It was unclear how long it had been when Dustin slowly regained consciousness. His upper body was wrapped in thick bandages. His limbs were feeble and weak, and his breath was visibly frail.
“Didn’t I die?”
Dustin glanced at his palm, then around the room. The place seemed somewhat familiar. It was as though he had been there before.
“You’re awake?”
Grace entered the room carrying a bowl of soup.
“You were severely injured. Fortunately, you’re resilient. It wasn’t easy to save you.”
“Did you save me?”
Dustin was astonished.
“Who else?” Grace said lightly.
“The pendant I gave you protected your vital organs. It infused powerful vitality into your body when it mattered most. It was a close call, but it pulled you back from the brink of death.”
“I didn’t expect that that pendant could bring me back from the brink. Do you have any more of those treasures? Maybe give me a couple?” Dustin shamelessly asked.
“Haha! Do you think I have them lying around?” Grace replied irritatedly.
“Creating a pendant takes ten years off my life. If it gets destroyed, I feel the pain too. I’ve only given the pendants to two people in my life. That’s Father and you.”
“Ten years of life? That’s incredibly valuable,” Dustin exclaimed in surprise.
Such treasures made using life force were extraordinary. But they were equally risky as they disappeared after a single use.
“Do you think I’m joking with you?” Grace replied calmly.
“If your life weren’t at stake, I wouldn’t have given you that pendant.”
“Your Royal Highness, I am deeply grateful,” Dustin expressed his gratitude.
“Is that all for saving your life?”
Grace teased.
“If Your Royal Highness faces any trouble, I’ll give my all to assist you,” Dustin vowed earnestly.
“That’s more like it.”
Grace chuckled.
“By the way, how long have I been unconscious?” Dustin suddenly asked.
“Three days,” Grace replied.
“What? That long?”
Dustin frowned.
“Don’t worry, your friends are all safe and sound. I’ve reached out to them and have arranged safe houses. They should be fine for now,” Grace reassured him.
“That’s a relief.”
Dustin sighed. He feared that Cinna might have led the Dragon Guard to wipe out everyone while he was unconscious.
“Dustin, considering your strength, very few in Oakvale could match you. I examined your body. You were poisoned and stabbed in the chest. What happened?” Grace asked cautiously.
Dustin was an ultimate grandmaster. After Alaric’s death and the destruction of most of the Dragon Guard aces, there weren’t many in Oakvale who could fatally wound him.
“Let’s not dwell on it. There was a traitor by my side who took advantage of my vulnerability and stabbed me.”
Dustin’s expression turned cold. It would have been understandable if he faced a powerful enemy and sustained severe injuries due to a lack of skill.
However, being betrayed by someone he trusted turned the situation into more than just a simple injury.
