Chapter : 645

Zeus turned his full attention back to Iris. He stood perfectly straight. He projected an aura of absolute dominance.

"You have surprised the entire capital, Iris," Zeus began. His voice sounded very analytical. "You started at the bottom of the leaderboard. Everyone thought your unit would fail in the first week. But you survived. You secured the Core of Luminus. You dismantled the bug invasion. You actually tied my score."

Princess Iris offered a small, proud smile. "My team works hard. We fight for the citizens."

"Hard work is irrelevant," Zeus countered coldly. He brushed a tiny speck of dust off his white sleeve. "You are running on luck. Your vanguard is chaotic. Your strategies are . You lack true military discipline. Your current score is a complete anomaly."

Laxmi glared at him from the background. She wanted to yell at him. Zinia placed a firm hand on Laxmi's shoulder to keep her quiet.

"Luck does not win battles, Zeus," Princess Iris argued smoothly. "We win because we trust each other. We adapt to the challenges."

"You adapt like cornered rats," Zeus sneered. He took a slow step closer to her. The yellow sparks popped around his boots again. "But your luck will eventually run out. The next phase of the Succession War will be ruthless. The challenges will multiply. You do not possess the raw power required to survive."

Zeus looked directly into her violet eyes. He decided to drop his political games. He decided to state his true purpose.

"I am offering you a massive opportunity, Iris," Zeus declared firmly. His voice carried immense authority. "I am giving you a chance to surrender with dignity."

Princess Iris blinked in surprise. "Surrender?"

"Yes," Zeus nodded. He crossed his arms over his gold medals. "I want you to officially withdraw from the Succession War. I want you to step down immediately."

The 13th Unit listened in shock. Sayma clicked her pen rapidly. Naomi narrowed her green eyes.

Ken popped another candy into his mouth. He watched the 1st Prince.

"This is a classic villain monologue," Ken analyzed lazily in his mind. "The arrogant rival always demands a surrender before the final tournament arc. He wants to skip the boss fight. He wants a free victory. It is lazy. I respect his laziness. But he is being very rude about it."

Zeus continued his demanding speech. He laid out his aggressive terms.

"You will withdraw your candidacy today," Zeus commanded coldly. "You will subjugate your entire unit to my command. Your vanguard will become my secondary soldiers. You will officially transfer all of your accumulated tournament points directly to my faction."

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Sayma pushed her glasses up. She gasped softly. "He wants her points. If she transfers her score to him, he will secure absolute, uncontested first place on the leaderboard."

"Exactly," Zeus confirmed. He did not hide his ambition. "With your points, my victory is mathematically guaranteed. The Upper Council will crown me Emperor within the month. The useless, chaotic fighting will finally end. The Empire will have order."

Princess Iris stared at her brother. Her face remained perfectly calm. She did not look intimidated by his demands.

"And why would I ever agree to that, Zeus?" Princess Iris asked softly. She kept her chin held high. "Why would I hand my entire campaign over to you?"

Zeus smiled a very small, very arrogant smile. He thought he had the perfect bait. He thought he knew what she wanted.

"Because I will reward your obedience," Zeus promised smoothly. He uncrossed his arms. He stood extremely tall. "When I ascend the golden throne, I will grant you an influential role in my new government. I will make you a Senior Minister. You will have a massive budget. You can build your little hospitals. You can fund your silly charity projects for the outer districts."

Zeus pointed a finger at the marble floor.

"You want to help the commoners," Zeus stated confidently. "You can help them much better from a safe, comfortable office. You will not have to fight monsters anymore. Your chaotic friends will not have to bleed for you. You will have safety under my rule. It is the most logical choice you can possibly make."

Zeus finished his grand proposal. He looked at Iris expectantly. He fully believed she would accept. He believed his offer was flawless.

Ken Eliot slouched against the pillar. He watched the interaction closely. He chewed his candy. He waited for Iris to respond. The entire political future of the Belmontia Empire depended on her next few words.

---

Princess Iris stood perfectly still in the grand ballroom. The elegant music played softly in the background. The crystal chandeliers shined brightly. She looked directly at the 1st Prince. She processed his massive demand.

Zeus offered her safety. He offered her a powerful government job. He promised to fund her charities. He wanted her points. He wanted her total submission.

Princess Iris took a slow, deep breath. She did not look at her feet. She did not look at her team. Her violet eyes locked onto Zeus's cold green eyes.

She did not yell. She did not show any anger. She simply smiled a very calm, dignified smile.

"No," Princess Iris stated softly.

The single word echoed clearly in the quiet space between them.

Zeus froze. His arrogant smile vanished instantly. His perfect posture stiffened. He blinked in genuine surprise. He did not expect a refusal. He thought his logic was undeniable.

"No?" Zeus repeated coldly. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Are you out of your mind, Iris? I am offering you a perfect escape route. I am offering you immense power."

"You are offering me a golden cage, Brother," Princess Iris replied smoothly. Her voice carried absolute, unyielding resolve. "You want me to surrender my beliefs. You want me to hand over my unit. I will never do that."

Zeus narrowed his eyes into sharp slits. The yellow sparks around his boots popped aggressively. "You cannot win this war alone. You lack the necessary cruelty. You lack true ambition."

"I lack your cruelty," Princess Iris corrected him gracefully. She stood tall. "I do not fight to dominate the citizens. I do not fight to force order through fear. I fight to protect them. I fight because the people of this Empire deserve a leader who actually listens to them. They do not need a tyrant."

Princess Iris took a small step forward. She showed incredible growth as a true leader. She was not the scared, underdog Princess anymore. She was a premier candidate.

"My unit is not a collection of tools," Princess Iris declared proudly. She gestured toward Naomi, Sayma, and the others. "They are my family. They bleed for me because they believe in our shared vision. I will not trade their loyalty for a comfortable desk job in your new government. I am staying in this war, Zeus. I will earn the throne my own way."

Zeus stared at her. His face turned very cold. He realized she was serious. He realized he could not intimidate her. He could not buy her obedience.