Chapter 285: What can you give me that Drakthar cannot?
“Move before others do.”
The King ordered.
“But your majest—”
Veylara tried to say something, but,
“Veylara.”
The King interrupted, staring at Veylara with an authoritative look on his face.
“Do not lose yourself because of your personal affections. I have known you as a practical woman all this while, not as an idealist. Act like what is expected of you.
It does not matter whether the Hero has that ability or not, what matters is that the rumors of this matter have already spread all over the place, and these aren’t the rumors that can be taken lightly.
Even if we do not move, other nations will.
This will turn into a race, a race to capture the Hero and get him on your side, a race with an extremely big reward, a race that… Drakthar cannot afford to lose.”
The King spoke with a sharp look on his face.
“But if he finds out the truth it wil—”
“Then we just need to make sure that he doesn’t, no?”
Again, the King interrupted, narrowing his eyes almost as if he was threatening Veylara.
“…”
Veylara turned silent.
It wasn’t just her, Varyon and Sylvara were silent as well.
The King, on the other hand, turned towards the Shadow Regent and,
“Move swiftly, we do not have much time.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
“It is a mistake.”
Suddenly, Veylara spoke up.
Yes, she still hadn’t given up. She stared at the King and,
“I have trained Kael for more than a week. I know him much better than anyone else, and if there is one thing that I do know,
It is that he moves carefully.
He is not reckless or arrogant; he knows what the consequences of his actions will be.
This is also something he must have predicted, yet he still went forward and did it anyway. It must mean he is confident in being able to protect himself.
If you target him and he finds out that you were the ones behind it,
We might make a difficult enemy—one that has Lord Feraos on his side.”
“…don’t worry, he won’t know.”
Zephyr nodded.
“I hope that is the case.”
Veylara nodded back as she then stood up, prepared to leave the meeting room.
“The meeting is not over, Veylar—”
The King tried to stop her but—
“I no longer wish to be part of it.
I am loyal to Drakthar, but this does not mean I support every decision you take.
This decision is a mistake.”
This time, Veylara was the one who interrupted and walked out of the meeting room with everyone else just staring at her back.
“…”
“…”
Heavy silence fell over the meeting hall.
But as if this wasn’t enough, the Crown Prince, who stayed silent all this while, suddenly stood up as well.
“Where are you going?”
The King narrowed his eyes, and the Crown Prince chuckled.
“I did not know you could leave if you do not agree with a decision.”
“Are you saying…”
“Yes, I do not agree with your decision, Father.”
Edric nodded without fear.
“The relation between the Hero and Drakthar is still positive, but your decision is going to ruin it. Of course, you are the King, so I cannot stop you, but I would very much like to leave the meeting room to not be a part of this.”
The Crown Prince announced, and as if supporting his words, both Varyon and Sylvara stood up as well, prepared to leave the meeting hall.
Just like that, the Council was divided into two equal parts—one supporting the decision of capturing Kael, the other standing against it.
“These people do not understand.”
Zephyr, who saw the three leave, shook his head in disappointment, attracting the attention of the remaining three members.
“Other nations will be after him as well; it will be impossible for him to protect himself on his own.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was surrounded by some forces right now.”
…
While the Drakthar Council Meeting continued,
“…”
Kael, who was a few thousand kilometres away from that place, was facing the exact problem Zephyr mentioned.
He was surrounded.
Twenty-five elite soldiers of the Dominant Sky Platoon hovered in formation. Each one sat atop a flying beast—falcons, wind wyverns, and sky serpents—their armor glinting gold and azure, banners of the Sky Kingdom fluttering proudly from their backs.
Yes, they were from Zephyria, the Sky Kingdom.
Kael, who was sitting on top of Igni, stared at them with a calm look on his face.
‘So it did happen, huh…
To think it would happen on my last day.
How unfortunate.’
He sighed inwardly, his face, however, didn’t show anything.
“Kael Carter, on behalf of His Majesty, King Elyndor of the Sky Kingdom, I bring greetings and an invitation. We would be honoured if you would return with us—as a guest of the Kingdom.”
A tall man with silver-streaked blonde hair, who stood at the center of the formation, spoke with a calm, practiced smile.
He was Captain Aeron Vael, the captain of the Dominant Sky Platoon that had surrounded Kael.
“Why?”
Kael asked simply. He had stayed out of the political world for a month, so he wanted to see what was going on and how they were going to play it out.
“Your deeds have reached every corner of the skies. The Sky Kingdom values strength, courage, and rare talents. His Majesty wishes to extend his friendship—and perhaps offer you a place among the Skyblooded. You would be treated with the highest respect.”
‘That’s it? That’s a bit tamer than I expected…’
Kael muttered inwardly, slightly disappointed.
He wanted to see the man’s desperation. That’s the only way to make it fun, isn’t it?
As if sensing his disappointment, Aeron continued,
“You’d be given a private sky chamber, full access to our libraries, our Bonds, and the personal protection of the Sky Kingdom.
We want nothing but peace—and your presence.”
“I used to get all this back in Drakthar. How is your offer any different? Plus, from what I heard, the Sky Kingdom’s weaker.”
Kael answered with a neutral look on his face. Inwardly, however, he was smiling lightly. Waiting to see how this man would react to his words.
Yes, teasing humans was fun.
Kael was changing—his daughter was influencing him.
He then looked into Aeron’s eyes and,
“What can you give me that Drakthar cannot?”
He questioned, his blue eyes shining with unhidden amusement.