"Yes, Your Majesty, Aldrian was serious about retaking the fallen star cluster. If he said he will do something, then he will do it, even if he has to do it alone. If he said he would retake the fallen star cluster, then even without any support from anyone, he would still do it."

Hearing Sylphia's answer, even Empress Vilena and Princess Vaeril's hearts trembled. Those were truly powerful words. They knew that with the incomprehensible ability Aldrian the Great possessed, he might indeed be able to accomplish that impossible task alone. After all, they still did not know if Aldrian the Great had already shown them the full extent of his ability.

If Aldrian the Great could accomplish retaking the entire fallen star cluster, then his name would truly be engraved in the history of this part of heaven forever. This was a historic and world-changing event for the future, and Empress Vilena could already imagine what the leaders of other powers had in mind.

Of course, they would join Aldrian in his mission. Whatever their reasons, be it moral obligation, creating a favorable image in front of Aldrian the Great, or seeking glory for their family's future history, they would not pass up the chance to join Aldrian the Great.

All of them were people moved by their own interests, and they would not act until they felt assured, even certain, that they could achieve something in this mission. It was not like in the past, when they had a thousand reasons to avoid partaking in the effort to retake the fallen star cluster.

At this time, there would be many who wished to join the mission because they were confident in Aldrian the Great's strength.

And Empress Vilena was no exception. Helping Aldrian the Great was in her interest, and joining this mission was her way of securing a closer relationship with him in the future. Moreover, with him already giving special attention to the Verdyn Empire, she would not leave Aldrian the Great alone in his endeavor to retake the fallen star cluster.

"I see. I also do not doubt that His Majesty will have a high chance of retaking the entire fallen star cluster," Empress Vilena said. As if she were pondering for a moment, though in truth she was not, she then looked at Sylphia. "Then my decision is the same as Vaeril's. We would also like to join His Majesty in his mission to retake the fallen star cluster. If His Majesty needs anything, then I will gladly give it to him."

Sylphia smiled upon hearing that. She knew that Empress Vilena had already decided what she needed to do even before Sylphia arrived at the empire. She expressed it in this way only to show her resolve and determination to join Aldrian, and to leave a good impression to her. The avatar standing behind her thought the same, but he did not say anything.

After that, they continued conversing about the mission to retake the fallen star cluster before moving on to other topics. They spoke for another hour and a half before the empress decided it was enough.

"Oh my, look at how fast the time passes. I truly feel bad for making Your Majesty converse with me this long when you have just arrived on the continent. I think this is enough for now. Your Majesty must be tired, and I have already prepared a few rooms for Your Majesty's entourage to rest."

Sylphia smiled and nodded. "Then, I truly thank Your Majesty for this." Sylphia and Aldrian then left the room, guided by an imperial maid to their quarters.

Once Sylphia's voice could no longer be heard, Empress Vilena turned to Princess Vaeril.

"After meeting Aldrian the Great, how is he as a person from what you saw? Were the reports from others true?" she asked.

The princess wore a thoughtful expression. "Well, how should I put it… he seems to be a man full of mystery and confidence. Every word he says always reassures me because of that confidence. He is far too mature for his age. Speaking with him feels as though I am conversing with someone who has lived a long life and gathered much experience, which is all the more shocking since he has not even reached twenty yet."

Hearing this, the empress was astonished. She had already read the reports about Aldrian's age, but because of how absurd it seemed, she could never fully believe it. Yet hearing her daughter say it made her belief grow stronger. The only thing left was to meet Aldrian the Great herself to confirm it.

"I heard from many sources that Aldrian the Great is also a man full of affection. He truly loves his family and will do anything for them. He also a figure that never disappoints his allies. If they reach an agreement, he acts accordingly, treating others as they treat him," the princess continued.

"The worst is if someone becomes his enemy. From all the stories I have heard, every one of his enemies met a terrible end. It is useless to run from him, because he always finds those who against him, no matter where they hide. His reputation for uprooting evil wherever he sets foot is already known throughout the entire Aster Empire."

"He also seems to harbor a special hatred for the devils, as though he has a personal vendetta against them. Well that is a good thing."

"In conclusion, he is a good man to his friends, family, and allies, but a nightmare to his enemies."

The empress nodded at her daughter's conclusion, but Princess Vaeril was not yet finished.

"However, still, even now, after meeting him a few times, I sometimes ask myself, 'How could someone like that exist? Did the heavens create him directly within his mother's womb or what?' Everything about him is too grand, too exaggerated, too extraordinary. It feels as if the heavens gave him all their best—his fate, his strength, his looks, everything." Vaeril finally stopped and let out a sigh.

The empress nodded and turned her gaze in another direction, as if looking into the distance.

"Well, perhaps his very existence truly has a purpose. For the heavens to allow someone so perfect to be born, then he must be carrying the heavy weight of fate on his shoulders. This makes me want to meet him face to face even more. Perhaps I should follow him to the fallen star cluster later?"

Princess Vaeril raised her eyebrows. Her mother wanted to leave the continent? That would be the first time in so long. With her mother joining, the alliance troops would surely be strengthened.

While the empress and her daughter conversed, Aldrian's avatar, Sylphia, and the Dark Saber group walked toward their accommodations, guided by the imperial maids.

As they walked, the avatar sent a sound transmission to Sylphia.

"How do you feel, finally speaking face to face with someone of that level?"

Sylphia smiled slightly. "Well, I was quite nervous, but I managed in the end. I can't embarrass you, right?"

Hearing her answer, the avatar smiled.

"Good work, Your Majesty. I'm truly proud of you."

His praise filled Sylphia with pride. Though he was only Aldrian's avatar, it felt the same as if the words had come from Aldrian himself. His demeanor and the way he spoke were exactly how Aldrian would praise her if he were here at this moment.

Not long after, they finally arrived at their rooms. The rooms were close to each other, an arrangement personally made by Empress Vilena. Before Sylphia could enter her bedroom, the avatar sent another voice transmission.

"After this, I will go somewhere to check something."

Sylphia nodded. "Alright, be careful."

"Yes."

Aldrian's room was right beside Sylphia's. It was a luxurious chamber, furnished with every necessity for a guest and filled with comfort. Yet he paid little attention to the luxury. His focus was instead on the world tree itself. The presence he had sensed observing him since earlier had not stopped, and that constant scrutiny stirred his curiosity to find out who it was.

After making sure there was nothing strange in the room, he activated his stealth technique and teleported outside. He appeared high above the palace, right beside the world tree's trunk. Then he teleported again, until he reached one of the branches far above the clouds.

He nearly reached the very top of the tree, but stopped there, sensing that the presence observing him was already nearby.

"Would you like to come out and talk to me? I know you are here, and I would also like to speak with you," Aldrian said as he turned toward one direction, and canceling his stealth technique.

From one part of the branch, a figure slowly emerged. At first it was transparent, then it solidified into the form of a beautiful woman, her features revealing that she was not entirely human.

Seeing her, the avatar could not help but recall some figures his real body had encountered in the Barisan continent, Olivia, Alice, and Vireline, the spirits of the world tree.

He could already guess that this woman too was a spirit of the world tree. She looked at him calmly, yet there seemed to be many questions within her mind as she continued to observe him.

Before the avatar could speak more, the spirit suddenly moved, lowering herself in a deep kowtow.

"My lord."