Evolution of the Ruined Heir-Chapter 263: Relaxed

A sharp inhale broke the silence that accompanied Laila’s words. It came from Renlo. But he wasn’t the only one feeling the intensity of the moment.

Grunde had a deep frown on his face. The fact that someone might come and separate him from his family made a deep battle intent radiate from him. Even Malakai didn’t like the sound of it.

The disbandment of their squad... ’That’s not good.’ The thought was an understatement, it was bad.

Malakai’s eyes couldn’t help but widen the next moment. A realization had just dawned on him. ’It’s a two part plan.’ His thoughts ran as he tried to piece everything together.

It was the kind of plan that allowed no room for failure. No matter what choice they made, it would only lead to the end.

The disbandment of the squad would force Malakai to join another squad to complete his training. In fact, due to the abruptness of it all, he wouldn’t even have a choice in the matter.

The city would probably be the one to select a squad for him. A city ruled by the Fourth Pulse.

Malakai could literally see his end.

’We have to go,’ he realized, his expression turning grim. Malakai didn’t like the thought of willingly walking into a trap.

"The rest of you should go back," Laila suddenly said, pulling the group out of their thoughts. "I’ll respond to the call. If it’s a trap, I’ll be able to navigate it better alone. We can escape disbandment at least."

Malakai frowned. Grunde immediately objected. "Grunde won’t allow Laila go by herself!" he said, determined.

Malakai could see that Renlo also wanted to join in but had remained quiet instead.

"Grunde," Laila called sharply. "It’s an order. Same goes for all of you."

"Grunde won’t follow your order!"

"Are you disobe—"

"It’s better we all go together."

Malakai’s voice made Laila turn towards him. She furrowed her brow, surprised that Malakai too was objecting to her orders. She took in a deep breath, somehow wishing Rhett was present.

"It’s the most logical course of action," she said. "If you’re right and this is a trap, it’ll be unwise for all of us to go."

Malakai shook his head. "What you just said is right. But what if that is what they want us to do? Split up. It’ll be easier to take us one after the other than together."

"I-I agree," Renlo said silently.

Grunde had no idea what they were on about but nodded nonetheless.

"But it’s dangerous..." Laila tried to argue, but Malakai’s next words made her rethink everything.

"The one who leads the city is after us. As long as we’re in the city, nowhere is safe."

Laila clenched her fists, her expression hardening. She didn’t like this. She didn’t like it one bit.

Somehow, she felt as though she was failing as their senior, and more importantly, she felt as though she was failing Valerian. She couldn’t even properly protect his son.

Taking a deep breath, Laila nodded. "Alright," she finally said, tone serious. "Be alert and stay close. The moment we confirm that this is a trap, our goal will be to escape as quickly as possible. Do you understand?"

She looked Malakai dead in the eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel like those words were directed more at him than the others.

He nodded, followed by Grunde and then Renlo. Laila glanced at each of them, and seeing that they understood the intensity of the situation, she turned and continued her sprint through the forest, the squad following closely.

Compared to before, a heaviness had settled on the group as they ran. Each wore serious expressions as they carefully and cautiously scanned the surroundings.

Seconds into the run, Malakai had already signaled for Nyx to be alert and ready for anything.

Since last night, he had instructed her to warn him using tremors in his blood. If anything was coming, he would be the first of the squad to know.

They ran at fast speed and reached the outer gates of the stronghold after some time. It helped greatly that the base was located on the outskirts of the districts.

Emerging from the forest, Malakai’s eyes landed on the sight of the massive and imposing wall that seemed to reach for the heavens.

Every inch of it was blackened, made from some sort of material that Malakai wasn’t aware of, as with all stronghold walls in the West.

Clearly, he still had much reading to do. But what he did know was that it had the ability to withstand a few blows from even Blooms before breaking.

That alone told just how strong and powerful the stronghold wall was. He couldn’t even dream of making a dent in it the way he currently was.

Malakai tore his gaze away from the imposing wall and resolved to focus on the current situation.

There was a large expanse between the forest and the stronghold wall. Sylvestine had once been all forest. The city had cleared this expanse in case of enemies breaching the stronghold.

Running through it, Malakai’s gaze soon landed on a group of people in front of the grand gates of the wall. His eyes narrowed as they got closer.

’Blood Guardians...’

He realized. Adjudicators to be precise. They stood in front of the gates, conversing casually with one another.

Even as they approached the group, Malakai couldn’t sense even a hint of unease within them, a feeling that should very well be present considering the current situation.

’They’re too relaxed.’ A horde of beasts was approaching the city, and they were all conversing casually here. They weren’t even on top of the walls.

Malakai glanced at Laila just as they stopped. He didn’t miss her darkened face. It was at that moment the adjudicators noticed the group.

"Oh finally! The Blood Knights are here," one of them suddenly said. At this point, Malakai was observing everything like a hawk.

He saw the brief glances the adjudicators sent toward each other, the smiles. He stayed back, silent, allowing Laila to take the lead.

"Where are the other Blood Knights?" Laila asked with a frown.

"Out there, fighting," another adjudicator responded. Malakai could see he was selecting his words carefully. "You need to join them as soon as possible."

Laila’s frown only deepened. She glanced around, looking at the Blood Guardians. "Who’s in charge of the operation?"

For an operation as large as this, it was only natural a captain of the Blood Knights, or even someone higher, would be present, directing everything. But only a bunch of adjudicators were here? Not only that.

"Why are you all here?" Laila asked after a moment. This was Blood Knight business. What were Blood Guardians doing here, loitering?

Malakai watched as the adjudicator became visibly flustered, shocked by the sudden question. Many already flushing red.

’They’ll pretend to be outraged to avoid answering her question.’ Malakai predicted.

And true to his words, one of the adjudicators suddenly pointed a challenging finger at Laila, expression flushed.

"Who are—"

"I am in charge here."

A calm voice cut in. Malakai and the squad’s gazes sharpened on a man descending from the top of the gates.

He was shorter than most men, eyes sharp, and face barely above average despite his clearly high rank.

’A Bloom.’ Malakai identified. He didn’t miss the man’s crimson red light armor. A Blood Guardian.

The adjudicators all fell deathly silent as he arrived, each one bowing.