CHAPTER 241: SHOW TIME

"The king stood before Riven, he stretched out his hands and placed them on Riven’s shoulder. "Bold move, kid," he said, his eyes cold. "Many have died for talking out of turn like you just did," King Andrew said.

"But you won’t kill me," Riven said. The king raised his brow. "And why would I not?" he asked. Riven gave a nervous smile. "I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I mean, I hope you won’t kill me," he said, letting out a nervous chuckle after.

The king smiled. Riven was smart, he liked that. He let go of Riven and looked around. "This kid has brought to our notice something that we have overlooked for far too long.

The lives of our knights are worth far more than a name on a piece of paper. I will not say that I was unaware of what was happening, because this is my kingdom and I should have known what was happening in my kingdom," he said and then turned to look at Riven.

"What do you propose we do to remember all the knights that have died in battle?" he asked.

"A museum built to remember them. The walls of the museum filled with their names carved into the walls, and beneath it, their date of birth and death, their hometown, and if possible the greatest feats that they accomplished. A piece of their weapons hung on the walls if they created feats.

And for those that shined the most in battle, a painting in their memory. A museum that will hold the history of the wars and the sacrifices of the people that fought in it," Riven spoke. His words reached the ears of everyone, and despite all their hate, what he said sounded beautiful.

But in a room full of those that agree, there will be someone to disagree.

"Such endeavor will cost the kingdom hundreds of thousands of gold coins, if not millions. You want the king to provide such money?" a man spoke.

He was a middle-aged man in noble clothes. He carried a proud expression.

"So, Marquis Lewen, are you trying to say that the lives of everyone that died for the kingdom aren’t worth it, and that it would just be a waste of money?" the king asked. A strange pressure pressed against the Marquis. He stepped back, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"And also, who allowed you to talk out of turn, especially when you had nothing important to say? Do not make me regret the decision of making your family rise into a Marquis family," the king said. The man was already shivering in fear, sweat pouring from his face.

’This is the king, the same as the story. King Andrew, believed to be very calm, but someone that should not be provoked. He would defend the benefit of Vermilion down to his last breath, and the law was his guide,’ Riven recalled the description of the king. He was not one to be trifled with.

His strength and resources were unimaginable, and he was a peak seventh-circle battle mage. But in the Royal Family, he wasn’t the strongest, that crown went to the queen.

Riven turned to look at her. She was staring at the Marquis her husband was talking to. ’The Crimson Witch, that’s her name, the name she got through several battles, an early eighth-circle mage,’ Riven thought.

Suddenly she turned and looked at him. He immediately looked away from her.

"Marquis Lewen, you will be providing ten percent of all the funds needed for this museum until it is completed. That’s my verdict," the king said.

The Marquis’ face went pale as if his ghost had left him. He tried to speak, but nothing came out, so finally, he bowed and agreed.

"Alright then, the matter will be talked about more later. Now let’s move on to the selecting of the golden set," the king said. He looked at Riven and let out a smile.

"You already took the spotlight before. Now it’s time for you to, I hope you know how to handle attention. Don’t go dying," the king whispered to Riven and walked back to his chair.

He sat down and immediately the queen leaned in. "The kid, have him stay in the castle estate for a while after the banquet finishes," she said.

"You have some interest in him?" the king asked.

"Yes," she replied.

He nodded and said nothing more.

Riven walked away from the red carpet. Everyone cleared the way for him and he walked past.

Noel rushed up to him. He grabbed him. "Bro, what the hell? You almost gave me a heart attack," Noel said.

"I’m sorry, bro, I just couldn’t stand back while Liam was forgotten like that," Riven said.

"I guess even you can be emotionally attached to someone. I’m sure Liam is smiling down wherever he is.

But first, the rest of this banquet. Try to keep your head down, you have pulled too much attention," Noel said.

"I doubt that will be possible. Riven is the center of attention for this entire banquet," Robert said, walking up from behind Noel. He looked at Riven. "That’s the first time I saw my father take to someone interrupting him lightly. You are really something else, Riven," Robert said.

"Robert, what do you mean he can’t stay low key? All he has to do is collect his position as the golden set rank one and walk away," Noel said.

"No, there is more. There is a reason why Riven and Lance came out at the same time. The stage was already set from that moment and there is bound to be some sort of showdown here.

Lance has made it abundantly clear that he will not be letting Riven take his spot as first, and so that showdown must happen," Robert explained. He placed his hand on Riven’s shoulder. "And you can’t lose at all," Robert said.

"And why’s that?" Riven asked.

"Because you can’t. I want Lance to despair," Robert said.