Ethan sat silently beside Rose.
Rose looked at him anxiously. "What did Instructor Richard say? Can he help us? Can you talk to him again? I'll join the Alliance if I have to—I won't go to Aurora Martial University."
There was a deep mix of sadness and urgency in her eyes.
She had always dreamed of becoming a researcher, not a fighter. That's why she aimed for the university. But now, the situation had cornered her. If joining the Alliance could help her sister, she was willing to throw that dream away. Besides, with her Ice Domain soul talent, she could become a powerful controller in team battles. In truth, the Alliance wasn't a bad option.
Ethan looked at her with a strange expression, as if saying: Why would I call that pervert? You shouldn't go near him either. But he didn't voice it.
Instead, he said softly, "Don't worry. Zara will be here within thirty minutes. If I'm not mistaken, she's already been rescued. Just wait. And if you want to join the Alliance, that's fine—but don't do it because you think you have no other choice. Because you have me. For you, there will never be a 'last resort' ever again."
Rose stared at him, stunned. Where does he get this kind of confidence? I know he's from a rich family, but as far as I know, they don't have any martial artists. What's going on?
Ethan didn't respond. He closed his eyes and spread his mental energy, which now covered a 35-kilometer radius.
Suddenly, twenty Alliance cars entered his range. He sensed the aura of a King Realm expert among them.
Charles is here? I didn't expect him to come personally… Looks like Zara's fine. Those two must be Zared and Norman. The operation went smoothly.
Ethan could see it all clearly in his mind.
Twenty minutes later, he stood up and looked at Rose. "Let's go outside. They're here."
Rose blinked. "Who's here, Ethan?"
"Duh. Zara and the rescue team."
The moment Rose heard this, she jumped up. So did her mother, Elizabeth.
"Are you telling the truth, son? Is Zara really here?" Elizabeth asked, her voice trembling.
Ethan gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes, aunty. She's here. Safe and sound."
Rose stared at him, unable to believe her ears. Is this guy just giving us false hope? Still, she followed him toward the door.
When they stepped outside, both Rose and Elizabeth were stunned. A huge crowd had gathered in front of the building. Around twenty Alliance vehicles had just pulled up.
What's going on? Rose looked at Ethan, confused.
Even Ethan was also confused.The cars clearly just arrived—how did this many people get here so fast?
What Ethan didn't know was that the entire mission had been live-broadcasted across the city. People who saw the direction the convoy was heading rushed over. Neighbors who recognized Zara also came to see what was happening.
A chubby woman approached Elizabeth. "What happened to Zara? Why didn't you tell us she was kidnapped? Maybe we could've helped."
Elizabeth was stunned. How do they know about Zara? I only told Rose!
It was clear the woman was trying to curry favor. Even a fool could see someone extraordinary had backed this family for the Alliance to mobilize such a force.
"You didn't know?" the woman asked in surprise.
"Know what?" Elizabeth asked cautiously.
"The rescue mission—it was broadcasted all over the city! Everyone saw it."
Now even Ethan and Rose were dumbfounded.
Broadcasted? Ethan frowned. What the hell? Is the Alliance trying to become vloggers or something?
Just then, the murmurs in the crowd fell silent.
The car doors opened. Alliance soldiers—each a Martial Master—stepped out first. Then they opened the doors for the Grandmasters. Ten of them emerged.
From one of the central vehicles, Richard stepped out—Zara beside him.
When Elizabeth and Rose saw her, they rushed forward.
Zara's eyes welled up as she cried out, "Mom! Sis!" Tears streamed down her face. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
Rose placed a finger on her lips. "Don't say that, Zara. As long as I'm alive, nothing will happen to you."
Rose was even ready to… sacrifice herself. But in the end, it didn't come to that.
Elizabeth hugged Zara tightly, as though she might vanish again. "My baby… I couldn't protect you. Please forgive me. Your mom is useless."
Zara clung to her. "Don't say that, Mom. You're the best mother in the world. Those men were too strong—it wasn't your fault. But these uncles defeated them."
No one interrupted their reunion.
Elizabeth stood up and bowed to Richard. "Thank you, sir, for saving my daughter."
Richard broke into a cold sweat. How can I take credit—or let her bow? What if suoerviosr skins me alive?!
He quickly said, "Don't mention it, madam. It was our duty. In fact, it was our fault that criminals dared to do such a thing in the city."
Elizabeth was taken aback. Did this powerful man just apologize?
Everyone watching was filled with envy. To be addressed as madam by such strong figures… This family was about to rise.
At that moment, Charles stepped out of his car.
A powerful, suffocating aura swept through the area. He wasn't releasing pressure intentionally—but the difference in realms was enough to make people shiver.
Then, the pressure vanished.
Charles barked an order. "Bring out the father and son here."
Ethan stepped forward and greeted him. "Hello, Supervisor. I didn't think you'd come personally. And what's with the live broadcast? Are you guys trying to become vloggers? What's your channel name? I'll subscribe."
Charles's brow twitched violently. He muttered under his breath, "Damn reporters… worse than dogs. They're everywhere. Made it look like we were filming a drama."
Then, louder, he said with a cough, "What vlogging? Don't talk nonsense. Now that your sister-in-law is safe, and the criminals are here—what do you want to do?"
Rose's eyes widened. Supervisor? Did just Ethan call this man supervisor? Even she knew what this word meant.
She had a suspicion before because of the suffocating pressure but now she was confirmed.
He's… a King Realm expert! And Ethan can just talk to him like this?
Her heart raced.
Just who is this guy? Is he from a Super City? A Martial Emperor's heir?
She wasn't far from the truth. But Charles hadn't come because of the Hunt family. He'd come for Ethan himself.
And when Rose heard that Charles called Zara as Ethan's sister-in-law, her neck and cheeks became crimson. Today, Rose had gone through a rollercoaster of emotions—sadness, despair, shock, happiness and shyness—all in a single day.
Ethan coughed when he heard Charles calling Zara his sister-in-law, but he gave Charles a secret thumbs-up. This old man is a good guy. I should help him when I become more powerful.
Then he looked at Zared and Norman. His eyes turned cold immediately. A monstrous killing intent was radiating from him. Even Charles was surprised.
Norman was watching the entire situation. So this boy moved the entire Alliance against me? Who is he? But that wasn't the question. He needed to beg for mercy from this boy. He understood that much.
Norman said loudly, "Sir, I didn't know anything. It was my son who did it. He also didn't know. It was a mistake on our part. If he had known who you were, he wouldn't have dared to do anything."
Zared was nodding his head like a chicken pecking for food. "Please forgive us, sir. We didn't know."
Ethan laughed coldly. He said, "You're apologizing to the wrong person, you know."
Seeing the mocking smile on Ethan's face, they immediately understood. They fell to their knees and said, "Rose, please forgive me. I was wrong. I shouldn't have done this. Please tell your boyfriend to forgive us. We can forget about the money you owed us, and we will give you anything you want. Please."
Ethan caught Zared by the throat and pressed hard. Zared's tongue came out from the pressure.
Ethan took out a knife and cut the tongue. His face was expressionless. "How dare you utter Rose's name with your filthy mouth?"
Everyone felt a chill on their backs. That expressionless face... Charles thought, If this boy becomes an enemy of humanity, I don't know what would happen. He sighed.
Rose was also stunned by the scene. She couldn't process the ongoing events anymore. But she felt a sweetness in her heart seeing Ethan's action.
Ethan looked at Rose and said, "Close Zara's eyes, Rose."
Rose was stunned but did what she was told. She covered Zara's eyes with her hand.
He brought out his Frostmourne and slashed. Zared's head rolled off his shoulders.
The crowd standing there froze. Some with weaker personalities even fainted.
Ethan didn't even look at the head. He came in front of Norman. When Norman saw this, he became mad with anger, fear, and sadness. He knew he couldn't survive.
He roared, "I'll take you with me, you brat! We'll go to hell together!" He launched his attack.
Rose became pale when she saw this. Norman was a Grandmaster. No matter how much of a prodigy Ethan was, she thought, he couldn't block the blow of a Grandmaster. She shouted, "Ethan, look out!"
Ethan was very calm even at that moment. Because his strength was similar to a Level 1—almost Level 2—Grandmaster, and his spirit was also at that level.
Norman was just a Level 1 Grandmaster. So Ethan could handle him easily.
Norman's body radiated fire force. In the Grandmaster realm, a martial artist could use elemental force and skills related to the element.
Norman was a fire-elemental martial Grandmaster. He used a fireball skill on Ethan.
Just as Ethan was going to defend himself, he heard a cold snort. Charles had taken action.
The atmosphere became still. Norman was frozen in place. Even his fireball was frozen. This was the pressure from a King. Ethan could sense the horrifying force. Though it wasn't directed at him, he could still feel it.
So this is Charles' power, huh. Not bad.
Ethan slashed the sword again, and Norman met the same fate as his son.
Ethan looked at Charles and said, "Thank you, Supervisor, for taking action."
Charles looked at Ethan suspiciously. "Boy, why do I have the feeling that even if I didn't act, you would still be fine?"
Ethan laughed and said, "It's your imagination, Supervisor."
He then looked at all the martial artists and said, "Thank you, brothers, for coming here to help. I'll remember your kindness."
This simple sentence made the martial artists go crazy with excitement. They knew who Ethan was. They were present when the Vice President came today. They heard the Vice President's order loud and clear.
So even if Ethan didn't help them or give them anything, just getting on his good side was enough.
Rose and Elizabeth were still in a daze.
Rose thought, I need to talk to this guy. Who is he exactly?
Then Ethan dismissed everyone by saying thanks once again. Charles and the others left.
Ethan came beside Rose and said, "Let's go inside. Zara needs rest."
Rose nodded, took Zara, and went home.