Chapter 115: The Rite of the Apex
The suffocating silence of the Grand Hall was finally broken by Seraphina Thorne.
She stepped in front of her brother. Her perfect composure was completely gone. Her eyes darted between my armored form and the terrified delegates around the room.
"Lord Grik," Seraphina pleaded, her voice tight with panic.
"A death match is barbaric. We are civilized rulers. The Zenith Academy can offer immense reparations. We can give you gold, ancient artifacts, or even territory. There must be a diplomatic alternative."
I looked down at her through the glowing visor of my Ironclad helmet.
"The Rite of the Apex has been invoked," I stated coldly. "There are no buyouts. There are no political loopholes. Once the challenge is issued, the ancient magic of this continent binds it."
I shifted my gaze back to Valerius. He was breathing heavily, his white suit pristine but his pride deeply fractured.
"He has exactly two choices," I continued.
