NOVPUB
Chapter 339: Conversation with Grandfather Flamecrest
Aldrian sensed that his father was sitting at the same table as his grandfather, along with Xin Haotian and Arthur. He had already informed his father of his location in Larson City, but he had not expected him to come today—let alone bring Grand Duke Flamecrest.
They each maintained their own cover so that people would not recognize them. At this moment, four individuals with renowned titles were gathered inside the inn, a situation that could easily attract attention and cause an uproar.
"Dear, my father and Grand Duke Flamecrest are inside, and I think they’ve already met with Xin Haotian and Arthur," Aldrian sent a voice transmission to Sylphia.
Sylphia was stunned upon hearing this, and her heart suddenly became erratic. His father and grandfather were here?
"You don’t have to panic. My father already knows about our relationship and supports us. As for the Grand Duke, he doesn’t even know about me, let alone you. So relax and just act natural," he said with a smile as he walked toward the table.
As Aldrian approached the table, he could clearly see an invisible soundproof shield surrounding it, ensuring that their conversation could not be heard, even by those at the nearest tables.
Aldrey noticed Aldrian approaching and signaled to Grand Duke Flamecrest that he had arrived. The grand duke turned his head toward Aldrian and was momentarily stunned upon seeing his appearance—something that always happened when people saw him for the first time.
Aldrian gave the grand duke a small smile as he finally stepped inside the soundproof shield, which seemed to have been created by the grand duke himself.
"It’s truly surprising to meet Grand Duke Flamecrest and Young Master Aldrey here," Aldrian said.
"Pfft." A sudden sound came from Xin Haotian, but when Aldrey and Grand Duke Flamecrest looked at him, they saw only his usual calm expression. However, Aldrian knew that Xin Haotian had almost let out a chuckle.
Grand Duke Flamecrest stood up and extended his hand for a handshake.
"My apologies for coming here unannounced. I happened to have some spare time, and it would have been a waste not to take advantage of it to meet our benefactor," he said as Aldrian took his hand in a handshake.
After that, Aldrian and Sylphia sat in the vacant seats that Aldrian had taken from another table. As soon as they sat down, Aldrian suddenly received a voice transmission from Xin Haotian.
"How dare you call your father ’Young Master Aldrey’ and your grandfather by his title? You are truly an unfilial child. Bad Aldrian."
Aldrian’s eyes twitched slightly, but he ignored Xin Haotian and maintained his slight smile toward his father and Grand Duke Flamecrest.
As for the grand duke himself, he still couldn’t hide his amazement while looking at Aldrian. Like many who saw him for the first time, he found it hard to believe that Aldrian was so young, yet already a legend admired by many.
Aldrey kept his expression as natural as possible, but inwardly, he was quite nervous. His son—the one he had with Irene in their hidden relationship—was sitting right in front of his father.
"When Aldrey said he would meet you, I couldn’t help but come along. I wanted to see for myself the person whose achievements are heard across the continent and who always causes an uproar wherever he goes," Grand Duke Flamecrest said.
"The hearsay can sometimes be exaggerated, and all of my achievements just happen to be tied to matters involving the devils. I’m simply doing my part as a good cultivator to face them," Aldrian replied.
"Ahahaha, you are too humble. Every good cultivator must face the devils as their enemies, but only a few achieve what you have," the grand duke said and then glancing at Xin Haotian and Arthur.
"I also feel left behind, knowing that the Sword Saint and the leader of the Paladins were already acquainted with you. It’s truly unexpected," he added, turning his gaze back to Aldrian.
"Anyway, another reason I came here is that I wanted to personally thank you for your help in our family’s recent case. Although I don’t know why you chose to assist us, our family has greatly benefited from your achievements at Boraz Fortress and the information you provided. Thanks to you, we were able to cripple the devils’ operations within this empire and raise our position."
"That is good to hear, Your Excellency. I’m glad it helped the Flamecrest family as a whole," Aldrian answered.
"Young Master Aldrian, I’m really—" 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"Pfft." Once again, a sound came from Xin Haotian, but when they looked at his face, they could only see his serene expression. Seeing that Xin Haotian remained silent and did not express anything, the grand duke continued.
"Young Master Aldrian, I’m really curious. Why are you helping us? I truly appreciate your assistance, but why did you do all of that, even bringing our name into the fall of Boraz Fortress? Why did you choose us? If my question is offensive, I offer my apologies, but don’t you think I need to know your reasons for helping us?"
Aldrian nodded. He understood the grand duke’s concern, but before he could reply, another voice transmission from Xin Haotian came.
"’Young Master Aldrian’, why must your grandfather use honorifics when addressing his grandson? Do the younger generations these days not know how to show respect for—" Before Xin Haotian could finish his words, he suddenly disappeared from his seat.
The grand duke, Aldrey, and Arthur were stunned by the sudden disappearance of Xin Haotian. However, seeing that Aldrian seemed unfazed, they chose not to ask about it.
"My reason for choosing the Flamecrest family is actually not very complex. It’s because I have some connection with a member of the Flamecrest family. Even though many don’t know it, I have a very deep connection with your family," Aldrian said.
The grand duke was stunned, but then he narrowed his eyes and looked at Aldrey suspiciously. Aldrey, meanwhile, sweated inwardly, glancing nervously at Aldrian.
"Son, what are you doing?!" Aldrey thought to himself.
Of course, with Aldrian saying something like that, the first person Grand Duke Flamecrest would suspect was his own son, Aldrey. He was the only person who had communicated with the mysterious swordsman from their family and acted as a bridge between them.
Aldrian just smiled, watching his father’s predicament, but he only left a clue for his grandfather. This was for the future so that his grandfather wouldn’t be too shocked when the truth eventually came out.
"Is that so? Then is my son the member you have a close relationship with?" Grand Duke Flamecrest asked.
"He is one of them, but I have to say that he is the closest one to me."
"Son?!" Aldrey shouted inside his mind as he tried to give Aldrian a sign with his expression not to go too far in giving his father clues. Still, Aldrian ignored Aldrey and continued to smile innocently.
Sylphia, who was watching Aldrian and his father, could only giggle inwardly at Aldrian’s wordplay. She could only imagine how Grand Duke Flamecrest would react when the truth about Aldrian eventually came out.
"I see. It looks like my son here is really hiding something from me," the grand duke said.
"It looks like I need to talk to Aldrey after all of this," he thought to himself.
"Anyway, Your Excellency, after all of this, the position of the Flamecrest family will be stronger, and I dare say that even the Flamecrest family’s popularity will surpass that of the imperial family. Moreover, after the news about the Duclan family and the truth behind their fall spreads across the empire, the imperial family’s reputation will be affected," Aldrian said.
"Yes, and I’m actually quite worried that if we become too popular, we might attract unnecessary attention from others, including the imperial family. We attacked the Larson family without informing the imperial family first, so we’ve already offended them. They might bring it up in the future to suppress our family. As the saying goes, the taller the tree, the stronger the wind blows."
"Well, I have no doubt it will attract attention, Your Excellency, but as for the imperial family, I can assure you that they won’t make things difficult for you or the Flamecrest family," Aldrian said.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I just met His Majesty and talked to him about it. They understand the Flamecrest family’s movements and won’t cause trouble for you in the future. In fact, the imperial family will reward you, Your Excellency, for the quick actions of the Flamecrest family," Aldrian said with a smile.
Aldrey and Grand Duke Flamecrest slightly widened their eyes. He met with the emperor? This was truly unexpected. If that’s the case, it’s safe to say that the imperial family knows Aldrian is the mysterious swordsman.
However, Grand Duke Flamecrest felt something strange about what Aldrian had said. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt that Aldrian’s words held a deeper, more subtle meaning.
"I see. That’s good to hear," he said.
They then fell silent for a moment before Aldrian broke the silence.
"Your Excellency, now that you’ve come here and I’ve had the chance to meet you, I actually have a favor to ask of you personally."
Hearing that, Grand Duke Flamecrest’s eyes brightened. He was still confused about how to repay Aldrian’s kindness, but if Aldrian wanted a favor, he would, of course, do so.
"What is it, Young Master? I will gladly do anything as long as it’s within my ability."
"Oh, it’s nothing grand, Your Excellency. What I ask is that, in the future, if Young Master Aldrey does something that you consider wrong, please don’t get angry immediately. Give him a chance to explain himself and try not to jump to conclusions too quickly."
Grand Duke Flamecrest was stunned and felt truly confused. What kind of favor was this? Was Aldrey’s relationship with Aldrian really close enough for him to ask something like that? He narrowed his eyes and glanced at Aldrey again.
Aldrey, on the other hand, was already sweating and forcing a rigid smile.
"Why drag me into this?" he thought.
