The Billionaire CEO Becomes the Youngest Emperor-Chapter 28 - 27: The beginning of the end

Empire Wars?!

Lucian's thoughts froze at that mention.

Suddenly, a crystalline, mocking laugh rang out.

— Hahaha! So now you're hiding behind humans? MALVERIA sneered. Are you really Kael...? Hahaha!

Facing her, Kael flashed a mischievous smile.

— It's a matter of efficiency, he replied in a relaxed tone. If it were up to me, we wouldn't have to go through this whole process. But things have changed while you were asleep... so we might as well minimize the damage.

Still amused, MALVERIA crossed her arms.

"If it were up to you, huh..."

— You've become quite talkative... but you've piqued my curiosity. Tell me about your little scheme.

Kael nodded.

— It's simple. There are now thirteen empires on this continent. At the end of the five-year Empire Wars, only one will remain.

He paused, locking eyes with MALVERIA.

— I want us to make a divine wager.

Silence fell.

Divine wagers... absolute oaths that not even the gods could break. Once made, they bound the very essence of those involved. Violating the rules meant vanishing into nothingness. For a god, it was worse than death: eternal sealing.

Since the dawn of time, only three divine wagers had ever been made between deities. Each time, the consequences had been irreversible.

So hearing Kael, the Dragon God, propose such a thing... MALVERIA was momentarily speechless.

Then, a predatory grin stretched across her lips.

— Interesting... she murmured.

But her amusement quickly returned.

— So basically, all I have to do is destroy the other twelve empires to win? Are you stupid or what?

Kael shook his head, feigning exasperation.

— No. This time, brute force won't be enough.

MALVERIA narrowed her eyes.

— What are you talking about?

Kael sighed and explained patiently:

— We will each choose an empire. The one that survives and becomes the last remaining empire on the continent determines the winner of the wager. But we won't be able to intervene directly.

MALVERIA raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

— Oh... That reminds me of a game Adrian used to play. What was it called again? The one with the queen and the fool...

Kael smiled.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

— Chess?

— Yes, that's it! She burst into laughter. Hahaha! I like it! I accept!

Still smiling, Kael leaned back slightly, intrigued.

"She's really willing to gamble her life... on a mere whim?"

He quickly pulled himself together.

— Very well. You can choose any empire... except the second one.

MALVERIA eyed him suspiciously.

— And why is that?

— Because that's the one I'm choosing. His smile widened. Besides, since I'm the one proposing the wager, it's only fair that you get to pick a potentially stronger empire.

Kael observed her closely. Will she fall for the trap and pick the first empire?

MALVERIA placed a finger on her lips, thoughtful.

— Hmm... The first one feels like a trap... I'll take the third.

She knew nothing about the empires of this continent. After all, she had just awakened from centuries of hibernation. Her choice was based purely on instinct... and the simple thrill of the game.

But just as she was about to confirm her decision, an unfamiliar voice echoed behind them:

— THIRTEENTH EMPIRE... CHOOSE THE THIRTEENTH EMPIRE.

---

I didn't even understand half of what they were talking about. But one thing was clear: they were planning to use all of humanity as a chessboard?!

What the hell is this?!

And then, like a flash in the darkness, an opportunity appeared. A tiny chance to survive... but with a problem as vast as the world itself.

I tried to piece everything together.

She came out of me. How? Why? I don't even want to know.

And right when I was about to get stabbed... A coincidence?

Doesn't matter.

— Hmm... The first one feels like a trap... I'll take the third.

My heart pounded in my chest.

Come on, don't be a coward, Xavier. You're a Lancaster, aren't you?!

I gathered every ounce of courage I had and interrupted these walking nuclear bombs.

— Thirteenth empire... choose the thirteenth empire!!!

Silence fell like a crushing weight.

Two gazes...

Two overwhelming presences...

Locked onto me.

I couldn't breathe.

— Huff... huff... huff...

Shit. I messed up.

MALVERIA smirked, amused.

— And why should I do that, little Lucian?

Kael, on the other hand, was deep in thought.

These kids really aren't afraid of anything...

Choosing the thirteenth empire while leaving the first one untouched?

Absurd.

My heart was pounding. No choice.

I took a deep breath, closed one eye, forced a wide grin, and gave a thumbs-down.

Then, with a trembling voice, I declared:

— Because... no power... will be able to resist us!

And then, I collapsed. Unconscious.

---

Kael frowned.

— Ohhh... MALVERIA let out, genuinely impressed by the kid's courage.

Then, slowly, she turned to Kael, her playful expression returning.

She raised a thumb... awkwardly trying to mimic my gesture...

And with an almost careless tone, she said:

— Well then, I'll do what he says.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

— The thirteenth empire? he asked, truly surprised.

— Yeah, yeah.

— Are you sure?

Does she really not care about surviving longer?!

A sly grin spread across Kael's lips.

In the end, I've already won... before the game even begins.

— Very well. You can't take it back now. Let's seal the oath.

And at that moment, the divine wager was sealed.

It would take about ten minutes before the oath became fully binding.

Kael glanced at Chris for a brief moment—then vanished.