Divine Beast Ascension

635 ROFAAAR!!

“B-but Master Rofar?!” one fumbling guard yelled in question and confusion.

Another guard yelled in concern and fear, “This savage is our enemy!”

“Would a savage be able to control himself and stop himself from killing all of you so easily?” Rofar retorted, silencing guards with a mix of logic and bafflement.

“But–”

Rofar interrupted the next guard to speak. He stared straight back into that man’s eyes with a dead serious gaze. “I don’t know about you, but I would rather serve a beast displaying humanity than serve a savage human. Even if that human is my father by blood… Or would you all rather keep your current leader, who is willing to execute all of you without batting an eye.”

A few guards fought their hesitation. They forced their legs to move and willed their heads to look away, sprinting past Rofar and Khas toward the deeper parts of the palace.

“Those who want the old regime, go ahead and flee,” Rofar stated, displaying an expression befitting a heavy heart.

The majority of guards stopped fidgeting the moment they heard that from the Prodson Family heir, of all people.

Seeing their genuine reaction, Rofar offered the guards a comforting smile while standing back up. “Men, I don’t care if I ever come to rule. And, I’ll be honest. I was glad to learn that Rakan had fallen in battle.”

.....

Another wave of shock washed up against the guards’ minds and hearts.

But Rofar continued before the guards were left in a daze. “Because that means only Leader Rokkal stands between me and a peaceful life with the mother I love. Why else would Iron Territory attack the palace directly instead of sieging the walls? Other than the fact that the beasts of Iron aren’t savages.

“After all the poking and prodding that Prodson has done to Iron Territory, the beasts and humans of Iron were willing to attack only the root of the problem instead of wiping out our cities… They came to remove the man causing all the trouble while sparing over a million citizens.”

Little by little, the dozens of guards left behind began to ease their grips. No one dropped their weapons. But everyone was gradually lowering them.

Rofar turned back to the drake, keeping his warm smile. “This is Prodson’s only chance at surviving. If we don’t accept this change now, either the territory will collapse under our foolish leader or the rest of the city might be forced to battle all the perennials outside our walls.”

Calmly strolling through the halls, Rofar led the drake and Captain Khas into the palace halls.

Also, Rofar finished addressing his guards with a few last words, “And allow me to confirm something on all of your minds. This mortal drake can fight a perennial, confirmed by the Blood Moon assassins that this drake’s team annihilated less than a week ago.”

Clang. C-clang…

A few spears hit the stone floor, falling from the loose grips of some guards.

“That’s right… This man is strong enough to fight all of you. A soul assassin that can erase your soul with a swipe of his claws. And your valiant Leader Rokkal knew that all along…”

Oli didn’t speak up. He didn’t care to even look back at the guards. Oli simply continued to walk behind Rofar while Khas walked alongside the beast, already acting as the perfect bodyguard.

The tranquil trio left the frightened and baffled guards behind. They took their time to walk through the halls, showing how the drake was to be treated as a proper guest, at least according to Rofar.

Plenty of servants were shooed away the moment they froze in shock from witnessing Master Rofar’s actions. And none of them dared question the Prodson heir.

Every palace servant knew Master Rofar better than Leader Rokkal, at least on a personal level. Each servant respected Master Rofar more as well. Though they feared Leader Rokkal far more, the servants could tell from Master Rofar’s blood-lusting leer that he was not to be stopped or questioned.

“Rofar!”

Finally, three perennials stepped in front of the strolling trio, clad in black cloaks.

The one in the middle, a low-perennial hid his fear and discomfort well. Despite standing in front of Rofar, along with the drake and Captain Khas behind Rofar, that low-perennial assassin kept his cool.

“Rofar, you know what will happen if you continue with this nonsense,” stated that low-perennial. “There’s no way for you to overcome your father’s strength. So let’s hurry and eliminate this beast before your father learns of your betrayal.”

But Rofar shrugged and raised his hands up, completely unconcerned. And Rofar broke out in a calm, cold chuckle, “Ah… I know things that you don’t, sir. I also know that you three are no match for me in a straight fight. With Khas’s support, you’ll have a better chance of begging for your life than asking me to stop here.”

Then, Rofar continued walking, casual as ever.

Khas did the same but with a slight hesitation at first. When Khas noticed the drake continuing without so much as blinking, the captain almost laughed at himself for his own trepidation.

Step by step, the trio approached the assassins. And all three assassins were struggling to contain their worry.

“ROFAAAR!!”

A roaring voice shook the palace walls. That was the cue and confirmation that the assassins needed to keep their resolve.

From deeper down the hallway, a door was blown apart as a raging figure emerged. Rokkal didn’t care to mask his frustration or to hold back the essence leaking out in anger.

“TRAITOR!!” Rokkal roared again, bounding forward as fast as his feet and his wind essence could carry him. “I’ll claim your head as a trophy! And I’ll mount it as an example for the next heir I conceive!”

All three assassins quickly unleashed their essence as well, eyeing the drake and Captain Khas.

Another burst of essence appeared from the broken doorway as well. The territory advisor glared at Rofar while shaking his head, displaying his mid-perennial aura while rushing in behind Leader Rokkal.

However, unlike the raging territory leader and the confident territory advisor, all three assassins felt their instincts screaming in alarm.

Because Rofar’s grin only got wider after locking eyes with the palace’s furious, final boss.