Chapter 3

"Because they're your cousins, that's why I begged you to save them! You're truly a tyrant," she said, her voice filled with anger and frustration. Before she could hit the ground, she fainted, and I quickly caught her, preventing any harm. I called out for assistance, urgently summoning Ronny to my side.

"Ronny!" I shouted, and as he approached, I gently handed Ashrin over to him, aware of her exhaustion. "Take her to the palace and summon her maids," I instructed Ronny, my concern evident in my voice. With Ashrin in capable hands, I turned my attention towards the emperor, making my way towards him with a respectful bow.

"I wish to venture into the Death Forest," I declared, facing the emperor directly. "I desire to participate in the upcoming events."

"You are no longer eligible to participate," he interrupted, attempting to dismiss my request. However, I countered with a statement that seemed to infuriate him.

"Even as the emperor, you must abide by the rules set forth by the elders. As a member of the royal family, I too have the right to freely participate. The only restriction is during the conclusion of the test," I calmly explained, asserting my knowledge of the empire's laws and regulations. Eventually, the emperor relented, granting me permission to participate. I was grateful for my thorough study of the empire's legal system, which proved advantageous in this situation. Additionally, I found a particular rule intriguing and wished to explore its possibilities.

As I sprinted towards the Death Forest, a piercing scream reached my ears, compelling me to change direction and investigate. To my surprise, I discovered Malia, cornered by a group of goblins. I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation. Both Malia and the goblins noticed my presence.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Malia," I chuckled, looking down at her. In a fit of anger, she hurled a stone at me, but I swiftly evaded it. Three goblins charged towards me, while the others remained near Malia. With calculated precision, I dispatched each goblin, their blood staining my clothes. I glanced at Malia, who had successfully defeated the remaining goblins, her breaths heavy and labored.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. Leaning against a nearby tree, I paused and replied, "Let's just say I decided to participate." Her laughter filled the air as she mocked my cowardice. However, her expression abruptly changed as she locked eyes with me.

"Malia... never forget that you are merely the child of a maid. Even if you are the emperor's offspring, you are still considered illegitimate. Know your place," I stated confidently before continuing on my way.

"How dare you!" she shouted, her anger evident. I glanced back at her, and she was seething with fury. "What makes you so special? So what if my mother is a maid? And what about you? Aren't you also an illegitimate child?" Instead of becoming enraged, I approached her, whispering softly, "Illegitimate child? The eyes are the windows to the soul, and I possess the ability to discern truth from lies. The emperor's reaction when my biological father was mentioned earlier was not his usual demeanor."

Taking three steps back, I smiled at her. "This suggests that my father holds a higher rank. Otherwise, how would the emperor be acquainted with him? There is an 80 percent chance that what I am saying is true. So, shall we make a wager? Is my biological father truly of a higher rank? Calling me an illegitimate child is absurd," I challenged. Malia stepped back, her throat dry as she swallowed nervously. Satisfaction filled me as I witnessed her reaction. I continued on my way but paused midway, glancing back at her.

"Oh, and by the way, it is true that I am a coward. I fear that I might end up killing you," I uttered those words, causing her to gasp for air. Despite my disdain for her, she was still my cousin, so I erected a protective barrier around her unconscious form.

As I walked away, I noticed a flower and smirked mischievously. Plucking it from the ground, I set it ablaze with my own hands. Just as I was about to depart, I found myself surrounded by vile demons and goblins, including the forest's formidable protector and creator.

To him, every human was a threat to the forest, and the only way to draw him out was through his beloved flowers. It seemed that no one dared to challenge him, as the flowers remained untouched. "You wretched human! How dare you defile my flower! I shall grant you a death wish! I will kill you!" he bellowed, soaring towards me. I swiftly turned and fled, a smirk of satisfaction adorning my face.

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