Chapter 796: Leaving the Cromwell Kingdom [1] "Old monster..." Jack muttered under his breath. Nox glanced at him. He had clearly seen how the layers of Jack’s expression darkened. Jack’s throat felt dry. "...He is not bluffing," Jack said quietly. "If he comes here... if he really takes a step into this place... Cromwell will not survive. Even if Master Eve returns, even if the ants and everyone else fight to the death, it will not matter." Akira clicked her tongue. "So we are just supposed to hand you over?" she snapped. "Like some sacrificial goat?" Jack did not respond. Serena’s lips pressed together tightly. Nyx looked at him, her gaze complicated. Soren watched them all, his expression unreadable. "I am not unreasonable," Soren said suddenly. "We are not here to destroy your pretty little kingdom. We are here for two things. But we already know everything about the class, so technically only one remains. Give him to us, and we leave. Father will be satisfied. For now." "For now," Nox repeated. "Of course," Soren said frankly. "Father will not forget a place that sheltered a runaway and pioneered a new class. But his attention will be delayed. Distracted. You might live comfortably for some years. Long enough to grow stronger. Possibly." Serene giggled. "And if Jack comes quietly," she added, "maybe Father will not slaughter all his new friends right away. Maybe he will even let some of you live. He has a generous mood sometimes." Her tone made it very clear that generous meant he might not kill everyone. Silence settled again. Nox stared at Soren. Then he turned his head slightly. "Jack," he said. Jack felt the weight of that gaze and almost did not want to meet it. But he forced himself to. He turned fully. Nox’s eyes were calm, steady, and serious. "Is it true?" Nox asked. "If you leave with them... will it protect the kingdom? Even a little." Jack swallowed. "I... do not know how long it will last," he admitted. "But for now, yes. That old monster’s attention will return to the family. To me. He will forget about Cromwell for a while. He will be busy trying to tame me again. Experiment. Train. Whatever he likes calling it." He looked away, his jaw clenching. "But if I stay," he said quietly, "he will keep sending people. My siblings. The older ones. The uncles. And if they keep failing..." He exhaled harshly. "He will come in person." The words hung in the air. Nox remained silent. Behind him, Serena gritted her teeth. "There has to be another way," she said stubbornly. "We can hide you. Move you to another kingdom. The ants can dig tunnels. We could—" "Serena," Jack cut her off softly. She stopped. He gave her a small, weary smile. "When I was little," he said, "I watched that old monster kill dozens of powerhouses within a minute. Just to prove a point. He did not even look interested while doing it. That was when I was five." A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. "I am not strong enough yet," he continued. "Even if I run, he will find me eventually. And he will not stop at just me. He will drag down everyone who took me in. Everyone who fought by my side." He looked at Nox. "Everyone," he repeated. Nox did not look away. For a few seconds, they simply stood there, saying nothing. It felt like the entire street was holding its breath. At last, Nox spoke. "You are not going," he said simply. The words struck Jack like a slap. "...What?" he asked blankly. Nox’s expression did not change. "You are not going," he repeated calmly. "I will not let you walk back into a place you escaped from. I will not let them drag you away like some property." His tone was mild. But his eyes were sharp. Soren’s brows rose faintly. Serene grinned, interested. "Nox," Jack said, struggling to keep his voice steady, "this is not—" "You are my friend," Nox said. Jack froze. "You fought with me," Nox continued. "You helped defend this kingdom. You saved me back in Snowhelm and called out to me like I was your junior brother. You trained the new recruits. You repaired the walls with Skully. You scolded the students when they were lazy. You stayed up late helping me plan." He said it casually, like he was listing ordinary things. But each line felt heavier than the last. "Yes, you are strong," Nox said. "Yes, you have terrifying people chasing you. Yes, your family is insane. I do not care. You are here now. And as long as you stand inside my walls, under my sky..." He took a step forward. "...you are not going anywhere unless you want to." Jack’s throat tightened. Something stung at the corner of his eyes, but he forced it back. "Nox..." he began. But Nox was not finished. He lifted his hand and pointed his thumb at his own chest. "If anyone wants to drag you away," Nox said calmly, "they will have to step over me first." The words were simple. The effect was not. Serena’s eyes widened. Akira exhaled slowly, a smirk tugging at her lips. Nyx’s gaze softened almost imperceptibly. Even the surrounding Beast Tamers straightened, something burning in their eyes. Soren watched him, his expression turning mildly interested. "...You are troublesome," Soren said at last. Serene laughed. "He really is." Jack felt like his heart was caught between gratitude and despair. He wanted to accept those words. He wanted to let Nox shoulder the weight. But he knew better. He knew his family. He knew his father. ’I cannot let him do this,’ Jack thought, a bitter smile pulling at his lips. ’If I let Nox stand in front, that old monster will not just kill him. He will... enjoy it.’ Jack inhaled deeply. Then he exhaled. Slowly. Deliberately. "Nox," he said softly, "thank you." Nox frowned slightly. That tone... "I am not going," Jack said. Nox’s brows drew together. "Jack—" "I am not going," Jack repeated, more firmly. "I am already here. This place finally feels like home. I am not running back to that hell just because they told me to." For a second, hope flickered in Nox’s chest. Then Jack continued. "But..." he said quietly....