"Silence"

As Amelia was about to continue speaking, she suddenly froze, her gaze locking onto her child as if she had just seen a ghost. Her eyes widened in shock, and a sharp breath escaped her lips.

"Dev, am I seeing things, or do you feel it too? Our baby... he's already about to break through to the Transformation Rank!"

Devlin's face twitched as he instantly recognized the immense energy fluctuations coming from their newborn son. "This isn't good," he muttered. Without hesitation, he waved his hand, summoning a bracelet that shimmered with intricate runes. Slipping it onto the already sleeping Drace's tiny wrist, he observed his son's body carefully.

He could tell that the bracelet wouldn't suppress the boy's cultivation for long, but at least it would buy them some time.

"This will suppress his cultivation to Level 9. It'll last for about a month—just enough time for his body to adapt to its current level before breaking through naturally to the Transformation Rank."

Amelia nodded firmly in agreement. "I know he could probably withstand the breakthrough even now, given the monstrous abnormality he displayed minutes ago, but he needs a solid foundation."

Devlin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let's go. I hope those bastards don't try anything funny. If they do, I won't hesitate to turn the hall upside down."

Amelia smirked at her husband's words. "I completely agree."

She had expected Devlin to respond with his usual playful smile, but instead, a deadly serious expression crossed his face. His voice carried a chilling authority as he declared, "Who would dare? Let's see who dares to bully my son. They'll have to see if their lives still belong to them afterward."

A sharp, oppressive aura radiated from his body, causing the air around them to crackle with energy. He only calmed down when Amelia gently placed her slender hand on his shoulder. With a final glance at their son, the three of them disappeared from the secret realm, leaving behind a restored calm and peaceful atmosphere.

---

In a grand and luxurious meeting hall, twelve miniature thrones surrounded a majestic black throne that emanated an overwhelming sense of authority. Beside it sat a smaller, elegant throne—a clear indication that it belonged to the Duke's companion.

Eight figures were seated on eight of the twelve smaller thrones. They were the present elders, responsible for governing various territories under the Abigor family's rule. Among them were three distinguished mature women, four elderly men, and a young red-haired man who looked to be in his late twenties.

Some of them appeared calm and composed, already suspecting the cause of the earlier commotion. Others bore confused expressions, waiting for Duke Devlin Abigor to arrive and explain—or rather, to give his opinion. They all understood that their role was to take his words and relay them as headlines to their subordinates, calming the unrest spreading across the region, especially near the Abigor estate.

Two figures stood guard on either side of the central throne. They were clad in black and red shirts, bulky pants, and long coats embroidered with the Abigor family insignia—a palm crushing a silver skull, blood dripping from its chin, set against a stark white background. Their long swords remained sheathed, but the intensity of their black eyes made it clear that no one dared to meet their gaze directly.

The heavy doors of the meeting hall creaked open, drawing all eyes toward the entrance. Three figures entered: one seated in a wheelchair, a stunning mature woman standing behind him, gently pushing the chair forward, and lastly—

A small infant, comfortably nestled in his father's lap, his bright blue eyes curiously scanning the grand hall.

'Wow! This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen, past or present. Seems like I've been born into a wealthy family. Nice! This will definitely help on my journey to becoming stronger,' Drace thought to himself, pretending to be nothing more than a clueless baby as he enjoyed his father's warmth.

The youngest elder, the red-haired man, grinned widely upon seeing the trio enter. 'Perfect! Now I'm an uncle. Let's see those bastards try to brag about their nephews and nieces in front of me again. Thank you, Brother. And Sister Amelia, for giving me a nephew—a perfect one at that!'

The other elders had different thoughts, their gazes fixed on the child in Devlin's arms.

As Devlin and Amelia reached the center of the hall, the next moment, Devlin was already seated on the majestic black throne, still holding his son, while the wheelchair had mysteriously vanished.

Drace blinked in confusion. 'Wait… Did I just see my father stand up and move on his own? No… he didn't walk. He teleported? Am I seeing things? Or is everyone else pretending like this is normal?!'

Trying to push aside his shock, Drace focused on the meeting, guessing what his father might say next.

The hall fell silent as Devlin finally spoke. "I apologize for the commotion an hour ago. As you can all see, it was caused by the birth of my son—the heir of the Abigor family."

The elders stared at him in stunned silence.

'Since when does our Duke apologize for anything?' they all thought in unison.

Even Amelia, sitting beside him, was momentarily taken aback. 'Dev, you keep surprising me today. I suppose I still have much to learn about you now that you're a father.' A hint of jealousy flickered in her heart before disappearing, replaced by understanding. She would have done the same if she were in his position.

Drace, too, was in shock. 'Wow. Just one sentence and the entire hall is speechless. But none of them reacted when he teleported a minute ago? Priorities, people!'

As if sensing their astonishment, Devlin smirked. "You shouldn't be too proud about this. I only apologized because I'm happy to be a father. Consider yourselves fortunate to receive my esteemed apologies—it might be the last time you ever have that privilege."

The hall was engulfed in silence once more before hushed whispers filled the air.

"Since when do we deserve an apology from the Duke?"

"No, the real issue here is that he's actually explaining himself. That's even more unusual."

Meanwhile, the red-haired young man, Hodges Abigor—Devlin's younger brother and a well-known figure in the New Blue Empire—grinned. 'Brother has changed a lot after becoming a father. Good! Now I have a way to pester him whenever I need something.'

Drace, listening to it all, had a realization. 'He never apologizes in public, but he did because of me. So this is what it feels like to be loved by a father…'

A sudden, commanding voice rang out like thunder, silencing the murmurs instantly.

"SILENCE."

All eyes turned toward the speaker, bracing for what would come next.

---

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please support the book—I'll do my best to give you the greatest story possible!