A great red and black castle stood tall, decorated with banners that read Erythro.

Through a grand hall, a one-armed Endo walked with his head bowed in contemplation. In his remaining right hand, he carried a cloth that served as a bag. When he reached the end of the hall, the two soldiers standing guard opened the large doors for him.

Inside was a massive throne room filled with generals and politicians.

They all turned to see who had interrupted their meeting. The moment they recognized Endo, their faces twisted with disgust and disappointment. The news of his defeat had clearly reached the ears of his father.

Basop, the general-turned-king, rose from his throne.

“Everyone, leave. I wish to have a conversation with my son.”

The crowd bowed and made their way out, shooting Endo hateful looks as they passed. Endo kept his eyes lowered. Basop stepped down from his podium.

“What’s in that dirty cloth?”

Endo raised the bundle slightly. “My crown, shield, and sword.”

Basop’s face showed no emotion as he continued walking toward him.

“You mean what remains of them?”

Endo lowered the cloth again. Basop was now close.

“You lost to him? The son of a weakling. A bastard child who never learned a thing. You, who have been trained since birth. What is your excuse?”

Endo paused before answering. “I have none.”

Basop’s eyes flared with anger. He swung a heavy hook across Endo’s jaw, sending him crashing into the wall.

“HOW DARE YOU BRING SHAME TO THIS HOUSE!”

Blood dripped from Endo’s mouth as he fell to the ground. Still, he pushed himself up and stood straight.

“I am sorry, Father.”

“DON’T YOU DARE CALL ME FATHER!” Basop screamed.

He hit Endo with a right straight, his fist slamming into Endo’s head and driving it deep into the wall, leaving a huge dent.

“I have no weak sons.”

Endo slid down to his knees, barely conscious, yet he forced himself back to his feet.

The king gave him one last look of disgust. “Get out of my sight before I do something I’ll regret.”

Endo mumbled through his broken jaw. “Thank you, Father.”

He staggered out of the room. Basop waited until the door closed before returning to his throne.

He could not believe Endo had lost to Cleus. Cleus had been deliberately kept from learning his family’s techniques. There should have been no way for him to win. What trick had he used to close such a gap in power?

And Cyte, she had been banished, stripped of her inheritance, with no access to her clan’s skills. None of it made sense.

Perhaps it was that bastard’s Braverte’s doing. But even that man had no access to royal techniques. No, something else was at play.

But it doesn’t matter anymore. Eosin would handle everything.

As the king returned to his thoughts, Endo limped through the halls, his shoulder pressing to the wall for support. His eyes remained fixed on the cloth in his hand.

He made his way to the royal infirmary. The nurses and doctors barely looked up. Seeing his battered state, they casually motioned to an empty bed.

Endo lay down and placed the cloth on his chest.

A voice came from the doorway.

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”

Endo tried to respond, but only garbled sounds came out. One distorted phrase slipped through.

“Ghg metheur vugvjg. (A meteor requires no pity.)”

The woman came next to his bed with a wide smirk on her face.

“Seems you met your father. He still has such a loving touch. Or was this Cleus’ work?”

Endo glared at her but stayed silent. The woman leaned closer to whisper.

“Cleus is at Ufumu.”

Endo’s eyes shot open. He knew Cleus would not stay at the school, but he had never imagined he would go there.

The doctor walked up to the bed, sounding bored. “My apologies, Lady Globin, but we must tend to the patient.”

Globin chuckled and turned to leave, waving her hand. “Yes, yes. I’ll be on my way. Take care of the little weakling. He still has plenty of people left to disappoint.”

As she walked down the hallway, she thought to herself that Cleus’ growth without formal training was troubling. Still, if he ever returned here, things might become interesting again.

Back in the room, Endo stared at the ceiling while the doctors worked.

He made a promise to himself. Cleus would not get away with this. Once he recovered, he would go to Ufumu and kill him with his own hands.

But then another thought hit him.

If Globin knew about Cleus, then so did his father. And there was no way his father would let such a chance slip by.

If Endo wanted revenge, he would have to act fast.

His eyes burned with rage.

Chapter 89 fin