Almost everything was going well, the wrongdoing nobles willingly to step down, the new drinks he wanted to advertise was turning down but that was not the problem, surely there would be other occasions to introduce vodka. The play he planned with Solo went perfectly well from his subjective view, all that left should be captured the magicians in the list they investigated before, but somehow an error happens at the last point.
David did not think that Woden would kneel in front of him and begged him to reconsider his decision.
"Woden, did you not know that now you opposing the Emperor in front of all officer who gathered at meeting hall for the meeting. There was no way to compromise after this if you directly approach his authority like this." Solo thought so, he precisely knew the real number for this operation, after all, he was the one who helped David gather information.
Woden did not know this and it not like he would not oppose even if he knows the precise number. However, things would be easier for them to talk and discuss. Now that the rice was boiled, the number of people who gonna visited the underworld may be more than the first estimated.
"My friend, I knew that you keep something inside but I really forget who you are this time."
Solo could only sigh.
David looked at Woden who did not get up, he raised his hand and used his force to force Woden to stand up. Every action was so smooth like the river that flows gently through the scenery in the countryside.
Although, those without the magic knew that it was David who forced Woden to get up but they did not think of this as anything special, while the military officers and nobles were amazed by David action.
Why?
The magic was common, whether used to create outside phenomenon or used inside to enhance the body. A one-time burst of power like destroying the stone with a sword in one blow or call forth a fireball, of course, was amazing, but to precisely control it like David was not an easy task either.
"My master sure love to show off." Iris teased inside David's head.
"Shut up! I need it to first show off my power."
"If you don't want me to tease you don't ask for my help in this act of yours. But you know he did not resist at all, even you could do it at this state." Iris finished their chatter.
Indeed, David was strong but to calculate force for both pull and push while providing vibration resistant, he needs more than power. Another reason is he did not know whether Woden would resist or not, he could know if he used his skill, eye of all-knowing, but he did not use his skill on his friend before and that was the reason he needs Iris to help him.
Now Woden stood up, but Thiw still did not change how the tip of the sword he holds point at Woden chest, He just lifted the sword angle a bit ready to thrust at any moment.
"It's fine, put the sword back" David told Thiw to put down the sword.
"Woden, I order you to speak." While David commanded Woden to talk, he activated his emperor's dignity and force all people in the hall, except those of his friends, to submit. Even the strong one felt pressure with this.
"Your Majesty. People just achieved peace, and the remnants of our enemy may still lurking in some area out in the wild or mountain. I fear if Your Majesty punishes them so severely, it may cause them to run and this would cause unrest in the empire. Please review the edict, Your Majesty."
"My friend, they are but a relic of the past, they are prideful and arrogance people live in luxury and privilege, what they want was not for the people but so that they could live like the way they use to and I can't accept that. I don't want to hear people criticize the present by referring to the past. I let them live and pardon anyone who agree with the new, but those people don't understand must meet punishment. My friend, when individuals misbehave, they disrupt society and it is our duty to protect the members of society. Magicians were people with great power and great power come with great responsibility. If they refuse on their responsibility, it is my duty as a ruler to warn them of the consequence." David answered.
"My lord, I plead to you, please give them mercy, we have arrived at the days of peace, I know there is a lot of issues that must be taken care of with forces and funds. Since both are limited, to solve the problem with less for both was indeed good. But I beg of you, please do not close your eyes, the easy way out may make us forget the problem but it can't make us forget that we know there is a better way."
"IMBECILE!" It was not David but Solo who shouted.
"It's fine. Let him speak."
"What have we fighting for Your Majesty? We fight for peace, we united the land through great pain. For that reason, how many men were died, how many women became widows, and how many children become orphans? They were innocent people that become the sacrifices for the world of peace, now that we achieved peace, there should not be any more bloodshed, the right to live is the most important for a human being, for this petty crime penalty as inhumane as death should not be done."
"Petty? Defy my rule and you called that petty." Inside David was boiled with anger, he just did not allow it to show on his face. The anger inside him was fused with his skill and it made everyone who was affected by the skill almost suffocate, some weak bureaucrat became unconscious while the strong noble felt like he was plump by heavy rock.
Just like how a frog encounters a snake, fear took hold of their heart and forced them to freeze stiff. Even his friends started to get under the effect of skill, emperor's dignity, that fused with David's force.
Even, David closet friend, Solo never saw David acted like this before, there were many times he saw David angry but those mostly happened when their friends were mistreated or injured. Never did he saw David angry over his friend.
Not only Solo but Thiw too felt this, however, Thiw did not know what he should do with this situation. Only Solo was able to react, he rushed to the front and asked David to cease his anger.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry."
Whether David heard Solo words or not, was not know. At least David calmed down and deactivated his skill.
"Everybody, today meeting is over." David said and left the room.
He not going to the dark side, that for sure.