Free Web NovelChapter 166: Meeting Between High Ranking Individuals (2)
"The reason I wanted you nobles to come here today is exactly because of this."
Chester’s deep voice echoed throughout the meeting hall.
His sharp gaze swept across every person seated around the table.
"I want all of you to focus on your respective regions. Increase surveillance and investigations. Look into any newly formed organizations, any suspicious groups, any unusual activities in the underworld, and any hidden powers that may be growing in the shadows."
His expression grew stern.
"Anything suspicious. No matter how insignificant it may seem. I want reports on it."
The room remained silent as everyone listened carefully.
"Also..."
Chester folded his hands on the table.
"From this moment onward, remain cautious."
Every noble and high-ranking hero present understood the seriousness behind those words.
One by one, they nodded.
Even the usually relaxed heroes had become noticeably serious.
Near the corner of the table sat Morgana Celestine.
She had remained silent throughout most of the meeting, simply listening to the discussion unfold.
Chester leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Honestly, the Pope would know more about matters related to Monarchs than any of us."
A few people nodded in agreement.
"Unfortunately, he is currently occupied with another matter and was unable to attend today’s meeting."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But we will speak with him later."
One of the S-Rank Heroes sitting near the center of the table raised a question.
"Do we know where Malrick is currently?"
The man’s expression was serious.
"And if I remember correctly, Cedric was involved with him as well."
Several eyes turned toward Chester.
The old man nodded.
"Duke Nightfall is currently handling that matter."
His voice remained calm.
"He is personally searching for any traces of Cedric Nightfall."
A brief pause followed.
"After all... Cedric is his younger brother."
A faint snort came from one side of the table.
"Good."
The speaker was Marquis Stormbane.
A rugged middle-aged man with a scar running across his jaw.
"Knowing the relationship between those two, Duke Nightfall is probably furious."
A few people silently agreed.
"If anyone wants Cedric dead the most, it would be his own brother."
Duke Lionel Thornveil spoke calmly from his seat.
His emerald eyes remained composed.
"Cedric has spent years tarnishing the Nightfall Family’s reputation." fгeewebnovёl.com
"Indeed."
Chester nodded once.
Then his expression changed.
Something darker entered his gaze.
"There is another matter."
Immediately, everyone’s attention focused on him. The old man slowly folded his hands together.
"Recently, we discovered information regarding a certain organization."
The room grew quieter.
"What kind of organization?" someone asked.
Chester’s eyes became serious. "What we know is limited."
A brief pause. "But one fact has already been confirmed."
His next words caused the atmosphere to freeze. "The organization contains vampires."
There was complete silence. Several people stiffened. Even Adrian’s eyes widened slightly. frёeωebɳovel.com
This was the first time he had heard this information.
Chester continued. "Whether it is merely a group containing vampires..."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Or an entire organization made up exclusively of vampires..."
The old man slowly shook his head. "We don’t know."
No one spoke for several moments.
The revelation had been unexpected.
Monarchs. Demon doing sacrifices, uknown creatures. And now vampires.
The list of problems continued growing.
Finally, Chester exhaled.
"It seems today’s meeting will be longer than any of us expected."
No one disagreed.
---
While Important meeting was going on in other city.
Back to the academy.
It’s been a week since the events of the Oakhaven incident had already passed. Life at Novaris Academy had slowly returned to normal. At least on the surface.
Noah stepped out of his dormitory room. His hands rested casually inside his pockets as he walked through the hallway. Earlier that morning, he had received a message from the administrative office.
Someone had come to meet him. Naturally, Noah had been confused. Who would come all the way to Novaris Academy to meet him?
At first, he considered the possibility that it might be someone from his family. But he quickly dismissed the idea.
If a family member were planning to visit, they would have informed him beforehand through a call or message. At least that was what he thought.
A few minutes later, Noah arrived at the designated meeting area. The moment he saw the visitor, his steps paused.
His eyes widened slightly. ’So it really is someone from my family.’
Standing a short distance away was a handsome young man who looked to be around twenty-six years old.
His wheat-blond hair was neatly styled.
Sharp purple eyes carried a familiar confidence.
The resemblance was obvious. They shared the same eyes. The same facial structure.
The same noble appearance. The man smiled the moment he noticed Noah.
"There you are." His voice carried a warm familiarity.
"Long time no see, Noah." The smile widened.
"How have you been?"
Noah stared at him for a moment. Then recognition fully settled in.
’My older brother... Nathan Eldritch.’ Just a week ago, Noah had been wondering why nobody from the Eldritch Family had contacted him.
And now his older brother was standing right in front of him. Life really had a strange sense of timing.
Fragments of memory surfaced in his mind.
Unlike many noble families, the relationship between Noah and Nathan had always been surprisingly normal.
There was no rivalry. No hidden hostility. Nor there was any struggle for inheritance. Nathan had simply acted like an older brother.
And Noah had acted like a younger one. But spoiled one. Noah ran a hand through his hair before shaking his head with a small laugh.
"I’m doing well, brother."
A curious look appeared on his face. "What about you?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "And more importantly..."
A grin appeared. "You came all the way here without informing me first."
Nathan immediately laughed. "Haha."
He spread his hands. "I wanted to surprise you."
Then he walked forward and lightly patted Noah’s shoulder. "Looks like it worked."
Noah rolled his eyes. "Unfortunately."
"Hah!"
Nathan laughed again. Then he glanced toward the academy grounds.
"So."
He clasped his hands behind his back. "How about we go somewhere more comfortable and talk?"
His gaze drifted toward the distant café building. "Let’s grab some coffee."
A nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
"It’s been years since I graduated from this academy." His eyes softened slightly.
"I suddenly feel like drinking coffee there again."
Noah looked in the same direction. Then a smirk slowly appeared on his lips.
"Normally...I only accept coffee invitations from girls."
Nathan blinked.
"But..."Noah sighed heavily. "Since you’re my brother, I’ll make an exception."
For a second there was silence. Then, "Hahahaha!!" Nathan burst into loud laughter.
Several nearby students turned to look. "My brother really is generous." He wiped the corner of his eye.
"What a great honor." Noah grinned.
"You’re welcome."
The two brothers looked at each other. Then, side by side, they began walking toward the academy café.
For the first time in a long while, Noah found himself genuinely curious about what his family had to say.
