Chapter 365: One of the Future Dragon’s Chosen

Chapter 365: Chapter 365: One of the Future Dragon’s Chosen

Powerful.

This was the most distinct impression the old man gave Lance.

This old man was possibly the most powerful person he had met since his transmigration.

Faros didn’t count. He was a god, after all, and on a level beyond Lance’s comprehension.

"Sir..."

Lance swallowed, about to explain the reason for his feigned death.

But before he could speak, the bone-chilling cold he’d just felt receded in an instant, like a receding tide.

His body suddenly felt lighter, as if the immense pressure from before had just been an illusion.

"Come. Follow me."

With those words, the old man in gray clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely strolled toward the edge of the square.

Despite the dense crowd, wherever the old man passed, the people before him were parted by an unseen force, leaving a clear path in his wake.

Yet, no one showed any sign of surprise, as if they had naturally made way for him.

Lance hesitated, watching the old man’s back. He glanced over his shoulder at Felix, who hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

Then, his gaze shifted to Cecilia and the others, who were heading into the Divine Hall.

He could only sigh and follow the old man.

However, based on the accusation the man had made earlier, Lance guessed that a person of such power appearing at this juncture was almost certainly someone who had accompanied Elvira from the Royal Capital.

’He’s probably here to protect the Princess.’

’That means there’s still room for negotiation.’

Otherwise, with the terrifying Power he had displayed, crushing Lance would be no different than crushing an ant.

Even with his resurrection and [Overstepping Gods] active, he would be nothing more than a bigger ant, one that might be able to inflict a couple of minor scratches on him.

The old man and the young man walked one after the other, soon following a stone street to an open-air platform in front of the clock tower beside the square.

The platform was high up, offering a view of many of White River City’s buildings and a clear look at the crowd in the square below.

A flag of the Iris Kingdom hung on the platform, whipping in the wind with a FLUTTERING sound.

At this moment, only the two of them remained on the platform.

The old man walked to the edge of the platform and rested his hands on the railing. Without looking at Lance, he spoke faintly.

"When did you and Elvira meet?"

Standing about three meters away from the old man, Lance answered the question honestly.

"At the Heroic Spirit Baptism."

Hearing this, the old man nodded lightly.

’So it was then.’

After all, he had watched Elvira grow up. Before her trip to White River City, the Princess had almost never traveled without his protection.

The only time she had been out of his sight—and been gravely injured—was during that Heroic Spirit Baptism.

Many thoughts flashed through the Elder Sword Saint’s mind.

’It has to be this boy, then.’

’He was able to summon the King’s Sword during the Baptism and contend with the Red Dragon Bloodline for ownership of the Holy Sword.’

’This boy from a small town must possess the spirit and aptitude to one day bear the weight of an Empire.’

Living in the Royal Capital, he knew how chaotic the current situation was. Numerous hidden dangers were on the verge of erupting, especially with the old king’s failing health.

The Iris Royal Family’s authority was waning, and the time for the 680th "Star-Stealing Festival" was approaching. The Dragon Descendant Dukes would certainly not pass up this opportunity.

’And as a Royal Guardian, my best option is to eliminate this dangerous seedling, Lance, right here and now, before he has a chance to grow!’

’Let this boy named Lance Lot become a Heroic Spirit, once and for all.’

But then, he thought of Elvira’s actions in the square.

For this boy’s sake, she had broken with tradition and bestowed upon him the title "Shadow of the Crimson Crown."

And last night, the way she had lost control upon hearing the news of his death...

’If I were to kill this boy now, wouldn’t Elvira break down?’

’And for the Royal Family, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?’

"Sir, are you thinking of killing me?"

Lance’s voice suddenly broke the stalemate.

Although he hadn’t sensed any killing intent from the old man, the danger Intuition that came with his newly formed Legend, [The Boy Who Survived the Great Calamity], had been screaming warnings in his mind during the old man’s half-minute of silence.

This meant the old man had indeed considered killing him but was now hesitating.

And right now, his danger Intuition was telling him one thing: ’Do not show any weakness or fear, or you will die!’

"Sir, are you afraid of me?" Lance spoke again.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the banners, which had been fluttering in the wind, seemed to freeze for an instant.

The Elder Sword Saint, who had been leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance, suddenly seemed to pause.

"Hehehe..."

The old man couldn’t help but laugh.

He turned his head, no longer ignoring the boy behind him, and sized him up once more with genuine interest.

"It has been a very, very long time since anyone dared to speak to me with such a tone."

There was no threat in the Elder Sword Saint’s words; on the contrary, they were filled with admiration.

He, Reinhardt, had never considered himself a good man. In his lifetime, his sword had cut down more than a few good people in order to preserve the Royal Family’s rule.

Lance’s willingness to sacrifice himself to save others in the Underground City had indeed earned him some favor in the Elder Sword Saint’s eyes.

But when this virtue was weighed against a potential threat that could shake the very foundations of the Royal Family, such kindness seemed utterly insignificant.

However, the boy’s words had also just reminded him of something.

’Yes, what am I truly afraid of?’

The Elder Sword Saint asked himself.

’Am I afraid of the "Star-Stealing Festival" starting again, an event that will engulf every Province?’

’Or am I afraid that this old man, nearly 100 years old, will be unable to protect the foundation of the Royal Family in the coming storm?’

’Or am I afraid that the boy before me will one day become one of the Dragon-chosen who topples the Royal Family?’

As these many thoughts swirled, the Elder Sword Saint couldn’t help but sigh internally.

’I, Reinhardt, have truly gotten old.’

’So old that I would fear a fledgling boy.’

It was Lance’s question that made the Elder Sword Saint completely let go of the last shred of killing intent in his heart.

"Show me your title. Let me see it."

The Elder Sword Saint’s attitude had shifted. He was not one to be indecisive, and once he made a decision, he would not go back on it.

"I read the biography about you published in the *Campfire Traveler* yesterday. If I’m not mistaken, the title you’ve formed should be related to Gathering Stars into Fire and becoming a Red Dragon, correct?"

Sensing that the man would no longer kill him, Lance breathed a sigh of relief.

Without hesitation, he used his Telekinesis to connect with his title in the Star Realm.

The next moment, countless motes of golden starlight converged behind Lance, tracing the outline of an enormous Giant Dragon.

As the last of the starlight gathered, the illusory dragon ignited, transforming into a fiercely burning Red Dragon.

[Red Dragon Wood Master]

This was Lance’s exclusive title.

As a Power recognized by the Star Realm, a title could be projected into the Material Realm. Among High Tier Professionals, titles were often used as call signs.