"Isaac, I will give you an opportunity. As of now, you're no longer a prince. Isaac, what do you kind of become the governor of Bursberry Island?" Isaac widened his eyes in deep shock. On the other hand, Nylah was able to take the news calmly but inwardly she was beyond excited.
Previously Nylah saw no hope for her son to become the Emperor as Elio kind of favored his first son and was also thinking of declaring the first prince as the crown prince. When Aditya attacked the Qezia Empire and the royal members were captured by the dragonians, Nylah thought that she and her son were going to become slaves or worse executed.
In her mind, Nylah was praying to every God whose name she has heard in her life for her son's safety. Rather than getting executed, she wanted her son to live.
When the Dragonian told her that the Emperor wanted to meet her and her son, Nylah became nervous. As the Emperor's words would decide their future. Never did Nylah think that the Emperor would give her son such a big opportunity despite her son being the son of the Istarin Emperor's enemy.
Bursberry Island is the capital island of The Qezia Empire. Even if Isaac was no longer the prince if he agreed, he would become a noble of the Istarin Empire and would become the governor of Bursberry Island. This was 1 million times better than becoming a slave or getting executed.
Standing behind Aditya, Riya observed Nylah and her son Isaac. The goddess didn't like politics. Just like Julia, she preferred to stay away from this kind of thing. The only reason that she was still here is that she wanted to spend more time with Aditya.
Looking at Isaac, the goddess of Nature sensed something wrong with Isaac's body. 'It looks like he has been poisoned and he is not even aware of it.' Riya thought in her mind. For now, she decided to observe Isaac a little to learn more about the poison while Isaac decided his fate.
Isaac recovered from his shock. Isaac didn't reply immediately. The reason for this was the confusion and the hesitance that took over his heart. Isaac knew that he never was going to become the King. From a young age, he understood this fact very well.
Now that he was given a chance to start a new life, Isaac wasn't sure if he should just accept Aditya's offer. Aditya's offer really tempted him but Isaac wasn't sure if he was ready to serve someone.
Isaac turned his head to his right and looked at his mother. The young man saw his mother nodding her head at him with a smile. 'That's right. I am not alone. I just can't think about myself. From now on I must take care of my mother. She is my only remaining family.' As for Elio and his stepmother, Isaac didn't really care what happened to them.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how I will thank you for giving me such a huge opportunity. You have given me and my mother the chance to start a new life. I gladly accept your offer. I may not be experienced as other nobles but I am someone who learns this rather quickly. I promise to not disappoint you in the future." Hearing this Aditya nodded his head with a satisfied look.
Nylah was proud of her son.
"My apologizes for interrupting but this is something very important and it concerns your future." Riya's voice made everyone look at her.
Isaac and Nylah both looked at Riya. Isaac has to admit that Riya is the most beautiful woman that he has ever seen in his life. As the former prince, the number of beautiful women that Isaac has met in his 19 years old life is too many to count. But none of them comes closer to Riya.
"You're poisoned?" Everyone within the throne hall widened their eyes. Nylah covered her mouth in shock.
"What? Me and poisoned?" Isaac asked while pointing at himself.
Riya just nodded his head. "I don't know when you were poisoned but this poison has slowed down your cultivation speed. I am still not sure what kind of poison is this?"
To know more about this poison, Riya would Isaac's blood. But she was lazy to do that. Using her powers, she can easily cure the poison in his body regardless of its type and its powers.
"It must have been that bitch." Nylah's hair started floating as she released her killing intent. All of her anger was directed toward Elio's first wife. Nylah didn't come from a powerful family. In front of the first wife, Nylah's powers and authority were very less. For years, she and her son has endured all forms of bullying from Elio's first wife.
Now that she has learned that her son was poisoned, Nylah had finally reached her limit. Her eyes turned red from anger. Right now, if Elio's first wife was in front of Nylah, she would have killed this bitch using her bare hands.
Sensing his mother's killing intent, Isaac tried his best to calm his mother. "Mother, please calm down. Those people are going to spend the rest of their lives as slaves."
"You're right.' Nylah took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Your Majesty, my apologies. I lost my calm there." Aditya waved his hand to tell her that he was not offended. Any mother in her position would have the same reaction.
"Riya, can you help Isaac?" Aditya asked.
Riya nodded her head. The next second, she took out a dark green apple from her storage ring and threw it to Isaac.
Isaac caught the apple and looked at Riya for some explanation. "This isn't any simple apple. It's a 4-star magic fruit. The healing apple can cure any 4-star or lower-star poisons." Riya hoped that the poison in Isaac's body wasn't a 5-star poison. If it was a 5-star poison, then it would be very troublesome for her.
Hearing that this was a 4-star magic fruit, everyone in the throne hall was surprised. One had to know that magic fruits were extremely rare and very difficult to find. Magic fruits are mostly guarded by powerful magic animals. This is why, Magic fruits are so costly as it is extremely difficult to obtain them. Magic fruits are like natural pills. To a cultivator, Magic fruits are like priceless treasures. There are many kinds of magic fruits with many kinds of properties.
"Your Majesty, this is really valuable. I don't know how I will ever repay you for giving me something valuable like this."
"Thank Riya not me. And also there is no need for any repayment."
"Thank you, Lady Riya." Both mother and son bowed to Riya to express their gratitude.
"It's alright." To Riya, this wasn't any big deal. Being the goddess of Nature, Riya had many kinds of magic fruits. Normally a 4-star magic fruit takes up to thousand years to grow. But with her powers, she can accelerate the growth of the Magic fruit. The fruit that she has given to Isaac was one of those magic fruits that she had found in the forest.
Isaac put the dark green apple in his storage ring. He was planning on consuming the magic fruit when he returned home.
"Alright, it's time to talk with others. The former Dukes of the Shadow Islands Empire step forward." Hearing this Isaac and Nylah stepped back. While 8 figures stepped forward. These eight figures were 8 dukes who previously served King Liam.
Now they have agreed to serve Aditya.
Looking at the eight dukes the Emperor thought. 'Normally, I would appoint someone I trust in charge of the shadow islands. But now I have very little time. Within tomorrow, the Echo Nexus Empire will surely find out everything and declare war against the Istarin Empire. In times like this, I cannot leave the position of 9 governors vacant. Since the 8 dukes have agreed to serve me and with the soul-binding contract making sure that they can't betray me or the Istarin Empire, I don't have to worry at all.'
"I have decided to give you all a second chance. Do not disappoint me otherwise, you won't be able to handle the consequences." Aditya said while releasing a little bit of his killing intent.
All 8 dukes trembled to face the Dragon Monarch's killing intent. Even his little killing intent was just too much for them. After all, the Emperor had slaughtered millions of beings. His killing intent was very potent.
"We won't. My King, you were kind enough to spare me and also give me a second chance. I promise I won't let you down." Replied Thomas who previously governed The Enchanted Holm. Aditya spared Thomas mainly because of his daughter.
"We won't disappoint you. This is our promise." All the other 7 dukes said simultaneously.
"Alright. Before we begin, there is a person that I want to see."
"Your Majesty, please tell me that person's name" Spencer asked.
"I believe his name was Leon. He was the captain-ranked soldier."
"Go and bring Leon." Obeying Spencer's order, a Dragonian went out. A few minutes later, the guard returned with a Leon.
Leon walked in. His gaze fell on Aditya who was sitting on a chair and looking at him. Seeing Aditya, Leon gulped remembering how quickly he ended the lives of the three beginner-5th order generals.
After greeting the Emperor, Leon stood up wondering why he was summoned here. After Amber took over Zion City, she ordered him to organize the 8,000 soldiers who also had surrendered and calm the Chaos within the city.
"Leon, I want to make you the governor of Zion City and Ashcour Island. Just so you know, I am not pressuring you to take this position or anything. I am offering you this position. You're free to reject my offer if you think that you are not suited for this role." Hearing Aditya's words, Isaac, Nylah, Thomas and other captured nobles were shocked. They didn't think the Emperor would give such a big opportunity to a mere Captain.
The more Leon heard Aditya's words, the more wide his eyes became. In the end, his mouth was wide open. Leon just couldn't believe it. The Emperor himself was giving him such a huge opportunity.
Leon came from a poor family. Just like any other soldier he also became a soldier to have a stable income. Due to his talents and also his hard work, Leon was promoted to become the Captain of the guards. After the Istarin Empire took over, Leon thought that his rank in the military was going to fall. But he was still satisfied as he had heard how well the Istarin Empire treats its soldiers.
In the Istarin Empire, becoming a soldier is seen as a symbol of pride. Not to mention, the countless benefits that an Istarin soldier and his family received.
'This offer is really tempting. If I accept, the condition of my whole family will change overnight. I won't have to worry about money again in my life. My family can live a luxurious life. But...' Leon was really happy receiving such a kind offer from the Emperor but he felt that he wasn't worthy.
'Other than being able to write and read, I don't know anything about governing or ruling. I will just end up disappointing His Majesty.' Leon wasn't wealthy enough to attend school. Leon only learned to read and write after he became the Captain.
"My King, this humble servant is not worthy of accepting such a big position." Hearing Leon's reply, everyone was surprised.
But Aditya smiled.
"Why do you think that you're not worthy?" Aditya asked but he already knew the answer.
"Because I have spent my whole life as a soldier. I have used these hands of mine to swing a sword. I am not educated enough. I don't have any experience in this field. I am not suited to become a noble. It would be better if you appoint someone else to this position." In the end, Leon couldn't bear to disappoint the Emperor. It was not as if he was desperate. Leon was happy with his current position and with his current salary.
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