Chapter 597 - 441: Raylo the Regent
Chapter 597: Chapter 441: Raylo the Regent
"So..."
Raylo looked at his father and spoke with difficulty.
"Are you going too?"
"Mm."
Aiden Duke nodded.
"As a member of the Dragon Realm, the Thunder Dragon Duchy cannot escape this."
"What’s more..."
His voice paused for a moment.
"Astra has just ascended to Catastrophe Level. This war is the best chance for both it and the Thunder Dragon Duchy to display our Power to the entire Continent."
"I will personally ride Astra to the southern battlefield and fight alongside the Red Dragon Empire."
Raylo fell silent.
He knew his father’s decision was the right one.
It was also the only choice.
In the face of such overwhelming circumstances, any hesitation or wishful thinking would only lead to utter annihilation.
"You summoned me back because you want me to..."
Raylo asked.
"Regent."
Aiden Duke stubbed out the half-smoked cigar in his hand.
"Raylo."
He said, word by word.
"Starting tomorrow, you will rule the Thunder Dragon Duchy in my stead."
"All military and political affairs of the Duchy will be under your complete authority."
"Until I return from the southern battlefield."
"Or..."
His voice trailed off for a moment.
"Until you become the next Duke of the Thunder Dragon Duchy."
’Regent?’
"Father! This is too fast..."
Aiden Duke’s voice was firm.
"Raylo, did you really think I sent you to the Black Stone Territory just to carve out a domain of your own?"
"You were wrong."
"I was giving you time, giving you an opportunity to grow freely, far from the whirlpool of Thunder Dragon City."
"To let you accumulate your own Power."
"And now, you have."
Aiden Duke stood up and walked over to Raylo.
He reached out and placed a heavy hand on Raylo’s shoulder.
His hand was broad and strong.
"Raylo, my son,"
Aiden Duke said.
"You are no longer a child."
"You are the Lord of the Black Stone Territory, a powerful Knight who commands several Giant Dragons."
"You are far more outstanding now than I was at your age."
He looked at Raylo.
"Tell me, Raylo."
"Can you bear this burden?"
Aiden Duke just watched him quietly.
He didn’t rush him, nor did he show any disappointment.
He was simply waiting.
Waiting for his son to make his own choice.
A deathly silence fell over the study.
Sunlight slanted in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting the long shadows of the father and son across the mahogany floor.
Raylo’s mind was in turmoil.
Countless thoughts wildly intertwined and clashed.
Finally, Raylo slowly raised his head.
He looked at Aiden Duke.
"Father."
He stood up, looked straight into Aiden Duke’s eyes, and said, word by word,
"I can."
A gratified smile finally appeared on Aiden Duke’s face.
He released his hand from Raylo’s shoulder.
"Very good,"
he said.
"Now that is a son of Aiden."
He turned and walked back behind his desk.
"Tomorrow is the morning assembly at the Royal Palace. I will announce this decision in front of everyone then."
"You, be prepared."
"Yes."
Raylo said in a low voice.
...
「The next morning.」
The grand hall of the Thunder Dragon Duchy’s Royal Palace.
This magnificent hall, large enough to hold several thousand people, was now packed.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on the throne at the head of the hall.
Aiden Duke sat upon it.
His face was expressionless as he calmly surveyed the crowd below.
And beside him stood a young figure, perfectly still.
It was Raylo.
A silence filled the great hall.
Everyone could feel that the atmosphere today was unusual.
"Everyone."
Aiden Duke’s voice slowly rang out.
"I have gathered you all here today to announce a matter of great importance concerning the future of the Duchy."
Everyone’s heart leaped into their throats.
"As you all know, war between the Light Holy See and the Dragon Realm is now inevitable."
"As the Duke of the Thunder Dragon Duchy, I will honor my pact with our allies. I will personally ride Astra to the southern battlefield to defend the honor and dignity of our Dragon Realm!"
Aiden Duke’s words sent a wave of suppressed commotion through the hall.
The Duke is going to war himself!
This was undoubtedly bombshell news, enough to shake the entire Duchy!
However, Aiden Duke’s next words brought the commotion to a sudden halt.
His gaze slowly fell upon Raylo, who stood beside him.
"During my absence from the Duchy,"
"all military and political affairs of the Thunder Dragon Duchy will be handled, with full authority, by my son, the Crown Prince of the Duchy, Raylo Thunder Dragon."
"Effective immediately, Raylo will serve as Regent of our Thunder Dragon Duchy!"
"You are all to assist him with your utmost effort. There will be no failures!"
"Anyone who disobeys will be tried for treason and executed without pardon!"
BOOM!
In that instant, the entire hall erupted into chaos!
Regent!
Making Count Raylo the Regent?!
Everyone’s gaze turned to the young figure standing beside the throne.
At this moment, no one dared to step forward and question the Duke’s decision.
The morning assembly ended in a tense and silent atmosphere.
When the Duke announced the court’s dismissal,
he didn’t spare anyone else a glance.
He only gave Raylo one last, deep look.
Then, he descended from the throne and strode straight out of the Royal Palace’s grand hall.
Upon the plaza outside the hall,
a Thunder Dragon, over a thousand meters long and covered in azure scales, was already waiting.
It was Astra.
Aiden Duke leaped into the air and landed on Astra’s back.