“Traitor?” Dustin raised an eyebrow at the unexpected revelation. Although a similar notion had crossed his path before, the urgency in Donovan’s voice gave the matter newfound significance.
“Abbot Lumen…” Dustin pressed, ” Who’s this supposed traitor?”
“The culprit is none other than General Reston Rever, a key figure under your father’s command,” Donovan disclosed.
“Uncle Reston? That can’t be right! Didn’t he sacrifice himself?” Dustin’s face displayed disbelief. Reston Rever, a loyal general in his father’s service, stood as a brother-in- arms, sharing the trials of life and death.
A decade ago, Reston, who led the guard during their arrival in the capital, successfully foiled numerous assassination attempts. His bravery became even more evident during the Aylka Rebellion when he courageously guided Dustin and Alba out of the city, eventually sacrificing himself in a heroic act.
How could someone so gallant and virtuous turn out to be a traitor?
“When I first got wind of this, I was equally taken aback. However, after a thorough investigation, all signs pointed to Reston Rever. I can’t say why he did it-perhaps he was coerced or manipulated,” Donovan explained with a serious expression.
He went on, “But the truth remains that he’s involved. Regarding his alleged sacrifice, it was a staged event. I had the body examined later, and it turned out to be a decoy.”
“Reston Rever? He’s a traitor?”
Dustin’s fists clenched, anger welling up within him. He could handle being manipulated, even enduring ambushes. But the betrayal from someone within his trusted circle was unforgivable. Reston, a mentor-like figure, had imparted martial wisdom and shared invaluable experiences in leading troops.
Never could Dustin have imagined that someone as honorable and loyal as Reston would be the traitor.
“Abbot Lumen, do you have any information about Reston’s current location?” Dustin asked.
“I’m not aware.” Donovan shook his head and continued, “He might’ve adopted a new identity to stay hidden. But his disappearance after the incident suggests he’s still out there.”
“I get it. I’ll be on the lookout for him,” Dustin replied, his expression darkening with anger. “Abbot Lumen, is there anything else I should know?”
“I’ve shared all the pertinent information. My advice is to proceed cautiously. The Dragon Guard is formidable, and even your father couldn’t match their strength. It’s advisable to tread carefully,” Donovan cautioned earnestly.
The Dragon Guard, standing strong for a century, wielded immense power. Besides the formidable warriors within, their affiliated forces were enough to dominate effortlessly.
“Thank you, Abbot Lumen, for the heads-up. I know what needs to be done.” Dustin nodded respectfully. “I apologize for the intrusion. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Mr. Rhys, godspeed,” Donovan replied with a nod.
“Abbot, something terrible is happening!”
As Dustin prepared to depart, the round -faced monk rushed in with an urgent expression.
Donovan calmly inquired, “What’s the matter?”
“Abbot, a large force is approaching from the mountain and has surrounded the Scenic Monastery!” The round- faced monk stared at Dustin begrudgingly and continued, “The soldiers are fierce and seem to be drawn by Mr. Rhys!”
“Well, that escalated quickly,” Dustin remarked, not surprised at the turn of events. He had anticipated this when he entered the monastery.
The influence of the Dragon Guard was powerful, and information circulated effortlessly within its powerful network. With his identity now laid bare, there were certainly those keeping a vigilant eye on him. They had intended to capitalize on this situation to eradicate potential threats.
“Clarick, Fedrick, guard the mountain gate. Stall them as much as possible,” Donovan instructed.
“Abbot, there are too many of them, and some are formidable fighters. We might not be able to hold them off,” the round-faced monk protested. He wondered, “Risking so much for someone you don’t even know-is it truly worth it?”
Donovan determinedly replied, “We can only delay them for now.”
“Abbot…”
