Is it treason or is it a misunderstanding?

The Buranda Kingdom. They are the kingdom for blacksmiths. Many legendary weapons come from there. We have been in a bilateral alliance with them for many generations before, but I suspect a breach in the contract.

I should tell mom about this, I'm not that experience in these kinds of stuff. I know how to make money, but I don't know how to prevent a potential war.

"Everyone should remain calm and go back towards the courtroom," Emperor said. "The courtroom is very durable. Dylan and the rest of the knights! Go patrol the area and when it is considered safe, tell me."

Everyone went marching inside. Chatters can be heard from one side to another. I and my mom goes back inside and wait for the safety confirmation.

Every one of us seats back in our chair while talking aloud about what had happened, what will happen, and what may happen. Mom's trusted attorney left to have a conversation with other lawyers. I am left alone with my mom who sits beside me.

I ask my mom, "So? Do you know this will happen?"

"No. This is a surprise for me too."

"Mom. Do you know who sent them?" I asked once more.

"Hmm... I don't know, but if I were to guess, I think they're sent by another country." Great! She already suspects it.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? Isn't it obvious? Grandmaster assassins are very rare. The empire's Court of Shadow only has 16 of them. To acquire and send 5 of them... It has to be a country-level organization." She says.

Acasti Empire is huge. Having 16 beings that has the same high level is relatively a fuck ton, especially considering that reaching Grandmaster in any kind of art is way harder than reaching the gold class. Now the question is... How did my mom know that there are exactly 16 grandmaster assassins in The Court of Shadow?

"Hmm... I wonder how you know such information. Assassins tend to not like having their information exposed." I ask.

"I have connections." I give her a suspicious look. I lean forward to meet her eyes directly.

"What is it?" She asks.

"Truth. Gimme."

"*sigh* No. As you said assassins tend to not like their information exposed." She says.

"Said the girl who has exposed her family secret to an eight-year-old boy."

"Said the boy who has no friends except Dylan and that puny sage of yours." Shit. She got a point.

"So? You're not gonna tell me?"

"No, and I'm fixed on my decision." Malenia Northanrey says.

"Alright then, Malenia." I say.

"Wait why did you call me by my name?"

"Nothing, Malenia."

"Call me mom please."

"Of course Malenia... Hmm... This also got me thinking... What is the goal of this assassination? Who are they trying to assassinate?" I ask.

"I don't know... The highlight of this court session is us. The opposers must have known that Dylan will be present, but why... Why did they sacrifice such assets." She looks down with her hands on her chin and began to ponder.

"What if it's not that big of an asset? Oh! Nevermind that was a stup-

"No! Please.. continue." My mom says.

"Hmm... Alright, I was thinking what if those 5 grandmaster assassins weren't sent here to eliminate someone? What if... They're meant to send us some sort of message or warning." This might be bigger than I startingly thought. The Buranda Kingdom might not have been the only kingdom that is included in this ploy of theirs.

"Haha... Are you suspecting some country to have such big of an asset that they're willing to send 5 grandmaster assassins to their deaths?"

"That's why I thought it was stupid, however, after thinking things through. I still find it highly difficult to think so, except if they think that whatever their goal is, could end Acasti Empire in one hit."

"Such a goal can never exist. It doesn't exist, but still... Why do they send 5 grandmaster assassins then? Did they underestimate Dylan's power? It's either they played a stupid game or they're just preparing an unexpected move on us." My mom answered.

Hmm... I can't figure this out without any materials to think about. I need to go back home first.

Then, suddenly the door to the courtroom opened and Dylan came in with his bloodied saber still on his back. His clothes seemed as if they are bathed in a sea of blood, making them luscious red with many pieces of human organs still left in them.

"Dylan!" I rushed in and hugged him in his bloodied suit. I whisper in his ear, "How many are they? Have you determined who sent them? if so, don't tell The Emperor."

Dylan widens his eyes. He knows his liege very well and so he knows if his liege acts this way, destruction comes with him.

Dylan nods slowly and whispers back, "10 others are platinum and there are 5 more which are fodder golds. Yes, I know who sent them."

I nod back and slowly get back down from his face. The Emperor stood behind me waiting for us to finish.

"Dylan, is it safe to go out now? How many casualties are on our side?" The Emperor asks.

"It's safe. There are no casualties on our side, however, I can't say the same for the other." Dylan says.

"Who sent them?" The Emperor asks.

Dylan calmly says, "We don't know. I have interrogated many of them yet none of them answered. They have a strong will to not betray his master, I find it commendable." The Emperor nods and announced to everyone that it's safe to go now.

Now then, shall we go see this sly traitor of ours?