Miss Ireya’s words were well-reasoned and resonated with many, In fact, long before the Black Dragon had targeted important figures from various noble families, many had suspected there was a mastermind behind it.
That mastermind certainly wasn’t Gabriel, the Foreigner. Although Gabriel might have been able to control the Black Dragon, he was not familiar with the nobles of the western lands, especially given how adeptly the Black Dragon had chosen the timing of its attacks.
For instance, the ti it killed Stiles, the Family Head of the Lycet Family, was while Stiles was inspecting the defense works, accompanied only by a few guards—making him an easy target.
But acquiring such intelligence was not easy, and it made sense for the Lady to speculate that the person in question held a high and powerful position, because usually only those with wealth and power would spend ti and effort to establish such an intricate network of spies, specifically to gather information on other families.
And only they would have use for this information. Especially considering that many of the victims supported David, Hels was undoubtedly the pri suspect.
However, since this concern involved the Figrola family, most chose to keep their mouths shut and remain silent on this matter.
The girl continued, "Gabriel has already admitted his connection with Hels, Prophet rlin has recorded his voice, and I can play it for you now, or we could imdiately summon Gabriel for questioning..."
"What do you really want?" David’s frown deepened.
"Justice. I wish for all those involved in the murder of my father to receive the punishnt they deserve," Ireya replied without hesitation.
As her words fell, silence descended again in the banquet hall.
If what the girl said was true, it would undoubtedly be a severe blow to the reputation of the Figrola family—key mbers conspiring and colluding with outsiders, using the Black Dragon to wreak havoc and eliminate rivals, causing substantial losses to many nobles in the western lands.
This was perhaps the most severe scandal in the Empire in nearly a century.
Normally, such matters should not be discussed openly, let alone by the Family Head of the Arias family, known for their loyalty to the Figrola family, but most in the banquet hall could understand.
Because the scandal was so shocking, the Lady chose to reveal it publicly at this ti, making it difficult for the Figrola family to handle the matter discreetly, a very clever move.
Sure enough, David then said, "I will start investigating this matter imdiately... You have my assurance that if the truth is as you say, none of those who conspired in your father’s murder will escape."
After a pause, he added, "Including my brother, I swear on the honor of the Figrola family that blood will have blood. Are you satisfied now, Miss Ireya?"
The girl nodded.
"Then please take a seat. Everyone has been waiting for you to start the luncheon; I am quite hungry after waiting for so long."
Although he said this, once the banquet actually began, David barely ate a few bites before finding an excuse to leave the table.
No sooner had he left the banquet hall than Ireya followed him out.
Caught from behind by the Lady, David’s face clearly showed a touch of impatience, but he eventually stopped and turned to her.
"Miss Ireya, may I remind you that this banquet was specially organized to celebrate your successful slaying of the dragon and your becoming a hero of the western lands? As the guest of honor, I think you should stay in the room behind you, don’t you think?"
"And as the host here, Lord David, why have you hurriedly left the table?" the girl countered.
"Of course, to do what I promised," David replied, "I’m thinking of what excuse to use to summon Sir Caroman to Rock Snow City to investigate his relationship with my brother.
"As for why I’m in such a hurry, it’s because so people are unwilling to believe and have revealed everything publicly, but this has led to many prying eyes. If I don’t act quickly, once Caroman gets the news, catching him won’t be so easy."
"I’m sorry, Lord David." the Lady said, "I indeed was a bit eager for revenge."
"I understand, unless you have sothing else...."
"Actually, I do have sothing else. During the interrogation of Gabriel, he inadvertently let slip so information that I think you need to be aware of."
"What information?"
"Gabriel said his people are about to cross the ocean to invade the Bratis Continent, to enslave all the races on these great roads for their so-called mother goddess."
David raised his eyebrows, "Really, under what circumstances did he say this?"
"I know what you are thinking; he said it just to threaten , but that’s not the case; he used his own language when he spoke those words."
"How did you...."
"Not , Prophet rlin; he can understand all languages, whether they are from the Bratis Continent or from sowhere else."
"Prophet rlin," David pondered for a mont, "Speaking of Prophet rlin, the Silver Moon Church has asked to convey a ssage to you; they would like to have a serious talk with you."
"I don’t think there’s anything to talk about with them," the girl said.
"Don’t be so quick to refuse. You are still a believer of Pisya, and I’ve heard a bit about the terms Silver Moon Church is proposing. Honestly, even I am sowhat tempted. Even if you don’t plan to agree, there’s no harm in listening. Just nod, and I can arrange a eting for you imdiately."
"Uh, I...I’d better not et them; I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings with rlin."
"Loyalty, I understand, the thousand-year-old virtue of the Arias family, not just to their sovereign, but also to their allies," David said. "Admirable, but still, I want to remind you sothing, Miss Ireya, if your father were still alive, he would probably be the one to say this."
"What is it?"
"Always be vigilant of the power of the Church, it can help you consolidate power, but it could also beco your enemy."
"But the Silver Moon Church...."
"The Silver Moon Church is an old tiger without its claws, and it’s too old, no longer ambitious, just thinking about maintaining the peace of the old days. But rlin and his Double Rest Sect, I won’t deny their capabilities, but that is precisely what makes them so dangerous."
"rlin is not an enemy; he’s the reason I can still stand here."
"That’s true at this stage, but unfortunately, there are no relationships in this world that do not change. Enjoy your celebration, I’ll inform you if there’s any progress in the investigation."
"And the matter of the Winged People Army..." the girl reminded.
"I will also interrogate Gabriel, and once I have the results, I’ll advise His Majesty the Emperor, but whether he listens or not, I do not know," David sighed.
"His Majesty the Emperor... is there a problem on his side?" Ireya wondered.
"Just like I said about always being vigilant of the power of the Church, in recent years, His Majesty has beco fanatically devoted to who he calls the Life Goddess, hardly listening to anyone else... My father left the western territories because of this; still, as subjects, we shouldn’t be discussing this privately."
David seed quite wary of the Life Goddess as well, only speaking a few words before he didn’t want to continue and, nodding at the Lady, turned and left.
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