"But, what about the Arcana world? It is connected to ours. We cannot block it." Queen Ingrid (Claire's mother) voiced out her opinion on the matter, hoping for an answer.
However, before Qridus even gave the explanation, the guardian god interfered by saying in a stern tone, "it cannot do, Qridus. I will not give permission to isolate this world. And it is the job of the hidden clans to defend humans from such incidents."
"This…" Qridus received another shock of the day. He now completely felt like Saint Ravens is angry with him. But, why? He didn't understand but the meeting has to continue.
Hence, Qridus went on with stating the next issue, "Since Saint Ravens has given his verdict, I will take back the proposal. The second issue is linked to the first one. Without the presence of Dragon and Sun clans, it also became tough for the hidden clans to function as before.
I propose to fulfill the vacant positions left behind by those two clans."
"Hmm… I agree"
"I agree…"
.
.
.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I agree…"
Within no time, everyone gave their agreement and turned their heads to look at the judge.
Saint Ravens didn't give either okay or rejected it. Instead, he said, "For this matter, I would ask the opinions of those with observer status because they might be the ones who will lead the future and face the consequences of your actions."
It was at that instant the clan heads realized something important.
So, there is a reason why Qridus advised them to also bring their successors. Did this old bag of bones already anticipate how the judge is going to react? Or did they already discuss it beforehand?
Considering the good relations between the Death clan and the judge, they felt like the latter's most likely the case.
In the meantime, Velez took the opportunity to act first before the other clan successors.
"I nominate Blood clan to fulfill one of these positions. The clan might be a part of the Death clan for the past fifty millennia but in no way the members are related to us.
The Blood clan has different origins and never mixed with any of Garcia clan descendants during the past 50,000 years." Velez said exactly what Qridus want him to say.
Obviously, the others wouldn't agree. Why would they give the Death clan more power within the round table?
Hence, they started speaking of different prominent surviving ancient clans that have atleast a history of 10,000 years and one supreme realm expert.
After hearing everyone's opinions, Saint Ravens then pointed his finger at Azzy, "lad, what do you think?"
"Uhh… Your grace… he isn't a successor." Neremyn dared to object to it at first, but then, as Saint Ravens gave a sharp glare at him and tell him that he never spoke anything about a successor but asking those who had observer status, the celestial elf shut up his mouth, and Qridus couldn't help but smile widely for a moment.
Azzy knew that his master was only trying to give him an opportunity to speak. Taking a deep breath, he spoke on the matter, "Rather than allowing new clans to join, why not forgive the Sun and Dragon clans to rejoin? The other seven clans work with them the best."
"Preposterous…" The Asgardian leader got angered for a moment and raised his voice. After apologizing to the judge, the projection of Borr looked at Azzy and said, "Do you even know what they have done? They betrayed the human race by siding with the outsiders. They are willing to sacrifice the entire world for the sake of domination."
Azzy didn't back down and spoke in his usual emotionless tone, "Lord Borr, they served this world for a hundred thousand years. One mistake and all of their hard work are gone, just like that? Don't you think they deserve a second chance to redeem themselves? It appeared to me like the other hidden clans were just taking their mistake as an opportunity to bring them down."
"You… how dare you…" The leader of Asgardians got angered by Azzy's words, feeling humiliated. It wasn't only him. The others also had a look of displeasure on their faces.
Velez was surprised at first but then upon observing others' expressions, he felt elated. These seven beings are the pillars of this world. Just talking against one of them without politeness is considered disrespectful. And Azzy even dared to point faults at them?
Qridus was also under the same impression that Azzy did wrong. Before the second one also erupts, he immediately lectured his descendant. "Azrael, the last sentence was unnecessary. Apologize to everyone."
But, Azzy didn't do as his ancestor ordered. Instead, he argued back with his clan lord, "I was asked about expressing my opinion on the matter and I just followed his words. And Your Majesty, if I had to give my opinion on this round table's decision about removing the positions of Sun and Dragon clans, I say that it is wrong.
Sure, the clan leader's actions represent the respective clan's wishes. However, you cannot punish the entire clan for the mistake done by the clan leader. It is wrong to punish the innocents of the family just because the family's head had committed the crime."
The entire room fell into silence as Azzy finished his words. They were speechless to see a little kid who wasn't even 15 years old lecturing them, who lived for thousands of years.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"You really have some guts, kid," commented the Minamoto clan's head with a darkened expression.
"Lord Qridus, did you personally invite him to humiliate us?" The Asgardian leader flared up.
"Qridus, your descendant has gone too far," commented Elyssa Moon.
The Kuru clan leader was someone who wanted to get out of this mess in the first place. He wasn't even interested to participate. Hence, he stayed silent and just observed Azzy.
Queen Ingrid, representing the Angels, also stayed silent as she agreed with Azzy.
Neremyn, who was displeased with both Azzy and Qridus because of their attitude toward him, commented in general, "It appeared that the Death clan really doesn't give a face to other clans."
Lastly, Qridus felt too humiliated by his descendant's actions. Because he had too many expectations of Azzy, he was more disappointed than the rest. He regretted requesting Azzy to attend this meeting. "Azrael, I order you to leave the room, this instant."
Azzy understood that he angered his ancestor. But, he won't apologize for he didn't do anything wrong. Still, as he had to obey Qridus' orders, which he didn't at first, Azzy decided to leave. He wasn't interested to come anyway. So, it doesn't matter.
Azzy bowed and then started walking away to the exit. Velez was rejoicing in his heart to see the kid walking away.
But, it was at this moment, a voice turned around the events. "Stop…" It belonged to the guardian god.
As Azzy turned around, the guardian god spoke, "We are in the middle of the round table. Here, I have complete authority. You cannot come and go as you please, child. Go to your position."
Azzy looked meaningfully at Qridus, who then took a deep breath and gestured him to stand behind him, just like before.