Chapter 177 Battle Of Wits

Erik narrated everything in grim details, and this included how he violated Asgeer's wife and how Askild was aware of it, Erik was done with the games because he was on a certain high after killing Arild, but he did not stop there, Erik bragged about having his way with Lagertha.

Everyone's jaw dropped, Tyr could not believe he was serving under the man that had caused his mother such pain, Lagertha's reaction made sense now.

Askild remained quiet, he did not look moved by this revelation despite everyone expecting an explanation. If Erik was punished accordingly, Lagertha would have never been touched so the fault all fell to Askild.

Birger was satisfied with this development, he always knew Erik was a loose canon but it seemed even Askild had lost control over him for some reason.

"You have all heard it from the culprit's mouth, Erik has admitted his guilt and Askild's involvement in its cover-up," Birger was triumphant, he had been waiting for this moment all his life.

"W-Why did you not fight the accusations?" Asger asked, he had to know why because if he spoke against it, people would have at least kept an eye on Erik subconsciously.

"Who would have believed an outsider? I saw it in your eyes, Asger. You needed someone to hate and it would have been a lot easier hating me than anyone else, I was just as responsible for failing to protect her… I loved her," Birger said and Asger clenched his fist in anger.

He could not believe the man he would give up his life for was a King that could not even share in his loyalty.

"This does not explain why you took over Kattegat, King Birger," King Rugalf spoke. Many were not familiar with him but they knew he was a King for he wore a crown.

"I took over Kattegat because I knew this was the only way to be heard, I only have this audience because you all consider me a threat but I have no interest in being King, I took his crown so you may choose your own King! Askild is no one now, he has no forces or army behind him as I am now the one with that power. He ruled through fear and that is why no one dared question him but I have questioned him on all your behalf! I have torn down the invincible Askild from his throne and shown you all, he is only a man!" Birger said and everyone could feel the public opinion swaying in his favor.

"Y-You bastard!" Lagertha cussed out, she was not having any of his bullshit and knew he did this for his selfish reasons.

"You killed Herfjötur!" Lagertha said but Birger jerked his head in her direction before saying.

"Herfjötur? I did not kill her, Lagertha, I admit my joke might have been in poor taste but I did not kill Herfjötur, I found her dead," Birger said, but there was no one capable of killing her except Birger.

"Or I could be lying…" Birger said with a sinister grin because compared to the others, Herfjötur's life was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Everyone that stood in his way was cut down, with no exceptions as he was not scared to put his hands on Lagertha despite her being a queen, more so Herfjötur being just a mere commander.

Ragnar got to his feet casually and stood right in front of Askild, looking down at the seated man.

"Is there anything you would like to say?" Ragnar asked Askild, Askild knew he was in a dire situation but he was not worried about the situation.

"Is Liv alright?" This was the only thing that came out of his mouth, his eyes unmoved as he got up to his feet, looking Ragnar right in the eyes before brushing past him.

Birger, however, did not give him an answer but instead, shrugged his shoulders.

Askild felt a firm grip on his shoulder, it was Ragnar's hand.

"I am talking to you, Askild…" Ragnar said. This was a big moment as Ragnar stopped acknowledging him as a King, Askild yanked his hand away.

"You all knew deep down in your hearts that I was the necessary evil needed to take Kattegat to the next stage and that is why I was never questioned. You all chose to be ignorant for you knew ignorance is bliss. I am not begging for my life because I am certain of one thing, and that is the people will choose me as their King yet again. Which King has promised you a Kingdom and given it to you?" Askild said, before looking at Erik.

"I knew about Asger's wife? What manner of lie is this from someone that has forcefully taken over Kattegat? Someone that has killed your sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers?" Askild said. Askild was not done because he had the advantage in the end.

"Erik was imprisoned by the enemy, I have no idea what lies they have fed him but you all know that Erik's loyalty to me is absolute, if he speaks against me it is because those words are lies. I am unmoved by this farce of a trial and I am disappointed that the men I risked my life on the battlefield with question me! I cannot, however, tolerate what I have heard about Lagertha. A famous shield maiden that is a beacon of hope to the younger generation of girls defiled and robbed of her honor? That is unforgivable and I sentence Erik The Berserker to death." Askild said despite losing his title as King, his words still held weight.

"What do you think you are doing Askild? You are no King." Birger responded.

"Do you want to spare Erik like I once did you? Was that the agreement you had with him to tell this lie? I spared you Birger because of Asmund but now I know better." Askild said, his bandaged wounds bleeding showing he was in pain every second he spent on his feet.

"I don't think you understand your situation here, Askild. Archers!" Birger commanded Askild's former warriors to get ready to shoot but Askild had a calm look on his face.

"I do not think you understand, Birger. I am not King because of a crown, but because I have the loyalty of these men, I understand why they opposed me before. They did not know better but now they do, I have shown mercy before, no one is above mistakes so I am willing to look the other way just this once, but I do not give second chances," Askild said, and the fear that these men thought they were free of returned in folds as their hands suddenly became as heavy as lead, they were rooted in place.

"Birger Helvig, on the acts of treason and violation of the dignity of Kattegat. I sentence you to death," Askild said, with words alone, he had completely shifted the tides in his favor.

Birger's plan had backfired disastrously or was everything going exactly as he had planned?