Evolution of the Ruined Heir - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Get Along

“Blood flows where you walk. May your blood burn brighter than the sun.”

“As it should.”

Malakai watched calmly as the Iron Saint, Caelum Sanguine, stood from his bow.

‘That’s three times.’

The Iron Saint was the Sovereign’s right hand man. The man whose authority could be said to be more than the Pulses themselves.

If he didn’t want it, no Pulse could force him to bow. No Vein could force him to bow.

However, Caelum had lowered his head to him three times. Malakai was trying to understand why.

“It looks like you’re ready to depart, Ninth Vein,” Caelum spoke, voice thick.

Malakai gave a brief nod, and Caelum bowed once more.

“I came here to offer you my best wishes,” Caelum said. “Sylvastein is a beautiful city, but you must remember, never judge anything by what you see on its surface.”

‘There it is again.’

If he had suspected it before, now, Malakai just confirmed it. He didn’t know why, but Caelum was trying to help him.

‘First after the hunt, and now…’

Caelum had warned him days back, immediately after the hunt when he got on the Skedrith. And now, he was doing the same.

‘There’s something going on in Sylvastein?’

Malakai had questions, but it didn’t look like Caelum was willing to answer them.

“I wish you good luck, Ninth Vein.”

With that, he bowed once more and turned to leave.

Renlo caught up from behind. He and Kiana had wisely chosen to stay behind when they saw the Iron Saint.

“Are you okay?” Renlo asked.

Malakai appeared deep in thought, staring at Caelum’s departing figure with narrowed eyes.

‘Looks like I’ll have to be more careful.’

Malakai was already being his most cautious self. He doubted if it was at all possible to dial it any higher.

He nodded towards Renlo. “I’m fine. He just came to wish us good luck. Let’s go.”

Renlo breathed a sigh of relief, happy that there were no problems. Like that, they reached the main paved pathway leading towards the gates of the Crimson Hold.

As it turned out, Caelum wasn’t the only one who had come to wish him good luck on his journey. At the end of the paved pathway stood multiple individuals with small smiles on their faces.

Malakai instantly recognized Grinner and Yoan, the head instructor of the clan youth’s training camp, along with the Darkness Hunt discipline instructor.

He also noted the presence of other instructors flanking them.

“Blood flows where you walk. May your blood burn brighter than the sun.”

They each greeted with a bow as Malakai reached.

“As it should be.” Malakai’s voice was calm.

As Grinner rose from his bow, he couldn’t help but revere the person Malakai had become in just three months of training in the youth’s camp.

‘I can’t wait.’

Grinner held back his grin. If Malakai had changed this much in three months, he couldn’t wait to see how he would change in a year’s time.

“We all came here to wish you good luck on your journey, Ninth Vein,” Grinner spoke for all of them. “We hope everything turns out well.”

“Thank you.” Malakai accepted their well wishes with a nod. He was a bit startled that the Iron Saint and the training instructors had come to wish him goodbye, but he did well to hide it.

With that, they continued moving until they reached the gates. Throughout the walk, Malakai had felt probing stares from multiple directions.

On the highest balcony of the main building, Othric stood calmly with both hands clasped behind his back, eyes locked onto Malakai.

“You won’t wish him good luck, my Sovereign?”

Darke appeared behind him and spoke.

The Sovereign was silent for some time. As Malakai stepped through the gates of Crimson Hold, he turned and walked into his room.

“Stop saying such nonsense, Darke.”

“I apologize, my Sovereign,” Darke said, but his lips were curled up into a wide smile.

…

Outside, Malakai approached a large carriage with four Equilador strapped at its front. By the door, a grinning Rhett stood with a calm faced Laila.

“For a second there, I thought you weren’t going to come,” Rhett said with a smile.

“You were the best option,” Malakai answered plainly, expression not changing.

Rhett sent a glance towards Laila, who looked equally baffled. He laughed. “Best option? Me? Are you sure you did your homework?”

Malakai knew exactly what Rhett meant. The five days the Sovereign had given him to prepare had actually been a buffer period to help him think and reconsider his choice, especially after doing a background check on his choice.

Rhett was surprised that Malakai had still chosen to be his apprentice even after doing a background check on him.

“You’re my best option,” Malakai rephrased.

“Hmm,” Rhett hummed thoughtfully. “A cryptic and smart lad, huh. Sounds fun.”

Rhett sent a glance behind Malakai, eyes landing on Renlo and then… Kiana. He focused on Kiana for a second longer before flashing Malakai a grin.

“I didn’t take you for someone like that, but looks can be deceiving, huh.” He gave Malakai a knowing look, but the latter only stared back with a confused expression.

Rhett chuckled. “Alright, is that all the guests you’re bringing along?”

“My maid will join us shortly.”

“Sneesh, how many maids do you need…”

“As many as necessary.”

Rhett grinned. “Alright then. While we wait, I’ll go through some rules. First of all, this is Laila.” He gestured to the side where Laila was standing. She offered a slight bow toward Malakai.

“Ninth Vein.”

Malakai nodded back.

Rhett clicked his tongue. “Don’t you even think about it, she’s mine.”

“I am nobody’s,” Laila frowned.

Rhett gave Laila a sad look. “Come on, Laila. I thought we’ve been through this before.”

But Laila only turned away, rolling her eyes.

Rhett cleared his throat. “Moving on.” He turned back to Malakai.

“I’m sure you know this already, but I’m still going to say it.” He said, “Don’t expect all that respectful crap from me. I’m your captain and you will listen to my orders.”

Malakai gave a small nod, and Rhett smiled. “Hmm, looks like we’ll get along just fine.”