chapter 8 Return of the God King

Looking at the five fully armed Shadow Thorns in front of him, Jedrek continued to advance.
As he moved forward, the group immediately noticed them.
"Shadow, Shadow Thorn!"
One person whispered.
Then, someone caught sight of Jedrek, and like Gregg, they couldn't believe what they were seeing!
After one person recognized him, he excitedly rubbed his eyes, then knelt with enthusiasm, "Commander Aeneas of the Wolf Tooth Guardsman, pays homage to the Red Dragon and welcomes my king back!"
As he knelt, voices followed one after another,
"Baqer, the Wolf Tooth Guardsman, pays homage to the Red Dragon and welcomes my king back!"
"Jirani, the vanguard, pays homage to the Red Dragon and welcomes my king back!"
"Teleri, the Divine Martial Guardsman, pays homage to the Red Dragon..."
“Dominy, the Vanguard..."
“Robert, the Combat Duty..."
"Chiazam, the Falcon Guard..."
"..."
One by one, figures, eager eyes, and shouts filled the air. Wherever Jedrek went and wherever he looked, everyone knelt!
Jedrek, driven by his desire for revenge, was also touched in that moment.
The five shadow thorns trailing behind him remained silent throughout, not even a sound of footsteps.
Surveying the crowd, Jedrek's calm and steady voice commanded, "Rise."
"Yes Sir!" The unified response echoed loudly!
All the figures rose together, parting to create a path, gazing at Jedrek with fervor.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the building, Awenasa, being led upstairs, also heard the commotion. Startled by the overwhelming sound, she glanced out the window but only saw a group of people and distant figures.
"That…"
"Don't ask, don't tell."
Awenasa nodded in understanding, pursed her lips, and continued up the stairs.
Downstairs, Jedrek had already made his way out of the crowd, but as he approached the car, a Jeep suddenly pulled up in front.
Jedrek's eyes narrowed as he released the car door and paused.
The jeep opposite also came to a stop ten meters away, and then, a figure emerged. Adorned in black attire with a cloak draped over her shoulders, and a crow mask hanging, she possessed stunning white hair and exquisite features. Her beauty was ethereal, with porcelain-like skin that seemed divinely crafted.
She gazed at Jedrek with intense eyes, advancing step by step, clutching a box.
Jedrek observed her quietly, his expression composed.
Yet, the five shadow thorns behind Jedrek swiftly aligned and stood taller. Removing their crow masks, they hung them on their left shoulders like the woman, standing in silence.
Approaching Jedrek, the woman knelt on one knee, gazing up at him with enthusiasm and excitement. "Wisdom God of the Shadow Thorn, I welcome the return of my king!" she exclaimed.
Jedrek extended his hand to assist her, a hint of gentleness softening his stern visage. "My dragon mask?" he inquired.
The Wisdom God nodded eagerly.
Opening the box gently, a mask adorned with intricate patterns emerged before him.
It was predominantly white, with intricate red designs covering most of the right and left sides, exuding a strange yet captivating allure.
"Eighty-nine dragon patterns, Red dragon, welcome back!" declared the Wisdom God, brimming with excitement.
Jedrek nodded, reaching for the dragon mask and donning it with a swift motion.
At that moment, the Wisdom God, the Shadow Thorn before him, and the numerous warriors behind him, all exuded excitement.
The Red Dragon, now wearing the dragon mask, embodied true power, leading them to conquer all foes and reign supreme!
Jedrek closed his eyes briefly, relishing the familiar sensation. The faint scent of blood emanated from the pattern on the dragon mask, a mark engraved upon every worthy adversary he had vanquished.
Abruptly, Jedrek's eyes snapped open, a cold and merciless voice echoing from behind the mask, "Mid Capital, Phoenix District, Fourth Courtyard!"
"War!"
Hundreds cheered as Jedrek swiftly entered his car. Wisdom God's eyes lost their fervor as the vehicle departed, morphing into a cold, ruthless gaze akin to Jedrek's.
Retrieving her communicator, she uttered icily, "Target for engagement: Fourth Courtyard, Phoenix District, Mid Capital."
The directive resonated, prompting drums to echo in the mountainous region by Mid Capital, heralding the Divine Martial Guardsman's mobilization.
Boom, boom, boom!
Thunderous beats filled the air, summoning a thousand warriors and divine fighters to assemble on the training grounds after nine resounding echoes.
Amidst the gathering, Commander Duvall's exhilarated voice pierced the scene, "By the Red Dragon's decree..."
At the mention of the "Red Dragon's Decree," the divine guards collectively raised their heads, eyes brimming with disbelief.
The Red Dragon had returned?!
Duvall proclaimed, "Our objective: Mid Capital. The Divine Martial Guardsman shall lead as the vanguard for my king!"
"War!"
Thousands roared, a thunderous cry that pierced the sky!
In an instant, everyone embarked on the journey, leaving the mountainous region behind as they headed straight for Mid Capital.
Far away in Woodland, the Wisdom God set aside her communicator, gazing up at the heavens. She sensed that the king's return would reverberate across the land.
Two hours later, Jedrek arrived at the entrance to the Fourth Courtyard of Phoenix District in Mid-Capital.
By then, the Divine Martial Guardsmen had cordoned off the entire Fourth Courtyard.
As Jedrek approached, Duvall, his eyes fixed on the familiar dragon mask, welled up with tears of joy. The other guardsmen stationed at the courtyard's main gate shared his emotion.
At that moment, there was no doubt in their minds—the Red Dragon had returned!
Jedrek's gaze, filled with icy resolve, locked onto the courtyard gate.
Ascending the stairs with Shadow Thorn's guidance, he soon reached the pediatric department on the third floor.
No patients lingered outside the clinic. Instructing Shadow Thorn to stand guard, Jedrek pushed open the clinic door.
Inside, a middle-aged man with glasses and a dignified air sat writing.
Having received intelligence from Klein, Jedrek immediately recognized the figure before him—it was the man he sought, Klein.
"Doctor Dominy?" Jedrek's voice was steely.
Perplexed, Klein raised his head, meeting Jedrek's dragon-masked stare. Frowning, he inquired, "Are you a relative of a patient?"
Seated across from Klein, Jedrek regarded him coolly. "Yes, I am. My daughter was under Doctor Dominy's care two years ago. Following the treatment, she developed liver cancer. Doctor Dominy, do you recall?"
Klein's expression shifted abruptly. Guilt flooded his conscience, a burden he had carried for a month. How could he forget?
Yet, the lure of 40,000 dollars outweighed his moral qualms, prompting him to bury the truth deep within.
Now exposed, he cast a furtive glance at the closed door. Breathing a sigh of relief, he feigned ignorance, saying nonchalantly, "I'm afraid I don't follow what you're referring to."