Read Novel Full Chapter 580: Trial by Combat 2
Chapter 580: Trial by Combat 2
With the champion chosen and the conditions established, there was nothing left to discuss.
The trial had reached its conclusion.
The chief judicial elder struck his staff against the marble floor one final time.
The sound echoed throughout the Great Hall.
“The proceedings are hereby concluded.”
His voice carried to every corner of the chamber.
“At first light tomorrow, the Trial by Combat shall take place within the Grand Arena of Lechia.”
A heavy silence followed.
Everyone understood the significance of what awaited them.
The outcome would determine not only Khan’s fate, but also whether one of Lechia’s oldest laws remained justified.
The elder continued.
“Until then, the accused shall remain imprisoned under maximum security.”
His gaze shifted toward the guards.
“Remove him.”
The soldiers immediately moved.
Khan’s restraints rattled as they surrounded him.
Yet surprisingly, the prince no longer resisted.
No longer shouted.
No longer laughed.
He merely smiled.
A dark, unsettling smile.
As though he knew something nobody else did.
As though tomorrow’s outcome had already been decided.
Many citizens cursed him as he was escorted away.
Others spat in his direction.
Some shouted threats.
Khan ignored all of them.
His eyes remained fixed on Lucas.
The two men held one another’s gaze as the prince was led from the hall.
Neither spoke.
Neither looked away.
The tension between them was palpable.
Eventually, Khan disappeared beyond the great doors.
The hall seemed lighter once he was gone.
But not by much.
Because everyone knew tomorrow was coming.
The Empress slowly rose from her throne.
Immediately, every noble and official stood.
The rulers remained seated as equals, but their attention remained fixed on her.
For a brief moment, the Empress surveyed the hall.
The people.
The nobles.
The rulers.
The champion she had chosen.
A strange sadness flickered in her eyes.
Then it vanished.
Without saying a word, she turned and departed through the rear entrance.
The great doors closed behind her.
And just like that, the trial was over.
The crowd slowly began dispersing.
Thousands of people filed from the Great Hall and spilled into the streets of the capital.
The discussions began immediately.
Entire groups debated what would happen.
Merchants abandoned business to talk about the coming duel.
Soldiers argued over who would win.
Nobles returned to their estates to discuss the political consequences.
Every tavern in the city became filled with speculation.
Some believed Lucas would end the fight in moments.
Others wondered whether Khan possessed hidden abilities.
A few questioned why he had seemed so confident despite facing certain death.
The uncertainty only fueled the excitement.
By sunset, the entire capital was talking about nothing else.
The Grand Arena became the center of attention.
The colossal structure sat near the heart of the city, capable of holding hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Workers spent the evening preparing it.
Security was increased dramatically.
Protective formations were activated.
Additional guards were deployed.
No chances would be taken.
Tomorrow, every seat would be filled.
Tomorrow, nobles and commoners would sit side by side.
Tomorrow, kings would watch from royal platforms.
Tomorrow, the Empire itself would witness judgment.
As darkness settled over Lechia, countless lanterns illuminated the capital.
Yet despite the beauty of the night, an air of anticipation hung over the city.
People struggled to sleep.
Families discussed the duel over dinner.
Soldiers placed wagers.
Children repeated stories about Lucas’s victories.
Old veterans debated the meaning of the ancient law.
The entire kingdom seemed to be waiting for dawn.
Because tomorrow was no longer simply about punishment.
Tomorrow would be a contest of fate.
A contest before the eyes of gods and men.
On one side stood Lechia.
Represented by Lucas.
The Empire’s champion.
The people’s hope.
The man chosen by the Empress herself.
On the other side stood Prince Khan.
The fallen heir.
The traitor.
The son who had betrayed his kingdom.
A man fighting for his life and freedom.
When the sun rose, they would enter the arena.
Only one would walk out alive.
And by the end of the day, the gods would have rendered their verdict.
Would they favor Lechia?
Or would they favor Prince Khan?
The entire world would soon find out.
———
Night had settled over the Imperial Palace.
While the capital buzzed with endless discussions about the coming duel, a much quieter conversation was taking place within one of the palace’s private chambers.
The Empress stood near a large balcony overlooking the city.
From her position, she could see countless lanterns illuminating the streets below.
The people were preparing.
Waiting.
Praying.
Tomorrow would determine the fate of her son.
And perhaps the future of Lechia itself.
The sound of the chamber door opening caused her to glance over her shoulder.
Lucas entered quietly.
The guards outside immediately closed the doors behind him.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The Empress simply returned her gaze to the city.
Eventually, she broke the silence.
“I owe you an apology.”
Lucas looked surprised.
“An apology?”
The Empress nodded slowly.
“I chose you without asking.”
Her voice was softer than usual.
“I placed the burden upon your shoulders without even consulting you.”
Lucas immediately understood what she meant.
The Trial by Combat.
The fate of the kingdom.
The expectations of an entire empire.
The life-or-death battle awaiting him tomorrow.
The Empress released a quiet sigh.
“I could have chosen another.”
“You’ve already carried enough burdens.”
Her eyes lowered slightly.
“And yet I immediately named you.”
For the first time that day, genuine guilt appeared on her face.
Not as a ruler.
But as a person.
“You have already risked your life for this world more times than I can count.”
She looked toward him.
“And now I’m asking you to do it again.”
Lucas listened quietly.
The Empress continued.
“If you resent me for that…”
She paused.
“…I would understand.”
The room became silent.
Lucas stared at her for several moments.
Then he shook his head.
“No.”
The answer came instantly.
The Empress blinked.
Lucas folded his arms.
“No.”
He repeated it.
More firmly this time.
“I don’t accept your apology.”
The Empress looked genuinely surprised.
Lucas smiled slightly.
“Because you have nothing to apologize for.”
The Empress remained silent.
Lucas stepped closer.
His expression was calm.
Confident.
Certain.
“The moment you named me, I wasn’t angry.”
He shook his head again.
“I was honored.”
The Empress stared at him.
Lucas continued.
“Out of everyone in the kingdom…”
“Out of every general.”
“Every noble.”
“Every cultivator.”
“You chose me.”
His smile widened slightly.
“That isn’t a burden.”
“That’s trust.”
The Empress found herself speechless.
Lucas looked toward the city beyond the balcony.
“The people of Lechia trust me.”
“The rulers trust me.”
“And most importantly…”
He turned back toward her.
“…you trust me.”
The words struck deeper than he realized.
The Empress had spent the past several days surrounded by betrayal.
Surrounded by disappointment.
Surrounded by grief.
To hear someone speak so simply about trust felt strangely comforting.
Lucas continued.
“I’ll fight tomorrow.”
His voice was calm.
Not boastful.
Not arrogant.
Simply certain.
“I’ll fight for Lechia.”
The Empress watched him carefully.
Lucas then added:
“And I’ll fight for you.”
The room fell silent once more.
The Empress felt her throat tighten slightly.
Not because she doubted him.
But because of how sincerely he spoke.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No fear.
No uncertainty.
Only determination.
Lucas stepped forward and placed a hand over his chest.
A gesture of respect.
A gesture of loyalty.
Then he spoke words that would remain with the Empress for a very long time.
“You will not be disappointed.”
His eyes met hers.
“I swear it.”
The room seemed to grow still.
The oath wasn’t made lightly.
Lucas understood exactly what tomorrow represented.
He understood what failure would mean.
Yet he made the promise anyway.
Without hesitation.
Without conditions.
The Empress stared at him for several moments.
Then, slowly, a small smile appeared on her face.
The first genuine smile she had shown all day.
Not the smile of a ruler.
Not the smile she wore before nobles and diplomats.
A real smile.
Warm.
Grateful.
“You’re a remarkable young man, Lucas.”
Lucas chuckled.
“I’ve been called worse.”
To her surprise, the Empress laughed.
A genuine laugh.
For the first time in days, some of the weight pressing upon her heart seemed to lessen.
The future remained uncertain.
Tomorrow remained dangerous.
And the pain of what awaited her son had not disappeared.
But at least one thing was certain.
When Lucas entered that arena tomorrow, he would not be fighting because he had been ordered to.
He would be fighting because he had chosen to.
Because he believed in Lechia.
Because he believed in justice.
And because he had given his word.
The two stood together for a while longer, looking out over the sleeping capital.
Far below them, thousands of citizens prepared for the day to come.
None of them knew exactly what the gods would decide.
None of them knew how the duel would end.
But as the Empress stood beside Lucas beneath the moonlit sky, she found herself feeling something she had not felt since Khan’s betrayal.
Hope.