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Chapter 178: Before Departing to the Doria Empire
Eleine looked into Aldrian’s eyes, which were full of confidence, and she could tell that he was truly serious. Throughout his journey, she had never seen Aldrian fail at anything; he always ensured that his purpose was achieved, no matter what path he took. To be honest, she had a feeling that Aldrian’s appearance on the northern battlefield would bring chaos, and his high-profile actions would surely attract the attention of the imperial family. She feared that after this, it would be impossible to keep Aldrian’s existence hidden.
She really couldn’t decide, her mind was confused, but looking into his eyes, she felt like she could fully trust Aldrian in this matter. She gritted her teeth and said to him,
"Alright, young master, I will follow you, but please, I hope you can protect Lady Irene from whatever she may face in the future."
Aldrian smiled at her words.
"Of course, even without you saying that, I will protect Mother. I will ensure that, even if everyone on this continent knows of my existence, I will not let anyone endanger her or sully her honor. This is my oath as her son, as a man named Aldrian Aster."
Eleine just sighed, but she was stunned when Aldrian suddenly hugged her tightly. Her body, now much shorter than his, was enveloped by his warm frame. She could feel the hug full of affection and hear his voice beside her ear.
"Thank you for always being by my side, for watching me grow, and for always trusting me. Thank you."
Eleine remained silent, but her mouth shaped into a smile as she reciprocated his hug.
"Yes, he is 15 years old, but he already has a more mature mind and strength on par with the peak cultivators of the continent. He is no longer that boy who followed Lord Aldrey and Lady Irene."
No matter how many times she had seen Aldrian’s development or how many achievements he had attained, she still felt worried for him. She was still entrusted by her lady to protect Aldrian and help him with whatever he needed, but she felt she wasn’t doing a very good job. After they came out of the secret realm, it seemed like Aldrian had done everything on his own.
She felt guilty about it, but looking at Aldrian’s rapid development—how he had already gained the power to dominate others and established connections with some of the sovereigns of the continent—she felt proud. Now that he wanted to return to his mother to help her, she, as his guardian, would also follow his decision.
Aldrian then released his hug and looked at Eleine.
"Let’s go. We’ll depart now. I’ll tell the others first," he said. Eleine nodded, and they finally left her room. Aldrian then gathered his group in his room and explained his next destination.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you that there’s been a slight change of plans. We will be going to the Doria Empire to help them fend off the devils," he said to Sylphia, Baek Ji-Min, and Xin Haotian. Sylphia and Baek Ji-Min were surprised by the sudden change, especially since the destination he had chosen was the empire currently at war with the devils.
As for Xin Haotian, he had already predicted that this would happen when the devils attacked the Doria Empire. He thought that the time when Aldrian could help his family unravel the mystery of the Everlasting Silent Forest would have to be postponed again, but he understood how Aldrian felt. Now, he could only feel pity for the devils for offending this singularity.
"Rest in pieces," he thought to himself but it directed at the devils.
"Aldrian, may I know the reason? We know that all of your actions have a purpose, but why do you want to go to the Doria Empire—and to the battlefield, no less?" Sylphia asked.
Aldrian smiled as he looked at her and the others in the room. He then dispelled his disguise, revealing the appearance of the handsome young man with red hair to everyone present. Baek Ji-Min widened her eyes, finally seeing the true face of the man who had always made her feel differently and drawn her to him. As for the others, they had already seen his real face, so they were not surprised.
"Let me introduce myself once more. I am Aldrian Aster, the son of Aldrey Flamecrest and Irene Rivas," he said, placing one hand on his chest, much like an elegant noble introducing themselves.
"As I thought, he is their child!" Xin Haotian thought. He wasn’t surprised by his origin, as he had already guessed it with Duke Valiard and Mardred. However, that was not the case with Sylphia and Baek Ji-Min. Their shocked expressions couldn’t be more evident, as this news was something they hadn’t expected, the child of the successors of two conflicting families is something beyond their imagination.
"You what? Aldrian, can you tell me more? What do you mean you’re their child?" Sylphia asked.
Aldrian then told them his story, from his origin in one of the secret realms of the Everlasting Silent Forest to the point when he finally came out of that place and made his way to the Ivory Empire. Xin Haotian, Sylphia, and Baek Ji-Min, who had never known Aldrian’s entire story, finally understood the truth about his origin. Though they remained curious about his mysterious abilities, they couldn’t deny that the genes of the two genius cultivators of the continent had resulted in this powerful, handsome young man—one capable of making the entire continent tremble.
Sylphia, now understanding the truth behind why he always used his disguise, nodded in understanding, as this matter was also connected to the situation of his parents’ origin. She then looked at Eleine and asked her.
"Then I assume you are not his older sister, right?"
Eleine, feeling that there was no longer a need to hide the truth, placed her hands on her chest and slightly bowed her head.
"Yes, I’m sorry for lying to you, but I am actually one of Lady Irene’s retainers—the guardian of Young Master Aldrian. I hope you understand our situation," she said.
"Oh no, I’m not offended by it. On the contrary, I’m glad that we can come clean with each other. Now that I know Aldrian and your origins, I will surely keep it to myself, so you don’t have to worry," Sylphia said.
"Me too, I’ll keep this secret with me!" Baek Ji Min added.
Aldrian nodded, smiling, glad that they could support each other. However, Xin Haotian looked at him curiously before asking.
"You seem not surprised that my reaction is not what it’s supposed to be," Aldrian said.
"I already know that you knew my origin. This was to be expected, as my face can be seen after the tribulation. Also, Sir Madred already told his story earlier, so I know that you already knew my origin here."
"So, His Majesty King Douwin also knows about your origin now?" Xin Haotian asked.
"Yes, he already knows now," Aldrian replied. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
The others, beside Aldrian and Xin Haotian, were stunned to learn that there were other people who knew about Aldrian’s origin. They had never been told by Xin Haotian about this part after he came back from Dragon Back Mountain, so this was new to them.
Xin Haotian then finally told the ladies his side of the story, how he and the group that came back from Dragon Back Mountain learned about Aldrian’s origin. Sylphia and Baek Ji Min could only sigh, realizing that there were others who had known Aldrian’s secret much earlier than they had. But now, it didn’t matter anymore, as they had finally learned the truth in the end.
"Now, this journey will be more dangerous than before, so I ask you again: do you want to come with me?" Aldrian asked, his gaze shifting to each of their faces. He especially looked at Sylphia and Baek Ji Min. These two ladies were about to enter the war zone, and it would be dangerous for the princesses of such powerful factions. He would surely protect them, but he wanted to know their opinion.
"Why are you asking that now? Of course, I will follow you! Wherever you go, I will go. Moreover, this time, the devils are trying to wreak havoc on the peace of the continent. I want to participate in pushing them back to their hellhole," Sylphia said with a smile.
"Me too. Although I’ve never been to the battlefield, I will also participate in this, as it is connected to the peace of the demon territory. If the Doria Empire can’t hold off the devils, the chaos will spread to the demon territory," Baek Ji Min said.
"Do you want to hear my opinion?" Xin Haotian suddenly said, but Aldrian ignored him. Aldrian didn’t need to hear from Xin Haotian, and he didn’t care what he thought because he was pretty sure that Xin Haotian would follow him anywhere, and with his strength, he was needed to fend off the devils. Aldrian, sensing the ladies’ determination, could only sigh and smile at them.
"Alright, our next stop is the Rivas Grand Duchy. Let’s kill some devils," he said.
