MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

As the family laughed and shared lighthearted anecdotes, the conversation gradually shifted toward Anthony, who was all smiles. If the Supreme Monarchs, especially the Second Supreme Monarch, were present, they would never have believed this was the same being who once made them who felt like gods tremble, reducing them to the level of ants. None of them had ever seen him smile, let alone laugh so freely.

"So, Anthony, I'm sure you have some big news to tell us," Mitchelle said eagerly, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement. She had waited long enough.

Anthony arched an eyebrow in mild confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice calm yet wary.

'Are they asking about my abilities?' he wondered silently, sipping from his glass.

Mitchelle's smile deepened, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Purple hair, purple eyes, Captain rank," she said softly.

At her words, all eyes immediately turned toward Anthony. No one needed further explanation; they already knew exactly what Mitchelle was referring to.

Anthony nearly choked on his wine, coughing as though he were gasping for breath. His sky-blue eyes widened slightly before narrowing in disbelief as he turned toward his mother. Their gazes met, eyes of the same striking hue.

"How did you find out?" he asked curiously, though a hint of amusement flickered across his features. He wasn't exactly hiding Vega's existence; in truth, he had planned to introduce her himself after telling them. This dinner had been his perfect opportunity, but it seemed Mitchelle had completely upended his plan.

"I'm the Supreme Monarch," Mitchelle replied with a light chuckle. "Of course, I know everything going on in my military base."

Anthony stared at her for a brief moment, a resigned smile tugging at his lips. "You saw it through the recorded livestream, didn't you?" he asked knowingly.

Before Mitchelle could respond, Irene, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally interjected. "Who are we talking about?" she asked, unwilling to let the two continue their cryptic back-and-forth.

"Exactly what you think we're talking about," Mitchelle said with a radiant smile. "Your grandson is now officially a man, he has a woman."

"Mom," Anthony sighed, rubbing his forehead with a helpless smile, "I wanted to introduce her myself."

"Well, the damage is done," Mitchelle replied sweetly, clearly unbothered.

"Is this true?" Michael asked, leaning forward with a broad grin that practically stretched from ear to ear.

"Tell us about her! You can't hide anything from us," Irene added warmly. Her expression was bright and curious, but if one looked closely enough, there was a faint tinge of sadness beneath her smile, the quiet realization that her dream of pairing her disciple, Evelyn, with Anthony had just shattered into dust.

Anthony exhaled deeply, then smiled as his thoughts drifted toward Vega. "Well… her name is Vega."

The moment the name left his lips, the lively atmosphere froze. It was as though time itself had stopped moving. The laughter, the clinking of cutlery, even the faint hum of mana in the air seemed to vanish. Only Mitchelle remained smiling knowingly, her expression one of calm satisfaction.

Anthony, noticing the sudden silence, raised an eyebrow. 'They know her,' he concluded instantly.

Indeed, they did.

The day Vega had departed for the military, when she was officially registered as a soldier and began her compulsory one-year training program, Klaus had personally visited the Supreme Monarchs. His arrival had not been one of courtesy but of warning. He had threatened to tear the military apart, to burn it to the ground, should anything happen to his daughter. His words were not mere bluster; they carried the terrifying weight of his power. He made certain that Vega's name, face, and identity were seared into their memories, unforgettable and untouchable.

Given the unfathomable strength Klaus possessed, there was no way any of the Monarchs could treat such a declaration lightly. Every one of them remembered his warning vividly, even though they had never met Vega in person.

"You all seem to know her," Anthony said evenly, his tone not one of inquiry but of certainty.

"We do," Collins finally spoke. He had remained silent for most of the family gathering, smiling quietly as he observed everyone else. His voice was calm and deliberate, carrying the weight of a man who rarely spoke unless necessary.

Mitchelle took it upon herself to explain further, recounting in detail what Klaus had done on the day Vega joined the military. As she spoke, everyone listened with rapt attention, the memory of Klaus's terrifying declaration etched clearly in their minds.

"Well…" Anthony replied with a small smile once she finished. "That does sound like Klaus." He knew all too well the man's temperament when it came to his daughter. Vega was his pride, his life, his very world.

"I don't know whether to call this a blessing or a disaster," Irene murmured with a faint smile, unsure how to feel about the revelation.

Although all of them had grown significantly stronger over the past few years, their power soaring to unimaginable heights, largely thanks to Anthony, the name Klaus still carried an aura of dread. To them, Klaus was still leagues above. Just the thought of his wrath was enough to make even a Supreme Monarch uneasy. They couldn't help but imagine what might happen if Klaus discovered his precious daughter was dating another man.

"You might just be walking on extremely thin ice, baby monster," Michael said with a resigned sigh, though there was a teasing edge to his tone. "If Klaus finds out, he'll storm the military with his fury." Despite his words, there was no real fear in Michael's voice, only the memory of bitter defeat. For all his own might, his fights against Klaus had never been true battles; they had always been one-sided demolitions, showcases of the vast difference in their strength.

Anthony understood their concern perfectly. But instead of worry, he wore a confident smile. "No need to worry," he said calmly. "I already met Klaus and his wife, Amara."

At his words, the entire room fell silent again. For a heartbeat, everyone froze, caught completely off guard. Their minds spun rapidly, running through every possible meaning behind that statement. Then, one by one, their expressions shifted from disbelief to realization, and finally to joy. Mitchelle was the first to smile knowingly, followed by the others.

"HAHAHAHA!" Michael burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the dining hall. "It seems the Null Family is about to expand again!"

Their conclusion was simple: if Klaus hadn't already appeared before them or tried to obliterate the military, then it could only mean one thing, he had approved of the relationship. The thought that Anthony might be lying never once crossed their minds. Their trust in him was absolute.

"I expect a grandchild by this time next year," Michael declared boldly, grinning ear to ear. "Twins, a boy and a girl. I want two mini baby monsters running around the estate!"

Everyone laughed at his remark, the tension melting away like snow under sunlight. Michael leaned back in his chair, already daydreaming about the future. He could almost picture it, the outrageous talents his grandchildren would have, the fusion of Anthony's terrifying talent and Vega's boundless potential. The thought alone filled him with excitement. He was already imagining teaching the twins the art of swordsmanship, training them personally from the moment they could walk... no, see.

And with that, the family dove headfirst into a new round of cheerful conversation, one centered entirely around Anthony's relationship.