Chapter 2: Discord
Julius, Raymond, and Ludwig directed their gazes towards the entrance to the throne room, while Wilford was still kneeling down with his head bowed. As all eyes were fixated on the entrance to the throne room, the large double doors swung open as they revealed the figures of five different people of different features and clothing.
The group of people walked forwards towards the middle of the chamber, making their way towards Wilford. Each step they took in unison caused the atmosphere of the room to gradually rise in intensity until it became almost suffocating as they stood in front of Wilford, looking down at him in the process.
"Of course a Krieger had to be the cause of all of this… But this much controversy created by one man is truly ridiculous." Said the person in the middle.
The owner of this soft, yet serious voice, was a young man of average height with long white hair accompanied by a pair of blue eyes. His pointy ears were a very distinctive feature of his body, other than his white skin that shone brighter than any that of a normal human. His remarkably handsome features, and the unparalleled white cloak that he wore, were obvious characteristics of the elf king himself, Seryth Silvius.
"This is the second time the Krieger family causes a disturbance in Traumiery. Nevertheless, I saw it coming a long time ago, especially from you, Wilford." Stated the person next to Silvius.
The source of this calm, and wise tone of voice, was another young man of average height. He was wearing a long green robe that complimented his green pair of eyes and partially covered his black hair. His features weren't as remarkable as the elf king, but the staff that he was carrying radiated an air of power and authority and displayed him as the grandmaster of all wizards, Sigurd Lordak.
"Well, if it isn't boy wonder himself. I didn't like you even before you became the head of the Kriegers. Thankfully, my doubts were remarkably correct." Stated the man next to Lordak.
The source of this intimidating, and ominous voice, was yet another young man with a slightly above average height and physique. He was wearing a long, red and black cape that complimented his dark grey hair, and the pair of scarlet-red eyes that brought chills to whoever peered at them. His unnaturally pale white skin and the golden ring that he wore on his right hand identified him as the king of vampires, Adrian Vampeulius.
"Another Krieger falls from grace...what a shame that has been brought down on such a family." Said the woman standing next to Adrian.
The voice filled with indifference belonged to a young woman who stood slightly shorter than her peers. She was wearing a light purple cloak that matched her pair of violet eyes. She was wearing a witch's hat that covered her equally violet hair and carrying an especial grimoire that looked like no other, for she was the supreme witch, Lilith Grimhild.
"Oh dear, what has become of you, my friend?" questioned the man standing on the left side to Seryth.
The voice of worry and concern came from a young man of average height wearing a small and blue hooded cape that complemented his orange eyes. He extended his right hand towards Wilford, in which he was wearing a silver glove that only covered his right hand, symbolizing him as the master of all alchemists in the land, Owen Aldwin.
"So, where are the others?" Raymond calmly asked the five.
"Your highness, we were informed that the king of the titans, Lord Magnus Halvard, and the king of the dwarves, Jergux Vulcan, are—" Klaus before being interrupted.
"Oh shut it with all this royal nonsense. Jergux and Magnus are once again at it to figure out who is the strongest, and stupidest, drunkard of the land." Stated Lilith with a nonchalant voice.
"Well, you know how those two are. They love engaging in friendly fights all the time while being drunk. We all know that those two aren't good in formal matters, so let's just leave them be for now and not bother them." Finished Owen as he helped Wilford stand up from the ground.
"Friendly fights? Yeah, right. As if causing mass destruction was ever so harmless. Those two old bastards… they always act high and mighty while making complete idiots of themselves. I'm glad they didn't join us here." Seryth said.
"What about Ghaya?" Ludwig inquired.
"Master Ghaya is the strongest sorcerer of all, and the master of all mystic art users. Matters like this are not worth his time or effort." Sigurd declared.
"I suppose that's right. Then, what about…him?" Julius asked, hesitating at the end.
Suddenly, the throne room went quiet. The eerie sound of silence coupled with the unnerving air of the room brought chills to Klaus and his guards as they idly watched from the sidelines.
"Osi-...I mean, Emperor Osiris, said that he'll be here shortly." Spoke Adrian.
"Ah, I see. Well, how are you all today, my friends?" Julius asked with a simple smile plastered on his face.
"Julius, just stop. Don't make this worse than it already is. You know why I'm here, so let's get it done with." Seryth stated in a serious tone of voice.
"Of course, of course. I know that what Wilford has done is wrong and that he shouldn't have spoken about those devilish and disgusting beastmen in such a lighthearted way—"
"Julius, that is not why we're here." Sigurd interrupted.
"We couldn't care less about Wilford's speech, because we already know that he's no longer fit to be one of the paragons, and will not have his artifact anymore. That's why we only have one main concern." Lilith added.
"And that is why we gathered up after such a long, long time." Adian finished.
A short silence filled the room as Julius slowly shifted his gaze towards Owen, to which the latter responded with a slow nod, asserting the fact that he agreed with the others.
"The bow! Where is the bow?!" Seryth shouted in an angry tone.
"Seryth, you know we can't do that. The bow has always been a prized possession of the warriors, and the Krieger family. Giving it away will cause a severe unbalance between the kingdoms." Julius replied.
"Oh, spare me with your nonsense! The bow is a prized possession of the Krieger family, which they stole away from the elves four-hundred years ago! The Krieger family has proven its ineligibility to maintain the sacred bow for the second time!"
Seryth stomped his way towards Julius in an enraged manner as he kept shouting.
"Seryth, my father did not give up on the bow, and neither will I. Even if you hate the Kriegers, the bow belongs to the warriors till the very end."
"And that is the very reason why you're father will go down as the worst king of Traumiery in history! Despite what Philip Krieger did, despite how he revolted against all the Paragons, even Ghaya, and tried to kill Osiris to become the ruler of all, Herbert still defended him with ridiculous and idiotic excuses about power, balance, and stability.
To become a true king, you must have an understanding of sacrifice for the greater good. If you want change, then you must sacrifice. How are you expecting the relations between all the kingdoms and lands of Traumiery to go back to their previous state if you keep defending the Kriegers like this?!"
"Like you're one to speak, Seryth. All you want is that damn bow so you could heal the injured ego of the elves. Think this rationally, you narcissistic prick! How can there be any balance or understanding between the kingdoms if one holds more power than the others?! This is a complicated situation, so let's just think this thoroughly and discuss it in a civilized manner."
"Just discuss it? Oh, real fucking original coming from another Engel, as if I'm blind enough to not see this 'civilized' discussion biassed towards the warrior side. Julius, if you dare throw those diversions again at me, then I'll no longer have any patience for this."
"Seryth, if you're so keen on snatching one of the sacred artifacts away from us for the sake of national pride, then I'll have no choice but to wage war on you."
"So be it! At least then I'll be able to see some real results, unlike these recurring lies that I have grown sick and tired from!" Shouted Seryth as he grabbed hold of Julius's shirt collar, glaring at him in the process.
"Cease!"
A voice came from the entrance to the throne room, causing everyone in the room to shiver as they halted their movements.
"Gentlemen, this is a civilized discussion, there's no need for violence." The voice spoke again.
Seryth released the grip he had on Julius, and took a few steps back without turning around to face the man, that he knew very well.
"It took you quite some time to arrive, didn't it… Osiris." Seryth said.
"Oh, my apologies. It's hard being the Emperor of the dark arts; the schedule tends to be filled with a lot of important matters all the time."
The owner of that bone-chilling voice was a slightly older man with an above-average build. He wore a gothic tailcoat jacket that perfectly matched his black hair and dark pair of eyes. The atmosphere that he was emitting was one that brought great discomfort to all the people in the chamber, for he was the Emperor of the dark arts, Osiris Kaiser.
"Anyways, let us continue this discussion like the civilized people that we are. Julius, just like you know, all of us here arrived to know the destiny of the sacred bow. After all, that could shift the power scaling between the kingdoms and cause a great unbalance." Osiris said.
"As much as I hate to disappoint all of you, but the warriors will not give up on the bow, and will not take it away from the Kriegers."
"Unacceptable." Seryth blurted out.
"However… The sacred bow shall be confiscated from Wilford. His actions have disgraced the royal bloodlines and the Kriegers. Moreover, siding with the beastmen and planning a revolution count as one of, if not the most severe acts of treason, and Wilford shall be punished accordingly. As for the bow, it shall be given to another Krieger, only after being tested for his worthiness."
"What?!" Ludwig questioned.
"Engel, what are you doing?! Wilford is the only Krieger of his generation that can wield the bow!" Raymond lost his calm demeanor as he yelled at Julius.
"Have you gone completely mad?" Adrian mockingly asked.
"Well, he has been driven into a corner after all. Of course, he'd say something stupid out of sheer panic." Lilith pointed out.
"And if they fail to wield the bow? What will happen to the sacred artifact then?" Sigurd questioned.
"Then, the warriors will make a joint decision to prohibit the Krieger family from wielding the bow, and will no longer count as one of the four royal bloodlines of Traumiery. The bow will be confiscated and kept in the royal palace as a forever lasting artifact belonging to the warriors." Julius finished his words.
"This is madness! I shall not agree to this." Seryth retaliated.
"Now now, take it easy Silvius. We shall decide what'll happen now via voting! Whoever agrees with Wilford, please raise your hand." Osiris declared.
In unison, Sigurd, Lilith, Adrian, and Osiris raised their hands in agreement with Julius's statement, while Owen and Seryth kept their hands down.
"What are you all doing?! The faith of the bow hasn't been decided!" Seryth rioted against the others.
"It has, and I have no arguments about it," Sigurd replied.
"As long as the sacred artifact is kept away from Wilford, then I shall agree," Adrian stated.
"As long as the bow isn't given to anyone else, then I have no problem." Lilith declared.
"Very well then, it has been decided! The bow stays and Wilford will be trialed. As long as this piece of beastmen supporting filth gets what it deserves, then I see this as an absolute win!" Osiris said.
"This is unacceptable! The Kriegers have proven another time their unworthiness to wield the sacred bow, yet you just give them another chance?! Do any of you have the slightest of common sense?!" Seryth rioted with veins bulging across his forehead.
"Silvius… Do you have a problem with my judgment?" Osiris in an ominous voice.
Osiris's friendly smile shifted into a sinister expression as he glared, with the most malicious eyes, at Seryth. The latter was unable to retaliate as he saw himself backed into a corner, with a monster setting his eyes on him.
"Fine! So be it!" Seryth yelled as he turned around in anger and walked towards the double doors of the throne room, "Do whatever you want, I don't care anymore. Just know that from this very moment, the elves shall be part of Traumeiry, but will no longer be on good terms with any of the other kingdoms. Be careful of anything you say or do next, for this is a partial declaration of war!"
Seryth swung the doors open and made his way out of the chamber, rage boiling inside of him as he spat out his final words with malicious intent.
"Well, I presume that this does it for today's meeting. Also, Julius. The trial of Wilford will all be yours, and your kingdom's business. None of us really wish to waste our time with trivial matters. Just make sure to give a reasonable sentence."
Osiris said with a simple smile plastered on his face as he winked at Julius, to which the latter replied with a simple nod before all the leaders made their way out of the chamber.
The meeting between the leaders ended in discord. Their responsibilities as the leaders of their people placed them in difficult situations, which caused a severe disruption between their relations.
From now on, Traumiery was partially divided.
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