Chapter 246: Ultimatum

(Meanwhile, Imperial Academy Central Grounds)

The Imperial Academy guards were immediately intimidated by the Duke’s thunderous voice, as several of them subconsciously took a step backwards while struggling to maintain their composure before the imposing figure standing across from them.

After all, Duke Drew Dawnriver was one of the Four Great Dukes of the Valdrak Empire, and his reputation extended considerably beyond the political influence commanded by his household.

During his years at the Imperial Academy, Drew had been hailed as a once-in-a-generation genius whose accomplishments had remained unrivaled throughout his time as a student, while his subsequent military exploits had established him as a veteran of numerous wars.

There were even stories of how, during the Battle of Redwater Pass, he had personally led three thousand soldiers against an invading army of twenty thousand, successfully defending the eastern border for seven consecutive days until Imperial reinforcements arrived.

And although the younger generation primarily knew him as the ruler of the eastern territories, those old enough to remember his military career understood that the man standing before them had earned his reputation through decades of warfare.

Hence, faced with such an individual, whose strength as an Ascendant undoubtedly surpassed that of nearly everyone present, the ordinary guards could hardly be blamed for feeling intimidated.

Among the Academy authorities assembled within the courtyard, perhaps only Principal Boseman possessed the strength and standing necessary to confront the Great Duke without being overwhelmed by his presence.

And fortunately for the guards, Boseman appeared considerably more composed than the men standing behind him.

"Your Grace, I understand that you must be upset about your son’s arrest, and I assure you that the Academy has no intention of treating him unfairly.

However, I must remind you that this is the Imperial Academy, an institution situated within the Crown’s central territories, rather than the eastern lands governed by House Dawnriver.

Your decision to arrive here with an armed legion of this size could very easily be interpreted as a hostile act against the Imperial Crown, although I am certain that was never your intention.

Therefore, if you would kindly calm yourself..... I believe we can discuss this matter without allowing the situation to escalate any further."

Boseman suggested, as he stepped forward and raised both hands slightly, making it clear that he had no intention of provoking a confrontation with the Duke.

However, rather than appreciating the Principal’s attempt to resolve the situation peacefully, Drew merely scoffed at his words, his expression growing increasingly hostile as he regarded the elderly Ascendant standing before him.

"Talk calmly? You want me to TALK CALMLY?"

Drew repeated, as his voice rose once again, causing several nearby guards to stiffen instinctively.

"Tell me, Principal, did you think about having a calm discussion with me before ordering my son to be arrested?

Did you inform House Dawnriver that you intended to take one of its members into custody?

Was I sent even a single letter explaining the accusations against my son before your people decided to lay their hands upon him?

You expect me to show restraint when you have demonstrated such blatant disregard for the dignity of my household?

If you wish to speak to me calmly, then perhaps you should first learn what it means to respect the Dawnriver name!"

Drew demanded, as he took a step forward, his armored boots striking the stone courtyard while the Academy guards watched him with growing apprehension.

"And while we are discussing respect, allow me to remind you of something that the Imperial Crown seems to have conveniently forgotten over the years.

I am not a Great Duke because the Emperor graciously decided to bestow this title upon my family, nor do I govern the East because His Majesty permits me to do so out of generosity.

My ancestors ruled those lands long before the Valdrak Empire existed, and when the First Emperor sought to unite the continent beneath a single banner, it was he who approached my forefathers and pleaded with them to lay down their arms for the promise of a brighter and more prosperous future."

Drew continued, as his words echoed throughout the courtyard, drawing the attention of every professor and guard assembled before him.

"Never forget that the East was never conquered, Principal.

My ancestors willingly bent their knees because they believed that peace would serve their people better than another generation of warfare.

However, that decision should never be mistaken for weakness, nor should our loyalty to the Empire be interpreted as permission for the Crown to humiliate our descendants whenever it pleases!"

By this point, the atmosphere within the central grounds had grown considerably more oppressive, as even those who had initially regarded the Duke’s arrival as an excessive display of paternal concern began recognizing the political implications of his words.

For a Great Duke to openly remind Imperial officials that his ancestors had submitted voluntarily to the First Emperor was an extraordinary declaration, particularly when delivered before hundreds of armed soldiers standing upon Crown-controlled territory.

Yet Drew appeared entirely unconcerned by the dangerous nature of his remarks, as his piercing blue eyes remained fixed upon Boseman.

"You dare question whether I understand the consequences of marching my soldiers into central territory? Then tell me, Principal, do you understand the consequences of arresting my son on accusations that have yet to be proven?

Do you understand what it means to publicly disgrace the heir of House Dawnriver without first consulting his family?

More importantly, do you have even the slightest understanding of what you people have started here?"

Drew demanded, as his anger appeared to intensify with every passing word. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Although Boseman had maintained his composure throughout the exchange, a faint trace of perspiration had begun forming upon his forehead, as he understood that the Duke was deliberately framing Riven’s arrest as an insult against the entire Dawnriver bloodline.

And beside him, Vice Principal Chadwick had grown equally serious, although his concern stemmed from a somewhat different understanding of the situation.

Having received the Prime Minister’s warning only a short while earlier, Chadwick recognized that Drew’s declaration concerning the East’s voluntary submission was no ordinary expression of anger.

The Duke was deliberately reminding the Academy that House Dawnriver possessed a historical claim to its territories independent of the Imperial Crown, while the presence of his personal legion ensured that nobody could dismiss those words as an empty boast.

Nevertheless, Chadwick also understood that allowing Drew’s accusations to go unanswered would establish a dangerous precedent, particularly when the Academy had detained Riven under circumstances that could reasonably justify an investigation.

And although he was well aware of the risks involved in confronting a Great Duke, he had no intention of allowing the Imperial Academy to appear as though it had committed some unforgivable offense merely by investigating the deaths of its students.

"Your Grace, with all due respect, the Academy had every reason to detain your son, and I believe you should hear the circumstances before accusing us of deliberately insulting your household.

Twenty one students were murdered within Academy grounds, while another remains gravely injured, and the weapon belonging to your son has been positively identified as the one responsible for inflicting the fatal wounds.

Are we expected to disregard such evidence simply because the principal suspect belongs to a Great Ducal family?

What explanation are we supposed to offer the other noble households whose children have been murdered?

Surely you understand that the Academy bears a responsibility towards every student entrusted to its care, regardless of their family’s standing."

Chadwick replied, as he stepped forward beside Boseman, maintaining a measured tone despite the overwhelming hostility surrounding them.

His argument was deliberate, as he understood that the Duke could hardly dismiss the deaths of so many students without appearing indifferent to the suffering of the other noble households involved.

Furthermore, by emphasizing the Academy’s responsibility towards its students, Chadwick had placed the question of Riven’s detention within the bounds of institutional duty rather than allowing Drew to portray it solely as an act of political persecution.

For a brief moment, several of the professors standing behind Boseman appeared reassured by the Vice Principal’s response, as his reasoning offered a legitimate defense against the accusations being directed towards them.

However, Drew’s expression remained unchanged as he studied the Vice Principal with an almost contemptuous gaze before finally opening his mouth.

"I don’t give a damn how many students were murdered."

Drew muttered, without giving a solitary fuck about sounding politically correct.

"Listen carefully, Vice Principal, because I have no intention of repeating myself.

You have fifteen minutes to return my son to my custody, and I expect him to be brought before me without having suffered so much as a scratch.

If you fail to comply, then I promise you that every guard and professor standing beside you will pay the price for your arrogance.

AND THAT YOU, PERSONALLY, will be the individual responsible for their deaths."

Drew declared, as he stared directly into Chadwick’s eyes, making it abundantly clear that his threat was neither an exaggeration nor an attempt at humor.

For several seconds, nobody within the courtyard appeared capable of responding, as the sheer audacity of the Duke’s ultimatum left even the most experienced professors struggling to comprehend what they had just heard.

Then, almost instinctively, several Academy guards reached for their weapons, drawing their swords as they realized that the Great Duke had openly threatened to massacre the officials standing before him.

However, the Dawnriver Legion reacted almost immediately.

SHING!

The unmistakable sound of steel being drawn echoed throughout the central grounds, as hundreds of Dawnriver soldiers unsheathed their weapons in response to the Academy guards, their disciplined formation remaining intact despite the sudden escalation.

Within moments, the two armed forces were facing one another across the courtyard, while the War Pegasi behind the Dawnriver soldiers began stirring restlessly beneath the growing tension.

Several Academy professors instinctively began circulating Aether through their Soul Vessels, preparing themselves for the possibility of an imminent confrontation, while the Dawnriver officers watched their movements with unwavering attention.

And although Principal Boseman remained standing between the opposing forces, even he understood that the situation had now reached a point where a single reckless movement could trigger an armed conflict.

’Drew Dawnriver has lost his mind..... he doesn’t care about the consequences his actions might bring on his house.

This is a madman I’m talking to.’

He concluded, as he realized that he needed to change his entire approach.