THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Lord Hilton's deep laughter filled the advisory chamber, breaking the tension that had settled after David's bold declaration. His son's ambition amused him, but more than that, it filled him with a sense of pride.

To surpass the current generation was no small feat, yet David spoke with the confidence of a true De Gor. Even the Blood Whale, one of the fiercest warriors known, had never been so bold. But Lord Hilton knew well that words were just words until proven by action, and David was certainly a man of action.

Still, could he surpass Hilton himself? The thought gnawed at him. He had once stood at the very edge of greatness, nearly reaching the pinnacle of the first patriarch before being stopped by an insurmountable wall. If David could break through where he had failed, if he could rise above his own brother, the De Gor family would undoubtedly achieve a legendary status beyond even its current might.

"You seek to surpass me?" Lord Hilton echoed with a grin, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Spoken like a true De Gor. As you should."

His words echoed through the chamber, yet Elder Luviania, still rattled by David's audacity, could hardly contain his outrage. "Patriarch," Luviania seethed, "the boy is mocking you and this council. His arrogance knows no bounds!"

Luviania's words were sharp, but before he could go any further, Elder Tyron cut him off with a low scoff.

"Let the bird fly, Luviania. If the boy wishes to soar higher than the hawks, let him leap." Tyron's single eye gleamed with interest as he spoke.

Yes, David had once been considered a waste, an embarrassment to the family, but if the boy was now ready to embrace the strength of his lineage, who were they to stand in his way?

Elder Maison, seated quietly, couldn't help but smile. David had captured the attention of every elder in the room.

Not good for me

, he thought with a silent chuckle, since both he and Captain Kaelen had intended to recruit David into their branch army.

Even Elder Scroll, old and bent with age, looked on with a flicker of excitement in his eyes. His bones may have been brittle, but the spark of curiosity burned bright—he wanted to see just how far this boy could go.

But Elder Luviania was a realist. He wasn't easily swayed by the whims of ambition. In his mind, a man's character was forged by his past, and no amount of bravado could erase it. David's dark history was still a liability, and Luviania knew that it was only a matter of time before it resurfaced.

Before anyone could speak further, the heavy doors to the advisory chamber were flung open with a force that rattled the walls. Every head turned, craning to see who had dared interrupt. A cold shiver ran down the spines of everyone present—everyone except David.

Kaiden, the Blood Whale himself, strode into the room, his presence suffocating the air. But he was not alone. Walking beside him was a familiar figure, a woman of chilling renown. She was the one who had shaped Kaiden into the monster he had become, and her very name was enough to silence any room:

Elder Noble La Muerte Le Gor, 'the Herald of Death.'

David's gaze shifted to the imposing woman who entered the chamber with Kaiden. Tall and statuesque, she exuded an air of deadly grace.

Her long, flowing purple hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting starkly against the dark, ornate military uniform she wore, adorned with gold and crimson details that gleamed faintly under the chamber's dim light. The epaulettes on her shoulders were large, with golden tassels hanging in perfect symmetry, and a dark cape billowed behind her, signifying her high rank and noble bloodline.

Her blood-red boots, adorned with intricate gold patterns, clicked lightly against the chamber floor as she approached him, her golden eyes narrowing with calculated interest.

David stood still, his heart beating faster as she stepped closer, her posture regal and precise. Without a word, she reached out with her gloved hand, gripping his chin with gentle but firm fingers, tilting his face toward hers.

Her lips curved into a faint, amused smile as she inspected him closely, her eyes sweeping over his features with an intensity that made him uneasy. The scent of roses faintly filled the air, but it did little to soften the tension her presence brought.

Elder Luviania, visibly irritated by the sudden interruption, rose from his seat and protested sharply, "Elder La Muerte, this meeting was meant for those who were invited. Your presence here is—"

But La Muerte waved her free hand dismissively, her eyes never leaving David's. "Oh, Luviania," she purred, her voice smooth and unbothered.

"The last time I checked, I too am an Elder of this family. Or has something changed since then?" Her gaze flickered briefly toward the Earl. "Besides, I've been away too long. I couldn't miss seeing my dear younger brother in action." Her smile widened, but there was something menacing behind her charm.

The Earl, sitting in his elevated seat, pressed a hand to his temple, visibly exasperated. He knew all too well that her arrival would stir the chamber into chaos. The tension between his elder sister and the council was an ever-present concern. Things were bound to escalate now that she had chosen to attend.

Elder Maison cleared his throat, attempting to regain some control over the situation. "Kaiden," he addressed the young man who stood quietly by La Muerte's side, "why are you here as well?"

Kaiden, bowing slightly in respect, responded evenly, "I'm here to keep my master in check, for the sake of David's well-being." His expression remained neutral, though a small grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he met the elders' gazes.

The elders exchanged glances before reluctantly nodding in agreement, though David felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He had no idea who this woman was or why she was involved, but her aura was undeniable. The very air around her seemed thick with a bloodlust so intense that it pressed down on the room, despite her calm and composed exterior.

David stood frozen, his mind racing. The overwhelming bloodlust she exuded was enough to make even the most battle-hardened warriors uneasy, and yet, she wore it like a second skin, completely relaxed. What kind of person was this? And more importantly, what did she want from him?

The Earl's eyes narrowed as he shifted in his seat, clearly displeased by the sudden interruption. "Elder La Muerte," he began, his voice cool and authoritative, "your job is to cut down the family's enemies, not to sit here and discuss matters of internal affairs." His tone left little room for argument, though there was a clear edge of familiarity between the siblings.

La Muerte, however, was unbothered. She pouted, her lips forming an exaggerated curve, and she looked at her younger brother with mock hurt in her eyes. "Oh, Patrich, you've grown so mean!" she teased, swaying slightly in a playful manner. "Whatever happened to the sweet little brother who would follow me around and beg to be cuddled?"

The Earl raised an eyebrow, unfazed. He crossed his arms, waiting for her to stop with the theatrics, though some of the elders were clearly uncomfortable with the odd display.

La Muerte's pout quickly faded, her expression becoming sharp, her playful demeanor dissolving like mist. Her golden eyes gleamed with intent as she turned to face David, her voice dropping to a serious tone.

"I've gained an interest in this boy." The declaration hung heavy in the air, making several of the elders shift uneasily in their seats. "I want him to become an executioner for the family."

David's breath hitched. He hadn't expected such a proposition, especially not now. His plan had been to finish the coming-of-age ceremony and leave the estate. He had no interest in the inner workings of the family—his sole focus was on preparing for the cataclysm he knew was coming. But this… this wasn't something he could ignore.

The room exploded in shock, murmurs erupting among the elders. Even Elder Maison widened his eyes in surprise. David had saved his reputation, and Maison clearly had some plans for him, but an executioner? That was an entirely different path.

"Elder La Muerte!" Elder Luviania's voice cut through the murmurs, trembling with indignation. "This is outrageous! Your means of recruiting an executioner completely bypass protocol!" His face was flushed with anger, his hands gripping the arms of his chair as though he might leap to his feet at any moment.

La Muerte, her calm demeanor returning, chuckled softly. She didn't even spare Luviania a glance. "Protocol? Who would dare stop me, Luviania?" she asked, amusement lacing her voice. "No one in this family except little bother is stronger than I am." Her smile was dangerous, but the truth in her words left the room in silence.

The Earl sighed, clearly tired of the mess his sister was stirring up. His sharp gaze landed on David, cutting through the chaos. "David," he addressed him firmly, "do you remember our agreement? To become first in the coming-of-age ceremony?"

David nodded, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Yes, I do," he replied steadily, though his mind was still racing with thoughts of the executioner role.

The Earl leaned back in his chair. "Then here's what we'll do. If you succeed in meeting those conditions—if you become the first in this year's ceremony—the elders will vote on whether you are worthy of becoming an executioner of this family."

La Muerte's eyes brightened, and she clasped her hands together, a surprisingly cute gesture considering the serious conversation. "Thank you, little brother!" she chimed, her tone almost childlike in its gratitude.

The Earl sighed again, shaking his head slightly. "Take your seat, La Muerte we still have much to discuss. And David," he added, his voice once more returning to its formal tone, "you are dismissed. Go and rest. Prepare yourself for the ceremony."

David bowed and exited the chamber, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. He hadn't planned on becoming an executioner, but now it seemed like the path ahead was more complicated than ever.

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