Chapter 74: Chapter74-The Storm is Coming
The Royal Palace, Council Hall.
Led by a royal envoy dressed in a golden robe, Owen entered the core location where Azure Kingdom discussed domestic and foreign affairs.
This hall was entirely white, with a large arched ceiling adorned with various gems that emitted bright, multicolored light.
Chairs surrounded the hall’s edges, enclosing the spacious area.
At the front of the hall, King Aldric sat with a stern expression, resembling a mountain, his presence heavy and oppressive.
Seated beside him was an elderly man with a cane, exuding a suffocating pressure.
Despite his frail appearance, he felt like a dormant beast, subtly suppressing everyone in the hall.
This man wore the official attire of Kyrik, with a blood-stained axe embroidered on his chest, marking him as the Kyrik Penal Minister.
In any kingdom, the Penal Minister was a figure of immense power and terrifying strength.
But with Kyrik currently at war with Azure Kingdom, their Penal Minister had come to Azure Kingdom with great pomp and was treated as an honored guest.
What did this mean?
A growing sense of unease filled Owen as he quickly scanned the hall. Many familiar faces were present, all holding high positions or prestigious status.
Nearly all members of the Azure royal family were present, including Marry, who looked at him with a complex expression.
Beside Marry sat two elders from the Council of Elders and the Grand Elder’s son, Mac. Additionally, the headmaster of Luna Academy, dressed in a tasteful purple gown, sat in a corner, her eyes full of interest.
The atmosphere in the hall was both subtle and complex.
However, all this was quickly disrupted by Owen’s arrival.
At the forefront, King Aldric angrily pounded the armrest of his throne, glaring furiously at Owen as he walked to the center of the hall.
“Owen, do you know the crime you have committed?!”
The hall fell silent at these words. Owen had already sensed trouble; with so many powerful figures gathered here, especially with Kyrik’s Penal Minister being treated as an honored guest, the situation was dire.
King Aldric’s sudden question was clearly directed at him!
Owen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety.
However, the more critical the moment, the calmer Owen became. Only by staying truly calm could he find a way to break the impasse.
“Owen, do you know who I am?!”
At this moment, Kyrik’s Penal Minister spoke coldly, his voice grating like chains rubbing together, making one feel uneasy.
“Your Excellency, as Kyrik’s Penal Minister, if you have any business with me, please feel free to speak.”
Owen had noticed him from the beginning. It seemed this man was the one orchestrating today’s challenge. As he spoke, Owen discreetly began adjusting his state. The situation was already precarious, and strength was his greatest asset.
Owen’s calm demeanor made Mac, the son of the Grand Elder, look even more displeased, his face full of disdain.
“Tsk tsk tsk, Owen, I must say, your boldness matches your strength, growing more reckless by the day. How dare you murder the Crown Prince of Kyrik within our borders!”
He spoke directly, making the accusation clear and pointing the blame squarely at Owen!
Having grown up with Leslie, Mac had always considered her his woman.
Although Leslie was a bit unruly and he had not proposed to her due to weighing the pros and cons, in his heart, Leslie was already his.
Even if Leslie hadn’t acted against her previous fiancé, he would have done so secretly.
But he hadn’t expected that Leslie wouldn’t reject Owen this time!
Moreover, as Owen’s fame skyrocketed, Mac grew even more resentful.
As the son of the Grand Elder of the Council of Elders, his status was comparable to that of a prince.
He should have been in the spotlight, winning the beauty’s favor, but now, Owen had taken it all!
How could he tolerate this?!
As Mac laid out the accusation, even those who had been prepared for this news felt a jolt.
Assassinating a prince of another kingdom was a crime punishable by death!
Moreover, Kyrik had long eyed Azure Kingdom with hostility.
Despite Azure Kingdom’s constant concessions, they hadn’t expected Owen to act so brazenly!
The Penal Minister’s face darkened.
The death of Crown Prince Billy was a severe blow to the pride of everyone in Kyrik.
Billy, with his exceptional talent and abilities, had already been chosen as the crown prince.
Yet, Owen had killed him!
Even Billy’s protector, the master-tier Bryan, had been beheaded.
If Azure Kingdom and Owen didn’t pay for this, what face would Kyrik have left?
Glaring at Owen with obvious killing intent, the Penal Minister spoke, “Did you think your tricks could escape our elders’ eyes? Even if you erased the traces, he can still see the mana imprint!”
Hearing this, Owen immediately recalled Leslie asking for the Marry family’s crest.
Leslie had planned to frame Azure Kingdom for the crime.
Kyrik had long sought a legitimate reason to attack Azure Kingdom.
However, Owen hadn’t expected such a powerful mage in Kyrik who could trace the erased mana back to him.
Owen pondered briefly and then ignored the Penal Minister, instead focusing on the still-talkative Mac.
“This isn’t a place for you to bark like a dog. You’d better not provoke me, or I might not be able to control myself and kill you!”
A flash of killing intent flickered in Owen’s eyes. However, Mac, unfazed, continued to provoke him.
“Even in such a setting, you dare to threaten to kill me? Are you admitting that you’re behind Prince Billy’s murder?”
Mac knew he couldn’t match Owen’s strength.
But if he could pin Billy’s murder on Owen, Kyrik would inevitably retaliate.
This way, Mac might reap even greater benefits from the ensuing chaos.
At that moment, a melodious and magnetic female voice rang out:
“House Ravenwood, here to see His Majesty.”
As the words fell, Leslie arrived with Duke Charles and Madelyn.
After greeting the king, Duke Charles and Madelyn exchanged bewildered looks, not understanding why Leslie had suddenly brought them to the palace.
Previously, she had been a recluse, rarely stepping out of her home.
However, despite Duke Charles feeling somewhat bewildered, he was experienced in reading the room and immediately sensed that something was off.
He cautiously looked towards King Aldric and asked, “Your Majesty, what is happening? Why have so many people been gathered? Owen is a hero, so why is he standing here?”
Seeing Duke Charles’s apparent ignorance, King Aldric became even more enraged.
“Charles! As a Duke, how can you not know that your son-in-law killed Kyrik’s Crown Prince Billy?! Kyrik has presented evidence, and this matter has caused a huge uproar. Do you know what a war between our countries would mean? Can your family bear the consequences?!”
Duke Charles had rarely seen King Aldric so angry.
Hearing his words, cold sweat began to form on Duke Charles’s forehead.
From King Aldric’s demeanor, it was clear that this was not a baseless accusation; there was concrete evidence proving Owen had killed Prince Billy.
But Owen had always seemed harmless, so why would he kill Prince Billy?
After his initial shock, Duke Charles, with a serious expression, questioned, “Owen, is this true?”
Before Owen could respond, Leslie interjected, speaking earnestly, “Father, Prince Billy’s death is indeed the responsibility of our Duke’s household.”
Duke Charles was taken aback and was about to ask Leslie for an explanation when King Aldric, following Leslie’s lead, continued, “Since you have admitted it, the Duke’s household must bear some responsibility for this incident due to poor oversight! Owen, as the main culprit, should bear the primary responsibility. Effective immediately, he will be handed over to Kyrik for their judgment. Additionally, we will cede territory and pay reparations to settle this matter. Penal Minister, what do you think?”
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