Vanessa looked up at the person who spoke. She did not recognize the man but could conclude he was speaking from a higher position of authority. She had never seen this man before but had heard rumours of someone of great importance visiting Feladonia. She could only suspect this person was the person of great importance that had been spoken about. Her gaze returned to her King, without knowing the entity of the man who asked her to speak she could not disobey her King whom she served directly.

The King of Feladonia, fell back into his seat completely resigning on the matter and waived his hand. “Speak.” He uttered a single word in defeat. He no longer looked lively but rather defeated and depressed.

The King of Feladonia was truly a pitiful fool, for instead having a council that could sympathize with him – he had a council that only wished to reopen old wounds. There were no friends amongst his council, only gold diggers and two faced clowns.

“James, Adler was the highest ranking officer of the Majesty’s Imperial Army.” Vanessa replied to the young man’s question.

There were a few murmurs in the room. It wasn’t big news…not as big as everyone expected it to be.

The highest ranking officer of the Imperial Army is selected basis nomination of several council members and the King however since there is a proper procedure and screening for it; it isn’t the same as favouritism that would constitute as an error in the King’s judgement. Even if the King favoured a single man, no one would see it as his fault…What was all the fuss about then? Everyone had long expected some senior individual or group of individuals involvement in the fiasco a hundred years back.

Furthermore, the Imperial army is a very small portion of the entire army present. The Imperial army directly serves royalty; in this case the King of Feladonia. They largely avoid participating in wars and only serve as a standby to reinforce the king’s authority. Example, if a minor noble lord were to revolt against the King, then the Imperial Army would be dispatched to handle the affairs. So what was the big fuss about? Why did the King of Feladonia so obstinately try to avoid slander against this man’s name?

That same question in different words was directed back at Vanessa.

The young man sitting beside the King continued to ask, “Is that all he was, Vanessa?”

“No….prior to that he was his Majesty’s personal tutor in the art of warfare and other lessons...to the best of our intel, he was the King’s right hand man and a prominent advisor at the time.”

That last bit created the uproar.

Just how close was James Adler to the King? To have been the King’s personal tutor a hundred years ago!

No wonder all of Feladonia had been compromised back in the day!

In fact it was plausible that they may still be compromised. The council members had hundreds of questions for both Vanessa and the King but none of them had the chance to ask. Before anyone had the sense to ask any question, the young man stood up and walked to the center of the room.

“I see now….so that is why the Alliance appeared to be one step ahead of us back then….it makes perfect sense. The person hiding behind the scene, pulling the strings was him….were you aware of this Nao?” The man asked as he turned around and looked at the King who was sinking even deeper into his chair while trying to avoid the gaze of everyone.

The noble proud king now looked like a sickly man curled up. His pride had been shattered and his loyalty was bound to be questioned. Even if he could avoid those questions – his competence was now at stake. It was likely he would have to take responsibility for the fiasco of a hundred years ago.

The council members however paid no heed to their king, they in fact froze up again. Did this insolent brat just call the King of Feladonia, a descendent of the Emperor the Old by his pet name in front of the entire council? Just who does this man think he is?

“No, I was completely unaware. This is the first time I have heard anything like this.” The King replied; his voice was weak and it seemed as if he had no strength left.

“That is even worse! Truly incompetent Nao.”

Everyone in the room had to hold their jaw from falling off. Did he just call their King incompetent? Just who the heck is this young brat? And why isn’t the King fighting back?

“To not even know the truth….this matter will require further investigation….Vanessa Alfen, you have done your house proud by uncovering this name and truth.”

Vanessa’s cheeks turned slightly red; even if a no name was praising her at least her efforts had been recognized. This praise was not gone unnoticed; several council members from different Houses bit their lips in agony. It was likely now that Vanessa could get away with even botching up the security of Feladonia. However, at this time there were limited options at hand. The biggest obstruction in their way was this young mysterious man who walked over them like a door mat.

“Now we all would love to know how you unravelled the truth however this is not why we are gathered here today. I am assuming, this information has been filed somewhere?”

“Yes…”

“Then, I’ll go through with it in more detail at my own leisure later on.”

Whispers could be heard amongst the council members – ‘how dare he not let us know the details of the investigation, who does he think he is? Read at his own leisure? Who does he think himself to be?’

Breaking past the waves of whispers, the young man continued speaking with his gaze fixated at Nao. “While Nao and I may disagree on several things, I will respect his reservations and stature granted to him which is why what is being spoken here as of now may never be discussed with outsiders especially senior House members.” The young man he looked at all the council members expecting them to quietly accept his will.

“Just who do you think you are to order us!” A council member finally blurted out in anger. He could not hold back his anger upon seeing this young man’s impudence. Even if the King of Feladonia stands silenced, the council have their own independence. “We are answerable to only our Ki-”

The room went silent and cold. An intense and violent killing intent filled the room. Few of the council members even fainted. Even Vanessa a fully trained armed combat personnel flinched when the young man standing in front of her released his killing intent.

“Who I am, is of no consequence to you. However, if you need a name to address me by, let us go by Death God.”