CHAPTER 681: THE ACT IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER

"My apologies for the disturbance, Young Master, but we’ve received news from the Ancient Blue Gate World," the butler said.

"What is it?" Randolf asked.

The butler then took out a piece of paper from his storage ring and gave it to Randolf. He took the paper and read its content for a few moments, raising his eyebrows as time passed before he finished reading.

"Young Master, it seems the Avilandis imperial family is helping the Barisan continent to ease their burden. With the capture of the Red Mist bandits and the way the consequences are spreading, I think it will be much more difficult to persuade anyone to enter that continent," the butler said.

"Yes, that’s true, but I’m not surprised by the Avilandis family’s move, as we already harmed their interests by taking advantage of their information center. I think this is their way of salvaging the situation," Randolf said.

"Young Master, after reading the report, I suddenly felt something strange about the situation, and a question arose from it. If that mysterious man could truly prevent anyone from entering the continent, then how could the continent have been infiltrated in the first place? How could the people from the Barevisk family enter and even report anything from that place?" the butler asked in confusion.

"And now, I even question the authenticity of the report from that place. Is the continent really as the report suggests? Or is it the opposite of what is described?"

Randolf stayed silent as he began to think about this as well. After a few moments of consideration, he opened his lips.

"There are some possibilities. They might truly have been able to infiltrate that place and send their information. Another possibility is..." Randolf paused for a moment before continuing."Something happened to the infiltrators, and the Barevisk family simply gave us false information."

The butler frowned. "Would they really dare to give us false information? Why would they do that? They would gain nothing from it except our hostility, something they do not want."

Randolf stayed silent, as he also, to be honest, felt that something was missing here. After a few moments of thinking, he shrugged.

"Whatever. No matter the case, the information has already spread. Until the Barisan continent opens to the world, many will still be curious about it. Even with a warning, it is too early for them to be persuaded by just one report. There are still many reckless people who will try their luck by entering that place," he said.

He then got up from his meditation position and walked outside of the cultivation room. Not long after leaving, he came upon a beautiful woman approaching him from the opposite direction in the hallway.

Her long black hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore an elegant white-and-blue long dress. Her unblemished face was like porcelain, as if it were too valuable to be dirtied. At this moment, that beautiful face showed a smile toward Randolf, which he returned with his own.

"Big brother, have you already finished your cultivation?" she asked.

She was the only daughter of the Valroy patriarch and Randolf’s little sister, Verine Valroy.

"Yes, I have something to do, so I ended my cultivation for now," Randolf answered.

Verine nodded.

"Big brother, I heard about what happened in the Ancient Blue Gate World. Doesn’t that mean what we did is for nothing at this point? We didn’t gain anything from it other than the hostility of the Avilandis family," she asked.

"Well, at least with that information spread, that place will still be a hotspot for many to try entering for some time. A single warning is not enough to stop people from trying their luck. Only after some time will many begin to hesitate to enter, assuming, of course, the story told by them is true," Randolf said as he walked.

Verine followed and nodded.

"But what about my engagement with Ronwell? I already guessed that they must want to end this engagement as soon as possible. Although I would be glad, didn’t you say that this engagement was also a way to spread our influence to the Avilandis family? Their desperation would allow us to do that," she asked.

"Well, actually, all of that changed the moment that mysterious man from the Barisan continent appeared. This engagement is no longer interesting in the eyes of Emperor Rozwald, and he must also want to cancel it. You are not the only one who wants to end this engagement, little sister," Randolf said with a smile.

"I already predicted that Emperor Rozwald would likely cancel the engagement, but he does not have any strong justification to end it without damaging the imperial family’s reputation. But whatever he does, we are the ones who will gain the benefit. If he cancels from his side, he will damage his family’s reputation. If he does not cancel as soon as possible, we can still spread our influence in the Ancient Blue Gate World,"

"Still, I don’t think he will make any drastic moves in the short term," he added.

As they continued their conversation, they saw a maid approaching from the opposite direction. She bowed to Randolf and Verine once she was close and hurriedly said to Randolf,

"Young Master, His Highness Prince Ronwell wants to meet you and is already waiting for you in your private room."

Randolf raised his eyebrows but then nodded.

"Alright, I will be there."

After the maid left, Verine looked at Randolf.

"Why would Ronwell want to meet you at this time?" she asked.

"I don’t know, so let’s find out."

Not long after, they arrived at his private room, which could also function as a place for him to receive his own guests. The moment he stepped in, he instantly saw Ronwell sitting on the sofa, with his guardian knight already in armor standing behind him.

Ronwell smiled when he saw Randolf enter and stood up.

"Brother Ronwell, I heard that you were waiting for me, so I came here right away. I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, as I did not expect you to meet me at this time," Randolf said with a smile.

"It’s okay, Brother Randolf. I know you are busy with your schedule, so I understand," Ronwell replied, then looked at Verine.

"You too, Verine. I did not expect you to be with Brother Randolf at this time," he added, which was met with a smile from Verine.

"Brother Ronwell," she said.

Ronwell then looked back at Randolf.

"Once again, I’m sorry to disturb your busy schedule, but I have to trouble you for a moment because I received news from my family."

Randolf looked at Ronwell with curiosity, and Ronwell continued his words.

"Because something happened in my empire, I just received my father’s order to return, and I am already prepared to leave now. So, Brother Randolf, Verine, I want to say goodbye for now."

Randolf and Verine were stunned upon hearing Ronwell’s words. He wanted to leave because of Emperor Rozwald’s order? For Randolf, he had not expected the emperor to make his decision this quickly, and with such a bold move.

To order Prince Ronwell to return immediately was basically, Emperor Rozwald showing the Valroy family that he did not care about their opinion. He no longer hesitated to display his displeasure.

Moreover, after what had happened last night, the imperial family was already trying to solve the problem of the Barisan continent.

Now, this move by the emperor was like adding to their stance toward the Valroy family, making it clear they truly disliked the matter of the Barisan continent’s information being leaked through the information center under Verine’s orders.

But then Randolf inwardly smiled. He wanted to see how far the emperor’s boldness would go in the future. Would he choose to sacrifice his family’s reputation, or would he swallow his pride and maintain the outward appearance that the imperial family and the Valroy family were still in good relationship and harmony?

As long as there was no strong reason, he would not cancel the engagement.

"Thank you for all of your family’s service while I’ve stayed here," Ronwell said as he stood up.

"And Verine, take care. Oh, you don’t have to escort me outside, as I already know the way, and my interstellar vessel is already waiting," Ronwell said before walking out of the room, followed by his guardian knight.

Randolf and Verine said nothing, only watching as Ronwell left without hesitation, not even waiting for Randolf to respond. Randolf then smiled as he looked at Verine.

"He really did not hesitate to show his displeasure and impatience. He just left the moment his father ordered him back," he said.

"Well, what do you expect, brother? We already harmed his family’s interests, and for a long time, he has disliked this engagement. I don’t think he would want to keep this drama going if he could avoid it," she answered with a smile.

"But then, that is the only thing he can do to show his displeasure. I don’t think there will be any drastic changes from the imperial family’s side in the short term either, just like you said," she added.

"You are right, at least in the short term," Randolf said as he stood up.

"Anyway, I have something to do for now. With this new development from the Ancient Blue Gate World, I think I have to speed up my plan," he added.

However, two days later, another unexpected piece of news reached him, and it would shock many people.

The news came from the Avilandis imperial family that they had annulled the engagement of the crown prince.