Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 380: Brak’s Forced Apology

“Thank you, Leader Bradok. I’m sure we’re both excited to taste the exemplary cuisine of the Iron-body Gorilla Clan,” Inka replied, nodding in tandem with Treeda.

“Then, please, excuse me.”

Bradok and Lord Draco began their trek to the other side of the gorilla estate, leaving the silent Vloz with the rest of the guests.

Curious, Vloz bowed and asked, “My lords, shall your guests be staying with you or in their own quarters?”

“Zelsh will be staying with me, unless he wishes to stay with his long-time friend instead,” stated Treeda. “Which is it, Zelsh?”

The wyrm king chuckled, “Then, permit me to stay with Bradok, as we’ve yet to truly catch up and drink together.”

Inka glanced at Brak, shaking her head. “In my case, Brak shall be staying in the building nearest to my estate. And despite your difference in cultivation, I ask that a guard be placed at the entrance of his quarters, for monitoring purposes.”

.....

“Consider it done, my lords.” Vloz stole a glance at the upset dragon king but said nothing regarding the matter. “Then, please, follow me. Your estates are neighboring each other, so there’s no need to separate for now.”

During the short walk, Lady Inka sighed and asked, “Vloz, it would seem you’ve met my underling, Brak. Is that correct?”

“Yes. We’ve met once in the past.”

“Was that, by chance, the same instance when Brak met this gorilla clan?”

The leopard nodded subtly. “That’s correct.”

“Hmm, I request a meeting with Dioro’s wife, who’s still alive, yes?”

“Of course, Lady Inka. It’s likely that we’ll meet her upon arrival. She insisted on helping prepare your momentary homes.”

With a soft smile, Inka asked, “Before we split up, I need her present along with everyone here. Even you, Lord Treeda, if that isn’t too much to ask.”

“I’ll oblige...” Noticing the tension on Brak’s face, Treeda shook her head in silence.

“Very well. We’ve arrived.” Vloz stopped the group between two large houses before turning and bowing. “Please, wait here while I fetch Ania, Dioro’s widow.”

Vloz vanished without any reaction from the group. They all waited patiently for the speedy messenger to return, and they weren’t disappointed. Vloz quickly emerged from one of the two homes along with a female gorilla.

“My name is Ania. It’s an honor and a privilege to meet you both, Lord Treeda, Lady Inka. King Zelsh, it’s a pleasure to see you again. King Rhyner, we’re glad to have the support and protection of the Trighton Region, so we’re always glad to offer you a retreat.” Ania humbly bowed and looked to the last guest behind Inka. “And who might you be, sir king?”

Brak was silent at first but a swift elbow to his side got him talking. “I’m Brak, King of Scale Region within Tempest Prefecture. I’m in your care.”

Ania’s mouth opened to respond but she froze before words could escape her throat. Her quivering jaw said enough. But she swallowed her pride and bowed again, stating. “King Brak, we’re glad-”

“Speak honestly, dear.”

Astonished, Ania blinked and looked up to Lord Treeda. “Excuse me, but I’m in no position-”

“You have my protection in this instance. And you will face no backlash for what is said at this moment. Isn’t that right, Lady Inka?” stated Treeda, stepping a bit closer to Ania.

Inka nodded with a beaming grin, replying, “Of course! The whole reason I’ve dragged Brak here was for the purpose of reparations, for both the Toxic-shadow Prefecture and the Nova Prefecture.”

“So speak your mind, and hold nothing back for this dung heap of a cultivator blessed by Dominus to have had an easy life.” Finally, Treeda let go of inhibitions, letting her aura fully weigh down Brak’s personage and conscience.

“... I... I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!” Emotions erupted from Ania, not stopping or slowing in the slightest. Once the first shout sounded, Ania’s boiling blood became impossible to cool down. “You stole my husband from me, MY HUSBAND! YOU!! If he hadn’t died.. if Dioro was alive, OLI WOULD STILL BE WITH ME!! MY BROTHER WOULDN’T BE IN A COMA! AND I...”

Ania’s legs abruptly gave out. Her bubbling rage boiled over into pained cries of sorrow as tears cascaded down her face and stained her fur. “I.. I wouldn’t..... My family wouldn’t... We would be.. together..... We would be stronger.. happier.. closer..... If only.. If only you never existed!!”

Pat. “He’s worse than scum. Lower than even smallest worms of the earth.”

With a hand on her shoulder, Ania glanced beside her. “L-Lord Treeda...”

“This barbaric, worthless cultivator isn’t worth anyone’s time, let alone attention. Yet I must admit the truth while I’m given this opportunity before it slips out of my grasp...” Inhaling sharply, Treeda’s gaze pierced into Brak. “You... You killed my daughter. You killed my grandchild.. And you’ve never even had the spine to admit anything..... You’re a cowardly lizard parading as a draconic king. An utterly pitiful and weak excuse of a cultivator...

“Should you ever find yourself within my prefecture without any bodyguards, I’ll have you gutted, quartered, and strung up for the world to see. Though I’ll forever wonder how you’re able to move with such thick skin, and how your body can circulate such tainted blood.”

When Treeda finished insulting Brak, her gaze only got heavier and sharper. He was nearly choking from the pressure alone. His face paled. Whether it was the shredding commentary harming his pride or Treeda’s tremendous aura weighing down on him, Brak was left unable to do anything. Brak’s lips couldn’t even quiver or shake. His powerful frame was grappled and squeezed by Treeda’s loathing essence.

“Brak. Please, resond in kind.”

With a twitch in his eye, Brak glanced at Lady Inka and tried his best to breathe deeply. “I... I’m sorr-”

“YOU DARE UTTER SUCH NONSENSE!!??!!” roared Treeda, shaking the ground beneath them.

“I-I’M SORRY!!!”

“SHUT UUUP!!!!” Ania’s shout caught everyone off guard, but both Treeda and Inka chuckled when seeing the perennial’s confidence. “SHUT UP!! I don’t want to hear a single word escape your filthy lips!”