Chapter 309: Reiji Narukami

Noah continued looking at the man for a moment before straightening his posture and giving him a respectful bow.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Narukami."

Reiji said nothing. He simply walked toward Noah.

Noah remained bowed for a few seconds before finally straightening.

Standing at around six feet one himself, Noah had grown slightly taller after his battle with the Monarch of Decay.

Yet despite his height, Reiji still seemed far more intimidating.

The Duke stood well over six feet tall, and when he stopped in front of Noah, his imposing figure made Noah feel as though he were being looked down upon.

Then, unexpectedly, a smile appeared on Reiji’s face.

"Come here, young man."

Before Noah could react, Reiji raised his hand and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder just like Julian did.

THUD!

"Argh!"

Noah’s knees nearly buckled from the sheer force.

’What the hell?!’

He quickly steadied himself. He absolutely refused to show weakness in front of Akari’s father.

Reiji burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Young man, Noah! I’ve heard quite a lot about you from my daughter."

His violet eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked Noah up and down.

"But seeing you in person is something else entirely. You’re already at the high stage of the Condensed Core at your age."

He shook his head in disbelief.

"Remarkable. Truly remarkable."

Noah gave a modest smile and nodded.

"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Narukami. But I believe I’m still far from being good enough."

Reiji’s eyes widened for a moment.

"HAHAHAHA!"

His laughter filled the room. "I like that!" He gave Noah another heavy pat on the shoulder.

Noah’s body stiffened.

"Someone who refuses to be satisfied with his progress despite already accomplishing so much."

Reiji grinned.

"Good! Very good!"

His gaze shifted toward Julian.

"Your son is an impressive young man. He isn’t the same Noah everyone used to know."

Julian smiled faintly. "Yes. It’s true. My son has changed considerably."

His expression softened as he looked at Noah. "And as his father, I’m happy and proud to see it."

Reiji nodded. "Indeed."

He leaned back slightly, his expression becoming more solemn. "Well, let’s forget about all those old matters."

His eyes moved toward Akari. "My daughter has returned."

There was a faint tremble in his voice as he spoke those words. "Knowing that she is alive..."

He paused. "That alone is the greatest gift and happiness I have received in the past twelve years."

Akari lowered her eyes slightly. A faint smile appeared on her lips. Noah noticed the slight redness around her eyes.

’She cried...’ He didn’t need to ask. ’It must have been after meeting her father.’

Seeing Akari like that made Noah smile quietly. Reiji clapped his hands together.

"Now, why is everyone still standing? Come, sit down."

Everyone moved toward the sofas.

The room had been specifically designed for gatherings, family meetings, and entertaining important guests. It was spacious enough for everyone to sit comfortably without feeling crowded.

Julian, Catelyn, and Nathan sat together on one sofa. Noah sat beside Akari. He glanced at her again. Her eyes were still slightly red, but there was unmistakable happiness in them.

It was the expression of someone who had finally found something precious that she thought she had lost forever.

Before anyone could say much else, Reiji suddenly spoke. "We should have a celebration tonight."

Everyone looked toward him. "Not only have my daughter and Noah returned safely, but those mysterious monsters have also been eliminated, and those troublesome portals finally disappeared."

"Cough! Cough!"

Lionel cleared his throat awkwardly.

"This is my house, father."

Silence. Reiji slowly turned his head toward him. His blue eyes narrowed.

"Lionel."

Lionel’s expression immediately became stiff. "Don’t call me father or father-in-law."

Reiji’s tone was calm, but there was unmistakable authority behind it. "We already discussed this yesterday. My daughter will be returning with me."

His gaze shifted toward Akari. "And she is no longer your wife."

Lionel remained silent. Reiji’s eyes then moved toward Sofia. The woman flinched slightly under his cold gaze.

"You have already married someone else."

His voice remained firm. "So I hope you don’t intend to continue calling my daughter your wife."

Lionel remained quiet for several seconds. Eventually, he sighed. "Yes. You’re right. We already discussed this yesterday over the phone."

He lowered his gaze slightly. "Sorry, Lord Reiji."

Reiji simply nodded and looked away.

Meanwhile, Ophelia sat quietly on the sofa. Unlike everyone else, she seemed unusually nervous.

Her mother had finally returned. After twelve years, she had finally been reunited with Akari, who everyone thought was dead.

But now a question kept weighing heavily on her mind.

’What happens now?’

There was time when she had such deep hatred for demons. There were few demons who ran away that day, and she wanted to find them and kill them. She wanted power, she wanted to be duchess.

But her mother was back, now there was no reason for revenge.

Would her mother leave with her grandfather? Would she stay here? And if Akari returned to the Eastern Duchy.

’What about me?’

Would her father allow her to go with her? Ophelia nervously glanced toward Akari.

She wanted to ask. But she was afraid of the answer. She had only just gotten her mother back. She didn’t want to lose her again.

And then there’s Noah, he seemed to be very close with her mother and same goes for her. Unknown discomfort started to form inside Ophelia.

Meanwhile, Noah’s attention was focused on something entirely different.

’Did Akari tell everyone what happened in that place?’

He hadn’t asked her what she had told Lionel or Duke Reiji.

Yet neither of them had mentioned anything about the mysterious realm, the ancient dragon trapping, or the Monarch of Decay.

Even his own parents hadn’t brought it up.

’That means she either handled the matter herself...’

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’Or they’re deliberately avoiding the topic.’

There were several possibilities. Perhaps Akari had already explained everything privately to her father and Lionel.

Or perhaps they simply didn’t want to discuss something so dangerous in front of the younger generation.

After all, whatever had happened inside that realm involved beings far beyond anything ordinary people could comprehend.

Noah leaned back slightly.

’Whatever the reason is... I doubt this is something they want to talk about openly when they are with family. I will ask Akari later.’

For now, he decided not to ask. If Akari wanted him to know what she had told them, she would tell him herself.

And judging from the expressions of the adults in the room.