Chapter 455: Side Story: The White Dragon – Part 4

Chapter 455: Side Story: The White Dragon – Part 4



Ursuline swallowed nervously and followed him down to the training ground. The knights who had been sparring in pairs looked at them with interest. It appeared they, too, were mindful of the rumored knight-to-be, whether they realized it or not.

It was hardly surprising. The intimidating but unique presence that was Riftan Calypse was enough to fray at anyone's nerves.

Finding an empty spot, Riftan faced Ursuline. "Now, draw your sword."

He then unsheathed his own. It seemed he intended to spar with real blades.

Ursuline's heart pounded in his ears. He drew his sword from his waist and braced himself to attack when a voice thundered across the ground.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Ursuline turned to see Wolfgar Ricaydo, clad in a crimson gambeson under silver armor, striding toward them. His men trailed behind. Seeing the fury blazing in Wolfgar's eyes, Ursuline stiffened, baffled by his brother's anger.

Sheathing his sword, Ursuline straightened his back. "What brings you here-"

His question was cut off by a merciless hand grabbing his throat. Ursuline's face twisted in pain.

Wolfgar shook his brother violently, choking him. "Have you no pride as a nobleman? You dare cross swords with this lowly brute and tarnish our family name?"

The crowd gave a collective intake of breath. Wolfgar ignored the stunned faces around them, releasing Ursuline with a disgusted gesture as if to cleanse his hands of something filthy.

"Listen carefully, my halfwit of a brother," he snarled. "We do not spar with animals. Do you know why? Because animals are things we breed and slaughter, not creatures we duel with." Ursuline coughed, glaring defiantly at his brother.

Wolfgar glowered back. "Pack your things. You will accompany my men from now on. We're starting your training over."

"I belong to the royal knights. Father wants me to be trained here with "

Ursuline gasped at the heavy impact of something striking his skull. His vision momentarily blurred.

Wolfgar grabbed him by the hair and hissed, "You dare talk back to me? I'm the future count, and you are a member of House Ricaydo. You obey my command."

"But you... are not the count yet." Ursuline glared at his brother, his eyes bloodshot, and added, "You have no right to give me orders."

A dangerous glint flickered in Wolfgar's blue irises. He raised a brawny arm. Ursuline's eyes widened, but he was determined not to show fear. However, before the blow could land, Evan Triton jumped between them, seizing Wolfgar's wrist.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the viscount demanded.

"This is a family matter. Stay out of it," Wolfgar snapped.

"I promised your father I would help this lad the best I could should he ever face trouble." The viscount tightened his hold on Wolfgar's wrist. "Let him go."

With a hostile glare at the viscount, Wolfgar finally released Ursuline.

Ursuline clutched his throbbing head as he retreated. Wolfgar's rage now turned from his brother to the person who had obstructed him. He leaned in close to Triton as he spoke.

"I've heard plenty about you cozying up to my father, but I didn't expect you to be playing nanny, too. Are you that desperate to curry favor?"

"How dare you!" shouted a young Remdragon Knight, his face flushing with rage as he drew his sword.

The viscount raised an authoritative hand to stop him before addressing Wolfgar gently. "I didn't expect you to pay so much attention to the rumors about me."

"They were impossible to miss. Are you even aware of the things people are saying? About your ridiculous attempt at a knightly order composed of all the filth and dregs from across the Roviden Continent? And how you have stooped to prostituting yourself to the royalist nobles?"

"I don't-"

"Ursuline."

Ursuline turned at his father's voice.

Count Ricaydo sighed softly. "I heard about what happened earlier today. Wolfgar says he

would like to apologize to you."

When Ursuline made no reply, the count continued, "At least hear him out. You can always

make a decision afterward."

Ursuline kept his mouth shut. Count Ricaydo was blind when it came to his eldest son, wanting to believe that Wolfgar's brutality was nothing but the spark of his youth. Suppressing his disappointment in his father, Ursuline turned to follow Wolfgar. His brother

smirked triumphantly and led him down a long passage at the end of the hall, shrouded in

darkness. Ursuline looked about nervously as they walked.

Wolfgar did not say a word until they arrived at a deserted area, where he stopped and turned

to face Ursuline. "Now we can finally talk in peace."

Ursuline tensed ever so slightly.

Just then, a quiet voice murmured from the shadows. "Agreed."

Wolfgar whirled around. At the same time, a long arm shot out from the shadows and dragged

Wolfgar's massive body into the dark. Ursuline's eyes widened.

Riftan Calypse had Wolfgar pushed against the wall, a sharp blade at his throat.

"Finally, we can talk in peace," Riftan echoed, his voice as smooth as velvet.

Wolfgar looked disoriented, struggling to grasp what had just happened. Ursuline was equally

stunned. A suffocating silence followed.

Then, Riftan's calm voice stirred the air. "You said something earlier today that you shouldn't have. I will have you apologize for it."

There was another icy silence before Wolfgar let out a raspy laugh. "You mean when I called

you an animal?"

Riftan said nothing, and Wolfgar snorted. "Fine, fine. I apologize. Now, if that's all, get out of

my way."

He shoved Riftan back after his hollow apology, appearing to consider Riftan's actions as

mere bravado.

A vicious smile played on Riftan's lips. He brought the dagger close to Wolfgar's throat and growled, "Does it look like I'm playing with you?"