Chapter 1066 Twisted Father

Jonathan stared at the mage for a few seconds before sighing. Then, he waved his hand in dismissal. He did not punish Koby for his insubordination, because he knew very well that the mage followed Alexie and no one else.

After he left, Hawkins came into the tent. It seemed he had overheard their conversation and carried an expression of dissatisfaction as he glanced at Koby. Then, he saluted his captain.

"I apologize for his actions, sir."

"Drop the act, Hawkins. You don't need to act like this when we are together," said Jonathan while covering his eyes. "How about you drop a piece of wisdom like the old days?"

"You're not doing anything wrong, Jon," said Hawkins as he slowly lowered his hand. "We cannot afford to wait any longer. If Alexie indeed encountered some difficult challenge, it wouldn't be anything we can handle."

"You realized his abilities too, huh?" laughed the captain as he rose from the war table and stared into the lakeshore. "When he was around, I feared nothing. I might have relied on him too much."

"His shoulders are tempting to rely on," said Hawkins while glancing at the ground. "I have something more important to report."

"…is it about Dorian?"

"The young lord has caused another commotion," said Hawkins with a frown. "In just a few days since his departure, he has created three alliances with weaker cities. His first alliance was with Starhaven and its rising lord. Then, he rallied toward Velvetmoor and Lonin, which has joined his cause.

"I understand that Velvetmoor and Lonin would join him because they are the weakest two, but Starhaven was already the fifth-city before its new lord appeared! Is he that incompetent?"

"If he was, we wouldn't see him defeating the last," said Hawkins while shaking his head. "I heard that Lord Marshal heard about his feats already. However, he has yet to contact us. Maybe he thinks Dorian is still under his control?"

"Lord Marshal knows well that Dorian was never under his control, but he might be at ease because of the two artifacts we obtained. The war will commence in a day, just enough for us to go back. Relay my command to all platoons. We are marching toward Xeloria!"

Hawkins saluted again and left the tent, while Jonathan slumped in his chair. His four decades of life seemed incomparable to the stress he has been living for the past few days. Everything relied on their plan to defeat every lord, including the one he served. However, Alexie was nowhere to be found at such a crucial time.

"There is only one option left," muttered Jonathan as he gazed at the blue waters, the one thing calming him down. "We will start this war and wait until you reappear, Alexie. If you are training with Azkahar, then it will be all worth it."

A day was left until the war begins. Lord Marshal gazed into the crackling fire with both ambitions and fear. His scouts reported that Jonathan has already obtained two artifacts, while the rest of his soldiers failed to even obtain one.

Those who revived in his city told him what happened with Crestview, of the ambush, and the hero who managed to buy them enough time. His decision to trust Alexie has been right, in the end. Now, he has two artifacts while the nine cities fight over the rest.

"Not much time left until I rule the ten cities!" said Lord Marshal as he clenched his fist tightly and turned to the man standing at the door. "Have a seat, brother. Let us drink to celebrate this occasion. It has been a long time since you visited my city!"

The guest at the door did not answer but still walked to sit on the couch. His large build was hidden by the fur robes he wore. As he sat down, Marshal poured him a glass with a smile before pouring one for himself.

"I did not think that… after all that happened between us… you would become my ally again, brother," said Marshal as he offered him the glass of wine. "Take off that mask, brother. It has been so long since I saw your face."

"It has been long indeed," said the man before reaching out toward his half mask and taking it off. "Ever since you banished me from Xeloria. The Huntsmen Clan has been recognized by the goddess of the hunt," said the Chief, his eyes covered with scars. "That might be the only reason you invited us back."

"Our common enemy is the main reason," said Marshal as he squinted his eyes and sat on the couch, sitting there with leisure. "Jonathan told me about the Demon King who came to conquer the tower. If not for your goddess, I would not have believed it."

"Jonathan the Fool," said the Chief as he sipped on his wine while looking down at it. "Does your righteous knights still think that your aim is to conquer this tower?"

"If they do, then they would be fools indeed," said Marshal as he gazed at the fire. "I have built myself an empire with devoted soldiers. There is nothing to make me long for the outside world."

"Then, what did you invite me here for?" asked the Chief as he placed down his glass. "We are still tasked with finding the man with lightning. Our search has been extensive, and there is not much time left before the war."

"You are going to snatch a lord's seat, right?" asked Lord Marshal with a grin. "Your goddess might be using you, but you are using her at the same time. I want to meet her."

"I refuse."

"That was quick," said Marshal as he placed down his cup with his grin disappearing. "We are brothers, Freud. Our mother would have wanted us to share the same meal, not to mention…"

"Share the same meal?" barked the Chief with a scowl. "I have been asking you to allow me into your city for years. You banished me and never looked back, only when I had something you desire. Now, we are brothers?"

"We have always been, Freud," said Lord Marshal with a sincere expression. "I could not take you after what you did. What would the people of Xeloria think if I forgive the one man who tried to take my seat?"

"A merciful lord and a foolish younger brother," said Freud with a hollow laugh before he rose. "And we both know the truth behind what happened, you sick bastard of a father. The day that your daughter obtained that skill, you became a twisted fucker!"

Bang!

"One more word and I will kill you!" shouted Lord Marshal as he slammed the glass cup to the table, shattering them both. His eyes were full of rage as he glared at Freud. "Don't you dare mention her."

"You are still hiding that sick secret, it seems," said Freud before he picked his mask and walked toward the door. "I heard that she disappeared from your city, and your son is now gathering allies. You are all alone again, Marshal."

Freud walked out, and Marshal rushed after him, destroying the door as he kicked it away. It slammed against the walls outside and scared the patrolling soldiers. However, Freud was nowhere to be found.

Marshal seethed with rage as his darkest secrets were exposed. Then, he felt a presence behind him, thinking that it was his brother. However, he found a shadow standing beside his table. The familiar figure stared at him with monstrous eyes, full of rage and disgust.

"You accused me of killing your daughter, which I have been looking for all this time," said Ramiel, the half-demon who kidnapped his daughter, with a disgusted face. "I always wondered why she was miserable, and now I know."

"You…!" the Lord was almost burning with rage as he saw Ramiel appear out of thin air, looking at him with disgust. "Bring her back! Everything I lost is because of your filthy blood!"

As he shouted with hysteria, Lord Marshal rushed toward Ramiel. However, the demon sank into the ground at the speed of light, becoming one with their castle. Lord Marshal jumped to punch the ground, but all he did was destroy his own home.

Ramiel rushed through the city of Xeloria, carrying the documents he snatched from Marshal. The thing he has uncovered just now explained everything, including the reason that she disappeared.

Lord Marshal believed that his daughter loved him back, in the same twisted way. However, Ramiel knew it was just an act since she told him about her misery. Before she disappeared, she even asked him to help her escape.

After learning of this dark secret, Ramiel knew that she wasn't kidnapped or hurt. Instead, she ran away from her father, seeking freedom. However, there was nowhere for her to go except one place… her uncle's clan.

As he rushed through the city, alarms rang at every corner. Everyone began to hunt him down as the arrays sealed the city. Although he did not need to reveal himself, Ramiel was full of hatred!