Frostfire Legacy

Chapter 183: Good Morning Father!

The Zirroth family was a big conglomerate, primarily focused on the construction and infrastructure industries. Their assets were worth trillions of Tels, not even counting their non-liquid holdings.

And now, Aster found himself visiting the president of such a conglomerate.

"Don't be too nervous, darling! No matter what Father says, I'll follow you from now until forever~!"

Tina smiled, trying to reassure Aster. But instead of helping, her words made him even more anxious.

'If I fail to convince her father, wouldn't this be like we're forcefully taking his daughter away?'

The thought haunted him. Not even Magnus could protect him if things went south.

After a ten-minute ride, the car finally arrived in front of a large building. It wasn't quite on the same scale as the Mayor's Tower, but it stood at nearly half the height. The design was complex, chaotic even, yet somehow still balanced and stable. The building's structure seemed to hold together in perfect harmony.

"What a... unique design," Aster said, unable to hold back his admiration.

"You mean this building?" Tina chuckled softly. "It's based on some random scribbles I made when I was a toddler. It's embarrassing for me, but Father wouldn't hear of tearing it down."

Aster stared blankly.

A building created from a toddler's scribbles. Just that alone told him how much the president treasured his youngest daughter. And here he was, about to ask this man to let his precious daughter accompany them into a dungeon…

"Ugh, my stomach…" Aster groaned quietly.

"Puff your chest, darling! No need to hunch your shoulders," Tina said cheerfully, grabbing Aster's arm and leading him forward. "Father's in his office, let's go!"

Unlike the exterior's chaotic appearance, which reminded Aster of a badly configured Lego set, the interior was completely organized. It was a bustling business building, with employees moving back and forth, attending to their tasks.

"Good morning, Princess Celestinya," someone greeted.

Aster noticed that wherever they went, people stopped in their tracks and bowed respectfully. The level of reverence they showed to Tina was beyond his imagination.

And so were the sharp, stabbing gazes Aster felt from everyone. Their eyes followed his every step, and if not for Tina's presence, he was certain they'd have mobbed him in seconds.

The two rode up the VIP elevator, one of the two mana-powered lifts with access to the top floor. Aster took the chance to steady himself, putting on a brave face to mask his nerves. When the elevator doors opened, he was shocked to see that they led straight into the president's office. It felt like starting a game only to be thrown straight into the final boss battle!

"Father!" Tina's voice rang out, filled with a mix of indignation and excitement. "I've brought my darling, so you won't bother our party anymore, right?!"

The man behind the desk raised his head. His short black hair, streaked with gray, and his neatly trimmed goatee gave him the look of a cool, dignified middle-aged man. But his sharp blue eyes told a different story.

"Celes, my little princess," he sighed, removing his diamond-rimmed reading glasses.

"I never said I'd let you off the hook. In fact, I've always been against you going into the dungeon! If you want to level up, I can arrange for high-level criminals to be brought to you. There's no need to put yourself in such danger."

"You're on about that again?" Tina groaned. "You always think your word is law. This is exactly why I left home and became an adventurer!"

"And what's wrong with wanting to ensure my daughter's future?" the president snapped, slamming his fist on the desk, causing a small crack. "You're the most qualified to be my successor! With your talents, the Zirroth family could rise to the very top!"

"Oh? So you want me to become your successor and marry some ugly bastard for the sake of family ties? No thanks, I'm not interested!" Tina's face twisted with disgust.

Aster, standing silently, felt like he had become invisible. This heated argument between father and daughter didn't seem like something he should be witnessing.

"Remember your promise?! You said that if you ever came back from the dungeon half-dead, you'd return and be my successor!" The man's voice grew louder as he approached them, anger etched into every feature.

"And what happened recently? You got yourself into so much trouble that a rescue team had to save you! You barely made it back alive! I was worried sick!"

Tina frowned. "That promise was a metaphor! I'd rather die fighting in a dungeon than become your puppet!"

"You…!"

The tension between them was palpable. Aster could understand the president's perspective—any parent would worry about their child. But the man's anger stemmed from deep concern, not malice.

"And who is this beggar? You brought home some random guy you picked up off the street?" The president's eyes shifted to Aster, filled with disdain.

"Father!!!" Tina snapped, her voice full of outrage.

"He's not fit for our family. Dispose of him," the president declared coldly. His words carried the weight of an order, not a suggestion.

Aster barely had time to register what was happening when he saw projectiles—bullets, daggers, and all manner of deadly weapons—materialize around him. They came from everywhere, too fast for him to react.

*CRACKLE!*

But before the weapons could strike, the entire room was encased in ice. Every projectile, every hidden assassin—everything froze in an instant.

"T-This is…!" The president's eyes widened in shock. His body was frozen from the neck down, unable to move.

"Unhand me! Do you have any idea who I am?!" he growled.

Aster glanced around, relieved to see that no one had died, at least not yet. The ice held everything in place, but there was no sign that the attackers were fatally harmed.

'Crysta, thanks for the save,' Aster thought silently. If not for that, he might have really died.

Despite the chaos, Aster kept his face calm and composed. He turned his gaze to Tina's father and, in a soft but firm voice, said, "A father's desire to protect his daughter is admirable. But your approach is pushing her away."

"Brat…! You dare lecture me without knowing anything!" The president seethed, but his body was still frozen in place.

Aster sighed, pulling Tina closer to him as they began retracing their steps toward the elevator. "Cool your head for now. And don't worry. What happened a few days ago won't ever happen again. I'll protect your daughter from all dangers."

Enjoy new tales from ???

As he spoke, Tina gazed up at him, clearly lovestruck by his calm demeanor and the overwhelming power he had displayed.

Meanwhile, the president remained furious, his voice echoing after them as they left.

"I WON'T GIVE YOU MY DAUGHTER, YOU BASTARD!"

"... Huh?"