Norax looked at Elwood.
A cold smile slowly curved his lips after Elwood's bold words. He stepped toward him without hesitation.
"So?" Norax asked calmly.
"What will you choose, Sir Elwood? I have no intention of saying anything anymore, but..."
His voice was light—almost casual. Provocative. A quiet, mocking laugh followed.
"If you don't want to accept," he continued, "that's fine too. We can understand how badly you want to clear this matter."
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He clapped his hands like a child trying to get attention.
"Then how about this?"
"You all wear maid dresses—"
The hall froze.
Silence fell over the room.
Time itself seemed to stop.
"And apologize," Nox added calmly,
"to every single member of my group. In front of the entire underworld. Maybe then you'll understand the weight of disturbing someone else's peace."
Silence.
Pure.
Absolute silence.
The words Norax had spoken hung in the air like a blade poised to strike.
Madam Kyra's eyes widened—just a fraction—but it was enough to betray her shock.
Even the knights of House Noctis stiffened, their posture rigid, hands hovering near the hilts of their swords. Some exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared speak.
The air itself seemed frozen.
Selindra's fingers tightened around the document she held, the paper crumpling slightly under the pressure.
But she said nothing.
As the mediator, she remained silent.
Garron's face turned crimson with anger. He clenched his fists.
"What the hell did you just say—?! You fucker..."
Veins bulged along his neck.
His killing intent leaked out, sharp and violent.
"I'll kill you myself! Don't think anyone's going to save you this time!"
Steel rang as the House Noctis knights stepped forward at once, blades half-drawn, pressure filling the room.
"Enough," Selindra said coldly.
"I already warned you. Use your words, not your fists."
Her voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
Garron clenched his fists, breathing hard.
After a long second, he turned away.
"Fine," he growled.
"I've endured enough. This humiliation too."
"Proxy war, he says… He was bold today, but he's still just a kid. I'll teach him better. Remember this—when the time comes, I'll kill you myself."
Elwood's pupils shrank.
"Brother—! Wait—!"
"I said proxy war!" Garron snapped.
"Elwood, I already listed your lot. You said you'd handle this. I'm not humiliating myself like that. Anymore."
Elwood froze.
His body stiffened as if every muscle had turned to stone.
Norax watched quietly.
No smile.
No anger.
Only ice-cold certainty, sharp enough to cut through the tension.
Celstia's eyes flicked toward her master, catching the faint shadow of that unwavering gaze.
Selindra released a slow breath.
"So be it. There will be no refusal from either side," she said.
"The proxy war is now acceptable."
The decision was made.
There was no turning back.
Selindra coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"If that is the case," she said calmly,
"then both sides are in agreement. A magic contract must be formed."
Her gaze swept across the room, briefly stopping on each side.
"We will proceed with a proxy war, and I assume you all know the rules."
She continued without pause.
"Since both sides have agreed, we must now follow protocol.
First—each side must clearly state what they are willing to sacrifice."
Her eyes settled on him.
"Norax Duskgale."
Norax remained calm.
"If we lose," he said plainly,
"we will withdraw from the underworld. Completely."
The words landed heavily.
Madam Kyra's eyes widened.
"Withdraw?" she snapped.
"What are you saying? Leave the underworld just like that? Isn't that too much of a sacrifice?"
Selindra raised her hand slightly.
"Madam Kyra, I understand. But neither side can interfere now."
She exhaled quietly.
"Youngest… even I think this is too much."
Her fingers tightened on the armrest.
She reached for the documents beside her and spread them across the table.
The scratching sound of her pen echoed through the hall.
Garron leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"If we win," he said lazily,
"it's actually beneficial for us."
Elwood nodded.
"Indeed, but—"
Before Selindra could respond, Elwood raised a finger to stop her.
"But wait."
His gaze sharpened as it turned to Norax.
"Norax Duskgale."
Norax looked up.
"You said you would leave the underworld if you lose."
Elwood's smile widened.
"How about this instead?"
The room fell silent again.
"If you lose… you become my slave."
Norax didn't respond immediately.
For a brief moment, his eyes were empty. Blank.
Then—he smiled.
"Alright. Both are the same thing to me."
The answer came far too easily.
Selindra froze.
"Young—"
But Norax was already speaking.
"Let's add one more condition, so both sides remain equal."
Elwood raised an eyebrow.
"If we win," Norax said calmly,
"we take control of the entire second powerhouse."
Silence crashed down.
The kind that pressed against everyone's chest.
Garron's smile slowly disappeared.
Selindra stopped writing.
Kyra stared at Norax as if seeing him for the first time.
Norax leaned back slightly, his hands resting on the table.
"How about it?"
The line had been crossed.
No one in the room could take their words back anymore.
Elwood moved instantly.
"Norax, wait—!"
He reached out, trying to stop Garron, but it was useless.
Garron didn't even look at him.
Even a thug-like mind understood this was an opportunity.
His eyes were locked on Norax.
"Of course. Now you talk like a man," Garron said coldly.
"But if we win—"
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"We take everything you own."
Elwood's breath hitched.
"And you," Garron continued,
"become our slave. This is better than killing you."
He leaned forward slightly.
"With a proper slave contract."
The room stiffened.
No one spoke.
Norax looked at him quietly.
No fear.
No hesitation.
His thoughts were calm, almost detached.
Images flashed through his mind—paths leading only to death.
Norax nodded once.
A simple, clear answer.
Celstia noticed it.
The slight movement of his hand.
The tension he didn't show on his face.
She stepped closer without a word and gently held his hand.
Her grip was firm. Warm.
Norax glanced at her.
His expression remained calm, but his fingers tightened slightly in response.
Selindra, standing between both sides, let out a quiet sigh.
Her shoulders felt heavy.
"Since the terms are decided," Selindra said evenly,
"I see no reason to continue this meeting. The third council meeting is over."
Her gaze moved between the two factions.
"We will proceed according to the agreed conditions. Please wait a few minutes."
Lady Selindra left the meeting hall with a few guards and the documents she had written.
Silence followed her words.
One by one, everyone understood—
This was no longer a negotiation.
It was a countdown.
A few minutes later—
Lady Selindra returned to the hall.
Behind her were two figures in deep blue robes.
Norax's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was rare to see such mages in the underworld.
Very few even understood magic properly.
Lady Selindra stepped forward.
"This is a magic contract," she said calmly."If this contract is broken, the Goddess's curse will descend upon you."
Her gaze was sharp, piercing.
"You will lose your magic," she continued,
"and suffer severe punishment."
She paused for emphasis.
"I assume both sides understand."
The two blue-robed mages moved in perfect unison.
They placed two crystal plates on the table.
The surface shimmered faintly, catching the light in a subtle glow.
One of the mages spoke in a neutral tone.
"Please write your names."
Garron didn't hesitate.
He bit his thumb and pressed it against the crystal.
Blood spread across the surface, glowing faintly.
Norax glanced at Elwood.
Elwood looked uneasy. Confused.
Norax expression remained calm.
He drew his blade slightly, cutting his finger with precise, confident motion.
Blood fell onto the crystal plate.
The moment it touched—
Two magic circles bloomed in the air.
One over Garron's chest.
One over Norax heart.
They pulsed slowly, steadily.
A thin, thread-like strand of magic connected the two circles.
The air grew heavy.
Norax vision swayed.
A sudden weakness washed over him.
Celstia reacted instantly, stepping forward to support him.
"Master—"
The mages spoke calmly.
"Please do not worry. This reaction is normal."
The glow faded slowly.
"The magic contract is complete."
The thread vanished.
But the weight remained.
Everyone in the room understood.
This was no longer mere words.
This was law Understood.
The mages stepped back.
Their blue robes fluttered slightly as they turned and left the hall.
One by one, the others followed.
Garron was the first to move.
He didn't look at Nox again.
Elwood hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on Norax, full of confusion and unease.
But Garron's sharp glare forced him to look away.
Madam Kyra clicked her tongue softly and walked out, her expression dark.
The House Noctis knights withdrew in silence.
Soon, the large hall was empty.
Only a few footsteps echoed as the doors closed slowly.
Norax straightened himself.
Celstia loosened her grip but stayed close, her hand still lightly holding his sleeve.
He drew a slow, steady breath.
He was about to turn and leave.
"Norax."
Selindra's voice stopped him.
Norax halted He turned back.
Lady Selindra stood before him, no longer in the high seat.
She looked tired, but her gaze was steady.
"Stay for a moment," she said.
"There's something I want to ask you."
Celstia stiffened slightly.
Nox raised a hand gently, signaling her to remain calm He nodded.
"Of course, Lady Selindra."
The hall was quiet now.
Too quiet.
Selindra walked closer, her footsteps measured and slow.
She stopped in front of him.