Chapter 74: Broken Crown, Hidden Secrets
Eric’s surprise refusal to let the System take over his body really shocked Adam. Inside Eric’s body, Adam’s silent, inner self shook with unbelievable anger.
’You complete fool!’ he yelled, a flood of silent rage aimed at the Prince. ’Give me my body, now! You’re pathetically weak! How can you possibly beat him? You’ll get us both killed, you worthless human!’ But Eric, beaten up and confused on the throne room floor, couldn’t hear Adam’s desperate, proud outburst. All he could feel was his own pain and a new, stubborn determination.
The [System Interface] tried again. Its robotic voice was calm and logical, cutting through Eric’s pain. [Host Eric, you need to understand the situation. Your current energy and fighting skills are clearly not enough to beat this human attacker. He is stronger, faster, and more experienced.]
Eric, his face pressed against the cold, bloody marble, managed to whisper a reply, not in his mind this time, but a very low, pained sound that barely moved the air. "No... I... I will fight him." His voice was weak, but there was a strong thread of defiance in it.
The Imperial warrior, who had turned back to King Noor IV, heard Eric’s faint voice. His head snapped down. His already scornful look turned into a stern, almost judging expression.
He reached down, grabbed Eric by the front of his shirt, and easily lifted him from the floor like he was a toy doll. Eric’s head spun, and fresh pain shot through him.
"Your prince broke the sacred rules, King Noor," the warrior announced, his voice loud and authoritative.
"Are you really unaware that he attacked the Prince of the Roland Kingdom? All the Kingdom is protected by the Emperor! The Emperor has said that any unprovoked attack on a royal family member of another nation, while the Emperor is present is a direct sign of disrespect to the Emperor himself! It’s an insult to Imperial law!"
Saying this, the warrior changed his grip. His huge, armored hand closed around Eric’s left shoulder with crushing force. He lifted Eric higher, completely off the ground.
As the warrior stood to his full, massive height, Eric dangled helplessly, his shoulder screaming in pain from the immense pressure. Eric, even though he was dazed, noticed that the warrior was even taller and broader than his own father – a true giant in golden armor.
Without any more warning, the warrior then pulled back his arm and threw Eric with careless ease, not at the wall, but straight towards King Noor IV and the royal throne.