Sid felt a flicker of temptation from the offer but he was not that dumb to bet on his opponent's words.
"Do you honestly think I would believe you?" he challenged, his voice tinged with skepticism.
"You've already taken the life of one of our own. They might have been feeble and foolish, but they were still One-Star Knights nurtured by the Rosegold Family," Luke stated.
"I merely defended myself," Sid retorted, his voice steady and resolute.
"You struck first; it was your fault for assuming they would harm you," Luke argued, his words carrying some weight this time.
"I..." Sid found himself at a loss for words. Luke's argument seemed to strike a chord with him, causing him to falter in his response. His hesitation revealed his acknowledgment of the truth in Luke's words.
As Luke assessed Sid's character, he couldn't help but shake his head at the boy's apparent lack of foresight. Though Sid's talent was undeniable, his naivety left him vulnerable.
"Kid, you're talented but somewhat slow in the head, to be honest," Luke shook his head, clearly perceiving Sid's naivety.
"I would have killed you already if you weren't so gifted," he added
"I dont trust you. You work for the Rosegold Family" Sid responded with a wary voice.
"You don't have to trust me. Either way, you'll be captured here, so it's better to surrender now and accept my proposal," Luke suggested.
His words made Sid pause, and for a moment, he couldn't find a response. Sid's brow furrowed as he considered the truth in Luke's accusation.
As the two continued their tense exchange, the atmosphere suddenly shifted with the arrival of a new figure.
"Is the Rosegold Family bullying the innocent again?" a young man in his late teens inquired, his red hair and blood-red eyes contrasting with the smile that graced his face.
"Lord Dominic, what brings you here?" Luke asked with respect, not out of fear from the young man, but rather for the figure standing behind him: a person clad in black armor and wielding a sword with a dragon shape hilt. This person was Ragner Drasca from the Drasca family, one of the three most powerful households in the city, alongside the Rosegold family and the now-destroyed Summer Family.
"I just returned from my training, only to find the lofty Rosegold family acting as if they own the city," Dominic replied sarcastically.
"You have no right to interfere in this matter, Lord Dominic," Luke retorted with a serious expression.
"Oh, do you wish to challenge me, then?" Dominic sneered, as he suddenly unleashed his aura, causing the air around him to crackle with energy. The ambient temperature rose several degrees as a fierce blue light emanated from his body, enveloping him in an otherworldly glow.
Dominic then focused his aura on his sword, causing it to shimmer and hum with ethereal energy. The blade crackled with electricity as he held it aloft, showcasing his prowess as a Three-Star Knight.
"A Three-Star Knight!" Luke exclaimed, shocked. He had also attained the rank of a Three-Star Knight but had only achieved this power at the age of thirty.
Dominic, on the other hand, was only Twenty. Although Dominic's aura might not be as potent as his, reaching this level at such a young age was unprecedented.
Sid watched the exchange with wide eyes, taking in the surprising turn of events. Little did Luke know that the boy he sought to capture was even younger and potentially more formidable than he realized.
"Is the Drasca family protecting this kid?" Luke's voice dripped with irritation. He was truly interested in Sid's talent but Dominic just had to interfere. Given Sid's potential, he was confident that the Earl would forgive him for his past crimes.
"Absolutely. He may not be wearing an insignia, but he's my brother-in-arms," Dominic replied with a chuckle. Then, he sent a sly "just go with the flow" smile in Sid's direction.
"The Rosegold Family won't let this go easily. This kid killed two of our esteemed Knights," Luke explained.
"Esteemed Knights? Do you mean those third-rate Knights of yours that can barely be classified as 1-Star Knights?" Dominic mocked him in response.
"You..." Luke's frustration was evident. Dominic had a knack for getting under people's skin.
Luke closed his eyes and sheathed his sword.
"You're fortunate this time, but we'll meet again," Luke directed his gaze at Sid.
"Let's go," He then raised his hand, signaling the remaining Rosegold Knights who had been watching to withdraw.
***
"I appreciate your assistance, My name is Sid," he said, bowing his head gratefully to Dominic.
Dominic waved a dismissive hand, his expression friendly.
"Don't worry about it. It's not every day I get to rile up the Rosegold Family. Besides, it seemed like you could use a hand."
Sid nodded, still feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.
"You're right, I was in a tight spot. I'm not sure what I would have done without your intervention."
Dominic chuckled.
"Sometimes, you just need someone to step in and help out. In any case, it looks like you've made some powerful enemies. What exactly got you tangled up with the Rosegold Family?"
Sid hesitated for a moment before recounting the events that led to the confrontation with the Rosegold Knights. As he spoke, Dominic listened attentively, occasionally nodding or frowning in response.
Hearing Sid's story, Dominic's expression turned serious, and he addressed him with brutal honesty.
"You're too naive,"
Sid furrowed his brow, taken aback by Dominic's blunt assessment.
"Naive? What do you mean?"
Dominic sighed, folding his arms.
"You need to understand the complexities of the world we live in. You can't just assume that everyone you encounter has good intentions or that a misunderstanding won't escalate into a dangerous situation. You need to be more vigilant and prepared for the worst."
Sid's expression turned thoughtful, taking in Dominic's words.
"You're right, I should have been more careful. I didn't expect things to get so out of hand."
Dominic nodded, his tone softening slightly.
"I'm not trying to be harsh, but I want you to learn from this experience. You're very talented, being naive can be a fatal mistake. You need to be more aware of the potential consequences of your actions, especially when dealing with powerful families like the Rosegold."
"I appreciate your honesty, Sir Dominic. I'll take your advice to heart and strive to be more cautious in the future."
Author's Note
I would appreciate some honest feedback on my novel so far.
As an author, I tend to be biased toward my own work, but I value your observations and critiques, as they will help me improve my story.