A faint blush appeared on her face as she shyly returned the hug. Watching the scene unfold before him, Nova couldn’t help but let a broad smile spread across his face.

Edward walked over to Nova and firmly placed a hand on his shoulder before asking with a smile,

"So... when did all this happen, son?"

He then glanced at Rieka, who was quietly talking with Jenna.

"And the last time we talked, I thought there was something going on between you and Lady Asia... now this?" Edward muttered in amusement as he watched his wife excitedly shower Rieka with questions, while Rieka answered each one calmly, though with obvious nervousness.

"Oh, don’t misunderstand, Dad," Nova replied casually. "There’s nothing between me and Asia... well, at least not for now."

"...."

Edward looked at him speechlessly.

"I met Rieka on my first day in Frostholme when I came here for the Adventurers’ Guild. We’ve been together since then. I was planning to tell both of you about her, but it never felt like the right time.

So I thought I’d tell you today... only for you two to find out in the middle of the street instead."

Nova let out a helpless chuckle. Naturally, he left out the fact that Rieka had been with him inside the dungeon.

Edward quietly took in everything Nova had said. He didn’t dislike Rieka in the slightest, nor did he mind that his son had fallen in love with a Beastfolk.

On the contrary, after seeing her in person, he liked her far more than he had expected. She seemed kind-hearted and well-mannered, and above all, she possessed a beauty that could easily stand on par with Lady Asia’s.

"Oh, by the way... why are you here with Mom?" Nova asked as he turned toward Edward.

"Oh, right. I was about to tell you that earlier." Edward smiled. "Your mother and I talked about the Duke’s offer, and we’ve decided to accept it. He was right about one thing—you’ll have access to better training facilities, more resources, and we’ll also be able to live in a much bigger house here."

A hint of excitement appeared on Edward’s face as he continued.

"And I’ll be getting promoted to vice commander as well. I successfully broke past Level One Hundred and completed my first evolution."

Only then did Nova notice the change in his father’s aura. Since the battle, he had constantly been around people whose auras far surpassed Edward’s, so he hadn’t realized the difference until now.

A genuine smile spread across Nova’s face.

"Congratulations, Dad."

He truly felt happy for him.

With only D-Rank potential, reaching Level One Hundred wasn’t something that could be accomplished through talent alone. It required years of hard work, countless battles, and an enormous amount of experience.

However, Nova silently made a decision.

One day, he would find a way to raise both of his parents’ potential ranks. To do that, he needed to obtain Evolution Stones.

Until then...he already knew another method.

A method that would allow both his father and mother to gain an immense amount of experience and level up far faster than ordinary Awakened.

( A/N :You guys already know about it , i mentioned it few times in previous Chapters)

Nova then asked, "So... where are you two heading now?"

Before Edward could answer, Jenna spoke first.

"We’re on our way to meet Duke Frost. Your father told me that you received an invitation from him as well. Why don’t you come with us?"

Nova wasn’t surprised. It was only natural that his parents were going to the Duke’s estate. They needed to give him their answer regarding the transfer and complete the necessary formalities.

Just then, something clicked in Nova’s mind. The people from the capital should still be at the Duke’s estate...

He had been curious about them ever since hearing of their arrival. If they had been sent from the capital as reinforcements, then they were bound to be powerful. This would be a good opportunity to see just how strong the capital’s elites really were.

After thinking for a moment, Nova nodded.

"Sure. Rieka and I will come with you."

He looked toward Rieka, who quietly nodded in agreement. Wherever Nova went, she was willing to follow. Besides, she had no reason to dislike Duke Theodore.

After all, he was one of the very few humans who had helped protect her tribe in past and he was the only reason they were still safe and alive .

...

On the northern side of Frostholme stood the Duke’s estate, an enormous mansion built from pristine white stone that radiated elegance and authority.

Surrounded by vast gardens filled with colorful flowers, trimmed hedges, and towering ancient trees, the estate truly embodied the grandeur expected of a duke from one of the Human Empire’s prosperous kingdoms.

The estate was far livelier than usual. Rows of knights stood guard at the entrance, while others continuously patrolled the grounds. Servants hurried from one place to another, attending to their duties, and several knights could be seen discussing the aftermath of the recent beast tide.

With distinguished guests from the capital currently residing there, the entire mansion was operating at full pace.

Inside the estate at duke’s office, an important meeting was underway. Ragnar and Enzo sat opposite Duke Theodore, while Rodrick stood quietly beside the Duke with his usual composed expression.

Judging from the serious atmosphere in the room, the matter they were discussing was of great importance.

"Those Blood Moon cult fuckers have been far too active lately," Ragnar said with obvious annoyance.

"Especially the ones holding three-digit ranks. It’s as if they’re competing with each other to see who can create the biggest disaster."

Theodore’s expression turned solemn.

"Hmm... so there have been other incidents like this as well?"

"Yes," Enzo replied in a serious tone. "Similar incidents have been occurring throughout the kingdom. Although the methods differ every time, the outcome is always the same.

Entire villages and small cities have been wiped out overnight, and every corpse found at the scene has been completely drained, as if its life force had been sucked away."

The atmosphere in the room grew even heavier as Enzo continued.

"Our branches in other kingdoms and even on other continents have reported the same pattern. The same kinds of massacres are happening there as well. People are dying with their life force completely drained from their bodies."

He narrowed his eyes.

"It’s as if those bastards are preparing for something far bigger. They’re gathering an enormous amount of life force... and whatever they’re planning, it can’t be anything good."

"So... if it hadn’t been for the Slaughter Monarch," Theodore muttered under his breath, "Frostholme would’ve suffered the same fate as those other places."

He couldn’t help imagining the outcome had the mysterious man and his legion never appeared. No matter how hard he fought, there was no way he alone could have prevented such a catastrophe.

After a moment of silence, Theodore looked toward Enzo.

"Isn’t the Twilight Order supposed to prevent and suppress incidents like these? But after hearing everything you’ve said... it doesn’t seem like your organization is operating very effectively."

Enzo didn’t take offense. Instead, he gave a bitter smile.

"As much as I’d like to say we’re doing our best, it wouldn’t change the truth or hide our incompetence."

The room fell silent.

"But there is a reason we’ve been unable to operate as effectively as before and now many knows about it ," Enzo continued. " Nine months ago, we’ve received credible intelligence that two traitors exist among the Supreme Leaders of the Twilight Order."

Those words immediately changed the atmosphere.

"For the past these months, the Twilight Order has been in a state of internal unrest. While we’ve been dealing with that, the Blood Moon Cult has become increasingly bold.

At the same time, demons have begun emerging from the Abyss more openly than ever before, launching attacks against humans and the other races."

He exhaled slowly. "It feels as though all of these events are connected... and whatever is coming next will be far greater than anything we’ve faced so far."

As the discussion continued, two figures suddenly entered the room. One wore the silver armor of the Royal Guards, while the other was dressed in the uniform of the Twilight Order. They were both subordinates of Ragnar and Enzo, sent earlier to investigate the city.

The two men immediately dropped to one knee and respectfully greeted their commanders. Ragnar looked at them and asked in a calm but authoritative voice,

"What information have you brought?"

Thanks for reading...