Chapter 291: Maria’s Urgent Matter 3

Nova didn’t know how to comfort her. He stood up, approached her, and gently wiped away her tears.

"You can take your time. No one will ever learn about this from me. I promise," he assured her softly. Maria sniffled, struggling to speak.

"M-my actual father... wasn’t my father at all." Her voice trembled as more tears rolled down her cheeks. "I loved him so much..."She lowered her head before finally revealing the truth.

"My biological father is the Human Emperor, Caelan."

Nova’s expression remained unchanged. He had already guessed the truth.

Inside the System Space, Nyxara, Liya, and Velena remained silent, their hearts aching for Maria. She had always seemed like a cheerful , teasing woman who wore a smile on her face, but who could have imagined that she had been carrying such a painful secret in her heart?

"What made them tell you this now, of all times?" Nova asked.

Maria calmed herself before answering. After finally revealing the truth she had kept hidden for so long, she felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. She didn’t know why, but sharing it with Nova made her feel much lighter.

Nova, meanwhile, recalled how desperately Caelan had tried to save Maria when she had been taken hostage that day. Now, he understood why. However, he wasn’t sure whether Caelan would have cared so much if Maria had been nothing more than his granddaughter.

"They only told me that I deserved to know the truth and that I shouldn’t tell anyone about it. They probably revealed it because they knew I wouldn’t want to share it with anyone, as the truth could ruin my reputation as well."

"Did the Human Emperor kill his own son?" Nova asked. Maria clenched her fists.

"I don’t know! Even after I questioned them repeatedly and cursed at them, they still refused to tell me anything." Her voice grew sorrowful as she recalled it.

"A few days ago, that bitch of a mother of mine went to spend the night with the Human Emperor. When she returned, she told me that you were going to be killed because the Human Emperor wanted you dead."

Maria looked at Nova anxiously, her eyes filled with concern. Nova was surprised by this revelation.

"Why would your mother tell you that?"

"Because she knew I was interested in you, the champion of the tournament. She told me not to form any connections with you."

Nova finally understood what was happening, but one question remained unanswered.

"Does he still believe I’m the Slaughter Monarch?" Maria shook her head.

"I don’t know. But I’m certain he won’t try to kill you openly. He’ll probably send someone to assassinate you instead, and whoever he sends will be powerful."

"I see," Nova replied calmly.

He now understood the situation a little better. So Alaric had been working under the Human Emperor’s orders to prove that Nova was the Slaughter Monarch.

Caelan must have suspected that Nova possessed some way to conceal his true race and identity, especially considering how illogical his powers seemed.

Even after Nova had been publicly cleared of suspicion, Caelan might have considered him too dangerous to leave alive. Killing him would eliminate one of the people he still suspected, regardless of the evidence proving his innocence.

But why would Caelan want to kill the Slaughter Monarch in the first place?

Nova didn’t know the answer yet.

Although Caelan appeared to be a good person, he clearly had many dark secrets. Nova had already realized that the Human Emperor had a darker side that the public knew nothing about.

Now, with the Secret Realm opening in just ten days, Caelan might try to eliminate him before he entered. Since Alaric’s previous scheme had failed, they would likely resort to assassination.

However, Nova wasn’t worried. If someone came for his life, he would deal with them accordingly.

"What are you going to do? Hide somewhere?" Maria asked worriedly, her eyes still glistening with tears.

Nova gently wiped them away. Maria felt a strange warmth in her chest as she experienced his tenderness. Before she realized what she was doing, she leaned against him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

This time, Nova didn’t pull away. He simply patted her head gently. Because of their height difference, Maria’s face rested against his chest.

Inside the System Space, Nyxara and the other two women said nothing. They simply watched the scene unfold.

"I don’t want you to get hurt. The Human Emperor is incredibly powerful," Maria murmured.

Nova continued patting her blonde head before replying calmly, "No one can kill me unless I allow it. You don’t need to worry about me."

He then asked, "And what about you? What have you decided to do after learning the truth?"

Maria continued hugging him, enjoying the comforting sensation of his gentle pats. At that moment, she finally understood why his wives were so obsessed with him.

After a moment, she answered, "I don’t want anyone else to learn the truth. If this gets out, people will tarnish my late father’s reputation as well. So I’ve decided to leave the Imperial Castle and stay at the temple."

She tightened her embrace slightly before adding, "I want nothing more to do with either of them." Nova smiled at her answer. Despite her playful teasing and cheerful personality, Maria was genuinely a good woman.

"All right. But there’s something else you should know. I’m planning to kill Alaric soon, so you should start looking for a new High Priest."

Maria didn’t question why Nova wanted to kill him. She already knew that Alaric was a despicable old bastard.

She simply nodded and replied, "Okay."

After Maria had completely calmed down, she finally pulled away from Nova. Nova then summoned Hybrid Seven. Maria was startled when a menacing figure suddenly appeared before her.

She had seen these creatures before, both in Frostholme and through recorded mana projections. However, seeing one up close was an entirely different experience.

Its appearance was genuinely terrifying, and the powerful aura it radiated made it clear that it was an incredibly formidable being.

Hybrid Seven bowed respectfully before Nova.

"What can I do for you, my lord?"

"You will stay with Maria and protect her. If anything happens that is beyond your ability to handle, you can simply bring her into the System Space."

Hearing Nova’s words, Maria was slightly confused by some of what he had said, but one thing was clear to her: he wanted to keep her safe.

She had been under the Human Emperor’s protection, yet she had never experienced this particular feeling of reassurance.

Knowing that Nova genuinely cared about her safety made her feel unexpectedly happy.

"As you wish, my lord," Hybrid Seven replied.

With that, it disappeared into Maria’s shadow, ready to protect her from any danger..Maria grew curious and asked, "What do you call them?"

Nova smiled and replied, "Deadborns... my loyal soldiers."

Maria nodded, and Nova continued.

"Be careful, and go ahead with the plan you’ve decided on. If you have anything to tell me, contact me. You already have my mana code."

"Even without it, you can communicate with me through the Deadborns. They’re directly connected to me."

"Since you’re my ally now, you’ll learn more about me little by little, so don’t worry."

Maria nodded and said, "I understand... But you be careful, too. Don’t underestimate the Human Emperor’s men."

Nova smiled. "I know."

With that, Nova left Maria’s room. Since many people had seen him following Maria into the hall, they would naturally expect to see him leaving through the same entrance.

Therefore, he had no choice but to leave through the main gates.

As for why Nova had followed Maria into the hall, that would depend on the explanation she gave. Since she was the one who had brought him there, she must have already thought of some excuse to explain their private meeting.

**

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