"Agh..." It hurts...everywhere.
Every single part of his body was burning, as if he was being cooked over live flames.
He released another groan as he slowly opened his eyes and was met by a familiar sight.
It was his room.
"Y-Young master," A familiar voice called out.
He turned towards the maid before asking, "When...did...I return?" His voice was hoarse as if he had shouted for way too long. His throat hurts...no, more like, there was not a single section on his body that doesn't hurt.
Tia slowly approached him before kneeling before the bed, "You returned two days ago...you were barely breathing...I was so scared..." Tears welled in her eyes, but Hades didn't have the strength to console her at the moment.
He didn't look at his body but he knew, at the moment, he must be looking miserable.
He softly asked, "Water..."
"Ah, yes!" She instantly got up and approached the nearby table.
She brought the glass toward him and first helped Hades to tilt his head so he wouldn't choke on his body.
"Agh ...ah!" Hades cried in pain as he felt his dry skin tearing...and once he lifted his head, he finally saw his body
His skin blackened and cracked like scorched earth. The dragon's fire had stripped him of flesh in places, revealing raw, pulsing muscle beneath. His breaths were shallow, ragged—each one scraping against a throat scorched dry. Pain clung to him like a second skin.
Tia's tears continued to fall down her eyes as she helped him drink and told him, "No medic came to help you even though I begged them. They all are focused on the Prince even though he was barely injured."
Hades lay back down and said, "How is he...and the others?" His gaze darkened as he added, "...and Graham."
Tia flinched and her reaction told him what had happened.
Hades had lost his best friend.
Just because he wasn't informed of something so important.
Because he didn't listen to the advice of his friends and backed away.
Because he was reckless.
"Jasmine and Taylor have merely received a few wounds while running away while Prince Cedric had taken some burns while bringing you back."
"So...he brought me back..." Hades didn't believe he would survive. When he fainted, he had already accepted his death.
However, something happened back then, and the Duke-ranked paused suddenly, and then Cedric pulled him away.
He couldn't be more thankful for what he did for him.
*Knock* *Knock*
Two loud knocks were heard.
Tia flinched before she turned towards the door.
Hades frowned as she opened the door and instantly, two soldiers stepped inside.
"Hades Thorneblade, you are summoned to the church. Now."
Their tone only made his frown deeper as he asked, "For what?"
"Your trials. For endangering the life of the Royal Highness and sacrificing a student, you must be presented before the Supreme Authority."
Hades's frown receded...he should have expected this.
"Please, wait. He hasn't recovered and-"
"Shut up, woman! He has already been resting-"
"Hey, you." Hades growled, his aura turning the soldier silent as he heard the teenager saying, "Talk to her like that again, and I promise no one will bother holding any trial of your disappearance."
The soldier gritted his teeth but couldn't rebuke.
The other one spoke, calmly, "It's an order. You have to come."
Hades snickered before getting up.
His bones creaked, muscles tore but he didn't let out a single groan.
It was painful to watch even for the soldiers, seeing his charred skin crackling as he moved.
"Young master..." Tears welled up in her eyes again as she saw him wearing a shirt and pants.
"Don't worry, Tia...I will be back in an hour." He approached the maid and after cupping her cheek, he told her, "Make something good. We will have dinner together."
The soldier, who had been shouting previously, snickered.
Hades didn't pay attention to them and stepped forward, "Lead the way,"
....
There are many churches across the world, each watching over the lands and their people.
These churches are independent organizations, sustained by donations, the sale of potions, and the services they offer.
They act as the world's administrators—guardians of peace who step in whenever human nations show signs of conflict.
With more than three-fourths of the world ruled by dragons, the number of human nations is few. That's why the Church takes it upon itself to ensure humans don't turn against one another.
So, when the matter involved the crowned Prince—only in name—and the academy's strongest Dragon Hunter, Hades wasn't surprised to see the Church step in as judge.
He was led to the church within the academy grounds.
Even walking at a normal pace made his body ache. He couldn't tell exactly where, but he knew he was bleeding somewhere near his waist. Thankfully, his clothes were dark—otherwise, the red stain would've already given him away.
As he stepped into the church, he saw students lined up on both sides, silent and watchful.
His eyes found Kayla. She stood still, her gaze distant, as if caught in a daze.
Looking ahead, he spotted Cedric, Taylor, and Jasmine standing beside a single chair placed in the center.
And Hades instantly knew—that chair was meant for him.
The Headmaster stood nearby, along with other key figures of the academy. A few people from the royal family were present too... but it was the man beside Cedric who made Hades tense.
The Chief Advisor.
A man who hated Hades with a passion.
If he's handling this case… I'm screwed.
The Pope stepped forward and looked down at him.
Then, turning to the crowd, he said in a solemn voice:
"Today, we gather to uncover the truth behind what happened two days ago—and why an innocent life was lost."
Hades clenched his fists at the mention of Graham. Why did he have to throw himself into danger...?
But the Pope's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
"Hades Thorneblade, we have a few questions for you."
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.