The Verdict

Somewhere in the sky floats an island with soil made of hollow diamonds. Structures made using Arcane Crystals filled the floating magnificence, making everyone who saw it first gasp in awe.

As one walks onto the road paved with countless Arcane Crystals and precious gems, one is struck in awe by the sheer magnitude of wealth present in the area. It was said that nowhere in any place in The Known World there stood such a dense collection of wealth, genuinely separating it from the rest of the world.

In the middle of the entire city, a majestic castle-like building stood in black. Traces of Laws can be seen innately present in the Black Arcane Crystals used to build it.

Engraved on the signage above the door were words that immediately drew the attention of everyone around, "Cynosure."

Just minutes before Ethra's call, the meeting room inside the building was already on fire as 12 Runes at a donut-shaped table debated. In the middle of it all was a familiar Elf telling his story.

"What are we waiting for!? The most recent representative of House Eminence had already determined who killed one of his bodies! We should be marching to arrest him already!" the representative from House Eminence spoke in fury.

"Em chair, there are rules we must follow. The child should be put on trial first," the representative from the Zen Continent said with a resolute tone.

"Who cares!?! That is just an unaffiliated child! Why does his opinion matter in front of House Eminence!" the Em Rune countered.

"Again, there are rules we must follow; the child should be put to trial."

"I agree with the Zen chair; this would also show the fairness of The World Force in these troubled times. I heard that The Integrals are currently attacking Libertia as we speak. I heard that they are roping people under the pretense that we just do whatever we want without regard for the majority, so this would silence that cause," the representative from the Mythical Domain of The Septet affirmed.

"What do you say, Em chair? I believe it would be in the best interest for us to get on with this," the representative of the Grand Archive mediated.

The Rune of House Eminence stayed silent for a while before finally agreeing to the arrangement. However, just as they were about to shift the topic, another Rune intervened.

"I do not think this is fitting. There is no proof that the accused child did anything at all. Who knows if the most recent representative of House Eminence just has a resentment for the accused? It was brought to our attention that the accused is close to the most recent representative of the Primordian Land, so this could be coming out of jealousy," the representative of the Primordian Land remarked, earning a burst of energy from the Em chair.

"Is the Lady chair calling the House Eminence a liar?!" the Em chair burst in fury.

"That is not my intention. You know, this can go on for a while, and we have a more pressing issue to discuss, so I will be blunt. The Primordian Land will shield the accused. He is a valued member of our force," the Lady chair said. If there were people instead of Runes in the room, this comment would have definitely earned shocked gazes.

Just then, the representative of the Grand Archive mediated once again in a grim tone, "You must have heard too, a great conundrum has arrived."

"Fill us in," the representative from The Sovereigns said with a serious voice.

"The Integrals has managed to produce at least one Supreme. A Potens was working for them and they demanded that we let go of some spots in the Celestial Mountain lest war."

"Tell me you are joking, Archivist chair. This is not a conundrum. We go to war!" the representative from The Rulers immediately responded with a sneer.

"Not a chance," the Zen chair rebutted in a snap.

"Hmph! I am aware of the stance of the Zen Continent, but we will just use the war as a threat to make them bow down. They would never be able to afford a frontal war with us," the Ruler chair said.

"What if they did not bow down? They are already brazen enough to reveal their cards. Who knows what else they are hiding? Do you even know where their base is? We have no information about them, and from what Zen Ethra told me, they know quite a lot about The World Force. We cannot risk a war," the Zen chair sternly moved.

"So are we just going to bow down like this!? This is ridiculous!" The representative from The Nobles spoke.

This furious debate raged on for quite a while until sides started to form. There, on the side of the war were The Quintet and House Eminence, and on the side of releasing some spots were the Zen Continent, the Unchained Guild, and the Arcane Bank while the remaining three of The Septet abstained from voting.

"It is six against three. I do not see the point of prolonging this deliberation," the Em chair said.

"The Zen Continent will not be involved in the war and will spare no effort in its quest to stop it," the Zen chair said with a resolute voice.

"You are kidding! You must honor the decision of the Congress!" The Ruler chair reminded.

"We joined The World Force under the pretense of peace and harmony. There will be no more bloodshed like The Era of Wars. I believe that The Arcane Bank holds a similar opinion."

"Is this true?" The Ruler chair asked with a voice full of rage.

"The Arcane Bank joined under a caveat that a prosperous flow of economy should be made and maintained under our management. This war will be unnecessarily costly, and for what? Just to maintain the authority of The Quintet? We will supply no money in this war and will aid the Zen Continent in its quest to stop it."

No one in the room could see it, but everyone at the pro-war side of the table all had furious yet helpless looks on their faces.

"Then, I guess, a verdict is consented upon," The Archivist chair said.