Chapter 20: Vast World

Victor's Side

In the territory of Lopez, inside a wide mansion. There a man is sitting inside his office, alone, gazing at a letter.

It was no other but 'Victor' who is currently reading the letter about how their investigation of Valentina's assassination happened and who was the culprit. He was able to quickly acquire this information because of the Gemini stone even though Valentina and the others have yet to appear.

His face, however, was furrowing while contemplating.

‹'Vanessa...'›

Victor mumbled inside his mind. The name that he just recalled was no other but his wife.

Victor's eyes then flashed in sorrow, as to why her wife's face surfaced through his mind. Was because the one who ordered the assassination was no other but someone who deeply hated his deceased wife.

However, these thoughts of his soon crumbled when he saw what Alfonso did in the letter.

"It's quite surprising... But a boy like him tried to protect a commoner, huh?"

Victor meekly whispered. He has known Alfonso and has seen him after all. The boy he knew was not someone capable of caring about some commoner or maid. That boy would rather even use them.

Yes, Victor thought Alfonso is rotten. But he never thought of breaking their engagement because Valentina always showed him that she liked Alfonso. With this in thought, he didn't mind it. Since Alfonso deeply liked her, he thought that it'll be okay. However, after Alfonso mentioned that the two of them would only be hurt if they continue their engagement. Made him aware and conclude that his daughter lied to him to not burden him.

Well, he was busy lately that he never noticed this. Ever since the death of his wife, he tried to distract himself from overly working not knowing that he has neglected her along the way.

‹But why has she never mentioned this? Why did she have to torment herself and force herself to act that way...?› Victor questioned inside his head but soon shook his head and decided that he'll ask Valentina later about this.

At that moment, he heard a knock on his door abruptly disrupting his thought.

"Come in," Victor said and soon a butler appeared and informed him of his arrival.

"My Lord, young lady and young lord Alfonso has finally arrived."

With that, Victor slowly stood up from his seat to greet his daughter.

One thing that came up to his mind though, was he wanted to figure out why Alfonso defended a maid and risked his life even.

He wanted to test if he has truly changed just like what he saw in the letter.

.....

Alfonso's POV

It took over four days for us to travel across the territory of Jaszla before we could arrive at Lopez because of the slow travel. For your information, the territory of Jaszla was the place where we stayed in an inn when I was still unconscious.

With that in thought, I then went outside of my carriage with a graceful look as ever, and as soon as we stepped in front of Valentina's home. A wide figure of a man greeted us.

It was no other but Valentina's father ' Victor Lopez'

A middle-aged man with a youthful appearance. His hair was blonde with blue eyes, the same face as Valentina but was much older and had the face of a man. Seeing him in person made me more astonished than the hologram.

Despite his appearance, the intimidating presence he had made me shiver inwardly. The pressure he emitted was enough for me to determine that he's strong but compared to Antelmo—my father... Victor is weaker.

As soon as I put those thoughts aside, I quickly tried to check Victor's status.

I then stared at the word [Cannot Determine!] from the system.

‹I Guess my rank is too low to see his status... I can already tell that if I tried to check Antelmo, the result would be the same› I quietly pondered.

You see, there is a higher rank than the Legend rank. I have mentioned before that in the mortal realm there are 6 ranks.

-Low, -Average, -Above average, -Master, -Grand Master, and -Legend.

Well, that's only in the mortal realm, there are also called the Higher realm, and the Immortal realm. Each realm have like about 6 ranks too. Low, average, etc.

Victor may be in the domain of "Higher or Immortal," which would explain why I am unable to observe his current rank. The same goes for my father.

However, as I'm thinking of these, a female voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Father!" It was no other but Valentina who just sprinted toward her father and hugged him.

"Are you hurt anywhere? I heard what happened." Victor let out a concerned question as he crouched to match Valentina's height.

The two exchanged some words for a while and soon their gaze went toward me. At that moment, Victor stood up and slowly approached me.

When he was finally near enough, he halted his steps and spoke.

"Alfonso..." He then slightly bowed his head. "I sincerely thank you for doing all of that not only for my daughter but for her maid," Victor said before he straightened his body and looked at me.

Meanwhile, I who was standing only noticed how tall and huge he was and didn't mind what he did. 'I simply just wanted to be a better person that's why I did that...' I won't lie though that it made me feel good inside.

Even though I was feeling good inwardly, my sophisticated look didn't break and soon I spoke.

"No need to thank me. I simply did it because I was enchanted by your daughter's beauty. Surprisingly I even gained power and became stronger?"

I jokingly said with a stoned face. But Victor who heard my reply chuckled. "I see... You have changed. Are you seriously going to break the arranged engagement?" he inquired.

"Yes." I quickly responded as I stared him in the eyes with my cold gaze.

"Don't worry, I'll convince my father to agree with this," I added.

While Victor stayed silent for a while, "You were already going to break the engagement, so why'd you still do that?" Victor suddenly questioned. Talking about why I did all of that for Valentina.

"My lord. I simply did it because I chose to and believed it was the right thing to do. Haven't I already said it? I was enchanted by your daughter's beauty. And... Because this relationship we have will only hurt the two of us I decided to at least part ways with her in a good way." I responded.

"You're just like your father." Victor playfully snorted with a smirk and soon continued.

"Let's celebrate your arrival. Especially since my daughter has ascended to Master rank."

As soon as he spoke those words, I shook my head and at the same time, all of us went inside the huge and luxurious house that looked like a mansion.

But on the way, the system suddenly rang again, informing me that I have gained points after I saw how Victor view me changed.

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.....

Valentina's Side

A girl was sitting alone in her resting room after a tiring celebration of her success in ascending. But while sitting, there was only one thing that occupied her thoughts.

And that was to talk with Alfonso and ask him why he defended her maid—No, she rather wanted answers to her question.

A question that has bothered her for a while now ever since Christine mentioned how would her father react if she died because of her recklessness.

Valentina wanted to know if her choice was right. And the only one who she thought could answer that was Alfonso. He was... After all, the one who also risked his life for a maid without reason. He might have just chosen to make amends for his mistake, but that alone is not enough reason for her. Valentina wanted to know how Alfonso had the will to do all of that.

Since the first question she had about her beliefs was...

‹Was the maid she protected, and the morals she had much more important than her father's happiness?›

With Alfonso's action, this could also be asked of him. As soon as she decided to ask him. Valentina finally stood up and asked Christine who was just right outside the door.

She asked if she knows where Alfonso was because she never saw him at the gathering. After Christine gave her an answer, she soon strode her way and searched for him. Only then did she halt her steps when she saw a graceful view on the balcony.

Valentina couldn't help but be astonished. The glimmering moonlight shone so beautifully, illuminating the handsome face of the boy she was searching for. If a painter saw this view, they would immediately sit and paint Alfonso. Words couldn't describe how majestic he looked. But she soon shook her head and shrugged her thoughts away. With that, Valentina immediately went her way to Alfonso's location.