Chapter 442: The Price of Loyalty

The Price of Loyalty

"I hope that Your Highness can save my life on account of my many years of service to the Drake Empire, my noble career, and my years of guarding the borders. The General of Ashford City is extremely grateful."

The General of Ashford City remained kneeling.

His head was lowered.

His hands were pressed against the cold stone beneath him, and his fingers trembled slightly despite his desperate attempt to keep them steady.

There was no trace of the arrogance he had shown earlier.

No trace of the confidence that came from commanding soldiers and guarding an important city.

At this moment, he was simply a man trying to survive.

He understood the situation clearly now.

This was not something that could be resolved through status.

It was not something that could be settled by arguing over who was right or wrong.

That was a pinnacle expert.

An existence that could make his feces splash out with a single slap.

What courage could he possibly have left?

Even if he had ten lives, he would not dare gamble them here.

At this moment, even a fool would know what to do.

The General of Ashford City had chosen the only path he believed might leave him alive.

He lowered his pride.

He lowered his head.

And he pushed the responsibility toward James without hesitation.

The people watching from the surroundings could not help but sigh inwardly.

There was nothing shameful about knowing when to retreat.

In the cultivation world, strength was the final language.

Before absolute strength, pride was often nothing more than an expensive way to die.

James, however, had not expected this.

His eyes widened.

His old face slowly darkened.

"General, you..."

The anger in his voice was unmistakable.

He stared at the kneeling general in disbelief.

They had known each other for many years.

He had always regarded the man as someone he could rely on.

Yet the moment danger appeared, the General of Ashford City had thrown him aside without the slightest hesitation.

The betrayal was too direct.

Too clean.

It struck James harder than any slap could have.

The General of Ashford City immediately raised his head.

His expression was no longer respectful.

There was irritation beneath the fear in his eyes.

"What about me? I treat you as a close friend, but you actually want to harm me. This matter isn’t over."

His voice trembled slightly.

But this time, it was not because he feared Leon.

It was because he was furious.

This idiot had dragged him into a pit.

If James had simply kept his mouth shut from the beginning, none of this would have happened.

The General of Ashford City had only come because of James’s royal status and his territory.

He had been willing to do him a favor.

That was all.

He had never expected that this so-called favor would turn into a disaster capable of destroying his entire career.

He clenched his teeth.

It would already be good enough if he did not stand up and beat James to death right now.

After all, he was not some insignificant soldier.

He was a great general who presided over an entire region.

His authority was backed by the Drake Empire.

His position had been earned through years of guarding the borders and maintaining order.

He had only lowered himself to help James because James possessed royal blood and held considerable influence.

But that did not mean he was willing to throw away his life for him.

The distinction was painfully clear now.

James had mistaken his cooperation for loyalty.

And that mistake had nearly cost him everything.

The atmosphere between the two men became increasingly awkward.

One was furious at being betrayed.

The other was terrified of being dragged down with him.

Neither noticed that, some distance away, several figures were quietly watching the entire scene.

They stood in the shadow of a building at the corner of the street.

None of them spoke.

They simply observed.

Among them, the woman dressed in red was particularly eye-catching.

Her presence was graceful yet striking.

She had long silver hair that flowed down her back like moonlight spilling over snow.

A few loose strands moved gently in the evening breeze.

Her golden eyes were bright and clear, carrying a depth that made it difficult for anyone to look away once they met her gaze.

Her features were exceptionally beautiful.

Her eyebrows were delicate.

Her eyes were elegant.

Her nose was straight and refined.

Her lips carried a natural softness.

There was a quiet nobility in her face that made her beauty feel almost unreal.

She wore a red dress that followed the graceful lines of her figure without appearing excessive.

The fabric moved softly with the wind.

Fine details were woven into the material, catching the surrounding light whenever she shifted.

She did not need ornaments to draw attention.

Her beauty alone was enough.

This woman was Felberta.

She had been the guest from the Black-class private room.

At this moment, Felberta’s golden eyes remained fixed on Leon.

She looked at him for several breaths.

Then her expression changed slightly.

"The Purple Sword Monarch is actually him?"

Felberta was stunned as she muttered.

Her voice was quiet.

Almost instinctive.

She seemed to have remembered something.

The rumors.

The stories she had heard during her travels.

The young swordsman who had risen to fame with terrifying speed.

The Respected Leon of the Amethyst Summit Division.

The Purple Sword Monarch.

She had never expected the legendary figure she had heard about to be standing here.

Right in front of her.

And he was much younger than she had imagined.

Felberta’s golden eyes narrowed slightly.

She studied Leon carefully.

His long black hair fell to his shoulders.

His midnight robes were decorated with thin amethyst embroidery.

His purple eyes were calm.

There was no need for him to deliberately display his aura.

He simply stood there.

Yet the surrounding atmosphere naturally seemed to revolve around him.