The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 204

A thick layer of snow covered the forest floor, muffling every step and sound. Trees loomed like silent watchers, their branches heavy with frost. Just ahead, a giant crater spread across the land, a deep wound in the ground, surrounded by towering walls built to shield the nearby base. It was cold, still, but something dangerous stirred in the woods.

Inside the walls, a squad of guards were on alert. Among them were Gare, Baret, and young Chris, no longer the unsure kid he had once been. Their eyes were sharp, their movements steady. Today wasn't just about survival—it was a coordinated hunt.

The forest echoed with a low growl. The monsters had come.

A pack of them burst through the treeline—twisted, hulking beasts with bone spikes along their backs and red, glowing eyes. Without hesitation, the three hunters charged forward together.

"Now!" Gare shouted.

He swung his sword low, slashing through the first creature's leg with practiced ease. His movements were efficient and sharp, his blade glowing faintly with a mana-infused edge. Years of experience shaped every step he took.

Baret dashed in from the side, his long sword spinning like a wheel. He had developed a new grip style, using both hands for control and spinning for power. With a roar, he cut down another monster, its thick hide no match for his well-timed strike.

Chris, once the most inexperienced of them, now moved with surprising speed. He didn't have their raw strength, but he had agility and sharp eyes. Sliding under a monster's claw, he drove his short blade straight into its gut. He flipped back before it fell, landing beside Gare.

"Keep to the formation!" Baret shouted.

"Got it!" Chris replied, breathing hard but focused.

The group moved as one—striking, pulling back, circling around. They didn't give the monsters time to regroup.

Gare broke through a smaller one's defense and knocked it down with a hard elbow, while Chris finished it off from behind. Baret held the right flank, facing two beasts at once. He blocked their strikes, ducked a tail swipe, then parried a claw and countered with a clean upward slice.

The monsters screeched in pain and anger, but it was too late. The trio had them cornered, and they didn't stop until every last one lay silent in the snow.

Up above, a man stood near the edge of the wall, holding a steaming mug of coffee. He watched the fight quietly, his breath forming clouds in the cold air.

"It seems they have improved quite well in the past month," he said softly.

"Truly noteworthy," said another voice beside him.

A third man stood nearby, eyes dull and lifeless. He gave a tired sigh and added, "In terms of talents they don't stand out, but what makes them different is their courage, determination, and bravery."

He paused for a yawn, then muttered, "However, who knows how long this can carry them. After all, bravery is often considered the talent of the fool."

The man with the coffee chuckled, then went silent. He stared out at the forest again, watching the three figures regroup and return to the wall.

"Knowing whom they are following," he finally said, a small smile tugging at his lips, "I won't be surprised learning they have a few screws loose."

...…

Sia, the maid of the inn, had come up after hearing the noise. The moment she saw the upstairs, her eyes widened and her face went pale. Blood was everywhere—on the walls, the floor, and soaking the torn clothes of the men lying lifeless. Her hands flew to her mouth as she let out a sharp scream.

"KYAAAAAA!"

She stumbled back, trembling, her whole body frozen in fear.

She turned to run, but froze when a cold voice echoed behind her.

"Don't worry. It's over... I have already got rid of them."

Sia's shoulders stiffened. Her lips trembled as she turned halfway and murmured softly.

"Uh... I see..."

Her eyes darted across the bloody floor, unsure where to look. She gulped, then forced herself to speak.

"Do... Do you need something?"

"Yes. A strong coffee," Kael replied calmly, wiping blood off his hand.

"Y-Yes sir!" she blurted and quickly rushed downstairs, nearly slipping in her haste. Her legs shook as she clutched the railing, desperate to put distance between herself and the horror above.

Kael glanced around the upper floor of the inn.

"Thankfully, due to the commotion caused, there is no one left in the inn."

He stretched his hand forward and called out, voice calm but sharp.

"Lyria, stop peeking. I know you are awake. Come out."

CLANG!

The door creaked open. Lyria stepped out with a blank face, her fiery red hair tousled.

"I wasn't peeking. I was just observing," she said flatly, eyes cold but curious.

Kael gave a small nod and walked toward the scar-faced man who lay slumped against the wall. The man was crawling back on his elbows, his eyes wide and wet. His body shook as he tried to speak, breath ragged.

"N-No... don't come to me...!"

He raised his trembling hands, begging.

"Don't kill me... I'll do everything you say!"

Kael stopped in front of him, his gaze steady and cold.

"Then tell me... what's your name, scar-eye?"

The man flinched and croaked out weakly.

"B-Bob..."

Kael inched closer to Bob and bent down, grabbing Bob's hand.

He rubbed it gently, his touch almost calm, but it sent a shock of fear straight through Bob's heart. Bob jolted, his body twitching in panic as sweat poured down his face. Kael chuckled at the reaction.

"Your reaction… I like it," Kael said with a light laugh. But then his face shifted, turning dark and ominous. Bob saw the change and swallowed hard, his throat dry.

"Now… tell me," Kael paused, giving Bob a sharp look.

"Why did you bring your goons here? Was it because of yesterday's thing… or something else? I heard them mention a bounty."

Bob's eyes flickered with hesitation. He looked down and then up, his lips trembling.

"You… you don't know?"

"Huh?" Kael's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"What did I miss?" he asked, glancing at Lyria.

Lyria blinked and shook her head.

"I don't know."

"I wasn't asking," Kael muttered and turned his gaze back to Bob.

Bob looked at him, still trembling.

"You don't know… or are you pretending before you start torturing me?" Bob asked, voice shaky.

Kael ignored the guy's rambling and asked"Did someone place a bounty on me yesterday? Was it you?"

"Of course not!" Bob yelled, placing his hand on his chest.

Kael shifted slightly, and Bob instantly screamed.

"STOPPP! I'm pulling out the wanted poster, not some weapon!"

Kael froze, raising a curious brow.

Bob, with shaky hands, pulled out a piece of old, sickly paper. It smelled like rotting wood and damp air. He handed it to Kael with trembling fingers.

Kael took it, opened it… and the moment his eyes landed on it, they widened in shock. His jaw dropped.

"What the fuck?!" he yelled, voice echoing through the blood-stained hallway.

Kael stared at the wanted poster in disbelief. His eyes scanned the rough sketch of his face—sharp jawline, cold eyes, and a scar under his left brow. Across the top, bold red letters screamed:

"WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE.

REWARD: 50,000 GOLD COINS

His veins pulsed as he gripped the poster tighter. The paper crinkled under his fingers, the dry texture of it rubbing against his skin. He could feel the sweat forming on his palms—not from fear, but from pure, boiling rage.

"What... is this shit?" he muttered. His voice was low, but it carried the weight of a storm.

He turned slowly to Bob, his eyes glowing with fury. freёwebnoѵel.com

"Which piece of shit did this?!" Kael suddenly exploded, slamming the poster into the wall. The sound cracked like a whip, and the old wooden boards behind groaned under the impact.

Bob flinched so hard he nearly fell backward. He raised both hands like a terrified child caught stealing.

"I-I don't know! I swear!" Bob's voice shook, and his lips quivered.

"But it's true! The posters—they're all over town. No... it might have already spread across the entire Heinzen Empire!"

Kael stepped closer, his glare sharp as a blade.

"What do you mean all over? I haven't seen a single one in the other regions! Are you lying to me?"

"N-No!" Bob backed away, his legs trembling, and his eyes darting toward the exit like a cornered animal.

"The noble regions won't allow them! It's against imperial law if it's posted by anyone else except the noble authority! That's why you never saw one."

He swallowed hard, voice growing faster with panic.

"The posters are circulated in towns linked to the underworld—places where law barely matters. They're nailed up in back alleys, tavern basements, even whorehouses. Unless you've visited such places, you'd never know!"

Kael's fists clenched tight enough to pop his knuckles. His muscles tensed as if ready to pounce.

Bob, gasping for breath, added,

"In fact... a lot of bounty hunters have already moved out to search for you. According to the rumors, no one's found you yet. You're a ghost to them."

Those words hit Kael like a hammer. His body stilled, his chest rising and falling with each slow, angry breath. His eyes dimmed for a moment as he processed the weight of it.

Then—boom.

An invisible surge of killing intent burst from him like a shockwave. The wooden floor beneath his boots cracked and split. Dust from the ceiling rained down lightly.

His voice was ice-cold, but burning with wrath.

"They think they can hunt me like a beast?" he whispered.

"They want a monster?"

Kael's face twisted into a cold smile.

"Then I'll show them one."

"Bob, lead me to the underworld.I want to see who dared to place a bounty on me?"