The morning sunlight shone through the cracks in the curtains and illuminated the room.
Alex woke up and mumbled, ”It started today.”
At this thought, he got up from the bed, strolled to the window, and looked outside. The scenery outside appeared peaceful, but he knew a storm was coming as the initiator; who would he not know.
After his morning routine, Alex went into the big hall where the others were waiting. Maria, Gracier, Sakuya, and Noire disguised as him with their luggage already packed; Lilith and Alice stood together.
”Morning, everyone.”
The others greeted him back, and after one last meal he personally cooked, they left. During the meal, not much was said as they could feel their reluctance; they were afraid of failing to restrain their urges to stay if they spoke too much.
”Ah!”
Alex sighed and retreated to his room. In the middle of the bed was a clown mask. He smiled before putting on the mask and tried various poses.
He was waiting for the right time when he suddenly remembered something. He removed the mask before lying down. He would finish his training inside the tower in the Illusionnary Battlefield. This way, he could kill time faster. The outside world would be shocked because people would learn that they had come back.
Closing his eyes, Alex was sent into the tower; on the previous floor, he stopped.
Meanwhile, the outside world was in turmoil. Immediately after Maria’s group appeared, they were welcomed by the emperor, and people learned of their arrival. At the same time, it was said that they would be going on a mission to the Far East Empire; the emperor himself approved this mission. The Black Prince, together with his women and sister, had to depart immediately. As for Luna, the Saintess, would stay behind and train in seclusion.
Naturally, the Holy Crux empire learned all of this. They were skeptical at first, thinking it was a ploy; they even sent one of their members to ask the emperor to join Alex’s group; they thought the emperor or Alex would refuse, but to their surprise, the two except. This confused Lucius; he wondered what Alex and the emperor were playing at. Maybe they would change the plan midway? He would let that happen; with his man with them, he would let Alex sneak away midway through their travel. By accepting his proposal to accompany them, they made a mistake.
Lucius, who had not been happy the past hours because other emperors and empress kept calling him, finally revealed a smile. Tomorrow, everything will be finished.
Sitting on his throne, Julius, Artemia’s father, was chatting with his daughter.
”Sweet pie, everything is going according to the plan.’ Julius said, trying to stroke his daughter’s head, but she dodged nimbly and glared at her father.
”Father, I hate when you call me that.”
Julius shrugged his shoulders before asking, trying to divert the subject.
”Did you suggest anything to your fiance? Or he came up with these plans on his own?”
Artemia knew her father was trying to change the subject but still played along.
”No, I did not suggest anything; the others didn’t do it too. He thought of all these things on his own.” Artemia affirmed.
Julius was secretly shocked; he must not mess with this young man, or else he would even know how he suffered. Finally, he remembered that others said he was extremely rich in his past life, richer than his empire, no wonder. If the past Alex had been acting like a simpleton this time, he really did use his brain; he really demonstrated how scary he could be once he genuinely used his brain. It was scary how he made plans while considering the other party’s reaction, and most of the reactions he predicted came true.
”I’m finding the current Alex more and more handsome. I’m falling deeper for him. A real man should be like him, not only strong, but he must also use his brain. How expected of my man.” Artemia mumbled with a beautiful smile.
Julius, her father, rolled his eyes at her. He said with a pout.
”Aren’t I’m also awesome. I brought our empire to its current level. I make it greater, almost untouchable-”
Because she didn’t wish to hear more of her father’s ramblings, she cut him and said.
”I know, I know. You are a great father, the greatest.”
”You!” Julius didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. His sweet daughter had changed after getting a man; she would praise him anymore. How sad.
Just as he was immersed in his memories w, recalling how much Artemia would cling to him, the latter voice reached his ears.
”Daddy, I’m leaving. I will go rest and wait for the fun to begin.”
Julius nodded, pleased; it had been a long time since his daughter called like that.
”Go, I’ll stay here for a while before visiting your mother’s grave,” Julius said, his eyes looking downcast for a moment, but it quickly changed.
Artemia nodded while also thinking of visiting her mother’s grave in the evening. Just as she was about to leave, Julius’s voice reached her ears, stopping her.
”Won’t you go to help your friend?”
Artemia knew who his father was talking about. She knew it had been long since her father knew her real identity but never brought up the matter; the same goes for Lilith’s real identity. As for how she had left some clues, it was to test her father’s love for her as in her past life she didn’t know who her father and mother were, only a book telling her she was not from this world, the same goes for Lilith. It was why they loved their families.
If it were not for that, Lilith, after regaining her memories, would not have thought of revenge; she would only focus on completing her mission: go to the higher world to find her birth parents.
Artemia was pleased that her father still loved her after knowing her real identity. She vowed never to let anything happen to her family and this empire.
Without turning back, she answered her father’s question.
”Daddy, I wish I could, but it will implicate us, so no. I believe in her.”
Artemia’s answer had a double meaning, she couldn’t help because it would implicate the empire, and she was also telling her father she loves him, her family regardless of her identity.
Julius smiled. ”That’s good. I also believe in you that believe in her.”
The emperor could not be more pleased.
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