The Masked Virtuoso-Chapter 109: The King’s Judgment

The Throne Room of Solmara – A Test Begins

The grand hall of King Aldric was a sight to behold. Towering pillars of black stone stretched toward the heavens, adorned with banners of crimson and gold. Rows of armored knights lined the sides, their weapons gleaming under the dim torchlight. At the far end of the chamber, upon an elevated throne, sat King Aldric the Unyielding.

His presence was suffocating.

Aldric was a man built for war—broad shoulders, a scarred face, and piercing golden eyes that seemed to strip a person down to their very soul. His black and gold armor was heavier than most men could even lift, yet he sat as if it were weightless.

Ethan Cross, standing at the center of this imposing room, tried not to roll his eyes.

"Here we go again. Another medieval ruler who thinks he’s the ultimate badass."

To his left, Kael stood silently, his posture rigid, expression unreadable. But Ethan could sense the tension.

To his right, noblemen whispered among themselves, eyeing Ethan like a wild animal that had wandered into their court.

Aldric finally spoke, his voice like thunder.

"Who are you?"

Ethan sighed.

"Ah, here comes the interrogation."

He bowed slightly—just enough to be polite but not enough to look submissive. "Name’s Ethan. Just a traveler passing through."

The nobles scoffed.

"Oh, come on. I didn’t even say anything cocky yet."

Aldric leaned forward. "A traveler with no past? No records? No home? You expect me to believe that?"

Ethan smirked. "Stranger things have happened."

Aldric’s eyes narrowed. "And yet, my most trusted warrior, Kael, brings you before me. That alone tells me you are not ordinary."

Kael finally spoke. "He is... an anomaly."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Thanks, Kael. That totally makes me sound normal."

Aldric exhaled slowly, then gestured to the side.

"You will prove yourself."

A heavy iron gate opened. From the shadows emerged a massive warrior in full plate armor, wielding a greatsword the size of a horse.

The crowd murmured.

"That’s General Varun!"

"The Unbreakable! The King’s personal executioner!"

"No one has ever bested him!"

Ethan sighed dramatically.

"Of course. A trial by combat. Why is it always a trial by combat?"

Aldric’s voice boomed. "Defeat him, and I will allow you to live in my kingdom. Lose, and your head will be displayed on my gates."

Ethan smirked. "Oh, great. No pressure."

Kael, still standing nearby, whispered just loud enough for Ethan to hear.

"Do not underestimate him. He has killed Riftborn before."

Ethan cracked his neck, stepping forward.

"Yeah, well... let’s see how he does against me."

The crowd roared as the battle began.

---

The Duel – Ethan vs. General Varun

Varun charged like a war machine, his massive sword cleaving the air with terrifying force.

Ethan dodged, barely avoiding a strike that would’ve split him in half. The sheer shockwave of the swing shattered the stone floor beneath them.

"Okay, yeah. He’s strong."

Ethan weaved through Varun’s attacks, analyzing his movements.

Every swing was precise. No wasted energy. No hesitation. This guy was an executioner in every sense of the word.

Varun didn’t taunt, didn’t hesitate. He just attacked.

"That’s bad. That means he doesn’t make mistakes."

Ethan, still adjusting to his lack of godhood, found himself being pushed back.

Varun suddenly swung from the side—too fast.

Ethan barely dodged, but the sword clipped his side, tearing his cloak and drawing blood.

The crowd cheered.

Kael, watching from the side, didn’t react—but his grip on his sword tightened slightly.

Ethan exhaled sharply.

"Alright. No more playing around."

He dashed forward, sidestepping Varun’s next swing and kicked him straight in the armored chest.

Varun staggered back.

Ethan smirked. "Big guy, but not immovable."

Then—he grabbed a broken piece of stone from the ground and flung it directly at Varun’s head.

CRACK!

The impact didn’t knock him out, but it distracted him for a split second.

And that was all Ethan needed.

He surged forward, grabbed Varun’s arm, and used his own momentum against him—flipping the executioner over his shoulder and slamming him onto the ground.

The arena went silent.

Varun struggled to rise—

But Ethan was already there.

He placed a foot on Varun’s chest and smirked.

"Guess that means I win."

---

Aftermath – The King’s Suspicion

The throne room was silent as Ethan stood victorious.

Varun, humiliated, knelt before the King.

Aldric studied Ethan.

Finally, he spoke. "Interesting."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "So... do I get a trophy or something?"

Aldric chuckled. "No. You get my attention."

He leaned forward, golden eyes glowing slightly.

"You are too skilled for a mere traveler. I do not believe in coincidences. Who trained you?"

Ethan smirked. "Oh, you know. Here and there."

The King’s expression darkened.

"You are a liar."

The tension thickened.

Kael subtly moved his hand toward his sword.

For a moment, Ethan considered telling the truth.

Telling him he was a god. That he had rewritten existence itself.

But instead—he simply smiled.

"Believe what you want."

Aldric exhaled slowly, then turned to Kael.

"He will remain under your watch. If he betrays Solmara, you will kill him."

Kael nodded.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Wow. Love the hospitality."

Aldric’s gaze sharpened. "Do not mistake my mercy for trust, Riftborn."

Ethan froze.

The room went silent.

Kael’s eyes flickered to the King—then to Ethan.

Aldric leaned back.

"You hide it well. But I see it in you."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Shit."

The King’s voice was calm, but absolute.

"You may have fooled the others. But you will not fool me."

"I know what you are."

---

Cliffhanger: "You’re One of Them."

The air in the throne room shifted.

Aldric’s words hung in the silence, heavier than steel.

> "You’re one of them."

Ethan’s smirk faltered for the briefest second—a flicker of shock flashing in his golden eyes. It was gone in an instant, buried beneath his usual mask of arrogance, but it had already happened.

And Aldric had seen it.

The King’s lips curled slightly—not a smile, but a predator baring its teeth after cornering its prey.

Kael subtly shifted, his grip on his sword tightening. The air around him grew heavier, the faintest flicker of shadow energy pulsing around his fingertips.

The nobles didn’t seem to fully understand what was happening, but the tension was suffocating.

Ethan forced a laugh, rolling his shoulders. "Wow, dramatic much? You make it sound like I’m some kind of—"

Aldric’s golden eyes glowed faintly.

"Do not play the fool with me, Riftborn."

The entire hall fell into dead silence.

Ethan stopped breathing.

Every knight, noble, and court official went completely still.

The title itself was enough to send a chill through the air.

Kael’s jaw clenched. "Your Majesty—"

Aldric raised a hand, silencing him. His eyes never left Ethan. "Do not defend him. He does not need it."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his throne. "I’ve seen your kind before."

Ethan forced himself to remain calm. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but outwardly, he looked unfazed.

> He knows. But how much does he know?

Ethan shrugged. "Riftborn? Never heard of ’em."

Aldric chuckled—a deep, knowing sound. "You are arrogant. But arrogance cannot hide what you are."

His golden eyes narrowed. "I know power when I see it."

Ethan tilted his head. "And what exactly do you think I am?"

Aldric’s fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne. "That... is the question, isn’t it?"

His tone was measured. Calculating.

He wasn’t guessing.

He wasn’t accusing blindly.

He was certain.

Kael finally spoke. "Your Majesty, if you suspected this, why allow him here?"

Aldric didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his eyes flickered to Kael—just for a moment.

Then he smiled.

A small, almost imperceptible smile.

"Because if I am right... then we have much to gain."

The way he said it sent an unsettling chill down Ethan’s spine.

The King leaned forward, golden eyes gleaming.

"Tell me, Riftborn. What will you do now?"

Ethan exhaled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk, but his mind was already working at impossible speed.

Aldric was dangerous.

Not because he was powerful.

But because he was smart.

And smart kings were always the worst kind.

Ethan grinned, masking his unease. "Well, Your Majesty... I was thinking of getting a drink."

Aldric chuckled.

The tension did not break.

Instead, it thickened.

The King’s next words changed everything.

"Then drink well, Riftborn. Tomorrow... you fight Kael."

Ethan’s smirk twitched.

"Oh, for fuck’s sake."

---

To Be Continued...