The giant mahogany doors of the throne room, intricately carved with gold, opened slowly, producing a heavy, echoing creeeekk that resonated throughout the hall. The presence of three young men in academy uniforms stepping inside immediately commanded the attention of everyone present.
The prime minister, generals, and palace servants who were in audience with the King instantly halted their activities. However, it was not the academy uniforms or Kazien's presence that left them jaw-droppingly stunned. Their eyes were fixed on the figure standing to Kazien's right.
The figure possessed pointed ears, skin as white as porcelain, shimmering golden-yellow hair, and mint-green eyes that made him appear incredibly graceful and elegant.
Everyone was shocked by the appearance of an Elf who had just entered the human kingdom's throne room. Whispers began to erupt, loud and buzzing like a swarm of bees.
An Elf? Is that truly an Elf? thought the Prime Minister while adjusting his glasses. This is the first time in my life I have seen an Elf in the flesh!
Meanwhile, Allen, who was walking on Kazien's left, tried to maintain his composure, though his eyes wandered in amazement at the magnificent throne room. The red velvet carpet beneath their feet felt incredibly soft, a stark contrast to the tension radiating from Kazien.
At the far end of the room, seated atop a golden throne cushioned with silk, King Nalvon smiled broadly upon seeing his uninvited guests.
"Well, well, well!" King Nalvon greeted in a friendly tone, as if their arrival were a pleasant surprise amidst a boring morning meeting. "It is rare for you and Prince Alvin to come here this early! What is the matter?"
Kazien, Alvin, and Allen stopped right at the foot of the throne's dais, then bowed respectfully.
"Forgive our unannounced arrival, Your Majesty!" Kazien said in a loud but polite voice. His face was serious; not a trace of a smile could be found. "I came here not for a social visit, but because I wish to convey something of great urgency to you!"
King Nalvon sensed the shift in atmosphere coming from the silvery-white-haired teenager before him. His smile faded slightly, replaced by an expression of full attention.
"Speak, Kazien. I am listening."
Kazien stepped forward, approaching the throne, bypassing the guards who had moved to intercept him but were halted by a gesture from the King.
Kazien then produced a document scroll, the proof of the assassination transaction that had previously been handed over by Zeto.
King Nalvon accepted the document. He opened it slowly. The atmosphere in the throne room became suffocatingly silent. Only the sound of the paper unfurling could be heard.
King Nalvon read the document with intense seriousness. His eyes darted left and right, following every line of text, inspecting the signatures, blood seals, and the monetary figures listed there.
The King's expression, which had initially been serious but calm, drastically shifted to one of shock. His brows furrowed deeply, and his jaw hardened.
"Kazien..." the King called out in a heavy voice. "Is everything written in this document the truth?"
"It is true, Your Majesty! The document is authentic!" Kazien answered firmly. "Their leader himself handed that document to me after his troops failed to kill us last night."
Kazien then gave a concise yet detailed account of what had happened to them the previous night. From the ambush by the assassins at his residence, the battle against them, to the assassins' confession.
Hearing the story, King Nalvon was genuinely shocked. The people in the throne room also could not hide their expressions of surprise and horror.
King Nalvon placed the document on the armrest of his throne, then looked sharply at Kazien.
"Then, what do you want from me regarding this woman named Marina Delfilian?"
Kazien's eyes glinted coldly, and a faint aura of frost began to emanate from his body.
"I request the public execution of her and her entire family!"
The request struck the room like a sledgehammer. Shocked gasps were heard from several people.
Kazien continued without mercy, "If you refuse, Your Majesty, I will order the Altavis forces to attack Marquis Delfilian's territory and raze everything there to the ground, leaving nothing standing!"
King Nalvon was taken aback. "But, that is excessive, Kazien! Punishing the culprit is fair, but involving the entire family as well? That is a massacre!"
"That woman wanted to kill me and my family!" Kazien cut in, his voice rising as his emotions overflowed. "Even though we could handle it, was she not the one who involved my family first? And I believe that is a fitting punishment for her!"
King Nalvon could not immediately answer. He fell silent, rubbing his temples which had suddenly begun to throb. He was torn on what to do. The position of a King was not easy.
"If it were an ordinary commoner who planned to assassinate a noble," Kazien said again, "that person would surely be sentenced to death immediately! Your majesty, I hope you can be fair and not discriminate between people in the eyes of the law."
Everyone fell silent after listening to Kazien's very logical speech. No one could refute his words, including King Nalvon.
King Nalvon's political mind raced, weighing every risk.
If I refuse, King Nalvon thought anxiously, civil war will break out. The Altavis family troops are monsters on the battlefield. Not to mention the griffons Kazien recruited back then. It is certain that the territory led by the Delfilian family would be decimated in an instant. Not only would their military fall, but innocent civilians would also become victims of that war.
He glanced at Kazien, who stood tall with an undeniable gaze.
But if I accept, the King continued in his mind, the citizens of the capital will learn that a noble tried to assassinate another noble. Of course, that will cause an uproar throughout the kingdom. The reputation of the nobility will be tarnished.
King Nalvon wrestled with his own thoughts. The room was silent, awaiting the ruler's decree. With great seriousness, he contemplated every option, searching for the path with the fewest casualties.
"I will await your answer, Your Majesty!" Kazien said casually, though there was an underlying pressure implied in his words.
King Nalvon let out a long sigh, then looked at Kazien.
"Before I answer, I want to know one thing!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask."
"Do the students at the academy know your true identity as the son of Duke Elgard Altavis?"
"Only a few teachers are aware of my identity." Kazien answered honestly. "As for the other students, including Marina, they seem to only know me as someone from a wealthy family... because I purposely withheld my family name, Your Majesty."
King Nalvon nodded slightly. As usual, the Altavis family never flaunted their strength and power in public. Did he have a plan at the academy to choose to hide his identity? Or did he simply want to live a quiet life?
Whatever the reason, that secrecy would make the arrest process slightly easier, preventing mass hysteria before the execution.
King Nalvon finally made his decision. His face hardened, radiating the authority of a ruler. He rose from his seat, his royal robes billowing.
"General!" the King called out loudly. "Mobilize a platoon of elite troops! Move out with a palace mage to arrest the Delfilian family!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!" answered the General.
King Nalvon then ordered several of his soldiers to prepare to move, escorting him to the academy to arrest Marina Delfilian.
Hearing the order, Kazien felt a sense of relief that his demands were heard. However, he was still unsure about the specific details of King Nalvon's decision. He needed a clear verbal confirmation.
"Your Majesty, are you willing to execute the Delfilian family in public as I requested?" Kazien asked to make sure.
King Nalvon looked deep into Kazien's eyes, then answered with a voice that was heavy but full of certainty.
"Rather than a civil war that would create a sea of blood and claim the lives of thousands of civilians in the Delfilian territory due to the wrath of the Altavis forces... it is better that I execute that one noble family!"