Chapter 231: Lutehand Alliance (I)
Below him, twelve newly forged Dragon-Bound Holy Knights stood in solemn formation, their auras flickering with the raw, pulsing energy of the Red Dragon’s bloodline. Kai Xiusu exhaled a thick plume of sulfur-scented smoke, then offered a casual remark:
“Fried, your judgment isn’t half bad.”
After all, among mortals, to accept the Red Dragon’s Frenzied Bloodline without being torn apart was a feat achieved by only one in a hundred — and yet, this time, all twelve candidates had succeeded. It was far beyond even his expectations.
Fried lowered his head, his voice calm and measured.
“It is an honor to receive your praise, Master.”
He knew his sole purpose: to locate and nurture the Oath of the Dragon Holy Knights for Kai Xiusu. Once a former “Black Lion Knight” who had served the enemy, and unlike Meizhuolashi, lacking the deep benefits-bound loyalty, even with the absolute dominance of bloodline, Kai Xiusu would never entrust him with full authority over the Chamber of Dragon Oath. He would never become a true power-holder.
So Fried was careful — even proactively relinquished influence to the kingdom’s factions, deliberately downplaying his own presence, devoting himself entirely to cultivating the chosen ones.
Kai Xiusu nodded slightly in approval, then turned his gaze to Anthony.
“You will become the ‘Twelve Dragon Guardians’ of the Chamber of Dragon Oath.”
“Anthony, I admire you. To retain your mind after the transformation speaks of true strength. As a reward for your courage and endurance, you shall lead the other Dragon-Bound Knights — and you may choose your own title.”
The boy who had emerged from the Underground Dungeon now stood fully cleansed of the Mind Demon, a loyal servant of the Kingdom Order.
“Master,” he said, dropping to one knee, eyes blazing with fervor like coals set alight. “I accept the title of Judgment. I shall enforce the Kingdom’s Order with iron resolve, and burn to ash every enemy who dares threaten it.”
“Granted,” Kai Xiusu said, his tone serene. He turned to Fried.
Fried immediately understood. Stepping forward, he bowed respectfully.
“Master, I have prepared to guide them through the Chamber of Dragon Oath. With your permission, we shall take our leave and not disturb you further.”
The Red Dragon gave a slight nod.
Fried departed, carrying two unconscious Holy Knights on his shoulders — a sight both absurd and imposing. The Tiefling attendants, having received orders, entered the hall to assist in transporting the unconscious candidates away.
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes, watching their retreating figures. A faint, amused smirk tugged at his lips.
“Judgment,” huh? Ambition is not bad… but it’s still too early for such hunger.
These twelve youths, personally bestowed with the Red Dragon’s Strength Bloodline by Kai Xiusu himself, would become the future leaders of the Chamber of Dragon Oath — the very heart of the Kingdom of Ashen’s next generation of Dragon-Bound Holy Knights.
Each carried within them a seed of the Red Dragon’s power — a foundation for transforming mortal followers into loyal Dragonborne, bestowing them with Armor-Class Blessings. Though the effect would be far weaker than Kai Xiusu’s direct blessing, and the resulting bloodlines would be diluted, it was still enough.
In just a few years, from these twelve, hundreds — even thousands — of Dragon-Bound Holy Knights could emerge, forming a formidable pillar of strength for the Kingdom.
Where the Crimson Scale Conquerors served as scouts and aerial raiders — akin to sky-born skirmishers — the Dragon-Bound Holy Knights were true heavy infantry. They were built for the front lines, capable of turning the tide in open warfare.
Imagine an entire regiment of them marching onto the battlefield — a living, breathing fortress on the move. Shields shimmering with protective auras, flames roaring from their armor, a storm of fire and light dancing across their forms. The sight alone would be enough to make even the bravest enemy tremble in dread.
Kai Xiusu studied the spell for a moment longer, then finally succumbed to the weight of fatigue.
“At last… I can rest properly.”
“Tell Lanpu later to reinforce the Spell Defense. It’s time for the next Deep Sleep.”
Yawning once more, the veins beneath Kai Xiusu’s skin pulsed with magma-like ripples, and the scent of sulfur grew even heavier in the air.
Suddenly, his expression froze.
His golden pupils — the scales along the upper edges of his eyes — twitched slightly.
As a Sorcerer capable of shaping reality with his will, the Red Dragon had felt it — a subtle ripple in the Weave of Magic. As if an invisible eye had been watching him. The sensation was unpleasant, intrusive.
Another Divination Spell?
How utterly reckless.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped him — rage suppressed, barely contained. The urge to reduce whoever was spying on him to charcoal burned fiercely in his chest.
Though the spell’s influence was nearly imperceptible, the permissions of the Kingdom Domain allowed him to perceive it clearly — even trace its source.
It came from the deep forest beyond the palace grounds, nestled in the mountains just a few li away.
A grotesque grin spread across Kai Xiusu’s face.
Then let me go see… who dares disturb my dreams.
---
Outside the palace, deep within the Kalebah Forest.
Due to its proximity to the Iron Dragon Wing Palace, and its past as a haven for rebels and a hiding place for Northern Nobles fleeing Northwind Keep, this woodland had become the royal estate’s Rear Garden. Two-Headed Dragons and Great Goblins patrolled regularly, scanning for any suspicious figures.
Now, rustling in the underbrush, accompanied by hushed whispers.
The Elven woman in a green cloak, her pointed ears twitching, spoke in a low voice:
“Richard… be careful. Don’t use that spell again. According to our intelligence, he’s a high-level caster.”
The man known as Richard turned, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His expression was calm, almost amused.
“You’re being too cautious, Abeis. I know what I’m doing.
A Sorcerer is just a brute in the world of spellcraft. This scroll was crafted by Master Kavina himself — one that even an Evil Red Robe Mage couldn’t detect. What chance does a mind full of muscle and fire have?”
He refocused his mind, reactivating the spell.
Richard Sieg — a well-known Ranger from the Faldran Empire, a Grace of the Arch-Fey’s “Fey Wanderer,” and a senior member of the Lutehand Alliance. He had accepted a mission marked “extremely dangerous” — to journey north to Anzeta alongside the Elven Assassin Abeis, to investigate the rising power of the Kingdom of Ashen, a force that had lately drawn too much attention.
“I don’t know why,” Abeis said, her voice sharp with warning, “but I have a terrible feeling. Trust me — it’s an assassin’s instinct.”
“Wait—” Richard spun around, his eyes widening in alarm.
“That Red Dragon… it’s found us.”
Abeis snapped, her voice edged with panic:
“Then what are you waiting for? Use your spell to escape! Our mission was reconnaissance — not dragon-slaying!”
Richard let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry… maybe I was wrong.”
“Abeis — you didn’t feel it? The Weave of Magic is tightening around us. We’re trapped.”
“Idiot!” she hissed in Elvish, gripping her dagger so hard her knuckles turned white.
(End of Chapter)
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