Chapter 96: Delegation from the Lutein Kingdom
Maximus spoke in a voice filled with emotion. “That barbarian helped the princess get here. I know he is her savior. If, as the Tower Master says, the Lutein Kingdom has been overtaken by something, then he’s the one who warned us to prepare. Even though it annoyed me to be treated like some errand boy, I understood his value.”
His face showed clear irritation, and there was a strong sense of refusal directed toward Ketal. He continued, “But now I just cannot figure it out. Who is this barbarian that he’s meddling in such a critical matter?”
“Maximus—” Barbosa spoke, but was interrupted by Maximus.
“Yes, I know it’s what the Tower Master wants. But that doesn’t mean I have to accept it.” Maximus was visibly annoyed. “Why is everyone so focused on that barbarian?”
“Hm,” the Tower Master interjected, nodding. “Ah, so you weren’t here at the time.”
Maximus hadn’t been around when Barbosa spoke of Ketal with the Tower Master. From his point of view, it was impossible to understand Ketal’s significance.
“You say you can’t accept it, but why does that matter to us?” The Tower Master seemed genuinely puzzled. In his eyes, Maximus wasn’t bound to him in any way, nor did he hold any special value. That calm indifference made Maximus’s face grow even more tense.
“Let’s not take it that far,” Barbosa cut in, trying to defuse the heated mood. His expression was difficult to read.
As far as the Tower Master was concerned, what happened to Maximus didn’t matter. Being a Hero, he found little value in a Swordmaster’s strength. However, Barbosa saw the situation differently.
Maximus was a Swordmaster: a Transcendent and the strongest swordsman of the Denian Kingdom. Barbosa understood why he was so angry. Though part of Maximus’s loyalty came from lingering patriotism, there was a deeper reason.
He had always stood at the center of attention, and the kingdom arranged everything around him. He never had to deal with bothersome matters. For him, the Denian Kingdom was simply a place where he could comfortably earn respect and prestige without lifting a finger.