CHAPTER 674: THE INVITATION HE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR

The next day, Aldrian was inside his mansion, receiving two special guests. He had already taken off his mask, revealing his real face. In front of him, two men in different attire sat as they enjoyed their tea.

One of them wore an alchemist’s robe with a three-golden-star badge on his chest. He was an old man with white hair and cultivation at the middle pseudo-immortal stage.

The other wore formal, tight-fitting clothes that showed off his muscular body. He was a middle-aged, brown-haired man with a brown beard that covered his lips. Though shorter in height compared to the old man, his cultivation was the same. Anyone who saw this man would immediately recognize him as a dwarf.

These two were among the most influential figures in the empire and even across the Orian Continent. Their capabilities and creations were highly sought after each time they produced something.

They were the association masters of the Alchemist Association and the Blacksmith Association, Morgan Heinz and Mardoth Skyhammer.

At this moment, they happened to visit Aldrian at the same time by coincidence, which left both of them confused. At that point, neither of them knew that Aldrian was the same person capable of creating six-striped pills and divine-grade artifacts with a 100% success rate. They had also never seen his face before, as he always wore a mask and robe.

Moreover, each organization had kept Aldrian’s identity and description hidden, which prevented them from realizing he was the one behind those feats.

Only after entering the mansion and meeting Aldrian face-to-face without his mask did they finally learn the truth. They had already been in his mansion for over an hour, speaking about various matters.

Just like everyone else, they were truly shocked that someone like Aldrian existed.

An alchemist and a blacksmith at the same time, with the greatest talent they had ever seen—both of them felt that the heavens had truly bestowed countless blessings upon Aldrian. His character was overwhelmingly exceptional, as if he were a hero prepared by the heavens themselves.

And now, after learning he was the one who had fought against an immortal, they began to believe that this man was truly the son of the heavens. There was no way to describe his abilities using common knowledge. Considering how young he was, the only conclusion they could reach was that Aldrian was a singularity, there was no one else like him.

With all of that in mind, they immediately understood just how significant Aldrian’s presence would become once the Barisan Continent opened to the world. There was even a possibility that he might become a central figure not just within a star cluster or galaxy, but something even greater.

Because of this, the two powerhouses were determined to hold on to his thigh as tightly as they could.

At that moment, while they were still enjoying their discussion, a maid knocked on the door.

"My lord, I apologize for disturbing your time, but another special guest has arrived, this time, from the imperial family. They have sent an envoy led by His Majesty’s personal butler himself."

Hearing that, the two association masters raised their eyebrows in astonishment. For the emperor to send his personal butler, a man known to be one of his most trusted aides to lead the envoy clearly showed just how important Aldrian was in the emperor’s eyes.

However, already knowing that the imperial family had recently made moves that seemed to harm the Barisan Continent and even Aldrian’s interests made them frown. They could not understand why the emperor would act that way. Still, it would be best if Aldrian went to the imperial family to ask for clarification.

After all, they too did not want the empire to fall into chaos by offending someone like Aldrian.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. It looks like our conversation has to end here. But I hope we can speak again in the future. In fact, I would like to invite you to my palace in the Barisan Continent once it is opened to the world," Aldrian said with a smile. He then put on his mask and robe once again.

"Ah, thank you for that, Your Majesty. It would be my pleasure and honor to fulfill your invitation. I will gladly visit in the future," said Association Master Morgan.

"I’m truly grateful for your invitation, Your Majesty. Of course, I would be happy to visit your palace someday," said Association Master Mardoth.

Aldrian then escorted the two association masters to their carriages. At that moment, they also saw the envoy from the imperial family. As expected of the imperial family, they arrived with a grand escort, accompanied by many guards.

The two masters quickly spotted the emperor’s personal butler, a tall, black-haired, middle-aged man with neatly combed hair and white gloves, easily recognizable by his butler’s attire adorned with the imperial insignia.

Even so, they showed no surprise or visible change in expression. As association masters with influence strong enough that even the imperial family preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble, they had little reason to be unsettled.

The emperor’s personal butler saw the three figures emerge from the mansion. He wasn’t surprised by the appearance of the two association masters, he had already noticed their carriages parked on the mansion grounds after all.

The imperial family also knew that this masked man was the one who had caused an uproar in the city over the past few days. A man with alchemy and blacksmithing abilities unlike anything they had seen before, of course the two association masters would come to visit him.

The butler then stepped forward and gave a slight bow. Though he was an envoy appointed directly by the emperor, he still needed to show humility. In the end, he was just a messenger. In front of figures like these, especially the masked man they hoped to invite, he had to demonstrate the imperial family’s sincerity.

"It’s truly surprising to see the two association masters here. I hope my visit hasn’t disturbed any of your time," the butler said politely as he straightened his posture.

"Of course not, Butler Norris. We were just finishing up," Association Master Morgan replied. "But to think we would cross paths with Butler Norris... His Majesty must not be taking this lightly."

"Indeed. His Majesty is taking this very seriously," Butler Norris responded, then shifted his gaze toward the masked Aldrian.

"I see. Then we’ll be leaving first. See you next time, Your Excellency. We’ll talk more in the future, when the time is right," Morgan said as he offered a handshake to Aldrian, which Aldrian, of course, accepted. Association Master Mardoth did the same before both of them departed from the mansion grounds.

After the two association masters had left, leaving Butler Norris and Aldrian, the butler immediately gave a slight bow.

"My apologies if I’ve disturbed your time, Your Excellency. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am the personal butler of His Majesty the Emperor. You may call me Butler Norris," he said before straightening his posture.

Aldrian nodded. "So, Butler Norris, what business brings you here on behalf of His Majesty? Is it perhaps related to the events of the past few days?" he asked, feigning ignorance, something the butler clearly noticed. There was no way Aldrian didn’t know the purpose of his visit, but even so, Norris chose to play along.

"Yes, Your Excellency. His Majesty is truly in awe of your ability to concoct pills of a grade never seen before, as well as your creation of a divine-grade artifact. His Majesty sincerely hopes to meet you in person and build a good relationship. I hope Your Excellency might spare some time to meet with His Majesty," he said.

The butler’s response clearly showed that the imperial family was the one in need of Aldrian. They had even lowered themselves by asking him to spare time for them, a gesture meant to demonstrate sincerity and goodwill, hoping Aldrian would accept their invitation, even if it meant they had to wait.

However, why should Aldrian wait? He needed to meet the imperial family anyway and there were things he needed to ask from the emperor himself. The opportunity had arrived, so of course, he would take it.

"Of course. For His Majesty, I can spare some of my time. Even if I already had a schedule, I would still clear it for him."

Hearing Aldrian’s response, the butler was momentarily stunned. His expression resembled that of the city lord’s personal knight when he had invited Aldrian, one that seemed to say, "That’s it?"

Although there were still some doubts and questions in his mind, he knew he had to bring this masked man to the palace now that he had agreed. The emperor wanted to meet him as soon as possible anyway.

"I see. Thank you for sparing your time, Your Excellency. Please, enter the carriage. We will escort you to the imperial palace, His Majesty is already waiting."

Not long after, Aldrian was on his way to the imperial palace.