Words that echoed through the entire Council Hall, akin to staging a palace coup.
A few who were in the know understood the hidden meaning in Lynn's words, and sweat began to seep from their foreheads.
Stay the hell away if you want to live!
Don't splash me with your blood!
They thought, trembling with fear.
Yet at this moment, the breaker of the tense atmosphere, Lynn, still stood his ground, locking eyes with Saint Laurent VI.
Not many could withstand the piercing gaze of an Emperor.
As a transmigrator, he happened to be one of them.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of this pause, Cardinal Connor also observed Lynn in silence, seemingly weighing something in his mind.
He had not expected this youngster to be so astute, biting back before he could make his move.
However, for him, it wasn't a matter too troublesome.
Because ultimately, these accusations were false, a mere ploy to stir the waters.
The Heavenly Principle Church had been deeply rooted in the Saint Laurent Empire for many years, and naturally, it wouldn't be shaken by a baseless accusation.
But now, he had no choice but to bear this unjust blame—for it was all Saint Laurent VI's decision.
Although the Church wasn't directly under the Empire's jurisdiction, it still followed the old traditions in certain respects, with the Emperor at its pinnacle.
Thus, faced with Lynn's accusations, he didn't panic but chose to respond with silence.
However, as one of the culprits responsible for the fall of the Bartleion family, he naturally couldn't just watch this enemy leave unscathed.
Even for Lynn at this moment, it was as if he was dancing on the edge of a cliff at ten thousand meters high.
A single misstep could send him plunging into an abyss.
And to push him over, all it would take was something simple.
Bishop Connor watched with a calm demeanor, observing the seemingly confident Lynn.
The more this youngster behaved in such a manner, the more it confirmed his suspicions.
Why did Lynn suddenly raise such accusations against the Heavenly Principle Church?
As everyone knows, when a hot topic arises in society, it often means that another hot topic is overshadowed.
In other words, the reason he did this was merely to shift everyone's attention away from the issues that Bishop Connor had raised.
This even more so demonstrated that Lynn had no way to explain how he survived the hands of the two Great Demons.
As long as this point was grasped, it would be easy to erase all the prestige he had established today.
What a naive young lad.
Bishop Connor smiled and then slowly began to speak, "Your Majesty..."
Before he could finish, Saint Laurent VI suddenly spoke up, interrupting his speech.
Atop the high platform, the Emperor looked down with a commanding presence at the calm young man below.
"Quite the audacity," Saint Laurent VI said coldly, "It seems the Bartleion family has produced an excellent descendant."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
Lynn bowed slightly, yet his face showed no hint of humility.
"Hmph," Saint Laurent VI snorted, then scanned the room, his expression softening slightly, "As you all see, today's investiture ceremony seems to have had some unfortunate interruptions. We shall choose another day to continue."
"Now, everyone must leave immediately."
His voice instantly filled the entire Council Hall.
The attending nobles sighed in relief, their backs soaked with unnoticed sweat, their hearts pounding incessantly.
After singing praises of the great Emperor, people began to file out, trying to maintain their composure as they rushed towards the exit.
As for Marquis Mosgla, trembling with his granddaughter's corpse in his arms, he was ushered out.
Upon leaving, he glared with venomous and envious red eyes at the youth's retreating figure.
As though making some resolute decision.
Upon seeing this, the Great Imperial Princess Hillena and others, unwilling to further muddy the waters, prepared to take their leave easily.
Unexpectedly, Saint Laurent VI suddenly called out to them.
"All members of the Royal Family present, gather at Elloch Palace."
"As for you, Lynn Bartleion, come along as well."
"I think, there are some things I should discuss with you in person."
Having said that, Saint Laurent VI left the Council Hall swiftly, surrounded by the knights' escort.
The Royal Family members present, except the Third Imperial Princess Ivyst, the Great Imperial Princess, Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and the Ninth Princess, were all present at the banquet and now summoned to the palace by their father.
At that moment, everyone looked at each other, bemused.
Of course, the most shocked of all was Cardinal Connor.
He never imagined that in the end, Saint Laurent VI would make such a choice.
The Heavenly Principle Church had just taken the blame for him.
Yet, for some unknown reason, not only did he not take the opportunity to suppress this defiant troublemaker, but he even made a move that seemed to exculpate him.
It was as if... he didn't want the Church to press for answers to that matter in such a setting.
Bishop Connor took a deep breath.
When he reopened his eyes, his expression had returned to its usual gentleness.
Although he was unsure of the reason, it was apparent that now was not the opportune moment to deal a fatal blow to Lynn.
But that was alright.
Patient waiting was what he was best at.
As long as Lynn stayed in Glostit, sooner or later he would cause some big, scandalous trouble.
At that time, he would find the chance to use this "knife" to strike him dead.
Late at night, inside Elloch Palace.
"Bartleion boy, do you feel rather grand tonight?"
Carved with the mark of the Golden Tree, the throne presided above all, with Saint Laurent VI gazing downward at the youth at the foot of the steps.