Published at 23rd of April 2026 6:26 am

Chapter 1691 The Strongest

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A dragon made an apperance for the first time in the history of the Ignisra Kingdom.

Valerian had showed his true form for a few fleeting moments, but it was

enough for the Fireborne family to be struck with awe by his sheer beauty and majesty.

And now... Marcus wouldn't leave him alone.

"Lord Valerian! Lord Valerian!" His excited voice echoed through the courtyard. "Show it to me one more time, please!"

The youth chased the cat in circles. Although Valerian displayed a displeased expression on his face, the look in his topaz eyes betrayed his inner feelings. He clearly liked being called "Lord Valerian".

"So how come you didn't mention anything about Adam to him?" Anna asked with an arched brow.

Marlow wisely chose to ignore her question, choosing instead to awkwardly finish the food on his plate. Sitting beside him, Hazel let out a quiet chuckle.

"How could he?" she said. "For the longest time, my lord thought that Adam Constantine was a heinous criminal."

"Hazel!" Marlow blurted out. But his wife simply stuck her tongue out and teased him.

Anna was quite surprised by their behavior. It had been more than fifty years since she had left her home and sailed across the Galestine. When she had left, the relationship between her brother and her sister-in-law was only cursory. She even believed that there was no love between them.

But watching them now, Anna could clearly tell that their relationship had strengthened greatly. It had seemed to bloom like the flowers in spring. She couldn't help but wonder why.

"You can't blame him now, can you?" Queen Amira said with a faint smile.

She turned to Anna and continued, "For the longest time, we... well, the world, was led to believe that Adam was the villain, the mastermind behind the Battle of Ravenfell."

King Maximillian took a sip of jasmine tea and said, "It was only recently, when word of his public hearing and his successive victories in our battle against Haynam spread, that the people of the Union began to see him in a new light."

Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. Queen Amira noticed the sad smile on her daughter's face and gently clasped her hand.

"How is he?" She asked gently. "Your little brother."

"He's... going through a lot," Anna said softly.

Everyone paid attention to what she had to say about Adam. To them, the Dark King was like a figure from legends. But to Anna, he was but a boy, her brother. "He shoulders great responsibility," she continued. "The Cult has taken a lot from him. He has made it his life's mission to exterminate every last one of them.""

Maximillian turned to her daughter and solemnly proclaimed.

"No matter what happens, Ignisra will always stand with the Dark King"

It warmed Anna's heart to hear those words. "Thank you, Father."

Marlow waited a few moments, then chimed in. "I don't know if you've heard, but our intel suggests Adam has laid waste to another great prison under the Empire's control."

"Another one?" Anna was stunned.

"Indeed." Maximillian nodded.

"We believe he has hidden himself deep behind enemy lines. He appears abruptly and lays waste to towns and cities, where their army has camped, and disappears just as quickly. He's like a ghost. The number of Haynam lives he has reaped just in the past half a year is... staggering"

Following the Uprising of Jomuran, the Dark King had seperated from his host and flown deeper into enemy territory. Fearing that the enemy would locate his army through the Soulmark Lanterns, he wisely chose to detach from them. Now, while he carried out surprise attacks on Haynam forces, appearing in random locations and then disappearing after committing mass slaughter, his army aboard the Red Wind laid siege to military outposts along the borders.

Queen Amira had a concerned look on her face. Although she had never met Adam, she still cared for him. She was ever grateful for what he had done for her beloved daughter.

"Is he going to be all right?" She couldn't help but ask. "He's deep inside enemy territory, all by himself.""

Anna remained silent for a long time. Slowly, her lips curled into a faint smile.

"He's always been like that," she said softly.

"He's different, Mother. He... thrives in solitude. The more alone he is, the more dangerous he becomes. It's as if the world itself sharpens him when there's nothing left to lean on, and no one to look after. That's why he left. Partly because he had to, and partly because that's where he's the strongest."

Listening to those words, Marlow felt goosebumps cover his arms. He couldnt' help but say, "I would love to meet him one day"

The corner of Anna's lips twitched.

You already have, she thought awkwardly.

"So," Maximillian began, his tone solemn and dignified. "What brought you to Amberfall?"

"Can't a girl return home because she misses her family?" Anna teased.

Amira hugged her again as she heard those words. "Oh, my sweet child."

The King, however, wasn't fooled by her words. "So what is it? Is Ignisra in danger?"

The atmosphere quickly grew solemn. Amira turned to her husband with a frown.

"Why must you speak such heavy words? Our daughter has just returned home. Can't you at least let her rest for a day? The heavens only know how much she

must have endured in these past years."

"It's okay, Mother." Anna gently clasped her hand. "Father's not wrong."

"So it's true." Marlow straightened in his seat, his face grim.

Anna nodded. She then turned to her father and requested, "Might we find a more private place to discuss?"

She secretly glanced at the maids and servants standing outside the gazebo and the guards stationed in the distance. "Too many ears," she added quietly.

King Maximillian silently nodded.

The family finished their breakfast under a slightly tense atmosphere. Marcus had taken Valerian deeper into the palace to show him around. About half an

hour later, they finished their food and rose to their feet.

"Anna," the king said in an even voice, "stay."

"Yes, Father." Anna respectfully nodded and sat back down.

After everyone had left, the father and daughter sat in the gazebo in heavy

silence. Maximillian studied Anna intently, while she remained seated, calmly

meeting his gaze.

The king's lips curled into a faint, approving smile. "So when were you going to

tell me?"

Anna remained silent, though she couldn't help but smile.

King Maximillian continued:

"...that you've become a Mana Core Magus."

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