A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 393: I...I Forfeit

Chapter 393: I...I Forfeit

Old Master Lenort stood up from his seat and stepped forward. "You are all welcome here today. As you’re all aware, today’s ceremony is solely based on the selection of the new heir to the throne. I have ruled for decades and the crown has not decided, a new heir must step up. There is indeed nothing I can do for going against the crown is nothing but a taboo."

He laughed, his smile wide as the entire hall applauded him.

"May the princes step out, please. Let the first step begin."

All the guests began to applaud as the princes stood up from their seats, all except Valentine. But the month he felt eyes on him, he groaned under his breath and got up from his chair. He followed Lestat and began to walk down the stairs to the center of the hall.

They stood in a horizontal straight line according to their ages. And with polite smiles, which all except Draven and Valentine held, they bowed deeply, their hands to their chest.

The guests clapped once again, a few holding genuine smiles.

"Please circle the stone in the middle and place your hands on it," Old Master Lenort commanded.

They lifted their hands and glanced at the stone pillar that its height stopped just at their torso.

Draven spared Old Master Lenorta a glance and followed the others to the stone pillar. They circled it just as ordered and the first to place his hand, being the youngest, was Valentine.

Lestat came second, followed by Draven, then Lumian and Ryan who was the eldest.

A few seconds of heavy silence progressed before the intricate patterns on the stone pillar lit up in blue burning flames.

This caused the crowd including the princes to widen their eyes, but before they could even register what was going on, a rumble, almost like an earthquake occurred, causing them to stagger to balance themselves.

They breathed heavily and watched as the top of the stone pillar opened up.

Three artifacts, one glowing bracelet known as the bracelet of protection, the second, a dagger-like weapon, famously known as the weapon of justice, and the third, a flat wooden object with carvings on it, known as the mercy and revival, emerged, glowing a bright blue color almost as of it were in flames just like the stone pillar.

Draven’s eyes narrowed at the Mercy and Revival. That was his target. It was what he truly wanted. As far as he was concerned, the others could have it. He had no need for it.

With quick glances at each other, they rushed forward to grab hold of them, but Old master Lenort however stopped time, his eyes glaring at them.

"Each and every one of you will have to fight for it!" He bellowed.

"F-fight for it?" Ryan was a bit confused.

"Yes!" Old Master Lenort answered irately, resuming time. "All of you will fight each other, the last man standing inherits it."

Valentine blinked rapidly, nearly wanting to burst into laughter. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

"If we are going to fight each other, Lestat will be eliminated first, hahaha." He wrapped his arms around his belly, laughing to his heart’s content.

Lestat’s eyes lit up in fury and he stepped towards him. "Meaning what?"

"You are the weakest and the most useless out of us all. Despite being the youngest, I could beat you black and blue and you would never be able to fight back." Valentine spat in his face.

Before Lestat could react, Lumian gripped his hand, pulling him back. "Enough!"

"I’ll deal with you later, just wait!" Lestat threatened.

Valentine rolled his eyes, unbothered. "Eh, if you really meant it when you said we would have to fight each other, then I quit." He stuffed his hand into his left ear, scratching it. "I don’t want to get hurt. It’s obvious who will win this fight." He shot Draven a quick glance. "Count me out."

"I quit too," Lumian said, shrugging.

Ryan angrily frowned. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why the heck are you quitting?"

Lumian groaned under his breath. "Meh, it’s clear who will win this. I don’t want to waste my strength for nothing. You’re free to fight though if you want to."

"I quit too." Lestat walked over to stand by the side. He knew better than anyone that if Valentine and Lumian quit, he had no reason to stand there.

Now, it was just Ryan and Draven left.

Draven stared at him and tilted his head, saying, "I am not quitting, just so you know. If you want me to fight, I’d be glad."

Ryan’s balled fist trembled violently and he swallowed hard.

"Will you fight?" Old Master Lenort asked.

Ryan turned his head, glancing at him. Fight? How can he have the guts to ask him such a question?

The fear of what happened the last time during the duel was still watched into his very being. He’d been mercilessly and brutally shown just how far in strength he and Draven were. He could kill him without stressing and Ryan wouldn’t even have the chance to help himself.

But on the other hand, forfeiting would really trample on his pride as the first son of the Delgaard family. There were so many eyes around, what would they think if said he quit? Would they mock him? Would they speak often of the fact that his younger brother was stronger than he could ever be? Of the fact that he forfeited out of fear?

Ryan swallowed, his eyes blinking rapidly. He lifted his eyes to meet Draven’s Draven’s gaze and sighed inwardly.

What was the point? The inheritance wasn’t exactly his main goal. All he wants is for the crown to choose him. When it does, he can have whatever it is that he desires. He married for the sake of it too!

it would be quite stupid of him to kill himself off because of a mere inheritance. So, he steps back, quitting.

"I...I forfeit!" He announced.