Chapter 472: Please leave.

“So it’s you.”

Kael’s eyes rose, staring at the woman hovering in the air, leading the army.

Her silver armor gleamed faintly in the pale light, her long white hair tied back, her eyes sharp as they stared at Kael—and her mouth… her mouth had a grin.

“We meet again, Hero Kael.”

She spoke, talking as if she were meeting an old friend—as if the entire army she had brought wasn’t here because of the man she was talking to.

“KRRRIIIEEEEKKKKKK!!!”

The massive Thunder Eagle beneath her let out a domineering screech, arcs of blue lightning crawling across its wings.

“…”

Kael stared at her in silence.

’She is one of the strongest Generals in Nerathis, and it goes without saying, she is a Ninth Stage Warrior—but she is better than Lord Cedric who is stern, she is free-spirited. Of course, don’t offend her. Together with being free-spirited, she is also deadly. She can put someone like you to death with a flick of her finger.’

His mind began recalling everything Elira told him about this woman.

Aurelia Stormborn.

The Sky Serpent General.

’Someone who can put me to death with a flick of her finger, huh…’

Kael smiled inwardly.

’They sure went all out.’

He exhaled deeply, then stared at the army that was following the woman. Her soldiers hovered in a perfect circle around Kael, keeping distance but closing tighter by the second.

One look was enough for Kael to see it—their formation… it was flawless.

Practiced tens of thousands of times.

A net in the sky—a net no one would be able to escape.

“I will admit, I did not think our second meeting would be like this.”

Aurelia smiled lightly, staring down at Kael. Then, her eyes fell on Igni, and in an instant, they brightened up.

“To think I praised you for riding a Luminark the first time we met, when you had a Dragon beside you all the time.

That must have made me look quite foolish in your eyes.”

The woman shook her head, as if recalling a bad memory.

“But it wasn’t entirely my fault either now, was it? You were the one who hid your Dragon from the rest of the world.”

“I did what I believed was best at that time.”

Kael didn’t hide it either.

Even if he hadn’t shown Igni to the rest of the world, he knew that they knew. Rumors fly, and powers like the Sky Kingdom would be fools if they weren’t capable enough to catch them.

“Do you still believe that was the best decision back then?”

Aurelia asked curiously.

Her tone sounded casual, but Reed, the second in command of her army and the man who had followed Aurelia for more than three decades now, could tell that the General wasn’t asking the question just for the sake of conversation.

It was a layered question—one that would give answers to many things Aurelia wanted to know about.

And Kael—

“I do.”

He answered honestly.

Aurelia’s smile widened. Her eyes, however, told a different story.

“So we couldn’t even provide you a proper sense of security, huh.”

She commented, her voice low.

“I would like to apologize for that.”

She spoke with a genuine look on her face.

One that the previous Kael might have trusted but—

“Why are you here, General Aurelia?”

Kael shifted the topic to what was more important. At that cold answer, Aurelia stared at the man in front of her again.

She could tell that he was the same man she had met before—same face, same features, and everything—but…

Something about him was different.

His eyes… the eyes that once stared at her with awe and respect were now… cold and cautious.

His expressionless face as he stood surrounded by eighty men was… she found it pitiful.

To think they pushed the man who was supposed to protect their world to… this state.

Aurelia wanted to change that.

Aurelia wanted to give Kael the resources and the training he deserved.

And she—

“Come with me, Hero Kael.”

She asked directly, without any political games, just like Kael would like.

But—

“Why? What did I do?”

Kael questioned. There was still no change in his expression. Aurelia narrowed her eyes, but she didn’t give in.

“You should know what you did—”

“I do not.”

Kael stood firm, answering instantly.

His intent was clear, and Aurelia could sense it too.

This…

This might not play out as she imagined in her head.

“Kael, don’t be foolish, I promis—”

“General Aurelia, you did not answer my question.

Why are you here?

And…”

He then stared at the army behind her and—

“Why bring so many… guests?”

“You know why I am here.”

“As I said, I do not.”

Kael didn’t budge.

“I thought you disliked these games.”

Aurelia frowned, but Kael—

“General Aurelia, just what are you talking about?”

He questioned. This time, he seemed a little annoyed.

“You come with an army and surround me when I am not in your Kingdom’s territory, then you talk in a roundabout manner, not giving a proper answer to my question, and talking about taking me away.

How am I supposed to react to this?”

Kael asked in a strict tone, and Aurelia…

The smile on the General’s face disappeared.

“So that is how you wish to play, huh?”

She muttered as she clenched her fists. Then, a strict look appeared on her face as well and—

“Kael Carter, you attacked the Sky Kingdom Zypheria’s men when they were on their scout duties. This is a crime against the Sky Kingdom itself, and to answer for your crimes, you will come with us, whether you want to or not.”

The General declared.

“I didn’t do any of what you mentioned.”

Kael shook his head, still feigning ignorance.

“So you deny these claims?”

“I do.”

“But I have proof.”

Aurelia did not back down. Kael narrowed his eyes at those words, waiting for the woman to continue. Aurelia waved her hand, and suddenly, three flying beasts, each carrying their masters, moved forward.

It was a party Kael recognized instantly.

Aurelia turned towards the three and pointed at Kael and—

“Tell me, is this the man who attacked you?”

She asked.

“Yes!”

The three scouts nodded.

“Grrrr!!”

Not just them—even the beasts nodded at the General’s words. With a grin, Aurelia turned back towards Kael and—

“What do you have to say for yourself now?”

At those words, Kael stared at the woman with a deadpan look on his face. Then, he turned towards Igni and pointed his finger at Aurelia—

“Igni, is this the woman who tried to kill you five days ago?”

He asked loudly, making sure they all heard him. Aurelia frowned at that question.

“Wha—”

She tried to say something, but then—

“Yes, Father.”

Igni nodded, and Aurelia’s expression changed.

“I did—”

Again, she tried to defend herself, and Kael shrugged.

“See how that sounds?

You ask your own subordinates to testify against me and call it proof. Does that even make sense?

They are your people; of course they would say what you want.”

“Are you saying that I am lying?”

Aurelia narrowed her eyes.

“I am.”

And Kael nodded again.

“One of us is clearly lying here,

And I know it is not me.”

Kael then glanced at the three scouts standing with Aurelia and—

“Plus, you say I attacked them, but I do not see any injuries. Does this mean that the Sky Kingdom has much stronger healers than I know, or…”

Kael didn’t need to complete his words. Aurelia could tell what he was trying to say, and she… she found it infuriating.

Soon, however, the woman calmed down. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, then—

“It doesn’t matter.”

She shook her head.

“If you have something to say in your defense, you can come to the Sky Kingdom and say it. This matter will be further decided by the Court.”

“Why should I come with—”

“It is not for you to decide, Hero Kael.”

This time, Aurelia was the one who interrupted him. Then, with a fierce look on her face, she strengthened her hold on her spear and—

“You will come with us.

Whether you choose the hard way or the easier one,

That is up to you.”

She threatened directly, and as if taking those words as a signal, the men behind her each took out their weapons from their Sanctuary, prepared for what was about to come.

Kael stared at the situation in silence, his cape fluttering with the wind—he calmly observed all the scouts and their beasts that were prepared to attack him any moment before his eyes once again landed on Aurelia.

“Made your decision?”

The Sky Serpent General asked.

“You shouldn’t do this, General Aurelia.

Your actions will only lead to unnecessary deaths.”

Kael gave a warning, the look in his eyes making even the forever brave Aurelia back down for a moment.

He then used this chance to reason one last time.

“I have no enmity with the Sky Kingdom, neither do I wish to sour our relations because of a misunderstanding.

Please leave.”

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