Chapter 97: 97 — Stay Behind Me
Zayden’s hands tightened slightly around Ren, not from fear but from instinct, protectively, although he couldn’t understand why.
"Stay close," he said, almost to himself. His breath brushed against Ren’s neck, warm but tense.
Ren didn’t answer. He could feel the weight of Zayden’s figure, grounding yet suffocating. His red eyes focused on the dark opening ahead, where even the shadows seemed to fear entering.
A low hiss echoed from inside the cave. The horse snorted and stepped back slightly. Ren tensed, muscles tense, ready for whatever waited inside.
"Shh," Zayden whispered, his voice sharp now, commanding as a hand caressed his horse.
"Whatever you do, don’t make a sound." He looked at his other knights, who nodded.
Ren slowly dismounted the horse, followed by the other soldiers.
From the cold stone beneath the cave’s entrance, voices seemed to echo, as if alive—someone was waiting for them. And somewhere deep inside, Ren knew Eiran was here—he just had to find him before it was too late.
Zayden descended from the horse while Ren tied the animal to a nearby tree.
Duke Danman approached Zayden, although his gaze lingered on Ren. The two appeared strangely intimate during the journey. However, if this man was a beta, as every report on him stated, didn’t it mean that the General was lusting after someone who couldn’t birth his heir? If so, whose son was Eiran?
"Let’s go," Zayden commanded, grabbing the hilt of his sword.
"Yes, Sir," the knights replied in unison, pulling their blades from their scabbards.
Duke Danman followed the knights nonchalantly, as if nothing could hurt him.
Ren looked at them, frozen. He hadn’t brought a sword with him. Would he be left behind because of that?
Another mistake.
His gaze flickered downward on the grass.
"Does someone have a spare sword?" the General asked.
From the crowd of soldiers, a young woman stepped forward, handing over her sword.
Zayden raised an eyebrow, confused.
"What about yours?"
"I have created one with my magic," she grinned.
"Alright," he said, taking the sword and extending it toward Ren.
The servant didn’t know whether to take it or not. He stood there, frozen like a statue.
The Duke’s lips curled into a grin. This servant could be the General’s weakness. But so was the boy. Otherwise, this demon wouldn’t have sent so many knights just to retrieve a child.
Pathetic.
He had gone through the hassle to abduct the child. Yet, he hadn’t been able to negotiate anything in return, but it didn’t matter anymore. There were other ways to get what he wanted. And once he had it, neither the General nor his little servant would stand in his way.
He folded his arms, exhaling slowly.
"Haah..." Zayden sighed. "You will die if they attack you, you know?"
Ren nodded, taking the blade from Zayden. He nervously held the hilt, his hands slightly trembling. It had been a while since he last held a sword, and the General’s training had only just begun—only to be interrupted by the Crown Prince’s sudden visit and the banquet.
Zayden noticed but didn’t bother to ease the servant’s worries. His concern now was Eiran’s safety.
"If you come across my son, you better protect him," he ordered, his voice sharp, before carefully stepping into the cave.
Ren hadn’t noticed the large cave hidden behind the towering trees. Maybe... his child was there? His heart raced with anticipation as he followed the General, his gaze shifting left and right for any sign of danger.
The moment they stepped deeper into the cave, monsters lunged from the shadows. Their claws scraped against the rocky floor, their eyes glinting in the dim light.
Ren drew his sword, moving alongside the other knights as if he had done this not once but countless times, slashing as Zayden led the charge. The air turned heavy with the scent of blood and the echo of monstrous snarls.
A beast leapt from the darkness, its fangs aimed straight for Ren’s shoulder. The silver-haired man twisted just in time—but a knight behind him had aimed a heavy strike to slash its head, almost hitting him by accident.
Before the sword could graze Ren, a blast of scarlet light erupted from Zayden’s outstretched hand. Magic surged in a protective shield, stopping the blade inches from the servant’s skin.
Time seemed to freeze. The knights and the Duke froze mid-battle, eyes wide.
Zayden, the Imperial General, had never used his powers so openly in front of them—especially not to protect a servant.
The Duke’s lips twisted into a grin. This servant could be useful!
Ren’s pulse raced, half from the near miss, half from shock at what he had just seen.
But they didn’t have time to dwell on it. More monsters emerged, snarling and leaping. Blades clashed against their sharp claws, sparks flew, and the cave echoed with the chaos of battle. Ren fought side by side with the knights, while Zayden moved with murderous intent, protecting his men and pressing forward relentlessly.
After what felt like an eternity, the monsters finally scattered. Some knights collapsed, panting heavily, sweat and blood staining their armor. Others leaned against the walls, catching their breath. Duke Danman, although he had barely fought, panted heavily, standing beside the knights.
"Are you done?" Zayden asked, eyes scanning the group.
They all nodded, exhausted.
"You can rest. I will go find my son," he said, his voice calm although his heart raced.
Ren’s hand tightened on his sword.
"Are you even sure he is here?"
Zayden’s gaze snapped toward him, sharp.
"Are you saying I came here in vain?"
Ren forced a small shrug, hiding his nervousness.
"It is not impossible."
Irritation flared in Zayden’s eyes. Ren locked gaze, knowing very well he had struck a nerve. That was exactly what he wanted. If the General’s temper was riled, he would insist Ren come along to prove his words, and they could search together properly for Eiran and his child.
Zayden’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking toward Ren. For a brief moment, the anger threatened to boil over, but he took a steadying breath.
"Fine," he said finally, voice low and controlled. "You’re coming. But stay close. One misstep, and you’ll regret it."
Ren’s heart thumped in relief. He nodded silently, tightening his grip on the sword.
The General led the way deeper into the cave.
With every step, the darkness itself seemed to be trying to push them back. They passed pools of black water and twisted roots, the silence occasionally broken by distant growls that hinted at monsters lurking just beyond sight.
Ren stayed alert, scanning every inch of the cave. He couldn’t afford to miss a single movement—not when Eiran could be somewhere inside, vulnerable and scared. Or his child, the egg.
Zayden’s hand brushed briefly against his back, a subtle reminder to stay close. Ren flinched at the contact, heart hammering, but he didn’t pull away.
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the cave. Dust and small stones fell from the ceiling as a deep growl resonated from within. Ren’s grip on the sword tightened, and Zayden’s eyes narrowed.
"I believe they are close," Zayden murmured. "Stay behind me. And do not make a sound."