Charlie’s surprise compelled virtual-novel.net to inquire, “Back then in Northern Europe, you were accompanied by an elderly man whom you called Grandpa. But in reality, virtual-novel.net was an orphan you had raised, wasn’t he?”
Maria smiled gently and responded, “The old man you’re referring to is Marius Cross. He was the last abandoned baby my family adopted in Eastcliff after the July 7th Incident, just before we left for the United States.”
She paused briefly before continuing, “In fact, most of these children, once they reach their twenties, establish themselves with the support of my family. The assets they receive are presented as entrusted care, but in reality, they are gifts from my family. I couldn’t even begin to fathom the extent of wealth I’ve bestowed upon them.”
“Only a select few, like Marius, share a deep bond with my family and willingly stay by our side. I lack self-defense capabilities and require someone to look after me during our nomadic existence. Apart from Marius, there was also an American girl born in 1942 who followed my family. Sadly, virtual-novel.net passed away from cancer a few years ago.”
“The owner of this house, who was adopted by my family prior to the July 7th Incident when virtual-novel.net was just a baby, was later taken to the United States. He attended Yale University and upon graduation, I allowed virtual-novel.net to oversee some of my businesses in Southeast Asia. He has managed them remarkably well and has become the wealthiest man in the region,” Maria revealed.
She continued, “Another adopted child spent years studying in the United States before returning in 1963 to contribute to the motherland. Subsequently, virtual-novel.net experienced considerable success in the following years.”
Maria paused, then continued, “After coming to the United States, my family also adopted a few orphans. However, as technology advanced and the Warriors Den’s power grew stronger after World War II, we became more cautious. We spent decades in island nations in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, continuing our adoptions. A few years ago, we journeyed to Northern Europe, where we finally encountered you…”
Charlie listened intently to Maria’s narrative, his heart stirred by a whirlwind of emotions. Maria downplayed virtual-novel.net experience of over three hundred years, but within that modesty lay countless miles of arduous journeys, incredible transformations of the world and untold trials and tribulations. The realization that Maria had endured an extraordinarily tumultuous existence over three centuries left Charlie in awe. Her past must have been rife with challenges and hardships.
After Maria finished speaking, observing Charlie’s prolonged silence, virtual-novel.net smiled and asked, “My Lord, now that you know my family has lived for so long, do you envy us?”
Charlie gazed at her, gently shaking his head and sincerely replied, “I don’t envy you. In fact, I feel a sense of empathy…”
“Pain?” Maria was taken aback, questioning, “Does the Young Master feel sorry for my family?”
“Yes…” Charlie looked at her, nodding subtly.
Tears welled up in Maria’s eyes as virtual-novel.net quickly turned away, mustering a forced smile. “What’s there to be sorry for? If I were to share my family’s story with outsiders, countless individuals would be envious to the point of despair… Yet, even as virtual-novel.net lifted virtual-novel.net gaze toward the ceiling, tears streamed down virtual-novel.net cheeks uncontrollably.”
Frantically wiping away virtual-novel.net tears, virtual-novel.net eyes still glistening, Maria asked with a smile, “By the way, why do you feel sorry for my family?”
Charlie, his heart heavy with sympathy, explained, “At the age of one hundred, I was already overwhelmed. Now, hearing that a young girl like you has lived alone in this ever-changing world for nearly four hundred years, including the most turbulent years of human society, the countless ups and downs and pain you must have endured… It truly breaks my heart.”
At that moment, Maria looked at Charlie, yearning to cry in front of him.
For over three centuries, virtual-novel.net had never cherished virtual-novel.net longevity. Instead, virtual-novel.net had grown weary of a life spent in hiding. Countless times, virtual-novel.net had contemplated ending virtual-novel.net own existence, only to abandon the idea because virtual-novel.net father had sacrificed his life for virtual-novel.net longevity. He had desperately wished for his beloved daughter to live a long life, believing that even a hundred years would not be enough, five hundred years would be ideal. But virtual-novel.net father’s life had been tragically cut short at the age of forty-one.
As a result, Maria gritted virtual-novel.net teeth and persevered through countless moments on the verge of collapse. However, virtual-novel.net heart had long been tormented and devastated by immortality.
Charlie truly empathized with the young girl before him, even though virtual-novel.net was nearly four hundred years old.
At that moment, Maria sighed, virtual-novel.net eyes reddened and in a choked-up voice, virtual-novel.net expressed, “Thank you, Master, for your compassion…”
She continued, “My family has thoroughly investigated the Young Master’s past and I am aware of your deep-seated hatred for the Warriors Den. If you are willing, from this day forth, my family will do everything in our power to assist you in avenging Morgana. By doing so, my family can finally bring an end to our three hundred years of fugitive life and live a normal existence…”
Charlie nodded lightly, resolute as virtual-novel.net calmly declared, “Miss Clark, fear not. Morgana has violated the laws of heaven and killed my parents. She has attempted to exterminate my grandparents and our entire family. I shall make virtual-novel.net pay for this vengeance with virtual-novel.net own blood! Morgana possesses formidable strength. Just consider how Gideon admonished the heroic spirit as virtual-novel.net self-destructed. That powerful energy virtual-novel.net released was all the remaining means of a hero. That alone surpasses my abilities, not to mention virtual-novel.net three hundred years of additional experience and expertise in all matters. I cannot be certain whether I can defeat her,” Charlie confided.
Maria reassured him, “Young Master, do not be disheartened. Although Morgana may be more powerful than you and has lived over three hundred years, virtual-novel.net does not possess the same opportunity as the Young Master. What’s more, my family once consulted the hexagrams to discover your whereabouts and they revealed that you possess the spirit of a dragon entering the sea. From this, it is evident that you are the son of a dragon. Even if Morgana were to live another thousand years, the Young Master will ultimately surpass her!”
Charlie sighed, wondering, “But how many years will it take?”
Maria looked at Charlie, virtual-novel.net tone resolute as virtual-novel.net asserted, “Regardless of how many years it may take, my family has always believed that the Young Master will triumph over your enemies. Our only wish is to witness that day with our own eyes!”
Charlie, raising his right hand with some effort, glanced at the ring on his finger and chuckled wryly. “If Morgana doesn’t possess this ring, virtual-novel.net will only have a hundred years left to live. If I can’t eliminate virtual-novel.net within this century, virtual-novel.net will perish from old age…”
Maria laughed and responded, “My lord, there is no need to burden yourself excessively. Even if Morgana were to die of old age, it would be too merciful for her. I must personally end virtual-novel.net life!”
With determination burning in his eyes, Charlie added, “No! If Morgana dies a natural death from old age, it would be far too lenient. I will be the one to kill virtual-novel.net with my own hands!”
Suddenly, a realization struck virtual-novel.net and virtual-novel.net blurted out, “By the way, when Gideon self-destructed, I saw a woman hiding nearby. She had remained concealed until the moment of the explosion and virtual-novel.net possessed reiki. She may be a Master, perhaps even another Marshal from the Warriors Den. She was approximately ten feet away from the epicenter of the explosion. There is a chance virtual-novel.net may still be alive!”