All the nobles, including even Lauden, had looks of disbelief, unable to believe that the Frost King was actually hearing out a dog. This was just making themselves look less. Still, the Frost King was still the king, and nobody could speak against him for a matter like this.
The Frost King knew what these people were thinking and added, "I don't know if you have ever learned this, but only the worthy can request something like what you just asked. What have you ever done in your life to prove your worth?"
This time the expressions of most of the people relaxed, thinking that they had jumped to conclusions too quickly. They knew the Frost King was a shrewd man and knew what he was doing.
Most of the royal elders also had a satisfied look, expecting the son of the traitors to no longer dare say anything more.
Eli shot an aggrieved look towards her father for asking a question that would hurt Azu's pride. Obviously, he was never able to make a name for himself due to being sick for almost his entire life until now. Asking about it now was like rubbing salt in his wounds.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut the Frost King remained unmoved as if he didn't even notice his daughter's concerns. His eyes were fixed to the arena.
Azu could feel a lot of gazes putting pressure on him, but he focused on what mattered as he said while looking at the Frost King, "I haven't done anything praiseworthy like General Draven here. I also know that any promises of doing anything noteworthy in the future would be just words and not guarantees for you."
At least he knows he is trash…Draven inwardly thought as he smirked while feeling satisfied by his words.
"But what if I win this challenge? Will it prove that I am more worthy than him?" Azu asked calmly as his words stunned everyone.
"How ludicrous! I shall cut off your tongue, boy!" Lauden was the first one to speak up since he couldn't endure letting some half-blood dog mock his son before everyone. Even if it was demeaning for him to lower himself to speak to someone like him, Lauden couldn't help himself.
"Relax, father. He is just trying to grab everyone's attention. Let him. Words are just empty unless shown by action," Draven casually said as if he wasn't bothered by Azu's words, impressing others, thinking that Draven's pride was strong indeed to not be shaken by the words of others.
But inwardly, Draven's blood was whirling around in rage.
He couldn't believe this dog would have the audacity to think he really had a chance against him.
Not even the experts he had fought in battles had ever dared to think so. Even if they did, they surely didn't have the guts to say it to his face, let alone a weakling like the one in front of him.
"Your Majesty, this is going too far. We should get this over with before this gets dragged longer just because of the words of an exile," The royal elder named Tobias the 4th said with a firm expression. He was known to be the most strict elder out of the others and would ruthlessly punish those who broke any law.
Eli felt her nerves twitch in annoyance, but she knew she couldn't speak up against an elder like him lest she makes things worse.
She could only wonder when these old men would grow up instead of being stuck in the past.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe once respected and revered them, but over time she started to realize the true nature of most of them.
And the reason she disliked them the most was that people like them were the reason Azu and his family were suffering all along.
"I know Elder Tobias. But this is a challenge after all. We are of the Frozenblood bloodline, and it is not in our nature to shy away from a challenge, no matter who challenges us. However, it is not up to me but up to Draven to agree to his challenge or not. If he agrees, then I have no issues. So Draven, are you going to accept his challenge or not?" The Frost King asked as his gaze landed on Draven's back.
Draven didn't know why he had a weird feeling about all this, but it seemed as if the Frost King had put him in such a situation where he definitely had to accept this challenge. Otherwise, it might seem as if he was afraid or worried that he would really lose while also bringing shame to his own bloodline. The Frost King had especially stated that nobody of the Frozenblood bloodline would shy away from a challenge which would also include him.
Still, his confidence in himself and in the fact that Azu was a trash made him think that the Frost King was actually helping him out by giving him the opportunity to impress these people even more. He would surely appear indomitable if he simply accepted the challenge. He knew that he would win anyway, "Of course, Your Majesty. I have no issues. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be here in the first place."
Lauden almost opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but didn't. For some reason, he was just feeling a bit unsettled about all this but didn't know why. He just couldn't put his finger on it.
The Frost King narrowed his gaze as he announced, "Since General Draven has agreed to the challenge, then I have no choice but to accept the request. I shall assume everybody's silence as nobody has any objections?"
Eli had a complicated expression as she looked at her father while the others kept their silence since they knew there was no point, especially considering the fact that it was apparent who the winner was going to be.
The Frost King slowly nodded, seeing that everybody was okay with it, "Hmm, then let the battle begin!"