[Name: Solaris]
[Race: Blazewing Tyrant]
[Rank: Legendary]
[Age: 71]
[Level: 99]
[Strength: 487]
[Agility: 510]
[Speed: 513]
[Stamina: 501]
[Defense: 477]
[Mana: 610]
[Intelligence: 550]
[Charisma: 410]
[Strengths: Heat Manipulation, Fast and Agile, Destructive, Ruler of Flames.]
[Weaknesses: -]
…
‘Holy fuck…’
Kael couldn’t help but curse when he saw those stats.
This was…
Absurd.
Those numbers made no sense at all.
Kael could feel his body tremble, however, Veylara, who stood behind him, placed her hand over his shoulder, bringing him back to his senses.
“Not corrupted.”
The Hero spoke up and as he did, the King secretly sighed, somewhat relieved. Even though he highly doubted it, if the strongest of his side actually turned out to be a traitor, it would have made things much more difficult.
Alden nodded at Varyon, who nodded back and placed Solaris back into the Sanctuary since the Bond’s presence itself had raised the temperature of the area by more than a few degrees. Some council members had even begun sweating and felt uncomfortable.
Kael, however, seemed an exception to this. Rather than feeling any sort of discomfort, he felt somewhat refreshed in the heat instead.
‘Is this because of the Baptism?’
He thought inwardly.
“Continue.”
However, the Hero wasn’t given much time to think as the King passed the orders.
After Varyon, the one who stepped forward was Veylara. Varyon quickly took her place and stood beside Kael instead, doing exactly what Veylara did to him.
The woman snorted.
One by one, she revealed all her Bonds and just as Kael and the King expected, none of her Bonds were corrupted.
Of course, the woman quickly took her place back the moment she returned. Now, Kael was being protected by possibly the two strongest beings in Nerathis.
“Continue.”
The King ordered.
The next one was Zephyr. He was a Level 94 Tamer, weaker than Varyon and Scarlet, but was still absurdly strong. The likes of Selene, Cedric, and Aurelia were nowhere near him.
Just like the first two, Zephyr didn’t have any Corrupted or Half-Corrupted Beast.
The inspection continued. One by one, the Council Members stepped forward, allowing Kael to use his ability on them. Most of them were above Level 80 and surprisingly, none of their Bonds were corrupted.
The Grand Marshal,
The High Marshal,
The Shadow Regent,
The Archmage,
The Master of Coins,
The Keeper of Wilds,
Kael had inspected all Six Council Members and their Bonds and…
None of them were corrupted.
The only ones now left were the King and the Crown Prince.
“Continue.”
The King ordered, his fists were clenched as he stared at his son. Edric stared back at his father before his eyes fell on Kael.
Then, he stepped forward and even now, his poker face was still maintained.
Kael stared at the Crown Prince as well. If he doubted anyone here, it was this man. Honestly, he wanted to inspect Edric first, but he decided not to express his opinion on the matter.
He was going to get what he wanted anyway, so revealing his thoughts through his actions made no sense. Veylara standing behind him would slap him again if he did something like that.
As he stepped forward, Edric continued to stare at Kael, waiting for him to continue,
“I have already inspected you before, Crown Prince Edric. I do not think I need to do it again.”
Edric nodded as he brought out his Bond.
With both Varyon and Veylara, and their strongest Bonds protecting Kael, it didn’t matter what Bond Edric brought out first. Whatever it was, it would be outmatched, if in case Edric turned out to be a traitor and attacked Kael.
The space around Edric cracked and a majestic Bond walked out with it. It was a Thunderhoof Kirin. He was tall and graceful, its body glowed with stormy magic. Its silvery-blue coat shined brightly, with faint lightning patterns pulsing beneath.
Golden-white eyes glowed, and lightning danced in its pupils. Its crystal-like antlers glowed with veins of light. Each hoofstep left behind glowing marks that faded into mist. The instant the Beast had appeared, all couldn’t help but feel his majesty.
Kael’s eyes turned golden as the information regarding the Bond appeared in front of him.
This was the deciding moment,
The one that would answer all of Kael’s doubts.
But…
[Name: Votarius]
[Race: Thunderhoof Kirin]
[Rank: Legendary]
[Age: 21]
[Level: 49]
[Strength: 127]
[Agility: 187]
[Speed: 190]
[Stamina: 110]
[Defense: 75]
[Mana: 190]
[Intelligence: 130]
[Charisma: 100]
[Strengths: Master of Lightning Magic, Highly Evasive, Quick Reflexes, Tactical Intelligence.]
[Weaknesses: Fragile Build, Low Stamina, Low Ground Combat Ability]
…
Nothing.
The Beast was strong, yes.
But it wasn’t corrupted.
“Continue.”
The King ordered, narrowing his eyes.
The Crown Prince nodded and brought out his Second Bond.
Once again, it wasn’t corrupted.
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Bond came out and…
None of them were corrupted.
The Crown Prince was not a corrupted human.
“…”
Kael turned silent.
This…
This went beyond his expectations…
As everyone he was inspecting was coming out innocent, his suspicion fell on the Crown Prince.
It made sense, only Edric’s action here seemed suspicious, Edric had always been the most suspicious one around and his relationship with Lavinia didn’t help his case.
He had all the reason to be the Traitor…
But…
Now that it was proven he was not…
Another question appeared in Kael’s head,
‘If not the Crown Prince, then who…?’
“Are you satisfied now?”
While Kael was thinking all this, Edric questioned, looking into Kael’s eyes. Almost as if he was blaming him for suspecting him. Of course, Kael didn’t let that slide, not anymore. He answered with a light chuckle,
“I never doubted you for a second, Crown Prince Edric.”
Edric laughed at those words, clearly not believing him.
For now, however, he didn’t say anything, rather, his purple eyes shined as he turned towards his father.
“It is your turn now, Father.”
“…”
Silence fell over the place the moment he said those words as all the Council Members stared at the Crown Prince.
Something that made Edric frown,
“What? We are not going to inspect the King? I thought we were all setting an example here. What better way would there be than for the King himself to step up?”
“Crown Pri—”
The Master of Coins stepped forward, wanting to calm Edric down as politely as possible, but then,
“The Crown Prince is correct.”
The King nodded, his purple eyes lingering on his son for a moment before he turned towards the rest.
“I never said I will not be inspected. If we wish to set an example, I, as the King, need to step forward.”
Alden then glanced at Kael and nodded at him.
Kael nodded back as his eyes turned golden.
[Name: Adlen Dragonborn]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 67]
[Level: 86]
[Strength: 200]
[Agility: 153]
[Speed: 158]
[Stamina: 172]
[Defense: 179]
[Mana: 74]
[Intelligence: 289]
[Charisma: 381]
[Strengths: Supreme Combat Prowess, Unyielding Resilience, Overwhelming Power, Intelligent, Charismatic, Natural Leader]
[Weaknesses: -]
…
Kael couldn’t help but be impressed as he saw Alden’s stats. His intelligence and charisma were far higher than normal.
Now, however, it was time to see his Bonds, but suddenly, Kael noticed something strange.
The King… he seemed to be…
Hesitating?