'So much for being immortal.' Liam chuckled internally.
But for the rest, what this meant—for their beliefs, for their future—was everything.
Even the Knights, despite their armored bravado, couldn't hide their shock at what they had just heard.
The God Emperor was immortal.
Vossian was immortal.
"As long as the God Emperor Vossian lives, the Empire will be forever."
This scripture from the Kitab al-Vossian had always been interpreted to mean that the Emperor would last for eternity.
Because if the Emperor was immortal, then so too was the Empire.
But now, the scripture could be translated another way.
"As long as the Emperor lives, the Empire will last."
What will happen to the Empire then?
Lady Aisha Maddach, an elder and devoted follower of the Temple of Vossian, clasped her trembling hands together, crying softly as she repeated the sacred words:
"The Immortal,
All-Knowing,
All-Powerful.
From dust, he created life.
Through his mind, the Empire was built.
And through his breath, he created all things.
All things that have happened, he has seen,
And all things that will happen are in his control.
For the God Emperor so loved us, he brought mana to the Empire to give us life…"
The Vox Imperium did not linger. Without another word, he turned, departing with the shaken Knights, all of their heads slightly bowed.
'So that was what he meant.' Gorath thought as he slowly stood.
"The leadership of House Maddach will convene at a later time to discuss how to respond to this," he announced, his voice steady despite the uncertainty. "For now, we will continue with the House announcements."
He had expected to give this speech after shocking news—but not after this.
The morale among House Maddach's members was at an all-time low.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what the other Houses were plotting now.
And it was only now that he realized—most of his announcements would be invalid after what the Vox Imperium had just declared.
So, only one piece of news remained.
He turned to Liam.
'It's time then.' Liam took a deep breath, steeling himself as he glanced toward a nearby window.
"In five days, Lord Liam Maddach will be revoked of his House nobility status," Gorath declared. "And so will all of his privileges. You, Liam, will have only one right—to keep whatever you have legally owned, excluding your room and anything built into it. We expect full cooperation. We hope you will move out before your time as a member of House Maddach expires."
Reading from a script not so different from the official letter, he concluded, "Do you agree to comply?"
The answer was obvious.
Yes.
There was no point in refusing.
Just like many things in House Maddach, this was a formality—nothing more than a pretense.
A way to show that they weren't kicking him out like a master dragging away an unwanted dog.
But rather, a parent disciplining a wayward child.
"No."
Silence.
'No?'
The Baron turned to Calculor Cheng, who was just as confused.
He had not accounted for this.
This was the third miscalculation so far.
Or—something had changed that even his best calculations could not predict.
The room erupted into hushed whispers. The weight of their stares could be felt.
Elder Varcon Maddach slammed his fist against the table, veins bulging from his forehead.
"You useless peasant! You will not shame this House any more than you already have! Do you know how much we had to endure because of you?! Do you know that we had to build an entire team just to keep your disgrace from reaching the public?! And it still did!"
He spat in disgust.
"You will take your punishment like a man! For too long, you have dragged this House down like a sniveling child!"
"It's fine." Gorath remained calm.
'He just can't accept it…'
"Explain yourself."
Before Liam could respond, a voice stepped in for him.
"If I may," David spoke as he walked forward. "I am here to represent Lord Liam Maddach as his advisor."
Cheng let out a quiet sigh.
That was four miscalculations now.
'Perhaps I am getting old…'
Seeing his Calculor's silent distress, Gorath took a deep breath.
'What in Vossian's name is going on?'
But he nodded. "Make your case."
"Thank you, Baron Gorath." David withdrew a thick book from his coat, walking toward the Baron.
"In the House Maddach Accords, it states that for a noble of House Maddach to be expelled from the House, the defendant must only be proven unworthy of carrying the name Maddach."
Varcon and several other House members scoffed.
"But he is unworthy!" Varcon sneered. "It doesn't matter if he's suddenly cleaned up and looks the part. He's always been a failure. Acting the part at the last second does not change who he truly is!"
But Cheng…
Cheng already knew what David was about to say.
David smiled.
"This House prioritizes one thing, and one thing only—and that is—"
Cheng cut him off, speaking softly.
"Proving one's strength… through Imperial Combat."
"That's right," David continued. "And Lord Liam has not once been defeated in Imperial Combat."
Lady Rhyla narrowed her eyes. "That's because he has never been in an Imperial Combat."
David shrugged. "That proves nothing, My Lady. That only means the Elders will have to test him to prove their point. And if Lord Liam proves them wrong… then he remains a Lord of House Maddach."
The Baron drummed his fingers against the table.
'This… cannot be the work of Liam.'
He knew Liam.
He had paid close attention to each of his children.
Not in person—but in records.
He loved seeing them succeed.
But he hated seeing them fail.
And the only one who had a 100% success rate at failing… was Lord Liam Maddach.
Today, that 100% had turned to 99.12%.
"Is he right, Cheng?"
The Calculor fidgeted softly.
This wasn't difficult to answer.
"No, my fief."
"So I should shut this down?"
Cheng hesitated. Then, softly—
"No, my Lord."
Gorath raised an eyebrow.
Cheng leaned in. "His advisor knows that he is stretching the rules too much. It will not hold in the Imperial Court. If it had any merit, he would have secured a Judge's letter."
He exhaled.
"He's doing this because shutting it down would hurt our pride."
"Our image," the Baron muttered.
"Yes…" Cheng nodded. "Give the young Lord what he wants. When all is said and done—and he is made an example—no one in history will ever dare pull a stunt like this again."
Gorath nodded.
He stood.
"Will anyone test Lord Liam's prowess?"
Immediately—
A hand shot into the air.
"Young Jorvik," Gorath said, admiring his eagerness. "I admire your dedication. After this, you will be rewarded for your time."
Then, he turned—
Staring directly at Liam.