What choice did Benard have?

Gazing at the miserable condition his friend was in— one that would only worsen if he refused to do as the king had demanded—he could only compromise.

"Y-yes…your majesty," he replied with his gaze towards the damned fellow occupying the throne.

"Then...come up here, darling," the king beckoned with a smirk that the warrior found quite annoying.

Even so, he started scaling up the stairs until he finally reached the dais.

"Kneel," the king commanded.

Benard didn't try to argue; his friend's life was at stake here.

And so, with pursed lips and hands fisted briefly at his sides, he dropped to his knees before...