The entire royal courtroom stood frozen in shock.
Panic slowly spread across every noble's face.
Because Roman being revealed as the Warherald changed everything in the Clover Kingdom.
One noble suddenly stood up, trembling so badly that even his voice failed him.
"M-Miss Paladin… t-this is absurd… h-how can…?"
He could not even finish his sentence.
Ezra spoke calmly, her tone firm and unwavering.
"I don't care whether you believe it or not.
This truth was already informed to your king, Augustus, during the King's Council called by the Holy Pope after the first dungeon breakout.
The Pope personally told him."
All eyes instantly turned toward the king.
Voices erupted across the courtroom.
"Is this true, my king?!"
"The deputy duke… the Warherald?!"
"Please answer us!"
King Augustus remained silent for a long moment.
He already knew.
He had been defeated on every front.
Slowly, he spoke.
"Yes.
Roman Crowell, the Deputy Duke of Presia… is the Warherald chosen by Goddess Aria."
Shock rippled violently through the hall.
Without wasting another moment, the king continued in a rigid voice.
"Justice shall prevail.
Noah Rockson will be publicly hanged tomorrow afternoon.
The royal court… is adjourned."
He stood up and began walking away.
Before the nobles could move, Roman spoke with calm authority.
"This news… that I am the Warherald…
must not become public."
His eyes sharpened coldly.
"If it becomes public… you already know the consequences."
The king left without responding.
Every noble clearly understood
they could no longer oppose Roman.
The moment the king disappeared, nobles rushed toward Roman to greet him.
He shook hands with a few of them politely.
Suddenly
A hand grabbed his collar from behind and dragged him back.
Roman turned in anger
but the anger instantly vanished.
Because it was Selena.
And beside her stood Jacob.
Ezra spoke in confusion,
"What are you doing to Roman?"
Roman sighed softly.
"Don't worry, Ezra…
this is just family business."
Selena forcefully opened the nearest room door and threw Roman inside, slamming him onto the ground.
"Ouch! Big sister, that hurts!
What did I do now?!"
Selena's anger burst out.
"What did you do?!
Why didn't you tell us?!
You knew everything!
You even went to the Holy Empire!
Why did you hide this from us?!"
Jacob was just as furious, though silent.
Roman slowly stood up and looked at his father.
"Father… do you remember the first time you came to my room to taunt me…
for being weak… a disgrace?"
Jacob's expression tightened.
"That day changed everything.
My core filled with a golden aura.
My mana instability stabilized.
My broken mana core… somehow healed."
"That night, I received a vision from Goddess Aria.
She chose me as her Warherald to fight the Twelve Demonic Angels for humanity."
"That's all."
But deep inside, Roman knew
it was a lie.
Because the real Roman was already dead.
And Ronald was living in his body.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Roman said quietly.
"But this is my destiny now… and I must follow it."
Then his voice hardened slightly.
"But I can ask the same from both of you…
Why did you hide that that bastard was involved in my mother's death?"
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Painful.
Roman could not stay there anymore.
Using that as an excuse, he suddenly turned and left the room, walking straight toward Ezra.
"I need to talk to you about something."
Without waiting for anyone's response
he walked away with her.