NOVEL NEXT Chapter 254: Situation and Intention
"Ugh..." Aston groaned softly as he slowly opened his eyes.
What greeted him was a ceiling adorned with crystal-like chandeliers.
"Where am I?" He muttered in confusion, trying to sit up.
Fortunately, there was no pain or anything restricting him, so he could move his body freely.
He looked around the room, noting the cabinets, tables, sofas, and other fine furnishings. Their quality made it clear this was a noble's residence.
Just as his confusion peaked, the door creaked open, and a familiar young man stepped inside, carrying a tray in both hands.
"Your Highness?" Aston was stunned.
It turned out the young man was Nolan.
Seeing Aston awake, Nolan looked briefly surprised, then smiled and gave a small nod.
"Do you feel any discomfort?" he asked casually as he came closer.
"Nothing, Your Highness. My body feels fine." Aston shook his head, clenching his right hand, which made his muscles stand out.
"Good!" Nolan nodded in satisfaction.
He set the tray on the nightstand and said, "I know you must be confused and have many questions, but for now, eat first. You've been in a coma for five days."
"Five days?" Aston was dumbfounded.
He thought he had only been unconscious for a few hours, or at most a day. But in reality, he had been in a coma for five days!
The urge to ask questions welled up inside him, but he quickly held it back.
What Nolan said was true. Although he could move freely, there was still a lingering weakness in his body, as if he had gone without nourishment for several days.
"Alright," he replied with a soft sigh.
After that, Aston began eating breakfast to fill his empty stomach. As the saying goes, "People with muscular bodies need far more food than ordinary men."
That was clear from the way Aston devoured everything on the tray so quickly. Fortunately, the portion Nolan had brought was generous.
It was enough to satisfy his hunger—for now.
Half an hour later, Aston set the last plate back onto the tray and patted his slightly bulging stomach.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I'm very full," he said sincerely, a hint of embarrassment in his tone.
Nolan was a prince, yet he had personally prepared and brought him food. Despite Aston's title as a marquis, Nolan still stood above him in the social hierarchy.
"At ease, Marquis Valmire," Nolan replied calmly, waving his left hand. "I did it of my own will."
Having said that, he called for the servant waiting outside and told him to clear away the dishes from Aston's meal.
Once that was done, Nolan took a wooden chair from beside the study desk on the left side of the room and placed it next to the bed.
"If you have any questions, go ahead," he said as he sat down.
He crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest. His indifferent yet lazy demeanor somehow made Aston feel pressured.
Nolan carried himself with an aura of authority—like an emperor.
Shaking off his thoughts, Aston's expression turned serious as he looked at him.
"Your Highness, can you tell me where this place is? And what happened while I was unconscious? Also…"
His words trailed off for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed as he carefully asked, "What happened to Rovert?"
Memories of Rovert resurfaced in his mind. Back then, he and his soldiers had gone to besiege the man's mansion. But instead of going as planned, they were framed.
That bastard Rovert had turned out to be a Celestial Mage, hiding it so well. In the end, he and his troops were overwhelmed and knocked unconscious.
After that, everything was a blur. The next thing he knew, he was here… facing Nolan.
"This place is the Castellan family's mansion," Nolan replied casually.
"The Castellan family mansion?" Aston froze. "Wait a minute!"
His face grew frantic. "Then... doesn't that mean Rovert has…"
His words faltered, but Nolan immediately understood. He gave a small nod and confirmed, "Yes, Rovert is dead."
Aston fell silent. He had expected it, but hearing it directly still struck him differently.
After a moment of silence, he asked again, "How did Rovert die?"
That was the part he couldn't understand. Rovert was a Celestial Mage. In the entire Empire, few could match him—only the Mages of the Constellations stood above.
Aside from them, it was almost impossible for anyone to defeat him.
"The one who defeated him was a Celestial Mage from the Blue Moon Trading House," Nolan replied. "When you invaded Gardian City, I contacted them just in case. They sent their Celestial Witch, and fortunately, my decision proved right."
Of course, that was only the excuse he had prepared. His true identity as the Singularity of Chaos must never be revealed.
"So that's it…" Aston took a deep breath, trying to steady his shock.
It all made sense now. A Celestial Mage from the Blue Moon Trading House was indeed powerful. No wonder Rovert had been defeated.
Then, suddenly, Aston remembered something, and his face turned serious.
"By the way, Your Highness, I have something to tell you. Rovert committed a terrible atrocity—he used humans as his experimental tools. In addition…"
Aston began to share the information he had learned from the mysterious woman. But then he suddenly fell silent, remembering that the woman was actually Nolan's subordinate.
Obviously, Nolan must have already known. Aston's face flushed with embarrassment, but Nolan had no intention of humiliating him.
"That woman you met is the Celestial Mage I mentioned earlier," Nolan said casually, easing the tension.
"I see." Aston nodded slowly. "In that case, Your Highness, what do you want to do? Should we report this matter to the palace?"
His words carried a hidden meaning. Whatever had happened, his grudge against the Castellan family was over.
But with Rovert's crimes exposed, the entire eastern region would soon be thrown into turmoil. Preventive measures had to be taken.
Nolan, of course, understood. That was exactly why he had been waiting for Aston to wake up.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Sooner or later, this news will spread. All of Rovert's crimes must become public knowledge. Even though he's dead, palace law still applies—it will fall upon the entire Castellan family. Their noble status could be revoked, and they may even be exiled. That's why I need your cooperation, Marquis Aston."
His gaze flashed meaningfully, and Aston understood at once.
"Please tell me, Your Highness…"