Lady Selindra stood up.
Her presence alone silenced the room.
"We are all here," she said calmly.
"Therefore, I declare the Third Underworld Council Meeting open."
Her gaze swept across the hall.
"All representatives of the underworld powerhouses," she continued,
"and I, as the representative of House Noctis and the Empire, ask you to please take your seats."
Chairs moved.
The atmosphere turned formal.
Norax sat quietly for a moment.
Then he raised his hand.
"Lady Selindra," Norax said evenly,
"I have one request before the meeting officially begins."
Madam Kyra glanced at him.
Selindra turned her eyes toward him, mildly curious.
"Oh?" Selindra said with a faint smile.
"If our youngest has a request, I would like to hear it first."
Norax stood slightly.
"Well," he said calmly,
"my partner is not present at the moment. She was busy with some work."
"She will arrive soon."
He paused briefly.
"So, if you don't mind," Norax continued,
"I would like permission for her to join the meeting midway. Her name is Celstia."
Silence followed.
Elwood leaned back slightly, tapping his cane once.
Madam Kyra narrowed her eyes slightly.
Selindra didn't answer immediately.
She studied Norax for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Very well," Selindra said lightly.
"Whoever this person is, she may join us when she arrives. It is not against the rules."
"And I appreciate you informing us in advance, Youngest."
Norax bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, Lady Selindra."
The meeting had not even begun—
and the first rule had already bent.
Selindra placed her hand on the crystal recording stone.
The surface shimmered softly.
"By the authority of House Noctis," Selindra said clearly,
"this recording stone will document everything that occurs in this meeting."
"All statements made here," she continued,
"will be recorded as evidence."
"And all documents presented," she added,
"will be verified personally by me."
The crystal glowed brighter.
The room grew tense.
"Now," Selindra said, her tone turning firm,
"I will state the first agenda."
She looked toward Norax.
"The attacks on the subordinates of Blue Crescent," she said slowly,
"allegedly carried out by members of the Red Society."
Her gaze shifted to Garron Steeljaw.
"As the Red Society belongs to the Second Powerhouse," Selindra continued,
"you, Garron Steeljaw, will respond as its representative."
Silence fell.
"Before discussion begins," Selindra added,
"we will proceed according to tradition."
"As representatives of the underworld,and lady of house noctis" she said,
" in the name of Her Majesty the Empress—"
"We will swear a magic oath."
A faint magic circle appeared beneath each seat.
Selindra raised her hand.
"Repeat after me."
"I swear," she said,
"that all words spoken here are true to the best of my knowledge."
"And that no falsehood will be spoken,"
"nor the truth concealed. Any decision reached here will be accepted without dispute."
One by one, voices followed.
"I swear," Madam Kyra said.
"I swear," Garron Steeljaw said.
"I swear," Norax Duskgale said.
The magic circles flared.
The oath took hold.
A soft pulse of mana spread through the hall.
The recording stone glowed steadily.
The council had truly begun.
Selindra nodded slightly.
"Very well," she said calmly.
"Since the accusation concerns the Second Powerhouse—"
She turned her gaze toward Garron Steeljaw.
"Sir Garron," Selindra continued,
"we will hear your side first."
Garron leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his massive chest.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue.
"I already said it before. I'm not interested in pointless meetings. That kid was just crying over nothing."
The atmosphere stiffened.
Several knights near the wall shifted slightly.
Before Selindra could speak again, a gloved hand rose.
Elwood Steeljaw stood calmly.
"Lady Selindra," Elwood said politely,
"if you permit—"
"I will speak on behalf of my brother."
Garron shot him a glance.
"Tch. Do whatever you want," Garron muttered.
"I don't care."
Elwood adjusted his cane and bowed lightly.
"My brother is not skilled with words," Elwood said smoothly.
"So I will explain our position clearly."
Selindra studied Elwood for a moment, her eyes sharp.
"Permission granted," she said at last.
"Speak."
Elwood straightened.
"First," he said,
"the Second Powerhouse did not issue any order to attack Blue Crescent members."
He glanced briefly at Norax.
"The Red Society," Elwood continued,
"has many branches and independent groups."
"It is possible," he added,
"that some acted on their own without approval."
Norax remained silent.
His fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
And thinking about it now… the real Norax and elwood had a personal grudge with him.>
He truly believes he's the smartest mind in the underworld.>
Elwood continued calmly.
"We regret any misunderstanding," he said.
"But to accuse my brother directly—"
He paused, smiling faintly.
"That," he finished,
"would be unfair."
The room fell quiet again.
Selindra did not respond immediately.
She simply looked toward Norax.
"Sir Norax Duskgale," she said,
"you have heard their explanation."
"Now," her voice sharpened slightly,
"it is your turn to respond."
Norax tried to stop the smile forming on his face.
It almost worked.
Almost.
The only ones who noticed were Lady Selindra and Madam Kyra.
Norax slowly stood up.
"As my senior, Sir Elwood," Norax said calmly,
"I understand what you mean. Handling thugs is difficult."
He nodded once.
"You said the Red Society has many branches," he continued,
"and I understand the burden of managing so many people."
Elwood listened without interrupting.
"But," Norax's tone sharpened slightly,
"that cannot be used as an excuse when this matter is brought before House Noctis and the council."
He raised his hand.
Two servants immediately stepped forward, carrying documents.
"They were not attacked during a simple fight," Norax said.
"My people were ambushed by Red Society members."
The servants placed the reports on Selindra's desk.
"These are medical reports," Norax added,
"and a full list of the injuries caused by the Red Society."
Madam Kyra's eyes narrowed as she glanced at the papers.
Norax continued.
"The Red Society picked the fight," he said clearly.
"My people were only gathering information and spending time together."
Selindra lifted her hand slightly.
The room fell silent.
She looked at Norax, surprised.
She nodded once.
"You may continue," she said.
Norax straightened.
"Lady Selindra," he said confidently,
"as you know, when the peace agreement was signed—"
"One rule was clear."
"No fighting in underworld territory."
He paused.
"The location where this incident occurred," Norax continued,
"does not belong to any powerhouse."
His gaze shifted to Elwood.
"So my question is simple," Norax said.
"Does Sir Elwood Steeljaw truly have the right to say—"
"That the Red Society is not responsible for the actions of its subordinates?"
Silence.
Even Garron stopped moving.
Norax took a breath.
"These people suffered because they trusted the peace agreement," he said.
"I, as the leader of Blue Crescent, stayed silent because I believed it was a mistake."
"And because of that silence—"
"They were taken advantage of."
"Within a single week, severe damage occurred—not only to my members, but also to underworld civilians."
Norax looked back at Selindra.
"So, Lady Selindra," he finished calmly,
"please answer me."
"Am I wrong to say that peace was broken first—"
"by those who were meant to uphold it?"
"And did Sir Elwood truly have the right to tell me they bear no responsibility?"
"Especially when I already tried to forgive them—yet the Red Society attacked us again and again?"
Selindra fell into deep thought.
"Our youngest… is right," she murmured softly.
"If this had occurred within a powerhouse's territory, we could argue differently."
"But this happened on true underworld land. In front of civilians."
"The peace agreement grants no one the right to cause chaos there."
She looked at Norax carefully, violet eyes sharp.
"Those who attack first are at fault—no matter their excuse."
Norax nodded slightly, hiding a small smile.
I'm glad I transmigrated after the peace agreement.It makes exploiting loopholes much easier… especially when I write them.>
Madam Kyra leaned forward.
"Lady Selindra is correct," she said firmly.
"The Red Society attacked first. That cannot be ignored."
"Even from a neutral standpoint," she added,
"this is unfair."
Elwood shifted uncomfortably.
Garron's jaw tightened.
Norax continued, calm and steady.
"Then by this rule," he said,
"my people were merely defending themselves."
"And if that's the case," he added lightly,
"perhaps I have the right to 'cry' as Sir Garron suggested."
Garron clicked his tongue and tried to stand.
Elwood stopped him with a hand and looked toward Norax.
Selindra's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile.
"Indeed," she said.
"Your words are reasonable, Youngest."
"The council will consider this seriously."
Norax leaned back slightly, satisfied.
All I needed was time—for Celstia.
From here on, this meeting will be boring…>
Though he knew the meeting had only just begun,
he waited calmly—for Elwood's counter.