An Old Man Named Alfred (2)

The force exuded by the old man was no joke. Aurora had passed out, while Leon was sprawled on all fours as the pressure kept increasing. Even Archduke Ferdinand had to support himself on the wall, while hunched down on one knee.

However, Radiant Light still didn't seem bothered at all as he sighed.

"Will you ever grow up? You old fart!"

For once, Alfred who had been unmoving like a statue suddenly twitched in annoyance.

"Old fart? Old fart?"

The old man stood up as he turned around and essentially bashed his head against Radiant Light, although neither of them moved.

"You're the old fart! I'm still in prime, while you are merely a thing of the past."

Radiant Light scoffed.

"If you were in your prime, you would've never had children."

As they argued, Radiant Light looked at Leon and the rest of them before suggesting to King Alfred.

"Shouldn't you contain your aura?"

Alfred realized he had forgotten about his aura that was currently suffocating anyone who wasn't on his level but tried to play it off as it would seem like he had actually become senile.

"Uh.. yeah, yeah. I just wanted to check their strengths and I must say that the younger generation has to work harder!"

The pressure that emanated from his body suddenly retracted, which made Leon finally breathe for air as if someone had lifted a giant boulder from crushing his body.

Meanwhile, Archduke Ferdinand had forgotten how scary his father was as the King usually kept his aura sealed. However, as he thought about it something strange occurred to him, so he stood back up as best as he could since his legs wobbled like jello.

"Father, if you were still this powerful how did you get jailed by Judas and that Corin scum?"

King Alfred smiled as he heard this question.

"It seems you finally came to an important realization. Yes, I could've easily defeated all the invading and rebelling forces, but what would be the fun in that. Plus, what I really needed to do was test my remaining sons.

With the previous heir dead, I had to choose between you and Judas, but I had my suspicions about Judas's character so I let everything get out of hand to see both of your movements and actions. What surprised me was the actions your brother took."

A face of disgust flashed across King Alfred's weathered face as he thought about his son's betrayal and the fact that he sold out his country for the sake of the crown to outside forces.

"Thankfully at least one of my sons seemed filial, although you have much to learn as your performance was quite lacking."

Shock colored the new Archduke's face for a split second until he hid his emotions back under a stoic and neutral face while nodding.

"I see."

Meanwhile, Alfred turned towards Radiant Light while gesturing to Leon.

"I see my son and granddaughter, but I don't believe I've ever met that brat before."

Radiant Light whispered something into the King's ear that no one could discern that caused Alfred's jaw to drop and suddenly turn towards Leon with a complex look on his face.

The king whispered something back to the tribal elder before they had an intense conversation that seemed to be blocked off from the rest of the world by some skill or magic.

After roughly ten minutes, the invisible barrier that seemed to block off sound soundlessly disappeared and the duo eyed Leon with a weird look until the King walked over.

As the King walked over with light footsteps that barely made a sound despite his large frame, Leon's heart rate started to rapidly speed up as he saw the intimidating man stride towards him.

A brief second felt like hours to Leon as Alfred finally arrived right in front of him, face to face. Alfred, who stood about eye level with Leon, sized him up with his piercing gaze that scanned him head to toe with an incomprehensible look on his face.

He gave a gruff grunt before he started to walk out of his cell while stretching his taut back muscles.

"Let us go ascend upstairs."

Archduke Ferdinand carried Aurora in his arms as the four ascended the deep dungeon until they found their way to the previous throne room, which was in complete ruins from the fight between the various powerhouses. Radiant Lights strike was especially visible as there was a huge gash in the floor and the ceiling was also gashed.

King Alfred looked at the damage before staring in annoyance at Radiant Light who shrugged his shoulders as if to say it wasn't his problem.

As the King entered the chamber, the numerous soldiers and knights that the Archduke had brought suddenly caught sight of the king before they all stopped what they were doing to bow and greet Alfred.

"We greet the King!"

The King scanned the soldiers before waving his hand to dismiss the soldiers and knights. He then sat down on the throne, which was the only thing perfectly unscathed and took a deep breath before speaking.

"I expect a complete debriefing and some answers to any questions I have so I will have to trouble you, folks, into staying here. I will be sure to assign you your accommodations and rewards, however, for repelling the coup."

A pair of guards guided Leon to a room next to Radiant Light. As the doors closed, Leon breathed a sigh that seemed to age him years as he sat down on the comfortable and lush bed before he slept.