CHAPTER 253: I’LL MAKE YOU AN IMPERIAL KNIGHT

Raegar managed to get to his feet in the middle of the storm, only to notice an armoured figure slowly approaching him. It was the knight he fought before, but distinctly different as it looked sleeker, stronger, and more deadlier compared to the version he fought. The only thing that separated them was that the previous one was over Tier Twelve, while this one was Tier Ten, just like Drusilla.

The Fusion Knight stopped in front of him and knelt just as the storm calmed down, revealing the scene to everyone, including a woman, her eyes wide with shock, but soon the soldiers reacted. They surrounded the two, causing his new guardian to spring into action, drawing its massive blades.

Seconds later, the knight stepped in between them and him. Following that, A deafening crash shattered the air as Griffin descended onto the battlefield, his impact sending a violent shockwave rippling across the scorched earth. Dust and debris spiraled outward, the ground trembling beneath the weight of his arrival.

The older man rose slowly, his imposing figure cutting through the haze, his face stern and his eyes blazing with conviction. His voice, deep and commanding, boomed across the chaos, silencing the clashing of steel and the cries of the wounded.

’’This knight is my grandson’s guardian from this day forth!’’ he declared, his words carrying the weight of an unbreakable vow.

He gestured toward the radiant figure of the knight, whose Aether pulsed with a fierce, almost otherworldly luminescence, intertwining alongside Raegar’s energy. ’’Look at their Aether, they are connected, bound by fate itself!’’

The battlefield fell into a stunned hush, all eyes drawn to the shimmering threads of Aether that wove between the knight and Raegar. Yet, amidst the awestruck silence, a single, foolhardy guard dared to defy the moment. Gripping his spear, he charged toward Raegar, his eyes wild with defiance.

In an instant, the Fusion Knight moved, a blur of motion so fast it defied perception. One moment, the guard was surging forward; the next, he collapsed in a heap, his body carved into pieces with surgical precision. Blood sprayed across the ground, staining the earth crimson, and a collective gasp tore through the onlookers.

No one had seen the strike. The knight’s speed was unnatural, a flicker of skill that left the crowd frozen in shock and dread. Whispers of awe and fear rippled through the ranks as the realization dawned: this was no ordinary warrior. The knight stood motionless now, its form radiating an eerie calm, as if the act of destruction had been as effortless as breathing.

’’Behold the Fusion King!’’ the armored guardian exclaimed. ’’He will be your shield against the Old Ones as I am for him!’’

Raegar looked shocked but laughed. ’’Your name will be Arthur, the head of the Fusion Knights and my guardian.’’

When Arthur heard this, his red eyes blinked, only to bow his head with the utmost respect. ’’Thank you, my king. Wait until we find the others, they will rejoice now you can free everyone.’’

Just then, a powerful aura descended upon them and banished the Fusion Knight back into Raegar without an effort. He glanced at his grandfather, who dropped to one knee, his eyebrow shot up as the girls joined him. Dominique leaned forward, whispering. ’It’s Empress Dahlia Dawnfire, the strongest Aether Mage in the world.’’

Before a soul could speak, a colossus of a man materialized before him, his fist a thunderbolt that smashed into his skull, launching him backward through the air. A voice, sharp as a blade, cut through the tumult. ’’Kneel for the Empress, worm!’’

Raegar was a blur of vengeance, reappearing in an instant, his dagger arcing toward the attacker’s head. The Imperial Bodyguard dodged to the side, but the Fusion Knight was already upon him. A thunderous crack split the air as the Knight’s blow sent the guard hurtling across the garden, crashing into the earth with a bone-jarring thud.

The man struggled to rise, weapons gleaming in defiance, his eyes locked on the approaching Empress. ’’Keep your hounds chained, woman!’’ he bellowed.

The words struck like a storm, shocking the onlookers to their core. Griffin’s face paled, his parents stood petrified in dread, and the girls braced themselves, ready to dive into the fray. More Imperial Guards surged forward, their blades flashing like stars, but Raegar stood resolute with the Fusion Knight at his side.

Just as the clash was about to erupt, a sound cut through the chaos like a velvet blade, a sultry, teasing laugh that rippled across the scene with undeniable allure. It was low and warm, a chime that stopped every warrior in their tracks, their weapons frozen mid-swing as if the very air had thickened with desire.

The sound was intoxicating, a promise of something forbidden, and it demanded attention with effortless command. Raegar’s gaze snapped to the source, and his breath caught in his throat, his pulse hammering as if he’d been struck. There she stood, a vision of raw beauty that hit him like a tidal wave.

She was the embodiment of desire, every inch of her screaming temptation. Her long, chestnut hair tumbled down her back in a cascade of glossy waves, each strand catching the sunlight in a way that begged to be touched. Her eyes, smoldering amber, locked onto his with a look that felt like a challenge.

They were the kind of eyes that could unravel a man, promising nights of passion. And her body, Gods, her body was a masterpiece of curves, each line sculpted to perfection, from the swell of her hips to the dip of her waist. She moved with a feline grace, every step a calculated tease, her body-hugging attire highlighting every dangerous curve.

The way she carried herself was pure confidence, a woman who knew exactly the effect she had and reveled in it. Raegar stood rooted, crumbling under the weight of her presence. A sharp pinch on his side, making him glance to his right, where Drusilla’s narrowed, a piercing, jealous-filled gaze met his.

He chuckled, shaking his head just as the empress paused in front of him, a knowing smile appearing. ’’So, you’re the renowned Raegar Blackwood,’’ she smoothly said. ’’The son who rejected the Vaelthorne name out of loyalty to your father.’’

’’Of course,’’ he replied nonchalantly, his tone carrying a hint of defiance. ’’My siblings may have chosen my mother’s name, but I won’t. I refuse to leave my father’s legacy behind.’’

When Alaric heard this, his face lit up alongside Victoria, who looked so proud, but when the bodyguards and soldiers returned, they looked like they wanted to tear him apart, but the empress’s next words shocked them. ’’I like that, a loyal son to the end. The empire is better off with young men like you leading us into the future, Fusion King,’’ she teased, smirking.

The girls looked surprised, but Yuki ushered the group back to give the two some space as Dahlia continued. ’’I’ll make you an Imperial Knight from this day forward, does this please you, Blackwood?’’

Raegar’s head tilted. ’’I’m already one, I’ve defended the west from Devils, monsters, and enemy armies. Remember I cleared out the southern invasion?’’ he retorted, grinning.

When the older woman heard this, her smile grew wide only for her advisors, guard, and ladies gasped at the way he was addressing the empress, but they didn’t say anything when seeing her smile. Moments later, Dahlia nodded. ’’That’s right, I heard you were scared, but it looks like the Witch of the West worked her magic on you. I do love your face, it’s handsome and striking.’’

Raegar felt his cheeks going red at her words, making the older woman laugh as she continued talking. ’’Now, how should I reward the empire’s hero? Maybe some gold? A noble title?’’

He shrugged. ’’I’m not sure you have anything I want, but I’d accept anything.’’

Dahlia giggled before stepping forward, her amber eyes glowing with amusement. ’’A feisty one, aren’t you? That’s good, I like your attitude, Blackwood, but I may just have a gift that no one else can match.’’

Raegar felt his eyebrow shoot up in curiosity as the empress revealed his gifts. ’’You shall be rewarded every time you defeat a foe for the empire by me.’’

’’Yes!’’ he replied, happily, when hearing her words.

These words shocked the surrounding soldiers, prompting her advisor, who was an older man, to rush forward and complain. ’’My Empress, don’t spoil the boy. Many heroes have come and gone, he’s just the new one.’’

When the brunette heard this, her eyes narrowed in annoyance as she responded. ’’Shut up, Alfred, I know what I’m doing.’’

The man nodded his head reluctantly, stepping back in silence as Dahlia turned to him, grinning ear to ear. ’’Now for the last prize, which is the best.’’

Everyone went silent, including Raegar’s grandparents, parents, and girlfriends, all waited for the empress to talk. Dahlia loved keeping people on the edge, but shook her head and went to speak.