Chapter 121
Nash didn’t mind the toll it had taken on his life. Now that he had begun walking the path of cultivation, he believed that what he lost in years could one day be reclaimed.
Philix, after hearing Stellar’s account of everything Nash had done, was overcome with emotion. He walked toward Nash and dropped to one knee.
“Mr. Calcraft… please accept my bow!”
Nash quickly caught him, steadying the older man. “Warden, no! You’re a great hero who protects the Northern Territory. I’m just a commoner—how can I let you kneel to me?”
Tears welled in Philix’s eyes. “Then either become sworn brothers with me, or allow me this bow!”
Stellar leaned over and whispered, “Warden, Nash is still in his twenties. He might be younger than your son. Are you sure you want to make him your sworn brother?”
Philix shot him a glare. “Did I ask for your opinion?”
Stellar immediately zipped his mouth shut, though in truth, he had been thinking that perhaps the warden should adopt Nash as his own son. Philix had no children, and in retirement, he would need someone by his side.
Nash scratched his head. “Alright then… let’s be brothers.”
He pressed a hand to his heart and said with sincerity, “Martial Brother Philix.”
Philix straightened, nodding. “Martial Brother Nash.”
There was nothing awkward about it for Nash. His two other martial brothers were older than Philix anyway. And after sacrificing twenty years of his own life to alter the warden’s fate, this bond felt not only appropriate but well-earned.
Philix then turned serious. “Stellar, for those who died protecting me, give them the grandest burial possible. Posthumously bestow upon them the highest honors. Build monuments in their names and ensure their families receive the same support as those of fallen heroes!”
Stellar nodded solemnly. “I’ll begin preparations tomorrow.”
Hearing this, both Cillian and Zakariah let out relieved sighs.
Every man must die, but some deaths carried glory. Those who fell defending the warden had earned honor and peace in the afterlife.
That night, everyone remained in the villa.
Skadi and Hera spent the night chatting quietly. One couldn’t sleep because her heart still raced from her night in Royal Bay with the president of the Drake Group. The other was energized by the sheer drama of the night’s events.
Hera was thrilled to learn that Nash and the warden had become sworn brothers. If her grandfather ever regained his memory and heard of Nash’s new connection, he’d probably rush to marry her off to him without hesitation.
She wondered when that moment would come.
—
The next morning, just after dawn, Hera’s phone rang.