The Envoy ticulously reported each incident that had occurred in the Judgent Court.
After hearing this, the four highest-ranking mbers of Trolian fell into a deep silence almost simultaneously.
A long ti passed before one of them spoke.
"King."
Archbishop Horus’s voice was soft, heavy with deep sorrow, "Has the Miss Qingyu, always gentle and kind, really such a venomous and indifferent person? She hid it so well that she deceived us all."
Sitting next to him, Jolevi Dalin, the First Defense Chief, took a deep drag of his cigarette.
This was a middle-aged man with a square face and a thick brown beard, exuding great authority. Years of busy military service peppered his temples with gray, adding a touch of desolation to his appearance.
His voice was as stern as his face.
"Jon has always adhered to the iron-blooded ideology, so among the three candidates, only Xingge remains."
Ando, the First Elder, was a nearly decrepit old man. His cloudy eyes and a face full of wrinkles made one worry he might collapse and die at any mont. When he began to speak, age and the essence of death burst forth.
"We accept death, but we do not tolerate aningless death. Jon must prove that his thod is effective. Balance is crucial while walking a tightrope, not extremism."
The King pondered for a mont, "I think there is sothing else at play here, not as we perceive it."
Ando’s cloudy eyes fixed on their King.
He had watched this legendary leader grow up and had been the one to strongly recomnd him for the throne of Fire.
His correct decisions had brought Trolian twenty years of prosperity, which was his lifelong pride.
He also firmly believed that he would make the next correct decision that would crucially impact Trolian’s future.
"King, the reason is not important. The Chief Judge was murdered in the council hall, and the killer must be executed. This is the law of the Royal City, a rule that cannot be changed."
The King remained silent and did not respond.
Just then, an urgent letter rushed in and landed in the King’s hands.
He unfolded the letter and read it quickly.
Horus asked, "King, did sothing happen in Star City?"
The King shook his head, smiled, and said, "This is a letter from Jon, he is pleading for Rod."
Passing the letter to the others and after they read it, he asked, "What do you think?"
A trace of a smile appeared on Ando’s wrinkled face:
"Jon has matured a lot. Underneath the cruelty, he also has a compassionate heart; he has grasped the essence of balance."
Dalin remained silent, continuously smoking his cigarette.
Horus frowned, "This is rely a manipulation of public sentint. I can feel the icy coldness in his words, weighing benefits like a machine."
Ando shifted his aged gaze toward the equally legendary Archbishop.
"Horus, the most crucial quality of a King is ruthlessness, not swayed by any emotion, always considering the big picture and the interests of humanity, yet mindful of others’ feelings. Heartless yet compassionate, that’s the hardest balance to achieve. Jon is already showing signs of it."
Though his gaze was fixed on the Archbishop, the King knew these words were ant for him.
Ando and the Elder Council he represented wished for him to be more ruthless, not to let the Fire of Hope kindled in the hearts of all Trolians be extinguished.
But only the King knew the real reason behind Trolian’s problems these past years.
Just then, flashes of light filled the royal hall, and Guardian Qingyu, clad in a teal robe, descended from above and stood before them.
This was the privilege of a King Candidate; they could contact or et with Trolian’s highest powers at any ti.
"King, Your Excellency Archbishop, Your Excellency First Defense Chief, Your Excellency First Elder, Guardian Qingyu requests an audience."
Ando’s eyebrows imdiately furrowed, his already wrinkled face now resembling a shriveled orange.
"Qingyu, why are you here? During the ongoing Black Tide, you should be in your castle at all tis."
Qingyu bowed slightly.
"Elder Ando, please release Rod imdiately. I directed the incident at the Judgent Court, and I take all the bla."
Ando’s tone beca very frosty, "What if I refuse?"
Qingyu raised her head, the royal hall’s firelight shining on her stunningly beautiful face, dazzling like the sun.
She smiled, a flash of light over the lake surface, "Elder Ando, although our generation is stronger than the previous ones, the number of candidates is extrely limited. I am sure you do not wish for one of the only three candidates to be missing, right?"
----
Judgent Court.
Black Dungeon.
Rod was sowhat worried.
The knowledge of communicating with living souls was not a part of dream knowledge, thus the Book of Knowledge charged a fee.
This peculiar book usually demanded various gemstones, ranging from the lowest grade Red Stone to later ones like Black Crystal, Red Jade, Radiant Stone, Sun Stone, and Sun Crystal, all within its nu.
The price for the knowledge of "Soul Negotiation" was twenty Red Jades.
Not particularly expensive, roughly worth two thousand silver coins.
However, the materials stored in the Dream Realm no longer included this item, and Rod could not go out to purchase it now; he had to let this soul sit for a while.
He exited the Dream Realm, glanced at the quiet cell, and then returned to the Dream Realm.
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