Chapter 302: Meeting Family

With Francesca’s departure and no prying eyes on the horizon, Michael summoned Devil once more. Naturally, he had kept him in his soul during the meeting with the Emperor’s messenger.

“The audacity of this bitch!” Devil bellowed.

“I tell you people like her are the worst. They learn a few fancy words just to irritate everyone else!”

Richard nodded eagerly. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

At the same time Ava glanced at Michael.

“Are we actually serious about winning this? From what Francesca said, just participating and winning once would be enough to get them off our backs.”

Michael stroked his chin thoughtfully. While there was merit in testing their skills against other cultivators in a controlled environment, it also posed the risk of giving potential enemies a chance to study their moveset.

His lips parted, about to speak… Only to halt as a notice appeared before his eyes.

[Quest: Earning Glory]

[Difficulty: Insane]

[Task: Prove that the Indomitable Alliance, and by extension you as its creator, are undefeatable. Win the tournament.]

[Reward: Upgrade Kit (Epic → Legendary), 4,000 Skill Points]

Michael’s eyes narrowed. It had been a while since he’d received a quest that he could actively work toward completing. The difficulty was insanely high. Beating every faction was no small feat, but the rewards made it clear that this challenge was worth the hassle.

4,000 Skill Points which he could freely use, was a vast sum. It would allow him to raise one of his attributes to levels that surpassed even Lords… And the Upgrade Kit was even more invaluable. Despite Devil having reached the Mythic rank, his trusty shotgun Heaven’s Judgment remained stuck at the Epic rank, slowly becoming more and more obsolete.

However, if Michael could upgrade it to the Legendary rank, who knew how many more versatile options would open up to him?

A wide grin spread across Michael’s face as he surveyed the crew one by one.

“Of course we’re winning the whole thing.”

The crew visibly became excited. The mere thought of challenging the strongest factions fueled their determination and inspired them to give their absolute best.

Without hesitation, they rushed to the training grounds, eager to prepare themselves.

When Francesca had told them to prepare, she meant for them to rest. But there was no way they could quiet their racing hearts.

Meanwhile, Michael turned his gaze to the communication device on his wrist and quickly sent a message to his sister and mother.

Honestly, too much time had passed since he’d last seen them. With him and the crew set to be busy in the coming days, he figured now was the best time to bring them over to visit the base.

Without waiting for a response, he set off to escort them. There was no way he could let them roam the blessed lands, surrounded by dangerous cultivators, without keeping a close eye on them at all times.

Making haste towards their cafe, he spared no effort to arrive as fast as possible.

Two hours later, Michael’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise as he stood in front of their family business.

The interior was bustling with customers, and even the outside tables were packed! It was the result of both his faction’s growing popularity and the hard work of the reporter duo.

“Hey, is that…?”

“Gods! It’s him!”

“You mean… the one?!”

In the blink of an eye, the lively atmosphere of the café came to an abrupt halt, replaced by pin-drop silence.

After all, Michael was visiting his family’s café! One of the main reasons so many customers came back regularly was the chance to meet him in person.

Who knew today would be their day?

“Quick! Go ask him for his number!”

“Ehh?! B—But I didn’t bother putting any makeup on…”

“Forget about it! Just cling to his arm or something, men love that!”

“N—No! Why don’t you do it yourself?!”

Ignoring the whispers around him, Michael’s gaze landed on his mother, Isabella, who stood behind the counter. Despite her mature nature, her beauty hadn’t faltered in the slightest. She had aged like fine wine.

“M—Michael?!” Her eyes widened in shock, and a moment later, her face lit up with a smile.

“Were you the one who texted me? S—Sorry, I’ve been so busy I didn’t realize you were back.”

A faint smile tugged at Michael’s lips as he scanned the café, noting the customers visibly starstruck by his presence.

“Never mind that. Can Scarlett afford to take a day or two off school? I was thinking of showing you around the mansion I bought… Before we clash with the other factions to prove our worth.”

Isabella froze, her eyes widening.

Michael cleared his throat, realizing he might have been a bit too direct.

“A—Anyway, I was thinking about showing you the place. The café can afford to be closed for a few days, right?”

Isabella blinked slowly, her mind short-circuited due to the news.

After a few seconds she blurted out.

“C—Certainly!”

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Golden Vanguard.

Victoria stood in a vast chamber, her eyes sharpened with the intensity of a dragon as she faced the golden throne upon which King Arthur sat.

They weren’t alone. The sister Lords, Elina and Eliza, had been in the middle of their report when Victoria had barged in, interrupting their meeting.

The King’s voice was calm.

“It’s very rare for my granddaughter to visit me. I reckon this has something to do with the Emperor’s spontaneous decision to hold a tournament, pitting the human forces against each other, calling them Faction Wars?”

The King’s eyes gleamed with authority.

“Am I to assume this is the reason for your visit?”

Victoria nodded. “Yes, it’s high time I sever my ties with the Golden Vanguard and join the Indomitable Alliance.”

Elina and Eliza exchanged quick glances as a silence spread.

Wordlessly the King tapped on the armrest of his throne, his gaze locked on Victoria.

“So let me get this straight…” He leaned forward.

“You plan to leave us. The strongest human faction all because… of a single man?”

Victoria remained unfazed.

“Yes.”

“…”

They both gazed at each other. After a few seconds, Arthur exhaled slowly.

“Do as you wish… However, keep in mind, when my troops meet you on the battlefield, they will not show you mercy.”

Victoria nodded in appreciation.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As she turned to leave, she paused at the exit, her voice softening.

“Thank you… For everything.”

With her parting words, Victoria left the Golden Vanguard for good.

Eliza, the stronger of the two sister Lords, cleared her throat.

“My King, do you not wish to stop her? I know that we have an affiliation with the Indomitable Alliance, but isn’t it too far to let them have a member of your bloodline?”

Arthur shook his head. “I don’t mind. She is a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions.”

A faint smile tugged his face as his eyes lingered on the gates from which his granddaughter had left.

“To remain so calm when facing my gaze… She’s grown.”

She had not only followed her heart and sense of judgment but had also chosen to forgo potential power in the process.

At that moment, King Arthur made his decision.

Victoria was the most worthy of all his heirs.

When the time came… She would be the one to inherit the Golden Vanguard.

For that, he was certain.

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