NOVEL NEXT Chapter 106- The Senate (5)
"Yes. Ahem, after the Order of the Temple of Light's expedition to the frontier lands, you reported that you brought the demi humans to your territory?"
There was no need for Reinhardt to answer, as the person next to him was the answer itself.
"Miss Zerina, I believe the report says that you are currently the only chief alive governing the demi humans?"
When the question was passed to her, Zerina nodded her head and explained her reasoning for coming with Reinhardt.
"The Toto village, or should I say your people, have refused the help of our kingdom numerous times. Why is it that this time you chose to take the hand that was offered?"
The panther girl looked at Reinhardt and smiled beautifully. "It's because of the knight you sent to help us this time. At first, we tried to send him away just like all the other knights that came before him. However, unlike others, he stuck to the village long enough to gain some of our trust"...
"Of course, his strength cannot be denied in all of this. Not only did he help us even when we turned him away, but he saved the entire village by exterminating the demons. To me, he is the very embodiment of a chivalrous being that you call knight".
"I-I see," Hamilton nodded and continued reciting, "A few weeks after bringing the demi humans to your territory, on the 27th of July, your Order launched an attack on Baron Chetak. Not only did you destroy a part of the city, kill Sir Rattleboots, but you also kidnapped Baron Chetak. What do you have to say for that?"
Finally, it was time. Reinhardt took a deep breath and spoke his piece, "Baron Chetak was not only hiring adventurers and ruffians to kidnap the demi humans from my territory, he was also running an illegal slave market. My order and I only acted according to the laws of this kingdom and enacted the Reckoning trial on Baron Chetak. We have…"
He was just about to ask Zerina here to give a testimony too, when one of the nobles cut him off.
"Nonsense. Reinhardt, we have listened to your lies for too long. How long are you going to spin the truth in front of us? Isn't it because Baron Chetak was one of the people who didn't like your policies and wanted you to step down as the commander of the Order of the Temple of Light that you took him out? You are only abusing your power."
SLAM… that noble slammed his hands on the desk and shouted towards the members of the council.
"I beseech everyone to see through the deception and not fall for his lies. Reinhardt Arcknight has clearly gone rogue after the curse incident. He is blatantly abusing his powers, abducting demi humans himself, and putting the blame on Baron Chetak. Your Majesty, please exact justice".
His words rallied the ones who were already seeing Reinhardt as a thorn in their interest and wanted to get rid of him. Together, they started condemning him again.
"Hmm, this matter is very difficult. What should I do? I have a good relationship with his father Raymond, and know that he is not a man who would harm his people. What's more, the ancestor of Arcknight had done a great boon for our kingdom, which is why my great great grandfather bestowed the title of duke upon them. As the son of a great house, I want to trust him… but.. this is difficult.."
The king looked like he was deliberating his decision. Just when it looked like the odds were stacked against Reinhardt, the queen threw him a lifeline.
"Why don't we hear what the knight has to say completely before deciding on anything. In any case, creating an artificial level 10 knight is extremely difficult and does not guarantee a hundred percent success"...
"What's more, there is no way of telling if the knight who would take up the class of Level 10 Divine Paladin next would be as powerful as Reinhardt. Since that is the case, wouldn't it be better to have him still serve the kingdom than pin our hopes on something that isn't guaranteed?"
She crossed her alluring legs and reclined behind her seat, allowing others a generous view of her beguiling, long legs, creamy smooth, and perfect.
Hidden by the veil, Reinhardt couldn't tell what kind of expression she was making. However, he didn't want to let this opportunity go.
"I am not just throwing empty accusations. I came up with proof this time…" Right after he spoke up, he looked up, lightning erupting from the depths of his eyes.
.
RUMBLE… at the same moment, abnormal thunderclouds appeared over the entirety of the capital, causing the once sunny day to darken unnaturally.
Not only that, berserk lightning surged at the depths of the clouds, illuminating the entire capital and looking like thousands of slithering dragons.
Just keep a heads up towards the sky… Bob and the other knights of the Temple of Light, who were waiting outside, immediately understood their assignment. This was their sign.
Swiftly, they brought Baron Chetak with his limbs and mouth tied, out from the carriage and headed for inside the senate. However, just as they defeated the guards outside the gate, enemies masking their faces and attire, popped out of the corner and stopped them.
"Their goal is to silence this guy. We cannot dilly dally, Bob, you bring in the proof. We will stop them in their tracks," Holy knight Marcus suggested.
Being as experienced as they were, they quickly made their choice. Bob nodded and headed in with Baron Chetak in tow.
The shadowy figures tried to stop him. However, the Order of the Temple of Light, even after losing most of its high level knights more than three years ago, was still one of the seven great knight orders.
Marcus and Grey, two other level 8 holy knight stopped the ones who looked like they were the most troublesome.