The Citadel's chamber felt colder after Hawoon's words, as if the mana wards themselves recoiled. The air was thick, heavy, and charged; soldiers lined against the walls exchanged tense glances but dared not move. One wrong sound, one misplaced breath, and the entire room might shatter.
Kim Taekwon was first to break the silence. His voice sharp, carried across the table and crystal screens.
"Scapegoat? You accuse the Royal Family of manufacturing lies to pacify the people? Commander Kim, you tread the edge of treason."
The word hung in the chamber like a blade suspended above them. Several soldiers shifted in their boots. Hyeseung's throat tightened. He wanted to strangle Hawoon right there, not for his enemies' sake but for his own sanity. Why can't you hold your tongue, even once?
But Hawoon's face was unreadable, his expression somewhere between bored and faintly amused. He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands as if Taekwon's fury were a child's tantrum.
"You call it accusation," Hawoon said, his voice even, "I call it inevitability. Do you think the Royals would sit idle while fear tears the streets apart? They will not chase truth when lies serve faster."
Gasps rippled across the soldiers. Hyeseung shot a desperate look at his Commander, silently begging him to stop. He could feel the weight of every gaze from the crystals, Division heads measuring each word for betrayal.
Youngjoo, calm as ever, spoke next. His voice was soft but edged like a drawn blade. "Commander, you realize the gravity of what you suggest. To imply the Royal Court would fabricate culprits is to imply corruption at the highest level. That claim alone, if recorded, could see you stripped of your post."
Hawoon tilted his head, a faint smile curling his lips. "So it's treason now to describe the obvious? My, how fragile our kingdom has become."
Hyeseung's hands clenched against the table. He's mocking them. He's mocking the Royals in front of everyone. Damn him.
Kim Taekwon surged forward, his face nearly filling his shard of crystal, voice echoing through the speaker like thunder. "You insolent dog! The Royal Family's authority is not yours to question! Speak one word further, and I will see you dragged before them in chains!"
The soldiers in the chamber froze, eyes darting between Commander and Division head through the screen. The very air seemed to vibrate with the clash of power.
Before Hawoon could retort, Hyeseung snapped to his feet. His voice, usually measured, came out louder than intended.
"Enough! Both of you never leaving the opportunity to get under each other's skin."
The words rang through the chamber, shocking even himself. His pulse pounded in his ears as all eyes turned to him. Hyeseung swallowed hard, but his face held firm.
"The Commander does not mean to insult the Royal Family," he said quickly, his tone deliberately smooth, soothing. "He is under strain. His son was abducted. His words reflect grief and fury, not calculated disrespect. Let us not twist them into treason."
For a moment, silence reigned again. Hyeseung's chest tightened as Taekwon glared, his expression unreadable.
Finally, Youngjoo exhaled softly. "Perhaps grief does cloud the Commander's words. But grief or not, we must tread carefully. If the Royal Court perceives dissent among us, they will act swiftly—and harshly."
General Ryu rumbled like distant thunder. His voice rough but composed. "Harsh action won't mend the fractures. The people already doubt. If they see us fracture further, they will turn that doubt into rebellion. We must present unity, no matter how bitter."
"Unity?" Taekwon scoffed. "Unity requires loyalty. If some among us spread poison against the Crown, unity is already dead."
Hawoon's chuckle cut through the rising storm.
"I didn't know you held such tender feelings for the Crown, Taekwon. Tell me, is it loyalty… or ambition? You speak more like a Royal mouthpiece than a Division head."
Gasps broke out again. Hyeseung nearly collapsed into his chair. He's insane. He's absolutely insane. This sadistic bastard…
Taekwon's face flushed crimson, his hawk-stare burning with fury. "Say that again, Commander. Say it, and I will tear you from your post with my own hands."
"Careful," Hawoon murmured, leaning forward now, his eyes hardening into cold steel. "Threaten me in my own hall, and you might not leave with your tongue. But, unfortunately your physical presence being not here get you running your mouth, Mr. Kim."
The mana wards around the chamber crackled, responding to the surge of hostility. Sparks danced along the ceiling, and soldiers gripped their weapons instinctively though none dared raise them.
Hyeseung forced himself to stand again, voice desperate but steady. "Stop this! Both of you. This is madness. The people riot in the streets, fires rage in the district, unable to stop and here we are tearing each other apart! Do you not see? This is exactly the situation where we have to unite our hands and find the possible solution."
The words hung, heavy, until Youngjoo's calm tone steadied the storm. "Hyeseung is correct. We argue over words while the city burns. Commander Hawoon may believe the Court prepares a scapegoat. Perhaps he is right, perhaps not. But whether we like it or not, the Court's decree is law. It will be carried out."
Taekwon's fury smoldered, but he leaned back, forcing composure. "Then let it be clear. The statement will be released as an act of terrorism. Wether the culprit brought in front of the public is real or scapegoat, we will shut our mouths. No one will talk about this."
Hawoon said nothing. He leaned back in his chair again, expression unreadable, though his eyes glinted with something between defiance and dark amusement.
Hyeseung sat slowly, his body trembling under the strain of holding the chamber together. He's hiding something, Hyeseung thought, watching his Commander closely. Something none of us are meant to see yet.
The soldiers exhaled shakily as the tension eased, but the air remained poisoned, cracks already carved deep into the council's unity.