Chapter 285: Civil War

(The Imperial Court)

Drew could not help but chuckle at the Emperor’s words, shaking his head slowly before turning towards Archimedes, who was also laughing quietly while scratching beneath his chin.

Although the two men exchanged no words, the understanding that passed between them was unmistakable, as both recognized that their relationship with the Imperial throne had finally reached its breaking point.

If they ever returned to the Imperial Capital after today, it would not be to attend another hearing or submit themselves to the Emperor’s authority.

It would be at the head of an army, marching through the Imperial gates with the intention of conquering the very throne that had just mocked them.

"Your Majesty, you are making a terrible mistake!"

Duke John Winterfang suddenly warned, rising from his seat as he looked towards Emperor Diomande with an expression of genuine alarm.

"If you allow Drew Dawnriver to walk out of this courtroom after issuing such an ultimatum, you must understand that he will never willingly return tomorrow."

The Northern Duke declared, gesturing towards Drew as several nobles turned their attention towards him with growing apprehension.

"The Eastern territories will rise in rebellion, and what began as an investigation into twenty-one murders could become a civil war that consumes the entire Empire!"

His warning carried considerable weight, particularly because everyone present understood the headstrong nature Drew Dawnriver possessed.

However, before Emperor Diomande could respond, Prime Minister Vinicius stepped forward with an expression of righteous indignation, appearing almost offended by the Northern Duke’s suggestion.

"Then let the people of the East understand precisely what kind of sovereign they have chosen to follow, Duke Winterfang!"

Vinicius declared, his voice carrying throughout the enormous chamber as he gestured towards the Eastern Duke.

"Let them understand that their lord would rather demand the blood of thousands of his own subjects than place his hand upon a Truth Orb for a few moments!"

He paused briefly, allowing the accusation to settle before continuing with an expression of calculated disbelief.

"Imagine the absurdity of it all! The Emperor has asked for nothing more than a simple confirmation concerning the origins of his son’s birth, yet Duke Drew would apparently prefer to plunge the Empire into war!"

Vinicius exclaimed, shaking his head as though the very possibility of such a decision offended his sense of reason.

"If the Eastern territories choose rebellion, then their people deserve to know that they are being asked to sacrifice their lives over a matter that could have been resolved with a single truthful answer."

The Prime Minister’s words immediately revealed how the events of the hearing would be presented throughout the Empire should Drew refuse to return the following day.

Yet, Drew himself seemed completely unbothered by it all, as he continued to chuckle like a madman.

Meanwhile, the grieving families whose children had been murdered could only watch as the proceedings descended into an increasingly bitter confrontation between the Empire’s most powerful figures.

They had arrived at the Imperial Court hoping to learn who had slaughtered their children, yet after an hour of court proceedings, they remained no closer to receiving a satisfactory answer.

Instead, the investigation had become a political spectacle, leaving the bereaved parents with nothing but unanswered questions and the growing possibility of an approaching civil war.

"Riven, come, boy. We are leaving."

Drew finally declared, gesturing towards his youngest son as he turned away from the Imperial throne without bothering to offer another bow.

Riven immediately rose from his designated seat and began walking towards his father, although his emerald-green eyes remained fixed upon the halberd held by Investigator Robin Crusoe.

Throughout the hearing, he had remained outwardly indifferent to the weapon’s presence, carefully concealing his interest while waiting for an opportunity to reclaim what rightfully belonged to him.

And now, with the courtroom’s attention focused upon Drew and the political consequences of his departure, that opportunity had finally presented itself.

Robin Crusoe was still watching the Eastern Duke when Riven suddenly circulated Storm Aether through his body, and used [Lightning Step].

CRACKLE!

A sharp crackle of electricity accompanied Riven’s sudden acceleration, as his figure blurred across the courtroom with a speed that caught the investigator completely unprepared.

As before Robin could react, Riven seized Sky-Cleaver from his grasp, wrenching the halberd free before continuing his movement towards the Eastern Duke.

SWOOSH!

By the time the investigator realized what had happened, Riven had already reappeared beside his father, holding the familiar weapon comfortably within his grasp.

The unexpected movement sent a wave of alarm through the courtroom, as several Imperial guards instinctively drew their weapons while nearby nobles recoiled in surprise.

Even some of the more experienced Ascendants appeared startled by the sudden display of speed, particularly because the act itself was in brazen defiance of Imperial Authority.

However, before the guards could advance, Emperor Diomande raised one hand, signaling that no aggressive action was to be taken against the Eastern Duke’s son.

The Imperial soldiers immediately halted, although their expressions remained tense as they watched Riven standing beside his father with Sky-Cleaver resting securely in his hands.

"Give that back, boy! That weapon is part of an ongoing Imperial investigation, and you have absolutely no authority to remove it from our custody!"

Robin Crusoe demanded, pointing an accusing finger towards Riven as his expression twisted with anger at having been so thoroughly embarrassed before the assembled court.

Riven turned towards the investigator, meeting his furious gaze with an expression of absolute indifference as he tightened his grip around the halberd’s shaft.

"Come take it, if you dare."

The young lord replied, his voice carrying the same chilling arrogance that had made his father such a notoriously difficult man to confront.

For several moments, Robin remained motionless, his mouth opening slightly as though he intended to respond before he reconsidered the wisdom of provoking the Eastern Duke’s son.

After all, Drew stood barely a few steps away, and the investigator had already witnessed how violently the man reacted whenever he believed his family was being threatened.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Drew burst into laughter once again, appearing genuinely delighted by his son’s behavior as he reached over and gave Riven an approving pat upon the shoulder.

"Well done, boy! At least someone in this miserable courtroom understands that a Dawnriver does not need permission to reclaim what already belongs to him!"

The Eastern Duke declared, his expression filled with amusement as he glanced towards Robin Crusoe, who could do little more than glare at the young lord.

Archimedes chuckled beside them, seemingly entertained by the entire exchange as the surrounding nobles watched the three men with expressions ranging from disbelief to apprehension.

However, just as Drew prepared to leave the courtroom, another familiar voice called out from behind him, causing the Eastern Duke to pause.

"Duke Drew!"

The voice belonged to Duke Alaric Ironveil, the Western Duke, who had risen from his seat and was now approaching his old friend with an expression of unmistakable concern.

Drew turned slowly, his earlier amusement fading as he recognized the seriousness reflected in the Western Duke’s eyes.

"Alaric."

Drew acknowledged, waiting patiently as the other man stopped a short distance away from him.

"Is it really worth it, old friend? Are you truly willing to bring such terrible unrest upon the Empire over something that could have been resolved so easily?"

Alaric asked, his voice carrying genuine concern rather than accusation as he searched Drew’s expression for some indication that the situation could still be salvaged.

"You know what will happen if you refuse to return tomorrow. Thousands could die, perhaps even tens of thousands, and the peace we have maintained for so many years could disappear overnight."

The Western Duke continued, lowering his voice slightly as he appealed to the man he had known for decades.

"Surely there must be another way to settle this disagreement without forcing our people to suffer the consequences of a war between the East and the Imperial throne."

Drew regarded his old friend in silence for several moments, his expression gradually settling into something far more serious than the arrogance he had displayed throughout the hearing.

"Old friend, if you truly believe that everything happening here is about something so petty or insignificant, then there is no greater fool in this courtroom than you."

Drew replied, his voice remaining calm despite the unmistakable disappointment carried within his words.

"You are looking at the Emperor’s request and seeing nothing more than a disagreement over a Truth Orb, because that is precisely what he wants you to see."

He paused briefly, glancing towards the Imperial throne before returning his attention to the Western Duke.

"But I know that man better than you do, Alaric, and I understand exactly what he is trying to accomplish beneath all these carefully chosen words."

Drew continued, his expression growing increasingly cold as he spoke of the ruler seated at the far end of the courtroom.

"You people do not understand the Emperor the way I do, and perhaps that is why you still believe this entire matter can be resolved through a simple compromise."

He shook his head slowly, his disappointment giving way to the unwavering determination that had made him one of the Empire’s most formidable nobles.

"But it does not matter anymore. I have seen him for what he truly is, and I will not allow the East to suffer because the rest of you refuse to recognize the danger standing before you."

Drew declared, meeting Alaric’s eyes as he delivered his final words with absolute conviction.

"I will protect my people and my territories in whatever manner I believe necessary, even if that means standing against the very throne I once swore to defend."

For several moments, Alaric remained silent, his expression betraying the terrible realization that his old friend had already made a decision from which he had no intention of retreating.

Drew offered him one final look before turning away, his long robes sweeping behind him as he began walking towards the enormous doors of the Imperial Court.

Riven followed immediately beside his father, carrying Sky-Cleaver with an expression of cold indifference, while Archimedes walked a few steps behind them with his hands clasped comfortably behind his back.

No Imperial guard attempted to stop their departure, as the Emperor’s earlier gesture remained sufficient warning that the three men were to be allowed to leave without interference.

And as the enormous doors opened before the Eastern Duke, the assembled nobles watched in complete silence, each understanding that they were witnessing something far more significant than the conclusion of an Imperial hearing.

Civil war was now looming over the Valdrak Empire.