Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Chapter 193

"It is only a matter of time until the Hound King makes his move," Tarraz said calmly, standing by his father’s right side.

Zazrel said nothing, his expression grim, to think that they had gotten their hands forced by mere glorified steeds.

"Even if Grand Duke Kozran wasn’t killed, I would still recommend this course of action." Tarraz went on, his monotone voice filling the silence.

Zazrel glanced over at him, "There’s no reason to comfort your father." He said gruffly.

"On the contrary," Tarraz glanced down at the documents he held, "Azranon and his supporters were the first to lead the charge against Avalan, yet he hastily set the captive Hellhounds in his city free as soon as he learned of Ibaeron and Lyvenor’s defeat." He listed off.

Zazrel found himself paying attention despite himself, unlike the peace-loving, almost naive Ashford, Azranon was a cruel bastard who would go to any lengths to achieve his goal.

"A large-scale war," He said, more troubled than before.

"Ibaeron has been burned to the ground. Lyvenor and Drevalis may recover their strength and glory with time but I’m afraid they wouldn’t be given such luxury." Tarraz said, flicking his gaze to the imposing doors just before the guards stationed outside announced a messenger.

"And that’s why I’ll make an arrangement with the Hound King. Threnval must not fall..."

The messenger was expected, Tarraz had already made the arrangements. After all, this wasn’t the first time he had tried to convince his father on the matter, the Grand Duke’s pride was immense.

"Where?" He asked shortly.

The messenger dropped to his knees as soon as he was given audience, "The outer city, to the northwest, a short distance from the northwest gate."

Tarraz warped away without another word, leaving the messenger alone with the brooding Grand Duke. Terrified, the Fiend hastily bowed and took his leave without being bid.

His arrangements had been immaculate, a spy in every stable who would hastily bring the news to him as soon as the Hound King arrived, yet by the time he got to the stable, the massacre was over.

"King Caedos, is it?" He strode forward calmly, ignoring the stares his presence drew.

The revolution needed an image to crown it, so Caedos went through the trouble of putting on formal wear whenever he left Avalan. His cape was a very dark green, a gold band around his forehead, so it was rather easy to single him out.

He simply turned to the new voice, the Fiend also cut an important figure, yet he approached calmly, despite being unarmed.

"I am Archduke Tarraz," Tarraz introduced despite the chilly response his presence provoked.

Ardan eyed up the Fiend, a hand on his sword. They had barely had to do anything, Prince Caedos had cut down the stable hands effortlessly. They merely had to oversee the release of the captive Hellhounds and protect them until the stable was up in flames.

This caught Caedos’ attention, he glanced over at the point where his rescued kind were huddled together, his captains surrounding them on all sides.

It had been a fortnight since the battle with Drevalis, despite their repeated victories, he wanted the army to be thoroughly prepared for the last city. The casualties from the last battle had been crushing, Grand Duke Kozran had launched an attack without warning.

"May I have a word?" Tarraz kept speaking, his intonation unchanged, red eyes cold.

The last of the captive Hellhounds were guided out of the stables by one of the newly appointed captains. General Urien had tried to get him to appoint soldiers to higher stations but he had no interest in doing so.

Hierarchy was the downfall of Avalan, Hellhounds possessed speed and strength, yet they learned to rely on standing instead of their own strengths.

After his battle with Grand Duke Kozran, the ability to create fire regardless of his form came easily. As the last of the Hellhounds trooped out of the stables which had been their home for so long, a stream of golden fire engulfed the stables.

Caedos’ face didn’t show it but although he had tried to hold back, the stables had been reduced to ash, barely any smoke rising to the red skies. He turned around to find that everyone was forced back from the sheer heat of the golden flames, even the Archduke of Threnval.

"I apologize for that," He said contritely to the rescued Hellhounds.

In the strange silence that followed the complete eradication of stone walls like they were merely made of lint, Caedos carved out a portal and then gave the Archduke an audience.

"Would you also like to confirm the death of Kozran?" He finally addressed the Archduke.

Tarraz’s eyes had cooled further after witnessing the Hound King’s display of strength. Even he had been forced back by the flames, for the first time, he could envision Grand Duke Kozran’s defeat.

"Not at all," He answered, retaining his composure. "Rather I would like to propose an offer. Rather than reducing my city to rubble, I’ll order the release of every captive Hellhound instead."

Caedos tilted his head to the side, his blank face barely showing the surprise he felt. "Very well." He agreed without prelude.

Unlike Fiends, Hellhounds didn’t care for senseless deaths, he simply wanted peace and freedom for his people and that was why he had crawled through the depths of torment over and over again.

"You would accept my offer so easily?" Tarraz couldn’t help but say. With the dangerous heat of the Hound King’s fire, even he didn’t stand a chance.

Any Fiend would turn the city of their enemies into a river of fire with that ability, so the Hellhound’s laid-back attitude surprised him.

"You have no demands to make?" He went on, paying no attention to the flurry of motion by the side as Hellhounds were returned to their home.

Caedos had lost interest in the conversation, he looked up at the suns of Flaeris, it was about noon, if everything progressed smoothly, the last of the captured Hellhounds should be freed by the end of the day.