Chapter 108: Rat King

The rat king lounged on the throne like a despot. Shirtless, the king revealed light-colored and short fur that did nothing to hide the chiseled abdominal and torso muscles. Its bare feet pointed out at the other end of a pair of dark leather pants.

Out of all the rats and ratlings they had seen so far, the rat king was at the peak. It was the apex of rat evolution. It was evident just from standing in the room with it. Zach and the others could feel its hungry eyes roving over their bodies as it slowly stood up.

The only thing rat-like about the king was its rat head and its pink tail. Other than those two aspects, it was like standing in front of a seasoned hunter.

The rat king carried himself with a confidence and determination that none of the other ratlings had. It was like a wolf in a pack of sheep. And it was a wolf that used a spear.

The rat king grabbed the spear leaning to the throne after he stood up. Stomped the butt of the spear against the floor and opened his mouth.

But the only thing that came out was the chattering chitter of a rat. With everything else the ratlings had displayed, it was undoubtedly language. Unfortunately, no one in Zach's group spoke ratling.

The rat king said something more before pointing at them with his spear. To be precise, he pointed at Zach.

"Just to be sure, he's pointing at me, right?"

"Definitely."

"I believe so, Young Master."

"It appears he is, Master."

"Damn it. Anyone know what he wants?"

"I don't speak any more ratling than you do, but it looks like he's challenging you to a duel." Lexi gave a shrug as casual as her answer as she looked closely at the spear. Even from a distance, she could tell it was worthy of being a king's spear. She longed to study it up close.

Alas, it was not up to her just yet. She looked at Zach.

Zach nervously clenched his fists as he stared at the tip of the spear pointing at his face.

"...I don't know how to fight, though."

"Do you want to borrow my sword?" Lexi asked.

"But I don't know how to use a sword." Zach didn't look away from the rat king, who was gracious enough to wait for him.

Zach could probably force a fight with Yanael, but he had a feeling that he should do this.

"You've seen Yanael use hers, right? Before that, you've seen me, Leonidas, Lily, and the knights at home train. I know the maids weren't the only ones looking out at the training grounds from your room when we were younger."

"..." Zach hesitated.

"I know you've never really been interested in learning how to use weapons, and that Mother and Father were also reluctant to it, given your tendency for accidents."

"But…?"

"Oh, there's no but. I'm just saying I know more about you than you want me to." Lexi joked to ease Zach's nerves at least a little.

"I'm just kidding. The but is that it doesn't matter. You can choose not to pick up the sword and fight anyway. You can choose not to fight at all. The only thing that changes is the future. It might be a small change.

It might be a drastic change. It might be a change for the better. It might be a change away from a future you desire.

"All I want is for you not to live in regret."

Lexi unsheathed the sword strapped to her waist and held it toward Zach with the handle in his direction.

Although Zach had Yanael and his barrier skill, Lexi still wanted Zach to be able to fend for himself. She didn't know much about summoning. She didn't know how trustworthy Yanael was or what the extent of their relationship was. She knew Zach trusted Yanael. But what if Yanael one day had enough and decided to say no and goodbye?

Experience the best on m_v_l_e_m_p_y_r

Even if it was later than his siblings, she still wanted Zach to know how to defend himself and fight back. Lexi also figured that Zach was a practical learner. He understood more and better by learning in live situations.

Fighting the first floor boss of the Jira Labyrinth might be a little much, but it wasn't like he would die. At most, he would get beat up.

He would also have three beautiful women ready to come to his rescue when he was in trouble.

Eventually, Zach swallowed the saliva in his mouth and nodded with determination. He grabbed the sword, surprised at how cool the handle was and how heavy the weapon was.

He was surprised to find how well the leather wrapping around the handle fit so snugly in his palm.

Zach held it with one hand at first, but the double-edged longsword was too solid and heavy for him to wield it easily like that. He wouldn't be able to swing it around like a piece of wood like Yanael did.

That meant he would have to learn from the Evandiel knights–from Leonidas, Lily, and his father, the Duke. Searᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Zach was sure all three of the sword users in his family could swing their weapons with one hand if they wished. But he had seen them use both hands when they trained and sparred.

They grabbed the handle with both hands, the right above the left. They held the sword with the tip pointed diagonally upward. It wasn't straight up, but it wasn't so far out that it was too heavy to wield it for extended periods.

Zach stood with his legs apart, his feet next to each other. Not too far apart, but not too close. His knees were slightly bent, and he leaned forward slightly, just enough to not get knocked back by a gust of wind.

With short, angled steps, Zach slowly made his way toward the rat king in a large spiral around the throne.

The rat king followed him with his eyes and spear until Zach passed a thin line on the floor.

An invisible dome rose around the throne just a few steps away from the walls of the throne room.

Lexi's eyes widened in realization.

"...Shit."

Zach was trapped inside with the rat king.