112: Chapter 112: Conversation with Sylvia! The Chosen One of the Embrace!

Western Territory, Twilight Creek Plains, Golan Fortress.

Lenhe Magic Tower.

Inside Sylvia's private laboratory.

It looked more like a combination of a miniature star observatory and an alchemy workshop.

The room was extremely high, with a dome made of transparent magic crystal, allowing for a clear view of the night sky.

The surrounding walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, packed with heavy tomes and bizarre-looking magic materials.

Sylvia was wearing light-colored, casual mage attire convenient for movement, and was currently manipulating a magic array to adjust a complex polyhedral crystal model.

Suddenly, the inconspicuous silver bracelet on her left wrist vibrated slightly.

Sylvia's movements came to an abrupt halt.

This signal was... the one from White Cliff Castle!

Was it Elise? Or... him?

A flash of complex emotions instantly crossed her eyes.

She waved her hand, pausing the operation of the experimental magic array.

Then she walked to a corner of the laboratory, thought for a moment, and decided to accept the connection.

After a brief static sound, a familiar, smiling male voice came through clearly:

"Sylvia, how have you been lately?"

It was Rowan.

It really was him!

Sylvia's fingers tightened slightly.

She was silent for two seconds, letting her voice return to its usual cold, calm tone, seemingly devoid of any emotion:

"I am fine. Do you... have anything to say?"

Rowan's voice came through lightly:

"Nothing much, I'm just preparing to move our children to a larger castle, letting you know so you won't have trouble finding the place when you return..."

"Also, the children miss you..."

"..." Sylvia's hand gripping the magic stone suddenly tightened.

Her other hand raised instinctively to support her smooth forehead, her emerald eyes closing for a fleeting moment.

This guy!

Always like this!

A wave of slight annoyance instantly washed over her.

But immediately, a flicker of doubt arose.

What exactly is this guy Rowan trying to do?!

"Where are you planning to move to?" she asked coldly.

"Golden Flame Castle in Gino County, you know it, right?" Rowan's voice came through, still light:

"I think it's quite nice there; the place is grand, the scenery is good, and most importantly, it's beneficial for the children's future development. What do you think?"

Golden Flame Castle?

The Golden Flame Territory in Gino County?!

Hearing this, Sylvia was about to say something.

But suddenly, as if realizing something, her gaze sharpened, and she asked with a hint of disbelief:

"You broke through to become a Great Knight?"

"That's right," Rowan replied calmly with a faint smile.

Upon hearing this, Sylvia fell silent.

Her breathing quickened slightly.

She had been silently keeping an eye on the affairs of the Northern Territory.

She certainly knew what had happened in Gino County recently.

Therefore, she also understood the other party's intentions.

Those three years were enough to change many things.

For example, understanding a person.

"I understand..."

After a long while, Sylvia's voice sounded, seemingly more complex than before, beyond mere coldness.

"Hmm."

Rowan only responded with a sound, not saying much more.

"The children..." Sylvia suddenly spoke again, her voice very soft, as if she were talking to herself, "Did they... really mention me?"

"Yes, often." Rowan's voice also softened, "Have you forgotten? The first word little Mia learned was... Mama."

"..." Sylvia said nothing more, her fingers gripping the magic stone tightening, then relaxing.

"Stay in touch." Finally, Rowan said this, then proactively cut the connection.

The light of the communication magic stone quickly dimmed.

The call ended.

The laboratory returned to silence.

Sylvia did not move for a long time.

Countless images and thoughts intertwined in her mind, leaving her in a state of confusion.

That man always had a way of breaking through her defenses in the most unexpected ways.

Her beautiful emerald eyes stared blankly into the void in front of her, and on her stunning face was an unprecedented sense of complexity and bewilderment.

Who knows how much time passed...

The light of the communication magic stone lit up again.

Location... Imperial Capital.

...

The top floor of White Cliff Castle.

On a large recliner by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Elise lay on her side next to Rowan, a light blue silk sheet barely covering her waist, revealing her beautifully curved back and rounded shoulders.

She stared at her master without blinking.

"Is... this enough?"

Rowan turned his head, smiled, and reached out to brush away the sweat-dampened hair from Elise's cheek.

"Of course... she understands..."

Then, without waiting for her to speak again.

Rowan stood up.

His strong arms passed under the bend of her knees and her back, lifting her entire body up effortlessly.

"Ah!" Elise's body suddenly left the ground, and she let out a soft cry, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

The silk sheet slipped off, their skin touching...

Rowan carried Elise toward the large bed in the room.

Round two...

The tide gradually subsided...

[Charm lv3 Proficiency + 4]

[Drain lv2 Proficiency + 8]

[Obtained Free Attribute Points: 4]

A good harvest.

Rowan lowered his eyes, looking at Elise who had fallen into a deep sleep.

His gaze lingered on her slender, fragile neck.

The skin there was fair, and in the dim light, one could see the pale blue veins pulsing slightly.

A thought surfaced in his mind.

Now, should he perform the Embrace on her?

He believed Elise would not refuse.

But...

Mira Mesa had a higher rating and greater potential.

Given the price that needed to be paid for the Embrace ritual, it seemed she should be the first, right?

Rowan's fingertips traced lightly over Elise's smooth back, contemplating the matter.

Elise would definitely be converted eventually.

Mira was also worth investing in...

But, one Embrace cost three hundred and sixty points of Breathing Technique proficiency. Currently, his proficiency was only over eight hundred, which was almost equivalent to his cultivation regressing by a large margin...

A moment later, he had made his decision.

For now... let them both wait...

Wait until he took control of the Golden Flame Territory...

By then, with the authority and resources of a Count with actual power, it would be more relaxed regardless of who came first or last.

He pushed his thoughts aside, held the warm, soft body more comfortably in his arms, and closed his eyes as well.