Upon hearing that name, Augustus flew up, "That traitor and heathen dares show herself after hiding from the consequences of her crimes!?"
"??" Jurnick and the rest of the monarchs glanced at the riled-up Pope. His whole face was steaming red and he breathed hoarsely while gritting his teeth.
What did Angelica do…?
"…Send her in—immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After the maid left, they could hear her footsteps echo down the hall and afterwards the tapping of heels replaced her steps.
The knights outside opened the door.
"You…!" Augustus trembled from top to bottom, even making the table shake a little.
"Calm yourself, Augustus!" Jurnick could tell he was about to fly at Angelica to choke her if he didn't stop it.
"Thank you for granting me an audience, Your Majesty." Angelica got onto her knees right when she arrived at the front of the table.
This is an odd action considering her position. Normally Oracles are treated with respect from even emperors. It was as if—
She was ready to abandon her title.
Angelica raised her head and spoke
"I am here to ask you to reconsider Lord Arnold's sentencing."
"You vile wench! Have you no shame!?" Augustus fired at her with anger Jurnick has never seen before.
Despite what she just said, he was willing to hear her out, "…What are your intentions for coming here if it is not to help us?"
She stood up, ignoring the red-faced Augustus, "I have received an oracle from Goddess Melis. In this oracle, I was told to help Lord Arnold by any means necessary as his survival will decide the fate of our world as we know it."
The hostility in the air at that moment was instantaneous. Not just from most of the monarchs but the servants and knights as well.
"Angelica, you are on the path to treasonous behaviour." Jurnick tried to speak calmly but anyone could tell by his cold glare and clenching fists how he was feeling, "Fabricating lies for the purpose of helping a demon lord factor is punishable by death. The Goddess' word is gospel so many will believe you and start a resistance against not only the Holy Kingdom but humanity as a whole—simply because we wish to rid ourselves of a plague that threatens not only our hero but—"
"Lord Luke von Berkley, heir to the Berkley Household and Lord Arnold's adoptive brother, is the one true God's champion and Hero to humanity." Angelica interrupted, as if correcting his slight.
"How dare this wench!" Ashuron, upon hearing the Oracle disqualify his son—the one in possession of the Holy Sword—as a hero, hit the table and flew up just like Augustus did.
Jurnick did not know what to say. He could simply stare at Angelica, much like the others.
"I am not here to ask for your understanding, just that you reconsider fighting a battle you won't win." Eyes closed as if she was imagining a future that may come to pass, she continued, "I hope my following words—though short—will convince you to sacrifice one instead of many."
**
And so, she began—
"I lived as my future self for a short time and witnessed a world where Lord Arnold was not a reasonable man—he killed mercilessly, culling anyone who dared stand up against him. However, I came to learn that wasn't the Arnold von Berkley who had a family that loved him and wives he could go home to—it was merely a corpse masquerading as him. It was... the Failed King Oriel, a demon even the Demon King fears."
"…!"
"Do not listen to this wench, Your Majesties!" Augustus swung his arm, knocking over his glass, "The demon possesses the Draconic Halo, a power that can control the mind! He must have used that power on the Oracle as well so now she's speaking nonsense in his favor so that he can gather the support of the common people!"
Augustus didn't let up, "I implore you to seize her immediately so that we can exorcise the demon from her body once and for all! Cull the evil at the source!"
Though he sounds hysterical with his emotional outburst, there is some sense in what he's saying. Maybe his emotional outburst is due to the fact that Melis' Blessed Daughter was turned into a heathen either blinded by love or enslaved by the power of dragons.
"Pope Augustus, I know the power of the Halo and what I see is nothing like that." Setariah spoke up during that heated confrontation, "In order to control someone, a constant flow of energy must be maintained, of which I sense nothing. In addition, the puppet must have the same Halo pattern in their eyes as the master."
Angelica's eyes were as clear as they have always been, filled with vigor and life, with no signs of mind control.
Setariah glanced at all of them then her eyes rested on the calm Angelica, "In other words, what Lady Angelica says is from the heart."
"That doesn't make it better, Elf Queen!" Despite being the one to accuse Arnold of controlling her, Augustus flared up at his accusation being proven wrong immediately.
"But it does speak volumes of her decision to abandon her faith, as you say, in order to please an ordinary man. I don't think love is powerful enough to make a blessed child such as her abandon her identity. As such, while I don't agree with her decision, I understand why she has to side with him."
"H-How can you just agree to it if we don't even know what she wants to do!?" Augustus looked at her incredulously.
"Why do you humans follow Melis' faith and worship her if you don't know her grand plan—? I am sure you know what I am getting at."
"To compare a heathen's treason to the Goddess' will…!" his anger was now directed at the neutral Setariah. He was breathing like a beast, his eyes glowing as veins popped on the surface of his skin.
"Augustus, showing hostility in the gathering of monarchs will not be ignored and taken into consideration the next time a similar coalition takes place." Jurnick stood up as well, "Not only that, remember that you are at war with the Demihumans. I was hoping to settle this matter as well tomorrow once we have reached an understanding about Arnold. Things have become complicated so I ask that you do not complicate them any further."
"…" Augustus sat down and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Jurnick looked at Angelica, "Lady Oracle, you are blessed by our Goddess so there is no denying that you have witnessed a prophecy only you can understand. That being said, we humans cannot simply accept words. They will not sway us when a threat that can wipe us all out lurks our streets."
"I understand," she smiled even in this situation, "If you are unwilling to listen to my words, please listen to my request at least as it will avoid bloodshed."
She took something out—a letter, and gave it to a servant. Said servant hurriedly ran towards the emperor and handed the letter.
"Please read this."
"??" Jurnick frowned upon noticing the name on the envelope—
Arnold.
"The sun was barely out when Lord Arnold appeared in my room and ordered that I bring this to you." Angelica then went quiet, waiting for Jurnick's words.
"I would like to hear what this boy has to say," The Lion King—who had been quiet this whole time—spoke up.
"Aye, so do I." Rockwell added,
Jurnick looked over at Adrianna and Vance.
Neither gave a reaction, keeping their heads still.
--
I, Arnold, Lord of Whitage, do hereby submit this declaration to the gathered sovereigns of mankind.
To avoid needless war, the loss of civilian life, and the erosion of order between nations, I propose that my fate be decided through single combat, which I have made clear to Emperor Jurnick.
This letter is an official statement as proof of my commitment to fairness.
Should I fall in a sanctioned duel against Arthur of House Tivurgian, I relinquish all claim, title, and authority over the following, effective immediately and without contest:
The territory under my rule
The city of Whitage
The city of Sroln
All crystal mines, reserves, and trade rights therein
My life itself
These holdings shall pass in full to the Eulia Empire, to be administered at its discretion.
However—should I emerge victorious—Arthur of House Tivurgian shall be judged defeated by both blade and law, and his life shall be forfeit upon the field.
Furthermore, as an added benefit, House Penston shall be dissolved, its lands and authority transferred to me by right of conquest and imperial acknowledgment. Celeste von Penston shall become my wife and bear my children. Her mother shall become my second wife but will not be required to leave her position in the army.
In addition, all charges, persecutions, bounties, and wanted statuses levied against my name shall be nullified in perpetuity. From that moment onward, I am to be recognized as innocent of all alleged crimes and restored as a lawful citizen without stain or suspicion.
This duel shall stand as final judgment. No appeal shall follow. No further retribution shall be sought by any party.
If my request for a duel is ignored, I shall bring an army 100 000 strong to the Empire.
If Emperor Jurnick respects my request, there shall be no bloodshed, except for Arthur of House Tivurgian.
I stake my land, my name, and my life upon this.
—Arnold
Sealed and sworn
--
Vance flew up, "What kind of demand is that!? Dissolve my House!? What is the meaning of this, girl!?" he looked at Angelica with a fiery glare.
Everyone probably wondered the same thing.
"I am afraid I cannot answer that as he only ordered me to bring the letter."
Jurnick pondered. He remembered a certain thing Vance mentioned not too long ago.
"Vance, you offered Arnold engagement, did you not?"
"I… Could that be the reason…? Then why does he not just take my title from me and the Household?" he said, perplexed at Arnold's intentions.
"…I have a hunch he may be thinking of severing all ties to this empire, erasing any trace that he was a noble, and instead founding his own kingdom, right on my land. In order to found a nation, you need a noble household with true royal ancestry. A question remains: why take your Household specifically when he could marry one of his sisters instead? And why your wife and daughter?"
Vance clenched his fists, "He has never shown any romantic interest in my wife or Celeste. But why take both of them when it is only Celeste who loves him? Your Majesty, I beg you to send a counter letter to demand answers. Or allow me to go to his city to confront him."
"…Very well, Vance—You may go to his city. Arnold has shown that he is a reasonable and rational man if the situation requires it. As such, he may provide the answers you are looking for."
Anyone would agree. After all, he isn't invading the empire with this supposed hundred thousand soldiers of his.
Jurnick glanced at the red knights with a bitter taste in his mouth. Surely all those soldiers aren't as strong as these knights… right? If they are… this empire is finished without Arnold even lifting a finger.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Vance sighed in relief, "I shall handle my affairs and leave first thing tomorrow."
"Mm." Jurnick looked around the table. "What are all your verdicts on this letter?"
King Jenfry leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled.
"I have heard rumors that Whitage's minerals have already caused unrest in the magic crystal market. Though none have yet reached circulation, merchants claim the samples they have seen are… exceptional." Jenfry continued, "They say those crystals require less refinement, hold enchantments longer, and lose almost no potency when cut. If true, even a fragment would surpass the best high-grade stones currently traded."
Jurnick's gaze shifted to the dwarf who had remained silent thus far.
"As far as I am aware," he said evenly, "the finest crystals known to mankind come from your mountains, Lord Rockwell."
Rockwell snorted, thick fingers drumming against the table.
"Aye," he said, voice rough as gravel, "an' ye've been singin' songs 'bout 'em fer centuries now. Callin' 'em peerless, callin' 'em sacred—then turnin' 'round an' whisperin' that we dwarves must be usin' witchery to make 'em so."
Rockwell shrugged his wide shoulders casually.
"But I've heard o' Whitage too. Miners don't lie 'bout stone. Ye can taste a vein afore ye crack it. An' the lads what've passed through me halls—aye, they swear them crystals ain't normal."
He clicked his tongue.
"If half o' what's said is true, then those rocks ain't just richer—they're cleaner. Less waste. Less bleed-off. That sort o' stone changes forges and changes wars. 'Magine using ven' a fragment on an arrow using it as a tip after being filled with magic power—I pray to the God o' Forging fo the opponent who will taste that arrowhead to the noggin'."
The room went quiet.
"So ye ask me if I believe this offer?" Rockwell shrugged. "I believe a lord don't wager his land an' life on rubble."
That was all he said—but it was enough.
The gravity of the situation set in immediately after they heard the stakes.
Jurnick exhaled slowly through his nose and folded his arms.
"This is not a decision I can make alone," he said at last. "I will need to speak with my council and my nobles present before the Empire commits itself."
No one objected.
"Nevertheless," Jurnick continued, lifting his gaze, "I would hear where each of you stands."
He straightened.
"All those in favor of accepting Arnold's proposal—and dividing the assets and minerals obtained thereby among our nations—raise your hands."
"Your Majesty," Pope Augustus said sharply, rising before a single hand could lift, "surely you do not intend to grant legitimacy to a criminal who issues ultimatums to sovereigns?"
His gaze swept the table.
"This man has threatened war should we refuse his demands. Whether dressed as a duel or not, this is coercion. To bargain under threat is to teach every future heretic and warlord that kings may be cornered with steel and bravado."
King Jenfry IV nodded grimly.
"The Thalori Kingdom stands with the Pope on this matter," he said. "Crystals do not excuse precedent. If Arnold von Berkley is rewarded for this, then tomorrow another lord will follow his example—only with less restraint. We are not discussing trade or sentencing. We are discussing whether intimidation works if you sprinkle something sweet on top."
Quiet murmurs followed.
Feldina stepped forward slightly, her hand resting on the back of Setariah's chair. When she spoke, her voice was calm—but face hardened.
"My Queen will speak for herself," she said, "but as my own person and a citizen of this empire, I must object."
Several heads turned.
"Elvenkind has endured long centuries because we do not validate those who gamble the lives of nations," Feldina continued. "This duel does not resolve the danger Arnold represents. It merely delays it—until he wins."
Setariah's expression did not change, but she did not contradict her.
"Ye objectin' but nonayuh 're offerin' solutions." Rockwell left that passing remark.
Jurnick exhaled slowly, fingers tapping once against the arm of his throne.
'Solutions… What kind of solution could there possibly be that's possible for us?'
Not able to think of anything just yet, he spoke.
"That will be all for now." He shut all conversation down.
Several heads turned toward him.
"This matter has grown beyond what can be discussed in a mixed audience," he continued evenly. "I will consult my council in private."
His gaze shifted to the walls.
"All servants are dismissed."
The maids and attendants froze for half a breath, then bowed deeply. The sound of retreating footsteps echoed through the chamber as doors opened and closed in sequence, the great hall steadily emptying of those meant only to observe.
Jurnick's eyes did not soften as they moved next.
"The extended members of House Berkley, Lady Judith and Adrianna included—this discussion no longer concerns you. You are dismissed."
There was a brief stir of unease.
"Your Majesty!?" Adrianna reacted instantly.
"This is an order from your emperor, First Lady of House Berkley." Jurnick looked at her sharply, "This is no longer a simple discussion of sentencing a man."
"…"
Adrianna von Berkley inclined her head at once, her expression unreadable. Ashuron's children hesitated, confusion written plainly on their faces, but Marcus' mother placed a firm hand on her youngest's shoulder and guided them toward the exit. One by one, they filed out under the watchful eyes of the red knights.
"Lady Oracle, this includes you." Jurnick glanced at Angelica, "You may be a traitor of this country and all the others, but we will let you walk free, but you may no longer speak for the goddess."
"I thank you for your kindness."
Angelica, no desire to change their minds, bowed respectfully before slowly walking out.
**
'I have tried my best to convince them to end this without bloodshed but in the very end they still seek to find a way to eliminate you, Sir Arnold. But what matters most to me is fighting alongside you to vanquish the Failed King, Oriel. I hope you will forgive me for my incompetence.' Angelica silently apologized in her heart, hoping Arnold will be benevolent and spare the kings and queens in this war room.
She is no longer Oracle Angelica, the Voice of Melis—she is now simply a peasant priest who grew up in a church.
**
The doors closed.
Silence fell.
Only the sovereigns remained.
Jurnick leaned back but withheld a sigh.
"Now," he said, "we may speak freely."
Augustus did not wait a second longer.
"This farce has gone on long enough," the Pope snarled. "We should not be entertaining the demands of a criminal who threatens kings and gods alike. Whether he wins or loses that duel is irrelevant."
Ashuron's fists clenched against the table. "My son must face him," he said hoarsely. "We must not allow that demon to walk away regardless of the outcome."
Rockwell Golem snorted. "Ye all talk o' law an' honor," he muttered, "but I hear fear rattlin' in yer bones. Sum kings yer 're."
No one answered him.
Augustus turned toward Jurnick, eyes burning.
"We can all agree that the duel will proceed," the Pope said. "But Arnold must not leave that place alive."
A pause.
Then, with a simple nod, Jurnick—
"We will require the assistance of the Archmage and Justice—our continent's strongest."
Murmurs of agreement echoed, with only Setariah and Amarene keeping silent about the matter.
Jurnick could understand why they refuse to participate. Setariah already announced her neutrality but Amarene is a different story. She's been quiet for the most part.
Thinking about it, her nation lies quite close to Whitage city—despite being over the border—so it's possible Roseria arranged for trade routes to open between the two cities. Jurnick recalls seeing a Border Agency letter on his desk a week ago so that was probably it.
The Berrenlotte Kingdom has been in decline for quite some time and after Amarene lost her husband to old age, her political power declined as well. Trading with Whitage city opens up various opportunities to her, as the city is quickly cementing itself as a military power—evident by the army it possesses. Not only that, it is on track to obtaining immense wealth, a fortune greater than any of the nations have accumulated.
Even if she doesn't take Arnold's side in this, the fact that she's neutral in this matter will be taken into account.
She's just thinking about her nation, first and foremost, as Jurnick should as well.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Cast aside all emotion and doubt—resolve this as the Monarch of the people.
Just when his mind was made up, a voice disturbed his thoughts, making him forget what he was about to say.
"Planning an ambush while the stronger opposition offers you benevolence is the height of cowardice and shrewdness."
It was Empress Roseria.