The Return of the Betrayed Heir

17

Alex stood in the heavy silence of the forest, raising his right wrist to inspect the final gift Osiris had left him. With a swift thought, his mana channels responded; the skin parted seamlessly as a dark forearm guard materialized, extending into a sleek, full-length blade. Three glowing ruby-like orbs were embedded near the hilt, radiating a dark, suffocating energy.

The weapon's name was **Greed**—a legendary blade born from pure desire and predation. It possessed the terrifying ability to consume the strength of those it killed and grant its wielder unique traits. In its current state, three distinct slots were unlocked:

1. **Slot 1 (Mist Lizard):** Grants passive, continuous high-tier regeneration derived from marsh beasts; any wound heals rapidly as long as the head remains attached.

2. **Slot 2 (Abyss Scorpion):** Coats the blade in a lethal neurotoxin drawn from cursed deep-sea scorpions—a poison with no known cure in the continent.

3. **Slot 3 (Night Hound):** Absolute presence erasure; completely dampens the user's heartbeat, breathing, and footfalls, turning them into an invisible phantom while moving.

Alex retracted the blade back beneath his skin, leaving no trace behind. *(This weapon is terrifying... If the knights of Edeya knew this existed, a full-scale war would break out just to claim it.)*

Tessarion spoke through their link: *(With this blade and your current mana control, not even a 3-Star mage or knight could stop you.)*

Alex headed back toward the estate. *(Especially once I master its skill combinations and minimize mana drain... This weapon must remain my absolute secret. Anyone who discovers it won't live to speak of it.)*

When Alex reached the outer courtyard, Lord Aenys stood alone beside a glowing, rift-like teleportation gate. Alex's packed bags rested beside him.

Aenys looked down into his son's crimson eyes. "Are you ready?"

"Ready," Alex replied simply.

Aenys stepped forward and rested a heavy hand on Alex's shoulder, his voice unusually soft. "You're on your own from here on... Take care of yourself, son."

Alex picked up his bags and, without another word, took a deep breath and stepped through the glowing threshold.

The scenery vanished instantly, replaced by a sprawling marble plaza framed by breathtaking architecture carved directly from giant trees and pink marble. Rising before him were the magnificent spires of the **Elf Kingdom**.

Alex set his bag down and smirked faintly. *(I never even made it to this courtyard in my past life... Back then, our campaign stalled at the mountain fortresses.)*

Tessarion chuckled. *(Well, their armies weren't push-overs.)*

*(It wouldn't take me more than five minutes to take him down,)* Alex thought privately, keeping a polite expression. *(He's barely a 3-Star combatant, and I know every structural flaw in elf battle formations.)*

Three elf guards stepped forward in synchronized motion, clad in elegant emerald armor and wielding silver-tipped spears.

"You are the dragon descendant from the House of Dragonblood, correct?" the lead guard asked formally.

"I am," Alex replied coldly.

The lead guard placed a hand over his chest. "I am Captain Oz. Welcome to our realm."

Alex offered a rehearsed smile. "A pleasure, Captain Oz. I've never seen elf guards with such presence. You seem formidable."

Oz swelled with pride, flattered that praise came from a dragon bloodline—even if from a child.

Tessarion laughed in Alex's mind: *(Look at him puffing his chest over cheap flattery! Weak creatures.)*

Oz gestured toward the grand archway. "Follow me. The royal family awaits inside."

As Alex walked behind them, he noticed the path was completely devoid of any royals or high nobles greeting him. He paused, asking casually, "Is no member of the royal family here to receive me?"

Captain Oz stiffened slightly before answering, "They are... busy with state affairs inside the palace."

Alex tilted his head, his tone laced with subtle mockery. "How strange... A descendant of the Dragonblood line arrives at your gates, and you send only guards? Is this how the Elf Kingdom demonstrates hospitality?"

Oz swallowed hard, irritation flaring in his chest. *(This brat speaks as if he's a crowned king!)*

Oz turned around, glaring down at Alex. "What are you trying to imply, boy?"

"I'm implying nothing," Alex replied coldly. "I'm simply reminding you of etiquette taught in noble houses. Or does the Elf Royal Family not teach its line how to show proper respect?"

Losing his temper, Oz forgot himself and swung a heavy fist straight at Alex's face!

Alex could have easily dodged the blow, but he deliberately stood his ground, letting the punch strike his cheek to knock him to the floor, playing the victim.

"Watch your tongue, brat!" Oz barked as the other guards rushed to hold him back. "You don't get to insult our royals!"

Alex slowly pushed himself up, wiping a streak of blood from his cheek with a dark, chilling smile. "I insulted no one. I merely stated protocol."

"A arrogant dragon child has no right to lecture us!" Oz spat.

In that split second, Alex's eyes flashed crimson. A suffocating wave of killing intent exploded from his frame as Tessarion's shadow loomed behind him, crimson flames dancing in the dragon's jaws. Alex drew his dark blade in a flash, resting the cold steel directly against Oz's throat!

A wave of absolute terror paralyzed the guards. Oz froze, cold sweat pouring down his neck.

"Tell me, Oz..." Alex whispered in his ear, his voice dripping with malice. "Should I take your head right now? Or should I let my dragon eat you alive as a lesson?"

"Stand down!" a deep, commanding voice boomed from the corridor.

Everyone turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered elf with deep ocean-blue eyes and braided silver hair stepping into the courtyard. Authority radiated from his very presence.

Alex recognized him instantly: *(The Elf King himself... Zephyr Arwen.)*

Alex retracted his killing intent as Tessarion dissolved back into the shadows. The guards dropped to their knees immediately. "Your Majesty!"

Oz tried to kneel as well, but Alex pressed the tip of his sword slightly deeper into his skin, drawing a bead of blood. "Move a single inch, elf, and your head rolls."

King Zephyr stopped, his gaze sharp. "What is the meaning of this?"

Oz shouted frantically, "Your Majesty! This boy insulted the royal family and attacked us!"

Alex burst into a loud, mocking laugh before sheathing his blade smoothly.

King Zephyr turned to him. "What do you find amusing, young one?"

"It's amusing how this guard struck me first, and now lies to your face," Alex said calmly.

Zephyr noticed the bruise forming on Alex's cheek and turned a cold glare toward the other two guards. "Speak. What happened?"

One of the guards stammered in fear, "Your Majesty... the young noble asked why no royals were present to receive him. Captain Oz lost his temper and struck him first... then the young noble drew his weapon."

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, piecing it together instantly: *(The boy manipulated Oz into striking first, then unleashed killing intent no six-year-old should possess unless they've survived a war. He's exactly as Aenys described.)*

King Zephyr offered an unexpected apology before his men. "I apologize on behalf of my guards, Alex. They acted out of line. I should have sent my son to receive you personally as protocol dictates."

The guards gasped in shock at their king apologizing to a human child.

Alex slung his bag over his shoulder and smiled faintly as he walked past the king. "Think nothing of it, Your Majesty... I'm just glad I exercised enough restraint not to kill him."

Zephyr watched the boy walk into the palace, thinking quietly to himself: *(It seems your stay here won't be as quiet as your parents hoped, Alex...)*