CHAPTER 20: INVITATION

"Cough Cough" A young man emerged from a destroyed building, dusting off his shoulder with a nonchalant gesture.

His crimson hair was disheveled, but it fluttered in the wind like a fiery banner.

A star-shaped mark adorned his forehead; its delicate lines and intricate patterns seemed to shine with a subtle light.

Despite the destruction around him, the young man seemed unfazed, his eyes gleaming with a fiery intensity.

His movements were fluid and confident, as if stepping out of a normal day rather than a battlescarred landscape.

His eyebrows furrowed as he faced a certain direction. The distance between himself and the burning hotel was five hundred meters.

He could charge there but he hesitated.

Why?

Because a mysterious entity like Alyssa had appeared. A single punch from her sent him flying.

He was wary "Who the hell was that?" He questioned, standing shirtless with only black pants "If I knew there was someone as strong as that lady protecting Caden Ryder..."

"I would have waited patiently" He breathed in deeply "Now the presence of the Red Continent has been exposed"

His teeth gritted as his fist clenched tightly, "Caden Ryder.....how the hell is that brat so informed, how was he able to understand the infinite blood formation?" His eyes flickered.

He sighed in defeat "Since my presence has been exposed, I should leave and report to my boss"

"It doesn’t matter if Caden keeps his life for a few years. Since he knows so much about the Red Continent"

"The higher-ups will surely prioritize his assassination before any plans of invasion commence"

His lips curled into a faint smile as he turned to leave "It doesn’t matter how much this Continent resists"

"In the end....it shall be devoured by our gracious Empire hehehhehehehe" His figure exited the scene, returning back into the shadows where he came from.

******

Alyssa’s swift interference saved Caden’s life. Although she was given a mission to protect Candy with her life.

But Caden’s safety is her utmost priority. She had to make sure Candy was safe in the streets of Red-Pool City before she returned to the Inner-Sector with lightning speed.

Through Caden’s effort, the explosive flames that burned the hotel building were dissolved.

His Innate Skill is still S-Ranked after all.

Shortly after Alyssa’s swift interference, and the assassin was sent flying by her ferocious punch.

That was when the authorities sent by the Red Crescent Kingdom arrived at the scene.

But they were too damn late.

Every living being that stayed in the hotel building was incinerated. Caden was the only survivor.

More than six hundred successors had died during the ghastly explosion and the disastrous assassination Attempt.

[You’ve failed your special task]

[You’ll receive your punishment]

[Your Mana Core has been sealed for fourteen days]

[Half of your stats has been sealed for fourteen days]

Caden smiled bitterly, his eyes narrowed as he went through the information displayed on the transparent cyan panel

"It seems for fourteen days, I’ll need to be in hiding.." He softly exhaled, slightly tilting his gaze, he lifted his gaze, staring at the sky. His eyes were fixed in a certain direction.

The direction in which the assassin was sent flying. Alyssa appeared behind Caden, and she fell on her knees.

With her head bowed before Caden, she spoke "My Lord, I apologise for not being there to protect you"

"If I had delayed any second, if I were a few seconds late. You would have been assassinated, I’ll accept any punishment," Her valiant voice resounded.

Caden softly exhaled "There’s no need to be so hard on yourself Alyssa, I was the one who sent you to protect Candy after all"

"It’s my fault that you could not arrive on time to protect me. And besides, I never expected anyone to assassinate me." Caden wore a gentle smile.

But he was burning within, overwhelmed with rage. He continued "To think the Red Continent already had its spies lurking in the shadows of the Purple Continent"

"Was it the same in my past life or has my regression changed the future?" Countless thoughts flooded his mind.

Caden could be seen thinking of ten different things at the same time, analysing and repeating the scene over and over again.

While the Innate Domain of the Purple Continent is ice and snow. The Innate Domain of the Red Continent is flames.

Such twisted flames and explosions.

How could Caden not remember it?

The Infinite Blood Formation killed two of his trusted colleagues, it was a painful memory.

But he was not flustered. Despite exposing the fact that he’s aware of their presence, he knows they’ll target him especially.

But his heart stayed tranquil.

Why should he be scared?

Let them come, let them try to assassinate him again.

He’ll be waiting for them.

Alyssa raised her head as she rose up from her knees, "Master, shouldn’t we chase after that assassin?" Alyssa asked.

Caden shook his head, still smiling "That assassin is smart, the fact that he didn’t return meant he’s wary of your presence"

"You’re stronger than him after all. He who runs away, lives to fight another day....."

"Since they’re aware of your existence. They’ll be more devious in their next assassination Attempt’’ Caden explained.

Alyssa’s eyebrows furrowed, her fist clenched tightly "Then what are we going to do? Are we going to sit back and watch with our arms folded?" She asked.

Caden chuckled softly "I never had any intentions of sitting back and watching with my arms folded, I have no intentions of waiting for my death"

"I guess it’s time to go search for an old friend," Caden said with his arms behind his back. Alyssa’s eyebrows furrowed. "An old friend?" She asked.

Caden nodded "That’s correct, by this time....He should still be resting in that village"

"If I recruit him discreetly. I’ll be setting the stage, and besides I need more manpower excluding you"

"There are a few weeks before I can use the SSS-Ranked Summoning Skill: Call to Glory once again"

"For now, go fetch Candy.....we’ll be returning to Morningstar in a few weeks," Caden commanded.

Alyssa bowed her head before vanishing into thin air. She charged towards the Red-Pool City.

Caden was all alone. He was patiently waiting for someone, and that person came.

Behind Caden, a mysterious figure appeared, his face void of emotion, standing at six feet and six inches tall, his hands behind his back.

He stood in the air, his long purple hair flowing like a royal cloak behind him.

His red robe seemed to billow around him, its edges fluttering gently in the invisible breeze.

Despite the impossibility of his stance, he stood with an air of indifference, his expression a mask of detachment. Even though he’s a man.....

It is not ridiculous to say that this man is a peerless beauty. The eldest prince and the heir apparent of the Red Crescent Kingdom’s royal House Stark had personally come.

Having the Mana Convergence Stage of a Grand Mage. He’s one of the most powerful entities in the whole of the Red Crescent Kingdom.

Caden slightly tilted his gaze to see the young man floating before him. Caden’s lips curled into a faint smile.

"Greetings Young Master Caden.....I’m Prince Aeros of the Red Crescent Kingdom," He introduced himself. "You should know why I’m here, right?" He asked.

Caden nodded, "Indeed, I’m aware, I’ve been invited to the Red Crescent Palace, haven’t I? Prince Aeros," Caden asked.

Prince Aeros softly exhaled "Indeed, that is so.....My Father, the King wants to have a word with you’

"You were a target of assassination in the Red Crescent Kingdom, even more than six hundred successors had died during that explosion"

"Allow us to show you our sincerest apologies"