Instantly after, Ulric and Mira turned to stare at Alaric. Surprise painting their faces.

Mira even more so. In all of her life with Alaric, she had never seen him like this before. Was it because of the green stone pendant on the youth’s neck? Was it very special?

She thought, her eyes fluttering rapidly in surprise as her gaze shifted, alternating between the dark-robed youth and the old man.

At the side, Alaric muttered beneath his breath, slipping into a mindless rave.

"No... this... can’t be possible... it couldn’t!" At least he chose not to believe. If it was, that would mean his mother was royalty... and if so... that would extend to the dark-robed youth before him too.

The sheer thought made him lean back into his chair. His face reeling with multiple emotions. Before suddenly a light sparked across his eyes, followed by a chuckle as if everything had suddenly fallen into place.

Springing out of his seat, he paced repeatedly before his gaze lowered to Ulric. If the blood of those old monsters flowed in him, a lot of things suddenly made sense. It sure explained his monstrous growth and talent that just happened to develop in this small city.

Still, he had to confirm. Walking up to the youth and leaning closer, his expression graver than ever before, he asked,

"Are you speaking the truth?" Even with everything, it was all just too stupendous. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Yes?" Ulric muttered, his brows easing. An unbothered look forming across his face as he relished the sip of the tea he had just taken.

It was cold as ice, trailing across his tongue with a satisfying feeling. When he swallowed, his eyes lit up brilliantly. It was as if a jolt of energy had rushed across his body and he could feel every moment.

When it branched out across his body, relieving fatigue and waves of exhaustion he never knew about. When it seeped into his mind, a terrifying clarity dawned into him, forming countless ideas.

He could see endless pathways on how to progress his strength. Each better than the last.

He delved into that sensation for a while, branding everything to mind. Before he let out a slow sigh. His previously shut eyes opened as the feeling faded into his body.

Blinking rapidly, Ulric looked down at the cup of tea. This time no different than a heavenly treasure. It was just too great.

In a few seconds, he had meditated on concepts and pathways that would develop his power greatly. Something that would otherwise take him a few days if not weeks.

Tilting his gaze to stare at Mira, he slowly nodded in realization. With treasures like this, he could now understand why she grew so quickly. All she had to do was kill monsters and, with sufficient talent, everything else would unfold naturally.

If Alaric could hear his thoughts, he would nod repeatedly. But it was no use. The girl was just too lazy and wanted to always be close to him. If it wasn’t for him berating her repeatedly to go on dungeon runs, she wouldn’t have even started her path to power.

But it couldn’t be helped. Once one tasted the glory of being a merchant, there was no turning back.

But he couldn’t. Sinking deeper and deeper into his thoughts, Alaric paced even more restlessly as his eyes lit up occasionally, the whispers growing louder as if he was solving pieces of a puzzle.

If his mother truly was part of the royal family, then why wasn’t he in the royal city as well? He pondered over the question before a faint smile spread across his face in realization.

"Forbidden love? Argh yes, I do love one of those..." The last time he checked, the old bastards were very strict on keeping the bloodline pure.

Love between a royal and some lowly noble like Greyson wouldn’t have been acceptable. Probably even viewed as treason. But given Ulric’s presence, it could only mean it had bloomed before it was cut off and couldn’t be hidden any longer.

But given the black-robed youth was still alive, then it could only mean they didn’t know of his presence. Which in itself was an impressive feat to keep him hidden all this time.

If they knew, they would have long purged him out, viewing him as a stain to their bloodline.

As all these thoughts clashed together, his hands fell on the youth’s shoulder. His gaze piercing into his crimson eyes.

"You... can’t tell anyone else about this!" He muttered. The intensity of his voice causing him to shake the youth slightly.

Staring back at the old man, Ulric nodded slightly. Coupled with Greyson’s last words to him, he had figured. He had only divulged it to the old man because of the wealth of information he had.

And more than that. Despite being a cunning greedy old man, deep down he could see he was a good man. As he grew stronger, his senses and gut developed more and more. And now he felt he could trust the old man.

Walking back, Alaric let go. Moving to the edge of the room. Initially, he had helped the youth because he found him a little interesting. And given his surprising potential, perhaps when he grew strong enough in the future, he could call in a few favors.

But with this new twist, it just made things a hell of a lot more interesting. He chuckled at the thought as he rubbed his hands in anticipation.

This just kept getting better and better. He couldn’t wait to see how the future would pan out.

Still, this wasn’t entirely great news. He knew enough of the royal family to know the boy wouldn’t elude their detection forever.

Sooner or later it was bound to happen. It wasn’t a question of if but when, and when they did... death was inevitable, unless he proved himself worthy.

But given their insane standards, that would be almost similar to taming a mighty dragon. It was just impossible.

If that happened, a grimace formed across his face. Then his investment would all have been for naught. Besides, he was starting to get a liking for the little brat.

Inhaling sharply, he snapped out of his mental barrage. Sinking back into his chair as his voice echoed once more.

"If that’s the case... I have a lot more to tell you."