My family was gathered together around a table.
We were having breakfast, but my father also wanted to discuss something with me and my mother.
However, I was so shocked when I saw my father's face, as he looked like his soul was sucked out of his body.
His complexion was pale, almost lifeless, and his eyes looked dead and dark circles were apparent around them
He must have worked non-stop and only took a little break to eat with us.
Seriously, it was easy to guess how exhausting the work that he needed to take care of was.
I couldn't help but respect my father for this. He was not a Lord for nothing.
While I was thinking about these things, my father looked at me with his exhausted eyes.
"Adam, what you did yesterday was improper and disrespectful," he said in a serious tone, and I didn't intend to argue with him.
"I lost my composure, seeing how insolent they were, but I reflected on my actions," I replied.
I was seriously having a good time talking with my mother when I was suddenly summoned, and when I arrived at my father's workplace, I saw five annoying fellows who looked like they own the whole place.
Most of these guys were way younger than me, and I was seriously pissed off when they tried to humiliate me just because I dealt with the issue easily in a better way.
My father sighed and then smiled a bit.
"Well, you showed some courage and boldness too. Some people changed their opinion about you," he said. "However, you need to bear the consequences of your action. Even though these people were unpleasant, they were still hunters. Just know that I won't help you with this. Deal with the consequences of your action like a man."
I could see that my father wasn't as angry toward me as he seemed. He was just being a father and a Lord.
"Don't worry father. I will put them in their place if I see them again," I said.
Hearing my words, my father looked at me with doubt.
"That's not what I meant…" He muttered.
My mother chuckled a little looking as she listened to both of us. It was probably because the conversation sounded a little bit stiff.
"Cough.." My father stopped eating and looked at us. "That incident almost cost me both of you. It was a miracle that you survived and I am extremely grateful for that. From now, I won't let something like that happen again," he said.
My mother looked at my father with gentle eyes. "Julius, don't blame yourself too much. We also care about you, and we don't want to see you overworking yourself," she said because she knew more than anyone else how hardworking her husband was.
"Marie… You are right." My father said, taking into account my mother's feelings. After all, no one would want to see the people they loved suffering from overwork, even if it was for their sake.
I wished I could find someone like my mother in this life. No matter how I looked at it, my father was extremely lucky to have someone like her.
My mind was at peace when I saw my parents like this. It was a sight that I never experienced in my past life. It made me a little bit sentimental.
"Oh!" My father shouted, looking like he remembered something. "It seemed like there will be a special announcement from the Empire that will be broadcasted all around the world today. Many things happened so I completely forgot to tell you about it. It will begin in a few minutes. I thought that we should watch it together after breakfast."
I was wondering about the kind of technology they used to do that, but I was more curious about the content of this announcement. "Announcement? This was the first time I heard about such a special occasion," I said.
"The Emperor will make some important statements. It must be a game-changing one, for the empire to take this kind of exceptional action," my father said.
I was extremely curious about this announcement. After all, it might have a huge impact on the choice that I needed to make from there.
It was no secret that the Holy Church was a dominant part of this world after all.
*****
After eating breakfast, we moved to another room equipped with devices that could project images and sounds.
Before long, the broadcast began, and I was kind of anxious knowing that if it was somehow connected to the future of this world, then I will have more problems to deal with.
The crest of the Empire appeared on the screen, signaling that it had begun.
Then a person, wearing extravagant clothing made his appearance. He looked majestic, and I could see that he was different even when compared with the other Lords.
[To all people in this universe, I Razmondius Li Emporora, express my regards.]
The man, who was the current emperor of the Empire, began his speech, speaking in a deep and charismatic voice.
I looked at him, realizing that this was the face of the most influential figure in this universe, and realized that I still had a lot to discover.
The emperor had long silver hair delicately combed into curls. His eyes were fierce and showed no hint of doubt in himself. His face was manly, mostly because of his beard and his almost perfect jawline. His posture was worthy of his title, and no one would question his genuineness as a ruler just by hearing his voice.
If all this was an act, then it was more elaborate than these films from Hollywood.
[The purpose of this announcement is related to the monsters that threaten the peace of our world. First of all, it was determined that the appearance of these despicable creatures became more frequent in the past few years. The strength and number also increased potentially and unfathomable damages were caused. It pains me to see people suffering and losing their loved ones, and I understand your pain because I also lost someone. That is why, in a near future, a war on a scale will that never happened before will take place, and there's no avoiding it. We must exterminate these monsters once and for all.]
I listened to the Emperor's speech with great interest. It looked like the Empire was the concerning appearance of monsters.
[Today, I announce the creation of a new operation called Armageddon. From today onwards, every man at the age of seventeen and higher will get the honor to become an official soldier of the Empire or become a hunter.]
It also seemed like a war was unavoidable, and the Empire was trying to recruit as many talented soldiers as possible.
[We will not give in to these monsters. Humans are strong. During this decade many extraordinary gift holders appeared and there this group of people could be considered the last pillar of humanity. This group of people will be known as 'The Platinum generation' and the Empire value such talented individuals, so they will be given a special title. This year's Holy academy entrance exam will serve as a way for these people to shine and the event will be also broadcasted all around the world. Honor, fame, money, you will be rewarded everything if you fight to protect and not to destroy. Anyone can take this entrance exam so don't hesitate to show what you are worth.]
It sounded like the Emperor tried to appeal to talented people to join the Empire. There must be something going on for a powerful force such as the Empire was this desperate.
It looked like I needed to discover what was happening in the shadow of the Empire in one way or another.
[Finally, I would like to announce that a new saint apprentice was chosen. And it's no other than my daughter Neige Lyh Emporora, the second princess of the Empire. She will succeed the current Holy mother in her holy duties when she finishes her training. This is a great honor for me her father, and the entire royal family.]
At that moment a girl appeared on the screen, and for a second, I almost forgot to breathe.
Being extremely shocked was an understatement.
'I feel like I was reincarnated just to see this girl. Well, that's an exaggeration but how beautiful can a person be?' I said to myself.
Her hair was as white as snow. Her eyes were as red as blood, and her lips were even more beautiful than how Snow White's was described. Her skin looked made of porcelain and her long eyelashes were like natural decoration for her face.
I looked at this girl without blinking even once during the short time she appeared on the screen.
'Man, if a goddess exists then she must look like her.' I thought.
Liu was by no means inferior to this girl called Neige in terms of beauty, but there was just something almost divine about her that was different from the vibe that Liu gave off.
'Still, it also makes her look unreal..." I said.
As I was contemplating this girl, the focus switched to a different person.
The person wore a pure sister outfit, and her face was covered by a white veil.
That was when things got weirder.