Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 524: The Door of Serpents

The Door of Serpents

His breath eased in and out, slow and controlled, his chest rising like someone preparing for a quiet storm.

"So... this is the treasure of former Vellore," Leon murmured. His voice barely carried, yet the words sank deep into the stone corridor.

Behind him, both guards stayed kneeling. Not ordered to. Not commanded. They simply couldn’t stand straight in front of a moment this heavy. This was the threshold of legends. A place sealed from the eyes of common men for centuries.

Leon stood in front of the massive door, letting the silence breathe for a long heartbeat. The serpents carved into the stone seemed to watch him, moonstone eyes glowing faintly as if sensing the presence of a king.

Finally, he tilted his head slightly toward the guards.

"Open the treasury."

The words struck the air like a blade being drawn.

Both guards exchanged a quick glance. A small, silent conversation passed between them—a flash of nerves, a bit of fear, and the weight of an ancient responsibility. Then they nodded in unison and rose carefully to their feet.

"Yes, sire," one whispered.

"Immediately," the other added, though his hands already trembled as they prepared.

Leon stepped back half a pace, giving them room.

The guards moved toward the door, spreading apart to stand on opposite ends of the carved serpents. Their hands rose slowly, palms open, facing the cold stone.

Mana sparked in thin lines across their palms—electric-blue at first, then settling into a deep, ancient gold. It glowed like something older than language.

Leon watched, caught somewhere between curiosity and awe. The air thickened around him, humming softly as the runes etched themselves across the guards’ skins. Old symbols. Forgotten by most. Not even taught in modern magic academies.

One guard spoke under his breath.

A chant like a whispering prayer.

The other mirrored him.

Then—

Their hands pressed against the gate.

Three points each.

First point: The serpent’s forehead.

A pulse of light burst outward, faint but precise.

Second point: The coiled body near the lotus.

The stone rippled, like water under moonlight.

Third point: The tip of the serpent’s tail where the carvings looped into an impossible spiral.

The treasury door responded instantly.

The serpents’ eyes flared open—bright silver, like someone had poured moonlight straight into the stone. A rumble shook the floor beneath them. Dust drifted down from the ceiling, shimmering in the enchanted lantern light.

Leon’s hair lifted from the air pressure, a small wave brushing against his forehead.

Both guards withdrew their hands at the same time, exhaling as if the act had pulled part of their strength away.

They bowed deeply.

"Sire," one said softly, "the gate is now open. Please... enter."

Leon stepped forward but paused. Something tugged at his mind—an itch of curiosity he never ignored.

"Tell me something first."

Both guards stiffened. They straightened slightly, exchanging another nervous look before nodding for him to continue.

Leon crossed his arms lightly. "You two are the only ones who know how to open this treasury door... correct?"

"Y-Yes, sire," the left guard said immediately.

"The knowledge was passed to us by the previous gatekeepers," the right added, his voice barely above a murmur.

Leon stared at them a moment.

Then he asked—not with accusation, but calm, almost casually curious:

"If you two know how to unlock the treasury... why have you never stolen anything from it? Or..."

His gaze sharpened just slightly.

"Did you?"

The reaction was instant.

Both guards went white as snow—eyes shaking with terror.

Without hesitation, without even trying to stay composed, they dropped straight to their knees with a heavy thud. Their heads hit the stone floor so fast Leon almost stepped back.

"SIRE!" they cried in unison.

"Please—we beg you—do not misunderstand!"

"Never! We have never even thought about betraying this kingdom!"

"We would sooner die than steal a single coin!"

Their voices shook, hands trembling against the floor. The fear wasn’t of Leon killing them. It was deeper—fear of being seen as disloyal by their king, by their land.

Leon’s chest tightened strangely. A sharp sting of emotion flickered through him—something dark, almost like anger at betrayal—but it shifted quickly, becoming frustration at himself for even entertaining the idea.

He exhaled slowly, grounding himself.

"It was just curiosity," he said, voice softer now.

Both guards lifted their heads slightly, hesitant.

Leon continued. "A simple question. I’m not accusing you of anything."

The guards exchanged a shaky breath, then nodded.

The older one cleared his throat. "Sire... while we were opening it, there was something we didn’t mention. There is another way to enter."

Leon raised a brow. "Another way?"

"Yes," the man said. "A key of sorts. Or rather... a ring."

The other guard nodded quickly. "The ring worn by the former King Gary. With that ring, you can open this door alone. The serpents respond to the royal blood in that ring."

Leon took that in.

A hidden failsafe.

Of course the first king would plan that far ahead.

He nodded. "I see."

Both guards hesitated before speaking again, and when they did, their voices were much gentler than before.

"Sire... you said you were simply curious. But allow us to say one thing," the left guard murmured.

"We are bound to this kingdom by a blood contract," the right continued. "If we ever attempted to steal anything from this treasury... we would die. Miserably. Body and soul."

The confession hung heavy between them.

Leon blinked, then rubbed his forehead lightly. "My apologies. I didn’t mean to question your loyalty."

"You were right to ask, sire," one guard said quickly. "Curiosity is natural."

The other forced a small, nervous smile. "And it is your right as our king."

Leon chuckled under his breath. "Very well."

He turned back to the door, the serpents glowing softly in the fading sunlight.

"I can enter now, yes?"

Both guards bowed deeply. "Yes, sire. We will stand watch here."

Leon nodded and stepped forward.

He placed one hand on the cool stone of the door. The carvings hummed beneath his palm, recognizing his presence, his mana—something ancient responding to something newly born in him.