That simple question was like silence magic. The youth being called immediately flinched in shock, his eyes widening.
At the same time, the footsteps of Allen, Alrain, Ordion, Alvein, and Kylen also stopped. The five of them looked at each other and concluded one certain thing: Arvin recognized the foreign youth in front of them right now.
And if Arvin recognizes him, that means... thought Kylen guessing.
"Yes, you are right, my name is indeed Arion." answered the reddish-yellow-haired youth politely, but unable to hide the curious tone in his voice. "But, I'm sorry... why do you know and are familiar with me? As far as I remember, I don't ever recall if the two of us have ever met or greeted each other before."
Instead of answering the question, Arvin actually stepped very close until there was no distance between them. He then leaned his face to Arion's ear, and whispered something very softly.
What happened next was truly beyond everyone's expectations.
The expression of the youth named Arion instantly changed drastically. His face which was friendly before now turned as pale as paper. He was heavily shocked, and his entire body started trembling violently as if he had just been splashed with ice water in the middle of a blizzard.
"A-Are you... are you serious with your words just now?" asked Arion stuttering, very shocked, still completely disbelieving what he had just heard from the mouth of the stranger in front of him.
"It's up to you whether you want to believe my words or not. That's your choice." replied Arvin casually, pulling his face back and smiling faintly. "But if you are willing to accept my deal, I guarantee I will help you. But if you refuse, that is also your own decision. See you later, Arion."
Arvin turned his body around. However, just as he walked one step away, Arion who was overcome with panic immediately acted reflexively.
Arion pulled Arvin's hand strongly, making him spontaneously stop walking.
"Wait!" exclaimed Arion with heavy breathing. He gulped roughly. "If... if you truly can do it, do I really just need to be your ninth spouse as the payment?"
The question spoken with a desperate tone made the group behind Arvin gasp softly.
"Yes, you're right!" answered Arvin, immediately followed by a gentle and reassuring smile on his face. "Because honestly, since the beginning, you are one of the main targets I want to marry!"
The reddish-yellow-haired youth bit his lip, trying to digest the fact that he was proposed to suddenly, without him ever expecting it even in his wildest dreams.
"Does that mean... I will leave my life here and go with you to the Astoria Kingdom after this tournament is over later?" asked Arion making sure, seeking certainty for his future.
"That's a must!" answered Arvin firmly. "As a spouse, you must be willing to follow where your husband goes, right?"
Arvin raised his hand and held Arion's hand that was still gripping his arm tightly very gently, trying to calm the youth down.
"You don't need to answer my question and make a decision right now, Arion. Just follow me to the Astoria Kingdom after this tournament. If someday later after you feel that you are truly certain and want to be my spouse—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Arion immediately cut him off with a very desperate but determined tone.
"I agree! I don't need any more time to think about it." exclaimed Arion, his eyes welling with tears. "If you truly can do it, let alone just being your spouse, I am willing to be your slave for the rest of my life!"
Arvin smiled very satisfied upon hearing the answer without hesitation.
"But, I still don't understand." asked Arion again, curiosity overcoming his fear for a moment. "What is your reason for making me one of the targets you really want to marry like that?"
"Because you are very cute, and I know the ins and outs of your personality very well!" answered Arvin quickly and without the slightest hesitation, as if he was just discussing the fact that the sky is blue during the day. "I admit there are indeed many cute-looking boys in this vast world. But, I only select and choose certain people who I think are truly very appropriate and worthy to be my spouses."
Arvin then slowly released his grip from Arion's hand. He turned his body around and immediately started walking again towards where the tournament participants were.
"Continue your work, Arion. After this tournament event is over, I will directly pick you up, my ninth spouse."
"I... I will look forward to it!" answered Arion with a very relieved feeling, looking at Arvin's increasingly distant back.
Behind Arvin, his four spouses and all the delegation participants from the Flamort Kingdom, including Kylen, could only follow walking in silence. They were all very shocked.
They couldn't believe that it was so easy for Arvin to find and conquer his spouse, as if he had indeed planned all those meetings from the beginning with very careful and precise calculation.
Kylen quickened his pace, walking parallel to Arvin.
"Darling?" called Kylen while walking down the hallway towards the participants' room. "Was that student earlier indeed the person you had targeted and chosen from the beginning before you came to this capital?"
Arvin turned his head and nodded confirming the prince's words.
"Yes, Kylen, you're right!" answered Arvin with a satisfied tone. "By the way, if we are in Flamort Kingdom later, please accompany me to travel to Dalsen City."
Hearing the name of the city that had just been mentioned, the five delegations from the Flamort Kingdom who were walking not far behind them, including Kylen himself, widened their eyes.
They never expected that one of Arvin's next destination was Dalsen City. That city was known as a lawless city filled with the most brutal level of violence located in the Flamort Kingdom territory.
In Dalsen City, the law of the jungle applied absolutely: the strongest was the one who would rule, and for the weak ones, they would only be oppressed or even treated much worse like an outcast slave.
Even so, Kylen smiled gently at Arvin. "If that is indeed your wish and goal, I will definitely accompany you stepping wherever you go, Darling."