Chapter 1228: Loyalty and Simplicity
A couple of rough, heavy breaths reverberated, spreading through the arena.
At the center of this massive open space stood Rex—his torso bare, exposing his refined and bulging muscles with sweat pouring from his head to his toes. His chest heaved up and down with the exertion of his training.
Surrounding him were figures made of holographic light, advanced dummies.
Each of them was also cloaked with moonlight energy that made these figures tangible.
A feature of the high-tech training chamber that came with the castle.
Not to mention, due to the horrendous amount of moonlight energy the castle could sustain, these dummies, exuded the formidable presence of a ninth-rank realm warrior—their deadly eyes fixed on Rex with a cold, unyielding gaze.
Rex raised both of his hands when he saw a slight twitch of their holographic muscles.
In an instant, three dummies sprang into action, attacking simultaneously.
Having no trouble keeping up, his body moved instinctively, and his reactions were superb as it was honed by countless intense training. Rex blocked—and parried punches and kicks with fluid precision, his defense seamless and robust.
It was a raw and primal fight, a pure test of physical prowess without the aid of any energy.
Crossing his arms in front, he blocked a powerful superman punch.
Bam!
Surprised by the amount of force behind that punch, Rex staggered backward a few steps.
Despite being pushed back his alertness didn't waver, his eyes darted left and right, tracking the dummies' movements with lightning speed. He anticipated their attacks, his mind turning and gearing the angles and paths in an instant.
As the fight continued, Rex adapted at an alarming rate as his defense got stronger.
But at that time, two more intervened making it a five versus one.
Crash!
Bam!
Managing to discern the dummies' attack patterns—Rex began seizing opportunities for any counterattacks he could return. Unlike the holographic figures' strikes—which often glanced off or missed their mark, Rex's punches and kicks landed with devastating accuracy.
His fists and legs shattered the dummies' forms, reducing them to blocks of holograph.
A satisfying crunch accompanied each impact.
Seeing three of them were shattered in mere moments, the remaining dummies adjusted, all of their programming adapting to Rex's tactics. But he was already ahead, his body a blur of motion as he pivoted and struck at the perfect time.
His punch landed on both remaining dummies when they were aligned and shattered them.
Only then that Rex could exhale roughly and straighten his back.
"Nothing beats thinking while exercising, I think I know what to do now," He mused lightly.
Upon arriving back to the castle—Rex instantly went to exercise, so that he could have more clarity in his train of thoughts. Now that the Werewolves, had made their moves—he needed to prepare.
Currently, regarding the Werewolves, he has the duel problem and also Ragnar's problem.
Of course, the duel was the highlight, but he couldn't let Ragnar and Garret be.
If he's soft on his border then that border would slowly be pushed back to whatever.
Rex could not have that so he needed to show them that the border was not to be ignored.
"Dealing with the duel, and Ragnar one by one would be a hassle—I do not have the time for that," Rex mused, but then a smirk crept to his face. "Then why not combine them together? Both of them are different matters, but at the same time, they are all Werewolves..."
Aside from tackling one problem at a time, Rex decided to take care of them at once.
He was not a very patient man, so this way is the best way for him.
Moreover, he already concocted the perfect plan to do this.
Cleansing the sweat from his body with a flick of his fingers, using his water elements, Rex was instantly cleaned and refreshed. But as he was wearing his royal robe, his eyes caught sight of a blitz of black lightning coursing through his arm in a fraction of a second.
But then that black lightning began to blitz and crack more.
"Devo, you're up already?"
[Hmm, I'm awake. Eugh... I haven't had a good sleep like this, it felt good]
"Glad you had a good sleep. I hope you recovered fully because you're going to need it"
[Need it? Are we going into a fight again?]
"Nope, but you'll see. Just be prepared for that, I need you in your best condition"
[Now you're damn scaring me, I hope it's not the Fourthborn already..."
Moments later.
Rex looked at the stairs leading to the basement before he shook his head, he decided to not go there and went to another place instead. He needs a minute to reach a door, it is a door to a small tower in the backyard, separate from the castle.
Even through the door, he could sense two familiar scents on the opposite side.
Also, there's one guard standing beside the door, it is Valthor.
Since the Aldri Family had sought forgiveness and was given the task of repaying their sin by becoming a family of servants for the Silverstar Pack—their members were now scattered all over the castle, performing various servant duties.
Despite it was not planned, Rex was happy with this result.
No matter what, the Aldri Family is a Noble House of the Dark Elf Kingdom.
All of them were above the seventh-rank realm, and that was a great addition for Rex.
"Greetings to Your Majesty," Valthor greeted as he took a knee.
Rex allowed him to stand before he pointed at the door, "Who brought them here?"
"I believe it's Lord Kyran, he was the one who tasked me to guard here," Valthor replied.
Upon hearing this Rex nodded, So they somehow managed to reach the Dark Elf Kingdom? It is really far from the Great Barricade. Not to mention the Second Breath... I am surprised that they survived the journey.
Not wasting any more time, Rex opened the door and stepped inside.
He was greeted by a pair of Werewolves, cradling on the corner and looked very haggard.
Rex has no trouble recognizing them both.
"Seems like we meet again..." He muttered—smiling at the two Werewolves. "The Brutal Grey and his Luna, Vivian. There are times when your names mean significantly to me, but it's way different now, don't you think?"
Jarvald stood up to stand in front of Vivian before he took a knee, "My Prince..."
Stepping inside, Rex stood before them both and tilted his head.
"I'm curious, what did you say to Kyran to be brought here instead of being killed?" He asked.
Gulping harshly, Jarval hesitated to answer that.
But he decided to take the risk, "I told him that you are going to bring us into your pack"
"Ah..." Rex reacted as he nodded his head repeatedly. "I should have known. Nevertheless—I don't mind, you probably desperately lied to survive. I will tell Valthor outside to assign you a home where you can live with your Luna peacefully"
Upon hearing this, Vivian's expression changed as she stole a glance towards Jarvald.
From the looks of it, she was also poking Jarvad's back to speak.
"My Prince, if I may..." Jarvald suddenly intervened.
Rex, who had already turned to leave smiled when he heard Jarvald stop him.
"Is there something else?" He asked without even turning around.
Jarvald nodded before he continued, "I was wondering if I and Vivian could join your pack,"
Only when the purpose of their coming here was put to light did Rex turn, looking at both of them with a smile, "It's a bold request, Jarvald—to become a part of my pack. But I applaud your bravery and I'll give you the chance. Give me one reason why I should let you enter my pack"
Put in a spot, Jarvald tried to think of something that could suffice as an answer.
But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't find one good answer.
"No answer?" Rex added, putting Jarvald on the spot more. "You can't think of an answer?"
Upon hearing this, Jarvald began to sweat as in his eyes, Rex had all the things he wanted.
He has power, status, women, and riches.
Even if he was lacking in one part, Jarvald has nothing to offer to him.
Understanding exactly what was on Jarvald's mind—Vivian sighed, knowing he was focused on the wrong aspect. She suddenly spoke up, "Loyalty and simplicity, my Prince. That's what we can offer you, loyalty and simplicity"
Rex shifted his gaze towards Vivian, his smile broadened, "Explain to me,"
"Both of us have known you before you reach this status. Both of us have also helped you on several occasions. If given the chance, you can trust us to show our loyalty, to you. Added to that, how many Betas in your pack did as told without any question?" Vivian explained.
As she said all of that, Rex remained silent and watched her with unreadable eyes.
Sweating a little, Vivian continued, "All I am saying is that your pack is different—many of you are once Human that are not aligned with the hierarchy of a pack. Compared to us—we know what a Beta should do, and that is to shut up and do as told"
Deciphering her train of thought, Rex couldn't hide his smile.
Vivian gave a valid point that he couldn't look over.
I was planning on turning them regardless, but she really gave a valid point. She's sharp.
"Loyalty and simplicity... Well alright then," Rex mused in response.
Upon hearing this, Jarvald widened his eyes before his body trembled from excitement.
Vivian, on the other hand, was not excited yet as she knew that Rex had still something more to say, she could see that he was not done. Eventually—what she expected came true, "If it's as you said, then there shouldn't be any problem for you to prove it, right?"
As soon as he said that, Jarvald's excitement was wiped instantly.
He could feel an encroaching unease as Rex was focusing on Vivian, not him.
"I will turn Jarvald here and welcome him to the Silverstar Pack as an outer pack member. He will be treated and given the necessities to become stronger—but you... you Vivian would go back to the Scarlet Banes Kingdom to do something for me" Rex added.
Jarvald was stunned, and he was about to volunteer himself.
But before he could let out a single word, Vivian grabbed him and signaled for him to stop.
"Yes, my Prince" She replied and bowed her head deeper.
Since she said that both of them were not going to ask questions then Rex tested them.
Had Jarvald said anything, their chances of getting into the pack would have been zero.
"Great," Rex nodded with a meaningful smile. "Follow me, I'll brief you on what to do," He said before he turned to the door and faced Valthor. "Bring Jarvald to Linthia and tell her to assign him the best accommodation the city could offer"
Moments later.
It was already the peak of the night, but Rex didn't spend the night inside the castle.
Unlike the others who had gone to bed, he was outside right now.
As opposed to before—he came to the border of Chrono Hollow alone without any help from the assault team. Other than the fact, that they were training their force energy, Rex was not in need of their help anymore.
He didn't need them to help him search for the mutated falcon and the Lunar Bee anymore.
Because of Kyran, he could find them alone.
Grabbing the Honey Sense from the inventory, a lemon crystal appeared in his hand.
"I should quickly get the Lunar Bee from Chrono Hollow, and use the second Honey Sense to locate the next one before the Honey Moon arrives," Rex mused as he looked at the thick fog border. "I wonder how many Lunar Bees the other kingdoms gained, they should at least gain a couple, right?"
A perk of having an Empire, the resources of the land belonged to him.
"Regardless, I should finish this up because I still need to go meet the Spirit Emperor..."
Nodding his head firmly, Rex stepped into the Chrono Hollow for the second time.
Kree!!
"Oh, she's waiting for me, how sweet..."