“I’m going to the Ashton family after this. Let me exterminate all those pests who dare to lie to me.”

Selena shook her head. “There’s no need to do it anymore.”

“Any more?” Duke Coline fell silent before understanding what happened. “I see. All right. I won’t do anything then. Still, if you need anything from me, just tell me about it. I have been fooled for the last nine years. At the very least, my son would definitely like to help the daughter of his childhood friend.”

Selena nodded. “Thank you.”

“That’s how it is.” Nathan clapped his hands. “For now, we should go to the Sword Saint and receive the information of his whereabouts… Or maybe…”

Nathan playfully glanced at Duke Coline, since he also knew the whereabouts.

“I can tell you about the location, but I think it’s better to let Sullivan test you. After all, that place is dangerous, especially in the current situation. If he deems you strong enough to go to that place, even if he doesn’t tell you, I will tell you about it.” Duke Coline shook his head.

Nathan just smiled, expecting the answer. Even without meeting him, they were planning to get the information from Sullivan anyway, so it didn’t matter.

“Who is planning to go there?” He asked.

“The three of us, as well as Serafina Dialanta, Noelle Flamante, and Alavenya Silveresta.”

“The pope’s beloved disciple, Sullivan’s daughter, and that Dragon King’s daughter? What a unique party you have…” Duke Coline looked impressed. He realized Sera had the backing of the pope, Noelle had Duke Sullivan, and Alavenya had the Dragon King. Even Flora was a princess.

Only Selena seemed to have no one. Duke Coline couldn’t help but raise his finger. “How about I adopt you? No, since you’re going to save your father, maybe I can become your foster father…I mean, foster grandfather.”

“…” Flora was speechless.

Selena could understand why Duke Coline said such a thing. She simply shook her head. “Thank you for your thoughts. However, you don’t have to worry about me. My master is Leyfon Haygaiden.”

“Leyfon! Oh!” Duke Coline nodded in understanding. “In that case, I don’t have to worry about you anymore. Do whatever you want. I hope you are strong enough to save your father.”

“Thank you.”

“Since I don’t have to worry about it anymore…” Duke Coline turned to Flora. “You fought differently from what I taught you. Did someone teach you?”

“Ah!” Flora’s heart skipped a beat. She glanced left and right, asking for help.

“You don’t have to worry about my feelings. Just tell me about it. I’m sure you’re wise enough to know what you should and shouldn’t do. If it’s something that won’t harm you, I don’t really care. There’s no rule that you can only have one teacher in your entire life.” Duke Coline waved his hand.

She knew Duke Coline wouldn’t mind, but the problem was the identity of her new teacher or, more like, mentor. If he knew her mentor was a professor who was known for her bad behavior, Duke Coline might be furious.

On the other hand, Nathan knew Melissa’s true identity. Nathan simply shrugged and said, “It’s best to tell him about it.”

Flora resigned to her fate. “Are you sure you won’t be angry?”

“I won’t. Do you not trust me?” Duke Coline raised his eyebrows.

“Actually, she wasn’t really my teacher. Calling her my mentor should be more appropriate.” Flora still looked hesitant, but Duke Coline’s gaze kept pressuring him. So, she ended up revealing the truth. “She is known in the academic world as Melissa.”

“Melissa? Which Melissa are you talking about?”

“Professor of dual study… Melissa.” Flora rubbed her cheek, not daring to look him in the eye.

“That Melissa?” Duke Coline looked shocked. “Ah. Your aunt…”

“My aunt?” Flora looked confused. She couldn’t help but glance at the battlefield, thinking about Lena.

“My gosh, my mouth.” Duke Coline gently slapped his mouth. “The woman who was supposed to be your aunt.”

“Huh?” Flora became even more confused.

“It seems you know about her identity, boy?” Duke Coline noticed how Nathan convinced her to reveal the truth, as though he realized Duke Coline would understand.

“It just happened to be that way. I mean, my master is close to her.” Nathan scratched the back of his head.

“Fair point.” Duke Coline glanced at Selena and Flora, whose expressions were asking, ‘What’s going on?’

Duke Coline crossed his arms. “How should I say this? You should remember that uncle of yours, the kind uncle you were once attached to.”

“Uncle…” Flora pondered for a moment. “Uncle Jay?!”

“Yep. The son of your second granduncle who became the grand duke.”

“But Uncle Jay…” Flora looked pale.

“Well, I can’t say much regarding this. Anyway, Melissa was your Uncle Jay’s woman in the academy. Her talent was extraordinary. People even believed she could become a world class summoner in the future.

“As such, the grand duke never really stopped him from making her his wife. Besides, both of them were in love with each other.

“However, due to an accident, your uncle passed away and Melissa didn’t become your aunt. It was said she left the kingdom after that incident, and by the time we heard something, she had changed. In the end, the family kept it a secret,” explained Duke Coline.

Flora didn’t expect Melissa to be such an important person. It was weird for a commoner to become the main wife of the future grand duke, but it was normal for a grand duke to marry a world class summoner. And it would be even more amazing if both of them were in love.

Nathan knew what kind of incident Duke Coline was talking about, but he didn’t like to disclose the tragedy that people wanted to bury.

Duke Coline added, “If you are learning from her, then I don’t have any opinion. Her personality has changed, but her skill is clear. Besides, I don’t think she is going to do anything to the person who was supposed to be her niece.”