The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 997: Like in the Past

The people of the Rosalind family then kowtowed to Aldrian.

"Rise," he said as he walked forward, approaching Patriarch Rosalind.

They all rose to their feet and once Patriarch Rosalind stood up again, he quickly approached Aldrian with a smile.

"Your Majesty, it is truly surprising for you to visit without any prior notice. I was truly shocked the moment I heard that you flew toward the mansion. My apologies if our welcome was quite lacking," he said.

"Ah, no worries, Patriarch Rosalind. I only wanted to visit to talk to you about something. Instead, it should be me who apologizes for coming without notice and disturbing your time," Aldrian said.

"Of course not, Your Majesty. You do not need to apologize. This way, Your Majesty. We can talk in a much more comfortable place."

Patriarch Rosalind then guided Aldrian inside the mansion and toward one of the large guest rooms. The maids served them tea as they sat on the sofas, then quietly left the room.

"So, Your Majesty, may I know what you wish to talk about?" Patriarch Rosalind asked with curiosity.

Aldrian nodded. "Patriarch Rosalind, do you want the Rosalind family’s status as one of the guardian families back, just like in the past?"

Patriarch Rosalind was stunned, as he did not expect such a question. But his eyes then glistened, and his expression turned serious. He did not know what to expect if his family were to bear the status of a guardian family once more.

However, since hearing the truth of his family’s past as one of the four guardian families that guarded the core region of the Everlasting Silent Forest, it made him determined to try to reach those glorious days once more.

His family was one of the families that made an agreement with the gods in the past and guarded the core region, which was actually an important place that had now become the center of the empire.

Thinking of how glorious his family could be if he could regain his family’s status as a guardian family like in the past, his thoughts shifted to the Xin family. They had become one of the most prominent families of the empire, known by all.

The Xin family, as the only family guarding the core region and granting permission to anyone who wished to visit Aldrian’s palace, had become one of the most influential families in the world.

Even powers from other worlds would not dare to casually disrespect them.

Moreover, there was the honor of helping Aldrian directly. They were always in contact with Aldrian, and Aldrian entrusted the safety of the core region to them.

Just thinking about how honorable it was for the Xin family to become the only family the emperor could depend on regarding the core region’s order filled him with a strong sense of desire.

He also wanted his family to be relevant in Aldrian’s eyes. Moreover, after Aldrian gave his permission for them to return to the secret realm where their ancestors once lived, they did not want to merely stay here just because it was their ancestral land.

They wanted to do something meaningful for Aldrian. They wanted to help Aldrian with something, just like how the Xin family helped him.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. A guardian family? I truly did not expect this offer, and it made me unable to answer instantly. However, we are ready to be anything Your Majesty wishes us to be. If becoming a guardian family can help Your Majesty, then we will do so," Patriarch Rosalind said.

"No, if we can become one of the guardian families again like in the past, then it will be our family’s greatest honor."

Aldrian smiled when he heard that and nodded.

"Good. After all, the Xin family has started to feel overwhelmed, as they are the only ones guarding the teleportation formation to the core region. To quickly enter the core region, people must pass through the teleportation formation guarded by the Xin family, and only from that place can they reach the core region instantly," he said.

"With so many people trying to visit the core region, it is not good to leave the Xin family alone with the task of guarding the gate."

"That is why I think another family is needed to help them share the burden. What could be more appropriate than a family that was once a guardian family in the past? You will become another gate connecting to the core region."

"Moreover, as I begin to build my own forces, they will also need to bring their families into the core region. It would be better to add one more gate to allow easier movement for their families to go back and forth from the core region."

"There is also the matter of the size of the core region, which is extremely large. The Xin family alone is not sufficient, and they need additional support."

Patriarch Rosalind nodded in understanding.

"I see," he said, but then his expression turned worried.

"But is it truly okay if we lack strength, Your Majesty? We are not as powerful as the Xin family at this moment. Although I said it would be our greatest honor to become a guardian family and serve you, I am afraid that due to our insufficient strength, we may fail to meet your expectations and instead become a burden."

"You don’t have to worry about that, Patriarch Rosalind. Even if the Rosalind family currently lacks strength compared to the Xin family, I believe your family can do it. Moreover, most of the time, there will be no circumstances that require your family’s strength," Aldrian said.

"Fortunately, everyone who wants to step into the core region has been self-aware and has never sought trouble until now. Even if someone seeks trouble in the future that is beyond the Rosalind family’s ability to handle, direct punishment will come to them immediately." He added before he sipped his tea.

Patriarch Rosalind nodded before he also sipped his tea.

Knock! Knock!

They suddenly heard a knock on the door and looked toward it. They saw Patriarch Rosalind’s wife and Elena entering, dressed neatly.

Aldrian smiled at them and stood up as they approached him, then gave a respectful bow.

"To the brightest star and eternal light, we greet Your Majesty, the Great Emperor."

"It is nice to see you again, Madam Cynthia, Elena," Aldrian replied. Both of them straightened their bodies and smiled at him.

"It is nice to meet you as well, Your Majesty. Please forgive us for not greeting you earlier. We truly did not expect your visit and had to prepare before coming to meet you." Madam Cynthia said.

"It is fine, Madam. Instead, I am the one who should apologize for coming without any notice and causing you and Elena inconvenience."

"No, Your Majesty. How could we make you apologize? Instead, it is our honor that you visited us," Madam Cynthia replied.

Aldrian nodded and looked at Elena with a smile. "Miss Elena, it seems you have grown stronger since I last saw you at my wedding with Baek Jimin. You are already approaching your next cultivation breakthrough. As expected of one of the geniuses of this era and one of the strongest swordmasters of our empire."

Elena smiled and slightly lowered her head. "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. It is also because of the environment of this place that my cultivation has progressed much faster."

"I am glad to hear that," Aldrian replied.

They then joined the conversation and learned why Aldrian had visited them. It astonished them, but they supported whatever decision Patriarch Rosalind made.

In the end, the Rosalind family regained their status as one of the guardian families. They then discussed the details of what needed to be done and what they had to prepare in the near future.

Aldrian spent three hours with the Rosalind family before leaving the secret realm and returning to his palace.

Now, the matter regarding the guardian family was already settled, and it would reduce the Xin family’s workload in the future.

For the rest of the day, he continued handling his duties as emperor while also keeping watch over any movements from the domains he had spread across space.

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Time quickly flew by, and two weeks had already passed.

The situation of the empire was peaceful, and no trouble arose.

At this moment, Aldrian was receiving another visit from an acquaintance who had come from afar. He smiled the moment he saw Patriarch Geodard from the Blue Pearl World visiting again.