“And to set an example and prove how serious we are regarding this matter,
We will start with our higher-ups instead of common people.”
“!!!”
The King announced, and all the council members widened their eyes in surprise.
“Your Majesty… are you suggesting we use Verdant Omen on… ourselves?”
The Master of Coins questioned; she clearly didn’t seem to like the idea very much.
“The possibility of there being a traitor amongst us hasn’t disappeared. This will not only help us get rid of the traitor if there is any, it will also strengthen our image in front of the people and strengthen our claim as Nerathis’s defender.”
The King answered as he then stared at the Master of Coin.
“I fail to understand what the issue is here?”
“The Verdant Omen…”
The Master of Coins muttered, her tone still full of hesitation.
Honestly, the King understood her perspective. It wasn’t the Master of Coins alone; the rest of the Council Members seemed uncomfortable as well.
After all, the Verdant Omen was used to execute criminals. Using them on others was seen as a form of humiliation. It was similar to how any normal being, especially one in a position of power, would be repulsed by the idea of wearing rags that criminals are made to wear.
“Do not worry, Zarya Ravenspire. We are not going to use the Verdant Omen today.
After all, we have another way.”
The King smiled as he glanced at Kael. The Hero frowned; soon, however, he realized what the King was trying to do and smiled.
“We can have the Hero use his ability on us and our Bonds. This will not only give the Hero a perspective of how strong beings of this world and their Bonds are, it will also not be humiliating.
I am sure no one here has a problem with that, correct?”
“…”
“…”
The Council Members stayed silent. Even if they did have a problem, they couldn’t say it out loud, or else all the suspicion would be directed towards them.
In the end, they could only give in.
The King smiled, Kael smiled as well. He also wanted to see how strong everyone here was. Edric stared at Kael and then at his father in silence; his expression didn’t reveal anything.
The King then took the Hero and the Council Members to the Royal Garden. The servants were dismissed; Archmage Alaric created a barrier that hindered outsiders’ senses, making it impossible to know what was happening inside.
“Who wishes to take the first step?”
The King questioned directly as he stared at his subordinates.
“I will.”
The Grand Marshal stepped forward. He didn’t seem overly concerned; rather, he just stared at the Hero and grinned widely.
“I could feel the Hero’s stare as we walked here. The Hero seems excited to look at how strong Nerathis’s strongest actually is.”
“I won’t deny that.”
Kael nodded with a smile.
“I apologize if I offended you.”
He spoke politely, to which Varyon laughed.
“Don’t fret the small matters. Something like this would never offend me. If anything, I am glad. I just hope I do not disappoint you.”
Kael smiled at those words.
“So? How should we do this? Are you going to use your ability on me first, or should I bring out all my Bonds?”
“I cannot tell anything by looking at the Tamer, but I would still like to see how strong you are.”
Kael requested directly.
“Hahaha! Go on then! Use your ability!”
Varyon grinned as he placed his hands on his waist. Kael chuckled at that; then, his eyes turned golden.
[Name: Varyon Ashveil]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 85]
[Level: 99]
[Strength: 259]
[Agility: 279]
[Speed: 281]
[Stamina: 272]
[Defense: 255]
[Mana: 100]
[Intelligence: 312]
[Charisma: 210]
[Strengths: Supreme Combat Prowess, Master of Battlefield, Tactical Genius, Commanding Aura, Perfect Warrior.]
[Weaknesses: Reached Human Limits]
…
‘Hmm…’
Once again, Kael saw those ridiculous numbers, just that this time, he didn’t act like a country bumpkin. Varyon’s stats were similar to Veylara’s, just a little stronger since he was a level above her.
Of course, he also didn’t fail to notice the weakness section.
‘Human limits, huh…’
Once again, he stared at Varyon’s level and realized it.
‘So Level 99 is the Peak…
Sounds odd.
Why isn’t there a Level 100?’
He couldn’t help but wonder. Soon, however, he just shook his head.
He wasn’t even level 30 yet; there was no point thinking about all this.
“Are you satisfied?”
Varyon questioned, his tone filled with absolute confidence.
“You are strong.”
Kael commented. It wasn’t a praise, it was a statement, a fact.
A fact Varyon knew well.
“You need to get stronger.”
The Grand Marshal replied. Kael nodded. One way or another, he would have to surpass this man to protect his little children.
“Should I take out my Bonds now?”
Varyon questioned, and suddenly, Veylara stepped behind Kael. The Space around her trembled, and Inkar walked out.
“…what are you doing?”
Varyon questioned as he narrowed his eyes.
“Protecting the Hero.”
Veylara answered directly.
“I have a reason to doubt everyone. I cannot have a traitor attack the Hero right now. So I will protect him.”
“Are you suggesti—”
“I am not suggesting anything, Varyon. You should know what I am doing is necessary.”
Veylara answered as she and Inkar stood around Kael, prepared to protect him no matter what happens.
Something that made Kael feel quite… special.
Being protected by someone else…
He didn’t hate this feeling.
A small smile appeared on his face, to which Veylara smacked his head from behind, reminding him to hide his expression, Kael just pouted.
“Why do you get to protect him? What if you are the traitor?”
Varyon questioned, not paying attention to that little interaction between Kael and Veylara.
“He would already be dead if that was the case. I had more than enough chances to kill him.”
Veylara answered directly.
“You didn’t know he had a Dragon back then.”
“I do know now. Do you see me making a move?”
“Wha—”
“That is enough.”
Alden spoke up.
Honestly, in his mind, he was quite confident that both Veylara and Varyon were innocent, but since the two were adamant about going at each other’s throats, he decided to leave the decision to Kael instead.
“You choose who should protect you.”
“Lady Veylara.”
Kael’s answer was instantaneous.
Varyon raised his eyebrow at that as he stared at Veylara. The woman grinned; it even looked like she was taunting him to make a move.
“Tsk.”
In the end, Varyon just snorted.
He didn’t blame the Hero. He was more familiar with Veylara because of her children. It would make sense to choose someone you are familiar with to protect you rather than to choose someone you do not know.
“Should I bring out my Bonds now?”
“Do it one by one. Start with the weakest.”
Veylara instructed, and Varyon’s mouth twitched even further. In the end, he complied, and one by one, he brought out his Bonds, allowing Kael to use his ability on them all.
The Bonds he summoned got stronger and stronger until finally, the Grand Marshal brought out his strongest, most trusted Bond.
A Level 99 Bond.
Kael’s eyes turned golden, and soon,
“!!!”
His body trembled.