Ascension To Divine Throne - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Memories of Joyce
Chapter 80: Memories of Joyce

In the memory, at the Cain Family Manor.

A middle-aged man lay on the bed in the master bedroom, his face inexplicably flushed, looking as if he were at death’s door.

Sitting by the bed was a young man, whose features bore some resemblance to the butler, Joyce.

“Cough, I must look terrible like this. Joyce, you won’t find me repulsive, will you?”

Even in his condition, the man on the sickbed still had the mood to joke, but Joyce’s expression beside him was filled with sadness.

“Brandan.”

Joyce looked at the Marquis Cain on the bed, not wanting to witness the imminent death of his elder brother, who had grown up with him and was as close as a brother.

However, the severe internal injuries caused by the failed breakthrough of the legendary level were beyond Joyce’s ability to heal. More critically, Brandan’s source of magic had completely dissipated, rendering even a legendary priest powerless to save him.

Moreover, he was just a legendary assassin; Joyce had never felt so powerless before.

“Hey, don’t look so troubled. You seem to be feeling worse than I am.”

“You know my situation. Although it’s outrageous, this is the first and last time.”

“I had a premonition of the failure of the breakthrough, but I couldn’t resist, after all, it was the most important and tempting secret of the family.”

“After I die, Joyce, I entrust young William to you!”

“His mother died early, and I was too obsessed with magic to take care of him properly.”

“Cough… Cain family’s legacy is now in your hands!”

“If William has the talent, then pass on the legacy to him.”

“If he’s not capable, then leave it to the little girl I brought back!”

“Let her inherit the name of Cain and continue the family’s legacy.”

“As for William, although its just a facade, his identity as a Viscount of the Fis Kingdom’s court is enough to ensure a smooth life for him.”

“May he live a peaceful life.”

“Growing up, getting married, having his own children… Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see any of these.”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Brandan on the bed coughed violently, his body seeming like a worn-out bellows, about to reach the end of life’s journey.

Joyce rose to pour a cup of hot water for Brandan, only to have his wrist gripped tightly by Brandan.

Joyce had never felt Brandan’s strength so intense before.

“I don’t have much time left.”

Ignoring the dark red blood coughed up from the corner of his mouth, Brandan stared fixedly at Joyce.

“I’m sorry, Joyce, I’m going to break my promise.”

“William, I’m leaving him to you!”

Suddenly, Brandan’s hand loosened, and his entire body collapsed onto the bed as if all strength had left him.

Joyce’s outstretched hands froze in mid-air, and he looked up at the ceiling above, seemingly not wanting Brandan to see his weakness at this moment.

—

Butler Joyce emerged from the haze of reminiscence, shaking his head.

How to maintain the appearance of an old man, he had also become fond of reminiscing.

Calculating from being adopted by the Cain family, from the first time he saw Brandan until now, it had only been a little over fifty years. Among legends, Joyce was still considered young!

However, looking at William now, he could recall the time when Brandan and he were both in their prime, full of vitality and ambition.

That’s the decision then; young William has already embarked on this path, and the old master would also hope for me to do so.

Joyce picked up the mail that had just arrived this morning and headed towards the dining hall of the manor.

Today’s breakfast was butter-fried fish, smoked chicken from the North, and fried eggs with potato cakes, specially ordered by William.

There was no need to worry about not finishing the food. William had instructed the kitchen to prepare more, knowing that with Angela, the big eater around, they could easily finish it all.

These days, William also noticed that Angela was really homebound. Initially, she was excited when she first came out of the tomb, exploring everywhere. But once the novelty wore off, she returned to her sluggish state.

Eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating!

Initially, William thought she hadn’t fully recovered from the battle. But when he asked her yesterday, Angela looked at him with a puzzled expression. Didn’t those minor injuries heal quickly?

Well, having a duke-level vampire heart made her remarkable! Just a little suck and she’d recover. After all, being close to a legendary-level vampire, Angela still couldn’t fully digest the essence of the blood.

Now, Angela had two hobbies.

One was sleeping on William’s heart or on top of his head.

The other was eating delicious food and competing with William for it.

As William tasted the butter-roasted fish made by his own chef, he found it fresh, tender, and fragrant. The slight salt and black pepper added the perfect finishing touch.

While William was enjoying his meal, the butler, Joyce, approached as usual and placed the mail for the past few days on the table.

Glancing through, William found that it was all irrelevant invitations and asked Joyce to handle them all.

However, this time, Joyce didn’t leave but stood beside William and said:

“Young master, yesterday the servants found some magic books while cleaning the mansion. I had them sent to the old master’s study. Would you like to take a look?”

Magic books! These were good things. William had been studying various magic books recently and was almost done with all the inventory here.

But, his father’s study…

To be honest, William had no impression of the former Marquis Cain, who had never been unmasked, nor did he have any memories of him.

As for the study, William did remember it. All the Cain family’s books were kept there, including the magic ones.

The previous owner had gone there once to get some magic books, but most were still there, looked after by someone else.

Great! It would be nice to see what magic books there were, especially if there were any related to runic magic.

William thought as he picked up Angela’s short leg and carried her, heading towards the study.

Angela, too busy eating, didn’t resist and tried to stuff the last chicken leg into her mouth, her mouth full of oil.

—

The study was located at the innermost part of the top floor of the mansion.

William placed Angela, who had finished her chicken leg, on his head and pushed the door to enter.

A faint scent of ink permeated the room, and the morning sun streamed in through the spacious French windows, making time seem to slow down in this room.

Rows of shelves were neatly arranged, with no trace of dust, indicating that the librarian of the study was very responsible!

I wonder where the magic books are, William thought as he searched the shelves in front of him.

“Basic Potion Making,”

“Techniques for Controlling the Four Basic Elements,”

“Advanced Elemental Theory – Basic Volume,”

“Two or Three Things I Have to Say to the Princess”…

Indeed, there were many types of books, but many of them were of no use to William now.

He casually took out the last two books he had seen and tucked them under his arm. However, his love for learning made it impossible for William to resist the temptation of knowledge.

At this moment, a clear and pleasing female voice sounded from behind the bookshelf.

“You are?”