Citadel of Hearts: The Emperor's Triumph | JC

Chapter 1: Prettiest is "Mine"

The clash of steel reverberates through the air as the silvery long sword slices effortlessly through its adversary, cleaving it in twain. With a resounding thud, the man clad in his metallic armor crumples to his knees, the weight of his breath heavy with exhaustion.

Across the battlefield, the imposing figure of a long-haired male, barely marked by the passage of time save for the faintest lines etched upon his face, raises his gaze. His boots, sturdy and commanding, pound against the earth, echoing the rhythm of war. With a deliberate movement, he lifts his head to meet the gaze of his adversaries.

Two pairs of feet, resolute and unyielding, stand before him. The glint of a sharp blade catches the light as it inches dangerously close to his chin, compelling him to tilt his head upward. His eyes lock with those of another man, his adversary, who stands above him with a smug and triumphant smirk adorning his face, a testament to his impending victory.

The deep resonance of Emperor Seungcheol's voice fills the night air, carrying with it an aura of dominance and victory. His muscular, imposing figure looms over King Minjae, a testament to his physical prowess even amidst the weight of heavy armor.

A chuckle rumbles from deep within Seungcheol's chest as he bends slightly, his formidable presence exuding confidence. "Now, now, King Minjae, did you truly believe it would take more than three swings to bring you to your knees?" His voice carries a hint of amusement, laced with the satisfaction of triumph.

But Minjae's feeble attempt to protest is swiftly silenced by the forceful impact of Seungcheol's clenched fist, encased in chains, striking his cheek with brutal force. Blood fills Minjae's mouth, his words stifled by the violence of the blow, as he coughs and struggles to regain his breath.

Seungcheol's laughter cuts through the darkness, echoing under the pale moonlight, as he seizes a fistful of Minjae's hair and yanks him upright, asserting his dominance with every movement. "Coward? Perhaps. But it matters not. I have bested you, and now your empire belongs to me," he declares, his voice dripping with triumph.

As Seungcheol brandishes a dagger, hidden within the layers of his clothing, Minjae's desperation peaks. He pleads for mercy, grasping at Seungcheol's legs in a futile attempt to sway his assailant's resolve. "Wait! Please, don't kill me! I beg of you. Name your price. Anything you desire—money, gold, even the treasures of my empire—are yours for the taking. Just spare my life," Minjae implores, desperation etched in every syllable.

A flicker of interest dances in Seungcheol's eyes at the mention of the courtesans, a glimmer of temptation crossing his features. The offer hangs in the air, a tantalizing proposition that could alter the course of their fates.

Emperor Seungcheol's voice takes on a deceivingly gentle tone, akin to a haunting lullaby weaving its way through the chilling night air. With a calculated display of mercy, he feigns loosening his grip on Minjae's head, coaxing forth the confession he seeks.

"What is it, Minjae? What holds more value to you than your kingdom? What is the very essence of your existence, the tether that binds you to this world?" Seungcheol's words carry a sinister undertone, dripping with a twisted curiosity.

Minjae's voice trembles with fear and desperation as he utters the words, his confession hanging heavy in the air like a shroud of doom. "M-my wife and my children," he stammers, his breath catching in his throat.

A chilling silence descends upon the battlefield as Seungcheol processes Minjae's admission. With a cold and calculated demeanor, he acknowledges the revelation, his eyes betraying a glint of malicious intent. "Ah, so that's it," he murmurs, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

In an act of cruel dominance, Seungcheol forcefully shoves Minjae back onto the unforgiving earth, his heavy boot descending upon Minjae's trembling hand with merciless force. A gut-wrenching cry tears through the night, echoing across the battlefield, sending shivers down the spines of all who witness the horrifying spectacle unfolding before them.