NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Hearing Part 2
"Lich King Gray Gruggle had already died in battle? No way, when did this happen?"
"I heard it's been a long time. The one sitting on the throne now is Lich King Gray Gruggle's son, Half-Lich Richie Gruggle. He was actually the Second Generation Lich King. It was just kept hidden. It was done by the Black Dragon, so the undead fought so desperately to exterminate the Black Dragon, even confronting Heaven head-on, never stopping until death."
"My God… Where did this news come from?"
"The Elder Council."
"Why… why would the Elder Council release such news?"
"I think it's to cut losses."
"Cut losses?"
"Don't you think the existence of Giant Snake City threatens the entire Blood Clan system? So many went bankrupt because of it; our traditions are being destroyed. Previously, with Lich King Gray Gruggle around, the Elder Council had to be cautious. But now? The elders personally released the news, indicating they are reminding all Blood Clan members not to stand on the wrong side at the critical moment."
"God, then the hearing... Don't you think the Sambo family will still stand by Giant Snake City? They invested quite a bit in it."
"Is it possible? What do you think? Wealth is only a part of the Sambo family, not everything. Will they go against the Elder Council, against their ancestors, and even abandon their identity and stance as Blood Clan members for wealth?"
In the twenty-four hours Jones was absent, a lot had happened at the High Court. A simple piece of news brought about earth-shattering changes. Even the nature of the hearing had completely changed.
...
At the High Court Mountain Top, Jones walked step by step to the center of the grand hall, his face expressionless, slowly raising his head.
Dora stood on his left, Goya on his right.
Four Liches stood behind him.
As for Adelle and Belle, they had obediently walked to the observation seats and sat down. Adelle's breath even trembled slightly.
On the opposite observation seat, his father, Prince Louis, looked at him with a face full of anger.
"What did Jones mean just now? I didn't get it, why did he tear off the materials?" Belle whispered.
"I don't know either, I still can't figure out what's going on." Adelle helplessly grabbed his hair.
Looking at the elders on the dais, their faces obscured, appearing like shadows, Jones slowly bowed, then raised his head and said loudly: "Honorable Elder Hearing Panel, I am your descendant! Jones Dracula! It's an honor to meet you! Responding to your call, I came here from Giant Snake City to attend this hearing! And I am prepared to answer your questions!"
Those behind him also bowed silently.
All the Blood Clan members present quietly observed Jones.
The grand hall was silent.
Not far away, a short, plump Blood Clan member stood up, holding a thick stack of papers. According to the normal process, he should have been the representative of the accusation side.
However, one of the elders gently waved his hand, motioning him to sit down.
Helplessly, he could only sit back down awkwardly, placing the materials aside.
"Jones Dracula?" a deep yet raspy voice echoed. Every corner of the grand hall could hear it clearly.
"Yes, it is I," Jones responded loudly.
"At the hearing, are you willing to truthfully answer all the questions posed to you? Please note, I said all questions. There can be no concealment, even if the answer is unfavorable to you."
"I..." Jones slightly opened his mouth, paused, and then continued, "I can guarantee that what I say will be the truth. But I do not guarantee answering every question. After all, some matters are confidential and unrelated to this hearing. I only promise to truthfully answer questions relevant to the hearing. I ask for the Elder Council's understanding."
Immediately, the Blood Clan members present started to murmur amongst themselves.
"How can he answer the elders like that? Is he mad?"
"Blood Clan members cannot keep secrets from the Elder Council, it is written in the law. All secrets exposed to the Elder Council cease to be secrets. At most, one can apply for a private explanation."
"Do you think he knows his foster father has died?"
"Hahahaha, I think it's possible."
The hearing abilities of the Blood Clan were quite good. Although it was whispered, those words were enough for Jones to hear.
Standing in the center, Jones not only showed no sign of panic but slowly straightened his chest, continuing to stare at the elders.
Adelle's brows furrowed tightly, not knowing what to say, only quietly watching and listening.
Belle covered her lips in terror, while the four Liches behind Jones looked at each other in dismay.
After a long silence, laughter echoed in the grand hall.
"Hehehe, this answer does not surprise us. Consider it... self-possessed? But child, it inevitably makes us question whether you are Jones Dracula or Jones Gruggle. If you had to choose between these two surnames, which would you choose?"
Jones's eyes slowly narrowed to slits: "My foster father did not ask me to change my surname."
"I think you misunderstand our meaning. We are not asking whether your foster father asked you to change your surname. We are asking whether you prefer to exist as a member of the Blood Clan or as the foster son of the Lich King, as a member of the White Bone Holy Light Court."