Chapter 378: Monia and Aldric
The blonde girl standing beside Aldric frowned when she heard that and asked him in a low voice, "You know him?"
Hearing that, Aldric could only remain silent, not knowing how to answer. Know him? Of course. It was just... the relationship between him and Noan was a little complicated.
Noan smiled and said, "An old friend. Aldric, are you taking me to meet the Empress now?"
Aldric shook his head. "It won’t be that easy. You need to go through a few tests first. Don’t worry, they’re very simple. Besides, the Empress has already received the news. She’ll probably want to see you soon."
Noan nodded. After all, what he wanted most was to find a way into the Insect Kingdom to save Vylyss and find the organization that kidnapped Maya to rescue her.
He frowned and asked, "Aldric, before we go to the testing center, there are a few things I want to ask you."
Aldric sighed. He waved his hand. At once, someone in the group brought a tablet over to Noan.
Noan took the tablet and frowned as he looked at the information displayed. He stared at it for a long time, then said, "I want to depart right now."
Aldric shook his head. "No. Your identity hasn’t been verified yet. If you cause trouble, I’m afraid the Empire and the World Government won’t be able to protect you."
"Wait until you finish the tests and meet the Empress. Then, your authority will be enough for you to do it without too much trouble."
Noan took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine!"
After all, he had already waited nearly a month. Waiting a few more days wouldn’t matter. Besides, with Yuuna’s help, even if Maya died, he could still find her soul, store it, and let her be reborn.
Of course, Noan would have to pay a massive price to reincarnate Maya, but he was willing to pay it.
Noan got into the car with Aldric and headed to the testing center.
After getting out of the car, the girl beside Aldric frowned and asked, "I want to ask a question."
Hearing that, Noan looked at Aldric in confusion. Aldric sighed and said softly, "Monia, what do you want to ask?"
Monia looked at Noan. There was no friendliness in her eyes. Noan had also felt that from the moment he met her. That gaze seemed to carry irritation and... a hint of disdain.
Noan truly didn’t understand. He had already revealed his identity as a lord who possessed a Rank SS Hero, yet he was still being stared at with that disdainful gaze, making him feel a little uncomfortable.
"Yes." Monia glanced at Yuna, then looked back at Noan and asked, "According to the file, at the beginning you were only a Rank F lord, right?"
"Yes." Noan did not deny it and answered immediately.
Monia continued, "I don’t know how you managed to obtain a Rank SS Hero, but I feel you’re not worthy to have her."
Aldric: "??!"
Noan: "..."
Noan frowned and looked at Aldric.
Aldric held his forehead and sighed, his expression helpless as if this was something he could not control.
Monia frowned. Her eyes were filled with contempt, and her voice carried an obvious mocking tone. "A Rank F lord like you bringing a Rank SS Hero is truly a waste. Not only is it wasting this world’s resources, it’s also wasting the talent of high-rank lords who can’t obtain useful Heroes."
"Forgive me if my words are hard to hear, but I’m telling the truth. You... are not worthy to possess her. Besides, you’re male and she’s female. Look at her, beautiful like an angel, and you... you look like a homeless man. You’re really staining her."
Hearing that, even Yuna’s originally gentle face showed a trace of coldness.
Noan smiled and asked, "Then... what do you want me to do?"
Seeing that Noan didn’t argue, Monia thought he had truly believed what she said, recognizing the difference between him and Yuna.
She nodded. "Good. I thought you’d be stubborn. Very simple. Give up your ownership of her, then let her choose a lord she feels suitable, or the Empire and the World Government will choose a suitable lord for her."
"Your attitude is very good. I can give you five Rank A Energy Crystals as compensation. On top of that, I can give you a small position in the Royal Army. That’s enough, isn’t it?"
Aldric, beside her, could only hold his forehead and sigh, his expression exhausted to the extreme.
Noan snorted with laughter.
Seeing Noan’s expression, Monia frowned and shouted, "What are you laughing at?!"
"I think... you’re really stupid."
"You..."
"Enough!" Aldric shouted, "Monia, don’t think that just because your father is a General, you can say whatever you want."
"Aldric, am I wrong?" Monia shouted as well. "Look at him, a Rank F lord actually owning a Rank SS Hero. Do you know how unfair that is to countless people?"
"He’s not worthy. It’d be better to let a dog hold a Rank SS Hero than let him keep her. He..."
"Monia!" Aldric could not restrain himself anymore and roared, his voice cold as ice. "Maybe I’ve spoiled you too much. You’re not the Empress. Do I have to listen to everything you say?"
"You..."
Noan sighed, cutting off Monia. "Enough. I don’t want to waste time on an idiot like this."
Aldric nodded. "Follow me. All the tests are already prepared. With your ability, passing them will be easy."
After all, Aldric and Noan had fought together at that strange castle before, so Aldric knew exactly how terrifying Noan’s strength was.
In a situation where he had no Heroes or troops with him, the strength Noan displayed could match a Rank S Hero. That was something Aldric could be certain of.
Now, seeing Noan possess a Rank SS Hero, Aldric was only slightly surprised. After that, he felt it was very reasonable.
A Rank F lord could not possess a Hero with a Rank higher than Rank D. However, there were also a few special cases. One of those special cases was that you could obtain first place in events organized by the System.
With Noan’s strength, Aldric did not find it strange that he could take first place in some System event.
With his strength, plus a Rank SS Hero, Aldric felt that if Noan were given time to develop, no one in this Empire would be able to stop him.
In his heart, there was only one thought: before Noan became so strong that he exceeded all control by the Government and the Empire, they had to make him utterly loyal to the Empire.
How could they make him loyal to the Empire? Of course, by using things he was interested in. For men, fame, money, beautiful women, and power were the things that interested them.
Aldric sighed. He did not want to think too much anymore, because that was the job of the people at the top of the Empire.
"Wait!" Monia ran in front of Noan, spreading her arms to block the entrance to the Testing Center. "I won’t allow you inside unless you give up your ownership of her. Otherwise..."
Noan frowned. His gaze, as if it wanted to kill, locked onto Monia, making her shudder in fear.
Even though she was terrified, she still forced herself to stammer, "Aldric, you... you see it, right? His character... it’s terrifying. Look at his eyes. He... he’s about to kill me. A person like him, who could threaten society, cannot possess a Rank SS Hero."
Aldric completely lost patience and roared, "Have you had enough?!"
Monia jolted. She looked at Aldric with disbelief. "You... you’re shouting at me? You’re my fiancé! You dare shout at me?"
Aldric said angrily, "I still haven’t agreed to the engagement your family proposed, so please be careful with your words. I... don’t like you. If you keep bothering my honored guest, I will definitely refuse your family’s engagement. At that point, the consequences will be more than you can bear."
Monia’s eyes began to well with tears, but she still bit her lip, trying to look strong and hold them back.
"Aldric... I like you so much. Why? Why don’t you like me?"
Aldric frowned. "There are many people in this world who like me. Does that mean I have to like anyone who likes me? Besides, your personality is stupid. You’re always bothering me. Why would I like you?"
"If you want to stay here, then shut up. If you can’t shut up, then I’ll throw you back to your father."
Monia clenched her teeth. "But... he... he..."
"He is a distinguished guest of the Empire, the one holding a Rank SS Hero, and he has been placed on the list of targets protected by the entire Empire," Aldric said, his voice full of threat. "If you make him dissatisfied, do you know what the consequences will be?"
Monia could not hold back anymore and let her tears pour out, yet she still stubbornly stood there, her hands clenched so tightly they turned white.
Noan did not speak when he saw this scene. After all, what he hated most was the kind of woman who always thought she was right, the center of the world.
Letting Aldric scold her was also helping her. If she realized how detestable her personality was, her life in the future would be better.
"Let’s go!" Aldric let out a sigh, then led Noan inside.
Monia ground her teeth, her eyes flicking toward Noan with hatred and contempt. She murmured, "I won’t let you possess that noble Hero. Someone like you... are not worthy to have her."
