[Do not make this any worse than you already have, Court Mage Elira.
We will be having a separate talk regarding this matter in the Drakthar Court Room.]
The Crown Prince spoke, his voice much colder than his usual, gentle voice—so much so that Elira momentarily blinked. This was the first time she had seen this man show so much anger.
And it wasn't Edric's fault either.
He had been walking a razor-thin line all this while.
Carefully managing the fallout of Kael's actions, ensuring that this dispute didn't escalate into something irreversible. He was even willing to take responsibility—to compensate Xenthalor if needed and smooth things over with diplomacy.
By suggesting the use of Verdant Omen, Elira shattered all hopes of a peaceful resolution.
Did she not see how she had played right into Selene's hands?
The Crown Prince clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palm. He had spent years negotiating delicate matters of state, forging alliances, ensuring Drakthar remained strong in an increasingly hostile world.
Yet now, thanks to Elira's reckless actions, things had gone too far.
And… he had no idea how to stop it.
Kael, who saw how the situation turned out, had a grim look on his face as well.
The relationship between Drakthar and Xenthalor was already bad, but if this incident made things even worse, then Elira would face major consequences.
And… it would all be because she stood up for him…
Kael couldn't allow this, but…
He couldn't do anything here.
Because of Selene and Edric's words, his words held no weight in this scenario. The only way to protect Elira was to somehow prove that Rowan was corrupted, that the Verdant Omen, or whatever it was, needed to be used. But…
He had no clue how to pull that off. Things had already escalated beyond his scope of power.
Suddenly, Kael heard another voice in his head.
[Are you absolutely certain that beast is corrupt?]
He questioned and before Kael could react, he continued,
[This should not be a hunch or a feeling. I need absolute certainty. This could very well decide your instructor's fate.]
Elira's life depended on Kael's words.
Kael called out, and—
The Primordial Dragon didn't back down.
So Kael didn't either.
He nodded at the Prince, and the Crown Prince closed his eyes as if thinking his next action through one last time.
Selene, who was about to walk away, paused.
Edric used this as a chance and—
"You said Court Mage Elira taking responsibility for this insult wouldn't justify it, correct?"
"Then what about me?"
In an instant, the air became heavy with tension.
Tower Head Selene then turned around and—
"I apologize for being blunt, Prince Edric, but even yo—"
"If Rowan is proven innocent, and his Bond is not corrupted as Hero Kael and Court Mage Elira claim, as a public apology, I will execute Court Mage Elira and—"
Edric took a brief pause and,
The Crown Prince announced, and the crowd widened their eyes in shock. Even Selene's expression changed.
"Surely the lives of the Crown Prince and one of Drakthar's Prodigies will be enough of an apology to wash away Xenthalor's shame, won't it?
Please have it in your heart to spare Hero Kael since we need him to protect Nerathis."
Kael's expression changed when he heard those words.
He did think something would happen when Edric said his instructor's fate depended on him, but to think he would put even his own life on the line together with Elira…
'Is he really an enemy?'
If Kael had some opinions in his mind before, now, he was completely clueless.
What enemy risks his own life when he has absolutely no reason to?
Kael thought of that possibility, but honestly…
If it was… Kael would be extremely impressed.
On the other hand, Selene's eyes darkened.
"The Xenthalor Empire does not believe in using lives as apologies, Prince Edric. We consider ourselves to be above such brutish methods.
You have already humiliated us enough. Please stop whatever you are pl—"
She tried to walk away, a show of momentary weakness and that was all Edric needed.
He started with a laugh that mistakenly slipped out of his mouth, he quickly covered his mouth and—
"I apologize for my slip-up, Tower Head Selene.
I mistakenly thought you were defending a Corrupted Human, and since you here represent the Xenthalor Empi—"
"I am defending my Empire's Mage, Crown Prince Edric.
And mind your words. My Empire's Mage is not corrupted."
Selene retorted sharply, but Edric just smiled.
"Me and the Court Mage are even willing to put our lives on the line here. Surely, you don't think both of us are doing it for the sake of humiliating your Empire, do you?
Do you not, for even a single second, doubt that we might actually be correct if we are willing to go this far?
After all, traitors can be found everywhere. It wouldn't be surprising if that Mage was one of them as well.
Honestly, if someone with a position of power claimed that one of my mages was corrupted and even put his life on the line to support his claim, I wouldn't hesitate to test the truth and shut him up.
I'd also get his head as a bonus, and if, in any case, I am wrong, I'd be getting rid of a traitor.
I see it as a win-win.
Unless, of course, that corrupted mage isn't exactly a traitor."
Edric lowered his voice as he said his last words. Of course, everyone here with their enhanced senses heard him loud and clear.
"What are you implying, Crown Prince?"
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"Whatever I am implying would all be for nought if you just agree to use the Verdant Omen."
"My Mage is not a criminal."
Selene didn't back down, and seeing that, Edric just grinned.
After all, discussions had already started.
"…Isn't the Tower Head defending her Mage a little too much?"
"Were the Xenthalor usually this protective of their Mages?"
"I do not remember it being that way…"
"Yes, I do not remember them being this defensive. The way Tower Head Selene lashed out at Elira and then the Crown Prince, and to think she is not even doubting her own mage when the Crown Prince is willing to bet his own life…
Something feels wrong."
"It is almost as if… they are trying to hide something…"
More and more people became doubtful, and then suddenly—
"The Verdant Omen is reacting!
There is a Corrupted Beast here!"
One of the Crown Prince's men—who was now standing together with the Pope—announced as he raised a crystalline green orb, roughly the size of a human heart, encased in twisting golden vines that were trembling without stopping as if they were about to wither away.
Yes, it was the Verdant Omen.
And it was reacting to the Power of Corruption, meaning one or more Beasts present here, within a distance of 500 meters from the Omen, were Corrupted.
And seeing that sight, the Crown Prince's grin widened.
"What do we have here?"