that he had to kill her. So how could he let go of the idea that there was a second chance between him and her? How could he not want an opportunity to make things right?
Sae sniffled as she also held his hands and said, "You already know what I am...I am not even the real Sae...just a remnant of her soul. That's why you shouldn't feel sad no matter what. My mission is done, and with that, I would cease to exist. This was the deal I made with that entity, and I couldn't express how happy I am to have got this chance to see you again and help you. I only wanted your forgiveness even though I know I hurt you a lot."
Viktor shook his head as he said, "I already forgave you...it was my fault. I was the one who made you sad and suffer. If only I knew, I promise things would have been different. So I won't let you go this time."
Nyissa felt her eyes becoming warm seeing these two, feeling sad for both. She also didn't want her grandaunt to disappear since she wanted to know more about her. After all, she was literally a heroic figure and idol for every man and woman in her clan.
However, she couldn't help but imagine how all of them would react if they got to know the true relationship between these two. It would totally contradict their history and Sae's relationship with the Blood Demon.
She never expected the love and bond between them to be so strong.
Hearing Viktor's words, Sae felt that it was worth it to suffer everything she did and said, "Who said I won't be with you? I am already with you...always has been."
Sae's figure suddenly began to turn ethereal, making Viktor's heart wobble. However, she suddenly pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, "Keep the scarf I gave you safe...it really suits you well…"
Viktor was confused to hear these words, but the next moment, he found his lips getting sealed with hers as she lovingly kissed him, and he reciprocated as well, throwing away all other thoughts at this moment.
He noticed Sae slipping something into his hand though he didn't bother about it at this moment since all he cared about was feeling her warmth and love.
And much to Viktor's dismay, Sae turned into a flash of light, making him no longer feel her warm embrace or presence.
"No…" Viktor mumbled with a devastated expression, feeling as if his heart got cut in half.. However, he felt there was something in his right hand and was surprised to see a small white crystal shining brightly.