Aden knew he had to think fast. If there was one thing he remembered from his vague memories, it was that Emperor Julius Chrono loved wagers.
Even if the odds were stacked against him, the Emperor would take on a bet purely for the thrill of it. Aden had to use this to his advantage.
He took a deep breath, trying to phrase his words carefully, but as always, his cursed speech betrayed him.
"Let's have a wager."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall fell into silence. The tension in the air grew thick as everyone turned their eyes toward the throne.
The Five Dukes exchanged uncertain glances, and the Emperor merely raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the audacity of the young man before him.
Julius Chrono, however, remained unfazed. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned slightly forward on his throne.
"A wager?" His voice carried a note of curiosity.
"I don't think you're in any position to make a wager with me."
Aden felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly tried to correct himself, but once again, his cursed speech twisted his words.
"I'll prove my worth to you, any way you want."
The Emperor's lips curled into a wide smile. A laugh rumbled deep from within his chest before he spoke again.
"We'll see about that."
Aden clenched his fists, realizing he had once again put himself into a dangerous position. He could only nod.
The Five Dukes remained impassive, their expressions unreadable, though Ed Vasco's gaze lingered on Aden, filled with an emotion he couldn't quite place.
Julius then turned to his royal advisor.
"Bring me the Empire's map."
The Five Dukes exchanged puzzled looks. Even Ed Vasco, who had remained silent through most of the trial, furrowed his brows. He had an idea of what the Emperor was planning, and it made his heart race. Aden, on the other hand, had no clue what was coming.
The advisor swiftly returned with a massive scroll, carefully unrolling it before the Emperor. With a slow, deliberate motion, Julius pointed to a region in the northernmost part of the Empire.
The area was vast, covered in dense forests and jagged mountains. It bordered the neighboring kingdom, making it a crucial yet dangerous location.
The advisor stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"This region is known as Dahaka. While its landscapes are beautiful, the land remains undeveloped for one reason—the monsters that inhabit it. It is one of the most dangerous territories within our borders. Even the Imperial Army has struggled to clear it."
Aden felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He could already tell where this was going.
The Emperor leaned back, folding his hands in amusement. "I will give you two choices, Aden Vasco. First, you take on the task of clearing Dahaka. Prove your worth by taming the land, ridding it of its monsters, and I will recognize your duel as honorable. You will be freed of all charges."
The room was dead silent.
Aden's breath hitched as he studied the map. The northern region was treacherous, a place no sane man would willingly step into. If the Imperial Army itself had failed to subdue the land, what hope did he have?
The Emperor's grin widened before he continued, "Or, you can spend the rest of your life rotting in prison."
Aden swallowed hard. This wasn't a choice—it was a death sentence either way. But he had come this far. He wasn't going to let himself be caged without a fight.
"The choice is yours," the Emperor said, his voice filled with amusement. "Take all the time you need to decide."
With that, he waved his hand, signaling the guards. They immediately grabbed Aden by the arms, pulling him up to his feet. The chains around his wrists rattled as they dragged him away from the throne room.
Ed Vasco remained still, his expression unreadable. He had many questions, but he did not voice them. Instead, he simply watched as his son was taken away once more. Worries were buried deep in his eyes, but as always, he refused to let it show.
Aden was thrown into a new chamber, one designed to confine him until he made his decision. The stone walls were cold, the air damp. A single, dimly lit torch flickered against the wall, casting long shadows across the floor. He leaned his back against the wall, staring at the ceiling.
Two choices. Both could kill him.
He let out a bitter laugh. His body ached, but his mind refused to rest. The Emperor had trapped him in a corner. Either he faced an endless imprisonment or a battlefield filled with creatures beyond his imagination.
But there was one thing he was certain of—
If he wanted to survive, he had to choose the battlefield.
He closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling sharply. No matter what, he had to survive. He had to figure out a way to turn this situation in his favor.
One thing was certain—he couldn't afford to lose this wager.