chapter1501

As Wyatt spoke, his voice grew choked with emotion again. He looked at Tarquin with red-rimmed eyes.

"I'm an orphan. My parents died a long time ago. Back in the day, I used to cause trouble on purpose, just to make people afraid of me so they wouldn't mess with me."

"Everyone around me hated me back then, but Dilan... he was patient with me!"

"He said we were childhood buddies, that he knew I wasn't a bad person. Even after I cracked his head open with a brick and he got so mad we got into a huge fight, he still brought me food that night!"

"Dilan and I weren't related by blood, but he was my real brother!"

"Later, he got terribly sick, was on the verge of death. It was just then that we ran into Mr. Bradford. Mr. Bradford stepped in to help, paying for a doctor."

"The snow had blocked all the roads back then, so Mr. Bradford stayed at Dilan's house for over a month. That's how their deep bond was forged."

"Later on, after Mr. Bradford went abroad, he contacted Dilan and said he'd settled in Alerasia and could arrange a job for him there."

"Back in those days, forget going abroad, just getting out of these mountains made you a big shot! We all wanted to go out and make something of ourselves!"

"But Dilan's parents were in poor health and needed him, so he gave the opportunity to me."

"The job I had in Alerasia, Mr. Bradford arranged it for me through a contact. He looked out for me a lot, and I was so grateful to him!"

"So when he asked for my help, I didn't hesitate for a second!"

"He saved Dilan's life, so Dilan would have done anything for him! In your educated people's words, what's it called... 'eternal devotion' or something like that!"

"It's just... you guys came a little too late. Dilan's already gone..." His voice broke, and he buried his face in his hands, weeping bitterly.

Perhaps because he had held it in for so long, Wyatt poured everything out, speaking through his tears.

By the end, he was sobbing uncontrollably.

Tarquin sat across from him, a lump in his throat. A man who couldn't even properly say 'eternal devotion,' yet for the sake of loyalty, he'd played the fool for over twenty years...

Twenty years. How many twenty-year periods does a person get in one lifetime?

And it was the best twenty years of his life...

From his twenties to his fifties, never taking a wife, never making friends, acting like

a madman for over two decades, all to protect that one item.

All to honor the promises and the loyalty he held in his heart.

Tarquin was deeply moved, filled with a profound respect for him.

He was a man of honor and loyalty. He was a hero.

Dilan was a man of honor and loyalty, too. He was also a hero.

"I'm sorry we kept you waiting for so long."

Wyatt wiped his tears, his voice thick with sorrow. "You did keep us

waiting a very long time... But it's

okay As long as you came. Why didn't Mr. Bradford come?

Tarquin's expression grew heavy. "He passed away over twenty years ago."

Wyatt froze. A few seconds later, tears streamed down his face again, his lips trembling. "He... he... how did he pass away?"

Tarquin didn't hide the truth. "Because of that item."

Wyatt was stunned. "!"

Tarquin said, "You've done an incredible thing. A monumental thing!

! That item is a matter of our

entire nation's security you are a hero! And Dilan is a hero, too!"

Wyatt was shocked to hear this. He had guarded the item out of gratitude and brotherly loyalty. He had no idea it was connected to national security.

"What... what exactly is it?!"

Tarquin said, "The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes. won't go into detail right now. Once the crisis is over will come back and tell you myself. Where is the item now?"

Wyatt slowly collected himself. "In the mountains! Dilan put it in the mountains. After

he died, I never moved it. It's very safe there!"

A great weight lifted from Tarquin's shoulders. The item was still there. That was

what mattered.