Chapter 339: 339

Kael stood quietly at the base of the statue, his eyes following the carved figures. Thoughts swirled in his mind. The heroes had once saved humanity, yet in the end, everything faded. He looked up again, his chest tight, when suddenly an idea struck him.

"Hey, old man," Kael asked.

Ramos turned his head with a raised brow. "What now, brat?"

"Did they leave any descendants?"

"Descendants?" Ramos rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "I don’t know. If they did, then those families would surely be famous. They’d be talked about everywhere."

Kael’s shoulders sank. He let out a sigh.

"At least I could have dealt with their bloodline. But it seems my luck isn’t that good."

He stayed quiet for a while before speaking again. "I read that Valcrest was one of the strongest noble houses back then."

Ramos gave a small grunt. "Even the strongest have to bow before the storm. Whole empires once mighty have vanished into dust. So what are noble houses compared to that?"

Before Kael could answer, a sharp and mocking voice tore through the air, rising over the noise of the plaza.

"Ohhhh! Look who we have here!"

The loud tone made heads turn. People in the plaza paused mid-step, some holding food in their hands, others tugging their children closer. A murmur spread through the crowd as they followed the voice.

"The pretty boy who molested his fiancée," the man sneered, his words echoing like poison across the square.

The crowd erupted with whispers.

"Is it true?"

"That’s him? The boy from the scandal?"

"Shameless! How could he still show his face in public?"

Others just stared, drawn to the confrontation like moths to flame. Some looked curious, while others were openly hostile. Mothers pulled their children closer, while young men crossed their arms, eager to see what would unfold.

Kael turned slowly toward the voice, and Ramos followed his gaze. Standing there was a man with a twisted expression and a cruel smile plastered on his face. His clothes were embroidered with a serpent crest, the flag of his family carried by a servant behind him.

Ramos narrowed his eyes. "It’s one of the Ducal Family. Serpentine."

"Serpentine?" Kael repeated with a chuckle. "What a name."

The man’s eyes narrowed before widening in recognition. "You... I thought I was imagining things. But no, it’s really you, Kael." His voice carried satisfaction, like someone stumbling across prey.

Kael searched his memory. The name clicked at once. "Evan? What do you want?"

Evan smirked. "Hehehe. Did you forget how to greet me properly?"

A memory flashed in Kael’s mind. He saw himself beaten down in a meeting hall. Evan’s voice rang in his ears as he forced Kael to kneel. The image was still vivid.

Kael’s gaze hardened a bit.

"Sorry," Kael said flatly. "I don’t have time to waste talking to you. If you want something, say it to this old man."

Evan’s face twisted with disgust as he looked at Ramos. "A servant? You think a mere servant deserves to talk to me?"

Kael turned as if to leave, but his lips curved into a sharp smile.

’Damn. I like this.’

Ramos blinked, caught off guard by Kael’s reaction. Before he could ask, Kael raised his voice so everyone in the plaza could hear.

"I’ve been ordered to follow his lead. He is my protector. If you want anything from me, you’ll need his permission."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. People exchanged uneasy glances. Evan’s expression soured instantly.

"Permission? From him? Don’t make me laugh." Evan spat to the side before glaring at Ramos. "Hey, old man. Don’t try to act tough. Don’t spoil this brat or I’ll bury you in a coffin myself. No one will dare blame me."

Veins pulsed on Ramos’s forehead. His hand slowly lifted, and he pointed a finger at himself. His voice dropped low, rumbling like thunder. "Do you even understand who you’re speaking to?"

Evan raised a brow but stayed smug. "What? You think you’re someone important? Even your master must bow his head to my family."

"You fool," Ramos growled. "Even your father bows in respect to me."

The crowd hushed. People glanced at one another, shocked by the claim. Evan froze for a moment, staring at Ramos. His eyes moved over the old man’s ragged clothes, the haggard look, the worn face.

He sneered." I don’t remember such an old noble. He looks more like a beggar than anyone worthy of respect."

"Hahahaha. What a joke." Evan laughed loud enough for everyone to hear. He turned to Kael, voice dripping with mockery. "It seems the Grand Duke Manor has forgotten manners. Step aside,you along with Kael kneel before your daddy now."

That was the last straw.

Ramos’s patience snapped. His eyes burned, his aura surged, and in the next instant his power erupted.

BOOOOOOM!

The air cracked. A violent shockwave burst outward like an explosion. The ground shook beneath their feet.

The entire plaza quaked as if struck by a hammer. People stumbled and fell, some clutching their heads, others dropping their belongings as the pressure bore down on them. Even though everyone here was at least C-rank, none could stand comfortably under the crushing force.

The laughter died in Evan’s throat. His body stiffened, his mocking face draining of color as the wave of might washed over him.

Kael’s lips curled as his eyes glimmered. He licked his lips with a dark smile. "I like it."

The crowd was silent now. Whispers of awe and fear ran through them. Mothers shielded their children, merchants crouched behind their stalls, and guards gripped their weapons tightly but dared not move forward. Every pair of eyes turned toward Ramos, the old man who now stood tall like a mountain, his presence crushing the plaza.

expression cracked. His face lost all color as his knees buckled. His body bent down to the ground against his will. The knights standing behind him trembled as well. One by one they dropped to their knees, their faces pale, unable to resist the heavy pressure filling the plaza.

"You... who are you?" Evan’s voice shook. His heart pounded in his chest. The power pressing him down was unlike anything he had ever felt. As far as he knew, only the Grand Duke himself carried strength like this. Since when did such a person stand beside Kael?

Ramos stepped forward, his eyes sharp. His voice rang with authority. "Open your eyes and see. I am Ramos Veydrin."

The name struck the crowd like a thunderclap. Gasps spread. Evan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lord Ramos? Isn’t he dead?"

Ramos froze mid-step. His brows furrowed. "What did you just say?"

Evan felt he said something wrong so he changed his words.

Evan’s lips trembled. "I... I thought Lord Ramos was dead."

Ramos tilted his head, his face hard. "I might have a problem with my hearing. Repeat it again."

Evan swallowed hard, his voice stammering. "My father told me... he said you died years ago."

Ramos took in a long, steady breath. His jaw clenched, but his voice stayed cold. "Good. Very good. Next time I meet your father, I want to see how he dares spread such a rumor about me being dead."

His words carried a dangerous edge, making Evan’s heart sink deeper.Before he could say anything,something snapped his head.

SMACK!

---

Far away, inside the Ducal Mansion of Ruther, the tension was no less heavy.

"Elara, this is a message from the Royal Court," Duke Martin Ruther said. His hand extended the sealed letter toward his daughter.

Elara tore it open, her eyes racing across the words. The longer she read, the darker her expression grew. Anger burned in her face as she slammed the parchment against the table.

"Father, how is this possible?" she demanded.

Martin sighed, his hand pressing against his forehead. His voice was heavy. "It is as you read. The Emperor will host a Trial of Justice between you and Kael. This is to settle the matter once and for all. Veydrin has filed a petition to annul the engagement."

Elara’s eyes blazed with fury. "This is outrageous. It is one thing for them to annul the engagement, but how dare they demand a Trial of Justice? How dare he do this?"

Martin’s expression hardened. His tone cut sharp. "Do not speak without knowing the weight of your words."

"But father," Elara snapped, "how is this my fault? It is all that trash’s fault for dreaming he could have me. He is not even worthy to carry my shoes."

"Enough, Elara!" Martin’s voice roared through the chamber.

Elara flinched but did not back down. "But father, did you not also support me before?"

Martin closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. "I did. That was then. Things have changed. Have you not heard about his recent strength?" His gaze bore into her.

Elara clenched her fists. "It is all lies.He is just a weak brat.What can he do?"

"Who told you such nonsense? That brat from Raven?"Martin’s temper flared. His fist slammed against the arm of his chair, making the wood creak.

Elara’s lips pressed shut. She had no answer.

"I do not want to marry him, that is the truth," she shouted back after a moment. "It is your fault for arranging the marriage in the first place."

"It was your mother who made the arrangement, not me.Also stop acting as if it’s our fault when you literally cried to marry him when you were a kid" Martin said, his tone sharp as steel. He shook his head with frustration.

"I was a kid that time.Just merely fascinated by that bastard look."

Martin clenched his jaws trying to control his anger.

His daughter literally created a mess and didn’t eat for days throwing a tantrum.But now,it’s all their fault.

Elara lifted her chin, her voice cold. "Whatever the case. If he wants a fight, I will crush him myself."

"You need to prepare," Martin warned. "You are only A-rank."

"Vale will fight for me," Elara said without hesitation.

Martin’s eyes narrowed at the name. His chest tightened with anger, but he held his words back. For a moment, silence hung between them.

Finally, Martin turned his face away and let out a long sigh. His shoulders sank under the weight of helplessness.

’Maybe then she will finally learn her lesson.’