Fletcher’s gaze locked onto Nathan, his eyes filled with a deep, simmering resentment. Slowly, deliberately, he began advancing toward his nephew, each step heavy with purpose.
The sight sent ripples through the crowd.
Fletcher, about to execute his own flesh and blood? The shock was palpable, and disbelief hung in the air like a thick fog.
This was a moment no one present would ever forget.
If word of this got out, the entire region would be buzzing with whispers and gasps of astonishment.
Even Kayden, usually as unshakable as stone, allowed a flicker of surprise to pass through his otherwise impassive expression.
Fletcher came to a stop beside Nathan, his chest rising and falling with a heavy sigh. “You fool,” he muttered, his voice low but filled with bitter finality. “Don’t blame me-this is your doing. I warned you. I begged you not to provoke him. But you didn’t listen. You brought this upon yourself.”
“No, Uncle Fletcher!” Nathan’s final words echoed in the vast silence that followed.
In the next instant, Fletcher’s hand came crashing down on Nathan’s head in a swift, brutal strike.
It was as if a surge of electricity had passed through Fletcher’s palm. Nathan’s entire body convulsed violently, his eyes bulging as blood surged to the surface.
A thick spray of crimson erupted from his mouth as his eyes filled with bloodshot veins. Then, with a heavy thud, his body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Nathan had died at the hands of the very man he had admired and trusted most-his own uncle, the person he had believed would save him.
No one knew the depths of Fletcher’s inner turmoil at that moment, but the grim reality was apparent, if he hadn’t acted, his life would have been forfeited.
Defying that man was a death sentence in itself.
“Learn some humility in your next life,” Fletcher murmured, his voice barely audible as he stared down at Nathan’s lifeless body.
Kayden’s expression remained unchanged, his voice as cold as ever. “Let’s go, Greedy Wolf,” he commanded, turning away from the scene without a second glance.
Fletcher, hearing Kayden’s words, quickly straightened up. Bowing deeply, he responded with utmost respect, “Take care, Defender!”
Enoch, still trembling with unease, hurried to echo the farewell. “Take care, Defender!”
His heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with anxiety. He knew his position-his very life-was hanging by a thread.
…
After a long delay, Kayden finally decided it was time to attend to his more pressing matters.
His main objective on this journey was to find Israel and uncover the truth behind the rumors surrounding the Grievance.
What happened to Liam that would lead him to pawn off something valuable to Israel?
Because the Grievance was Liam’s most treasured possession, Kayden was very curious about it.
As the car rolled along, Kayden remained as calm and detached as ever, showing little interest in the minor skirmish they had just left behind.
Even the prospect of overseeing the massacre of twenty thousand men no longer stirred anything within him.
After all, when you’ve weathered storms and floods, what’s a little rain?
Kayden had seen so many arrogant men fall and witnessed so many grand spectacles that the thought of more bloodshed left him numb and indifferent.
The weight of violence had long since lost its meaning to him.
Next to him, Greedy Wolf, deep in thought, finally broke the silence. “Defender, there was indeed someone in Oriaville claiming to be you. He made quite the show of it, always surrounded by a dozen or so people. I’ve looked into the three major families in that area, but it seems he didn’t have any dealings with them. He stayed a few days, enjoyed their hospitality, and then left.”
“So he was just using my name to freeload?” Kayden’s voice was icy, cutting through the air like a blade.
Greedy Wolf nodded. “That seems to be the case. I’ve already sent people to track him down. The moment I have anything concrete, I’ll report to you immediately.”
Kayden gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable, and said nothing more.
A short time later, the car came to an abrupt halt. Something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” Kayden’s brow furrowed as he asked the question.
Greedy Wolf, equally tense, replied, “Not sure. I’ll go check it out.”
After a few minutes, Greedy Wolf returned, looking troubled. “Defender, the car’s broken down. We’ll likely have to push it to the nearest place for repairs. Or, if you prefer, you can stay in the car, and I’ll push it myself.”
Naturally, Kayden had no intention of letting Greedy Wolf handle it alone. He stepped out of the car, “You go and get it repaired. I’ll wait here.”
The search for Israel had already proven to be a winding, unpredictable ordeal.
Kayden couldn’t shake the feeling that Israel had uncovered something significant-something worth hiding.
Greedy Wolf acknowledged the order with a respectful nod and, without delay, began pushing the car toward the nearest repair shop.
On the empty stretch of road, Kayden found himself standing alone. But, as luck would have it, he spotted a small diner by the roadside.
Without hesitation, he headed straight for the humble establishment.
The diner was run by an elderly man, likely in his sixties or seventies, who looked like he’d spent his life tending to this old family business.
Kayden felt a slight hunger pang and decided he might as well grab some breakfast while waiting for Greedy Wolf to return.
The old man wasn’t much for conversation, which suited Kayden just fine. After hearing Kayden’s order, the man quietly prepared a plate of eggs and bacon. Kayden appreciated the silence; he had never been one for idle chatter.
As he sat eating, a car screeched to a halt outside.
The door flung open, and in strutted a girl-dressed in a way that commanded attention.
She wore a cropped top that exposed her midriff and a pair of shorts that could barely be called clothing.
On her feet were a pair of black mesh sandals, with her toes painted in bold nail polish and her heels covered in fine netting, almost like ankle boots.
Despite her wild and provocative outfit, her face was strikingly beautiful. There was a natural allure about her that no amount of clothing-or lack thereof-could hide.
True beauty, after all, shines through regardless of presentation.
With a loud clack, she tossed a set of Porsche car keys onto the table in front of Kayden, her expression fiery and impatient.
“Hey, are you heading to the old town?” she demanded, eyebrows raised.
Kayden looked her over, then gave a calm nod. “Yes.”
She pointed to the keys on the table. “You don’t look like you have a car, and I’m guessing you walked here. Here’s the deal, you drive my car. I’m headed to the old town, too.”
Kayden blinked, momentarily taken aback. “You want me to be your driver?”
The girl glanced at him, her eyes full of scorn. “Yeah, that’s right. What, you don’t want to?”
She smirked, clearly amused by the idea that someone might refuse her. “Do you even realize how many people would kill for the chance to drive me around? You should be grateful I’m offering.”
Kayden said nothing, though inwardly, he found the situation almost laughable.
The girl had no idea who she was talking to. She should be the one feeling lucky.
After all, he was the War God of Seclela.
He never drove-people served him.
“Hey! Are you coming or not?” The girl’s impatience was growing, her foot tapping against the floor.
Kayden hesitated for a moment, considering his options.
It was true that getting to the old town sooner would be a good idea, and waiting around for Greedy Wolf could take time.
Deciding to take her up on the offer was more efficient. He grabbed the keys and stood up from his seat.