Chapter 79: Offering

While Neolan entered the S-rank Sealed Rift, something else was taking place inside the Ashburn Estate.

...

Asburn Estate

Inside the Patriarch’s room, Ranson Ashburn remained seated at his usual position, going through the information displayed on the wide holographic screen in front of him. Nathan stood beside his desk with his eyes closed, seemingly waiting for the Patriarch to finish his work.

Neither of them spoke, and the room remained quiet as Ranson continued reviewing the information. After several minutes, Ranson finally closed all the holographic screens and turned toward Nathan.

"Is what you said true? If so, this is a troublesome matter. I thought the Empire was working from the shadows, but to think they would blatantly reveal that they are the ones targeting my son..." Nathan nodded as he opened his eyes, his expression remaining composed, "Yes, Patriarch. The situation is quite...interesting, don’t you think?"

Ranson nodded before narrowing his eyes, his voice becoming colder as he considered the situation. "It certainly is, but why is the Empire doing this? They are breaking the treaty without hesitation by acting this way. From what I have seen of the current Emperor, he doesn’t seem like someone who would go through all this trouble."

Nathan nodded once more but remained silent, allowing Ranson to continue thinking about the matter.

Ranson tapped his floating desk several times, seemingly arranging his thoughts before a smile gradually appeared on his face. "If they are willing to go to such lengths, then it means they intend to continue pursuing Neolan until they manage to kill him."

Nathan nodded again, though his expression had become more serious as he listened to the Patriarch. However, Ranson’s next words made him raise his eyebrows slightly, "So what if we let them ’kill’ him?"

Nathan frowned for a moment, unsure of what Ranson intended by those words. However, when he noticed the grin spreading across the Patriarch’s face, he quickly understood what the man had in mind. ’It seems the Patriarch really wants to go toe-to-toe with the Emperor and quench his thirst for battle after all this time.’

Nathan’s expression immediately relaxed as he smiled. "You want to make the Emperor admit that he is the one who ’killed’ Neolan and then challenge him to a death match under the pretext of avenging your son, isn’t that the plan, My Lord?"

Ranson’s grin widened even further as he heard Nathan’s explanation, and his deep voice echoed throughout the room. "You understand me the best, Nathan. Not even my wife would have been able to grasp it that quickly."

Nathan immediately chuckled at his words before replying, "Haha, you give me too much credit, My Lord. I have been attending to you since before your marriage, so it isn’t that difficult for me to understand your plans by now."

Ranson nodded before chuckling to himself, seemingly agreeing with Nathan’s explanation, "Well, that’s true. Anyway, where is Neolan currently? We should move our pieces early. The Empire’s main target is the Federation, and before they can carry out whatever they have planned, I want to bring down the Emperor himself."

Nathan closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment, seemingly checking the information available to him before responding to the Patriarch’s question.

"The Young Master currently seems to be in a difficult situation. Difficult enough to put him on the brink of death." Nathan paused briefly before opening his eyes and looking directly at Ranson, who had narrowed his own eyes upon hearing the report.

"However, I am certain he will come out alive, and several times stronger than before." Ranson’s expression immediately softened into a smile upon hearing Nathan’s confidence in his son.

"That’s my son. Even though he is different from both Evelyne and me, his eyes reflect greater ambitions than those of anyone I have ever met." Ranson paused before closing his eyes and releasing a quiet sigh.

"But he seems to be chasing something that leaves him with too little time for himself. He hasn’t arrived at a certain realization yet." His expression remained thoughtful as he considered Neolan’s current path, though he did not elaborate further.

Nathan nodded once again and returned to his earlier position, remaining silent as he understood what the Patriarch meant. He had served Ranson for many years, so he was familiar with the way the man viewed his son and the path he had chosen.

After a brief silence, Ranson opened his eyes and spoke again. "Follow me, Nathan. We have to train for the upcoming battle." A smile appeared on Nathan’s face as he accepted the order and followed Ranson, who had already vanished from his seat.

...

On the other hand, Inside the Marsona Empire...

Alice could be seen sitting across from a woman renowned throughout the entire world. Another person was seated on the massive couch prepared for him, occupying a position that made it clear he was no ordinary guest.

It was none other than...the Emperor himself, who had chosen to remain in the private room alongside the two women. Emperor Lucien Marsona appeared to be a young man despite having lived for nearly a century, with long, flowing silver-white hair framing his pale, well-defined face.

His sky blue eyes carried a calm and indifferent expression, while his smooth, clean-shaven face had neither a beard nor a mustache. His youthful appearance made it difficult to associate him with the age and experience he had accumulated over the decades.

He wore an elaborate black-and-white imperial outfit adorned with golden embroidery and intricate ornaments, each detail adding to his distinguished appearance. His posture remained relaxed as he sat on the couch, yet there was something about his presence that seemed to affect the atmosphere around him without any deliberate display of authority.

When he looked toward the Pope, his expression remained unchanged, showing neither hostility nor particular interest.

His entire demeanor differed from that of the Noble Family Patriarchs in the Federation, whose authority and influence were often accompanied by more apparent displays of power. Lucien did not seem to need such gestures to establish his position, and his calm expression remained the same regardless of whom he faced.

Even while sitting quietly, he gave the impression of someone accustomed to having others consider his words carefully. Alice remained silent as she glanced between her father and the Pope seated across from her. The Pope wore the traditional garments of her position, along with a white blindfold that completely covered both of her eyes.

Despite being unable to see her eyes or read her gaze, Alice could still sense that the woman was paying close attention to the situation. After a long moment of silence, the Pope finally spoke, turning her covered face toward the Emperor.

"Emperor Lucien, how about I relay the message to Miss Alice alone?"

Her sweet, rhythmic voice caught Alice’s attention, but what surprised her more was the Emperor’s immediate response. Lucien nodded without the slightest hesitation, as though he had no intention of questioning the Pope’s request.

Alice frowned as she watched her father agree so readily, unable to understand why he would allow the woman to speak with her privately without even asking about the contents of the message. ’Father is approving the Pope’s request this easily? What has happened to him?’ Alice wondered, but before she could consider the matter any further, Lucien vanished from the room without saying another word.

His sudden departure left Alice alone with the Pope in the private chamber, making the silence between them feel noticeably different from before.

The Pope remained seated for a moment before turning her blindfolded face toward Alice. Her expression was impossible to read, but when she finally spoke, her sweet and rhythmic voice carried a request that Alice could never have anticipated.

"Alice Marsona, would you be willing to offer your sacred body to the God of Light? She will be eternally grateful to you."