Lis also noticed the bottle of top-notch ice wine he had given to Uncle Joyce had been placed in a central, prominent position.
Joyce pointed at the sofa in front of him and sat down.
Lis nodded his head and honestly sat down opposite Joyce.
The atmosphere seemed different from before; when Uncle Joyce asked to see him previously, it had never been this serious.
This time, Uncle Joyce even refrained from taking out the wine glasses to enjoy the wine and chat.
Joyce looked at Lis sitting before him, feeling somewhat emotional. Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire
He seemed to see Brandon's shadow in him, as dashing and spirited as he had been.
He had thought he would climb to the pinnacle of legend with Brandon and enhance the prestige of the Kane family, but alas, because of Brandon's impatience...
Joyce withdrew his thoughts; thinking about the past was useless. It was more important to focus on the present.
Lis, too, felt the surrounding atmosphere become heavier under Joyce's influence and couldn't help but be astounded.
What was it that could make Uncle Joyce so solemn?
It was the first time he had seen Uncle Joyce so burdened, even more so than when facing the Divine Incarnation of the Master of Ten Thousand Beasts.
"Little Lis, do you still remember your father's story?"
Joyce took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
Lis suddenly perked up, recalled for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"Uncle Joyce, aside from knowing that my father's name was Brandon Kane, I don't know anything else about him, and no one has ever mentioned it to me."
Lis didn't sugarcoat it because that was indeed the case; he knew nothing, and even in the mansion, there was not a single portrait of the former head of the family.
The Kane family had no other elders or branches; it was only Lis.
It was so carefully avoided that Lis, having been raised by Joyce and the family servants, had never had anyone talk to him about his parents or their past.
Eventually, Lis had given up on pursuing this matter further.
"Indeed, it is like that!"
Joyce exhaled slightly and looked earnestly at Lis:
"Are you curious why I, being a Legendary Mage, would stay with the Kane family?"
"Indeed I am, but I presumed you had your reasons."
Lis nodded earnestly.
Truthfully, although he had guessed that the Kane family's foundation was that Azela Floating City, that was just knowing the result without understanding the process.
Why did the Kane family possess that sunken Floating City?
Why, having such a foundation, were they merely a Court Viscount of the Feis Kingdom on the surface?
Why had these matters been hidden from Lis before?
Joyce looked at Lis, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly:
"You're a smart kid, you must have guessed a lot already."
"Actually, the whole matter is quite simple. Your great-grandfather, Jacomo Kane, was a Golden Warrior, and he was also a senior explorer at the Mercenary Guild. While exploring a secret realm over the Pearl Sea, he discovered a Floating City."
Joyce looked seriously into Lis's eyes, emphasizing:
"A Floating City that was still functional!"
Lis forcefully hid his excitement, showing only a hint of surprise and astonishment on his face.
He wasn't a child anymore; acting too surprised would seem unnatural.
Joyce said somewhat sadly:
"Honestly, it was a miracle, perhaps it was the Lucky Goddess favoring your great-grandfather."
"Floating Cities created by the Nasery Magic Empire have always been the ultimate demonstration of Mages' wisdom and Strength, almost akin to miracles. After the destruction of the Nasery Magic Empire, Floating Cities gradually vanished as the long years went by; in the Gaia World, aside from the two still operational on the Eson Continent, all other known Floating Cities have completely collapsed, leaving only ruins behind."
"There might still be Floating Cities hidden elsewhere, but they would be in the hands of Extraordinary forces."
"A masterless Floating City, a functional Floating City, its value is unimaginable."
Lis nodded; he understood that what Uncle Joyce said was correct, even understated.
He was well aware of those two Floating Cities on the Eson Continent; they belonged to the Pan-Continent Magic Association, which served as the core of the association, not owned by any single individual.
The Pan-Continent Magic Association, a powerful force unique to Mages, welcomes all Mage Professionals. It spans several continents, with more than ten Legendary Mages known, and even more powerful than many Divine Churches in the Gaia World.
Of course, many Legendary Mages were merely affiliated with the Pan-Continent Magic Association, more of a cooperative rather than a subordinate relationship.
Just like, Mr. Stephens of "Judgement Flame" was a member of the Pan-Continent Magic Association.
Even such a powerful entity had owned only two Floating Cities over countless years.
Thus, when the Azela Floating City emerged, it was inevitable that Legendary Mages could not resist their greed, wanting to come and seize it.
Honestly, from what Lis understood, it seemed that even Joyce and Risa might not have been able to protect the Floating City back then; it was very likely that Mr. Stephens had also intervened secretly.
Lis felt a sudden drop in his joy, as if weighed down by a new pressure.
At worst, I'll just wait until I break through to become a Legend before revealing the Floating City. I can't believe I, Risa, Uncle Joyce, and possibly with Mr. Stephens's help, can't protect a Floating City!