Chương 47: The Challenge Accepted

Ch 47 - The Challenge Accepted Angry shouts echoed across the Plaza of Necroton City, mixed with a relentless rain of stones flying in from every direction toward the large platform at its center. The midday sun burned fiercely over the square. A raised wooden platform, standing about one meter above the ground. Twelve convicts stood in a single line upon it.

Their hands were bound tightly behind their backs with heavy iron chains secured to thick wooden posts, while iron shackles around their ankles kept them from moving even an inch.

Several knights formed a wide perimeter around the barricade, gripping their spears and shields as they kept a close watch on the restless crowd. On the other side of the area stood a towering orc. He remained completely still, yet his intimidating presence alone was enough to keep most people from daring to step too close to the restricted area. Hanging around each convict's neck was a rough wooden placard displaying the crime they had committed. ABUSER. SEXUAL OFFENDER. CORRUPT OFFICIAL. MURDERER.

HUMAN TRAFFICKER. INSTIGATOR.

"Scum like you deserve to die!"

"Keep throwing! Don't show those bastards any mercy!"

"You destroyed countless innocent lives! Now face the consequences!"

"Necroton has no place for criminals like you! Punish them!"

"Let this be a warning to anyone who dares betray this city!" The convicts at the center of the platform were already in a miserable state. Their faces were bruised and swollen, dried blood stained their clothes, and fresh wounds covered nearly every part of their bodies. Every time the relentless barrage of stones left them on the verge of collapsing, a healer would calmly step onto the platform and force a healing potion down their throats.

Within moments, their broken bones, torn flesh, and bleeding wounds would mend before everyone's eyes. Then, as soon as the healer stepped away, the furious citizens would begin hurling stones again without hesitation. This was more than a public punishment. It was a warning. A declaration that whoever now ruled Necroton would show absolutely no mercy to those who abused their power, preyed upon the innocent, or betrayed the city. At the same time, it served as an unmistakable declaration of war.

The Eighth Prince was openly challenging whoever stood behind these criminals. He was daring the powerful figures who had protected them until now to step into the light and face him directly if they intended to stand against the new order rising in Necroton.

"Do you think this city will finally become a better place under Prince Caelan's rule?"

"I think Prince Caelan truly intends to change this city for the better."

"For the first time in years... I actually feel like justice means something."

"If he can deal with people like them, maybe ordinary folk like us can finally live without fear."

"I just hope he stays true to his words. Necroton has suffered long enough." [The people of Necroton have begun placing their hopes in the promise of change. However, years of corruption, fear, and disappointment have left wounds too deep to heal overnight. Their skepticism remains strong, and earning their complete trust will not be easy. Even so, today's events have become the first meaningful step toward a new beginning.] [Chaos +55] ** In another chamber, several figures dressed in elegant noble attire sat around a long table. Luxurious robes draped over their bodies, concealing all but their faces. Behind each of them stood a silent attendant, holding a silver tray with a glass of wine, waiting patiently for the slightest command. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. On one side of the room, a well-dressed woman knelt on the polished floor.

Her face was streaked with tears, her expensive gown in complete disarray.

"You have to help me!" she cried desperately.

"That bastard, Prince Caelan, has taken everything from me! My estates, my businesses, my wealth... all of it has been confiscated!"

"He even arrested my husband and every one of my family's closest associates! He's gone completely mad! Not only has he seized control of Necroton, but now he's openly provoking everyone connected to it. If no one stops him now, he'll come after the rest of us next!" The woman remained on her knees, pleading as the nobles exchanged thoughtful glances instead of answering immediately.

"Caelan?" one of them finally said.

"What in the world has gotten into that prince? Since when did he start causing this kind of trouble?" Another noble let out a faint smirk.

"Perhaps he finally realized that life isn't just about drinking, chasing women, and making a fool of himself."

"What is the Second Prince's response to all of this?" another asked.

"There has been no official response from His Highness," someone replied calmly.

"He still believes Prince Caelan is nothing more than an impulsive fool throwing another childish tantrum. No one expected him to accomplish anything in Necroton."

"In that case..." another noble spoke after a brief silence.

"Necroton is the closest city to our territory. Whatever happens there will inevitably affect us as well. I'm not worried about the city itself, but many of our businesses and trade routes are closely tied to Necroton." Another noble nodded in agreement.

"This will become troublesome if that prince is allowed to continue. We should drive him out and send him back to the royal palace."

"Or..." another continued, his voice growing colder.

"If it becomes necessary..." The room fell silent. Every noble wore the same expression.

"Then we'll eliminate him. And everyone under his command." **"That arrogant idiot, Caelan. He's completely full of himself."

"He actually thinks he can challenge every player? What a joke."

"We'll show him tonight why he's the most useless and pathetic prince in all of Yunatea!"

"Hahaha! By tomorrow, he'll be begging to crawl back to the royal palace!" Several figures stood beneath the dim moonlight, their faces partially hidden by the darkness. Across the vast plains surrounding Necroton City, more than a dozen, perhaps even several dozen, players had already gathered. Each wore different armor and carried their own weapons, ranging from massive greatswords and gleaming spears to enchanted staves and twin daggers.

What made the scene even more remarkable was that they had not arrived as a single force. One group. Two groups. Three groups. More and more parties occupied different positions around the outer perimeter of Necroton City. Despite having no connection to one another, they had all come for the same reason. Prince Caelan's open challenge had completely ignited the players' competitive spirit. To many of them, his declaration felt like a direct provocation.

Combined with the resentment that had already been building against him, countless players were eager to teach the arrogant prince a lesson. Even before today's incident, Prince Caelan had already become one of the hottest topics across the internet. Ironically, it wasn't because of his status as a prince. It was because of the maids serving under him. Entire online communities had sprung up around them, with some even calling themselves the Evil Maids Fandom.

"Sliora is the most perfect woman in all of Yunatea. Damn... she's so tall, so fluffy, so curvy. She's absolutely gorgeous."

"No freaking way! Pearl is the most incredible woman. She's tall, cold, and ridiculously agile. I can't even imagine what she'd be like in bed. She'd probably take control of everything."

"Donna... Donna is just too cute. She's like a tiny little doll. I seriously want a plushie of her. Damn, she's way too adorable. If they ever sold Donna plush dolls, I'd fill my entire room with them."

"The best of the best has to be... Michel, I think. Damn it, she's absolutely perfect. Her body is flawless, her height is just right, and her strawberry-colored hair is simply breathtaking. Michel, step on me, please...." Because this attack had already become a hot topic across the internet, countless people were curious to see how it would unfold. Many of them had already started livestreaming the entire event.

"Oh, I don't know which would be more entertaining, watching Necroton get destroyed or watching Caelan kneel and beg for mercy."

"Like, come on, what can they even do? Necroton barely has any defenses. They only recently arrested all those corrupt officials, and some of them were even city guards."

"Are they really going to destroy Necroton? Please, just crush Caelan instead. Let the ordinary people live in peace."

"Yeah, I just can't stand how arrogant Caelan was back then." On the screen, one party of ten players had already begun advancing toward the city, moving cautiously through the darkness while keeping their weapons ready.

"We're not going to be too cruel. We'll just smash their city wall, scare the civilians a little, and force that coward Caelan out of whatever hole he's hiding in." One of the players said with a loud, villain-like laugh. Then one of his teammates suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey... look over there."

"What is it?" They both turned toward the same direction. There was... something. Or rather, someone.

"A kid? They're pretty short."

"Wait... doesn't it look like they have a pair of animal ears? Are they a beastkin?" But the thing that stood out most clearly in the darkness was not the figure itself. It was the pair of glowing crimson eyes, burning with blood-red light.

"Probably just some hungry beastkin. Let's keep moving." Yet the moment those words left his mouth, the figure had already vanished from where it had been standing. Then a soft whisper drifted from somewhere just behind them.

"Let's play a game. I'll count to three... then I'll see whose head comes off first."