While today had been difficult for Roel, having received bad news after bad news, it was still a day of celebrations for the people of the Ascart Fiefdom. This was their well-deserved break after a year of hard work.

When Roel returned to the banquet hall, the nobles and the officials were still toasting one another. Carter wasnt in the hall, possibly taking a brief respite. Alicia was still surrounded by noblewomen. It looked like nothing much had happened.

Roel took a brief moment to adjust his mood before stepping in.

It would have been much easier for him to let his emotions show on his face, but that would have resulted in unnecessary panic. The nobles and officials in the banquet hall wouldnt be of much help for this matter anyway. There was no point in distressing them.

And no one in the banquet hall was able to see through Roels pretense, except for one person.

Alicia paused for a brief moment when she saw Roel re-entering the banquet hall, then doubt flickered across her crimson eyes. Noticing her actions, the noblewomen around Alicia shot Roel a glance and smiled knowingly.

Lady Alicia, you should head over if you wish to. You dont need to worry about us. 24062

You havent been able to chat ever since the start of the banquet. Its no wonder why you miss Lord Roel.

At the urging of the noblewomen, Alicia accepted their goodwill and headed over to Roels side. She had been worried about Roel after learning about Artasias warning, and those feelings were exacerbated when she noticed that Roels mood had nosedived after he left for a short while.

Did something bad happen? Alicia wondered worriedly.

Guests who were headed in Roels direction halted their footsteps upon noticing Alicias arrival. They tactfully excused themselves to free up space for them. Little did they know that the two youths exchanged not sweet nothings between them, but words of concern.

Lord Brother, what happened when you left earlier?

Its nothing much. I received a letter from Principal Antonio about the raid against the evil cultists in the northern mountainous region of the Austine Empire.

I see.

Alicias mind was put at ease. She was concerned that something bad might have happened, but it looked like Roel was simply worried about Antonio. This wasnt the first time he had expressed his concern about the matter. He had queried the Ascarts intelligence department for information on the raid against the Fallens on multiple occasions.

To be honest, she couldnt care less about what happened to Antonio. She hadnt even met Antonio before, despite being a Ringbearer, because of how busy the latter was. It would be hard for her to feel an emotional attachment toward someone she hadnt even met before.

Its fine as long as it doesnt concern Lord Brother, Alicia thought.

On the other hand, Roel apologized to Alicia in his heart.

He couldnt bear to unload more bad news on her after seeing how anxious she had been. It was enough for him to shoulder the burden of knowledge alone. Bringing her into this wouldnt change the situation whatsoever.

The two of them quickly ended their conversation and continued hosting the dinner banquet in Carters absence. Under their teamwork, the New Years dinner banquet finally concluded with a joyful atmosphere.

Roel lay still in his bed, unable to fall asleep despite having stayed up for a night now. The bombardment of bad news earlier in the day had weighed down his heart, making it hard for him to catch any rest.

Even so, he still tried his best to fall asleep so as to ensure that he would be in tip-top condition when the enemies finally arrived. Other than that, he also didnt want to worry Alicia, who could easily sense his movements now that they were under the same roof.

Right before they parted ways earlier on, Alicia had offered to cast a sleeping spell on him so that he could have a good rest, but he turned her down. If she found out that he was having trouble sleeping, she might just barge right into his bedroom and do whatever she wanted.

For the first time, Roel tried to cast a sleeping spell on himself, but the effects were lackluster. He ended up spending the night tossing and turning around, feeling more exhausted than ever at sunrise.

Sleeping spell, my ass.

Roel could only admit that he lacked talent in this aspect.

Despite feeling utterly wrecked, he dragged himself out of bed to spend his last day together with his father. Carter had to start making his way back to the eastern border now if he hoped to make it in time before the deviants launched a large-scale invasion in spring.

It was a short reunion, but Roel had no complaints. He was already in a privileged position, considering how most soldiers dispatched to the frontlines hadnt been allowed to return home.

To cherish their final moments together, the Ascart House had closed itself off to outsiders for this day. Yet, much to everyones surprise, Carter didnt spend the day bidding farewell to Roel and Alicia. Instead, he held a military examination.

Both Roel and Alicia were utterly baffled by Carters move, but the latters mind was set.

The war against the deviants will be taking the center stage in the continent. The united army has uncovered intelligence that suggests the reappearance of Sovereigns amongst the deviants.

Sovereigns?

Yes. Im referring to Origin Level 1 monsters amongst the deviants. From past experience, we know that their prowess surpasses even that of our Human Sovereigns.

Roels and Alicias faces turned grim. They knew from their encounter with Layton Seze just how powerful Origin Level 1 transcendents were. They hadnt thought that the deviants would have Sovereigns who were even stronger than their Human Sovereigns.

Carter nodded in approval. He was overjoyed that his two talented children didnt underestimate the enemy.

In the worst-case scenario, the united army headquarters might issue a conscription order for all high transcendents to join the battlefield. If it ever comes down to that, the military theories you have learned from a young age will become your greatest asset, Carter advised.

He paused for a brief moment to look at the increasingly severe expressions of his two children before hesitantly turning to Roel.

Especially you, Roel. You have to be exceptionally careful.