It was a strange situation.
Even as I locked eyes with Genedine, I felt no pressure at all. Normally, his smile would crush my heart, but now I felt completely at ease.
"Ahhhhh!"
Beside me, Grace writhed in agony.
Her mana circuits were likely blocked by Genedine's power.
The aura he emitted had already caused both the attendant and Tunda to faint.
Yet, I felt nothing—perhaps it was thanks to Temud's spirit.
"Mana is a special power. It is too much for insects to possess."
"Ugh…!"
Grace's frantic movements began to subside, and tears flowed endlessly from her eyes as she lay sprawled on the ground.
Her gaze lost focus, as if her soul had left her body.
Genedine grimaced at the mere presence of her in the same space and gestured for the mages to swiftly take her and Tunda away.
"..."
I looked at him again, my gaze steady despite the difficulty in maintaining it.
It was astonishing how calm I felt; I was reminded of Temud's greatness.
"Do you have anything left to say?"
After finishing his punishment, he asked.
I answered in a relaxed state, free from tension or fear.
"Yes, I have something to say regarding the Billy family."
"..."
Perhaps it was because I felt more at ease or because my understanding of Arahan had deepened; for some reason, I felt as though I could see into Genedine's heart.
The true instigator of this incident was not Grace but rather the Billy family.
Arahan pays back kindness or vengeance tenfold.
Genedine's fury towards the Billy family must be immense beyond imagination.
Yet, his reluctance to act might stem from…
"Is it because of the Emperor?"
"…What?"
"If not that, then it doesn't make sense for you to leave the Billy family alone."
Genedine remained silent, his expression darkening.
It seemed my assumption was correct.
Arahan is a family that does not pledge loyalty to the Emperor.
They only follow him enough to avoid being caught but view him as an entity they must eventually surpass.
The obsessive fixation on power stems from this very reason.
I didn't know why they despised the Emperor so much, but for Arahan—the leading family—it was like a thorn in their side that couldn't be removed.
An entity they had to endure without being able to tear it away.
'If they eliminate the Billy family, the Imperial Army will come.'
The head of Arahan would detest even having the Imperial Army set foot on their land.
Their cavalry would trample on Arahan's pride and humiliate them under the guise of the Emperor's orders.
Even if that wasn't their intent, Genedine's feelings about it would be far more intense than that.
"Leave now. The Billy family is not something you need to concern yourself with."
As Genedine closed his eyes and spoke, there seemed to be a great deal of anguish behind those words.
I remained kneeling before him, gazing intently.
"Lord, Arahan knows no mercy."
"…What did you just say?"
"When I entered the tomb and placed my hand on the altar—and when I was attacked by the Billy family—I felt it resonate within me: Arahan knows no mercy."
"You will one day open your eyes and engage in politics. When that day comes, you will understand today's me."
Why did his words feel so pitiful?
For the first time, Genedine's shoulders seemed small to me.
Seeing someone who appeared capable of anything take a step back struck me deeply.
Whether it was due to our shared blood or perhaps some newfound affection—maybe even because I understood the true nature of the Emperor—I felt unsettled by this unfamiliar side of Genedine.
Perhaps it was also due to Temud looking upon his long-lost descendants with concern.
"Are you planning on using the Black Knights?"
"Didn't I tell you to leave?"
His voice tinged with irritation made me understand why Arahan had nurtured the Black Knights so carefully.
To resolve matters without giving grounds for the Emperor's intervention would require utilizing them as a means of solving problems effectively.
However, that wasn't how I wanted things resolved—nor would it appease Genedine's fury.
"Lord, I will ensure that no Imperial soldiers set foot on Arahan's territory."
"What?"
"There will never be any Imperial forces entering our land. I want you to showcase Arahan's existence across the Empire—show them what happens when they dare touch us."
"Hah…"
I spoke my mind without hesitation.
Perhaps influenced by Temud's spirit, I couldn't let the Billy family go unpunished.
To oppose Arahan meant posing a potential threat against me as well.
They had falsely accused Cherbille and now sought my life too.
A family that crosses lines so casually cannot be treated as an ally anyway; rather than allowing them to continue unchecked, it would be better to demonstrate our strength decisively now.
"You speak as if you are a lord now. Can you take responsibility for those words?"
"Of course."
I understood what Genedine meant by that statement; he had said before that he would evaluate me by standards similar to other lords.
That meant if promises weren't kept, there would be consequences attached too.
With conviction in my voice, I added,
"If even one Imperial soldier steps onto our land, I will accept any punishment that comes my way."
"…Do you not realize this could become a self-inflicted wound?"
"I don't see it that way. It is simply how things ought to be."
"It ought to be…?"
"Lord, Arahan knows no mercy."
I took in Genedine's slightly flustered expression as his shoulders regained their imposing stature once more.
He was Temud's long descendant and the head of Arahan with blood-red eyes like mine.
Hours had passed since Zed left.
Genedine sat in his highest chair with his eyes closed.
Silence reigned within his office; an air that appeared peaceful belied heavy emotions swirling beneath its surface—pressing down on everything around him like lead weights.
Eventually opening his eyes quietly, Genedine spoke softly,
"Kallis Leal."
The head of mages lurking in shadows immediately revealed himself before kneeling before Genedine.
Though they hadn't exchanged words directly, Genedine's intent was clear enough for Kallis to grasp instantly.
With concern etched upon his face, Kallis responded cautiously,
"Lord, as head mage of Arahan, I will not oppose your decision; however, please exercise caution regarding this matter."
"Kallis, were you not ashamed?"
"Yes…?"
Kallis hesitated slightly at this unexpected remark from Genedine.
"To be honest, I felt ashamed—unable to do what even that young one could take for granted."
"..."
"Arahan has hidden its strength for quite some time now; while we've gained various benefits through utilizing Black Knights—their claws have never been shown directly."
"Yes; our predecessors also stated this was indeed how we could escape from under Imperial control."
Kallis lowered his deep-set gaze towards the ground as memories washed over him momentarily before sealing his lips once more.
The wizened features of an elderly mage were marked with deep wrinkles and white hair—a loyal servant since before Genedine's time who had served as head mage throughout generations within Arahan itself!
"Lord! Arahan still requires time."
Kallis alone possessed knowledge regarding secrets passed down among lords concerning Arahan itself—thus he found himself compelled now to dissuade Genedine from making hasty decisions!
Yet Genedine's resolve remained steadfast!
"The reason our status remains intact despite showing no strength lies within Empire believing in our might! However over time faith in what remains unseen begins faltering."
Because we've concealed our might from view—uncertainty breeds doubt!
It was precisely this weakening belief which emboldened families like Billy into reckless actions against us!
Genedine understood fully what lay at stake here!
"If we fail again to display our strength then such beliefs will only diminish further! Consequently my children must lead our family amidst increasingly perilous circumstances while enduring taunts from those who dare challenge us!"
Genedine's determination radiated through every word spoken aloud!
As his voice dropped low—the weight behind those syllables became palpable enough for Kallis finally realize opposition proved futile now!
Rather than resisting outright perhaps mitigating aftershocks ahead proved wiser course instead…
"...Do you truly believe that Seventh Lord can stop Imperial forces?"
"Kugh! That child hardly stands a chance."
The earlier serious demeanor faded away quickly replaced by laughter erupting forth unexpectedly from Genedine!
"You never expected anything anyway."
"But still isn't it admirable? The youngest hopes desperately for our family's status not crumble."
"What shall become of punishment then? For there's no way he can halt Imperial forces."
"This opportunity may serve well—to teach them weight behind words spoken aloud! Speaking of which—we owe Krang gratitude for saving our youngest!"
Genedine acknowledged Krang's role in ensuring Zed returned safely home once more!
Due largely due lack of Black Knights present during events unfolding earlier—details remained unclear surrounding circumstances leading up until now…
Kallis managed gather information through inquiries made amongst guards alongside attendants who merely reported seeing an old man appearing suddenly outta nowhere!
"Shall we send gifts over towards Krang Gutra?"
"I'm not particularly inclined towards doing so—but kindness deserves recognition nonetheless! Perhaps around 2 thousand gold coins should suffice?"
"Yes; I'll arrange it accordingly."
Standing up from chair adjusting attire slightly—the light within Genedine's eyes shone brightly unlike before!
Simultaneously an overwhelming aura filled office suffocatingly dense emanated forth from him entirely!
He planned on showcasing true nature behind Arahan itself indeed!
With such determination set forth—Billy family faced imminent extinction soon enough!
"Prepare summoning circles."
Before dawn breaks tomorrow!