Rise of the Cosmic_Emperor

It barely showed in Hal\'s visage that what Noelle said drew any reaction from him.

He did wonder how Noelle already knew of what had happened even though it had only happened an hour ago. The only explanation would be that the aunt and niece were really close to each other.

Delaney was most likely Noelle\'s personal disciple which was impressive in itself as Noelle was an Elder.

Meanwhile, Anton was a little preoccupied in his thoughts, 

\'Silva Duchy huh? No, there is no way he got those eyes from the Silva Duchy but why would he hide the fact that he was a Doxon from me? Maybe he does not know?

No. If he\'s a Doxon, then he knows.

Also, his reply seems far too casual for someone who is told he shares a trait with the rulers of the Duchy.

Besides, his looks... There are similarities between his looks and that of Svetlana. The similarity is minimal but it\'s there. 

At the very least, it\'s enough to make the connection once someone knows there IS a connection there.

A son of the Blue-eyed witch who grew up in the Silva Duchy... Very interesting.

His cultivation... I can barely sense it. That shouldn\'t be the case considering my strength.\'

"Father, this is Hal and I met him while I was in the Silva Duchy." Emily said with a smile, drawing Anton out of his thoughts...

"I see." Anton said but he would not ask what relationship was between his daughter and granddaughter and this supposedly Silva-Born man.

When Emily returned to the Duchy a week ago along with her daughter, Anton had been ecstatic with joy. He was already making plans to storm the Silva Duchy city named after a Salmon and bring his daughter back home.

However, he knew that there was a reason she had left and while he would still bring her back, he understood that he would be hindering her from finding whatever she left to look for.

Which was most likely solitude from all things Dual cultivation.

Anyways, upon her return, he felt she was freer and far more cheerful than she had been when she left. A huge weight seemed to have been lifted off her shoulders. Her condition was cured.

How that had happened she refused to say but she did admit that it had nothing to do with Amelia\'s father and her relationship with him.

If her condition was cured, then the Sensual Palace head knew how it could have happened and did not need to be told to know what relationship was between the two.

He also did not need to be told to know the relationship was between the young man and his granddaughter as well.

That was probably the part he did not understand. First off, just as he had used surrogacy to have his children, there were women who did the same by having a lowly and weak man impregnate them. 

In cases of preserving talents, there were certain techniques that would be used to make sure the quality of the child\'s innate ability would not be affected by the surrogate\'s real attribute.

Anton had used those techniques while he was siring his children. 

Clearly, Emily had used a form of surrogacy with Amelia\'s father in the sense that he was used just so she could experience the joy of motherhood but it was this young man that was responsible for the joy he could now feel emanating from her.

How was that possible?

From what he could sense, Hal was definitely a cosmic Phenomenon realm expert and yet he could solve what no one else could. He could put an end to a condition the so-called Primal essence was powerless against.

How... Was that possible?

"A Silva-born who Dual cultivates? And to an impressive level as well... Impressive" Noelle said as she eyes Hal from head to toe while he inwardly commended her perceptiveness.

"You flatter me" Hal said with a small bow.

Noelle only smiled lightly, 

"How did you get so good?"

Hal smiled wolfishly, 

"Constant practice" he said and both Anton and his partner paused and then started laughing.

Anton\'s was loud but Noelle covered her mouth and laughed elegantly, 

"Good answer" Anton said once he was no longer laughing and then looked over to Rita and Karmen.

"And who are you two?" He asked and they both introduced themselves with Karmen stating she was also Silva-born while Rita admitted to being from the Doxon Duchy but having left to live in the Silva Duchy years ago.

"Well, if my daughter and granddaughter vouch for you, what is my business in making things difficult for you. That said, I did not have a say in their choosing of you but should you hurt either of them, I will have a say in your death.

Even if you are Svetlana\'s son" Anton said.

When he said the last part, there was a twinkle in Noelle\'s eyes and her smile got a tad bit wider, 

"The Duchess\' son huh? Now that you mention it, I am starting to see the resemblance. Didn\'t know she had a son though." She said.

Hal gave a small bow once again as he said, 

"I would never dream of hurting them. But I do have to say you are a little mistaken. I am not Svetlana\'s son. I have no ties to the Doxon Duchy... Apart from the ties I have formed with your daughter and granddaughter that is.

Anton furrowed his brow, 

"Is that so? Then who\'s your mother?" He asked.

Hal shrugged, 

"I have no idea"

"And yet you deny being the Duchess\' son?" Noelle said.

"Of course. Just because I don\'t know who my mother is, does not mean I attach the role to just anyone." Hal said.

Noelle\'s face went a little red with annoyance, 

"Just anyone? We are talking about the Duchess of the Doxon Duchy, the one everyone looks up to and admires in the Duchy... We are talking about the Blue-eyed witch"

Inwardly, Hal sneered.

\'Oh, looks like we\'ve met a fan\'

Then he shrugged once again, 

"That\'s all very impressive but it does not make her a mother. At least it does not make her my mother"

Emily wondered how long this whole thing was going to be. She had already made the introduction which had been the whole point of this meeting.

Anton looked at Hal for a while and then sighed, 

"Very well. If you insist she is not your mother then I guess she\'s not..." Before he could complete his words, Noelle interrupted, 

"It\'s not very well. You are being disrespectful to the Duchess. Is it so bad to have the Duchess as a mother" she said with a frown nodded with seriousness, 

"Oh yes, it\'s really bad. I prefer how life has been for me so far and would rather not add the burden of being the child of someone important. You can\'t even begin to imagine how much fun it is to be underestimated because I don\'t have a powerful last name."

Status was very important in the Nexus world, especially the Duchy capitals where the most powerful and important families reside. A strong last name could provide protection in a situation where your strength is not enough but it also means enemies who are determined to end you take you seriously from the get-go once they know who you are.

After all, they already know what they are facing.

However, he loved the fact that they were always so stupid to let their guard down or assume he was without support when he said he had no last name.

It made killing them all the more satisfying...