23.

Marjun, who noticed Alex's presence, seethed in rage. How could he be looking so battered while Alex had a clean look, with barely any scratches?

"What do you want?" Marjun demanded fiercely, grabbing all the attention towards him and Alex. Fraco had a pleasing smile, seeing Alex's clean look. To him, Alex was the bravest man in the celestial village and Marjun deserved what he got.

"Hello Alex, how are you faring?" Fraco asked pleasantly. "I can see that you are healing quite well."

"Which is so surprising, considering the number of hits you received," Marjun murmured.

"Hello Fraco, it's so good to see you." Alex greeted back, ignoring Marjun as if he didn't exist, which further kindled Marjun's anger.

"You bastard!" Marjun yelled as he rushed towards Alex as fast as he can with his wounded body.

Alex stared at Marjun's actions amusingly.

Was the man mad?

Had he truly beaten him till he got mad?

The moment Marjun raised his fist against Alex, King's angry voice was heard.

"In my presence, Do you have to raise your fists against the man who won the duel against you for his own right?" King Philips said grimly.

Marjun's hand froze as his expression turned fearful. He was a little confused at his sudden actions and reactions towards Alex. While Alex had his signature smirk on his face, Marjun has a terrified expression.

"My king, it's all his fault! He coerced me into doing it." Marjun yelled. "He compelled me!" Continued trying to put all the blame on Alex.

Seeing his son's actions, Neron exhaled sharply.

Could Marjun not learn?

"Marjun, that's enough now! Leave that boy alone, he did nothing to you. We all saw you walk over to him in angst." Neron said.

"On whose side are you, Father? Me or that bastard?" Marjun demanded fiercely, looking at his biased father.

Neron stared at the king from the corner of his eyes. "I am on the side of justice. Because of your behavior, people would think I didn't raise you well! I warned you not to go ahead with this duel but you said Alex had accepted it. I still couldn't understand Alex's reason for accepting this pointless duel."

Fraco and Guido chuckled at his words. Alex's eyes captured the little exchange between Fraco and Guido. Seeing through Neron's act, he found it amusing.

Who would have known that he could find such amusement at the King's castle?

King Philips walked over, his eyes fixed on Marjun's shaking figure.

"Marjun, Do you dare to raise your voice at the King as well?"

Marjun scowled. "I have done absolutely nothing, my king! Why, why, why?! Why does everyone fail to see the wrong things he is doing? Alex is a trickster! Alex is a manipulator! Alex is a-"

"Careful Marjun," Alex said lightly. "My patience has limits." His voice carried an air of chillness showing that he was no longer guffy or easy-going.

"Would you also dare to hit me before the king?!" Marjun demanded, smirking at Alex in reply to Alex's words.

"If the king can stand quietly as you insult and accuse me to rile me up, he should stand quietly and watch me release the anger you riled up on you," Alex answered. His answer was straightforward, and also directed towards the King. Getting the subtle hint of meaning behind Alex's words, Fraco decided to get closer to Alex.

"Alex, ignore Marjun for now. He shall be duly punished." The King said trying to calm things. "Alex, I shall appoint a messenger to convey your messages and requests to me."

"That's not necessary my king," Marjun said as he butted in the middle.

He doesn't want others to find out about the beautiful KRYSTAL!!!!

Alex smiled. "I am not siding with Marjun, but that's not necessary. I don't think anyone would want to associate with the dragon. I shall come whenever I need to and if there's a need for me, you can send for me."

"Okay then. Fraco, Guido, is there anything else you want?" King Philips inquired.

"Er, yes my king," Guido said. "My neighbors have been complaining about strange people attacking them when they harvest crops. They claim these people neither looked nor dressed like Celestials and also they always snatch their baskets before beating them up."

"Don't you live among nobles?" Alex asked. "When nobles get beaten no one heard of it?"

"No, not like that. The nobles don't farm by themselves but their servants do. The servants are the ones who got beaten when they refused those people." Fraco explained.

"Alex." The King started. "Could you look into the matter?"

Alex shrugged. "I'll investigate it, but let's wait until more people complain. If they are still causing harm, then the victims will speak out."

"Are you saying it's okay to allow an issue to become a huge one instead of tackling it in the roots?" Guido inquired.

Alex shook his head. "Sir Guido, that's not how it is. Those attackers are brave for a reason, and we have to understand their motives. We need to be patient and let them down their guard before we take action."

"A Man with Wisdom." Guido complimented him aloud. "Minds like this will cause the prosperity of Celestial Village." he patted Alex's shoulder.

"Do as you wish, Alex." Neron supported him.

"This man is greedy! How can you all be blind?!" Marjun yelled. "Father!"

"Shut up." Neron scolded at once. "There is wisdom in what this young man has said, if you had listened to any of the training I had given you, you could have such wisdom. You fool!"

Neron felt tired of his son's stupidity. He couldn't understand why Marjun couldn't grasp their current situation. Instead of provoking people, he should start currying favor to reap benefits.

Marjun felt vexed. "How can everyone be blind?" He muttered. He hated seeing the mockery in Alex's eyes and having to watch him getting praised by everyone.

"Marjun, you have gone against the king's orders repeatedly today!" The king began feeling annoyed at Marjun's offensive acts repeatedly. "I sentence that you will be prisoned starting today!"

"Guards! Take him to the dungeon." the King yelled.

Marjun was caught off guard at the sudden turn of events while Alex chortled in amusement.

"I have to return to K," Alex said, turning to leave when a villager rushed into the room and fell on his knees before the King. Alex turned back to observe the incident.

"It's Salem!" The man cried. "They have stolen my crops again!"