The innkeeper lowered his voice until it was barely above a whisper.
"The Sovereign Bone Citadel Sect is known for strong martial arts and a noble lineage," he said carefully. "Most of them live up to that reputation. But some… lose themselves once they taste authority. They become the very thing they're meant to stop."
Rudravaan's gaze remained steady.
"And the sect allows this?" he asked calmly.
The innkeeper let out a quiet breath.
"They try not to. But those men act when the sect isn't watching. Victims who speak up are threatened into silence by noble names and hidden power." His jaw tightened. "In the end, people learn to endure."
Rudravaan nodded once.
"Mm."
After a moment of hesitation, the innkeeper added, "You should leave soon. I'm certain they'll come back for you."
Rudravaan met his eyes—and smiled faintly.
"Oh?" he said. "Let's see."
He took the room key, turned, and walked upstairs without another word.
Henry's eyes lit up the moment he saw the large bed.
He leapt onto it and rolled across the sheets, grinning openly.
Rudravaan paused, watching him, then clicked his tongue.
"Hey. What do you think you're doing?"
Henry lifted his head, offended.
"Don't call me a brat."
Rudravaan pulled a chair over and sat down with lazy ease.
"Fine. Whatever you say, brat."
Henry scowled, but Rudravaan had already turned his attention to the window.
Outside, the North Shield Kingdom stretched beneath the night sky—orderly streets, steady patrols, lanterns burning with disciplined regularity. A city at peace.
Rudravaan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well," he murmured, "looks like that kid is handling the throne well enough."
Then his gaze shifted.
And froze.
The same noble from earlier was approaching the inn again.
A slow smile curved Rudravaan's lips.
He turned toward Henry.
"Hey," he said quietly, "want to see something interesting?"
Henry blinked.
"…What?"
Before he could ask more—
BANG.
The crash echoed through the inn. Shouts followed. Panic rose.
Henry's expression changed instantly.
"What was that?"
Rudravaan stood.
They went downstairs.
Henry's breath caught.
The innkeeper lay sprawled on the floor, blood at the corner of his mouth, barely conscious.
Standing over him was Valerius Pike—sword half-drawn, eyes blazing with fury.
"Where the fuck is he?!" Valerius roared.
Chaos erupted. Guests screamed. Chairs overturned. People fled for the exits.
Rudravaan stepped forward, his smile unchanged.
Valerius turned.
Their eyes met.
A mocking smile spread across the noble's face as he approached.
"I thought you'd run once you heard our name."
Then he stopped.
The smile faded.
He looked Rudravaan up and down.
"…But the bastard is still standing."
Rudravaan said nothing.
Did nothing.
That silence broke something inside Valerius.
With a furious roar, he lunged and threw a punch.
The innkeeper squeezed his eyes shut.
BOOM.
The impact shook the room.
When the innkeeper opened his eyes, Valerius was no longer there.
He was embedded into the far wall, cracks spiderwebbing outward before his body slid down and collapsed.
Silence.
Slowly, the innkeeper turned.
Rudravaan stood where he had been, flexing his hand once.
"Seems," Rudravaan said calmly, "even injured… I haven't fallen that far."
Valerius coughed, blood spilling from his lips. He laughed weakly.
"Now that you've done this…" he rasped, "the Sovereign Bone Citadel Sect will move."
His eyes rolled back.
Valerius Pike went still.
Rudravaan looked down at him, expression unreadable.
"…Good," he said quietly.
"Let them come."
Author's Note:
Things are starting to heat up for Rudravaan! If you're enjoying his journey from the ashes back to the throne, please consider following the story and leaving a Review.
Honest feedback helps me improve the writing and keeps the motivation high to bring you daily updates. Thanks for being part of the journey!