Reincarnated As A Dragon With A Godly Inheritance
Chapter 25: Punch

Chapter 25: Punch

Taria wasn’t the only one that gasped when the sharp crack of Kael’s punch connected with Rauk’s nose. And when the Knight suddenly appeared beside Kael with her blade against his throat,

Taria’s hand shot to the spear on her back in readiness.

"Stop."

Kael’s command froze her hand inches from the metal shaft. Her fingers curled into a fist as dread surged through her.

Lord Rauk could order his Knight to kill Kael at any moment, and that thought made Taria grip her spear tighter, ready to draw it the second Rauk gave the death command.

How had the Knight moved so fast? Kaedros hadn’t even seen her close the distance. She must have used some sort of power technique to move that fast.

Or maybe not.

Kaedros locked eyes with Rauk, deep blue against pale blue. The young Lord wiped a thin trail of blood from his red nose and rolled his jaw.

"Leave him, Vexa. I was in the wrong."

Rauk had been warned by the Celestial Order that these two were impressive, but he hadn’t expected this. Especially Kael. He was so fast that even Rauk, who prided himself on his speed, had barely seen the punch coming.

He had to have them. He wanted to.

Knight Vexa hesitated. Her sword pressed harder against Kaedros’ throat, and for a moment, he thought she might just sever his head.

He couldn’t see her face behind the helmet, but her aura pulsed with sharp, deadly intent.

He dared her with his eyes. ’...come on...do it....give me a reason to tear you down...’

Then she withdrew, sheathing the sword smoothly and stepping back into position behind Rauk. The room exhaled visibly as tension drained from the Ascendants’ shoulders.

Everyone knew the importance of advancement. The higher you rank up, the harder it was to climb even higher.

So when the only rank two Knight in the room stood down, they were all grateful.

Kaedros touched the tender line of his throat, and Taria fussed around him until he hushed her. He stepped down from the table, facing Rauk directly. "I’m not apologizing for punching you."

Rauk smiled faintly. "I don’t expect you to. I should be the one apologizing... for making such jokes."

Kaedros narrowed his eyes. Rauk should be angry, from what he knew about humans. He should demand blood and vengeance like every other noble born with a superior bloodline.

The fact that he didn’t only deepened Kaedros’ suspicion. Rauk must really wanted them to join him so badly if he was swallowing that kind of humiliation.

The question was....why?

"Then why make such jokes at all?" Kaedros asked flatly.

Rauk didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he nodded at Vexa. She clapped once, and her aura surged outward, enveloping the space around their table in a soundproof barrier.

"Now we can speak without interruption," Rauk said.

"Or without anyone finding out what was said," Taria noted.

Rauk smiled again and gestured to the seats. Once everyone but Vexa had sat down, he continued. "I should apologize again, for trying to force you. But I truly must ask you to reconsider and join my team."

"What exactly is in it for you, Lord Rauk?" Kaedros asked.

Rauk didn’t hesitate. "As you know, we Lythiennes are the least powerful among Solmere’s ruling powers. I want to change that."

Kaedros nearly sighed. He had no desire to meddle in human affairs. All he wanted was to advance in solitude, and return to being a Dragon, dominating the sky so that his real ambitious of taking his revenge could start.

He didn’t want to involve himself with lowly humans unless they are tools for him to use.

"What does that have to do with us? We’re low-rank bounty hunters."

"Exactly," Rauk said, eyes gleaming. "You’re low-rank Ascendants with potential. I want you as my future Knights, for when I take over Solmere."

Kaedros tapped his fingers against the table, letting silence stretch before answering. "You want to form an independent force."

"Yes."

"And you want new Ascendants so they won’t already be loyal to the Celestial Order or the bounty hunter’s Association?"

"Yes."

"But you’re only picking from the talented ones. So you don’t waste your time."

Kaedros raised a brow.

"Exactly right." Rauk wasn’t surprised Kael saw through him. The man’s gaze was like staring into a wild, intelligent beast.

"What I hate most is working for anyone." Kaedros smiled slightly. "That’s why I built my own team. I chose every one of them myself."

He leaned forward. "But what I want to know is... why hasn’t your father provided Knights for you? Even poor nobles have a small armed force."

Rauk’s expression darkened. His voice tightened. "My father won’t send his men on what he considers a lost cause. Or maybe... maybe he’s waiting for the King to make a move."

"And you think you can win a lost cause?" Taria emphasized the word. "Would you fight your own father for it?"

"That’s exactly why I want my own Knights," Rauk said, ignoring the emphasis.

"It’s not easy to make high-level Ascendants," Kaedros pointed out. "Even with grinding and power hunting, High Advanced Ascendants don’t come overnight. The higher you go, the steeper the climb."

"We’ve acquired a looted forbidden zone. A grounded one," Rauk replied with a smirk. "It’s said to be one with very high potential and, it’s said the rank is low enough for low ranking Ascendants."

Kaedros shook his head, already firm in his answer. "Lord Rauk. This sounds like something out of a storybook. This is my polite way of saying fuck off."

He paused.

"And besides, picking a fight with the Celestial Order the Association? That’s suicide. Even the King would think twice."

Rauk didn’t look surprised. His smile was tight, well-practiced.

"At least I tried. Thank you for your time."

The magical silence field collapsed. Knight Vexa followed Rauk out the door.

The inn fell silent, the bounty hunters eyeing Kaedros and Taria with newfound curiosity. Kaedros quickly guided her toward the back exit.

"What just happened?" Taria asked with a dazed expression as they stepped into the alley that connected to their street.

Kaedros didn’t answer. He’d just caught the scent of something sharp, too sharp.

And he felt it, hostile auras, slicing through the air like naked blades, closing in fast.