Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 113 - : NAIVE SWORDSMAN

"Believe me, bro, this is a bad idea," Stagnant Water tried to dissuade his friend from going to the capital of the Grey Empire. His voice was filled with frustration, his arms folded as he stared at Brian, who was already preparing for departure.

"We have to warn them about the plans of the demons. If we don't, there could be an internal war between humans, and we might lose everything," Brian replied, his tone firm with determination.

"Great. And in exchange for doing the right thing, you might just get arrested as a rogue knight. What are the odds you'll even get to speak before being thrown into a dungeon?" Stagnant Water scoffed. He had played enough games to know that walking into a kingdom uninvited, especially after defying authority, was never a wise move.

Brian sighed but didn't waver. "I don't care about the risks. If we don't act now, the empire might fall for the demons' tricks, and countless innocent people will die."

Seeing that his friend was unwavering, Stagnant Water groaned. "Damn it, fine! But if we end up rotting in a dungeon, I'll haunt you as a ghost in every game you ever play."

Brian chuckled at that, but the tension still weighed heavily on both of them. Without further argument, they mounted their horses and rode toward the capital, their minds filled with uncertainty.

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"My Lord, Sword God has returned—with a companion," a knight informed the emperor, bowing low.

"Good. Bring him to me. I wish to hear what he has to say," Emperor Augustus responded in a deep, authoritative voice.

"Yes, my Lord." The knight turned on his heel and left the grand hall to fulfill his duty.

When Brian and Stagnant Water entered the imperial courtroom, the air was thick with formality and tension. The emperor sat on his golden throne, his wives seated on one side, while his ministers stood in disciplined ranks on the other. All eyes were on them.

"My Lord," Brian said respectfully and instinctively bent his knees, but before he could fully kneel, a sharp alert flashed in his vision.

[Warning!! Your talent disdains you serving under another. Kneeling will result in forfeiting your talent.]

Brian frowned at the sudden system warning and immediately stopped himself from lowering any further. This small hesitation did not go unnoticed by the audience.

Stagnant Water, sensing the shift in atmosphere, muttered under his breath, "We are so screwed."

"Have you forgotten your training as a knight? Or do you need a reminder?" The Minister of War's voice boomed through the courtroom. "When standing before the emperor, you kneel and pay your respects!"

Brian clenched his fists but kept his voice calm. "Forgive me, my Lord, but I am unable to bow. Doing so would cost me greatly."

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The room erupted in murmurs, some filled with confusion, others with indignation.

"You dare say something so presumptuous before His Majesty?" The Minister of Internal Affairs sneered. "Such arrogance!"

"That was not my intention," Brian responded quickly. "I mean no disrespect, but I truly cannot kneel. Please, forgive me."

The emperor, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke, cutting through the noise with a single question. "Why have you come?"

Brian exhaled, feeling the tension in his shoulders, and immediately relayed what he had learned. "We fought against a group of demon knights before coming here. During the battle, they revealed a plan—one designed to spark conflict between your empire and other kingdoms."

A shadow of interest flickered across the emperor's face. "And what is this plan?"

"They intend to assassinate a king from another kingdom and frame your empire for the crime, my Lord," Brian revealed.

The courtroom fell into a stunned silence. Even the emperor's wives, who usually remained detached from military matters, exchanged wary glances.

The ministers whispered among themselves, their faces contorted in disbelief and concern. No one expected demons to resort to deception over sheer brute force, but then again, demons were never known to play fair.

The emperor, however, showed little reaction. "And that is all you have come to say?" he asked, his voice devoid of any notable emotion.

Brian hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "Yes, my Lord."

The emperor leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Very well, then. Allow me to ask you a question—are you still a knight of this empire?"

Brian felt his stomach tighten. He already knew where this was going. "Forgive me, my Lord, but due to the nature of my talent, I cannot bow or serve under another."

A heavy silence fell upon the room. Then, in a slow, cold voice, the emperor spoke again.

"You foreigners think of me as some joke, don't you?" His voice, once calm, grew harsh. "First, that arrogant one refused to pay his respects, claiming to be some self-proclaimed god. And now here you are, spouting nonsense about 'talents' and disobedience."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Knights! Throw them in the dungeon!"

At the emperor's command, the armored guards immediately stepped forward, surrounding Brian and Stagnant Water.

Brian's heart pounded. He didn't expect this reaction. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?" he asked, trying to remain calm.

"What's going on is that he wants us arrested!" Stagnant Water hissed. "I told you this was a bad idea, but you wouldn't listen!"

The emperor's gaze was sharp as steel. "I will not allow someone proficient in my empire's techniques to abandon their duty as a knight and walk free. Perhaps some time in the dungeon will remind you of your place."

The guards advanced, their weapons gleaming under the grand chandeliers.

"Sword God, we have to break the encirclement," Stagnant Water whispered urgently, drawing his sword. "You attack, and we run. That's the only way out of this mess!"

"No!" Brian said firmly, raising his hands in surrender. "We can't attack! This is just a misunderstanding. Fighting back will only make things worse!"

Stagnant Water nearly dropped his sword in disbelief. "You naive fool! Aaarghh! Hanging out with you will be the death of me!"

But in the end, he had no choice. He reluctantly followed Brian's lead, raising his hands as well. Escape was impossible now. Without Brian's cooperation, fighting their way out was just wishful thinking.

As the guards moved in, shackling them in enchanted restraints, Stagnant Water sighed in resignation.

"This is going to suck."

Brian, despite his composed expression, could only wonder how badly he had just screwed up.