Kael froze for a moment. Despite being prepared, hearing the news so suddenly left his mind nk. It took him a while toe back to his senses...


    After all, the two were intertwined, inseparable.


    For a moment, his already weakened body felt a pang in his heart. The teacup he was holding fell instantly, caught mid-air by Fox’s outstretched hand.


    A few drops of tea spilled as Fox ced the cup on the table and turned away silently, knowing that the child was heartbroken.


    But he wasn’t good atforting others. Seeing the young man not speak for a long time, he felt uneasy, wishing he would either shout or burst into tears.


    Instead, it was this silent, speechless atmosphere that was most torturous.


    Recalling everything about his father, amidst the bitterness, Kael remembered something else.


    Anthony.D.Charles... The surname Charles was rare, tracing back to the ruler of the Duchy of Engnce, the legendary Lionheart Duke.


    On thend of Lancaster, the descendants of the Lionheart Duke were the undisputed privileged ss. Besides the direct line of the duchy dukes, the Charles family was among the top traditional nobles.


    A major problem, the worst oue!


    If it were an ordinary family, it wouldn’t matter. But based on Kael’s knowledge of these traditional nobles from the game, this group of staunch defenders of bloodlines was more hostile to illegitimate children than one might imagine.


    Not to mention that Anthony bore the title of a hereditary baron... Don’t underestimate the nobility of a baron.


    Though the hierarchy went duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron, a baron was indeed the lowest, but below a baron were five ranks of royal knights.


    These ten tiersbined formed the ruling ss of the Yibel Federation.


    When his father was around, no one dared say anything, but now... it might lead to manyplications due to this position.


    Thinking of this, more ideas formed in his mind.


    Though it was somewhat despicable, to survive better, slyly using the advantages of being an incubus was not shameful...


    After a while, Kael raised his pale face, forced a smile, and said, "Sorry, hearing the news shocked me. Uncle Fox, you know, Father was often busy outside and rarely came home.


    You just called Anthony directly, and I didn’t even react in time. Truly an embarrassment to Father."


    The moderate charm inherent in his incubus bloodline made him seem even more delicate and fragile. That teetering look softened Fox’s heart once again.


    How could a son remember an outsider’s name but forget his father’s? It was just an excuse to avoid pity from others.


    "That’s not true. Anthony always saw you as his pride."


    "Pride?" Kael took a deep breath and continued, "Father, was he brave on the battlefield up there?"


    Fox’s breath caught, feeling as if his heart was coated withyers of cement, making it hard to breathe. His chest heaved, a mixture of pain and guilt crossing his mind.


    What kind of character could say such words? In thatplex moment, his voice trembled as he gently grasped Kael’s shoulder and said:


    "Your father was very brave. He was a lionheart knight without a doubt, and the Iron Cross and Lion Heart Battle Group took pride in him!"


    "Then he indeed fulfilled his duty to Saint Engnce." Kael nodded, seemingly disinterested in continuing the conversation.


    But a thought shed through Fox’s mind: But he didn’t fulfill his duty as this child’s father.


    Yes, there was only one father, and now there was nothing.


    This heavy atmosphere felt like being choked, making it impossible to speak. After a long while, Fox rasped:


    "Before your father’s death, he left his Holy Sanctuary Core for you, hoping you would absorb it and inherit the honor of him and the Charles family.


    Child, the bloodline of an incubus doesn’t prove your heart leans toward evil. A brave and fearless heart like gold is the proof of your humanity! You have done well in this."


    Kael’s worries eased slightly, knowing that he had passed this ordeal with the Lionheart Knight.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But upon hearing "Holy Sanctuary Core," he couldn’t help but feel his heart skip a beat.


    In the original memories, he wasn’t very aware of how strong his father Anthony was.


    After all, he was a magician, and Anthony wouldn’t deliberately show his strength in front of his weak son.


    But a Holy Sanctuary Core could onlye from a Holy Sanctuary warrior.


    The professions had different titles based on their levels.


    LV1-10 were initial practitioners;


    LV11-20 were transcendent practitioners;


    LV21-30 were Holy Sanctuary practitioners;


    ...


    Even in the Lion Heart Battle Group, which was filled with strong warriors, a Holy Sanctuary warrior was undoubtedly a key figure.


    The most crucial part was that a Holy Sanctuary Core was the essence of power condensed within a Holy Sanctuary practitioner, equivalent to the source of their power.


    This item, in the game "Gate of the Lower Realm," was also known to yers as a "high-level experience stone," which could be used aspensation for casting some forbidden techniques or as a material for bloodline or level advancement.


    Even by theter 9.4 version, it was still a very rare high-level item.


    Seeing Kael remain silent, Fox patted his shoulder and said, "We know you have never fed on human essence since birth, not even on cattle and sheep blood.


    Your father left the Holy Sanctuary Core, probably to ease the pain of your bloodline instincts. Don’t overthink it; the Holy Sanctuary Core is not essence but is superior to essence.


    Replenish your body, live well, and do not betray your father’s intentions."


    After speaking, Fox took out a blood-red crystal from the inneryer of his armor and gently ced it in Kael’s hand.


    Kael tightly gripped the crystal, feeling the small stone as heavy as a thousand pounds, his mindplicated.


    Fox gently hugged him and said, "Your Uncle Fox has limited abilities, but if you return to the Royal Capital, you are wee to visit my home. Let’s use the time to bond as uncle and nephew.


    As for the territory, I will speak with themander. Those who sacrifice for order should not leave their children cold-hearted."


    Kael nodded in agreement, and Fox stood up and left.


    After Kael walked him to the door and turned away, Fox took out a cigarette from the inside of his armor, lit it, and puffed on it for a while, his expression unpleasant.


    He remembered what had happened early this morning.


    ...


    In the Duchy of Engnce, to the south of the Royal Capital, a giant building stood majestically.


    The locals called it the "White Bone Christmas Tree," legend having it that the first Lionheart Duke of Engnce, during the founding of the nation, killed a Titan Giant that disturbed the borders, melting its bones with arge amount of alloy to create the giant marvel.


    Branches extended from its spine, with two-meter-high ss panes affixed to them, making up the main body of the structure.


    Because it used special paint, the building emitted a blue phosphorescent glow at night, appearing like a conical white skeleton structure floating in mid-air.


    Cold and harsh, much like the Lion Heart Battle Group that existed within the White Bone Christmas Tree, representing their absolute dominance over their domain.


    Suddenly, a fierce wind blew at night, and a manticore d in armor, bearing a Lionheart Knight dressed in beast bone armor, slowly descended with pping wings.


    As the knight’s feet touched the ground, it seemed as if all strength left him, and he knelt on the ground.