My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2031

However, contrary to expectations, Alfius' birth did not change anything. He was also disliked by his family because of his slow learning ability. Then one day, creditors paid a visit to his extravagant parents.

Alfius was taken away by the creditors, who believed his parents would pay a ransom for their son. However, they underestimated the cruelty of Alfius' parents. Nearly a year later, when the creditors returned, his parents had already fled with all their possessions, leaving nothing behind.

The creditors abandoned the seven-year-old Alfius who could barely speak. At that moment, it seemed that heaven finally took notice of this forsaken child. His mentor, the head of the swordsman association, found the starving Alfius during a demon-slaying mission. Alfius then followed his mentor to the swordsman association.

Determined not to be despised for his slow learning ability, Alfius began studying his mentor's teachings day and night from the very first day. Over time, his mentor took notice and deliberately slowed down his teaching for Alfius' sake.

His mentor also had a daughter named Sunny, who was about the same age as Alfius. They grew up and played together, and life seemed to be heading in a beautiful direction. However, fate was unjust.

Last year, when Sunny turned 18, she and Alfius planned to attend the annual fireworks festival. However, Alfius was delayed by a sudden demon-slaying mission and could only arrive late.

That night, Sunny waited alone at the festival, watching the fireworks bloom and fade, hoping to see Alfius before the festival ended. Even after it ended, Sunny still believed in him and continued to wait.

Not long after, the night swallowed all the light, and demons appeared on the mountains.

It was the Night Parade of 100 Demons.

No one knew who or why, but demons began advancing eastward from all directions. Alfius and his fellow martial brothers fought the demons until dawn.

The demons dispersed, but tragically, Sunny died before dawn. When they found her, she had already stopped breathing. Though her body was intact, her soul had been devoured by evil spirits.

…

Two months later, Alfius was suddenly called to his master's room.