Reincarnated As A Dragon With A Godly Inheritance
Chapter 46: Want a king

Chapter 46: Want a king

Vexa’s blast had hurled Thandor closer to the black gate than he would’ve liked. Some of the vines still coiled around his body had absorbed most of the impact, now hanging from him like tattered armor.

He smiled bitterly. "You’re strong, Vexa, but only in Solmere. In the larger cities, you’re as common as a donkey."

Vexa shrugged. "I know I’m not at the top like the real elites, but right here, right now? I’m the most powerful person in this room."

"That’s true," Thandor admitted, retreating carefully, minding the swirling gate behind him. "But we can talk this through. You don’t have to kill me and start trouble with the Celestial Order. You could even partner with us. I’m sure the Celestial Order would support the Second Prince."

Vexa shook her head. "The Celestial Order rose so powerful this period because the King grew weak. Soon, they’ll be cut down to size."

Thandor’s eyes widened. He had nothing left to lose now. With a gesture, the vines twisted together, forming a thick, supple spear. It shot toward Vexa like a dart of green lightning.

Her sword sang through the air.

Rippling energy, infused with vibrating force, cleaved the vine in two, then tore through Thandor, reducing him to shredded meat in an instant.

His blood sprayed onto the black gate.

The darkness drank it in.

"Well, that’s taken care of," Vexa said, turning to the others, she was breathing a little fast from all the mana she was using. "Now it’s time to take care of you rats. Kael and Taria, you’ve heard too much. You can’t go back to normal lives."

She raised her blade.

"So choose. Die here... or serve the new King of Thalvaris."

Kaedros stepped out calmly. "What happens to Rauk if we choose to follow you to the capital?"

Vexa waved her sword dismissively. "Why do you care? He’s going to die anyway. His blood will be the first offering to usher in a new King."

Kaedros frowned. "Let me ask you, Vexa. You served as his guard since he was a child. You knew he was a spare, unwanted. And yet you do this to him?"

"I served because I was ordered to," she said coolly. But then her eyes softened just slightly as they landed on Rauk. "Of course, he was a good kid. But after the King fell ill, Rauk started seeing conspiracies in every shadow. He wanted power, to save his dear father."

"Then tell me this," Rauk said, voice low and heavy. "Was I wrong? Was there no conspiracy?"

Vexa smiled bitterly. "You’re going to die anyway. So yes, I’ll tell you. The Second Prince is going to kill your father and take the crown. At last, Thalvaris will have a new King."

"Impossible!" Rauk took a step forward, then stopped short. His hand trembled as he pointed at her. "The Grand Lords would never allow it!"

"Enough will," Vexa snapped. "The rest will kneel... or die by the sword."

Rauk’s expression darkened. His eyes blazed.

"I don’t see what you admire in him," Vexa continued. "He’s a very bad King, and an even worse father. He gave you to the Lythienne to hide his shame. Why not just keep your head down and live a quiet life? You’ve done it for years. But no, you had to be a hero for a father who never cared."

"You’re wrong, Vexa," Rauk said quietly. "He did what a King should, he hid me to protect the realm. And even then... he found ways to see me."

"The man saw you twice in two years," she scoffed. "And you’re satisfied with that?"

"He is the King," Rauk said. Then softer, almost to himself, "He was all I had."

Kaedros nearly rolled his eyes. All this drama, and one of them still had to die. But he was here for intel, not sentiment.

"So... when are you killing the King?" he asked.

Both Rauk and Vexa turned to look at him in surprise.

Kaedros smiled. "You heard me. When?"

Vexa waved her sword, annoyed. "In two weeks, the King will die. In three months, the Second Prince will take the crown."

Kaedros chuckled. "Then all we need to do is stop the assassination. Or stop the coronation of a kin killer."

Silence followed.

They all processed his words with different expressions, shock, disbelief, and in Rauk’s case... a knowing smile.

"You know," Kaedros mused, "when I agreed to join this little raid, all I wanted was to get the Celestial Order and the bounty hunter’s Association off my back. But now?" He grinned, voice practically humming with delight. "Now you’ve caught my interest."

"What are you doing?" Taria hissed at him.

Kaedros smiled wider. "Taria will be part of the story, of course. Look at it this way, a bastard who wants to be King... and me? I’ll be the one to make it happen."

If he were in his Dragon form, his fangs would be gleaming.

"I’ve been wondering how to pass my time in this realm while waiting out my time building my powers," he said. "Now I have something better to do."

He turned to Rauk.

"So... do you want to be King of Thalvaris?"

Rauk stared at him.

His mind was spinning. This wasn’t the plan. Kael had sketched out a simple escape and counterattack while Vexa was distracted fighting Thandor. There had been nothing about this. And although he knew he likely won’t escape, he still wanted to die fighting.

But still...

Did he want to be King?

He had always wanted to save the kingdom. But becoming King? He knew what would happen immediately after the King died.

The second Prince won’t be accepted by the Grand Lord and they would instead use the excuse to want the throne.

That was what he was after.

But....

Did he want to be a king?

That was a dream he’d never let himself dream.

Until now.

Rauk opened his mouth.

"I want to be King."