Chapter 455: The Belated Griffin Squad

Brol had learned from Bruno two days prior about the assault on Moonlight Valley by Wushan Territory.

He had also received the king’s command to lead his griffin squadron to Moonlight City in support of Wushan Fortress, to capture Hesus and bring him back to Goldfeather City.

Yet following orders, he delayed his departure by a day.

They could have reached the front yesterday—but arrived only after the battle for Moonlight City had already ended.

From above, Brol gazed down at the scarred walls below, at the long, blackened furrows scorched into the earth, his heart gripped by awe.

What kind of battle had raged here to leave such devastation?

“Captain, there—golden griffins on the hilltop,” one of his men pointed.

“Golden griffins?”

Brol looked. “It’s the Crown Prince! Let’s go!”

The dozen griffin riders landed upon the crest. Brol sensed something amiss—the usual vigor of Garret was gone, replaced by a hollow weariness.

“Your Highness, and Rowan—where is Lord Hesus?”

Garret said nothing.

Rowan sheathed his flame-kissed blade, Liflame, and spoke: “Mephisto, the creator of the Witch-Souls, the source of chaos, has been slain. The orb that controlled all the Witch-Soul Knights has shattered.”

At this, Brol felt a chill.

And as expected, Rowan’s next words confirmed his dread.

“Hesus and the other Witch-Soul Knights were bound to that orb. When it broke, their lives were extinguished with it.”

He gestured toward a body lying nearby—Hesus, lifeless on the ground.

Brol staggered forward, turned the corpse over. Though the face was twisted beyond recognition, it was undeniably Hesus.

“This…”

For a moment, he stood frozen. After all, this man—still bearing the royal name—was the king’s own brother.

Just then, Rulans ascended the peak. Seeing Rowan and Rudar standing unharmed, his heart settled.

“Lord Brol, Wushan Territory has succeeded in purging the evil foreign race for His Majesty, bringing peace to the kingdom. What instructions does the king have for us?”

“Lord Rulans,” Brol replied, “His Majesty is deeply moved by your loyalty and Rowan’s unwavering defense of the crown’s honor. He sent me to assist you in eradicating the foreign threat, destroying Mephisto—the root of evil—and returning Hesus to Goldfeather Palace.”

He glanced uneasily at the body. “I regret we arrived too late…”

Garret stirred at last, pulled from the numbness of defeat.

Frowning, he fixed Brol with a searching gaze. “You’re saying… my father ordered support for Wushan Territory?”

In his mind, the crown should have backed Hesus—it would have served them better.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Brol repeated firmly: “The king feared Wushan’s forces might be insufficient to destroy the foreign menace, so he sent us for aerial reinforcement. We never imagined the battle would conclude so swiftly—Wushan not only held, but crushed the enemy army!”

Garret grunted, his expression unreadable.

After a brief silence, he shrugged off his attendants’ hands.

“Handle things here. I’m returning to Goldfeather City.”

With a leap, he mounted his griffin. One last look at Rowan—as if searing that face into memory—then a sharp command. The griffin surged skyward, vanishing into a speck against the clouds.

His five knights followed in swift pursuit.

“What’s wrong with the prince?”

Brol frowned. “Was he injured in battle?”

Rulans was equally puzzled. Garret’s arrival had been unexpected; he had no idea what transpired atop the mountain.

But he was certain—the Crown Prince hadn’t fought Mephisto.

Rowan smiled faintly. “We had a little spar. I won by a hair. Probably why he’s in such a mood.”

Brol froze. Knowing Garret’s pride, if he truly lost to Rowan, his humiliation would run deep.

Still, he couldn’t fathom—why spar during a war against the Witch-Souls?

Yet Rulans’ eyes gleamed with quiet joy, profound pride, and deep contentment.

His grandson had surpassed the kingdom’s youngest genius.

Brol collected himself. “Mephisto is dead, but Hesus perished with him. I must carry his remains to Goldfeather City to report. Lord Rulans, Rowan—what will you do now?”

This was Bruno’s test—of their intentions.

The two exchanged glances. Rulans chuckled. “We waged war for the kingdom’s peace and humanity’s safety. Now that the source of chaos is gone, Wushan’s troops will naturally withdraw to Shore City.”

True, Hesus, his wife, and children had all died—Moonlight Valley had no direct heir.

But the land wasn’t theirs simply because they’d conquered it.

By law, inheritance would pass to Hesus’ son’s maternal family—the Duke of Valgris.

Yet above even Valgris stood King Bruno himself, Hesus’ brother, who also held claim.

As Rulans and Rowan had discussed, Bruno would likely reclaim the territory.

Unless Wushan seized it by force, they had no right to claim a share.

Hearing Rulans’ words, Brol inwardly exhaled. He smiled. “You’ve paid a heavy price to solve a great crisis for the crown. The king will surely reward your efforts.”

Sounded suspiciously like empty promises.

Rulans smiled modestly. “Loyalty to the king is our duty.”

They exchanged brief accounts of the battle. Then Brol lifted Hesus’ body onto a griffin and soared toward the capital.

The war between Wushan and Moonlight Valley would soon echo across the realm.

After Brol’s departure, only allies remained on the peak. Rulans turned to Rowan.

“Rowan, how did you come to clash with Garret?”

Rowan recounted the events.

Rulans nodded slowly. “Garret’s talent and strength are impressive, but his judgment is poor. The fall of the foreign race was inevitable—yet he sought to defy fate alone.”

He mused: “He may serve as a general, but in politics, he lacks depth. He’ll never make a good king.”

Then he studied Rowan. “What surprises me most—you, Rowan—are both Solar Knight and Archmage! If one day you follow Emperor Orlandt’s path and unify this continent, I wouldn’t be shocked.”

Rowan laughed. It was the first time Rulans had spoken so plainly.

“It’s too early to speak of such things.”

He turned to Rudar. “Send Joffrey to search Moonlight City. Find any survivors. Tell them I offer shelter, farmland, and peace—if they wish to resettle in North Wushan.”

Whether they’d gain land was uncertain. But if they did, Rowan wouldn’t hesitate to claim it.

Now, his greatest concern was people—the key to prosperity, conquest, and legacy.

Becoming Solar Knight and Archmage, Rowan understood power’s true value.

Once, facing Garret, he’d needed caution. Now, he could afford fewer calculations—even say no outright.

That was the confidence strength bestowed.

“And don’t forget,” Rulans added with a smile, “search Moonlight Keep as well.”

“The Emperor didn’t directly hand Moonlight Keep over to the Griffins—that’s clearly an opportunity for us. Hesus has amassed quite a fortune over the years; let’s not let someone else profit from it.”

Ridal chuckled. “I understand.” (End of Chapter)