Chapter 185


    "Lord vin, where do you n to move to?" Carlys asked yfully, her hands sped behind her


    back as she roamed the storeroom. "A Golden Protégé should have his own manor, or perhaps


    build one next to the sorceress sister''s abode."


    "I''ve grown ustomed to living here. I''ve no desire to move." After returning, vin did nothing but


    gather some wild herbs and cook himself a meal.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "That won''t do at all. A Golden Protégé must have the amodations befitting his title. We''re


    second to none. How can you be dwelling in a storeroom?" Carlys was overjoyed for vin. Her


    eyes were brimming with tears.


    Eight years, and finally, his fortunes had turned. She had seen all the hardships vin endured over


    those eight years and the perseverance he held in his heart.


    vin neverined, never gave up, and never bowed to anyone.


    Who could match such pride? Others mocked, but he remained steadfast. Today, his persistence


    showed all who hadughed at him his real power. No wonder Celesse had always been waiting for


    him and never gave up.


    "The Golden Protégé cane and go from Cobalt Strike as he pleases. I might not return much in


    the future, and having a ce to rest my head is enough. I care not for luxury." vin looked


    through the window at the solitary grave in the yard, the old lord''s concern. How could he let others


    disturb it?


    "Where will you be headed? Off to sharpen your skills?"


    vin paused, then smiled knowingly. "Home!"


    "Home?" Carlys eximed with surprise, rushing to vin''s side. "Has the Commander agreed to


    pardon the Mallister family?"


    "Not certain yet."


    "How likely is it?" Carlys clung to vin excitedly. Her bright eyes were filled with anticipation.


    "Maybe seventy or eighty percent."


    "Did the Commander himself say so? Has he loosened his tongue?"


    "Yes. Now, it is up to him to convince the Grand Elder."


    "If only my mentor were here, he''d have a word, and he was never afraid of the Grand Elder. Right,


    can''t you seek out Mari?"


    vin looked puzzled. "Seek Mari for what?"


    "To ask the Botanic Haven Elder for help, of course. The only one in the whole Organization who


    can sway the Commander''s decision is the Botanic Haven Elder. He''s the previous Commander''s


    son; the position should have been his, but he shunned fame and fortune and let the current


    Commander take his ce. Commander Kashann has always held him in high esteem; if he speaks


    for you, then this matter is as good as settled."


    "The previous Commander was the Botanic Haven Elder''s father?" vin was hearing this for the


    first time.


    "It''s hardly a secret, but over the years, few have spoken of it." Carlys leaned in close to vin,


    giggling. "I hear you and Mari are quite close; go ask for her help."


    vin rolled his eyes. "Where did you hear that?"


    "From Niks, of course. He said Mari took good care of you at the championship."


    "Do you believe that?"


    "I do!" Carlys straightened her face, then burst intoughter. Her mirth was as vibrant as blooming


    flowers.


    vin shook his head with a smile. Carlys’ cheerfulness always brought an indescribable ease to


    his heart.


    “After we eat, I’ll take you out for a stroll.”


    “Where to?”


    “To all the Arenas, to let them see who''s returned." Carlys held her head high with pride.


    "I''d rather rest. I''m weary."


    Just then, Balder arrived at the storeroom, about to speak when he caught sight of the joyful and


    affectionate Carlys. The words on his tongue turned into augh. "Is that Lady Carlys there?


    Perhaps I shoulde backter?"


    "What''s the matter?"


    "I need to talk to Lord vin."


    "You guys talk." Carlys graciously let go of vin, tending to the stove''s fire for him.


    Balder pulled vin outside, speaking in a low voice. “I’ve bad news and good news.”


    “Give me the bad news first.”


    “Marak has been taken. Lord Viperbane himself went to Warriors’ Vale and took Marak away. My


    hired hands didn’t even have a chance to strike.”


    vin frowned slightly; this was troubling!


    “Shall we let this go for now? You’re now a Golden Protégé, nearly half an Elder in Cobalt Strike.


    Unless they wish to forsake you, Lord Viperbane wouldn’t darey a finger on you. Let’s wait, and


    we’ll find another way after a respite.” Balder had hired some secretive assassins through


    intermediaries, and paid a hefty sum to ambush Marak en route. They were desperadoes of great


    strength, and with the Mollen family supporting them, the deed was to be clean. But who would


    have thought the Lord Viperbane himself would appear, muddling the n?