Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

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The sound of footsteps reverberated through the long hallways.

The atmosphere in the Royal castle was rather silent... no, it was always silent because the guards didn't chit-chat with each other and always focused on the job at hand... however, today there was something different about the silence... it was oppressive and suffocating.

Apart from the footsteps, there was virtually no sound. The silence was very unsettling, and if one were to pay attention to the faces of the maids, they would notice that their faces were ghostly pale, and their eyes constantly flickered as though they were scared of something... or, more specifically, someone.

As he walked the hallways, Nathan felt the heavy gazes of the knights directed his way; through the visor, he could almost perceive their hostility, but he wasn't too bothered. He was confident that these knights wouldn't be foolish enough to attack him.

There had not been any sign of Ainsworth after that fight, not even the king. Nathan heard from the gossip of some castle maids that the prince and king were embarrassed and that he had been angry, even lashing out against the maids and knights at the slightest offense.

'Though he's grown up, he's very immature and petty,' Nathan thought, his eyes flashing with disappointment. A king was meant to be a symbol of strength, wisdom, and composure, yet the king seemed to lack all three.

Such trivial matters shouldn't have riled him up to the level that it would affect the entirety of the castle.

Dismissing the thought, Nathan focused on the task; he was currently heading towards the king's study as he had been summoned. If possible, Nathan didn't want to return to this capital, which was beautiful yet filled with annoying, arrogant nobles that made him hold himself back from punching them in the face whenever he came across one.

'Sigh, I've really changed in the past four years,' Nathan sighed heavily, reflecting on his life. 'I miss my old self... that reckless man who wouldn't hesitate to punch a noble in the face even in the presence of the king. Where did that man go?'

How had he gotten his title? It was because he was fearless! He was the type who would charge into any fight, disregarding his safety, a true battle maniac. He was the type who would willingly get hurt if it meant inflicting even greater damage on those unlucky enough to cross his path.

It was precisely because of this disregard that he had earned the title of the mad dog of the west.

Yet in recent times, that mad dog had become more tamed and always calculated his moves, which wasn't his style... it was the style of Arthur.

A while later, Nathan arrived at the double doors leading to the king's study. The familiar knights were standing just outside the door as usual, their eyes sharp and ever vigilant from the visors of their helmets.

As they noticed the presence of Nathan, the two men bowed slightly and opened the door for him.

Entering the luxurious study room, King Aldric Vermilion was seated on his throne-like seat. His expression was unreadable; there was neither anger nor happiness... it was just neutral. Displaying an obviously forced smile, King Aldric said, "Welcome, Lord Ainsworth, take a seat." His tone sounded a bit robotic, but Nathan didn't pay any heed and just sat down.

"You asked for me, your majesty?" Nathan said, struggling to pronounce 'your majesty' after his disdainful actions in the Royal Coliseum. All the respect Nathan had for this man had vanished into thin air... the only reason his tone even sounded respectful was out of custom.

"Indeed." King Aldric clasped his hands together, and his lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Then he said, "I have been thinking." He paused. "Thinking about what you told me, and I've come to a decision."

Nathan's eyes narrowed, and a frown crossed his expression when he heard what the king said. 'Is he planning to send the promised adventurers back with me?' he couldn't help but think to himself as he shifted in his seat.

"I've decided not to help you," he stated with an emotionless expression on his face as he leaned back on his luxurious throne, playing with the expensive golden ring on his little finger.

It took Nathan a moment to fully grasp what the king had just said, and for a second, he wondered if he'd misheard. Wasn't the west still part of his kingdom? Was the king planning to abandon it? Why was he suddenly going back on his word?

"Your majesty—"

Before Nathan could voice his opinion, King Aldric cut him off with a wave of his hand, speaking in a tone that allowed no argument. "My decision is final," Aldric's commanding voice rang out.

"After watching the fight yesterday, I figured the people of the west are strong enough to deal with the beast problem by themselves... besides, I have much more important matters to attend to... surely it won't cost much if Lord Nathan and the other barons take care of the matter in the west by themselves.... besides, why don't you ask for the help of Arthur?

I'm sure it won't take someone like him a day to deal with the troubles in the west."

'Y-you!' Nathan was at a loss for words as he heard the king's words. Anger surged through him, his fists trembling in his lap. How could someone be this petty and immature?

A bit of clarity returned, and Nathan thought, 'He knows... he knows that I'll never let anything happen to the Cromwell Barony, so he's trying to use that leverage on me... this selfish bastard... I can't believe I ever respected him in the past.'

A moment later, Nathan rose to his feet. "If that's your decision, I'll be on my way then... His majesty isn't the only one with important things to do.... I also have a barony to attend to. Thank you for accommodating me."

Then he spun around and began to leave... despite the blatant rudeness, King Aldric didn't seem triggered like he usually was... instead, a smirk was the only thing that could be spotted on his face... as he confirmed a theory that he had been harboring for a long time now.

If Arthur was really alive, why would Nathan ask for his help? King Aldric wondered absentmindedly to himself... his eyes narrowed on Nathan's back as he approached the door. Before he could step out, the king's voice broke the silence. "So, Arthur is truly gone, then?"

***

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