Chapter 1486: Aleister

Chapter 1486: Chapter 1486: Aleister

Their quick admission spared Pei Yan a lot of trouble, allowing him to avoid calling the Shadow Race out of the Investigation Hall’s prison to directly confront the three councils. Pei Yan had taken the time to meet that Shadow Race member, who had come to terms with his fate. He agreed to do the job because Bloodshed had captured his family during the war years ago and used them as leverage to force him to join Bloodshed. Bloodshed promised to release his family and grant him freedom after this mission, leading him to accept a suicide mission.

"It’s good that you recognize this. So, are you willing to accept my proposal?" Although Pei Yan knew the other party would refuse, he still attempted to ask.

Aleister’s follower, Hecate, timely chimed in, "Mr. Pei Yan, even if we are wrong in this matter and even if you have the right to pursue justice, Flamel is a Mage of the Mage Tower and the Child of Origin in our realm. Don’t you think it’s excessive for you to want to impose the death penalty without our consent? Even if punishment is necessary, it should be administered by our Council City."

"Oh, heavens! Respectable Hecate Witch, are we really going to discuss the jurisdiction of criminals here?" Pei Yan lifted his head, trying not to roll his eyes too obviously, taking a deep breath and forcing a smile, helplessly said, "Well, fine! Let me first hear how the Council City plans to deal with these people, and then I’ll give my opinion."

"Mr. Pei Yan, we are willing to admit that Flamel should bear the responsibility for this incident, but at the same time, we feel that the conditions you set fifteen days ago were too harsh and cruel," Aleister carefully considered his words before stating his view.

"Mr. Aleister!"

"Mr. Pei Yan, please let me finish!" Hearing Pei Yan’s tone rise sharply in response to his criticism, Aleister hurriedly raised a hand to calm his emotions.

"Fine! I’ll listen to you finish."

"Mr. Pei Yan, I fully understand your anger. For now, let’s set aside how to deal with Flamel. You demanded that all personnel involved in this action be brought here for execution, which I think is both unreasonable and excessively cruel," Aleister stated firmly and confidently.

Pei Yan fixated on the old man’s peaceful, tranquil eyes in front of him. After a long pause, he coldly laughed and mocked, "Mr. Aleister, do you think I’m cruel? Do you really believe those people are innocent? If they are innocent, then what about Miss Sifuer and her attendants? When they ruthlessly pursued and attacked them, did they even consider how cruel it was to them?"

Aslait shook his head and sighed, "I understand! But they were simply following orders, Mr. Pei Yan. I hope you can put yourself in our position. These Mages responsible for chasing Miss Sifuer and the Temple Knights of the Bright Church were only executing orders from their superiors. I can’t justify sentencing them to death simply for being dutiful. It’s unfair."

"I, do, not, need, to, consider, how, the, murderers, feel!" Pei Yan retorted to Aslait, emphasizing each word, "So my friends died in vain because they were performing their duties?"

"We can impose a very severe punishment on them, such as stripping them of their abilities and exiling them from Council City, never to return. If Mr. Pei Yan is still dissatisfied, we are willing to offer compensation to the Bailang Clan and even the Holy City," Aslait continued, taking off his wizard hat and holding its brim with both hands, looking at Pei Yan with sincere attitude and with gentle persuasion, "Mr. Pei Yan, what’s done is done. Anger won’t resolve anything. Of course, you can wage war here to avenge Miss Sifuer. I believe you have the strength! But avenging the dead doesn’t bring them back. Instead, we should think about the living—about Miss Sifuer’s family, about the Holy City still in crisis, about the families of those fallen followers. Reasonable compensation would heal their wounded hearts more than a few heads of enemies."

Undeniably, compared to the Bright Church’s confrontational attitude, Aleister’s persuasive elder-like demeanor made it harder for Pei Yan to resist. After listening to this speech, Pei Yan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before responding, "Mr. Aleister, do you know the slogan being chanted in the Holy City after learning of this? Vengeance, not compensation! Of course, this result comes from the public’s inflamed emotions upon discovering what happened, not the most rational method. But this phenomenon wasn’t caused solely by Flamel’s actions, but rather the overall attitude of the three councils toward handling this matter. Now you’re discussing innocence and rationale with me."

With that, Pei Yan turned around, looked at the envoys emerging from the dimensional tent behind him, and declared loudly, "Talking to me about how innocent those executing the orders are!"

Having completed this circle, Pei Yan stood firmly in front of Aleister and asked, "Fine! Let’s presume they are innocent, but someone must be held accountable, right? Who? Who issued those orders? Coordinating over a hundred Mages, equivalent to seven-level abilities, to surround and chase Miss Sifuer’s fleeing team—Flamel couldn’t have done this alone. Doesn’t the Mage Tower bear any responsibility? Who ordered the surrounding of Miss Sifuer’s hotel afterward, aiming to further massacre the remaining members? Was this Flamel alone? The Bright Church’s Temple Knights and Mage Tower joined forces to betray an ally that’s been in alliance for nearly ten thousand years, pursuing the betrothal envoy in Council City—it’s downright insane! Unbelievable! Does Flamel alone bear the blame for such heinous acts? Has he truly overshadowed everything in Council City?"

Pei Yan’s series of vehement questions left Aleister temporarily speechless as he observed the silent older Mage. Pei Yan sneered, "Wasn’t this matter tacitly approved by the upper echelons of the three councils? Yes! Perhaps you didn’t want to see such developments occur, but rather than immediately stopping Flamel’s atrocities when they did, you covered up with even greater wrongs! At this point, as the Mage Tower’s Chief Holy Mage, you can’t absolve yourself of blame, can you, Mr. Aleister? Don’t talk vaguely to me about what’s reasonable and what’s innocent! Compensation is due as murderers’ payment, and punishment equally so!"

"Yes, Mr. Pei Yan, you’re right! I do indeed bear significant responsibility for this matter and can’t escape it," Aleister said, slowly raising his head to meet Pei Yan’s eyes, speaking in a deep voice, "Therefore, after this, I will resign from my position as the Mage Tower Chief Holy Mage."