CHAPTER 75: ELDRIN SEVRIX

Before long they reached the Vorrakyn and the guards parted to let in Eldrin Sevrix and four from the Bloodied Leaves. They walked towards them and stopped before Duke Frexon.

He didn’t bow immediately, his eyes looked down on Vacuse and the Duke, his face grave before he swept into a shallow bow. "Honorable Grace."

Grand Duke Drenvar Vorrakyn looked at him and nodded firmly. "Eldrin Sevrix, why have you brought an army to the territory of the Grand Duke?"

Eldrin straightened, his eyes cold. "Grand Duke?"

Drenvar’s eyes narrowed at the question, but he remained silent.

Eldrin shook his head sadly. "Grand Duke Drenvar. I am saddened to hear about what happened to you in your territory. Please accept my condolence."

Vacuse studied his face, trying to guess if Eldrin was surprised that Drenvar was still alive.

What was happening now? Vacuse already added more information to what he had already and he was guessing that Drenvar must have known part of what was to go down and he wanted to take advantage.

That must be why he sent his army moving.

If things had gone according to plan, the army of the Sevrix could easily occupy the city then.

But things had not gone exactly as planned.

Eldrin must not have heard from his father, but he still brought his army anyway.

Again, Vacuse was amazed by the complexity of the different plans that went on. A lot of people were standing to eat, and the Vorrakyn were the food.

Drenvar nodded. "Thank you. And Duke Frexon for helping us fight the intruders. It will be remembered."

Eldrin suddenly flashed a gleam. "That was why, when we heard of what happened, I couldn’t help but immediately call my army and rush down here to help you, Honorable Grace.

"Those who lift their hands against the Grand Duke must not be allowed to go free!"

"...there is certainly convincing passion in his voice..." Vacuse thought.

Drenvar nodded tightly. "I thank the Red Leaves. But we have already taken care of things here."

Eldrin gestured. "Then why do you greet our generosity with a wall of steel and force?"

Drenvar snorted. "I must be weary of things these days. Tell me, Eldrin. Why are you here?"

Eldrin’s face turned cold immediately. "I am here for my father. The message line between the two of us has been cut off since last night. And I don’t see him with you, Honorable Grace. Where is my father?"

There was a bit of iron in his voice now and they all tensed. Now they were getting into the real matter of things. Vacuse watched closely.

Drenvar paused, then his face darkened and his voice was gloomy as he delivered the news. "The Black Accord. They are the intruders and they brought an S-ranked with them. Your father fought him and won. But he fell into a coma."

Eldrin sucked in a sharp breath and his eyes widened. It seemed he truly hadn’t been expecting something like that. True surprise and shock shone through as he stared at Drenvar. "Coma?"

Drenvar nodded and then gestured with his hand.

From the back line, a group of people were approaching. They wore black armor with red leaves patterns on it. Elite Guards of the Sevrix family.

They bowed deeply before Eldrin Sevrix and then one of them leaned forward to whisper to him. They stood there whispering for a long time, and Eldrin’s face showed shock, surprise, and then it turned into a smooth mask.

After that, the guards leaned away and stood to the side while Eldrin Sevrix faced Drenvar once again. "Thank you, Honorable Grace. I have learned of what happened. But there is something I’m still much unsure about and that is, why is my father not here?"

Drenvar smiled. "Right now, he is receiving the best treatment from my healers. And it is advised that he shouldn’t be moved around. Once he’s completely healed, then we can say we did our best as a host to their guest."

Eldrin’s eyes tightened. "We brought healers with us. We will absolutely wait while you bring us Duke Frexon, Honorable Grace."

Drenvar shook his head, his expression flat. "That won’t do. We will treat him till he wakes. He’s my Duke after all."

"Honorable Grace, thank you for your help, but we want to bring the Duke back to his territory. The air there would do him a world of wonders."

Drenvar chuckled and there was a bit of darkness in it. "The Dragon coiled above the West. The air here is all the same since it’s the air the Dragon breathes."

Eldrin’s face was turning more chilly by the second. "Right. That might not really be a popular saying in the West. I mean, it was once, but things are different now."

Drenvar narrowed his eyes. "Disband your army and go home. Await your father’s recovery."

Vacuse felt a twinge in his stomach.

What he wanted to avoid most by going to the capital was happening just before his eyes. He really didn’t want to be caught between armies and the current Vorrakyn.

Fuck.

Eldrin’s entire face changed as he discarded the polite expression. "Honorable Grace, are you holding my father, an injured man, as hostage?"

Drenvar sneered a little. "Do you bring your army here to retrieve your father? How dare you bring an army right here to my doorstep!"

Eldrin scowled. He wasn’t expecting to find a very much alive Drenvar or for the Vorrakyn to still be this alive. His father had promised him that there would be changes and they should gather their army.

But now...

Now, things are different.

"The army is here to help the Vorrakyn fight back the intruders," Eldrin said.

Drenvar snorted coldly. "Forget it! Let’s leave all this pathetic talk for when we are in court. This is a battlefield now. One army to a side and the other to another side.

"Now, Eldrin Sevrix. Do you bring your army to fight your lord, the Grand Duke of the Western Region? Do you declare war on me?"