The Dragon Lord System
DLS - 110

Emotionally, Rufus continued, "What if you don't come out alive from that place of death? Don't you feel sorry for your wife who's pregnant? And your son will your wife be born? For gods sake! how could you make such a stupid choice?"

Evelyn, who was quietly listening to their conversation, felt her deep disappointment.

However, he was trying to hide his feelings behind a faint smile.

That was when, like lightning struck, Rio's room door opened wide abruptly.

Clack...

Shocked swept across the faces of the three of them, especially Evelyn and Rufus, who saw the figure of a man appear in the doorway.

With slow steps, the man approached them, in particular approaching Rio.

Surprise and tension filled the air, and could not wait to find out the identity of the man.

Evelyn and Rufus did not think twice, immediately kneeling before the figure they were facing. However, their swift action suddenly made the atmosphere feel stiff.

The figure of the man stepped closer, showing a calm yet influential expression.

Despite wanting to immediately join their reverence, Rio tried to get up from his bed. However, his swift hand grabbing her stopped her gently.

"Calm down, Rio," said the figure of the man, his voice soft and warm. "Your body is still weak. There is no need to overdo your respect for me. You're allowed to stay in place."

The figure of the man, who was standing in front of Rio, was wearing a golden-coloured majestic outfit with a striking red touch.

His gaze drifted to the mattress where Rio was sleeping, which at that time still had the water basin from the torrent of water that Rufus had accidentally thrown.

With a sharp look, the man seemed to inspect the room meticulously, as if he was deciding whether the place deserved to be a new place for Rio.

"Hmm, prepare. In a moment, you will be transferred to my place" said the man in a firm and authoritative tone.

"Bai.. good noble one!" rio said respectfully, his hand placed on his chest as a sign of respect to the man who turned out to be King Theovilus himself.

The look in King Theovilus' eyes turned to Evelyn, Rio's wife, and she quickly realized that the woman was in a big pregnancy.

Friendly, he congratulated the news. However, his gaze immediately shifted, showing his confusion.

"Why are you alone? And where are the others? Didn't you go with the soldiers who were willing to follow? I didn't see them here, so it seemed like only a few survived," said King Theovilus, his sharp gaze glaring at Rio.

In fact, within the palace, almost all of King Theovilus' best knights were absent. They assumed that the knights had followed Rio on a mission to explore the Elysian Deathly Forest.

However, Rio was infuriated by the attitude of those who always wanted to seek praise before the king.

"However?" muttered Rio with annoyance. He was really fed up with the arrogant attitude of these nobles.

Rio glanced at Evelyn, who was still kneeling on the floor full of support.

His presence gave Rio the courage to speak openly to the king. With a slight deep breath, Rio turned to King Theovilus.

"Your Majesty, may I be honest with you?" rio said firmly.

King Theovilus nodded allowing it, and Rio started to express his thoughts, when suddenly the room door opened with a loud voice.

A man dressed in armor entered, and Rio recognized him as a noble warrior who had once threatened him.

Jolted by the sudden arrival, Rio choked for a moment. But before he could continue his words, his sharp gaze looked at the man.

In an instant, Rio's courage and Evelyn's support created tension in the air.

With a gaze that felt like a punch, the soldier man understood that the situation was as he thought.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I was late" said the soldier, trying to justify himself.

"I've just returned with Rio and propped up some of the wounded soldiers that went along with him."

He walked to the side of King Theovilus and slowly bowed his body respectfully.

King Theovilus nodded in relief, feeling relieved that they had all survived back, and his belief in Rio seemed to be evident.

However, in Rio's heart, the anger was mounting.

He could feel the soldier's act of falsehood and his desire to vent the anger was almost uncontrollable.

But, he had to restrain himself in front of King Theovilus.

"Please, continue your words, Rio. Ah, before that, the two of you can stand back up," King Theovilus told Rio, gesturing for Evelyn and Rufus to stand up.

As Rio's eyes met with the sharp gaze of the incoming warrior, it was like there was an implied threat in his gaze.

Evelyn and Rufus respectfully stood back up, following the king's orders. And at that moment, King Theovilus gave instructions to the two to wait outside for a moment.

With a 'clack' sound, the door closed again, leaving Rio and King Theovilus alone in the room.

Rio could feel such intense pressure and scrutiny, yet he knew that this was an important moment to reveal the truth regarding the attitude of the bastard nobles.

At that time, in the room only three people remained. Rio felt his heartbeat speed up, but his determination to protect his beloved wife kept him strong.

"Your Majesty... May... Your Majesty allowed my wife to re-enter with me?" rio said, his voice trembling slightly due to his nervous feeling and concern towards Evelyn.

"Of course," answered King Theovilus in an agreeable tone.

He called back Evelyn, who walked slowly and stood beside Rio with a pale face.

Even though her belly was already large showing her pregnancy, an anxious expression emanated from her eyes.

Rio felt a deep sense of relief when his wife returned to be by his side. He felt a great responsibility to protect and ensure Evelyn was safe from all threats.

Her previously tense face began to loosen slightly, and she grabbed Evelyn's hand affectionately.

"Now, I will speak honestly, Your Majesty," Rio said in a steady voice, trying to gather courage within him.

Evelyn's presence gives her extra strength, and she is determined to face anything for their secure future.

"Your Majesty... Actually was... I did a search alone... All the noble knights chose, they all did not join me, including him!" rio said resolutely, his eyes staring determinedly at the Alvin warrior standing beside King Theovilus.

Just then, Alvin looked at Rio with a look full of hatred and anger. His hands clasped tightly onto the handle of his sword, but he had to control his emotions before the king.

"Hm... Are you sure, Rio?" king Theovilus said in a low voice, folding his hands before his chest, as if contemplating Rio's words.

His gaze then turned towards Alvin, indicating that he wanted to hear all parties.

At that moment, Alvin looked nervous. Quickly, he responded, "Don't trust a lowly Commoner like him, Your Majesty. He was filled with lies and rot!" Alvin said in an angry tone while pointing at Rio with his index finger.

However, Rio no longer wanted to be silent.

"Busukanukan said? Don't you have a mirror? You said you were coming with me? Don't fabricate! THEN TELL ME WHAT YOU SAW AT THE DEATH SCENE!" rio said firmly, his voice blaring in the room, while tightly holding Evelyn's hand which gave her support.

Alvin seemed to be stuttering, feeling trapped in the truth demanded by Rio.

Chaos was seen in his eyes as he searched for the right word to answer.