CH 233

Feeling his mood grow foul, Max retorted, “If I wanted to, I could deal with the emperor right now.”

Smirking, Regis mocked, “How arrogant. This is the reason why you haven’t been able to become a transcendent for the past few years, Maximilian.”

His master had mentioned the very thing that had been bothering Max for a long time. Outraged, he demanded, “What is it that you want from me?”

At the straightforward question, Regis met his disciple’s eyes. “The emperor has a secret weapon that you do not know of. This is something even I can’t do anything about.”

‘Even you can’t do anything about it?’ Max widened his eyes in disbelief. What was it that even the empire’s hero and Assiette’s strongest swordsman couldn’t do anything about it?

His eyes fixed on his dismayed student, Regis provoked once again. “Did you think you could win against the emperor with your cheap tricks? You will have no choice but to accept defeat if you keep going like this, Maximillian.”

Max clenched his fists. His master wasn’t someone who told lies; his words must be true.

Just then, he continued, “Are you going to put my daughter in danger?”

‘Jubelian might be in danger?’ The moment he made the terrible assumption, Max couldn’t help but strengthen his grip. Veins bulged from the back of his curled hands. Gritting his teeth, Max glared at his master with a ferocious gaze, looking as if to attack him right away. Instead of charging, however, Max lowered his head. “Please help me, Master.”

‘Perhaps he has matured a little.’ Regis let out a small sigh at his disciple’s response. He then opened his mouth. “Visit me whenever you have time. I will help you break through the obstacles hindering your progress.”

Max’s expression hardened. He had put a lot of effort into overcoming the hurdles to becoming a transcendent being. In turn, however, he was left with frustration. No amount of training was giving him the results he wanted. Thus, it was natural for him to be swayed by those words. He valued his identity as a swordsman more than being the crown prince. “Is there a way?” he asked in anticipation.

Regis raised one corner of his mouth. “There is one, indeed. Would you like me to show you right now?”

If there was a way, there was no reason to decline.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

* * *

‘Oh, they’re not in the drawing room?’ I looked for Father and Max, but they were nowhere to be found. ‘Where in the world did they go? I think I’ve already been everywhere inside the mansion…’

Just then, Derrick emerged from the break room. He was wearing a satisfied expression.

‘He seems happy. I wonder if he just had tea time again.’

It was the duty of the lady of the household to grant high-quality goods to the butler and head maid as they were the people who managed the employees. Since my mother was not alive, Derrick and Madam Perez led a rather frugal life. I had been indebted to them as they had taken care of my foolish self in the past. For this reason, I had given both of them some flavored tea I had made. It seemed that Derrick had taken quite a liking to it as he always took a tea break during his free time.

Thinking he might know the two men’s whereabouts, I approached him. Smiling, he greeted me. “Lady Jubelian! What brings you here? You should be in your room.”

“Where are my father and my lover?”

Taken aback, he averted his eyes.

‘Bingo. It must be as I thought.’ Meeting his eyes, I requested, “Tell me where the two are. In return, I will give you some rose tea I made recently.”

At my trade offer, Derrick gulped. He then sighed before revealing the secret.