Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!-Chapter 497 - 53-Duke Alice!

"Alan?!"

Everyone in the banquet hall gaped, their faces full of shock as they stared at Alan.

Duke Alice actually knew Alan!

And she even addressed him with respect, calling him "Young Master"!

One must understand that Duke Alice possessed exceptional talent, an unmatched background, and was held in the highest regard. She was also extremely proud.

There were very few people she would address so respectfully!

In an instant, countless eyes turned toward Alan, filled with a mixture of emotions—shock and curiosity most of all.

Just who was this Alan?!

Even Audrey, who was proud to her core, looked at Alice in disbelief.

As the only female duke of the Plantagenet Kingdom, Alice was a household name. Countless people sought to forge a connection with her at any cost.

Yet, those who truly earned her attention were almost nonexistent. Among her peers, such cases were even rarer!

How had Alan managed to do so?

The Second Prince was also watching Alan, his expression darkening.

Duke Alice actually knew Alan!

And from the looks of it, they had a rather good relationship!

A flash of regret flickered in his eyes.

Had he just missed an incredible networking opportunity?

Had he also squandered his chance to get closer to Duke Alice?

As Alice approached, Alan simply nodded and said:

"As you wish."

However, at that moment, a courtier standing beside the Second Prince stepped forward excitedly and called out:

"Duke Alice! Alan humiliated Miss Audrey earlier! He even disrupted the banquet by resorting to violence!"

Alice glanced at him.

The young man straightened his posture, puffing out his chest, and said, "Duke Alice, I am the second son of House White. I was present when you challenged my elder brother."

If he could earn Duke Alice's favor, his standing—both within his family and among the Second Prince's advisors—would skyrocket!

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone else turned to look at Alice.

Alice turned to Alan.

Alan remained silent, not bothering to explain.

Isabella, worried that Alice might be swayed, spoke up anxiously:

"Duke Alice! It was Audrey and her people who started it! They were the ones targeting my brother…!"

She quickly and concisely summarized the events leading up to the confrontation.

Alice's expression darkened as she turned to Audrey.

Audrey's pupils shrank. A sense of foreboding surged in her heart.

Her House, Chrysanthemum, was a powerful and ancient noble family in the Plantagenet Kingdom. But compared to Alice, they were utterly insignificant!

From what she knew, the forces behind Alice were beyond comprehension.

Even organizations as vast as the Church of Steam and Magic and Lioncrest Academy—both of which spanned multiple kingdoms—would never dare provoke Alice!

As the tension grew, Alice spoke slowly:

"Audrey, House Chrysanthemum may be a noble family with a long history, but I see no sign of noble grace in you. I hope there won't be a next time. Remember, you do not only represent yourself but also your House."

Being reprimanded in public like this was the ultimate humiliation for the proud Audrey.

Yet, in front of Alice, she could not utter a single word of protest!

Her hands clenched the fabric of her gown tightly, her silence clear for all to see.

Alice, unimpressed, fixed her gaze on Audrey.

"Do you refuse to admit your mistake, or do you believe you did nothing wrong?"

Alice did not bother with politeness.

A crushing force suddenly radiated from her—an overwhelming pressure, as if the heavens themselves were bearing down.

Audrey's entire body trembled.

The surrounding space seemed to contract, as though countless invisible hands were squeezing her.

Unable to withstand the force, she let out a muffled groan. Her knees buckled, sinking deep into the floor beneath her.

Silence engulfed the banquet hall.

Even Audrey's admirers, who had been eager to defend her, did not dare utter a word.

Many of the young elites present were trembling, drenched in sweat.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Audrey—still pinned by Alice's oppressive aura—was now soaked in sweat, her face twisted with resentment.

As a genius of House Chrysanthemum, she had always been the one to trample over others.

Yet now, she had been utterly crushed—without even a chance to resist!

Just as Audrey was about to be forced even deeper into the ground, an elderly woman in a courtly gown stepped forward.

She respectfully bowed to Alice and said in an apologetic tone:

"Esteemed Duke Alice, Miss Audrey has overstepped. Please forgive her this once. On behalf of House Chrysanthemum, we will forever remember your kindness."

Alice lowered her gaze slightly.

The immense pressure on Audrey vanished instantly—as if it had never existed.

Without Alice's crushing aura, Audrey's body went limp, and she collapsed onto the floor, her chest rising and falling in exhaustion.

Alice swept her gaze across both Audrey and the elderly woman.

"Alan is my friend. If House Chrysanthemum has any grievances about today's events, they may bring them to me directly. However, if they resort to underhanded tactics against Alan or his sister, that will be considered an act of war against me."

The elderly woman did not dare defy Alice.

She immediately bowed again and spoke earnestly:

"It was merely a misunderstanding. I will personally report this to the Head of House Chrysanthemum."

With that, she helped Audrey up and left.

Alice then turned to the Second Prince, her expression icy.

The Second Prince's expression darkened.

Judging by Alice's actions, it was clear her relationship with Alan was no trivial matter.

"Second Prince," Alice said coldly, "Plantagenet Kingdom is already surrounded by enemies. We are on the brink of collapse. And yet, instead of supporting a rising talent like Alan, you choose to suppress him just to gain favor with Audrey? Do you realize how much harm you have done to our kingdom?"

Her words made the Second Prince's heart sink.

He knew Alice held a unique position in the kingdom.

Even his father, the King of the Plantagenet Kingdom, regarded her with awe.

That's right—awe.

If Alice set her mind on something, even the king would support her without hesitation.

After all, it was Alice's presence alone that kept the surrounding kingdoms at bay, maintaining the fragile balance that prevented the Plantagenet Kingdom from collapsing entirely.

To earn Alice's hatred now…

He dared not even imagine how far his once-certain path to the throne might drift.

Alice continued coldly:

"Since this is your first offense, I will say only this—future banquets for Lioncrest Academy students will be hosted by someone else."

The Second Prince quickly bowed his head and fled the scene.

With matters now settled, Alice gestured toward Alan.

"Alan, shall we?"

Alan glanced at Isabella, a little uncertain.

"I'd like to bring her along."

Alice nodded.

"Of course."

With that, Alice led Alan and Isabella up to the third floor, leaving behind a banquet hall full of people—all wide-eyed in shock and regret.

Many of them had dismissed Alan as someone unworthy of their time.

Now, they were all kicking themselves.

"I never expected Alan to be so familiar with Duke Alice…!"

The banquet hall was filled with stunned expressions, and many wore looks of regret.

They had seen Alan before but had dismissed him as someone without background, choosing not to interact with him. Now, nearly all of them were kicking themselves in frustration.

On the third floor, Alice led Alan and Isabella into a serene tea room.

The space was quiet and isolated, untouched by the bustle of the banquet hall. A delicate aroma of tea filled the air.

Alice poured tea for both of them, then sighed with a trace of emotion:

"The last time I saw you, you were just a tier-iron level 10 magus. But now, you've already comprehended [Blade Spirit] and awakened Insightful Heart. At this rate, even late-tier-bronze mages might not be a match for you."

Alan nodded slightly, then stared straight at Alice, his curiosity evident.

"Why is it that I have no secrets before you?"

Alice smiled.

"There are very few people in this world whom I cannot see through."

As she spoke, she gestured toward her own eyes.

"It's my natural talent."

Seeing this, Alan chose not to pry further.

Many renowned geniuses possessed unique gifts, and such talents were often their most closely guarded secrets. Normally, no one would reveal them.

Yet, Alice had casually disclosed that her eyes were the source of her ability—clearly, she trusted Alan more than most.

No wonder even the Second Prince and the Plantagenet Kingdom's elite treated her with such respect.

After a moment, Alice seemed to recall something and asked lightly:

"I heard that someone brazenly attacked the Barton Kingdom's Sacred Battle Legion in Ironblood City. That was you, wasn't it?"

Alan nodded.

"The Barton Kingdom's forces were committing atrocities. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I took action. But I didn't expect that news to reach someone as busy as you."

Alice chuckled softly.

"The Third Princess and I are close. She wrote to me specifically about it."

Alan suddenly understood.

"The Third Princess is on the battlefield, holding off foreign armies, while Duke Alice challenges the top geniuses of other kingdoms. I should have realized you two would be acquainted."

Indeed, both Alice and the Third Princess were among the most outstanding women of the Plantagenet Kingdom. It made sense that they would be close.

Alice sighed, looking at Alan with a hint of melancholy.

"The Plantagenet Kingdom needs someone to stand up and fight. But there are very few people with both the strength and the courage to do so—except you."

Alan asked, "You care deeply for the Plantagenet Kingdom, don't you?"

Alice's expression grew complicated.

"I don't want to see my homeland torn apart and trampled by foreign powers."

Alan could relate.

Back in Ironblood City, he could have simply walked away—but in the end, he chose to fight.

Because, like Alice, he refused to let his country become a war-ravaged wasteland.

He refused to let his homeland become nothing more than a page in history.

Alice took a sip of her tea.

Her golden hair and sapphire eyes made her look almost angelic, and every movement carried an effortless grace.

For a moment, Alan found himself entranced.

It wasn't until she set her teacup down that he snapped back to reality.

Alice's gaze grew serious.

"Alan, the imperial capital is unlike other places. Here, it's not just a struggle for power and resources—there's also a constant battle of politics and influence. The waters run deep. Be careful."

Hearing her warning, Alan nodded, grateful.

"Thank you for today. If you're feeling up to it, how about we have a rematch?"

Alan was currently stuck at a bottleneck in his cultivation. He needed a real challenge—a fight against a true top-tier genius—to push himself forward.

Alice smiled faintly and shook her head.

"Wait until you reach tier-bronze. Then, we can fight again."

Tier-bronze!

Alan nodded.

Once he broke through, his strength would undergo a complete transformation.

After chatting a while longer, Alan and Isabella took their leave.

Back in the tea room, now silent once more, an elderly woman who had been standing quietly by Alice's side stepped forward.

"My Lady," she said, her tone cautious, "you and him belong to different worlds. It would be best to sever ties now, before—"

Alice glanced at her and said calmly:

"Alan is my friend. Anyone who dares move against him is declaring war against me."

The elderly woman shook her head.

"Severing ties would be the best protection for him. His talent is indeed impressive, but compared to you, the gap is still too vast. If you were merely ordinary friends, it wouldn't be a problem, but…"

She trailed off, gazing at Alice with a complex expression.

She had served Alice for many years, and this was the first time she had ever seen her show such concern for a young man.

This was not a good sign.

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Alice understood what her protector was thinking. She spoke indifferently:

"It's not just his talent that I admire. It's his character."

"He is clear about his friendships and his grudges. In Ironblood City, he showed remarkable resolve. If the people of the Plantagenet Kingdom all had his courage, we wouldn't be looked down upon by other nations."

Hearing Alice praise Alan so highly, the elderly woman's heart sank.

She had been about to offer another warning, but Alice had already turned and walked away.

Left alone in the quiet room, the old woman muttered to herself:

"Alan… I hope you don't get any foolish ideas. Otherwise, you will never understand what true helplessness and despair feel like…"

As Alice's protector, she knew better than anyone just how high Alice stood—like a radiant moon in the sky.

And Alan?

He was nothing more than a flickering speck of stardust.

On the way back to Harris Manor, Isabella grinned.

"Miss Alice is so beautiful and kind. I wonder which lucky guy will win her heart someday."

Then, turning to Alan with a mischievous glint in her eye, she teased:

"Brother, do you like Miss Alice?"

"Miss Alice has everything—power, wealth, kindness… Honestly, you two would make the perfect couple! Only she is worthy of you!"

Alan chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're overestimating your brother. I don't deserve someone like her."

"So you do like her!" Isabella grinned slyly.

Alan ruffled her hair, amused.

"You little troublemaker. Stop overthinking things and get some rest."

His voice softened.

"Right now, all I want is to stay by your side and cure your illness."

Isabella's expression softened, her heart warm.

She beamed up at him.

"Brother is the best! I'll always stay by your side!"