C1 I See My Father!

Vriayledo Airport Hall!

"Eldon, welcome to your mother's city!" Wood announced as he stepped through the airport's special exit. He inhaled deeply, turning to look back at his son with a smile that had been absent for far too long.

Eldon, about four years old and strikingly handsome, looked up with his gem-like eyes sparkling. "Will I get to see Mommy soon?" he asked eagerly.

"The lady of the house... it may take a little while longer," came the gentle voice of Denis, a scholarly young man with glasses, who followed closely behind Eldon.

"What's the issue?" Wood's voice was edged with frost.

He had spent a decade in military service, returning for the sole purpose of reuniting with the woman who haunted his memories. There was no room for error.

Denis, a member of the formidable Seven Fiends within the military, shivered slightly. Standing before Wood, the Ultimate Soldier, he felt as if he were skating on thin ice. This man was a living legend, a nightmare to leaders worldwide, and the supreme force of the Frieca Empire.

The Ultimate Soldier stood above all but one in the empire, his words carrying the weight of law, his influence weighing heavily upon the Nine States. While the Seven Fiends unsettled world leaders, the Ultimate Soldier was the specter that haunted their dreams.

And Wood was the man who bore that title in this era.

Denis steadied himself and cautiously offered, "Today, your wife's family is holding a... a suitor selection for her."

The temperature in the airport hall seemed to plummet with his words, causing bewildered travelers to curse the sudden chill.

"Is this her decision, or her family's?" Wood's voice was hoarse with a mix of anger and pain.

Five years earlier, Wood had been ambushed by ten formidable foes at the border of Northgard. He fought his way out, defeating every adversary, but at a great cost: his brothers-in-arms were all killed, and he himself was left severely wounded and mentally unstable.

A woman had saved him, but in his confused and tormented state, he had wronged her. The next day, with Northgard on the brink of rebellion, Wood had no time for explanations; he left to suppress the insurrection, not realizing the conflict would last a year.

After quelling the rebellion in Northgard, Wood returned home only to find that the woman had departed, leaving behind a baby boy.

The investigation later uncovered that his rescuer was Tella from the Griffiths family of Vriayledo. At the time, the unrest in Northgard had prevented Wood from leaving.

With Northgard now pacified, Wood promptly submitted his resignation and, with his son in tow, set out for Vriayledo.

"They're pushing for the marriage to take over her inheritance," Denis said, his voice quivering under Wood's formidable aura.

"Take over her inheritance?" Wood's low chuckle was laced with a cold edge, his eyes sparkling with a frosty determination. "The Griffiths family should think twice before trying to lay a finger on my wife's assets."

"Mommy, where are you?" The sudden wail of a little girl jolted Wood's heart.

He turned to see a four-year-old girl, tears streaming down her face, sitting on the ground in a state of fright.

"God of Soldier, she bears a striking resemblance to you. Could she possibly be—?" Denis began, only to be silenced by Wood's stern look.

"There, there, little sister, no more tears," Eldon said as he knelt beside the girl, his cool demeanor warming with compassion.

He gently wiped her tears, and the girl's sobs subsided.

"Brother, hug!" she beamed through her tears, her eyes curving into enchanting crescents. She darted into Eldon's arms before he could even respond.

Eldon hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around the girl, a softness in his gaze. He thought to himself, 'If my sister hadn't been taken by our mother, she'd be this age now.'

Watching from afar, Wood's lips curled into a slight smile, his heart filled with the promise of his family's imminent reunion.

"That's enough! What are these kids doing here? Move it, you're in my way!" The peace was broken by Sun Jie's harsh voice, her heavily made-up face contorted with disgust.

"I wasn't in your way, you bumped into me," Selena countered, gripping Eldon's arm, her large eyes shimmering with hurt.

"Auntie, did you catch that?" Eldon's voice was icy as he confronted her, "The offender is often the first to complain. How disgraceful."

"Ah... Auntie?"

Sun Jie's blood boiled at the term. As a celebrated starlet, her image and age were her pride and joy. To be called 'auntie' by some bratty kid was an insult.

"Where did this wild child come from? Clearly has a mother, but no manners..."

Her venomous words caused Eldon's face to darken, and even at a distance, Wood's expression could have made the air turn frosty.

Father and son both felt the sting of her words.

"What's with this foolish woman? She's utterly clueless."

Denis mumbled under his breath, quickly following Wood, fearing he might not keep his cool.

In the past, a foreign dignitary had dared to insult Eldon in a similar manner. Wood had relentlessly pursued him for three days and nights until he was brought to his knees in apology.

A dragon's fury is not to be provoked.

"Move!"

Sun Jie attempted to push Eldon aside, but Wood stepped in, his eyes flashing with restrained fury.

He was on the edge.

"And you are?"

Sun Jie asked, her displeasure evident.

Behind her, two imposing security guards braced for conflict, subtly shielding Sun Jie and eyeing Wood warily.

These men were more than hired muscle; they were combat-experienced veterans, brought on board by Sun Jie for their proven prowess.

Yet in Wood's presence, they sensed an overwhelming aura.

"Sir, this is none of your concern. Please back away."

One guard said, his voice steady but his sweat-dampened palms betraying his anxiety.

"Move aside!"

Wood's command was calm but carried a chill that seemed to lower the temperature around them.

"This gentleman first—"

With a swift motion, Wood's chilling gaze rooted them in place, their bodies rigid with fear.

"You... what do you think you're doing? I'm here at Larkin's invitation as the official spokesperson!"

Sun Jie's attempt at intimidation was betrayed by the chill creeping into her extremities.

"Look over there, it's Larkin!"

"What's the occasion today? The King of Brialedo himself has graced us with his presence!"

"He's rushing—probably here to pick someone up."

...

A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd, and Sun Jie's face beamed with triumph, as if she had just secured a powerful ally. She glared at Wood, her confidence surging.

"Kid, Boss Larkin is here to get me. You're in deep trouble now."

"Ever heard of Larkin? He's the wealthiest man in Brialedo, the King of Brialedo himself!"

"Get on your knees and beg, and I might just spare you."

Sun Jie's demeanor shifted to one of haughty superiority.

"King of Brialedo?"

Wood let out a faint smile.

The supreme True Dragon would coil before him, let alone the so-called King of Brialedo!