The Lie of His Defeat

Chapter 30 : The Lie of His Defeat

“When word spread that your empire had fallen, every ruler in the Four Kingdoms expected the world to descend into war,” Lukas said quietly.
“A balance so old cannot shatter without blood following it.”

He turned his gaze toward Rudravaan.

“But that did not happen.”

Lukas’s voice darkened.

“Only days later, another message arrived—Elias had taken your throne.”

He shook his head faintly.

“At first, I refused to believe it. Of all men, you should not have fallen to him.”

A pause.

“But as the days passed, the truth became impossible to deny. Elias was ruling in your name. Your banners still flew. Your cities still obeyed.”

His fingers tightened against the bench.

“So I knew something was wrong.”

Lukas looked at Rudravaan.

“I chose to wait. To observe. To understand what unseen hand had truly moved.”

Then his eyes sharpened.

“And before I could uncover the truth… you returned.”

Rudravaan’s eyes hardened.

“As if I would fall to him,” he said coldly. “Not to Elias.”

Lukas studied him.
“Then what truly happened?”

Rudravaan leaned back slightly.

“…I did not fight one kingdom,” he said.

Henry lowered his gaze. He already knew.

Zade leaned forward, uneasy.

Rudravaan continued.

“That day, I stood against all of them.”

Lukas and Zade both stiffened.

“They formed an alliance to bring me down. I fought their armies, their champions, their banners side by side. My soldiers were being crushed beneath numbers I could not turn aside.”

His voice did not rise—but the weight of it filled the room.

“So I chose to protect my men instead of pressing the battle.”

A pause.

“And when the end was near… someone struck me from behind.”

Lukas frowned.
“That is impossible. Who could approach you unseen?”

Rudravaan’s gaze darkened.

“That,” he said, “is what I wish to know. I did not even feel their presence.”

Zade drew a slow breath.
“Emperor… are you saying you faced all Four Kingdoms alone… and survived?”

Lukas nodded faintly.
“That is what he is saying.”

Zade’s eyes widened.
“…How is that even possible? A single man—no matter how strong—”

Lukas cut him off.

“You still do not understand, Zade.”

He turned to Rudravaan, his expression changing.

“It may be time,” Lukas said quietly, “for the world to be reminded of who you truly are.”

Rudravaan’s lips curved slightly.
“Morvyn will not be pleased.”

Lukas let out a short breath, almost a laugh.

“Many believe Rudravaan was merely a powerful and benevolent emperor,” he said.
“They have no idea how you claimed that throne.”

Zade looked at him sharply.
“What do you mean?”

Lukas met his eyes.

“Tell me, Zade. Who ruled the Southeast Kingdom before Rudravaan?”

Zade answered slowly.
“…The previous emperor.”

“And his son?” Lukas asked.

“…He was the rightful heir.”

Lukas tilted his head.
“Then why does Rudravaan sit upon that throne instead?”

Zade froze.

His face slowly darkened as the implication settled in.

“…No,” he whispered. “You cannot mean—”

Lukas smiled faintly.

“Now you begin to see.”

Rudravaan’s voice cut through the room.

“That is enough.”

Rudravaan released a slow breath.

“More importantly, Zade… tell me this,” he said.
“Where is your sect leader?”

Zade straightened.
“He said he would come here himself.”

Lukas nodded.
“I sent Aurelius beyond the walls on a mission.”

“That is no issue,” Rudravaan replied.

Lukas’s gaze drifted to Henry.
“So… are you training this boy?”

Rudravaan shook his head.
“No. I am not the one teaching him.”

“Then who is?”

“His name is Fenlor.”

Lukas frowned slightly.
“Fenlor? Who is that?”

Rudravaan answered calmly,
“He belongs to the Southwest Kingdom.”

Lukas turned to Henry.
“Hey, kid. What weapon do you use?”

Henry answered without hesitation.
“A sword.”

A slow grin formed on Lukas’s face.
“Then how about this? A sparring match—between all of us. What do you say?”

Zade hesitated.
“I’m fine with it… but isn’t he just a child?”

“That’s why we’ll all hold back,” Lukas replied.

Rudravaan groaned softly.
“…I’m too tired for this nonsense.”

Lukas laughed.
“Shouldn’t we be celebrating your return instead?”

Henry’s eyes lit up.
“I’m in.”

Rudravaan rubbed his forehead.
“…Tch. Fine.”

Lukas led them to the palace training grounds.

Rows of soldiers straightened at once when they saw him.
He raised a hand.

“Leave us.”

Without question, the guards withdrew, clearing the wide stone yard until only the four of them remained.

Lukas turned to Rudravaan, Zade, and Henry.

“Choose whatever weapon you wish.”

Zade and Henry each stepped forward and took up swords from the rack.
Steel rang softly as the blades left their sheaths.

Lukas nodded in approval.

“Good. It seems all have chosen.”

Then his eyes shifted to Rudravaan.

Rudravaan had taken only a wooden practice sword.

Lukas paused, a bead of sweat tracing his temple.

“…Why do you not take a true blade?”

Rudravaan rested the wooden sword lightly across his shoulder.

“This will suffice.”

Lukas exhaled, half in disbelief.

“…Very well.”

He lifted his hand.

“Zade. Henry. You will go first.”

Zade raised his blade and glanced at Henry.

“Hey… nothing personal, alright?”

Henry gave a small nod, tightening his grip.

The clash was brief.

Steel met steel only a few times before Henry was forced back, his footing broken. Within moments, Zade’s blade rested at his throat.