The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 290

Kael leaned back against the bark of a darkened tree, blood and shadow still clinging faintly to his skin. He looked at the dried husks that were taken care of by his men and licked his lips.

’That’s a very good meal.’

"That’s a very good present..I hope you keep on sending more so that I can get stronger quickly after all it’s not easy to find killable A ranks."

There wasn’t any need to kill them if they were sent by any normal foe but...Sooner or later, he would have to face that man so why pretend to play innocent?

The other side was already dancing in nefarious schemes. If they had dared to move first, they shouldn’t expect mercy.

Besides...

A smirk curled on Kael’s lips.

The devouring had been a good meal.

He could feel it—his strength rising. A layer of resistance peeled off inside him, the power within boiling higher, refining itself. With every thread of fear and memory ripped from those minds, something surged inside his bones.

"By the time I reach the capital... maybe I’ll be even stronger than I planned."

The road was still long, but the detour had been worth it.

He kept the entire incident silent from his mother. Even Seraphina was only partially informed.

But Kael wasn’t stupid.

Assassination Tower. Vale Raven. Nobles from Eastern Vale.

This wasn’t a small scheme.

If they wanted to play games from the shadows, maybe it was time he dragged them all into the light.

He knew he couldn’t fight such a big force alone.

Eyes flicking with mischief and cold precision, he pulled out parchment and a sealing crest.

"Hehehe... let’s see if I can stir some things."

"Gare, bring me some pen and paper."

His command was executed immediately

His pen glided quickly, each word calculated sliced through with just enough weight to explode when needed.

When the ink dried, the seal of Veydrin burned gold on the letter.

---

In the Veydrin Estate

Ruth was seated in the central hall, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The sun filtered gently through the high windows as he sipped warm tea.

Ramos sat across him with a peculiar stillness. For once, he wasn’t making jokes or teasing guards.

He was frowning.

Ruth noticed it immediately.

"If you don’t want to go, then don’t," Ruth said bluntly. "No need to drag your feet and cause trouble."

Ramos stiffened, then glared.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"That you’re being annoying."

"You think I’m troublesome?"

"Aren’t you?" Ruth shot back, calm but icy.

Ramos looked like he wanted to argue, but before he could—Rami entered hurriedly.

"Your Highness. An urgent came from the From Young Master Kael."

Ruth’s brows rose. "Kael?"

Ramos looked at the man pressing his forehead.

"I hope he didn’t cause trouble when the old man isn’t there to take care of."

Ruth looked at Ramos and snorted,"You being with him is bigger trouble." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"What did you say?"Ramos shouted but Ruth ignored him.

He reached out, already feeling a twinge of unease.He didn’t expect a letter from his son.

And if it was urgent...

What did that brat do now...?

Ruth ripped the seal and unfolded the paper.

His eyes moved across the lines.

In mere seconds, his expression changed.

The warmth vanished from his face. A deep chill swept over the hall.

Thud—

The air turned heavier as the teacup cracked slightly in his grip.

"W-What is it?" Ramos asked.

Ruth didn’t speak. He simply handed the letter over.

Ramos read quickly and froze.His usual grin vanished.

A breath later, an inhuman howl pierced the estate grounds.

A deafening, chilling sound that shook the estate walls—like a beast had been awakened from its slumber.

Ramos’s aura exploded outward, surging in raw fury. Flames crackled at his fingertips, while pressure swept across the estate like a rising inferno.

Ruth remained still.

He’d mastered restraint long ago but Ramos wasn’t one to restrain.

But even Ruth’s gaze grew steely cold.

The letter contained a report—Kael had intercepted covert assassins tied to the Assassination Tower, working under directives from Vale Raven.

They weren’t just watching.

They were preparing to kill Emilia.And if possible Seraphina.

Then orchestrate a political storm to make it look like Veydrin struck first—to ignite war.

And Kael, as if to make it all irrefutable, had attached tokens, daggers, coded documents and proof.

Ramos turned to Ruth, his voice low and burning.

"What’s your decision?"

Ruth didn’t answer right away.

He rose slowly and walked to the window. Outside, the wind howled over the estate walls, rustling the Veydrin banners that hung tall under the sky.

He stared at the horizon. And then he spoke.

His voice was deep, and every word carved into the air like thunder.

"They’ve mistaken my silence... for weakness."

"Just because I haven’t moved, they think they can crawl from the gutters and whisper rebellion."

A pause.

Then—he turned, eyes glowing with restrained fury.

"If they have truly forgotten the might of House Veydrin..."

"...then it’s time we remind them."

He stepped forward.

"It’s time they remember the storm that follows us wherever we walk."

.....

"My Lord,let’s rest in the City of Cantilever..it’s quite near and I heard it was a pleasing place for knights."Ariana spoke.

Kael didn’t find any reason to refute so he agreed and then the knights marched alongside him to Cantilever.

Cantilever stood tall beyond the arched gates, its towering crimson banners fluttering fiercely in the wind—each embroidered with the sigil of a sword piercing flame, the symbol of the Church of War.

Unlike other cities marked by structured order or silent discipline, Cantilever was a riot of movement and madness.

Even before crossing into the inner city, the air grew denser—hotter.

Shouts, clangs, and laughter mixed in a bizarre symphony.

Two men were already brawling at the entrance gate. A third cheered them on while a priest in red robes threw coins at the winner. Onlookers clapped.

Kael’s horse came to a stop.

He blinked twice.

"...Holy hell, this is worse than I remembered."

Ariana glanced at him, confused. "This is one of the holiest pilgrimage cities in the north."

Kael’s brow twitched. "Holy? This place has more body slams than a gladiator pit."

As they moved forward, Emilia peeked out of the carriage and frowned deeply.

"This place... how to say... is too lovely," she said dryly, watching as two women fought over bread—only to immediately get distracted and start yelling at a man who tried to mediate.

Nearby, two robed monks from the Church of War argued over which battle tactic was superior—"Direct spear thrust to the neck!" one yelled, "No, low sweep followed by jaw uppercut!" the other countered.

A child tried to join in, and the monks high-fived him.

Kael stared blankly. "This is worse than I thought..."

Ariana coughed into her fist to hide a smile. "This is normal here, My Lord. The God of War’s followers believe conflict brings growth. Even children train in debate, strategy, and dueling."

Kael muttered under his breath. "Conflict my ass... it’s just legalized chaos."

Then, Seraphina added with a smirk, "I’m sure this will feel like home for you cause it’s a place for brutes."

Kael turned. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," she said innocently, though her tone was dipped in acid.

He rolled his eyes and walked ahead, but Ariana stepped beside him and said with mock concern, "You really didn’t know this was the domain of the Church of War, My Lord?"

Kael froze mid-step.

He turned to her, voice dangerously calm.

"You knew. And you still brought me here."

"Well," she said, "it’s the fastest path to the capital."

Kael didn’t speak. His eye twitched.

’This damn place. Of all the cities—why did it have to be this one?’

Memories flashed.

The God of War—a lunatic who fought for the thrill and constantly switched sides to extend battle.

During the final battle,he took his side and when he was winning he changed to the other side and when he was losing he chose to fight alongside.

He had a fetish to fight from the losing side.

It pissed everyone so much that first he was first beaten and sealed off.

He took a deep breath and muttered under his breath, "That absolute piece of shit... I’ll never forget how he smiled when he switched sides mid-battle for the fifth time."

A gust of wind blew past. His cloak fluttered violently.

They entered the city’s core.

The streets were lined with sparring rings, battle arenas, and public debating circles. Large murals painted scenes of heroic last stands and grand betrayals. People shouted strategy breakdowns as casually as vendors shouted fruit prices.

Instead of taverns, there were "Conflict Halls" where warriors drank and challenged each other. Temples had chalk outlines on the floor for "disagreement rituals."

A huge statue of the God of War towered at the center square—muscles rippling, two blades in hand, and a smug grin on his face.

Kael looked up at the statue and grumbled, "Still as punchable as ever."

Meanwhile, Vic tried to keep the troops organized, but chaos followed them like a shadow. One soldier tripped over a dog mid-duel, another was offered a job as a pit champion, and someone tried to arm-wrestle Barret.

Back outside the bustle, Vic muttered under his breath, "This city is cursed..."

Kael nodded sagely.

"It’s not cursed. It’s blessed by an idiot."