The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 44:The Lone Wolf Amongst Lions Pack

Heinz Empire.

An empire born from blood and ruin.

At the end of the year 896, during the last war of the Heretics, the land was shattered. Three once-great kingdoms were reduced to ashes, their people left wandering as outcasts, scorned wherever they went. What was once a land of prosperity had become a wasteland—a forbidden land where even the Blessed Ones had perished.

Amidst the years of chaos, one man rose to power. Franklin De Luther, alongside his most trusted commander, Warrick Veydrin, gathered the remnants of fallen armies and carved a new kingdom from the ruins. Starting with a single duchy and six states, the Heinz Kingdom expanded, growing into an empire spanning five duchies and twenty-four states.

But the greater the empire, the greater the strife.

Internal unrest and rebellion tore Heinz apart, splitting the land into two warring nation Heinz Empire and Kingdom Nightstar. The two factions had been at each other’s throats ever since, locked in a never-ending battle for dominance.

Heinz was on the losing side.

Nightstar, backed by powerful allies, pushed deeper into their lands. The fall of Heinz seemed inevitable—until the tide shifted.

All because of one man.

A man who was no leader, but a fighter beyond comparison. A lone wolf who tore through the battlefield, baring his fangs at any who dared step into his path. A warrior who single-handedly halted an army’s advance.

The Emperor himself was so awed that he offered the man the title of Empire’s Guardian and crowned as Subsidary King, granting him the same status as his own.

But the man refused.

....

"WHAAATTTTTTT!"

Kael nearly threw the book across the room. His face twisted in shock, disbelief written all over him.

"You’re telling me that old coot was given the title of Subsidary King... and he REFUSED it?!"

He turned to Baret and Gare, eyes wide. They nodded solemnly.

Kael slammed his hand down. "Fuck! This guy is a complete idiot!"

But as the words left his mouth, a strange thought crept into his mind. Wasn’t he also an idiot in his past life? Hadn’t he done something just as reckless if not worse?

"It wouldn’t have been easy for him," Gare said thoughtfully.

"Truthfully, no one knows why Grand Duke Ruth was chosen as heir instead of Sir Ramos," Baret added. "His fame was unmatched, yet he stepped back."

"He was even the Flag bearer with his reputation spanning across the continent."

Kael rubbed his chin, staring at the text.

Flag Bearer.

The term wasn’t handed out lightly. It signified someone who carried the reputation of multiple noble houses—a role few could bear without bringing shame upon the aristocracy. Yet Ramos had been a flag bearer for many houses.

That meant only one thing.

He had never lost.

Still, looking at Ramos now, Kael found it hard to believe. The man didn’t radiate the overwhelming might described in history books.

"Some people walk around flaunting their strength," Kael murmured. "While others hide it... acting like a pig to eat the tiger."

His fingers traced the edge of his eye out of habit only to his monocle missing that snapped him out of his thoughts.

He pulled back his hand and sighed,’I should do something about this habit,’

Before he could ponder further, a loud knock echoed through the room.

"Young Master, the Grand Duke awaits your presence."

Kael exhaled sharply.

"Coming!"

........ ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Grand Duke’s Office

Kael walked in and, as expected, the old coot was buried in paperwork. Rami stood beside him, handing him documents like an obedient servant.

"You called me, My Lord?"

Every damn time he saw Ruth, the man was drowning in papers. Did he ever do anything else?

"Tsk!" Kael clicked his tongue in irritation—then his eyes landed on something far more interesting.

A cigar.

A premium cigar.

His eyes lit up like a starving man. Without hesitation, he walked up to the table and grabbed it.

Ruth and Rami both froze mid-action, staring at him like he’d just committed blasphemy.

Blinking, they watched as Kael picked up the cigar, took the lighter, and lit it up with the ease of a seasoned smoker.

He took a deep drag, the rich, spicy aroma filling his lungs. The ember at the tip glowed red, a tiny burning inferno in his fingers. He tilted his head slightly, lips parting as he exhaled a thick, smooth cloud of smoke.

The grayish haze curled in the air, drifting lazily before dissipating.

Rami’s expression remained blank, but inside, he was screaming. Why the fuck does Young Master look like a veteran smoker?!

"COUGH!!"

Kael put the cigar down and glanced at their faces.

"Ahhh! Sorry!" he said—then immediately changed his mind.

"Wait, why the fuck am I apologizing? If you can smoke, why the hell can’t I?"

Ruth shot him a cold stare. "You’re not old enough to smoke. You should take care of your health."

Kael’s eyes twitched.

Wait. Did this bastard just say that?

DID THIS MAN JUST TELL ME TO STAY HEALTHY?!

The irony was so thick it could choke someone.

Blowing out another breath, Ruth finally spoke, "You know why I called you?"

Kael scoffed. "How the hell would I know? You’re the one who called me."

"You’ve become... courageous."

Kael clicked his tongue. "Oh? You don’t like that? You want me to stay a scared little bitch forever?"

Ruth studied him, his cold, calculating gaze crawling all over Kael like a damn vulture. It made Kael’s skin itch.

"Just get to the fucking point, old man."

"It’s about the awakening ceremony. Everything is ready. I’ve even called Ramos to oversee it."

Kael shot up from his seat. "That old coot is gonna supervise me?! Him?!"

Ruth’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. Kael caught it.

"Don’t doubt him," Ruth said.

And then...BOOM.

A suffocating pressure slammed into Kael like a tidal wave, making his knees buckle for a second. His breath hitched, his vision blurred.

What the fuck was that?!

Why do these men release his aura at the tiniest grievance as if wanting to show his power.

Kael gritted his teeth, shook his head, and forced himself to refocus. "Is he really that strong?"

Ruth ignored him completely and instead asked, "Are you sure this will work?"

"You do know that if this fails, you might die."

Kael smirked. "Oh? Are you worried about me?"

Ruth’s reply was instant. "No."

"Cold and emotionless as ever."

Ruth didn’t even hesitate.

"You have two choices. Stay a worthless disappointment or take the risk and fight for something better."

Kael leaned back, rubbing his chin. Then, casually, he asked,

"Say, old man... if I die, will you cry?"

"Why would I?" Ruth said, face blank as stone.

"If you die early, it just proves you were weak and incompetent."

Kael’s eyes twitched.

This motherfucker...

His veins bulged in frustration. He wanted to spit in this bastard’s face.

One thing was clear.

Ruth might be a good Duke—but as a father?

He was worse than a piece of shit.

"Fucking shithead..." Kael muttered under his breath.

"Can I go now?"

"No."

"..."

Question marks hovered over Kael’s head and his face darkened.

"What do you have now?!"