As the orders were issued one after another, the atmosphere among the members of Nine Dragons’ Souls grew somber. These men were hardened warriors, yet as they heard the commands, their eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.
Was this godlike figure truly leaving them? Was the faith they had held onto for so long about to disappear?
With Defender present, their belief was unshakable. They did not believe in gods or ghosts, but they believed in the man before them. To them, he was their god-their faith incarnate.
Through the chaos of countless battles, Kayden had left an indelible impression on them. In their memories, he was a man born for the battlefield, a natural king.
And now, their king was leaving. Who could bear such a loss?
“Enough, return to your posts!” Kayden addressed the thousands of warriors before him. “You are my pride, the pride of this land. Take that pride with you and guard the ground beneath our feet.”
Yet no one moved. Instead, all stood firmly in place, their gazes sharp and unwavering as they looked at Kayden.
After a moment, Greedy Wolf raised his voice and shouted, “Let us cheer for you one last time!”
“Defender!”
Greedy Wolf lifted his hand high, as if rallying troops on the battlefield. The memories of past battles surged within everyone, and they followed his lead, shouting in unison:
“Defender!”
“Defender!”
“Defender!”
Their voices rose like crashing waves, one after another, shaking the very air.
The sheer fervor of the scene moved everyone present.
Hidden in the shadows, Audrey was utterly stunned by the surreal sight before her. She never imagined that her brother had provoked such a powerful figure.
The loyalty of these iron-willed men spoke volumes about Kayden’s unmatched charisma.
If she hadn’t known her own home so well-if she hadn’t been sure that there were no cameras around-she might have thought this was a scene from a movie.
But this wasn’t a film. It was reality, and that made it all the more awe-inspiring.
Finally, it made sense why this man seemed so untouchable. He was a born king, a man who would never lower himself to look up at anyone.
Audrey instinctively raised a hand to her lips, recalling the moment at the school gates when he had kissed her without hesitation. Now, in hindsight, she realized she had overestimated herself.
Should she still seek revenge?
Her heart was conflicted. This man didn’t seem like the villain she had imagined.
Mr. Edd’s death, the downfall of arrogance, and today’s events had all reshaped her understanding of him.
As the deafening cheers subsided, the warriors of Nine Dragons’ Souls began to disperse. Though they were reluctant to leave their god, his orders were absolute. They dared not defy him.
Greedy Wolf lingered, hoping to exchange a few words with Kayden, but Kayden scolded him for his hesitation. An indecisive man was not a sight Kayden cared to see.
Reluctantly, Greedy Wolf led the men away. Fletcher Atkinson, however, did not leave immediately. He had family matters to address before he could take up his new post. Once everything with the Atkinson family was settled, he would join them.
When all had departed, only Fletcher Atkinson and Wood Faulkner remained.
Suddenly, Wood Faulkner stepped forward and called out, “Mr.-”
She had intended to address him as Mr. Scott, but remembering her position as his subordinate, she swallowed her words and said, “Boss!”
Kayden waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need to call me that. Just call me Mr. Scott.”
“Yes, Mr. Scott,” Wood Faulkner replied. She had not yet regained her memories, but from Greedy Wolf and Fletcher Atkinson, she had learned that she was once one of Kayden’s subordinates.
During her time here, she had also heard many stories about the past.
The thought of how she had once secretly admired Kayden-even harboring inappropriate thoughts about him-left her feeling deeply embarrassed.
“Mr. Scott, I am willing to follow you and stay by your side!” Wood Faulkner declared resolutely.
Kayden sighed softly and waved her off. “Alright, let’s restore your memories first.”
With that, he led Wood Faulkner to a room.
Fletcher Atkinson remained nearby, watching. Though Kayden no longer held his former position, he was still their eternal god. His achievements were unparalleled, his excellence unmatched.
“Commander, isn’t what they’re doing to you a bit heartless?” Fletcher Atkinson asked, unable to contain himself. “You’ve done so much for the nation, and now they’re pushing you aside like this! All for someone like Hawthorne Eastwood? How can they justify it?”
Kayden raised a hand to interrupt him. “Just focus on your duty. As long as you guard the border, it doesn’t matter if I’m replaced. Remember, your duty is to defend the border.”
“Yes, I understand. But I still can’t make sense of their decision.”
“You don’t need to understand. Their goal is simply to isolate me, to prepare me for the real storm ahead.”
“The storm?” Fletcher Atkinson was visibly alarmed.
Kayden raised his hand again, cutting him off. “Enough questions. Leave now. I need to treat Wood Faulkner.”
“Yes!” Fletcher Atkinson obeyed and left the room.
“Mr. Scott, what should I do?” Wood Faulkner asked. The man before her was no longer the same as before. He seemed more serious, more mature.
“Take off your clothes and lie down. Face away from me,” Kayden instructed.
Wood Faulkner gasped softly, swallowing hard. After a moment of hesitation, she complied.
As she lay on the bed, Kayden approached her from behind. He placed a hand on her back.
Suddenly, Wood Faulkner reached up and grabbed his hand.
Kayden froze, about to speak, but she interrupted him. “I don’t know what I’ll be like once my memories return. But while I still have them, you are the best man I’ve ever met.”
“I know I’m not worthy of you, but when I was Sariah, when I had lost my memories, I loved you. Thank you for risking everything to rescue Sariah from The Nightshade.”
Wood Faulkner knew that once her memories were restored, she would no longer dare to speak to Kayden this way. She wouldn’t dare to be so bold. In her mind, Kayden was a god-a being forever out of her reach.
Only as Sariah did she feel she could barely measure up to him.
“Lie down. I understand,” Kayden said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Moments later, a surge of energy flowed into Wood Faulkner’s body, and she drifted into unconsciousness.