Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 325

Chapter 325: EX 325. Shared Grief
Alexander’s yell thundered through the Imperial Throne Room.

“Why would you do something so foolish?!”

Three orbs floated before him, each showing the rulers of the other domains, but his eyes locked on the one displaying Eragon.

The Dragon Lord’s golden eye narrowed. “Are we going to ignore the fact that he attacked my people?”

Alexander’s rage flared. “Fuck your people!”

Even Eragon flinched. The other two rulers, Francis, the Beast Chief, and Elaine, the Elf Queen stayed silent, understanding why Alexander snapped.

Alexander’s voice cut through the silence. “Because of your stupid action, the boy has refused to tackle the Hallow. And you’re telling me he hurt your people? If the Hallow isn’t taken down, your people will be the least of our problems!”

Eragon chuckled, it was a low rumble that carried arrogance. “And here I thought he was mature. Endangering the world over a few marks on a person? Truly shameful behavior.”

Alexander clenched his jaw. He knew Eragon was prideful, but this level of ignorance bordered on madness.

“You really don’t understand personal ties, do you?” Alexander said coldly. “You’ve never had someone you cherish.”

Eragon tilted his head, studying the Emperor’s face. “And what exactly are you implying?”

“You hurt the boy’s woman,” Alexander said flatly.

The chamber went dead silent. Even the flicker of mana in the orbs seemed to dim.

Alexander continued, his tone sharp. “And you think he’s acting immature by not tackling the Hallow? Hah. How wrong you are. The boy chose to leave the Hallow because he has something to finish first.”

Eragon’s gaze hardened. “And that is?”

Alexander leaned forward slightly. “To take your head.”

The air in the throne room thickened.

Elaine’s calm voice broke the silence. “Eragon, we had an agreement, to help the boy because Pandora’s future depended on it. But you just had to ruin it for your selfish gains. If not for the distance between us, I’d stick a tree up your reptilian ass myself.”

The Elf Queen only ever swore; when she was truly furious and right now she was fuming.

“So,” Francis said, in a serious tone, “we all agree the Dragon Lord is removed from the alliance?”

Elaine and Alexander both nodded.

“Then the recruitment tournament will be held in the Beast Islands,” Francis said firmly.

Eragon’s image trembled within the orb. His voice rose, shaking with fury. “So you’ve all chosen the boy over me?”

No one answered.

Eragon’s lip curled into a dark smile. “Very well. You’ve declared war. I hope you’re ready to face the consequences.”

The orb blinked out and his image was gone.

Only the three rulers remained. Elaine sighed. “Wouldn’t it be wiser to go after him now, before he does something stupid?”

Alexander shook his head. “The boy asked to be the one to handle it.”

Francis crossed his arms. “You trust him that much? Eragon’s still a Rank 9 Lord.”

Alexander’s expression softened. “He’ll find a way.”

The other two shared a quiet look, then nodded. The discussion shifted, to the coming tournament, and to the Hallow that still threatened them all.

****

The throne room was quiet now. The council orbs had faded hours ago, leaving only the soft glow of crystal lanterns. Alexander sat slouched on his throne, one hand resting against his forehead. The exhaustion on his face wasn’t from the meeting, it was from guilt.

“I failed the boy,” he murmured.

He had promised to find Leon’s people. Promised to protect what little the boy cared about. Yet this… this had happened to her.

A voice echoed gently through the chamber interrupting his thought. “What has you all gloomy, Alexander?”

His eyes lifted toward the sound. “Genevieve? What are you doing here?”

The white-haired wolf woman stood at the entrance, her long tail brushing the floor as she walked closer. A faint, teasing smile played on her lips, though her golden eyes held pain.

“Could it be the Emperor has found another to warm his bed?” she said quietly.

Alexander sighed, tired more than offended. “It’s not like that, dear. I’m just… surprised. I thought you’d still be working on the spell to breach the barrier.”

“Oh, that?” She gave a little shrug. “I’m already done with it.”

His eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

She nodded. “I just finished.”

Alexander stared at her for a moment, disbelief flickering in his weary gaze. He knew how talented she was, but even then it was too fast. He had tried to assist her before but eventually left her alone, knowing the work was difficult even for him.

“You did well,” he said softly, standing to approach her. He laid a hand on her head. Her ears twitched, and her tail swayed as she leaned into his touch. For a moment, the room’s tension eased.

Then her golden eyes lifted to his. “What were you thinking about when I came in?”

She had been buried in research these past cycles, cut off from court matters. So when Alexander told her everything that had happened her gentle expression hardened.

“That fucking lizard,” she hissed.

The rare curse drew a small, fleeting smile from Alexander.

Genevieve caught his hand, her voice softening. “You don’t have to feel bad. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know,” he said quietly.

But even as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close, his mind drifted elsewhere.

‘I know it’s not my fault,’ he thought, ‘but those eyes… those eyes that looked ready to do anything for vengeance. I can’t help but feel I pushed him there.’

He exhaled slowly and hugged Genevieve back, trying to silence the storm inside him. The throne room remained still, two figures alone beneath the fading light, both carrying the weight of a world too heavy for one heart.

****

In the quiet city of Shantel, sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the old library, painting golden stripes across the wooden tables. Eden sat at one of them, a massive map of the Empire’s central territories spread open before him. His finger traced a faint path toward the capital.

Above him, Blessing hovered, her small wings fluttering as she studied the map with keen interest. The soft hum of her magic lingered in the air, until it broke.

A sudden, piercing shriek tore through the silence.

“Blessing!” Eden’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood.

She clutched her head, trembling, then collapsed onto the table. Her small frame convulsed slightly, her face twisted in agony.

Eden froze for a heartbeat before rushing to her side. “Hey—what’s wrong? Blessing!”

Their was no response. Her wings flickered weakly and her breathing became uneven. He could feel it, something terrible was happening inside her, but it wasn’t physical. It was deeper.

A wave of grief so raw and suffocating, that it seeped through the bond between them. It wasn’t hers. It wasn’t pain of the body but of the soul, a sorrow so heavy it almost crushed him just by being near it.