In the span of just one year, the Noire family underwent monumental changes.
First and foremost, Eagle Noire, the eldest son of the Noire family, returned.
Middleton’s power dynamics shifted drastically during this time. Upon his return, Eagle Noire immediately ascended to the position of the Noire family’s heir. As the new heir, Eagle Noire conducted himself with a commanding and forceful demeanor.
The actions of the Noire family left other families seething with resentment, though none dared to voice their discontent.
Now, the Noire family had risen to dominate the ranks of the ten noble families-undisputed and unmatched.
Despite their meteoric rise, a lingering unease plagued the Noire family. That unease had a name: Chris.
Chris had returned, and his reappearance sent ripples of fear through the Noire family.
Speculation abounded. Was Chris’s return a deliberate move against the Noire family?
—
Meanwhile, within the Noire family estate, the family butler approached cautiously.
“Young Master, the Master has requested your presence,” the butler said.
Inside the room, a young man was deep in his training. He opened his eyes upon hearing the butler’s words.
“What’s going on?” the young man asked.
This young man was none other than Eagle Noire, the eldest son of the Noire family.
The butler hesitated before replying, “I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve heard… Chris is back.”
“Chris is back?”
Eagle Noire’s expression darkened instantly.
A year ago, Eagle Noire wasn’t a match for Chris. But now, a year later, Eagle Noire no longer saw Chris as a threat.
With a dismissive tone, Eagle Noire said, “Go tell my father that Chris can come back all he wants. There’s no need to worry.”
The butler nodded quickly. “Understood!”
With that, the butler turned and left.
Eagle Noire let out a cold snort, his face filled with disdain. He muttered to himself, “Chris… Chris… The person I am now is nothing like the person I was a year ago. So what if you’ve returned? You’d better not provoke me, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
—
Chris and his companions returned to the villa. Mara Wainwright wandered around, her eyes filled with curiosity.
It was clear that Aethelgard and Earth were two entirely different worlds.
“Mr. Shelby, your house is simply stunning,” Mara said, her voice filled with awe.
At that moment, a young woman approached them.
“Mara, have a drink,” the woman said with a warm smile.
This young woman was Candace.
During Chris’s absence, it had been Candace who stayed by Esther’s side, offering her companionship.
“Thank you, Candace,” Mara said with a bright smile.
She took a sip of the drink and exclaimed, “How could something taste this good? What is this?”
Candace chuckled. “It’s orange juice!”
—
The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by the rumble of engines.
Several cars roared to a stop at the villa’s entrance.
From the vehicles emerged a group of people, including Candace’s grandfather, Caspian, and James.
Caspian, the renowned “God of War” from Amerosia, was a man who had always admired Chris.
During Chris’s year-long absence, Esther’s Chester Group had suffered relentless oppression. Chris had made too many enemies in Middleton during his time there.
If not for Caspian’s unwavering support from behind the scenes, Esther would have crumbled under the pressure long ago.
Upon seeing Chris, Caspian couldn’t hold back his frustration.
“Chris, where have you been for the past year?” Caspian demanded.
Chris gave an awkward smile. “Mr. Vance, it’s a long story. But tell me, what’s been happening in Middleton while I’ve been gone?”
Caspian sighed heavily. “A lot has changed in Middleton since you left. The Noire family has risen again, stronger than ever. And the driving force behind their resurgence is Eagle Noire!”
“Eagle Noire?”
Chris’s face immediately darkened at the name.
Caspian proceeded to recount everything that had transpired in Middleton over the past year.
After Chris’s sudden disappearance, Eagle Noire returned to Middleton. His arrival marked the Noire family’s rapid resurgence.
Not only did Eagle Noire return, but he brought with him several formidable Aetherbinding practitioners. These practitioners were so powerful that no one in Middleton could stand against them.
Eagle Noire even attempted to seize control of Emberwood Estate, though Caspian had deployed his forces to stop him.
When Caspian finished, Chris fell silent, his mind racing.
He hadn’t expected Middleton to change so drastically in just one year.
Eagle Noire’s sudden resurgence was beyond anything Chris had anticipated.
The last time they met, Eagle Noire had fled Middleton in disgrace. Chris had clearly underestimated him.
“It seems,” Chris murmured, “someone is supporting Eagle Noire from the shadows.”
A thought occurred to him: the Flameforge Sect.
Before leaving Aethelgard, Chris had heard that the Flameforge Sect was repairing their teleportation array.
Harrison Passos had also mentioned that a few Flameforge Sect practitioners had come to Earth through the array.
Could these Aetherbinding practitioners now be working with the Noire family?
The idea unsettled Chris.
—
Caspian let out a heavy sigh. “Chris, I used to think that with your return, you could suppress the Noire family again. But looking at you now…”
His gaze dropped to Chris’s empty hands, a clear reminder of Chris’s current limitations.
Caspian had already heard the rumors. Chris was back, but he had become a cripple.
Chris smiled faintly. “What’s wrong, Mr. Vance? Do you think less of me because of my condition? I’ve heard you have several practitioners protecting you. Is that true?”
Caspian’s reputation as Amerosia’s God of War was well-earned. Even in retirement, his influence within the Amerosia military was immense.
To ensure his safety, Master William had personally assigned royal practitioners to protect him.
Caspian chuckled proudly. “Of course it’s true! During my years of conquest, I made countless enemies. Many have tried to take revenge on me, but none have succeeded. That’s because of the royal practitioners assigned to me by Master William. Each one is the best of the best.”
Chris smiled knowingly.
Indeed, four royal practitioners stood silently by Caspian’s side.
Chris’s keen eyes immediately recognized their strength. These practitioners were all at the Crescendence level.
Royal practitioners were elite warriors tasked with protecting the royal palace.
For Master William to assign them to Caspian showed just how much he valued him.
Caspian noticed Chris’s silence and frowned. “Chris, are you doubting the strength of my royal practitioners?”
“I’m not doubting them,” Chris said with a faint smile. “I’m just saying that, in my eyes, these royal practitioners are nothing more than ants.”