But not a single person stood up to speak for Edmund.
Adelle's victory was assured.
The white-haired Elder conversed quickly with the two people beside him and secretly notified the other six Elders.
Time slowly passed, and the air in the great hall grew increasingly oppressive.
Until... the white-haired Elder looked up at the crowd in the hall.
"By a unanimous vote of the Elder Council, Edmund Justice is hereby stripped of his status as heir."
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion.
Nine silver-white chains tightened abruptly, and the Runes on them erupted in a blinding light.
Edmund let out a piercing scream. His body convulsed violently as the dark purple markings were stripped away and crushed, piece by piece.
Inky black blood poured from his seven orifices.
The blood splattered onto the marble floor, corroding it with SIZZLING scorch marks and releasing a nauseating, putrid stench.
