"So you're telling me..."
The King's voice trembled with barely contained fury.
"...that YOU are the professor. And my daughter - my Aeliana was sent on some mission where she nearly LOST HER LIFE?"
Jax shrugged playfully.
"Yup."
The King's eye twitched.
"I will revisit this... stupidity... shortly. But first—"
His gaze shifted to the side.
"—deal with HIM."
Jax followed the King's eyes.
There stood the old elf from before. Mr. Chisa. The village head who had briefed them on the mission.
Two soldiers gripped his arms, holding him in place like a criminal awaiting execution.
Which, Jax suspected, wasn't far from the truth.
The events after the cave rescue flashed through his mind.
They had returned to the village—him carrying Victor over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, the girls limping behind.
But instead of grateful villagers, they found an army.
Soldiers everywhere. Surrounding every building. Weapons drawn.
As if war had erupted in their absence.
