Chapter 265: The Reasons
Sylphia felt her heart flutter. His voice, so full of assurance, made her smile. The gentle touch of his hand on her head drew her to close her eyes and savor the moment. Though a trace of shyness lingered, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she remained still, her head resting lightly on his shoulder, saying nothing.
Aldrian, too, was caught in the same quiet emotion. His gaze softened as he looked at Sylphia, a warm contentment spreading through him. In this moment, his heart felt at peace—so serene he could drift off to sleep. Neither moved, both simply enjoying each other’s presence as time seemed to stand still.
After a while, Aldrian finally noticed that Sylphia had fallen asleep. A faint smile lingered on her face even in her slumber, prompting Aldrian to smile warmly in return. It was a relief to see her resting peacefully after the nightmare she had endured.
He paused for a moment, deep in thought, before his face flushed slightly. Leaning forward, he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. If anyone had seen him at that moment, they would have been utterly shocked. This wasn’t the composed and controlled Aldrian they knew. The sight of his flushed face, so uncharacteristic of him, was something no one could have ever imagined.
After kissing Sylphia’s head, Aldrian carefully began to shift his body, trying to move away without disturbing her. He moved with utmost care, even wrapping her gently in his golden energy like a blanket. Every movement was measured, ensuring he didn’t jostle her or disrupt her peaceful sleep. His energy radiated warmth and comfort, cocooning her so she wouldn’t wake from his absence.
After finally managing to stand up from the bed, Aldrian looked at Sylphia one last time, a warm smile gracing his lips. Then, without a sound, he disappeared. Moments later, small points of light began to shimmer around the bed, each glowing softly in a different position. Aldrian had created a formation—a protective barrier designed to ensure Sylphia could sleep even more peacefully.
His body reappeared in his own room. Today had truly been a remarkable day for him. His purpose in the Doria Empire could be considered fulfilled, and he had gained much during his time here. From mastering new techniques and deepening his comprehension to forming valuable connections—and, most importantly, reuniting with his mother—it had been an eventful journey. Though his time in this place was brief, he had accomplished so much.
However, he had also become deeply aware of the vast extent of the devils’ influence within the empire. Their plans ran far deeper than anyone could have imagined, with their presence infiltrating every corner of the empire. They had eyes and ears embedded in all its organizations, and their operations were intricately interconnected.
For instance, the master of the Alchemist Association, Master Dan, had been working to sow discord between Hector and Alderia by pretending to support Alderia. His true goal was to entice Alderia into joining the succession race. Yet, in reality, Master Dan’s support was with Lewis, as they were aligned within the same faction.