The man strolled forward with an air of casual arrogance, rhythmically clapping his hands as he walked. His face, marked with numerous deep scars, gave him a scary appearance.
“Envoy Boaz Palmer! The Braxton brothers have been dealt with, just as you instructed. What’s your instruction for our next move?” Salvatore asked, his expression oozing obsequiousness.
Boaz was indifferent as ever. He slowly extracted a cigarette, lit it, and took a few leisurely puffs. After exhaling a cloud of smoke, he settled onto a nearby stool. He said, his voice as calm as his demeanor, “Just wait for further orders. Don’t worry, Saint Dragon Business Association will rise to become Seclela’s most distinguished enterprise. Soon, it will be known throughout the entire world.”
At these words, a wave of joy swept over Salvatore and his family, their faces lighting up in delighted smiles. The change in their mood was stark-just moments ago, they had been cold and calculating toward the Braxton brothers, and now they were like a group of devoted followers basking in favor.
Suddenly, a thought struck Castiel, and he asked anxiously, “Envoy, do you think that man will come after us? After all, he’s the powerful Defender of the South, capable of summoning a million soldiers with a simple wave of his hand. You said before that they would take his place, but they’re all dead now. Could this be an ill omen?”
Before Boaz even responded, Salvatore snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting, Castiel? We must trust in the organization! Don’t speak so recklessly in front of the Envoy!” His words only revealed how low Saint Dragon Business Association had stooped to play up to others.
Boaz chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with a trace of amusement. “Relax. That man won’t dare defy the organization. No one in this world has the power to challenge us.”
A brief but unmistakable flash of pride flickered across Boaz’s face. He felt great honor to be part of this immense, untouchable organization.
“As you say, Envoy,” Salvatore replied in a voice dripping with sycophantic deference.
This was an organization so deep and enigmatic that its true nature seemed unfathomable. They were the very ones charged with guarding the Seclela’s dragon veins. With a history that stretched back thousands of years, this was a force steeped in tradition and honor. Only such an organization, with its rich heritage and unwavering principles, could truly embody the essence of Seclela’s spirits. And naturally, the Vargas family put their full trust in it, without question.
Yet Castiel was still perplexed. “If the organization is so powerful, why don’t they simply strip him of his military power? That man is far too arrogant, and his behavior is so audacious. It’s as if he believes he is untouchable.”
“Castiel!” Salvatore barked, his face draining of color as he snapped. “The organization’s decisions are not for you to question!”
“Envoy, I apologize, but he…”
Boaz raised his hand. “Do not worry. Within three days, his military command will be revoked. He will no longer have any influence over Saint Dragon Business Association,” said Boaz with solemn certainty.
No sooner had Boaz’s words settled in the air than a voice, cold as if carved from ice, rang out from the doorway. “My military command revoked? By whom? By you?”
The voice was neither heated nor haughty, yet it cut through the tension like a blade, striking Boaz’s heart with brutal precision.
A moment later, a figure appeared in the doorway. The young man was gaunt, yet with an air of quiet menace. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, dressed simply in plain attire, but it was his mocking smile that truly sent a shiver down one’s spine.
Salvatore’s eyes went wide with shock. Panicking, he shouted, “Y-you! How did you get in? There are guards posted outside! Someone, get in here and throw this man out!”
As his words echoed through the air, the expected sound of footsteps never came. Instead, an eerie silence filled the space.
“Dad, what’s happening? Aren’t there supposed to be eight hundred guards outside?” Castiel’s face was pale with fear, his voice trembling.
Salvatore looked up in bewilderment. “I… I don’t know either!”
“Could it be… they’ve all been slaughtered?” Castiel dared to voice the wild, terrifying thought that had taken root in his mind.
Just then, a series of sharp, heavy footsteps rang out from beyond the door. Each step struck the ground with an unmistakable weight. Seconds later, a towering, muscular man appeared in the doorway. His skin gleamed a deep bronze, and he wore a green military uniform that made him radiate vitality and strength.
But his appearance was far from reassuring. His clothes were soaked in blood, and his eyes burned with a lethal, predatory fire. In one hand, he casually swung two severed heads, their blood still dripping from the jagged stumps. His expression seemed to say that the slaughter was far from over.
He came to a stop behind Kayden. He lifted his gaze to meet Salvatore’s, and, with a flick of his wrist, tossed the heads onto the floor with a sickening thud.
The heads rolled across the smooth, polished floor like rubber balls, coming to rest right at the feet of the Vargas family. By some twisted fate, the eyes of the severed heads locked onto them. Those eyes were wide and staring with an empty, hollow gaze. The sight was enough to send a wave of nausea and terror through the younger members of the Vargas family, who involuntarily took several steps back, nearly stumbling over each other in their haste to escape. They had all seen death before, but nothing could have prepared them for this savage, blood-drenched scene.
Greedy Wolf’s voice broke the silence with a deep, commanding resonance. “The eight hundred guards of Saint Dragon Business Association? They’re all garbage! You think eight hundred pieces of garbage can stop the Defender? You’re more naive than I thought.”
Thud! Salvatore’s heart felt as if it had been struck by a hammer. He stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief, staring at the figure before him as though he were in a daze.
He’s here! The Defender of the South! It’s really him-he’d arrived, out of nowhere, without a single warning. Not just Salvatore, but even Boaz was completely unprepared.
“This is… this…” Salvatore was so anxious that his words caught in his throat. He stammered and shot a pleading glance toward Boaz, desperate for help.
Boaz, upon seeing Kayden, was already so scared that he was unable to utter a single word. He didn’t know all the details, but one thing he was sure of was that Kayden had already killed the Five Ghosts. The Five Ghosts were powerhouses beyond compare, yet still killed by Kayden. And him? What was he? He was helpless and powerless like an ant before Kayden. The harsh, cold inquiry from Kayden lingered in his thoughts, hammering at him, never letting go.
“Defender, all eight hundred guards outside are dead! Let me finish off the scum inside, too!” Greedy Wolf turned to Kayden and eagerly volunteered.
Kayden didn’t respond. His gaze remained locked on Boaz. He asked again, “Tell me, who dares to take my military command? Is it you?”
Greedy Wolf’s fury flared instantly at these words. His eyes went wide with rage. He spat as he shot Boaz a glare, “What? Military command? You’re going to take the Defender’s military command? Are you out of your mind?”
Boaz remained silent, only able to awkwardly wipe the cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
He had been boasting and putting on air before the Vargas family. But who could’ve imagined his lies would all fall apart so quickly? And the one who caused it was a completely unexpected figure. This was beyond frustrating!
Boaz’s silence only made Greedy Wolf’s fury grow. His voice was seething with disdain. “In Seclela, as long as the Defender lives, he commands the entire nine regions’ military. If he calls for it, all of Seclela’s forces will assemble at his command in an instant. The Defender went missing for three years, and yet he still sits in his seat upon returning. Why? Because that position belongs to him alone. Only he has the right to sit there!”
“Even the Dragon Lord wouldn’t dare speak of stripping the Defender of his military power. And you? Who the hell do you think you are, trying to take his command? Are you planning a rebellion?”
Greedy Wolf’s words struck like cannonballs landing right in Boaz’s chest.