It didn't take long for Davey to capture the tamer. The tamer, who had been hiding and planned to kill Belluard to stir tension between Lyndis and Heins, was quickly subdued before he could carry out his plan.

When Davey was about to burn him alive on the spot as he begged for his life, Josiah sensed something off before rushing over and stopping him, sparing the man’s life for the time being. She sent him a mental message.

[Please, Teacher. At least leave one or two people, even when on a rampage. Heins Territory still has to deal with all the aftermath.]

Considering her request, he held back his power.

Emperor Deorte looked at the boy sprawled before him with a hardened face. He didn't need any petty introductions. For Emperor Deorte, who had lived a long time, his ability to read people was a formidable weapon.

To him, Davey looked like he was just about to explode. In fact, it was more like he had already set his mind on exploding and was slowly warming up.

“Do you have to do that?” he asked him with a wry smile.

“What do you mean by that, Emperor Deorte?”

“You look like you're about to cause a huge ruckus right now. That’d be a big problem.”

Emperor Deorte saw Davey as an outsider, yet also felt a fatherly affection for him. While it might be considered arrogant for Davey to speak so casually to the emperor of a superpower empire, that was exactly what made Deorte care for him even more. The proverbial wall between Davey and Deorte was quite thin, almost like a son complaining to his father.

“Tell me what happened.”

Davey glared at the unconscious Belluard. “I’m pretty conflicted right now. I’m caught wondering whether telling Your Majesty about this is the right thing to do... and whether I won’t regret doing so.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Davey glanced at Aeria.

She hesitated, then took out a small gem from her pocket.

Deorte was confused. “What is that?”

“It is a gem that contains the soul of Empress Consort Redimia, who passed away in the Bernhardt Canyon decades ago.”

Crash!

Emperor Deorte leaped to his feet, forgetting his dignity.

Initially, Aeria had struggled with whether it was right to let him meet the soul of Empress Redimia, but she finally decided that she wanted them to meet, even if only briefly. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“What... what are you talking about?!”

“Please, calm down,” Davey told him.

“How can I calm down?! Tell me exactly what happened, in detail!!!” His eyes trembled uncontrollably as he instantly lost his composure.

“R-Redimia's soul? Is that true?” he asked Aeria with difficulty, as if seeking confirmation.

She choked up as she said, “Yes, Father. Mother's soul is inside this now. All this time...”

“Tell me... what the hell happened there?” He staggered, gripping the throne.

Aeria then slowly recounted the recent events.

* * *

After hearing everything, Emperor Deorte glared at Belluard.

“The Emperor cannot only hear one side of the story.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

“But if what you say is true...” He let out a dreadful pressure.

“Ugh... Ugh...”

At the same time, Belluard, who had fainted upon seeing Anabelle, slowly got up. “Your... Your Majesty? Ahhhh!”

Discovering Deorte, he turned his head with a disgruntled look. Then, seeing Anabelle standing quietly nearby, he shrieked in terror and fell before clumsily crawling toward Deorte.

Anabelle now had the appearance of a normal elf, yet the fear from that time seemed to have become a horrible trauma for him.

In front was Deorte, and behind was that terrifying woman.

Belluard realized he was screwed either way. “Your... Your Majesty...”

“Belluard, I ask you—did you send this letter?”

“That... that is...”

It was precisely the letter Belluard had personally written and sent.

“No... it is not! I did not send it!”

“Do you know what this letter is?”

“That... that is...”

“I’m only asking because I already know everything. Did you send this letter?”

At his question, Belluard slowly shook his head, trembling.

‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. Denying is the best thing I can do right now! Even if there’s evidence, if I keep denying...’

“No... it's truly not me, Your Majesty!” he cried with apparent desperation.

Deorte asked Davey’s group, “I assume you already have evidence that he’s the culprit?”

“Truth be told, Your Majesty, we don’t even need evidence. There are many ways, as his magic resistance is low. Josiah.” Josiah sighed and slowly walked forward toward Belluard. “Look straight into my eyes.”

Her eyes began to turn red. At the same time, her bracelet resonated. It was an artifact found in the tomb of the Primordial True Ancestor.

It seemed to be an object that amplified her power. Since she wasn’t just a commoner but a Vampire Lord, a descendant of the Primordial True Ancestor in a way, the effect would undoubtedly be excellent.

Belluard, who was struggling in panic, slowly adopted a dazed look.

“From now on, answer everything I say truthfully. Did you write this letter?”

“Yes,” he replied with a hazy stare.

“Did you know what would happen by sending this letter?”

“They said I wouldn't get caught.”

“Who are they?”

Just as he was about to say something, Davey interrupted, “That's enough. Stand down.”

“Just a moment, Teacher! We could get more—”

“I believe I said evidence is unnecessary?”

She pouted and grumbled.

Truly, evidence wasn’t needed.

Belluard, released from the mystic eyes, returned to normal and looked blankly at Davey and Josiah.

He then panicked and shouted, “This... this is a frame job setup! Your Majesty! That... that evil woman put me under a spell and controlled me!! Your Majesty, please spare me! They are trying to trap me out of mere personal grudges!”

Emperor Deorte murmured, “Belluard, I will give you one last chance. Speak the truth. If you say it yourself... I will spare your life.”

Davey glared at him, but he didn’t back down.

“Your Majesty...”

“I have many ways to uncover the truth. But if you choose to come forward here, there may be a chance for leniency.”

Belluard trembled. If continuous denial meant death, he decided that saving his life was the priority.

“I... I did it...” In the end, he confessed.

Deorte looked at Davey. “Davey. For my sake, can you entrust this fellow to me? I am not asking as an emperor, but as your father-in-law.”

Perhaps because Emperor Deorte was the person who should’ve been the most furious at that moment, Davey simply clicked his tongue briefly and stepped back.

“Belluard, as promised, I will not kill you. However, your crime is clear. Failing to set an example as a member of the imperial family and attempting to commit fratricide? You must pay the price for that crime. Effective immediately, you are stripped of all imperial authority, and your status is demoted to that of a commoner.”

Belluard could hardly believe it. “Y-Your Majesty!!”

“Furthermore, your movements will be reported periodically, and if you attempt anything foolish, you will be severely punished according to Imperial Law. I was originally going to cut off your left arm right here and now, but we’ll do that another time to give you a few more days with it at your side.”

Having always lived as if he was the best, with a deep-rooted sense of superiority over others, being reduced to a commoner’s status was a punishment worse than death for Belluard. After all, death just meant everything would be over, and nothing else.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!! You cannot do this! If that’s the case, I cannot accept...”

Swoosh!!

A sharp iron sword flew past his body. His eyes opened wide as he screamed, “Aaaargh!! My arm! My arm!!!”

He grabbed his bleeding left arm and rolled on the floor. The injury was so severe that he would likely never be able to put strength into his arm again.

“Do you think I’ll change my mind depending on your response? By doing all this immediately, I am simply offering the only way to preserve your life.”

If solid evidence came out, even the lightest punishment would make it nearly impossible for Belluard to avoid execution. That was why Emperor Deorte chose a way to save his life before the matter escalated further.

“Imperial Guard, take him away. The enforcement will be in three days.”

“Your Majesty!! Your Majestyyyy!!” Belluard screamed as he was dragged away.

Ignoring him, Emperor Deorte said to Davey, “It's a relief that it's not too late.”

“Truly. If you had hesitated a little longer, I am not sure what I would have done. In fact, I’m almost starting to regret it. Maybe I should have just not brought him to Your Majesty.”

“Your love for Aeria is commendable, but your treatment of your father-in-law is too reckless, don’t you think?”

“I believe Your Majesty would have cut him down if I hadn't.”

“...I owe Prince Vashas.”

It was likely the burden of a father who could do nothing to prevent Prince Vashas, Belluard's father, from ending up in that state.

“So then, what are you going to do about the Goran Kingdom?”

At Emperor Deorte's question, Davey gave a cold smile. “I have already sent a message to the Rowane Kingdom’s royal family.”

“A declaration... of war?”

“Yes, it is a war. I have a responsibility to report it.”

Of course, on paper, a Grand Duke like Davey choosing to throw his kingdom into a war was an abuse of power.

Deorte gave a wry smile. “Do you not feel sorry for your brother?”

“I do feel sorry for Baris.”

In truth, whatever was to happen would be the same regardless of the reply.

“Now, let's get back to the main topic. I want to speak with Empress Consort Redimia.”

“She doesn’t have much time, and she wants to make sure she’s able to meet Prince Vashas.”

“Vashas...”

“So please wait a little while. Since I have roughly discerned that Vashas is not involved, I will arrange for him and Redimia to meet. You will be able to see her then.”

“Tsk. You...” Emperor Deorte wore a bitter expression.

* * *

The royal family gave Davey the green light.

War wasn’t something that could be decided so easily, but they all knew that the coming storm wasn’t one they could stop, even if they wanted to.

Of course, once the Goran Kingdom heard the news, they tried to profess their innocence to the world and take control of the narrative. According to them, the Saint of Tionis had gone mad and was persecuting their kingdom. The man was trying to invade without any evidence or reason. If left unchecked, the entire Goran Kingdom would be engulfed in flames due to his war crimes! They desperately needed help.

That was the gist of their pleading. They claimed they had done nothing wrong and were being persecuted.

However, others didn’t rashly intervene in such muddy waters. Regardless of the truth, what mattered was that the Grand Duke of Heins, who usually went easy on things unless an international problem arose, had declared war without a moment of hesitation. He wouldn’t do that for no reason.

Complicated discussions were taking place within the Goran Kingdom.

“It's a bluff. He will never wage war so recklessly,” one person confidently asserted

“Have you forgotten what happened with Boltis?” another asked with disbelief. “He is a man who acts on his words. Before it gets too late, we should—”

“What? Bow our heads? If we do that, the crimes Goran committed will be exposed. Do you think Lyndis will stand still once that happens? They’re already itching to crush us at the slightest pretext.”

“We'd rather fight the Lyndis Empire than Heins...”

“Of course that man is powerful. He’s even called a one-man army. But haven't you considered that the rumors might be a bit exaggerated?”

Most nobles of Goran were adamant that they should never back down. They believed that the moment they bowed their heads, the future of Goran would be over.

“In any case, it is the soldiers who will die in the war, not us. It's fine to fight for a while and then surrender. That way, we can save face and justification.”

“What if he demands massive reparations?” one of them cautiously asked.

“Damn it... We shouldn't have been caught! Why did this get exposed...”

“We left no evidence, I’m sure of it! No one knows that this was the work of our Goran Kingdom!”

It was maddening for those who had planned and executed the scheme. The only variable was Belluard still being alive, but even he had never been told the truth about the Goran Kingdom’s involvement.

They simply couldn’t figure out who had leaked the information, at their wits’ end.

“Your Majesty!!” Just then, a minister rushed into the king’s reception room. “F-from the Pallan Empire!”

“Pallan? Why would Pallan send us something?”

“That is... they have called the leaders and representatives of the great powers to propose a final negotiation!”

The King of Goran nodded with a grim face. “Finally, the chance to secure the final justification has come. What about the Saint of Tionis? Did he say he would attend?”

“It seems the Three Empires managed to persuade him.”

“Good. Let's go right away.” The King of Goran entered the prepared conference room and sat in front of a large crystal artifact. A light then burst forth, creating human figures in the empty seats at the conference table.

The Emperor of Pallan, the Emperor of Lyndis, Tsuna de Murgent, the young chancellor of Alberta Kingdom, and also the rulers and representatives of other notable nations between the East and Central regions projected their forms beyond the crystal.

In the last seat for the Rowane Kingdom, Davey appeared.

Everyone looked toward him, the tension palpable.

“It seems I am the last one to join. I, Davey O’Rowane, am attending as the representative of the Rowane Kingdom.”

He had a youthful appearance. Yet, there was something cold and profound about him. Even though none of them were seeing him directly, his cold, downcast eyes contained something that provoked extreme terror.

Just meeting his gaze through the crystal artifact felt like being crushed by his presence. It was so overwhelming that it made some of the onlookers break out in a cold sweat.

“Haaah. I believed things had finally calmed down, but then another huge incident occurred...” The first to speak was Tsuna de Murgent.

“Unlike an ordinary dispute, war is a big problem. The Rowane Kingdom is a member of the International Federation, so I request that they follow the proper procedures,” said Sullivan de Pallan, the young Emperor of Pallan.

The King of Goran immediately struck the table and stood up as if he had been waiting. “That is right! This is an outrage! What did we do wrong to have war declared on us?! Even if we have withdrawn from the International Federation, such an action is unacceptable! Will you all ignore this? If our Goran Kingdom is engulfed in the flames of war, what about the next country? Will others be safe?!”

Vehemently pleading his case without pause, he shouted passionately, “That man is a madman! A declaration of war without any evidence or reason?! Currently, our Goran Kingdom is suffering due to a continuous drought, and the pains our people are going through is unfathomable!! If war breaks out during this time, people will starve to death in droves. Saint of Tionis, is that what you want?!”

The declaration of war had been made without clear evidence or justification, so most of the attendees at the conference showed an uneasy look. It was enough for public opinion to quickly shift towards Goran if Heins's image wasn’t generally good.

“The International Federation’s charter cannot overlook such an unprovoked act of conquest. Grand Duke, do you have anything to say?”

Though the others personally supported Davey, their positions stopped them from doing so publicly.

When Davey remained silent, the King of Goran, like a fish in water, pressured him and professed their innocence. The Goran Kingdom had framed it in such a way that the others couldn’t easily side with Davey, even though the kingdom had left the International Federation.

It was when it seemed like the situation was moving exactly as the King of Goran intended.

Davey, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, spoke up and said, “So?”

“W-what?!”

“Are you done talking?”

“Y-you blood craving—! Do you really intend to shed blood?! Truly arrogant and out of your mind.”

“Since you're done talking, I will tell everyone here what happened. Everyone, spies sent by the Goran royal family attempted to assassinate Grand Duchess Aeria el Lyndis, my wife, using the Imperial Grandson Belluard el Lyndis to instigate a conflict between Lyndis and Heins.”

The atmosphere around the room grew heavy in an instant.

“If she had been injured or killed, and if the Emperor of Lyndis hadn't requested clemency, I wouldn't have even shown up to a damn meeting like this.” Davey stood up and continued, “Evidence, you say? It seems you thought you had the upper hand because there was no evidence, meaning I couldn't start a war, King of Goran.”

“You... you!!”

“You seem to be mistaken about something. The important thing now is that Goran attempted to assassinate my wife.” A bluish current began to flow from Davey. His red eyes flickered and shimmered like waves. “And that I will wipe Goran off the map.”

“A-are you admitting it is a war of aggression?”

“Aggression? That's hilarious. This isn't some grand war of aggression—it's a warning. A cautionary tale, at best. No one should’ve messed with me if they wanted to keep their peace.”

With his words, a new standard was revealed. He had established boundaries that must absolutely never be crossed.

Everyone present could sense that what he said wasn’t solely toward the Goran Kingdom.

“Hmph?!” Tsuna de Murgent, pale-faced, covered her mouth with one hand and staggered as the heavy current of energy flowed out.

While those who had accumulated a fair amount of mana endured, the situation was only slightly better, and no one could speak.

Davey possessed extraordinarily strong power. His quiet presence in Heins, where he didn't exert much influence, wasn’t because he was weak or a humanitarian.

He’d shown consideration because no one had crossed the line. Yet, once someone did, there was no need for any further consideration.

“You shouldn't have crossed the line.” Davey stood up and shot a chilling, murderous intent toward the King of Goran. It was a declaration aimed at Goran, but the clever ones could notice that he was also giving a warning to them as well.

Thus, a war broke out between the Goran Kingdom and the Rowane Kingdom, though essentially just Heins Territory.

Some had wondered if he’d really wage war without any backing, even after saying so. They had seen Davey stay quiet about most matters, and even suspected that the Grand Duke had almost lost all his power. After all, it was a power too great for a human to possess.

However, their assumptions were shattered in a single day.

Even amidst all the drama, Prince Vashas el Lyndis didn’t make an appearance.