Chapter 44: Battlefield tax collection.
Brandon stepped forward, and with a twisted smirk, he released his aura.
A violent wave of oppressive energy surged through the clearing, rustling the trees and sending a pulse of heat over the earth.
The flames around the insignia on his chest seemed to come alive, flickering unnaturally as the Spirit Bud Realm pressure rolled out from his body like a crashing tide.
John’s eyes narrowed, and a deep frown carved into his face.
He clenched his fists tightly as his own spiritual energy surged in defense, resisting the oppressive weight.
"Spirit Bud Realm..." he muttered under his breath, the words sharp and edged with disbelief. "I didn’t think he’d actually be this strong."
Behind him, Caros simply chuckled, completely unfazed by the rising tension in the air.
He took a step forward, brushing the dust from his sleeves casually, as though about to deliver a lecture instead of step into a bloodbath.
"Hehehe... well, looks like I’ll have to teach this overgrown torchbearer a lesson," Caros said with a grin, stretching his arms with exaggerated laziness. "You take care of his lackeys. Shouldn’t be too hard, unless they’re hiding something more than ugly faces under those robes."
John glanced back at him, the muscles on his jaw twitching.
The moment Brandon had mentioned Riara, something had snapped inside him.
The image of her, brilliant, proud, a little arrogant but fiercely capable, flashed across his mind.