The great hall was filled with people, none of them were people that he knew.
Maximilian had been asked to disarm himself, but having his weapons in the hands of those who had no loyalty to him didn't sit right with him so he handed his weapons to his guards and asked them to stay outside.
The murmurings and discussions inside the great hall stopped abruptly and his walk towards the Duke's sit of power seemed to take forever due to the stares he was getting.
" Greetings your grace, I have arrived just as you ordered. " Maximilian bowed as he reached the large throne like sit.
Two people were standing on both sides of the chair and by the striking resemblance to the Duke it could be said that they were his half brothers.
The older one was Byron von Caligula, he was twenty two years old and he had the lightning and flame magical abilities just like his father the younger one was Cedric von Caligula, nineteen years old he had lightning and ice attributes.
" Lord Maximilian Scorpia, I have received reports that you conducted an illegal war and in the process killed the noble, Baron Eppes the Lord of Thagalia.
State your reason for this blatant disrespect for my authority. " The Duke spoke in a commanding tone.
Maximilian took a deep breath before replying, " Baron Eppes stole from me and killed one of my envoys.
I asked him to provide compensation for the items that he stole and when he refused, I marched my militia into his lands and punished him for his transgressions. "
" His transgressions you say ? " A man spoke up from the group.
" Who do you think you are, your station is so low that you are not even included as a member of the branch family and you dare, a minor Lord raise your hands to strike a Baron.
You don't even seem to know your place? "
" And you are ? "
" Hmph...
...I am Baron Scofield. "
Maximilian walked closer till he was just few meters from the man and looked him directly in his eye.
" What would you do right now if I tear off the clothes from your body leaving you naked?
I presume that you would disregard all protocol in order to make me pay for my disrespect.
That was exactly what I did to Baron Eppes or was I wrong that I had taken up arms against someone who wanted to do harm against me, someone who wanted to leave me naked and cold?
It is already clear beyond reason that what I have done is nessesary , I have replaced evil with death. That is what I exist for.
And I will several thousand men because of this and the world is better off for it. "
The Duke watched silently as this went on, he looked at the boy who had been confined to a single area away from the world view for sixteen years and what shocked at his demeanor.
Baron Scofield on the other hand was so enraged that he started poking Maximilians chest.
" Who do you think you are you worm?
You dare threaten me? "
" I am not threatening you my Lord, a threat would be me telling you that if you touch me once more , I will open you up from balls to brains. "
The entire hall erupted in noise, some of the people around were laughing at the jokes, these were the nobles that were not affiliated with the branch families, those that had gotten their titles based on their merit or that of their ancestors.
The other side were those of the branch families who were not happy with Max threatening them so openly.
" SILENCE!! " The Duke erupted from his seat and the entire hall died down to pin drop silence , many of the people there almost forgot to breathe.
" Baron Eppes acted one sided and has suffered the consequences for his actions by being too weak to defend himself so there is nothing we can do.
There would also be no punishment to Lord Scorpia, he didn't act out of greed seeing as he hasn't seized Thagalia for himself.
But for their to be peaceful coexisting he would have to pay the branch families ten percent of his earnings which could be paid in gold or something if equal value.
Are we agreed? "
" Yes your grace! " They all shouted in unison .
" Good, one more thing Lord Scorpia, it has just occurred to me that you never pledged loyalty to me.
You must know that all lords under my banner must swear their undying loyalty to me and my house.
But since you are technically part of my house swear that you will not challenge the legitimate heirs for claim to my lands, titles and any other inheritance I have left for them." The Duke said, gauging Max's reaction.
" Is that really nessesary your grace, I mean what danger does someone like me pose to your true born children.
Don't you think that you dishonor them in this manner by assuming that they cannot to fend for themselves. " Maximilian replied.
Immediately the atmosphere inside the hall changed, the temperature seemed to have increased by a few degrees.
" Do you covet death so much that you would dare to speak to me in such manner?" Duke Alexander bellowed.
Max could also feel the disgusted gazes coming from his half brothers.
" Death comes for us all your grace but that is not the point your grace, you know that I have always kept to my self trying as much as possible to not encroach on anyone and yet you order me to swear allegiance to them? " Max replied pointing at his half brothers standing behind him.
" In this very moment, your order has filled me with the spirit of competition and it has gotten me to ask a question?
Why, why has my Lord Father , Duke Alexander von Caligula,protector of the empire's West allow himself to be so easily manipulated so much that he places the honor and abilities of his main heirs to question? "