Novel Full Chapter 362: Meeting
Chapter 362: Meeting
Malakai made his way out of his room and outside the manor. There, waiting just at the front of the gate was Renlo, along with Karla, Kiana and Unoa.
The latter trio bowed deeply and greeted the moment Malakai approached.
“Ninth vein.”
Acknowledging them with a curt nod, Malakai turned to Renlo, baffled to see the boy somewhat flustered.
“What happened?”
The question came with numerous reactions that made Malakai raise an eyebrow. Karla and Unoa glanced at each other with obvious amusement.
Kiana’s face had turned beet red. She stared at the ground like she wanted nothing more than to be deep in the earth.
And Renlo, well, to Malakai, his weird friend was perhaps the most telling of all. He sent nervous glances towards Kiana, a smile plastered across his face.
’Of course.’
Malakai shook his head. It would appear his friend was afflicted with the same disease that had taken most men.
“Stop flirting,” Malakai said bluntly. “We’re going to be late.”
“Fl-flirting!?” Renlo’s eyes popped wide. He stared at Malakai like he’d been caught doing something wrong. “W-who’s flirting?”
“You tell me.”
“Ahem, no one is flirting here.”
“Right…” Malakai didn’t bother arguing, walking past the group. “Let’s go.”
With Renlo trailing, they left the manor and wandered into the forest. They moved fast, with Malakai taking the lead.
Though he couldn’t lie that he was nervous about this meeting, he wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. Renlo had the opposite idea.
It was only after the initial fluster vanished that Malakai truly saw how tense his friend was about the meeting. Renlo stuck very close to him, like he could disappear any moment.
Still, Malakai couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t commonplace to get summoned by the sovereign himself.
’In fact, it’s a miracle he didn’t run away.’
Well, when he remembered how futile running away was, he was forced to change his assessment again. Instead, he decided to ease the tension.
“So… Kiana huh?”
Renlo shot a nervous glance towards Malakai.
“Wh-what about her?”
“You like her, don’t you? It’s obvious.”
“Ahem! I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Malakai let out a breath. “Are you sure? I saw her speaking with some guy yesterday. They seemed really close.”
“What?! Who?!”
Realizing what had just happened, Renlo cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
“I mean… who?”
Malakai could only stare at his friend.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He looked away after a moment and suddenly increased his pace.
“Hey, wait! Where are you going! You didn’t answer…”
But Malakai didn’t stop. For the remainder of the journey, Renlo was forced to strain himself to keep up. Though Renlo kept shouting for Malakai to answer, he didn’t.
Eventually, they both stood in front of the main building.
The tension in the air was palpable.
Earlier it was just Renlo, but now, even Malakai felt it. The sovereign was just a door away.
The sounds of footsteps snapped them out of their thoughts. They both turned to see a large figure approaching them.
’The Iron Saint.’
Caelum had his usual iron expression on his face. Neither a smile, nor a frown. Just… neutral. But Malakai could feel the intensity of his eyes.
’It’s not good news.’ He could instantly tell.
“I-Iron Saint!”
Malakai glanced to the side to see Renlo already in a deep bow before the man even reached them.
Caelum responded to Renlo’s greeting with a curt nod. Then turned towards Malakai, offering his own bow.
“Blood flows where you walk. May your blood burn brighter than the sun.”
Malakai’s gaze sharpened. If he wasn’t sure before, now he was. The Iron Saint was honoring him. Something not good was coming.
“As it should be.” Still, he answered, turning towards the entrance.
“The sovereign summoned us.”
“Yes.”
“Can we see him now?”
Malakai felt the Iron Saint stare on him. He didn’t miss the flash of pity that went through his eyes.
“Yes.” He finally said, moving towards the door. He nodded to the guard who bowed and quickly opened it.
A wave of pressure burst out, sending his clothes and hair flapping behind him. Malakai heard Renlo suck in a deep breath.
“He awaits your presence,” the Iron Saint said in a grave tone.
Malakai took in a deep breath and calmed his nerves. Then he nodded, walking into the hall.
The familiar pressure hit him, hunching his back slightly.
’Even with my power increase, it still changes nothing.’
He had easily cut off the arm of a synergy stage evolved a week ago and his strength had only grown since then. Still, it was nothing in the face of absolute power.
The pressure on him had simply adjusted to accommodate his strength, like it was a decree that all must bow in the sovereign’s presence.
Malakai could feel the chaos that was Renlo behind him. Teeth clattering, limbs shaking like he had been doused with icy water. The boy looked like he might wet himself at any moment. But…
’I can’t help him.’
They were in the presence of the blood sovereign. To help another was to challenge the giant of the west.
It was akin to shouting, your presence doesn’t affect me that much, I can even afford to help another.
It could only end up badly. Unfortunately, Renlo had to see this through by himself.
As Malakai reached the bottom of the stairs, he felt the sovereign’s eyes bore into him. Glancing back, he saw Renlo behind him, covered in sweat and barely standing.
Malakai sank to his knees.
“All blood flows to you, Sovereign. May your will shape the veins of the world.”
Renlo also got down on his knees and offered his greetings. He looked relieved to finally be on the ground.
There was a moment of utter silence, before the sovereign broke it.
“Malakai.”
“Yes, Sovereign.”
“You didn’t ascend the steps. Why?”
Malakai instinctively glanced back at Renlo, mind churning.
’Is he testing me?’ He wondered. It was very obvious the reason he didn’t climb was because of Renlo. The boy was barely standing right now, he couldn’t afford to ascend those stairs.
The sovereign clearly knew that, so why was he asking?