Chapter 15 — The King’s Fear of Adrian’s Power

As soon as they stepped through the portal, a cold breeze swept over them, completely different from the air of the world they had left behind. Night had already descended upon the kingdom, and the darkness was broken only by the pale light of two full moons hanging high in the sky, casting their faint glow over the surrounding streets and buildings.

Valdrin walked ahead with steady steps without looking back, while Adrian kept pace beside him, struggling to maintain his balance despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on his body. Dan, however, was in far worse condition. His steps had become unsteady, his breathing grew heavier with every passing moment, and blood had begun to seep from his wound again.

Adrian noticed his condition and stopped for a moment. He moved closer, took Dan's arm, and lifted it over his shoulder to support him as they walked.

"Hang in there a little longer."

Dan nodded weakly, leaning almost all of his weight against Adrian.

The three continued through the village streets, but one thing never escaped Adrian's attention—the eyes following them from every direction.

Men, women, and children had stepped out of their homes or stopped where they were to watch the strangers passing through. Most of them shared similar features: horns rising from their heads and physiques resembling Valdrin's. Yet their expressions were not entirely hostile. Curiosity was evident in their eyes, mixed with a cautiousness that made Adrian feel as though he had been under observation from the very moment he set foot in this world.

Without turning toward them, Valdrin said,

"Welcome... to the Kingdom of the Nerathions."

Adrian remained silent, carefully observing his surroundings. Everything here was unfamiliar—the two moons in the sky, the people, even the strange atmosphere surrounding the place. It felt as though he had stepped into a world completely disconnected from everything he had known his entire life.

After several minutes of walking, they arrived at a large palace standing at the end of the road. It was beautiful and imposing, yet not excessively extravagant.

The three entered the main hall, where a man sat upon a simple throne at the far end, surrounded by guards standing at attention.

He bore a striking resemblance to Valdrin, though the differences between them only made his presence feel even more imposing. His long white hair fell over his shoulders, his eyes glowed with an emerald-green hue, and a pair of larger, more formidable horns rose from his head.

As soon as Valdrin approached him, he bowed respectfully.

"I've brought them, Your Majesty."

The man raised his gaze toward him before slowly shifting his attention to Adrian and Dan.

His eyes settled on Adrian first. A young man covered in bandages, barely able to remain standing. Then his gaze moved to Dan, who was clinging to Adrian just to stay on his feet, while fresh blood began seeping from his wound once again.

The man spoke calmly.

"Was this... done by Malkar?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Valdrin answered immediately.

The man closed his eyes for a moment, as though the answer had confirmed something he had already feared.

"If he hadn't let them go willingly... they wouldn't have made it here alive."

Valdrin remained silent.

After a few moments, the man opened his eyes again and fixed his gaze on Adrian.

"Come closer."

Adrian and Dan exchanged a quick glance. Adrian then helped his friend stand on his own before walking toward the throne.

He stopped in front of the man, who continued watching him in silence.

The king slowly raised his hand and placed it over Adrian's head before closing his eyes.

At first, nothing happened.

One second passed...

Then another.

But suddenly, the king's eyes widened. He immediately pulled his hand away, as though he had touched something that should never have been there.

The king rose abruptly from his throne, the calmness that had previously dominated his features completely gone. He stared at Adrian for several moments, as though he had witnessed something terrifying that no one else could see.

Then, in a low voice, he murmured,

"...This is what I feared."

Silence fell over the hall.

The king offered no explanation and gave no one a chance to ask questions. He immediately turned toward Valdrin and spoke in a firm tone.

"Valdrin."

Valdrin bowed slightly.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Take them out of here... then return to me immediately."

The king's tone had suddenly changed, the calmness from moments ago replaced by something far more serious.

"I need to speak with you about something."

Valdrin regarded him cautiously, as though realizing that whatever this was, it was far more serious than it appeared.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Valdrin then led Adrian and Dan toward the exit, while the king remained where he was before turning back and taking his seat upon the throne.

Adrian hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end, he spoke clearly.

"Your Majesty."

The king stopped and slowly turned toward him.

"What do you want?"

Adrian took a step forward.

"There's someone you're holding here... My grandfather."

Before he could say anything more, the king interrupted him coldly.

"That matter is none of your concern. You have no right to question whom we hold or the reasons behind it."

Adrian refused to back down.

"But I want to know why you're holding him."

The king then cast a cold glance toward Valdrin.

"Valdrin... Take him away from me."

Valdrin answered calmly.

"That's enough. Come on."

He approached Adrian and placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to lead him out. But Adrian suddenly pulled his arm free and turned toward the king.

"I'm not leaving until I see my grandfather!"

The king's voice thundered across the hall.

"Silence!"

At that very moment, a dense orange aura erupted from his body, surging through the hall with such force that the air itself seemed to tremble. Adrian felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, forcing him to stagger backward against his will.

The king fixed his furious gaze on him.

"For the last time... I'm warning you. If you don't leave this place now, I will forget my promise to the Guardians and kill you myself."

Valdrin's expression changed, and he immediately bowed his head.

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

He then grabbed Adrian's arm and spoke in a low voice.

"He may look kind on the outside, but he has a short temper. And if he decides to kill you... he will do it without hesitation."

Adrian glared at him before saying,

"I only want to make sure my grandfather is safe. Am I wrong for that?"

Valdrin looked at him for a few moments before answering calmly.

"No, you're not wrong. But the laws of this world are strict, and every order given by the king must be followed to the letter."

He then glanced toward Dan, who was still struggling to remain standing.

"Come on. Your friend can barely stand. There's no point in confronting the king. He could wipe you out in a matter of seconds."

Adrian remained silent for a few moments before finally letting out a frustrated sigh. He walked over to Dan and helped him up, supporting him as they headed toward the exit.

They finally left the hall, while Valdrin remained behind for a moment, watching the door after it closed behind them.