My Devourer System: Rise of the Bastard Son

Chester raised his hand, and silence rolled over the hall. With a wave of his hand, the huge iron baskets lit with fire, shadows danced against the titanic support beams of the hall.

Members of the direct line sat behind him at the head table. Koril, Duran and others. Eyes dark and foreboding.

Lucen lowered his head, a sick feeling battled in his stomach.

Chester's voice boomed through the hall. "Thank you all for coming on short notice to greet the exalted heir of the Red Keep."

A resounding applause shook the hall. Why was everyone so happy? Did they believe that this was a sign that the Red Keep was providing help?

"The Medaza family is the longest-serving house on the line. Five hundred years of service and dedication. They were given the post of Khan of the Horalix region before the passing of the last true king of the empire, and have not faltered or betrayed like others."

Did Chester think they had dementia? Everyone knew the Red Keep were masters of this region. They also knew the stories of Keeps and families betraying the empire for the Void, like exactly what was happening with Aya's family.

"As you know, we have been in an extended war with the Dark clans of the Void. Even with someone at the Patriarch's level, we cannot overcome the territorial advantage," Chester said. "But her great-grandfather, a Grand Knight, stormed the Hanged Castle, and killed the Stormlord."

Another round of applause and praise fell onto Aya. Her smile was tight and forced, her eyes were empty and tired.

"In the times long ago, Khans in the Horalix region were fickle and honourless. But her family has served faithfully for five hund—"

"Until today," Aya finally snapped.

The hall grew silent. Aya rose and walked to Chester confidently. Lucen noticed the bags under her eyes, and the glint of unshed tears for the first time.

"We have failed the empire," Aya said. "My brother, Loki, has killed my parents and let Void creatures through the Line."

The way everyone's face fell consecutively made Lucen sicker. Why did Chester do this publicly? It would make more sense to take her into his office first.

"The Bull Wolves, the Crunchers," Aya explained, "they are all part of my brother's plan to kill you and obtain control over the Line before your Patriarch returns."

"All of it?" Chester murmured. His image of carelessness fell for a moment.

"Yes, I sent my guard to one of your Squires to try to make you take this issue more seriously."

Chester's eyes and others snapped towards him, and for once he didn't feel like worms were crawling over his skin.

"I sent Adrian to inform Lucen that he could track Korgath," Aya explained. "Then I knew he would get the Keep—"

"Wait, why did you not come inform us yourself?" Duran questioned, sitting up from his ornate chair.

The crowd's silence became more suffocating than anything Lucen had ever known. Aya smiled bitterly.

"Because I am a fickle, honourless coward."

The hall erupted into murmurs and complaints. The Red Keep they expected to support them was the cause of all their problems. Dark, vengeful gazes clawed at Aya.

Lucen found himself looking at Koril. His usually careless gaze was dark, but it didn't look like anger to him.

Let her deal with her problems the only way she knows how.

Chester's face remained stern. He looked down at Aya disdainfully.

"Your weakness has put everyone here in mortal danger. Now we have to deal with the Bull Wolves, then go and retrieve the head of your godless brother. You will be punished publicly before your execution, to appease those that may die in the coming days."

"And you, Lucen," Chester said, "come here."

Lucen rose and sulked forward, ignoring the glares of his fellow Knights as he marched forward. He stood upright and faced Chester without sparing Aya a glance.

"Did you know this man as part of Aya's guard, and hide that from us?" Chester asked simply.

Lucen shrugged off his reaching authority like a passing breeze. "Never seen him in my life till after I fought Korgath."

He considered lying that he suspected Adrian was a Cruncher, but he couldn't muster enough energy to give a fuck.

Chester's eyebrows rose. "And you, Adrian, did you conspire with him to hide your mistress's crimes?"

"No, my lord," Adrian answered simply.

The air grew dangerously quiet. Lucen had expected that Adrian would have some trouble lying to Chester, but Aya had the Crown of Star, a physical manifestation of the runes for authority and leadership.

"Then you may return to your seat, Lucen. But I'd recommend you learn to decipher the intents of those you work with."

People snickered as he returned to his seat and lowered his head, but Lucen just wanted them to get this over with.

There was this feeling he had—that Chester knew she was here to announce the Red Keep's betrayal. But what was he planning to do with it? Why did he take so much time to hype up the Medaza family? The imperial soldiers coming here from their sky castles might be part of the reason.

"My brother has joined with the Void creature to break the Line," Aya explained. "They had some interesting soldiers planning to assassinate you, and more interesting weapons."

She smoothly avoided naming Peter Cross here. Chester must still be feeling the weight of whatever was in his past. His smile turned wider.

"Take her. Down to the pits. We will decide her execution date on another day," Chester ordered, and Kant stepped forward and grabbed her roughly. "In the meantime, let there be a feast. We dine before the hungry packs fall upon us. Kiss your loved ones, and prepare for the war the Medaza have brought to our doorstep."

There was a weak cheer in the hall as the servants brought in free food for the weary Knights, but they all ate with a bitter look on their faces. Selene dropped a plate for Lucen and rubbed her hand over his neck.

Her dark eyes flashed with worry. They would have a lot to talk about this evening.

For now, he focused on how he could greatly improve his power before the wolves appeared. The Knights wouldn't be very fond of him after this.

He willed the system to start a fusion.

[Sulky teen master requires skill fusion…]

[Fusion of Breath of Mending and Blood Rebirth is possible…]

[Expected loss: 0%...]