Armipotent

Virion closed his eyes after hearing everything from his father. Then he heard a suppressed sobbing from his brother. Everything happened because of the war slave contract. His mother was afraid that the emperor would use the war slave contract to get rid of his father. It was not that he did not understand her concern because his father was one of the strongest in the Ortis Continent. The emperor might try to get rid of his father if the emperor regarded his father as a danger.

Everything started because of his younger brother, who could not accept the Moonlight Maiden's decision to break the engagement. All the fault was on his brother, not entirely, but that was the root of the issue. If his brother did not try something silly during the emperor's visit, everything would be fine even if they surrendered. Their family would still be intact.

Of course, it was entirely not his brother's fault but also the emperor's. Why did the emperor agree to his mother's careless decision? Why did the emperor take advantage of his mother when the emperor could reject his mother's advance?

"So you know who the root of the problem is, Arbane? If not for your thoughtless action, this would never happen," Virion blamed his brother. The sobbing got louder as Arbane could not hold it back anymore.

"That's enough, Virion. We are here not to point fingers. I need to know what you want to do? Will you stick to the empire? Or…" Revalor did not finish his words, but Virion knew what his father implied.

Virion took a deep breath and released it in one go before expressing what was on his mind.

"If that's the case, I will stay with the empire. This might be unfair for you, father, but if mother voluntarily chooses to stay with the emperor, then there's no reason for me to fight the empire. It's her choice. It pains me that my parents have to part ways like this, but I have to put the kingdom ahead of my personal feelings."

Revalor put up a bitter smile, "I am proud of you, but It's just hard for me to express it right now," He could not blame his son for making such a decision because he raised Virion that way as the heir.

"Thank you for your understanding, father," Virion bowed his head, "Of course, I will not let this slide like this, father. I will talk to His Majesty, and I want to force him to make an oath. An oath that the same incident will not be repeated. If His Majesty is willing to make such an oath, then I will stay with the empire, but if His Majesty does not dare to take the oath, then I will take the extreme measure. I promise you that you are the last person to suffer, father!"

Revalor looked at his first and smiled. It was not the pained or bitter smile that he had earlier, but a relieved smile, "It seems I can leave the kingdom in your hand with no worries. You don't need to worry about me; just focus on the kingdom. Your brother and your brother are free from the oath and the contract. I will leave the empire to explore this new world and calm my mind. I will tell you my decision once I return."

Virion stood up and bowed his head, "I am sorry, father. Your son is useless, not being able to provide you with any help."

Revalor shook his head, totally understanding his son's decision. Recklessly fighting the empire was not the best course of action, not for the Elven Kingdom. They were not in a position to fight the empire, not in the past, not now, and not in the future. The empire got increasingly stronger; if they were helpless right now, there was no way they could contend with the empire in the future.

"There's no need to be sorry. Your father is also useless to let his wife be robbed by another man. What about you, Arbane? Do you want to stay with your brother, or do you want to follow me? You are free from the war slave contract," Revalor looked at his second son. The most concerned was his second son. Even though Arbane had matured a lot, his second son was still hot-headed and childish sometimes. He was afraid that his second son would do something stupid again if he left his second son, so he wanted to bring Arbane with him.

"No! I will stay! You go, father; I will stay to observe the emperor closely!" Arbane looked solemn as he wiped the tears, "Go venture you and get stronger, father. We will exact your revenge once you return!"

Revalor approached his second son and slapped Arbane's back of his head, "If you want to stay, then don't do something stupid and make it difficult for your brother. He's already having a hard time, don't make it harder for him!"

After that, Revalor approached his daughter, who had her head down all this time. He hugged her and whispered, "Stay by your brother's side and support him in whatever he does. I am sorry for leaving and giving you a tough job, Alissa."

"Hmmnnn," Alissa shook her head, "You are having a harder time than any of us, father. I am so useless…I…." She started to cry again. The father comforted his daughter, and the family had a family talk longer before the three siblings watched their father leave the Elven Kingdom's new capital.

"Remember this. I want this matter to be kept a secret. We will announce that father and mother part ways, but we can't tell anyone what actually happened, no one! Do you understand?" Virion looked his siblings in the eye, "We can't help anything with what father has gone through, but we can still protect his reputation. This is the best thing we can do for father!" The siblings agreed to keep the real reason secret.

*** ***

On the following day, Virion asked to meet the emperor.

Tang Shaoyang did not try to hide from Ava's family. He had a resolve to face all the problems, not running away regardless of the consequence. He made a mistake, and he would admit it to make amends.

Virion, Arbane, and Alissa came together to the throne hall. Because they claimed it as an official business, Tang Shaoyang waited for them in the throne hall. He was alone as he faced Ava's children. It weirded him a little bit fact that his stepchildren were much older than him.