“Let it be known that this Assembly has been called to discuss classified matters involving the First World,” Kratio began. “Raid Freeden has been accused of the following: subversion of the state and incitement of foreign threat. Our agenda for today is to discuss these accusations, to allow the accused to plead his case, and to decide on an appropriate response thereafter.”
Shortly after Kratio finished speaking, the large door to the throne room slowly opened. Raid walked in, back straight and head held high, until he stopped right in front of the king. There, he bowed his head and got down on his knee.
“I, Raid Freeden, have responded to your summons, Your Majesty.”
Kratio nodded. “Raise your head. A number of accusations have been made against you. You may now use this place to plead your case and prove your innocence to the nations of the central continent.”
“Understood. Before pleading my case, however, I shall first deliver a report of the current status of the First World. Please forgive me for any transgressions in my speech hereafter.” After responding with flowing eloquence, Raid slowly returned to his feet and straightened his back. “At present, the majority of the First World is contaminated with polluted mana—the dark purple mana included in my previous report. Thus, human activity is limited to the eastern continent of Legnare. Only the easternmost region of the central continent remains as humanity’s final front against this contamination.”
Kratio furrowed his brow. “Quite the grave situation, to say the least. Your report aligns perfectly with what we’ve heard from Sir Dian and his subordinates.”
“Yes. However, that is only the beginning. Within the contaminated regions, we have confirmed countless ‘Calamities’—that is, monsters the likes of the ultra-sized manabeast that appeared off the coast of Palmare. The people of the First World are at a standstill against these foes and are left with little choice but to quietly await their ruin.”
The room instantly erupted into gasps and murmurs. The disaster that had struck Palmare was still fresh in everyone’s minds. How could they even begin to imagine an entire continent being infested with a countless number of such monsters? The Second World would fare no better if they were ever faced with a similar disaster.
“I’ve heard that you and Lady Caldwin quelled the Calamity that appeared in Palmare,” said Kratio. “Could you give us your insights regarding these monsters?”
“Of course. We have also fought several of them during our trip to the First World,” Raid replied. “Lady Caldwin and I are more than capable of defeating them by ourselves. On the other hand, I would say that special-class magicians have no more than a five percent chance of slaying these monsters, even if they were to fight as a team.”
Brow still furrowed, Kratio closed his eyes and groaned. Before he could respond, however, someone else raised his hand and spoke up. “May I ask a question, Sir Freeden?”
Kratio turned his gaze to the person, then gestured to him, permitting him to continue.
“I’ve heard that the Calamity that appeared in Palmare was massive and fearsome, but I find it difficult to believe that special-class magicians would be so powerless against them. Could you explain why only you and Lady Caldwin can contend against these monsters?”
“Very well. First, allow me to bring to your attention a precedent in which special-class magicians were powerless against a manabeast.”
The man squinted. “A precedent, you say?”
“I am referring to the Guardian Dragons of Celios, of course. Two hundred years ago, a squad of magicians—including five special-class magicians—were dispatched from Vegalta, only to be annihilated by a single Guardian Dragon.”
Kalkas hummed. “You bring up a very memorable case, Lord Freeden—one I can most certainly corroborate. Five special-class magicians were indeed annihilated by one of our Guardian Dragons.”
The man who had raised the question subtly flinched at his response.
“If I may bring up another example,” Raid continued. “During the simulation exam of the Vegalta Royal Institute of Magic, Lufus Lailas lost control of her four Guardian Dragons, and Lady Caldwin and I suppressed all of them together. If we are to assume that Calamities are of similar might, then I believe this serves as additional proof of our capabilities. All in all, my earlier statement was made based on this past precedent and present achievement. Currently, Lady Caldwin and I are the only ones to have proven our strength in this manner and are thus the only reliable forces against Calamity-level threats. That concludes my answer.”
The man furtively furrowed his brow. “I understand. Thank you,” he said, then reluctantly sat back down.
“Hmm... Quite the skillful response,” Totori mused, sure to keep her voice down.
Mifuru cast her a glance. “What do you mean?”
“If he only talked about the Calamities he’s defeated, they might have further accused him of simply learning how to defeat them from the people of the First World. His record of defeating the Guardian Dragons serves as far more objective proof than anything—and it even prevents them from arguing back, lest they anger Celios.”
Guardian Dragons were the apex of all manabeasts that protected the western archipelago of Celios, sometimes even revered as divine beings. Doubting Raid’s abilities—despite him proving to be stronger than the Guardian Dragons—was tantamount to mocking Celios and its beliefs. Not to mention, this also kept the discussion away from any possible accusations that Raid had secretly received intel from the First World.
But it seemed Raid was not satisfied with simply refuting the man’s attempts. He looked the man in the eye and curled his lips into an unreadable smile. “It seems some of you are very eager to discuss the suspicions cast upon me,” he said, making it clear that he had read them like an open book—that their intentions to nitpick and find fault through that question were clear as day. By responding perfectly to the question, however, Raid had gained the upper hand. “I kindly ask you to bear with me for a while longer. My report on the First World is an imperative prerequisite for the next topic I would like to discuss today.”
Kratio hummed. “What would that topic be?”
“Why, Your Majesty...” Raid smiled, took in a quick breath, and declared, “Of course, I am referring to the condemnation of everyone who cast suspicion upon me and called for this Assembly to begin with.”