Chapter 227: He’s Weak
The town of Siwa al-Jadid was nestled between two colossal dunes that rose like protective golden walls on either side. At its heart lay a large shimmering oasis, its palm-fringed waters feeding the narrow strips of green that sustained the settlement. From almost any rooftop or sandy street in Siwa al-Jadid, one could clearly see the Obsidian Citadel of the Shadow Fang Sect looming in the distance, a jagged black fortress carved directly into the cliffs of the western dune, its dark spires perpetually swallowing the sunlight.
The townsfolk were going about their daily lives when a blinding pillar of light descended at the center of town.
FWOOOOOOOM!
The sand exploded outward in a circular wave as the teleportation formation activated fully. Merchants screamed and scrambled backward. Guards stationed around the plaza instantly drew weapons while alarm bells rang from nearby towers.
"What’s happening?!"
"A teleportation formation?!"
"Enemy attack?!"
Within seconds, armored guards flooded into the plaza from every direction. At the center of the fading light stood Bahamut and his group. Bahamut stretched lazily while Ren yawned from atop his head. Sel looked around calmly. Meanwhile, Alana, Lily, and Exildra simply observed the increasingly panicked surroundings with mild curiosity. Honestly, they had expected this reaction.
Anyone would panic after witnessing people suddenly appear from thin air in the middle of their town. Still, none of them were worried. They were disciples of the Shadow Fang Sect. That alone granted them a terrifying level of status throughout the surrounding territories. Adding Hakim’s personal seal from Senkeht into the mix? Most towns would practically worship them. Well... most.
Heavy footsteps echoed from the eastern street. A group of armored guards arrived quickly, pushing civilians aside while surrounding Bahamut’s group expertly. Bahamut just watched them come and was prepared to speak when...
"You’ve gotta be kidding me." Sel immediately covered his face. Ren started laughing already. Leading the guards was none other than Rexi and his group. Apparently, their evaluation mission involved assisting the town guard. Rexi halted the moment he recognized Bahamut, and his expression instantly darkened. His eyes subconsciously drifted toward Lily, who was hugging Bahamut lazily from behind. They lingered there for half a second before snapping back toward Bahamut’s face.
Bahamut noticed and smiled mockingly, causing Rexi to tighten his jaw in anger. Bahamut was about to speak when Rexi pointed his spear directly at him.
"Enemy sighted!" he barked. "Immobilize them!"
His group moved instantly, or rather tried to.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A colossal pressure descended without warning, and the plaza cracked violently beneath it. The guards froze mid-step before crashing onto their knees one after another. Panic erupted immediately as a gigantic serpentine beast towered above them.
Its golden eyes glowed like miniature suns as Angitia silently manifested behind Bahamut, her scaled body coiling around the plaza like a divine calamity. Four powerful clawed limbs dug into the ground while black-gold scales reflected the sunlight ominously. The atmosphere became suffocating instantly, and even civilians several streets away collapsed under the pressure. Rexi trembled violently while forcing himself to remain upright.
"What are you doing?!" he barked despite the blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. "Are you trying to become enemies of the town?!"
Bahamut stared at him for a few seconds in genuine disbelief.
"Are you stupid?" Rexi’s expression twisted. Bahamut tilted his head slightly and spoke once more. "No, seriously. Are you stupid or just more stupid?"
Several nearby guards looked horrified. Sel sighed deeply.
"Here we go..."
"You attacked town guards!" Rexi roared.
"And you attacked esteemed guests," Bahamut replied calmly. The difference in composure between them was painful. Rexi gritted his teeth and countered... foolishly.
"Heh! What esteemed guests? Get your head out of your ass!"
Bahamut blinked in increasing disbelief. "You really don’t read, huh?"
Rexi’s eye twitched.
"All disciples of the Shadow Fang Sect are recognized as honored guests within surrounding territories. That’s basic knowledge."
He gestured lazily around them.
"You attacked sect disciples without confirmation, without investigation, and without authorization. Actually, now that I think about it, this might genuinely be the dumbest thing you’ve ever done."
Even some of the town guards looked uncomfortable now because Bahamut was right. Rexi tried forcing himself upward against Angitia’s pressure.
"I can still arrest you!"
Bahamut looked downward slowly.
"You’re kneeling."
Rexi froze.
"You can’t even stand properly," Bahamut smirked beneath the blindfold. "And I can’t even see you."
Ren lost it immediately.
"PFFT—HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The bunny rolled off Bahamut’s head, laughing hysterically, while Sel turned away entirely. Even Exildra looked as if she was fighting for her life not to laugh. Rexi’s face turned bright red.
"The captain of the guard will be here soon!" he barked furiously. "We’ll see if you can still act arrogantly then!"
"Sure." Bahamut shrugged lazily. "Enjoy the kneeling while it lasts."
He then turned around casually.
"We’re leaving."
"You finished your mission?" Rexi spat bitterly.
Bahamut didn’t even look back.
"None of your business," he said and snapped his fingers lightly.
"Nagini."
The colossal solar wyrm lowered herself calmly. Bahamut’s group climbed onto her back casually under the utterly stunned gazes of the guards and civilians alike.
BOOOOOOOM!
The massive beast turned its head toward the towering Obsidian Citadel and started moving towards it. Rexi, who was kneeling, couldn’t help but be shocked at the current development. He was even more shocked by the appearance of the wyrm.
"A solar wyrm..." But his attention was on the red-haired fox girl blatantly kissing Bahamut.
"Lily... Lily! You are going with someone as uncivilized as him?! He’s just using you!" Rexi blurted out, and even the people who had gone into hiding after Nagini appeared couldn’t help but look at him as if he were a clown.
Bahamut, on the other hand, turned to stare at the guy in absolute disbelief.
"Are you for real?" he questioned in shock. Then he turned to Lily. "Is he your..."
"He’s weak."
That answer completely shattered Rexi. Lily had called him weak, and that look... She had looked down on him with disdain. He couldn’t understand it...
He could only watch as Bahamut and his group passed through the gates of Siwa al-Jadid and made their way to the sect with a day to spare.
