Vincent wanted to celebrate with everyone else but he felt several strong mana fluctuations surrounding them.

Of course, he didn't panic and calmly observed the surroundings.

They have actually come out from a large tree but after looking at the 'door' they've used, it was no longer there.. It seems that it can't be used as an entrance or perhaps, there is a special method to open it again.

Anyway, he didn't think too much of it as he glanced at their surroundings.. The tree was actually alone in the middle of a large field of white flowers.

About 500 meters away from them, there seems to be a watchtower that has been observing them the moment they arrived.

Soon, a group of people riding their black horses welcomed them.

"Elder Yulia.. You have finally arrived. We already know the situation and the Guardians were waiting for you."

The man said filled with respect for the woman.

"The Guardians? Are they all present?" She asked in return.

"Yes, Elder.. The seven of them returned as soon as the Patriarch received the news about the multiple uprisings."

"Multiple uprisings? Tell me more?"

Vincent can tell that the armored man who had just arrived wasn't just any normal guard. He has the bearing of a Knight and he can feel something familiar from him..

'Aura Knight?' Vincent can't be mistaken.

Aside from his Grandfather and the Village Chief, this is his first time seeing an Aura Knight!historical

He has golden well-groomed hair neatly coiffured that reveals his thin, time-worn face. He has beady brown eyes and a tattoo resembling a small willow displayed just below his right eye.

"Severin, do you know the name of that person?"

"Hmm? He's Sir Ludovic Zemin.. He's the Fourth Sword of the Clan and an Aura Knight like you."

Severin replied almost immediately.

He probably expected Vincent to ask this question considering they are both Aura Knights.

Vincent continued asking as he then learned that the clan has Seven Guardians and Ten Swords. They are the Clan's protectors and commanders..

While the Seven Guardians came from the main branch or people who had Zemin Clan's bloodline, the Ten Swords can be anyone who had entered the clan and changed their surname to Zemin either through marriage, or adoption, or other methods.

Vincent finally had a glimpse of how huge and powerful the Zemin Clan was.

Of course, he also wanted to ask about the number of Celestial Beings they have but it is definitely not a good thing to ask such a secret.

As they were walking to the encampment close to the tree portal, Vincent heard Yulia gasp. Everyone near them also had grave looks on their faces. It seems that they just heard a piece of terrible news.

"What's going on, Tara?" Vincent asked.

"That blond guy just reported that the Revolutionary Army revealed their strongest Numbered Celestial Being.." Tara paused for a moment before she continued.

"Number Nine.."

Vincent took a deep breath after hearing this.

'No wonder..'

Vincent can still recall how Marin, the Celestial Rank 202, heavily injured Tara and Rem even without possessing any Celestial Weapon or Armor at all. Perhaps, if that Celestial continued attacking, these two would have collapsed and defeated that day.

However, Marin was unaware of their rank and couldn't properly gauge their strength because of their armor.. So fleeing at that time can also be considered a good option.

"Does the Royal Family has a Celestial Being that could match that?" Vincent asked. He's already pretty much aware that only a Celestial Being can defeat another Celestial Being.

Although there were rumors that Grand Knights can fight a Celestial as well, defeating them is not similar..

"We're unsure.. but it's possible since Royal Family hasn't really revealed the ranks of the Celestial Beings contracted to them and remained a mystery. But we can at least confirm a few in their ranks has two numbers..."

"Two numbers?" Vincent repeated. He wasn't too sure about the difference in the strength of single number and double numbered Celestial Beings. Nevertheless, he can still tell that those with a single number should be incredibly strong based on Tara and Rem's words.

"Yes. However, the large clans and sects that are supporting the rebels also have Celestial Beings at the same level so the Royal Family should be at a disadvantage at this point."

"Haa~ Are we going to get implicated at this?

"Most likely. Lady Yulia probably realized this as well.. Even if the Royal Family can bring multiple Celestial Beings to fight, this will only lead to a Celestial War and this kingdom would only suffer. This is probably why the Seven Guardians and the Ten Swords of the Clan were being summoned to the main house."

Severin explained.. Vincent hasn't paid too much attention to the civil war going on within the kingdom before. He previously thought that once one of them won, the king will either retain his power or there will be a new king that would indulge in his newfound fame and glory as he will reward the people who supported him and punish those who didn't.

It wouldn't affect him that much.

However, once he really got connected to the Zemin Clan, it would obviously change.

Vincent remained silent all this while as their boarded the carriages prepared by the Ludovic's men..

***

Inside one of the carriages where Yulia, Ludovic, and Lesley are gathered, a small crystal ball was in their midst emitting a faint blue light.

Furthermore, there is an aged voice coming from that crystal.

"It was unfortunate but it wasn't anyone's fault. Grand Knight France is getting too greedy.. We can also use this as an excuse to stop sending support to the royal family. I will explain further once the both of you had gotten here."

Yulia nodded as she replied.

"Yes, Clan Head.. There is also some matter I'd like to relay, it's about—"

"You'll be arriving here in a couple of hours, that can wait."

"I understand.." Yulia can only wryly smile at this as she was unable to mention anything about Vincent.

Anyway, she can only keep the crystal in her pocket after it lost its brilliance.

Lesley was also visibly frustrated after seeing this. Well, she was expecting to hear her father's denial or confirmation about the prenatal engagement after all. But just like what he said, they can indeed talk about it after arriving at the main house.

"Right, who was the Aura Knight with you just now?" Ludovic finally asked. He ignored Vincent a while ago since there is a more important matter he had to discuss with Yulia.

Now that it's settled, he could no longer contain his curiosity and asked. Vincent looked so young after all!

Though he also looked young, he was already 41 years old when he achieved 3-Star Aura Knight!

***

Time quickly passed as Vincent enjoyed the scene of the peaceful territory of the Zemin Clan from his carriage.

There were clean rivers, lush forests, farmlands, villages, and travelers that they have passed by.

Although it was quite hot on the scorching midsummer day, Vincent still saw a group of youths practicing some kind of martial skill in the Zemin Clan Main Courtyard's martial training yard.

That's right, Vincent has already entered the Zemin Clan's estate.

Vincent could hear the youths around his age roar with high spirits.

"Haa!"

With a strong puff of an exhaled breath, they struck the air in front of them with their fist as it created a sound...

Vincent couldn't help but remember the Silent Toad Fist that Kiefer used to kill the real owner of this body

It was also a martial skill albeit at the lowest grade.

Anyway, Vincent was brought to a guest room since his matters haven't been discussed with the Clan Head yet. Well, it's quite understandable because of the crisis they were currently at.

If they made a wrong move, it could be the end of their clan so they must've been busy thinking of what method they could use to preserve their clan amidst the rebellion led by the Grand Knight.

As Vincent was thinking of passing his time by enhancing his items, a servant of the clan came to him.

"Sir Vincent, the third young master is calling for you. He told me to lead you to the Martial Training Ground."

"Hmm?"

Vincent looked at the young female servant. She appears to be at his age and was definitely someone who has achieved Mana Baptism as well. She should have a bright future ahead if she trained well but she's only a servant here within the Zemin Clan.

"Who is the third young master?"

Although Vincent knows that Lesley has siblings, he has no idea about their names.

"He is Silverio Zemin, Sir Vincent. The fourth young master is also there and his name is Tyrell." The female servant explained understanding that Vincent barely knows anything about the clan.

"I see. Do you know why they were calling for me?" Vincent asked cautiously. Well, if he went along with the arrangement, he could become his brother-in-law after all.

'Have they heard the news and wanted to know about me?' Vincent mused. He doesn't really know what was going on right now since Yulia and Lesley seem to have forgotten to relay some news to him.