After the Matriarch's verdict, all the soldiers escorted Darian, Tetoya, and Zelkov toward the royal castle. When they entered, Tetoya turned to Darian with a conflicted expression.
"Darian, are you really going to just accept this? Don't be crazy, no one's ever survived even seven days in that place. I'll ask the Matriarch to cancel your agreement."
Even if he was the cause of it all, committing suicide just to take responsibility seemed insanely stupid. Neither she nor anyone else would accept dying that way.
Zelkov clenched his teeth. "Mr. Darian, we should admit our mistake and beg the Matriarch to split the punishment between us three. That's the fairest way."
Both looked determined, so Darian spoke calmly, "No need. To tell the truth, I knew from the start that fish was special. So, I did all this on my own."
They both stared at him speechless. He looked at Zelkov. "Young man, your will is so weak that even the usual three days would be deadly for you."
