Chapter 356: No Say in My Bond
’...!!!’
Upon hearing the words of the king, Cedric was absolutely stupefied.
’What...? Former God...?’
His brain buffered for a brief second. Did the king just address him as a former God?
While over a dozen questions ran through Cedric’s mind, the king opened his eyes and slowly tilted his head forward. Then he leaned over and rested his elbows on the obsidian table.
The man’s cold blue eyes narrowed as a small, tired smile crossed his lips.
"You look surprised," he said in the same calm and gentle voice.
"You must probably be wondering what I meant..." he exhaled another cold breath as his smile widened, "...what I know."
Cedric swallowed.
"I don’t understand what you—"
"Don’t play smart with me boy and come sit." The king’s smile vanished as he cut Cedric off, shifting his cold eyes to the chair in front of him, on the other side of the table.
However, despite the invitation, Cedric didn’t move and just stood there with wide eyes, because of course, he was still in shock. After a few seconds, however, he snapped out of it and began walking over to the chair.
’Just what does this man know? Does he know everything about my transmigration?’
As Cedric politely pulled the chair back and sat down, he couldn’t help but wonder how the king would have been privy to this sort of information. But more than that... just how much did the man actually know?
’I have seriously underestimated those in the God-tier Grades.’
For some reason, he had already been feeling wary before even coming in here, but right now, his wariness had increased several fold.
Also, he finally had a bit of understanding as to why the king had requested that they meet in his sanctuary.
The man’s eyes slowly moved from Cedric to Aika, and then a deep frown appeared on his pale face.
Seeing that, Cedric arched a curious brow and also slowly turned to Aika, who was just sitting calmly with her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on the man.
But just then, the King’s next words caused both of them to tense.
"I do not sit at the same table with a weapon slave," he said as his eyes darted to the door in the far corner.
"Get out."
’What?!’ Cedric snapped his gaze to the king, and a mix of disbelief and anger was plastered on his face.
"Your Majesty?"
He tried hard to keep his emotions in check. Aika was not his slave, so hearing her being called that and being ordered out like garbage, even by the king, was enough to make his blood boil.
Beside Cedric, Aika clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and lowered her head. Her shoulders trembled as she tried to suppress the humiliation.
The king’s emotionless eyes shifted to Cedric. After a long silent moment, he smiled and said, "Order your weapon to leave... or I will kill her right here."
Cedric, too, clenched his fists.
’He’s not even requesting that I have her take her dormant form. He is requesting that I make her leave the chamber?’
This was outrageous!
But, no matter how furious he felt, he had no choice but to comply. The king was a Grade Seven... a true monster and a being regarded as a demigod. If he wanted, he could easily kill them with just a thought.
And from the looks of it, the king did not sound like he was bluffing.
For Aika’s sake, after a moment of heavy hesitation, Cedric finally spoke through gritted teeth.
"Please... leave us, Aika."
For a moment, the hall remained silent. Aika didn’t respond immediately, until he added even more seriously:
"I said leave us..."
The chair groaned as she stood up.
She remained with her fists clenched as she shifted her cold gaze to Cedric.
Then, she turned and made her way out of the chamber, slamming the door behind her.
When she was gone, Cedric exhaled as he forced his emotional state into a somewhat calm and detached demeanor.
He stopped clenching his fists, leaned back, and mirrored the same cold eyes the king gave to him.
The king chuckled dryly.
He, too, leaned back and tilted his head back, and another stream of black mist drifted out of his mouth.
"You did not use your bond command. Why?"
All Dominants could control their bonds and give orders through what was called Bond Command.
If that was used, a bond could not refuse any order from their bearer. If they did, they would suddenly be struck with pain so severe that it would be like their soul was being torn apart.
There were many Dominants who used this function regularly. In fact, most never gave any order without using it.
However, Cedric had never once used the Command. He simply didn’t see the need to force her loyalty through agony.
After a moment, he answered firmly. "Aika is my partner, not my tool."
"Partner?" The king huffed. "Ha. Don’t make me laugh." He narrowed his eyes. "You don’t get it, do you?"
He paused a bit, then added seriously, "They are no partners, boy. All Bonds are tools, and nothing more than that."
Cedric’s eyes grew half-lidded.
"I believe how I treat my bond is up to me...." He tilted his head. "...and me alone."
His eyes suddenly widened and his voice raised in pitch. "Not even ’you’ have a say in that, Your Majesty!"
...A heavy silence fell over the chamber.
Then, the king suddenly burst into a fit of cynical laughter. "Yes, yes. You are right, yes."
He leaned forward, his casual demeanor vanishing instantly. "But..." his voice grew cold, "do you really think you can control that volatile Bond of yours without the Bond Command?"
"Yes," Cedric replied without a shred of doubt.
The king smiled, a cruel, mocking twist of his lips. "Delude yourself all you want."
Cedric arched a brow.
The king was silent for a moment before adding, "Why do you think I arranged for you to be sold to the arena before you returned?"
"....!"
Cedric’s eyes widened with every word as the king continued. "Why do you think I made it so that the owner of this body you are occupying died right there?"
’What?! What does he...’
