Bab 186: A Bond Beyond Vassals

"Tch... damn it! It's always my brother!" Caius spat, his frustration boiling over.

He stood and grabbed a sword that had been lying nearby. With fiery determination, he began swinging it wildly, as if venting his anger at an invisible opponent.

When Caius grabbed the sword, Ithnan and the other Dragonewts moved closer, but Damien raised a hand to signal them to stay back. They dispersed again without a word.

Caius who is absorbed in his swings, didn't notice any of this. He kept cutting through the air, over and over, as if trying to slice his frustration into shreds.

Eventually, he stopped. Breathing heavily, he tossed the sword aside and stood in front of Damien, his chest heaving.

"How much?" Caius demanded. "How much are he paying you? If you come under me, I'll double it!"

"No," Damien said firmly.

"Triple, then!" Caius shot back at him, "No, I'll pay you five times your current salary!"