Chapter 339: Defying the Emperor

Chapter 339: Chapter 339: Defying the Emperor

Chapter 339: Defying the Emperor

Escorted by General Tyrach and a phalanx of royal guards, Rhain’s group marched through the sprawling grounds of the Royal Palace.

The path leading up to the grand imperial court was lined with thousands of elite soldiers clad in gleaming golden armor.

Every single one of them stood at rigid attention, their spears raised, and their auras locked onto the procession passing between their ranks.

Or more accurately, locked onto a single person.

Thousands of hostile, scrutinizing gazes bore down on Rhain.

The wanted fugitive.

The lunatic who had dared to commit the ultimate, unforgivable crime of Regicide by slaughtering the Crown Prince’s clone inside a noble estate.

"That’s him... the traitor."

"He killed the Crown Prince’s clone..."

"Look at him. He is walking with his head high, he is not looking ashamed or afraid of his crime at all. Such a madman!"

To the soldiers of the capital, Rhain was a walking dead man.

Yet, despite the overwhelming pressure of an entire army glaring at him, Rhain’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

With his hands casually by his side, he walked up the towering white marble steps as if he were taking a leisurely stroll through his own courtyard.

General Tyrach stepped into the hall first, bowing deeply before the Emperor.

"Your Majesty! The traitors have been brought before you!"

Accompanied by Dean Qaylus, Sect Master Wexian, and the Vaelstrum Patriarch, Rhain stepped across the threshold.

The court was packed.

The entire political and military might of the Solathane Dynasty was assembled in this single hall.

Seated at the front were the heads of the great Imperial Families—Xarion, Aelthas, and Skyran, flanked by their most powerful experts.

Beside them were the elite ministers, grand commanders, and royal officials.

Standing near the front were the royal princes of the Solathane bloodline.

And sitting at the very apex of the hall, gazing down upon the entire assembly from an exalted throne, was Emperor Haldrion.

As Rhain’s group entered, hundreds of furious and hostile gazes snapped toward the entrance.

But as the court officials and Imperial Patriarchs looked at the arriving group, they were shocked by the unimaginable sight

As they were expecting, Rhain didn’t cower at the rear.

Instead, he kept pace perfectly, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Dean Qaylus, Sect Master Wexian, and the Vaelstrum Patriarch.

The three undisputed titans of Valdris City, figures whose profound strength and status were absolutely comparable to the heads of the Imperial Families!

And yet, a nineteen-year-old youth was waking beside them as an equal.

"Insolence!"

A fiery-tempered military commander could no longer contain his wrath.

"You murderous traitor! You dare to stand tall in the presence of His Majesty? Drop to your knees and kowtow this instant!"

The commander’s outburst shattered the silence, and the entire court erupted into a frenzied storm of outrage.

"KNEEL!"

"Execute this arrogant bastard!"

"Your Majesty, this demon committed a taboo! He struck down the Crown Prince! He must be dragged to the central plaza and publicly lynched before the eyes of the entire dynasty so that no one ever dares to commit the heinous crime of regicide again!"

"Lynch him! Tear his flesh from his bones!"

The ministers and commanders screamed with unbridled hostility.

They wanted nothing more than to tear Rhain limb from limb on the spot.

Rhain heard the shout and curses with an indifferent gaze.

He stood perfectly upright, entirely ignoring the malicious undertones and naked hostility of the entire Royal Court.

"Silence."

Emperor Haldrion slowly raised his hand.

In an instant, the deafening uproar in the court completely vanished.

Emperor Haldrion’s unfathomable eyes locked onto Rhain.

The pressure bearing down from the throne was enough to cause a true Domain Master’s legs to tremble.

"Rhain Voss," Emperor Haldrion’s voice rolled across the colossal hall like thunder. "Do you know the gravity of your crime? And do you willingly accept your punishment?"

Rhain met the Emperor’s gaze.

"I know what I did, Your Majesty," Rhain spoke, his voice completely calm, echoing clearly in the vast hall. "I committed an act which, under the laws of this dynasty, I shouldn’t have. I was consumed by a momentary rage, and I acted recklessly."

Rhain offered a polite bow.

"I am here to formally ask for Your Majesty’s pardon."

The words dropped like a boulder into a quiet pond.

"A PARDON?" a minister shrieked furiously. "He commits regicide and dares to ask for a pardon?"

"Arrogant lunatic! He has no remorse!"

"Your Majesty, do not listen to this madness! Behead him immediately!"

Haldrion raised a hand, and the murmurs died down again, though the glaring hostility remained apparent.

Just then, a figure in white robes stepped out from the ranks of the princes.

Second Prince Arien.

"Father," Arien bowed deeply before turning to face the court. His expression was one of earnest benevolence. "Please, allow me to speak."

Haldrion frowned slightly but waved his hand. "Speak, Arien."

Arien looked at Rhain, his eyes filled with sympathy.

"Father, Rhain’s crime is indeed severe, but we must look at the bigger picture!" Arien implored, "He is incredibly young, yet he possesses a talent that our dynasty has not seen in a thousand years! To kill a prodigy of such monumental caliber would be a loss to our empire’s future!"

Arien tilted his head, looking around the furious court.

"He acted out of reckless, youthful anger. But if he is given a chance to repent, if he is permitted to serve the dynasty and the Imperial Court with his talent and strength, his value will far outweigh his offense!"

The ministers frowned deeply, murmuring among themselves.

While they hated Rhain, many military commanders secretly agreed that Arien’s logic was impossible to ignore.

At this moment, another figure stepped forward.

Crown Prince Lucius.

Lucius walked slowly to the center of the hall. He looked somewhat pale, his amber eyes reflecting a deep trauma.

He gazed at Rhain, then turned to his father, bowing respectfully.

"Father," Lucius spoke, his voice trembling slightly to show how deeply pained he was. "When my clone was destroyed, the connection shattered my heart in grief. I suffered a heavy blow, and I know clearly that if I had been there in person, I would have died exactly the same way."

Lucius paused, letting a wistful sigh escape his lips.

"But... my brother Arien’s words have truly moved me. The dynasty’s future is most important. I cannot let my personal grievances blind me to the empire’s needs."

Lucius turned his amber eyes toward Rhain, masking his venomous hatred behind a facade of dazzling gentleness and mercy.

"Rhain Voss. If you are willing to swear a Heavenly Vow right here and now to become my loyal slave... I am ready to forgive you. I will spare your life, giving you the chance to serve the dynasty under my command."

The court was left in awe.

"What profound magnanimity!" a minister cried out, his eyes shining with sycophantic admiration. "To overlook such deep hatred for the sake of the dynasty... His Royal Highness’s heart is as vast as the heavens!"

"We are truly blessed to have such a benevolent Crown Prince!"

The endless praises echoed through the hall.

Even Emperor Haldrion nodded slowly, a look of deep satisfaction coming through his expression.

He looked at Rhain, fully expecting the youth to drop to his knees and weep in gratitude for this miraculous lifeline.

"Rhain Voss," Haldrion stated imposingly. "The Crown Prince has shown you unparalleled mercy. Do you accept?"

Everyone’s eyes locked onto the dark-robed youth.

To them, this was his only chance to escape the executioner’s blade.

Rhain glared at Lucius with a cold look.

Through the mask of benevolence, he could clearly see the naked, mocking sneer hiding in Lucius’s eyes.

"No."

The single word spoken with a flat tone echoed in the silence of the hall.

Emperor Haldrion’s benevolent expression instantly collapsed.

A terrifying murderous rage radiated off him.

The sheer audacity of this lowly wastrel to reject his mercy in his own court was the ultimate insult!

"Impudent!" Haldrion roared, his Half-Step Monarch aura erupting wildly, shaking the pillars of the hall. "You dare refuse the heavens’ grace? Guards! Take this insolent wretch and execute him immediately!"

"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!"

General Tyrach roared, stepping forward with his peak Domain Master aura exploding, his hand reaching for his blade.

"Hold!"

A powerful voice shattered the escalating violence.

Dean Qaylus stepped forward, placing himself firmly beside Rhain.

The entire court stared in shock as the Dean of the Valdris Royal Academy openly defied the Emperor’s execution order.

"Your Majesty, you must think wisely before making your decision!" Qaylus declared, his voice ringing like a bell. "The Valdris Royal Academy, and our Ancestor, have sworn a vow to protect Rhain’s life at all costs! We will not stand aside and watch him be executed!"

The ministers gasped. The Old Dean? A Monarch Realm powerhouse was backing this boy?

Haldrion’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you threatening the throne with an old Monarch, Qaylus?"

However, just then, another figure stepped forward.

"The Academy does not stand alone!"

The Vaelstrum Patriarch strode forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Qaylus.

Lucius’s eyes burned with hatred.

Vaelstrum Clan? His own loyal dogs?

"Your Majesty," the Vaelstrum Patriarch declared proudly. "Our Ancestor, the Vaelstrum Monarch, has also tasked me to ensure this boy leaves this capital unharmed. We stand firmly with Rhain!"

A shockwave of disbelief rippled through the Imperial Patriarchs.

Two Monarchs?

Two foundational pillars of Valdris City were openly rebelling against the Emperor for a single boy?

But the nightmare for the Royal Court was not over.

Swoosh—!

An incredibly sharp sword intent sliced through the oppressive atmosphere of the hall.

Sect Master Wexian took his place on Rhain’s right.

"Nebula Sword Sect also protects this boy," Wexian stated coldly, his piercing gaze sweeping over the paralyzed royal executioners. "Whoever wishes to take his head today will have to ask my sword first."

The entire Royal Court descended into a horrifyingly grave silence.

Haldrion sat frozen on the Golden Sun Throne, his fists trembling with profound shock and suppressed rage.

Dean Qaylus.

Vaelstrum Patriarch.

Sect Master Wexian.

Three undisputed titans of the Valdris City stood shoulder-to-shoulder, forming an unified wall around a nineteen-year-old boy.

Defying the Emperor!