Aegon stood in his place, taken aback by what had happened. He didn't actually plan to do this. As much as he wanted to get back at Grandpa Sam, he still respected him, so he would never deliberately do something disrespectful in public.

It was just that he was still reeling from shock, so he couldn't react in time. By the time he realised what he had done… or rather what he hadn't done… it was already too late.

A chilling silence enveloped the Eternal Sanctum, as some gulped in fear while others smiled in interest. Things were definitely going to be entertaining for them.

Nobody spoke or did anything to the child who had defied the Emperor. They knew their ruler well, so if they dared to interfere, there was a high chance even they would be implicated.

The Emperor didn't like others bullying someone in his name, even if that person had disrespected him.

Even Aegon's friends turned towards him in confusion, wondering what had gotten into him. They weren't worried about him, he was supposed to be the main character of today, so he likely wouldn't receive any heavy punishment but his actions still confused them deeply.

Gazes shifted from Aegon to Samuel and back, while the two of them also gazed silently at each other, conversing in a way no one else could notice.

'You didn't tell me!!'

'Why would I? You're supposed to be the intelligent one. Why didn't you figure it out?'

'I did, but you're too shameless and mentally unstable to sit on that throne.'

'Oh, the throne is very comfortable and needs someone unstable, actually. Still, I'm disappointed in you. Tsk tsk! Prodigy my ass!'

'Old man! I'll burn your bed while you sleep! I'll put your ass on fire!'

'Heh, putting the sun on fire? Nice joke, you cursed brat!'

'Then, no cigarettes for you from now on!'

'Don't you dare!'

Without anyone noticing, Samuel's lips twitched as he glared hatefully at Aegon.

'I dare! Also, solve this problem, old man. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do now!'

Samuel stared at him a moment longer, bringing the tension to higher levels, as no one could understand what was happening.

Finally, he opened his mouth and spoke, his voice calm and echoing from every side, "You have inherited your Grandmother's blood very well, child."

Aegon cringed inwardly, not at all used to being addressed with such politeness from this old man. Still, it wasn't like he was used to seeing his indifferent expression either.

So he tried to smile and said, "I'm glad to hear that from you, Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, others were confused by their exchange.

The Emperor actually didn't mind someone disrespecting him? Had the sun risen from the west? Literally? Did it affect his mental health?

The Emperor they knew wasn't cruel or unreasonable, so they knew the child wouldn't be killed for his insolence. But the Emperor also wasn't stupid enough to let others walk over him casually.

He ruled the Empire with both benevolence and ruthlessness.

So seeing him do nothing to this child certainly shocked them enough to start guessing his identity.

That was also when they remembered his golden eyes.

High Duke Roland Lannister stared deeply at the central platform and asked, "Is that him then?"

"Oh my! Stop pretending you don't know him, Roland," Amon chuckled and said. "That's the boy."

"Unbelievable!" Roland muttered to himself. "He's not human."

"And you haven't even seen his true self," Amon's smile grew wider.

"There's more to him?" High Duke Cassius asked, smiling. "I heard he's into creating things. Can I take him under my wing?"

"Ask his old man, not me," Amon shrugged casually.

"Ah! That's going to be hard."

Their seats were special, so their voices remained contained without disturbing the outside atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Samuel finally showed a faint smile and said, "Are you going to waste more time, Child of Valeria?"

'Who is wasting time here pretending to be all high and mighty, you sick-ass old man!' Aegon's lips threatened to twitch, but he still forced a smile and said, "Certainly not."

This exchange gave answers to everyone, as they finally understood why the Emperor hadn't responded to the supposed disrespect. Because in a way, it wasn't disrespect to begin with.

Valerians stood at the apex of all races, and they bowed to no one. So it would actually be strange if a Valerian bowed before Emperor Samuel.

"Wait! Wait! If he's actually Aegon Valeria Augustus, then why is he there? Isn't he just sixteen this year?"

"What!? No way. He's participating, right?"

"It seems like he is participating. By Apollo, what is this boy made of?"

"Sixteen? Maybe he's just gaining experience."

"In a game where Rank 4 and 5 are common?"

"Who knows?"

"We are in for a show! I didn't think there'd be something more interesting than the Elf girl's appearance."

Meanwhile, Aegon sighed and looked away. He wasn't even sure if he was supposed to bow or not. Technically, he was also human, so he should bow before this old man, yet as a Valerian, he shouldn't bow at all.

'Damn politics! My reason for not bowing is simply that I don't want to bow before this crafty old man.'

He could still feel numerous gazes on him, but as usual, he ignored them.

Just as Octavia was preparing to continue, loud, heavy footsteps sounded from the entrance, drawing everyone's attention. It felt as if a massive beast was walking toward them, as even the world shook from its presence.

Everyone in the Sanctum could perceive that change.

Soon, a tall figure entered the Sanctum, his steps steady and focused, deep onyx eyes scanning the crowd as a deep scowl etched itself across his aged face.

His deep black hair had streaks of gray, pulled back neatly, matching the grey threaded through his beard. The aged man was clearly very old, yet nobody could say that from the way he carried himself.

Clad in a simple black suit, the older man stopped right before the central platform and looked up at the highest platform, his gaze locking with the Emperor's.

Then, he asked, "Did you ask him to bow?"

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