Late Afternoon - Early Winter : Elder Hall, Northern Bahamut

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- Leander Sofos ~

*Fwooosh* *Fwooosh* *Fwooosh* Casting a colossal shadow over those under us, I flew over the countless districts surrounding the elder hall with a group of nearly 15 elders and young ancients in tow. -He truly is the most arrogant bast*rd I have ever seen...-

Currently, I was flying from the Foreign Intelligence Estate to the Elder Hall itself, a path I hadn't flown in nearly 1,200 years.

But I didn't feel the slightest hint of nostalgia.

Instead, my mind was solely focused on wringing the neck of one man. -Holcyon Aetos.. you truly are just like your father...-

Several hours prior, I was notified that the young Ragnarok (Asimi) had suddenly left her temporary office in the housing district estate accompanied by a black dragon, then was later told they jumped to Siratha through the northern space rune.

At first, I assumed it was because she had found a lead of some sort, but around half an hour ago, I was told that Holcyon's trial against Amphitrite was going to be pushed forward several days and begin at sunset.

According to the report, Amphitrite refused the Hall's summons directly, so the trial would begin without her.

But I knew that didn't happen.

-He must have someone in the Hall helping him; otherwise, it wouldn't have been pushed the moment Asimi left, but it doesn't matter who it is...- Letting the trial begin was something I couldn't let happen in the first place.

"His name was Lex Naftis, correct?" I glanced back at Agatha to see her quickly nod. -Sorry kid, but I need you to catch some flak and buy us some time...- "When exactly did Erpo leave to fetch Amphitrite?"

Agatha quickly closed the distance between us. "The moment he received the order."

-Good... We should only need to buy a few hours then...- "Alright, everyone knows the drill, right?!"

"""Yes, Sir!""" Everyone behind me responded in unison with excited expressions.

-I'm glad you all are excited.. you will need the energy...-

With the Elder Hall finally coming into sight, I quickly scanned the courtyard and made sure Holcyon wasn't present yet. -Perfect.-

Rushing ahead of the group, I found my way to the landing area in front of the hall and touched down.

*FWOOOOSH* Promptly drawing the attention of everyone around with a strong blast of wind from my wings, I landed and turned my back to the Hall itself. "This area will now be under lockdown, as issued by the Foreign Intelligence Agency for investigations related to rebellion! Those who do not comply will be dealt with using force!"

The moment I finished, the surrounding area was cast in over a dozen massive shadows, causing everyone to look up and stare with wide eyes.

Today, I wasn't going to take any chances and pulled out the strongest group I could.

I knew them as the Lightning Squad, the squad I would call on when I needed something handled quickly and thoroughly, but most dragons knew them by a different alias.

The Silencers.

*Fw-Fw-Fw-Fwoo-oo-oo-sh* A truly unbelievable and still silence filled the air as everyone landed around the courtyard.

"Everyone here will be questioned, and your belongings will be searched!" The moment Agatha landed, she started giving orders. "In accordance with the class 5 investigation, we have been granted permission to read through every document you have in your possession, including private letters and confidential documents! Once again, those who do not comply will be dealt with using force and will not be granted a trial!"

Although the scene was mostly fabricated, I couldn't say it was unlikely that something related to the rebellion would be found. -But even if something does turn up, she should be able to handle it...- Turning back to the entrance to the Elder Hall, I walked over and opened the door with some of my aura.

"S-s-sir! We cannot let people ins-" *CRUNCH* The stone under him shattered like hardened clay as his body was slammed to the ground by my aura.

"I believe you heard my subordinate just now... This is a class 5 investigation, you no longer have permission to enforce anything in this area." Turning to the other knight, I noticed him staring at his colleague with a disappointed expression. "You two are dismissed for the day. As long as you aren't carrying anything related to the rebellion, you will be let out shortly and will receive compensation."

The knight immediately turned to me and lowered his head. "Thank you for your generosity, Lord Sofos." Quickly moving out from in front of the door, he sat down and kept his gaze toward the ground.

-To think someone like that is stuck here...- But while I was tempted to recruit him, now wasn't the time. "If you're interested in a better job, we will welcome you."

He immediately twitched, but before he could respond, I opened the doors and continued into the hallway that I had to duck down to fit in. -Now.. let's see who will give me trouble...-

*WHAM* Closing the door behind me, I walked through the hall and eventually made it to the second set of doors.

-To think they really put a lock on the inside...- *CLUNK-WHAM* Throwing the massive hunk of stone off the back side of the door, I pushed them open and walked inside.

"Who dares-!" Miss Kerato's voice was cut short in an instant.

-Four people are already present, huh...- It was only half the hall, but there were no trials today and the summons only took effect toward the evening. -Why are they already here...-

"For you to be here in person, I assume it must be important." Pluto Chrysos was the first to say anything as he slowly got up from laying down.

"Indeed." -The one helping Holcyon must be here.. I should take advantage of that...- "A class 5 investigation has been issued against Mister Naftis for a confidential topic related to the recent rebellion."

Naftis, one of those present, went wide-eyed immediately.

"Under the rules of a class 5 investigation, all those with a connection to him must be searched. I hope you will all comply."

Everyone present immediately tensed up.

This was an order they could not refuse.

But not everyone was so quick to comply. "I believe not all aspects of a class 5 search apply to us, correct?" Pluto was quick to voice his opposition. "You are not allowed to view confidential documents that have not yet been filed."

-Hoh?- "It seems you know your stuff, but sadly that will not be the case today." *VWOOOM* Immediately letting my aura fill the room, everyone's expressions simultaneously darkened. "As this investigation directly involves someone serving in the Elder Hall, you will all be thoroughly searched one at a time. Now, everyone except Sir Naftis, please wait in the hall."

-

- Holcyon Aetos ~ (30 minutes prior)

*vwoom* Feeling a familiar thin presence suddenly appear, I looked toward the corner behind the door and saw a black-clothed, human-looking man kneeling to me.

"My lord, the net has returned, but he was heavily injured."

-What?! They failed?!- "What were his injuries?"

"His body was covered in burns, his ears are full of charred blood, he cannot see, and he struggles to walk."

-Ah, so he simply didn't abide by my warning then...- "Phew..." -I almost initiated plan B when I didn't need to...- "That is fine, it means he did his job. What is the status of the runes?"

"No one has come from Siratha as of yet, but those we have sent through the northern rune to Siratha have yet to return."

-Hmm... She wouldn't be sitting there hunting dragons that came through...- "How long has it been since the first one entered?"

"10 minutes, my lord."

-That isn't very long, but if she doesn't come through the space rune either, it's safe to assume the job was finished...- "In that case, let's assume things are as they should be. Go ahead and tell them to push the trial forward using this letter." Quickly picking up a small letter with my aura, I moved it over and handed it to the human-looking man dressed in black.

"As you wish, my lord."

But just as he was about to leave, I caught him. "One last thing, make sure he is ready."

"Right away." *fwoosh* He disappeared in an instant, letting me once again turn back to the papers I scattered around the room.

"Hooh..." -Leander, oh Leander.. for how many years you made my life a living hell, you should be glad that I will send you off so mercifully.- I slowly looked over my shoulder at a portrait on the wall of a dragon that looked similar to me. -Father.. it's time I put your soul at ease.. and finish what you started...- "It's time people remember our name."