Eunid felt a chill as his uncle’s face twisted with fury, a flush rising from his neck to his stiff mustache, which trembled as he spoke.
"YOUNG nephew, are you saying that I, your uncle and commander of the Forces of the Diligent family, is lying?"
Alfred’s voice bood through the chamber, the echoes bouncing off the walls. E
Eunid felt the weight of the words, but his own face remained impassive, his eyes steady and clear. Instead of directly responding to Alfred, Eunid turned to his father.
Mulligan’s expression was a curious blend of amusent and contemplation, as if he were both smiling and frowning at the sa ti.
Eunid bowed his head slightly in respect before speaking. "I am not saying you are lying, Uncle. I am rely questioning the simplicity of the scenario." His voice was calm, asured, in stark contrast to his uncle’s anger. "Even if the Demons had found a way to create more of their kind, why would they allow us to discover it so easily? It would be more prudent for them to use less conspicuous thods, such as manipulating the people of the lower world."
Alfred’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. His fists clenched at his sides, the knuckles turning white. "You dare question the evidence presented, evidence that I risked my life to obtain?"
Eunid t his uncle’s glare with unwavering eyes. "Yes, Uncle. Because the very ease of it suggests deception. The Demons are cunning. If they were breaking the Accords, would they not take greater pains to hide it?"
Mulligan, still seated and coughing occasionally into a handkerchief stained with blood, leaned forward slightly. "You make a good point, Eunid. It is indeed suspicious."
Alfred’s face flushed an even deeper red, his nostrils flaring. "So you believe this is a ruse? To what end? To make fools of us?"
Eunid shook his head slowly, his mind racing. "Perhaps not to make fools of us, but to distract us. To lead us away from their true intentions. The Demons are always many steps ahead. We must consider that this evidence might be a diversion."
Mulligan nodded thoughtfully. "It would not be the first ti they used such tactics."
Alfred’s anger did not subside, but a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. "And what do you propose we do, Nephew? Ignore this evidence?"
Eunid turned to face his uncle directly, his expression firm. "No, Uncle. We should investigate it thoroughly, but with caution. We should not react rashly and risk falling into a trap. We need to gather more intelligence, and perhaps even consult the Seer."
Mulligan, despite his frailty, spoke with authority. "Eunid’s right. We cannot afford to act on impulse. Alfred, continue to gather information but ensure our forces are prepared for any eventuality. And Eunid, assist in this endeavor. Your insight may prove invaluable."
Alfred’s jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "As you wish, Brother."
Eunid felt the tension in the room ease slightly, though his uncle’s glare remained sharp. He handed the orb back to his father. "We must tread carefully, Father. The stakes are too high."
Mulligan coughed again, dabbing at his mouth with the bloodstained handkerchief. "Indeed, my son. We must be vigilant. This family’s future depends on it."
Eunid bowed deeply, a respectful gesture that masked his inner resolve. He knew his uncle would not easily forgive this challenge to his authority, but Eunid was determined not to back down.
At such a ti, Alfred was on the verge of leaving but then he rembered sothing of importance, and a shallow smile stained the edge of lips.
"Even though I have been in the war front, I have not swayed from the Path of the goddess Diligent unlike a certain fellow, using the family funds to purchase slave girls..." he took a sharp look at Eunid. not caring that he was being quite petty at the mont. "...I have heard from my sources that the Magicians had a little problem where one of their students was sentenced to that ’Tower’ to suffer. It was a case of an evil child.
I heard he was capable of summoning a gate to the nether that destroyed a poor village in the lower world. It is possible that just like the that one, this is also another plan of there’s. My nephew stated that they might do this in the lower world. I think he is right an dthis is another one. BUT we got here earlier."
On hearing this Eunid frowned. he too had heard of this case. After all, the Magicians were the most trusted allies of the Diligent family. he was even aware that the magician at fault had taken one of the strays of the event. The only survivor of the said brutal event.
Of course, since it was on Zodiac claid territory, it was of no consequence, but it was still a fore warning sign.
Eunid frowned tighter, "But that event is..."
"Enough Eunid!" Mulligan spoke up in an authoritative tone, and Eunid kept quiet. "I am glad that you have incredible instincts when it cos to forward matters, but your uncle has brought undeniable evidence. Lets assu that this is a lie. But what if it is true, then we would have dismissed a pressing matter that could an the end of our people and way of life. That is a chance I am not taking. And that Is FINAL!"
Eunid still had more to say but he would sooner die than dear open to refute his father’s words.
This made Alfred smile a bit. This was a win for him.
just then, a loud Ring of a bell was heard.
*RING!*
"It is ti for the daily prayer to the goddess. We will continue another ti." Mulligan concluded as he stood to his feet, walking towards the door.
His body was weak, but his n had just co back from the war front, as Patriarch, he had a duty to play.
As he left the room, Eunid was tempted to run up to him and tell him about the miracle of Nora. Surely, he would be praised for such an incredible contribution to the Family.
But he rembered old fang’s words. No one was supposed to know of her existence. At least not yet anyway.
Besides, his uncle was here. This was not the best ti to tell such a secret...
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