Chapter 525: Gradually Becoming Arrogant

Chapter 525: Growing Arrogance

Carlos carved through the air with powerful gusts from his wings, landing firmly upon the square before Auduin Hall.

Blanche leapt from the dragon’s back and strode swiftly toward the royal chambers, Elron close behind.

The palace knights witnessed this scene but made no move to stop them.

At that moment, Garrett emerged from Auduin Hall with a retinue.

Beside Count Ural stood a woman who studied the great dragon crouched on the square, her eyes gleaming with unmistakable desire.

“This is what Murfester sought—the offspring of a legendary creature, a being capable of rivaling sages once fully grown!”

“Yes, my lady,” came the reply. “Though this dragon stands at only eighth rank, it caused us considerable trouble during the Battle of Misthaven.”

“Eighth rank? Compared to a true legendary dragon, it’s still far too weak.”

Selandir murmured inwardly, *If only we could enslave it—what a formidable vessel it would make.*

Just then, Garrett descended the steps with his entourage.

“Blanche, you’ve returned!”

In the past, Blanche would have lowered her gaze when facing Garrett. But now, as a duchess, she could not afford to appear timid before outsiders.

“Garrett, my brother,” she said, voice steady. “Tell me—how is Father?”

Garrett shook his head. “I regret to say our father has fallen by an assassin’s blade.”

“No… impossible!”

Blanche’s face turned deathly pale. She could not believe the words.

Garrett’s eyes darkened, his tone edged with fury. “The assassin has been identified—your husband, Ronin.”

If the first blow had stunned her, this one froze her in place.

“That’s impossible!” she cried, stepping back in shock, yet her voice rang with unwavering conviction.

Garrett inwardly sneered. He knew his sister was simple-hearted, deeply devoted to their father. That was precisely why he knew she would come.

“The knights and guards all saw it. This is an irrefutable truth.”

“How can you say that? Ronin has been with me these past days—he couldn’t possibly have come here! You’re slandering him!”

“And how long would it take a Dawnlight Knight mounted on a dragon to travel from Northvale to Goldenfeather City? Can you truly swear Ronin never left your side?”

Elron scanned Garrett and his companions—and recognized familiar figures among them:

Count Ural, Faelens, Andreia.

“We’ve walked into a trap!”

He wasted no breath on argument. Seizing Blanche’s arm, he urged, “My lady, flee!”

Light surged through him. Flash spell. Aurora Shadow. In an instant, he dashed toward Carlos at blinding speed.

“Carlos, come!”

The dragon had been drifting into a light doze, but the commotion roused it. Seeing Elron’s actions, it understood—first, they must escape this perilous place.

**ROAR—**

A thunderous bellow shook Goldenfeather Palace to its core. Every bird, beast, even human knights trembled, paralyzed by the overwhelming pressure.

Yet not all present were ordinary men.

“Don’t let them escape!” Garrett roared.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!

Figures shot forward from behind him, cutting off Elron and Blanche’s path.

At the same time, Selandir cast Windshadow Step and soared into the sky.

“You overgrown worm—don’t flaunt your might before me!”

She unfurled a spell scroll in her hand. Endless wind elements erupted forth, coalescing into massive chains across the heavens.

Like living serpents, the chains writhed around Carlos, binding his wings with crushing force.

**ROAR!**

Carlos strained against the weight, muscles bulging. With a mighty heave, he snapped the chains apart. Then, jaws wide, he summoned a colossal ice lance and hurled it at Selandir.

The Archmage raised six or seven Walls of Sigh in an instant.

The ice lance pierced wall after wall—until at last it shattered, scattering glittering shards like falling stars.

“Windbearers—advance!”

Dozens of figures launched into the air, their backs sprouting wings. In moments, they formed a sealing formation, trapping Carlos within.

A faint smirk curled Selandir’s lips. They had planned this for so long—to capture the dragon, they first needed to separate Ronin from it.

Thus, the disturbance in Mole City. Once Ronin was lured away, the rest unfolded like clockwork.

And now—everything proceeded perfectly.

More than ten Windbearers fused their power into a single, razor-sharp beam of light, striking Carlos’s scales with relentless force.

Selandir struck again. The broken wind chains reformed, spiraling rapidly around the dragon, wrapping it from head to tail like a bound zongzi.

“Nowhere to run,” she sneered. “Disperse the killing formation—bind this beast tightly!”

The Windbearers dissolved their array, darting through the air with practiced precision, exchanging enchanted chains in swift succession until Carlos lay trussed and helpless.

Four massive black nails materialized in Selandir’s hands and plunged from the sky, driving deep into Carlos’s tail and wings.

“This…”

Everyone present stood stunned.

The dragon—once thought nearly invincible—had been subdued in mere moments by this woman and her winged allies.

But none felt the blow more keenly than Elron. His greatest hope of escape had rested on Carlos. Now, that hope lay crushed.

“Still think you can run?” Garrett mocked. “Without your dragon, neither of you will leave Goldenfeather Palace alive today.”

“What do you intend?” Elron demanded. “You—a crown prince, heir to the kingdom—allying with foreign devils, attacking a duchess without cause? You wage war against the entire realm!”

“Devils? Merely Ronin’s slander!” Garrett spat. “They serve me now—my loyal followers, destined to help me unite all of Orlandt!”

Slowly, he drew his sword, pointing it at Elron.

“I know you—you’re the Light Mage of Northvale, the alchemist who crafts enhancement and awakening potions. Serve me, and I’ll spare your life.”

“Hah…” Elron laughed bitterly.

Elron sneered, “Do you truly believe I would pledge loyalty to a man steeped in lies, who consorts with demons and abominations? And besides…”

He swept his gaze across the assembled nobles. “To me, it seems far more likely that *you* are the one who murdered King Bruno. What say the rest of you?”

Eyes flickered uneasily.

Yet in this suffocating atmosphere, no one dared speak out.

“Hmph!”

Garrett’s blade spat forth a bolt of thunder, crashing into Elron.

Though deflected by a shimmering light shield, the force hurled Elron backward, sending him sprawling onto the cold stone floor.

“Today I shall slay you—loyal dog of Rowan—and bring peace to my father’s spirit!”

Blanche stepped before him, arms spread. “Then kill me first.”

“You think I wouldn’t?”

Garrett’s eyes narrowed, glinting with murderous intent.

The fury long suppressed under Rowan’s dominance now boiled over within him. He felt the world bending to his will.

Whoever defied him—his sword would claim their head.

“I am not as merciful toward enemies as my father was!”

“She is your sister, Your Highness!”

At last, someone could bear it no longer.

Texas stepped forward, bowing deeply. “As the Kingdom’s Minister of Justice, I must remind Your Highness: there exists no direct evidence implicating Duke Rowan as the murderer. This remains mere speculation.”

“Oh? Are you defending Rowan—the killer of our king?”

“No, Your Highness. I merely uphold the law of the realm, offering counsel as duty demands. Whether you are Crown Prince or future sovereign, this is my sworn obligation.”

“Well said, Texas. I shall remember your words. I *shall* remember.”

Texas bowed once more and returned to his place.

“I admire your courage,” Arsenal murmured, “but not your judgment.”

Texas smiled bitterly. He knew full well that once the new king ascended, his position as Minister of Justice would be forfeit.

Yet how could he remain silent, watching the prince trample justice in broad daylight?

Garrett sheathed his sword.

“Loshan, Cubi—take three knight squads and place the Duchess and this Light Mage under arrest.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

All present understood—they were to be held as hostages.

Ference and Andreia exchanged glances, lips curling into knowing smiles.

Ah, the Crown Prince truly had no limits. Bold, reckless, and unafraid to act openly.

“Your Highness,” Ference asked, “what comes next? Shall we muster our armies and march directly upon Wushan and Moonlight Vale?”

Andreia added, “I’ve long suspected the Wushan clan of treason. The Duchy of Vela stands ready to serve the Crown Prince!”

Merrin stepped forward with a grin. “The Screaming Isle pledges its strength to Your Highness, always!”

With two great duchies and the sea lord of Screaming Isle declaring allegiance, other nobles quickly followed, clamoring for war against the Wushan.

Yet some remained silent, their faces unreadable.

Garrett surveyed the tide of support, heart swelling with triumph.

This was exactly what he desired.

“No need to rush,” he said, smiling. “Since our esteemed Minister of Justice insists this is but speculation, let Rowan come face us himself!”

“Of course, should he refuse to come to Goldenfeather City… that alone proves his guilt—a coward’s conscience burdened with regicide. Then, I shall unite the entire nation to crush the traitorous Wushan clan, and afterward march upon Trisia, fulfilling my father’s final wish!”

If Rowan came, he would walk straight into their trap.

But if he refused, then as Garrett claimed, he would wear the crown of assassin, traitor, and ungrateful wretch.

And Garrett could then rally every noble under the banner of righteous vengeance, uniting them to destroy the Wushan.

Faced with the combined might of two nations and the wrath of all Orlandt, even men like Texas would dare not raise voice in protest.

(End of Chapter)