Audience (4)

"..May the Beastkin King speak his thoughts?" The King had to show respect for the other Rulers as a point of formality.

"I am sure that everyone knows about my affiliation with my mentors; the current Fae King, Heine; and the Crimson Witch," Gazelle brought the spotlight away from Alan. He had not been informed about the situation, but he was clear on one thing.

"I have been informed that they have selected a new disciple,"

His words caught everyone by disbelief, as the pair of powerhouses had not selected another disciple ever since Gazelle got accepted. Their first and last disciple- that was what people named Gazelle.

Before, a lot of people were aiming to become closer to the untouchable pair by trying to be their disciples. Not only will they procure guidance, they will also form a connection, a pivotal one at that.

However, the pair disappointed them with their complete lack of interest. The invitations were all declined without a care, even the ones with high status. The Human King himself had extended an invitation for them to tutor the Royal Prince, but even that was only responded with a careless letter conveying their disapproval.

"I don't know why the Beastkin King is bringing up that topic when we are disputing Duke Clareste's case. Though I must say, the identity of that new disciple interests me. As a break from the serious matters, will the Beastkin King inform us of the news?"

"Well, it's not unrelated to this matter. My new junior sister is standing down there, as the Clareste family's daughter," Gazelle's face turned smug as he announced the news with a casual tone, bringing the spotlight down to the silver - haired youngster down in the trial chamber.

Once again, everyone was taken aback by shock. One unknown individual even knocked down something, creating a loud bang in the otherwise silent room.

Not only was the newest disciple hailing from the Human race, which was known to be weaker compared to the rest, her age was also extremely young.

As previously mentioned, the Humans only conducted a capability test at ten years old, because the average awakening time was as such.

"..We never knew that the Beastkin King liked to joke. As far as I am concerned, Duke Clareste's daughter is only around five years old. Us humans' awakening time is sadly around ten years old,"

[...Why would he say that here?! This would incite even more anger from that damned King..]

'..I might have an inkling on what he's planning, but Heine has to cooperate in this. I don't believe that he's willing to stake his country just for external affairs like this.' With that, Minerva went silent, but the mana fluctuations Estelle detected brought the probability of her contacting the other ruler.

"The spirits and how they react to the black magic element," Gazelle's misplaced statement restored the people who had been drowning from shock's consciousness up.

"The Spirit King Heine is present, why don't we ask for help?" As if the victory was already in his hands, he claimed his stance on the matter with vigor.

[The Spirits?]

'As I thought, he really went for it. Ahh, look at the fae's face, it's so darkkk~' Minerva internally sighed.

[Wait, explain for a bit.]

'Err... To put it into simpler terms... Faes are sensitive to magic, correct? This claim, there is actually a continuation to it.

Long ago, black magic didn't exist. To be precise, it wasn't something possible with natural magic. Black magic is produced by the corruption of matter... Thus explaining why the spirits, who are born from nature are not very resistant to the magic.

Upon contact with black magic, spirits have a high chance of getting corrupted as well. They have learned to adapt to this condition by having an adverse reaction to the black magic they deem as repulsive.

So... Gazelle is planning to let Heine or his underling be a taste tester for your magic. If you are clean, it's likely that your parents are clean as well. Black magic is easy to get out of control, so a user's child will usually end up with a contaminated magic core and have no choice but to turn to black magic. Of course, your father might have to be tested too.'

Borrowing Heine's power. It wasn't a bad idea.

Though, there was still a loop hole. The Duke might not be the direct user of Black Magic, but if he controlled subordinates who utilized the element, it'd still be a guilty conviction. They would certainly bring them down knowing this fact.

[Even so, they are all against us, won't they bring up the chance of people under my father being the users?]

'At least it'll wipe out the direct relation, no? And spirits are really sensitive... If they are smart enough, they will back down. After all, the higher ups, not much of them are innocent and untouched.' Minerva's tone lowered as she insinuated the possibility of the claim being turned against the accusers themselves.

She swerved her gaze across the audience and found a few suspicious candidates, reeking of the loathsome element. Even her, as a Witch, was able to sense it. The Spirits would definitely react and point out the real culprit.

"W-what are you talking about? Surely, we can't involve another Ruler just to pass judgement on my subject.." The King's grip on his armrest had already tightened. His knitted brows showed that he did not think that the matter would escalate this far.

"I don't mind," Heine spoke up.

'Wao, what a benevolent act for him to do?' Minerva half - expected this outcome, but she thought that he would have more deliberation and consideration before jumping straight on the gun.

"The news about the Duke's daughter being mine and Minerva's disciple, why don't I confirm it myself?"

"The answer is correct, and by that, what can you get from it?"

"Us spirits are utterly disgusted by what those absolute idiots call 'magic' even when it's clearly not something born from the sources of nature,"

"I shall refrain from overstepping my bounds, but I hope that everybody's intelligence is high enough to realize that there's no way a black magic exposure can escape my sensors in close vicinity..."

"Of course, whether I'm talking about the times I spent with Estelle or the current trial room, you can forge your own conclusions,"

Since that was what their forte was, why don't they use this specialty of theirs?

After Heine's short speech was over, clamors started brewing deep within the layers of each and every single floor. Though it was silenced, the tension in the atmosphere could be easily felt.

"...It seems like there was a mistake in the reports. Setting the claim about the black magic aside, what does the Duke have to say in regards to the monster attack?" The King tightly gripped his armrest, doing his best to hide the popping veins caused by anger.

It could be theorized that the King wasn't the one behind the plot. However, the one who initiated it should be from the Royal faction. They were the ones obsessed with power. Loathing Alan who gained such high credibility and recognition must've irked one of them.

If not, the King's anger was far too unnecessary. If the opponent was from the Radical faction, the King must be somewhat rejoiced at their foiled plans, even though it meant that the Duke got away unscathed.

To show one's anger like that, wasn't the King foolish? The people could easily read into the matters, no?

"That one, I shall answer," Gazelle once again spoke, a triumphant smile painted on his face.

"Beastkin King!" Gritting his teeth, the human King was about to burst as he growled out the words.

His words were specifically constructed to leave the involved parties a peaceful way out without any complications. To resolve everything like nothing had happened. It was the best solution, yet Gazelle still wanted to continue.

Gazelle raised his hand, and his attendee stepped forward to open up a visualizer made out of illusory - based magic.

It was laced with a truth - detecting magic, so one could confirm the credibility of that showcase.

The screen showed a barren land, completely void of any living things except miniature plants scattered haphazardly.

Then, a deafening sound pierced the calm lands. The owner of the sound composed of shouts and shrieks soon appeared, their appearance not that different from the ones who attacked the Clareste Dukedom.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

Even though their movements were not synchronized, the massive amount of monsters made it possible for a clear ringing sound to be created by simultaneous footsteps.

The loud footsteps overlapped with each other, making your heart subconsciously beat faster due to an underlying anxiety.

However, the scene did not end there.

Soon enough, another pack of monsters showed up, this time having different characteristics from the previous ones.

They seem to be headed for the same direction and did not plan to stop.

Their faces showed determination and fighting spirit to cause devastation to the world.

"This is your answer," Gazelle closed the clip. "The emergence of 'Strays' out of nowhere. It's not only in the Human country. In fact, they're spreading all over the world as we speak now," Gazelle announced with a large voice.

Gazelle's clip brought fear to the audience. Such a large amount of monsters. The 'Strays'.

'...I think I know why Heine wanted to cooperate.' Minerva's low - spirited voice interrupted Estelle's train of thoughts.

[Because Gazelle would have all their attention on him with this breaking news?]

'Indeed... There is one problem, though.'

[Hm?]

'This is also a breaking news for me. I can't possibly imagine the incoming calamity if these guys were left alone.'

One pack was enough to cause havoc to a aristocratic mansion. Although the numbers were lessened, elite knights were still stationed there. And yet, the disaster couldn't be prevented without Estelle taking them on and using her full power.

If they got into the civilians' abode, one could only wonder what the outcome will be.

[..Just like before, we'll settle it somehow. Either situation is dire, I can't abandon my family, even if it meant sacrificing thousands' of people to the monsters' march.]

"We need an advancement. Simultaneously, all races should learn to defend themselves if they want to survive. I'd advise you to stop wasting your time. The impending doom is near. If you don't wish to be a survivor, then keep fussing over this Black Magic bullshit," Gazelle, with his signature commander voice dumped his thoughts altogether.

The room grew silent.

The main focus was no longer Alan, but the monsters.

With a solemn atmosphere, the summons soon ended with a clear verdict. The Duke was innocent for the moment, since a much more important issue was raised.

It didn't mean that he was cleared of all charges and suspicions.

The red roses were proven to be a byproduct of magic, specifically the Spirits' magic. Using Heine as an excuse, they were able to get away because the Spirits were originally very secretive- not much is known about them.

Whereas the monsters.. it was the easiest part out of the entire subject. Thanks to the clip Gazelle showed, people were able to learn that it wasn't because the Dukedom performed Black Magic, but because the monsters' numbers have indeed increased exponentially.

The King didn't say that Alan was free. He might still be targeted, but the 'doom' Gazelle spoke about was frightening.

The possibility of the myriad of monsters appearing just like they did at the Dukedom made people gulp their saliva in distress. Even if the Duke used Black Magic, the real issue here was clear. The existence of 'Strays'. A lot of them.

A common enemy that had to be exterminated.

The summons, although they escaped, the winner was unclear. No one gained anything out of it.