Luthier's lips curled into a grin as he stepped forward, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a blade.
"Everyone, silence!" His voice boomed across the battlefield, his authority quelling the panicked murmurs. Eyes turned to him—uncertain, wary. The Tristan soldiers straightened their backs instinctively, while the special class students froze, some still trembling in shock.
Then, he turned to Nox, his gaze sharp and probing. The young man stood there, utterly unbothered, his midnight eyes void of emotion. Blood dripped from his blade, pooling at his feet, but his grip remained relaxed, his stance unwavering. He wasn't looking at Luthier with fear or uncertainty. He was looking at him as if waiting to see what move he would make next.
That alone sent a thrill down Luthier's spine.
"A bold move, Nox Cromwell," Luthier finally said, his voice filled with something bordering on amusement. "I doubt even you have fully considered what comes next."
Nox met his gaze without flinching. "I never act without considering the consequences."
That answer made Luthier chuckle. This boy—no, this man—was something else. He wasn't just powerful; he was composed, sharp, and fearless. And most importantly, he had no hesitation in cutting down even a prince. That was a trait few warriors had, even among seasoned veterans.
"Do you realize what you've done?" Luthier asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I killed a nuisance," Nox replied bluntly. "Nothing more."
The sheer audacity of that response sent a ripple through the crowd. Even Theo sucked in a sharp breath. This wasn't just confidence—this was defiance on a scale none of them had ever seen before.
Luthier couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha! You really are something." His eyes gleamed with something between admiration and ruthless intent. "Ainsworth was an arrogant fool, but he was still a prince. Killing him means you've openly declared war on the Vermilion Kingdom."
Nox tilted his head slightly, as if unimpressed. "War was inevitable. Whether I killed him or not, they would have come for me eventually."
Why did Nox say this? Because sooner or later, he planned on going against the Royal Family.
Those bunch were not fit to rule.
They were power-drunk.
Even when the beast tide had struck in the western region, the foolish king had held back because of some grudges.
He... he actually wanted everyone there to perish.
A king that would let his own people die because of petty conflict was no different from a tyrant.
'Sooner or later, I would've gone against them. It was inevitable. I only hastened the process...
Because I hastened the process, I also need to evolve my beast as quickly as I can and tame more creatures.'
Meanwhile, Luthier's smirk widened. He liked this answer.
The truth was, if Nox had been an ordinary warrior, even a prodigious one, this would have been an entirely different matter. The Tristan Kingdom might have been forced to denounce him to avoid war. But Nox wasn't ordinary. He was special.
It was a class Luthier was hearing about for the first time.
But he had witnessed the terrifying potential of this class firsthand.
Nox had proven himself capable of standing against legendary-tier beasts and slaying royals without hesitation.
Few forces in the world could match the sheer potential of someone as young as him. The creatures he commanded could turn the tide of battles, lay waste to armies, and shape the course of history.
He...he was the definition of a one man army.
And Luthier wasn't blind to that fact.
He took a step forward, his tone shifting.
"The way I see it, you have two options." His voice carried across the battlefield, ensuring everyone heard him. "You can run, become a fugitive, and spend the rest of your days looking over your shoulder as the Vermilion Kingdom hunts you down."
He let that sink in before offering the second option.
"Or… you can come with me." Luthier spread his arms slightly, his smirk unwavering. "Join the Tristan Kingdom. We will not only protect you, but we will value you. You'll have resources beyond your wildest imagination, a place where no one can touch you, and the freedom to carve your own destiny."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The implications of Luthier's words were clear—Tristan was willing to claim Nox as their own, even at the cost of a political firestorm.
One of the high-ranking soldiers clenched his fist and said through gritted teeth, "Commander Luthier, are you serious?! If you do this—"
"I know exactly what I'm doing," Luthier cut him off, his sharp gaze silencing any further protest. "Nox is not just some rogue warrior. He's a game-changer. And the Tristan Kingdom needs game-changers."
"For years, the Vermilion Kingdom has claimed to be our ally, but in reality, it's more like a slave contract. They dictate terms, impose their will, and expect us to kneel like obedient dogs." He scoffed, his expression darkening. "And what do we get in return? Crumbs. Insults. Suppression. The Tristan Kingdom has been bleeding under their rule, and yet we call them our 'allies'?"
Murmurs spread among the soldiers. The truth in his words was undeniable. Many had long resented the way the Vermilion Kingdom treated them, but none had dared to speak out so openly.
Luthier's gaze flickered back to Nox.
"But now, we have a chance to change everything." His voice softened, but it carried a dangerous edge. "With your strength, Nox, we could tip the scales. You don't need to run. You don't need to fight alone. Stand with us, and together, we'll tear down the old order."
He turned back to Nox, eyes gleaming. "So, what will it be?"
The lifeless look in Nox's eyes slowly faded, replaced by clarity. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Nox, wondering what his decision would be.
This was a monumental moment for everyone.
His decision right here could start a potential war between two kingdoms. And if he refused, he would have to face an entire kingdom alone.
"I..." Nox opened his mouth.