Cinna, visibly injured from Dustin’s attack, stood before the masked man on the dragon throne.
“Mr. Shaffer, are you hurt?” the masked man asked in a deep, raspy voice.
“Just a scratch won’t kill me,” Cinna replied.
He coughed up blood in between words.
“Looks more than a scratch. Take this medicine.”
The masked man waved his hand and a black tablet shot out.
“Thanks.”
Cinna caught the tablet and swallowed it right away. This medicine from the Dragon Guard was exceptionally rare. It could heal serious injuries really fast, but only high-ranking members got to use it.
“Mr. Rever,” Cinna began, but Reagan raised a hand and interrupted him.
“I’m now Reagan Judd. You can call me Mr. Judd or Sir Judd. The past is best left behind.”
“Yes, Sir Judd.”
Cinna nodded respectfully.
“Mr. Shaffer, how did the task I assigned you go?” Reagan inquired.
“I stabbed Dustin’s heart. He should be dead by now,” Cinna reported.
“Excellent!”
Reagan nodded approvingly.
“Mr. Shaffer, you’ve accomplished a great feat.”
“Sir Judd, can you release my daughter now?” Cinna pleaded.
His loyalty to the Dragon Guard was due to manipulation. His beloved daughter was held captive by the Dragon Guard. Cinna was only allowed to meet her briefly every year.
Any act of defiance would not only cost him his life, but also bring torment upon his daughter. The Dragon Guard’s means of controlling spies were simple yet brutally effective.
In order to ensure his daughter’s safety, Cinna had no choice but to kill Dustin.
“Mr. Shaffer, your daughter is safe and well cared for. No need to worry,” Reagan stated casually.
“Sir Judd, you promised to let us go once this was done,” Cinna said while frowning.
“I’ll keep my promise, but now isn’t the time.”
Reagan’s voice became rough.
“You took down Dustin, but the West Lucozian Monarchy remains. We won’t stop until it crumbles.”
“The West Lucozian Monarchy is powerful. How can we easily defeat them?” Cinna asked puzzledly.
“I’ve planned this for ten years,” Reagan calmly replied.
“Rufus is dying, and he won’t last long. When Dustin is gone, chaos will follow. I’ll place a puppet in power and seize control.”
Reagan’s ambition was clear in his words. The Oakvale royalty was insignificant compared to the true threat of the West Lucozian Monarchy. Once he controlled it and the mighty Black Dragon Army, the world would be at his feet.
“Sir Judd, must we be so ruthless?”
Cinna’s expression was conflicted.
“Remember, back in the day-”
Before he could finish, Reagan cut in.
“Are you having second thoughts? To achieve greatness, one must be ruthless. Softness achieves nothing. Consider your future and that of your daughter. Some actions can’t be undone.”
“I understand.”
Cinna reluctantly complied when at the mention of his daughter.
“Sir Judd, what are your orders?”
Reagan raised his glass.
“Everything’s set. We just need the final blow. Tomorrow, we head to West Lucozia. After all this planning, it’s time to close the trap.”
