Contrary to my expectations, Divine Heavenly Schemer steps onto the stage
without any discernable plan or strategy. He merely stares at me for a moment
before raising his hands in surrender.
As Divine Heavenly Schemer surrenders, an eerie silence falls over the arena.
The deafening quiet is palpable, the tension so thick it seems to hang in the
air like a dense fog. The audience members hold their breath, their eyes locked
on the stage, as they wait to see how the emperor will react. For a few long
seconds, it feels as though time itself has come to a standstill.
The emperor's eyes dart between Divine Heavenly Schemer and me, his brow
furrowed in confusion and disbelief. He seems unable to comprehend the
situation unfolding before him. This momentary lapse in his usual air of
authority only adds to the mounting tension.
As the reality of the situation begins to sink in, the emperor's face darkens
with fury, his mouth set in a grim line. He takes a deep breath, and it seems
as if the entire arena is waiting for him to exhale, collectively holding its
breath along with him.
In those few heartbeats before the emperor speaks, I can't help but notice the
various reactions of those around me. The young man beside the princess is
visibly agitated, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, while the
princess remains expressionless, her gaze never leaving her father's face. It's
clear that she, too, is on edge, her pale complexion betraying her inner
turmoil.
The officials in the stands lean forward in their seats, eager to hear the
emperor's decision. Their faces display a mixture of shock, anger, and
curiosity as they whisper among themselves. I can sense the uncertainty and
apprehension in their hushed voices, each one wondering what this sudden twist
will mean for them.
It's in this moment that I truly understand the gravity of the situation. The
outcome of this duel will not only affect me but also the entire kingdom, its
political landscape, and the lives of everyone involved.
The tension reaches a crescendo, and as the emperor finally begins to speak, it
feels as if the entire arena exhales in unison, releasing the pent-up energy
that had been building throughout the duel. The words that follow will change
the course of events for all of us, and we brace ourselves for the inevitable
fallout.
"Why?" the emperor asks with a complicated expression.
"Your Majesty," Divine Heavenly Schemer begins, his voice steady and calm, "You
should have realized what's happening right now. Do you really think someone as
strong as him would fail in an attempt to take advantage of your daughter?
I fear if that's what he truly wanted, not even the heavens could stop him."
The young man beside the princess, presumably her suitor, speaks up in protest,
"You must not believe such deceiving words, Your Majesty!"
The emperor raises a hand to silence him, responding, "Enough! Are you claiming
Divine Heavenly Schemer is a charlatan?" He pauses, his expression a mix of
sorrow and realization. "The truth is that I just refused to believe that the
child I raised with so much love would actually dare to use me, and to make it
worse, while being a victim to lust. I guess I truly am a fool."
The arena falls silent as the emperor's words sink in. The crowd, once
boisterous and animated, now stands in stunned disbelief. The young man beside
the princess looks uneasy, while the princess herself pales at her father's
admission of his own naivety.
The emperor's gaze sweeps across the arena, his eyes narrowing as he speaks, "I
know there are rats among the officials here. I will deal with this situation
personally, and I will ensure that justice is served." The crowd murmurs in
anticipation, many wondering what measures the emperor will take.
With a wave of his hand, the emperor declares me innocent and then turns to me,
asking, "Do you have any suggestions for punishment for those who plotted
against you?"
I consider the question for a moment before responding, "There is no need for
punishment, Your Majesty."
The emperor looks at me, clearly surprised by my response, and asks, "Why? You
could have died because of their scheming!"
I meet his gaze and explain, "If we were to be worried about everything that
could happen at every instant, we would never get the chance to actually live.
Sometimes, letting go of grudges hurts less than holding onto them."
As I speak, I can see the various emotions playing out on the faces of the
spectators. Some are shocked, while others appear to be reconsidering their
previous assumptions about me. Among them, I notice several high-ranking
officials whispering to one another, likely plotting their next moves in light
of this new information.
I turn my attention back to the emperor, who now seems lost in thought. His
gaze is fixed on the ground, and I can only imagine the turmoil he must be
experiencing. For a moment, I consider approaching him and offering some words
of comfort, but I decide against it, realizing that it might not be
well-received in the current atmosphere.
Instead, I focus on the princess, who, despite her pale complexion, remains
a striking figure. She has yet to say a word or even acknowledge my presence,
but I can sense a newfound curiosity in her eyes. It's clear that she, too, has
been affected by the day's events and the revelations about my supposed
actions.
As the crowd begins to disperse, I brace myself for the challenges that lie
ahead. The outcome of these duels has given me a temporary reprieve, but I know
that I must continue to adapt and learn about this strange world if I am to
survive and uncover the truth behind my mysterious circumstances.