Commodus, who had just made a rebuke, stopped, organized his words, and prepared to continue to implement his will. He is confident and high-spirited. The Imperial Council was his home court, a cabinet that assisted the king in governing the country, and the senators and wizards only attended.
Lord Beyeland and the big shots in the circle looked at the prince with strange eyes, as if they were brewing something.
Griffith straightened his back and sat on the chair waiting, feeling something was wrong. At this moment, someone among the participants suddenly shouted:
"Seven Gods, isn't this the Knight of Ravenel who stopped children from crying at night?"
Everyone in the imperial meeting hall looked over. Commodus also raised his head and stared in the direction of the knight.
"He is the young hero who saved the war in Odessa! (I have heard of this butcher who shelled civilians!)"
The bustling discussion made the solemn conference hall feel like a market. The distinguished cabinet members, generals, and advisors seemed to have suddenly forgotten their noble titles and what they were here for today. They all discussed a secondary assault in unison. Here comes the squadron commander:
"The Eagle of Berimion! (The Ace of Bayeran that annihilated five extraordinary beings in one battle!)"
Amidst the praises of unknown origin, two sentences were sandwiched, and they were shot at the prince in his seat like a spear.
"Isn't this the knight favored by the Angevin girl?!"
"Oh, he is the protector of Princess Mirantis!"
Prince Commodus couldn't sit still on the spot.
Isn't this putting me on the fire? Griffith hurriedly greeted the prince with a military salute, and then greeted all the adults.
"Good afternoon, Knight de Ravenel," Commodus nodded to him, "Beautiful medal, the kingdom thanks you for your loyal service."
Griffith wore the gleaming Knight's Order of the Eagle with two swords and silver oak leaves hanging from his collar. He replied solemnly: "The honor of serving the country makes me even more proud."
"Tell me, knight, why do you always appear at the most suitable time for girls?" A senator attending the meeting came to Griffith in front of everyone, "You must understand their needs very well?"
Sonia vaguely heard lightning and thunder. Invisible forces roared in the conference hall, ready to break free at any moment and tear everything into pieces.
All the praetorians and knights present put their hands on their swords.
The prince's whole body trembled. He grasped the hilt of the sword, and the whole hall heard the tooth-itching sound of the blade rubbing.
A naval admiral sneered and took over the elder's words:
"In my opinion, if the mighty Knight Ravenel just stands there and does not run away, the princess and the saint will come to him for help.
"However, I am not there. Can anyone tell me where they come from? Is that place not powerful enough? Or is it not hard enough?"
"Hahahaha!" The elders, lords, scholars, and generals laughed in unison.
The prince's face was ashen and he glared at the booing nobles. The Holy Sword of Enduil buzzed in its scabbard, making a frightening roar.
"Livinus," Commodus unsheathed his sword and shouted at the rude admiral, "do you dare to challenge Enduil's edge?"
General Livinus immediately drew his general's sword, "Your Highness's holy sword is sharp, isn't this general's sword disadvantageous?"
The air was almost freezing.
Several rays of sword light emerged from the scabbard, revealing the cold light of fangs. Griffith hurriedly took two steps back, protecting Sonia and retreating out of the door.
The nobles at the imperial meeting stared at Prince Commodus coldly. They did not interfere, did not retreat, and did not say anything to stop him, just like a pack of wolves surrounding a lion, surrounding Commodus in the middle.
Even the wielder of the holy sword couldn't move even when he was surrounded from the front, back, left and right.
"His Majesty Mark Aurelius Antoninus, the ruler of Beyeland, the commander-in-chief of the army, and the chief citizen of the Senate has arrived!"
The king's guard of honor suddenly appeared outside the hall where the royal council was taking place. Then, the elder in purple robe walked into the venue surrounded by a large group of attendants and imperial guards. The beautiful Mademoiselle Diana de Mirantis, daughter of the Duke of the South, accompanied him.
Everyone immediately put on a smile. All the dignitaries smiled happily and paid tribute to the king who was loved by the people. The king and the future princess also greeted everyone in a friendly manner. Miss Mirantes walked through the crowd, took her fiancé's arm, and glanced at General Livinus, who had already sheathed his sword and praised the Seven Gods and the princess. His beautiful words of compliment were more beautiful than a lark's song.
"I can hear you making a lot of noise from across the garden." Fiona came with Lana. She took Sonia's hand, and Lana's broad shoulders blocked the front like a wall, full of murderous intent. His eyes swept over those guys who were still staring at Griffith like a mad dog, until everyone retreated to the door.
"General Livinus's face is almost touching his knees, look at the way he salutes the princess~" Fiona commented unceremoniously about the general who was still in the venue, "If it weren't for his belly The belly is in the way, I’m sure he can get better discounts than my hairpin.”
The king began to speak. He happily announced that as soon as the sacrifice of the Chosen One is over, the prince and the princess will hold a grand engagement ceremony, and a series of balls and banquets will be held to let the whole country share the joy. Upon hearing the good news, everyone cheered and blessed the prince and future princess in unison, as if nothing had happened just now.
Griffith watched from a distance. He felt that the king was a little more haggard than the last time they met, and his back was stooped. After announcing the wedding arrangements, the king took his leave and prepared to return to his palace.
The ministers and elders roared out of the way like parting sea water, and watched the royal family leave with bright faces.
Prince Commodus followed his father. His appearance was noble and gorgeous, but his aura was restrained, like a dormant lion, waiting for the shadow to dissipate and reveal its edge again.
Sonia and Fiona lifted their skirts and saluted the passing king and prince from a distance. After they disappeared around the corner and made sure no one was eavesdropping, Fiona quietly said to everyone:
"Some senators are discussing depriving the king of his right to discuss matters."
Griffith and Sonia both leaned back in surprise. Fiona continued:
“The current king, his most trusted duke and comrade-in-arms are a shameful traitor, and a fool who would defect to the orcs.
"The future king lost the battle and lost tens of thousands of people. The saint he trusted still can't explain what happened...
"Many elders believe that the royal family has failed comprehensively in selecting and employing personnel, military affairs and faith, and lacks sufficient rationality, knowledge and judgment. The future king needs more restraint, training and observation."
Sonia looked at Fiona uneasily. She had never heard of these things at home:
"So, what is the opinion of the Senate?"
"The opinion of the senators is that reliable people and institutions must take over the governance of the kingdom, and it is time to restore the ancient tradition of Bijalan - there must be two consuls!
"The consul takes the place of the royal family to deal with the crisis in the mysterious world and the army, and solves financial difficulties. The royal family retains the treatment, rituals and seals and waits for the right time."
"Who will be the candidate for consulship?" Sonia couldn't help but feel that this was inevitable.
Griffith, who was guarding the side, just listened and said nothing, while Lana's face was full of worry.
"The loudest voice is our principal, His Excellency Tiberion. He is the undisputed leader and the most powerful wizard in the mysterious world. His experience of rescuing difficulties in crises many times has given him a high reputation. There are also people I think Lord Salorian is better, but he didn’t express his rejection tactfully.”
This was an expected choice, and everyone really had no objections. They all looked at Fiona and waited for her to continue.
"Who is the other one?"
"Uh huh huh!"
Griffith had seen a kitten catch a prey for the first time. When it held a mouse in its mouth and put it at its owner's feet, it was so proud that it almost raised its tail to the sky.
Fiona had such an expression. She tried hard to control the corners of her mouth:
"The other one, hmm, that's my father! The military opinion is very unanimous. Count Larmore and many other senators are very supportive, as is the principal. Not to mention his 10th Legion!"
It turns out that this matter has been settled... Griffith looked around. In the living room where he had never set foot, the country's political situation had quietly undergone earth-shaking changes.
The Senate and the Arcane Council control the army, finance and faith, and are far more powerful than the royal family. The relationship between the most prestigious and powerful figures such as Tiberion and Sharon is so close that even Griffith attended the meeting they held in Homemonworth regarding the future of the country. Reminiscent of the abnormal behavior of General Modres's Ninth Legion during the Battle of Teutonic-Roum before the orcs' ambush attack.
They have been making plans for a long time, and now it's time for a showdown.
