As soon as Rykard heard Radagon's words, he breathed a sigh of relief. The dread and the tightness in his throat eased considerably.
Father, son-such everyday forms of address. They proved that this was not a conversation between a king and his subject, but between a father and his son.
Before coming in, Rykard had imagined all sorts of things.
He knew full well that blood ties could not be severed, but power cared nothing for affection.
After Radagon became Elden Lord, there had been little intimate conversation between father and son. And at this very moment, the only thing Rykard could rely on was his identity as "Radagon's son."
If Radagon truly disregarded their family bond, Rykard would have no options left. He could only wait for Maliketh to come and behead him.
"Father, father, I... please, let me explain..." Rykard still pressed his head against the floor, not daring to look up.
Radagon's voice held no emotion. "All that evidence is right before my eyes. How do you expect me to believe you? Colluding with a Godskin, secretly harboring the Ancient God-Devouring Serpent. With all these charges, calling you a traitor would be entirely justified."
Betraying the Golden Dynasty, betraying the Erdtree, betraying the Golden Order.
"No, no, no! I never thought of betraying anyone. I have no reason to betray anyone. The Elden Lord is my father. There's simply no need for me to betray him." Rykard knocked his head against the floor with repeated thuds, as though this could express his loyalty.
"Go on." Radagon rested his hand on the throne's armrest, tapping it lightly with a series of clicks.
What he meant was: Go on. Let's hear what excuses you can come up with.
Every tap of his fingers against the armrest seemed to strike