9 Aftermath

Due to the earlier commotion, the party was forced to end prematurely.

It has been an hour since then, almost all of the guests have left the Carter's mansion while the servants were still in the middle of cleaning up the garden.

Meanwhile, both Helena and Sophia joined their parents in accompanying the most important and the last guest who hasn't leave yet, but was about to — Alfred Haytham, the President of Delios Martial Academy.

He was basically an old man with medium-length white hair, a face full of wrinkles but aged-well, a tall height with a straight posture and who wore an official academy's uniform, made specifically to attend parties and intended for upper-echelon only.

On the surface, Alfred was more like a kind and gentle ordinary grandpa, but no one who knew his identity would underestimate him, for he was also one of the only three Titanium-class rankers that the kingdom has, and the strongest amongst them.

A peak stage Titanium-class ranker who had an uncountable number of experiences and glory decorating his long life.

Aside from helming the Delios Martial Academy, Alfred also served as the Kingdom of Merlin's Royal Protector. A position reserved only for either a Titanium-class or Diamond-class ranker who was loyal to the Royal Family.

A Royal Protector acts as a shield and a sword for the kingdom. However, he or she cannot be deployed easily, they would only be unleashed when the kingdom faces a dire situation. Not only that, but they would also sometimes be utilized as a deterrence as well.

However, ever since the beginning of the martial era, Merlin has never produced even a single Diamond-class ranker. Therefore, the only one who's worthy enough to hold the position of Royal Protector was Alfred, the kingdom's most powerful expert.

Every nation in Gaia had a similar position within each of their hierarchy, but they might use different names for it though.

As the head to one of the most prestigious martial institutes in Gaia and Royal Protector of Merlin Kingdom, it wasn't actually necessary for Alfred to attend the party of an ordinary student.

But this time was different as he believed that he must attend the birthday party of Sophia Carter, a remarkable prodigy who had the cultivation of Gold-class at the age 17 and the possessor of a 73% linked meridian.

That's the reason why he was here, inside the Carter's mansion. He came as the academy's representative, for the sake of improving the relationship between Delios and Sophia Carter herself.

Even though Sophia had been accepted as a student in Delios, there was still the need to gain her goodwill by pampering her as much as possible.

This was the genius who had the highest potential of reaching Star-class in the future!

Alfred was hell-bend in trying to make Sophia studying at Delios in content, he wanted to prevent her from even thinking of leaving the academy. As such, he personally attended the party to show his sincerity to Sophia and most of all, her family.

"Thank you for the wonderful reception tonight, Mr. Alex and Madam Diana." Alfred said while brightly smiling to the Carter's husband and wife pair.

"No… No… No, Sir Alfred. It is our greatest honor for having you here." Alex said while flustering as he was not used to being complimented by Alfred.

Although his family was a part of Seastar's upper-society, it still rare for Alex to interact with someone with Alfred's caliber.

His wife, Diana, rolled her eyes. Her husband was a bit clumsy when it comes to this kind of moment.

Alfred then turned his attention at Sophia, who was standing side by side with her older sister behind their parents. His eyes were glimmered with splendor as he staring at her.

He already regarded her as the most precious jewel of his academy. The one who would bring massive prestige and glory for Delios.

"Student Sophia, the new academic year will start in one week, I hope you won't be late on the first day." Alfred teasingly said.

"I definitely won't, President. I really can't wait to begin my school days. And also, I would like to thank you for attending my party personally." Sophia respectfully bowed and gave her gratitude.

"Your welcome, Young Miss." Alfred kindly replied.

Then, he glanced at Helena and Ramon, who stood not far from her.

Honestly, Alfred didn't know how to behave in front of them. Both of these two people were among the few individuals he cannot see-through at all in his entire life.

Earlier, he and Sophia's parents have just entered the garden to join the party, it was then they witnessed that cold man named Ramon beating down Alan Oxford, who was a powerful peak stage Platinum-class ranker, effortlessly.

Shocking all three of them to the core.

Based on that, while Alfred couldn't sense the cold man's cultivation, he can felt that the cold man had the same strength as him.

Then, there was still Helena, the Carter's eldest daughter, who was even more mysterious.

Even a strong expert like the cold man was extremely respectful and acting as a bodyguard to her. Furthermore, Alfred couldn't see her cultivation as well.

On the surface, Helena seemed like an ordinary woman without cultivation, but at the same time, she exudes a powerful albeit subtle aura that cannot be ignored at all. Not to mention, her appearance was truly… heavenly to say at least.

Even an old man like him, famously known throughout Gaia as a sage who never marry or have companionship with women before, was slightly attracted to her.

In this day of age, a powerful man like Alfred who can maintain aloofness in front of beauty was incredibly rare. Almost every strong male rankers nowadays may have one or two lovers, some even had harem filled with hundreds of women.

Thus, one can judge how steadfast Alfred was as he never had a single lover for a long time. But even he could barely resist Helena's ethereal charm.

This was really baffling for Alfred!

What sort of background did she possess?

On one hand, Alfred really wants to inquire about their actual identities directly, but on the other, his intuition told him that he would attract a huge problem to himself if he does that.

Since he decided to believe his intuition which had saved him multiple times in many life and death situations before. Hence, Alfred can only bury his curiosity deep in his heart.

'It looks like Oxford will have a hard time, soon.' Alfred sighed inwardly as he lamented the Oxford's fate.

That clan has been really unbridled for long, but it appears they have offended someone they shouldn't this time around.

Afterward, Alfred nodded with a light smile to both Helena and the cold man. The two, in turn, also nods back to him.

"I'll take my leave, everyone. Once again, thank you for the wonderful night." Said Alfred before turning his body and head straight toward his car, which was waiting in front of the mansion's main entrance.

After watching Alfred left, Alex sighed in relief, "Huuh… As expected from the Royal Protector, I can hardly breathe in front of him. But surprisingly, he's very warm toward us."

"It might be because of Sophia. But I've heard Sir Alfred is a man with good attitudes, even though he is a Titanium-class expert." Diana replied to her husband.

Alex shrugged in response, then he glanced at Helena, "By the way, about the Oxford… Helena, are you sure you can handle them? That clan is really influential in this kingdom, you know. Although I'm only at early Platinum-class, I still can provide a bit of help. Humph! They may be strong, but there's no way I'll let them go after they insulted my daughters."

Diana patted her husband's shoulders and spoke to him gently, "It's fine, let Helena handle the matter. I'm sure she can… Besides, you need to calm your heart, dear. Your breakthrough is about to come, right?"

She had but utmost trust to her daughters. If Helena says she could handle the Oxford, then Diana believes she will be able to.

"That's right, Father. Just leave the Oxford to me. All you have to do now is preparing for your breakthrough." Said Helena, trying to assure her father.

"It's only a breakthrough to intermediate stage Platinum-class, what's so hard about it?"

"You can't be complacent like that, dear. Every breakthrough even a small one must be treated with caution." Diana rebuked while glaring at Alex.

"Alright… Alright… I'll be serious, okay?" Alex sighed again as he complied with his wife's suggestion.

"Ah yes! You said before that you have something to discuss with us, right? We can do that now since the guests have left and we're not busy anymore." Diana said to Helena.

Helena nodded, "Yes, I'd like to discuss something very important to our family. But before that, I need to talk with my subordinate first."

Hearing the word "subordinate", Alex, Diana, and Sophia couldn't help but stare at the expressionless Ramon.

This was the man who can trash a peak stage Platinum-class ranker with a single move!

They were really curious about him and they wanted to know how can Helena had such a powerful subordinate serving under her.

All three of them were asking the same thing in their minds, 'Are the managers of Regalia Jewelry really that great?'

"Since it's like that, then we'll wait for you in the recreation room upstairs. But, don't make us wait too long, okay?" Diana said.

"Yes, Mother."

"Let's go… I haven't tasted the birthday cake yet." Said Alex with great gusto.

"Heh… There's no more cake, Dad. It's already completely eaten, hahaha." Sophia laughed.

Diana shook her head and smiled at Alex and Sophia's antics.

Not long, Diana brought the two into the mansion, leaving behind both Helena and Ramon in the entrance.

Ramon quickly cast a protective spell that enclosed the area around both of them, preventing any sound to escape.

"Master, we received a new development from Arguna. It seems the situation there has escalated." Ramon reported to Helena with a serious expression.

"Our security contract?"

"Still in effect. In fact, the republic's authority had requested our forces' immediate presence."

"They want to start the operation much earlier, huh? Then, how much time do we have? Is it enough for me to have a talk with my family first?"

"It's enough… We have a couple hours at least. The operation will begin at precisely 0600 in the morning."

Helena checked the exquisite crystal wristwatch from a famous luxurious brand on her left wrist and nodded slowly.

There was another reason why she's coming home today aside from attending her sister's birthday party and making a breakthrough to Star-class.

One of the subsidiary under her Amethyst Group, a private security company with the name of Violet Global Security, has signed a contract with Republic of Arguna, one of the many nations in Gaia, to provide support during their upcoming military operation against an alleged incursion of the powers from foreign worlds.

The incursion was led by several Diamond-class powerhouses according to the latest intelligence. That's why the presence of Helena or most importantly, Amethyst Queen, was of utmost importance.

Besides, there was a shadow of a Star-class ranker hiding behind the enemy. Therefore, Helena was required to oversee the operation personally, at least overseeing her own people since the operation's overall command was in the hands of Arguna's military

"You already prepare everything?" Helena asked again.

"Yes, Master. Our people are ready and they're waiting inside our hidden base in this kingdom."

"Good. We'll depart after my family's discussion."

"Master." Said Ramon hesitantly.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Are you sure you want to reveal the truth about you to your family?"

"Absolutely. I need to tell them at some point, right? The sooner the better it is." Helena replied with confidence, "Besides, six months later, I will be gone to the 2nd layer and will not be returning home for a long time. I need to tell them everything before I left."

With Helena's advancement to Star-class, she has gained the qualification to use the portal that leads to Heavenly Tower's 2nd layer.

The portal was located within the 1st layer. However, no one from Gaia has managed to use it except for one person, who was currently known as Gaia's only Star-class ranker.

Helena never gives up her dream of ascending to the legendary Divine Realm.

She has learned a rumor that within the highest layer of Heavenly Tower, the 10th layer, lies an entrance to the Divine Realm.

Even though it was just a rumor, Helena completely believed it.

She truly believed that the entrance's existence was real.

Hence, she was very adamant to keep raising her strength in order to climb the layers until she reaches the 10th layer, even to the point of obsession.

After she left for the 2nd layer, she will be extremely busy with her efforts, thus would unable to return home frequently. As such, she felt that she needs to reveal everything regarding herself to the rest of her family.

And to be honest, hiding secrets for a long time, particularly from one's family, wasn't wise at all.

"Very well, Master."

Since his master had decided on something, Ramon could not do anything other than to accept it.

"Oh! I nearly forgot… What about the Oxford? Where did you toss those two lechers?"

Ramon lets out a cold smirk, "I already send a few brothers and sisters to bring those two back to their clan, Master."

"What you're going to do with that clan, by the way?" Helena asked with lazy expression.

"An utter and complete elimination might be a fitting end for them…" A sharp glint flashed across Ramon's eyes.

"Well, do as you like. I don't care." Helena said in an unenthusiastic tone as she turned her body around and gracefully walks into the mansion.