The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 22 - :The Unwanted Dogs

The Unwanted Dogs

"Sir, I brought the men you asked for."

Kael hummed in acknowledgment while his fingers rhythmically tapping against his arm.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

The soft noise was the only thing breaking the heavy silence in the room. It felt like the air itself had frozen, holding its breath.

Kael squinted his eyes, rubbing his chin as he observed the five men standing stiffly before him. His gaze slowly traced over them, noting their injuries, their expressions, and their stance.

After a moment, his lips curled into an amused smirk.

"I remember cutting off the arms of two..." His voice was light, almost casual. "So why the hell are there three?"

A suffocating silence descended upon the room. The men shifted uncomfortably, their gazes darting around as if trying to find an escape.

"It's three including me."

It was Baret who finally broke the tension as he swallowed nervously.

"Ohh! I forgot that!"Kael chuckled and then got up.

"It seems the healer patched you up correctly. At least the Grand Duke had shown you mercy."

Kael took a leisurely step forward, his voice still holding that unnerving playfulness.

"Do you understand your situation?" He smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"You're abandoned dogs now. Worthless. Discarded. I wouldn't be surprised if you dropped dead tomorrow, forgotten by the very people you served."

Barry, one of the men, visibly stiffened, his jaw clenching as he looked at his comrades with a sorrowful gaze.

Kael took another step forward, tilting his head slightly.

"Tell me your names."

The first man, the one Kael had personally beaten, cleared his throat, his voice hesitant.

"I... I am Garl."

The Five Knights

Garl was broad-shouldered man with messy dark hair and a permanent scowl on his rugged face. He had a scar across his cheek and stood at about 6 feet tall, his frame thick with muscle.

Barry was a lean man, slightly shorter than Garl at 5'9, with sharp brown eyes and a thin mustache. His face was pale, almost sickly, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

Julius was the tallest of the group, standing 6'2, with blond hair slicked back and a strong jawline. His posture was rigid, and his eyes held a sense of old discipline that hadn't quite faded.

Oren was a red-haired man with a crooked nose, probably broken in a fight, and freckles dusting his cheeks. He was slightly hunched, looking more like a street thug than a knight.

Gare was A slim, wiry man, his short black hair neatly trimmed, and his dark eyes flickering with intelligence. Unlike the others, he didn't seem scared, rather he looked calculating.

Kael nodded after hearing their names, his gaze sweeping over them once more.

"If you're willing, you can follow me. I won't mistreat you."

The five men exchanged glances, hesitating. It was a gamble as they were no longer knights, no longer bound by duty. But in this world, following someone powerful was better than starving in the streets.

The silence stretched until Gare took a step forward, his voice steady.

"Sir, I will serve you with all my heart."

Kael's smile widened, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"You're a clever and sly bastard, aren't you?" He chuckled, patting Gare's shoulder. "I like that."

Seeing Gare's decision, the others hesitated no longer. One by one, they stepped forward, bowing slightly in acknowledgment.

Kael's grin deepened. "Good. Now we're all in the same boat."

Turning to Baret, Kael snapped his fingers.

"Go and arrange a carriage for me."

Baret blinked in confusion. "What for, Sir?"

Kael's expression didn't change, but his eyes grew sharper, his smile taking on a dangerous edge.

"Do I need to answer that?" His voice was calm, almost lazy, but the chill in his tone sent shivers down Baret's spine.

"Of course not!" Baret yelped, his back straightening instantly as he turned and bolted from the room.

Kael watched him go, clicking his tongue.

"Tsk! What a spineless bastard."

His gaze shifted back to the five men, his expression cool and composed.

"Don't be like him. Be brave."

The five men straightened, their backs a little stiffer.

Kael's grin returned as he turned, already planning his next move.

......

Kael stood still with arms crossed and his foot tapped impatiently against the floor.

"What is this guy doing? Does it take this much time to arrange a carriage?" He muttered, irritation creeping into his voice.

At that moment, Gare spoke up, his tone casual but sharp.

"Someone might be bullying him... or they aren't allowing you to leave."

Kael's expression stiffened. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it sounded.

'Tsk! That spineless idiot. Did he get himself in trouble again?'

His turned sharply.

"Gare!"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Follow me."

The other four knights glanced at one another, sensing Kael's rising annoyance.

Before they could ask, Kael flicked his hand dismissively.

"You four, go heal your wounds. If anyone bullies you, just say my name. Though..." He smirked. "You still might get beaten up. But don't worry, I'll avenge you."

The knights gave weak chuckles, but the hint of sincerity in Kael's voice made them feel a little more at ease.

Without waiting for a reply, Kael and Gare headed out, their footsteps echoing in the stone corridors.

The moment they stepped outside, they saw a crowd gathering near the stable.

Gare narrowed his eyes and whispered. "I think our assumptions were correct."

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Kael's frown deepened, his irritation spiking.

'These mtherfckers... Do they not understand? Do I need to strip them naked and hang them in the estate as a warning sign?'

'Just how long am I gonna underestimate..'

"FUCK!"

"I swear that I am gonna kill every fucking piece of garbage today if they annoyed me."

Gare who was following Kael felt a chill on hearing this.

Kael fingers moved to unbutton his cuffs, his body naturally shifting into fighter mode as he prepared to break a few bones. But then—

His steps froze mid-way.

Gare also stopped in confusion, his eyes widening at the unexpected sight before them.

Standing at the center of the commotion was none other than Baret with his sword casually resting on his shoulder displaying an air of authority around him.

"Clean it properly." His voice rang clear. "If I see a single speck of dust, Sir Kael is going to beat you."

Kael and Gare blinked, completely dumbfounded.

They turned their gaze past Baret—and there, standing gleaming in the sunlight, was a huge, luxurious carriage. Servants were frantically polishing it, their faces pale with fear.

Barry, the one giving orders, finally noticed Kael and Gare watching from a distance. He immediately straightened his posture, clearing his throat.

"Sir, your carriage will be ready in a few minutes. Just wait a little longer."

Kael opened his mouth, then closed it.

For a moment, he just stood there, processing what he was seeing.

"Uh... Yeah." He finally muttered, too stunned to say anything else.

Gare, standing beside him, let out a low whistle. "Huh... Didn't expect that."

Kael simply nodded slowly, still a little thrown off by the unexpected efficiency.

....

Meanwhile, inside a lavishly decorated study, an attendant knocked gently before stepping in.

"Your Grace, Young Master Kael is going out."

Duke Ruth paused his work, setting his quill aside as his brows arched slightly.

"Did he take knights?"

The attendant bowed slightly. "No, he just took two low level Knight apprentices."

Ruth hummed, tapping his fingers lightly against the wooden desk.

After a brief moment of silence, he finally spoke in a firm tone.

"Send additional guards to follow him."

The attendant bowed deeply. "As per your wish!"

Ruth watched as the man hurried out, his gaze lingering on the door.

A small smirk formed on his lips. "Let's see what trouble you stir up this time, Kael."