Devourer's Legacy: I Regressed With The Primordial Crest-Chapter 30: Aftermath (2)

A plain white ceiling.

That was the first thing Renard saw when he opened his eyes.

He stared blankly at it for a moment, his mind sluggish, before a curse escaped his lips.

"Fuck!"

He jerked upright, but the moment he moved, pain ripped through his body. It felt like fire was coursing through his veins, his wounds screaming in protest. His muscles cramped, his head spun, and for a second, he almost collapsed.

But he caught himself against the edge of the bed.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up.

He didn't care about the pain.

He didn't care about how messed up his body was.

He had only one thought in mind.

Aria.

He ran.

His feet barely found balance, but he ran anyway. The pain didn't matter. His own well-being didn't matter.

The few guards outside saw him, their eyes widening in shock, but none dared to stop him. Perhaps it was the look on his face—the desperation, the sheer urgency—that made them step aside.

Renard's heart was hammering against his ribs as he finally reached a certain door.

He shoved it open—not caring about the guards standing on either side—and rushed in.

His breath caught in his throat.

There she was.

His little sister, Aria, sleeping soundly on the bed, her small chest rising and falling in calm, steady breaths.

Renard staggered, his legs giving out beneath him as he collapsed on the floor, panting hard.

She's fine.

The thoughts that had almost consumed him receded. The weight that had been crushing his chest lifted, if only slightly.

Only then did he take a proper look at himself.

He was a mess.

Wounds covered his body—burn marks, deep gashes, bruises. His essence paths were in shambles, his entire body aching like it had been put through hell and back.

I fucked up.

He had gambled everything on awakening Zain, but in the process, he had nearly gotten himself killed.

And worse—he had almost let his sister face that same fate again.

That thought alone was enough to shake him to his core.

A bitter taste filled his mouth. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him.

But then—another thought hit him.

What about Zain?

Renard, who had just barely sat down, tensed again.

His body screamed at him to stop, but he was already preparing to run out the door—

Until he saw the figure standing in front of him.

Lord Agusthus.

His grandfather.

Renard froze.

Lord Agusthus stood tall, his expression unreadable. But there was something dangerous in his gaze—a mixture of anger and sorrow.

Renard suddenly felt like a child again, standing before the towering figure of his grandfather.

Lord Agusthus hadn't spoken yet, but his presence alone was oppressive.

For a man who had no male successors, Renard and Aria were the only heirs to his bloodline. His only grandchildren.

And to see them hurt—within his own territory at that, it had enraged him beyond words.

He had already dispatched the Knights of Draemir to hunt down the bastard who fled.

And as for the festival?

It was canceled with the announcement of Askeledd's victory.

But Askeledd never even stayed for the rewards.

The man had simply vanished.

Renard swallowed, feeling the weight of his grandfather's wrath in the silence.

Finally, Lord Agusthus spoke.

"The Bloodhound guards are receiving treatment from the priests."

His voice was calm, but there was something heavy beneath the surface.

"One is in critical condition, but the girl—Sara—is stable. It seems she managed to block most of the damage using her artifact."

Renard felt a wave of emotions crash over him at those words.

Relief. Because Sara was alive—and because she had managed to shield herself from the worst of the attack.

Guilt. Because Zain was still fighting for his life while he was lying here, relatively safe.

And most of all—Gratitude.

Without them, both he and Aria would have died.

They had risked everything to protect them.

Renard clenched his fists. He wanted to thank her, to let her know that he owed her a debt he could never repay.

But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the man standing in front of him.

Lord Agusthus walked forward, sitting beside Aria and gently placing a hand on her head.

She was so small compared to him.

His massive hand could cover her entire face.

For a moment, he simply stayed there, watching over her.

Then he continued.

"The suspect escaped the scene, but the Bloodhounds are already on his trail."

He turned his piercing gaze back to Renard.

"I should have taken more measures to protect you."

His voice was low, almost regretful.

Renard wanted to say it wasn't his fault, that he had planned this on his own, but the words never left his mouth.

Because he knew.

No matter what he said, it wouldn't change how his grandfather felt.

Lord Agusthus' eyes hardened.

"You are too reckless, Renard."

His voice was sharper this time.

"Do you think I can face my daughter if anything happens to either of you while you are under my care?"

Renard flinched.

His mother.

He hadn't thought about her in a long time, but his grandfather had never stopped thinking about her.

That was why—

"From now on, Kasim will personally guard you."

Renard's breath hitched.

Kasim— the shadow of Draemir—was now his personal bodyguard?

That was...

He was about to smile, thinking about how much easier it would be to move around with such a strong person by his side—

Until he heard the next words.

"And you are forbidden from going out until the Awakening Ceremony."

Renard's entire body stiffened.

No.

No, no, no!

That couldn't happen!

Even if this time, things hadn't gone as planned, there were still so many things he needed to do! If he was placed under house arrest, it would ruin everything!

He had to convince him.

"But Grandfather—"

"This is an order."

Lord Agusthus didn't let him finish.

Renard froze, his words caught in his throat.

A heavy silence followed.

The decision had been made.

Lord Agusthus turned to Kasim, who had already appeared silently behind Renard.

"You understand what you must do, right?"

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Kasim bowed slightly.

"Yes, my Lord."

And with that—

Lord Agusthus stormed out.

---***---