With lingering questions unresolved, Seiyad stepped into the Grand Hall. In all the years he had governed his territory, not even in a span of a year—let alone a week—had so many meetings been held in such quick succession.
For ages, the Grand Hall of Axid Castle had seen countless visitors, but in recent years, it had fallen into near disuse. In the past, when real subjugation campaigns were concentrated in the northern winters, other Tithers would regularly gather here. However, ever since all official functions had been moved to Shildras several years ago, this place had grown quiet.
This time, there were even more attendees than a few days prior. Even with Vetria absent, her guide who had just arrived from the capital, Lady Parma, was present. Naturally, Zion Shildras was in attendance as well.
The atmosphere in the hall was odd. Although Vetria’s Rampage had left people unsettled, the fact that there had been no casualties and that Ressas’s Awakening had become the talk of the kingdom kept the mood animated. Noise buzzed from all sides.
The door closed behind Seiyad, who entered with Aster. As quiet gazes turned toward them, Seiyad swept his eyes over the room dispassionately—until he met a pair of violet eyes. That still, unwavering gaze that had been fixed on him from the moment he stepped inside made last night’s events resurface in his mind.
His captured hand suddenly felt uncomfortable. He deliberately hid his scarred left hand inside his cloak and followed behind Aster. Though he pretended not to notice Ressas’s persistent gaze trailing him, he ultimately had no choice but to sit across from him, just like last time—because Ressas had to sit beside Aster.
“Let’s skip unnecessary greetings. This meeting is to discuss the fate of Duke Vetria. With all other Dukes present, the decision should be straightforward. Count Landry, begin.”
It was obvious that everyone in the hall was gauging Aster’s mood, but surprisingly, he remained utterly composed. Wasn’t this the same Aster who had looked down on Ressas even back when he had no power? Seiyad clearly remembered how furious Aster had been in the capital.
“Yes, understood.”
When Count Landry placed his hand on the prepared mirror, the king’s face shimmered into view. As expected, the king couldn’t hide his delight.
“We behold the Sun of the Kingdom.”
As everyone bowed in unison, the king let out a hearty laugh. His golden-brown eyebrows arched pleasantly before turning toward Ressas.
— I’ve heard the blessed news from two days ago. Everyone in the royal palace, including myself—and indeed all the people of Solias—are rejoicing. Well done, Ressas.
As the king sincerely rejoiced, the others followed suit, offering congratulations with smiles. Zion, especially, spoke up with great joy.
“It must have been a destiny arranged by the divine. Perhaps the delayed timing was simply due to Your Highness’s exceptional power.”
— I’ve also heard that Ressas’s compatibility with the three Dukes present here is excellent. A truly remarkable blessing.
Apparently, following Zion, Bridehit had also tested Purification with Ressas. It was easy to imagine how thrilled the king would be if it turned out he was also compatible with Stella Vetria.
Ressas listened to the king with a neutral expression. Seiyad purposely kept his gaze fixed on the king, avoiding Ressas’s face. But when he did, the memory of the king scolding him a few days prior overlapped with the smiling face before him. A bitter feeling rose in his chest, and he decided it would be better to change the subject.
“Your Majesty, regarding Duke Vetria…”
But just as Seiyad opened his mouth, Ressas also spoke.
“Rather than continue the congratulations, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to discuss Duke Vetria’s treatment?”
The king, who had been laughing heartily, began to furrow his brow slightly—only for Ressas to erase his blank expression and smile faintly. His beautiful, pale face lit up as if he were truly delighted.
“Your simple words of ‘well done’ are more than enough for me, Your Majesty. After all, I’ve finally relieved you of your burdens.”
— Indeed, you are thoughtful. There’s no harm in saving the celebration for later.
The king’s irritation faded under Ressas’s soft tone. Stroking his chin, he nodded slowly.
— I’ve been informed of the situation. That Duke Vetria went on a Rampage while investigating the forest. Parma, do you have anything to add?
Parma, the king’s youngest sister and Vetria’s guide, shook her head. Although she was a bit younger than Vetria, it was well known among all Tithers that the two shared a particularly close bond.
“I checked on her even before the Ritual of Invocation. Selfini wasn’t suffering any side effects from the burden of her power.”
— And she wasn’t neglecting Purification?
“She never missed a session. We met at every scheduled interval. Your Majesty knows well how much I care for Selfini.”
— Everyone in the royal family knows that. Indeed. It’s a rare occurrence. The previous Grand Duke’s Rampage was only a few years ago, and now another Tither has lost control… It’s still an unstable power.
Zion’s expression hardened. Though Bridehit laughed awkwardly, such a statement was bound to displease any Tither who heard it.
“If not for that unstable power, the kingdom couldn’t be protected. I can’t even begin to imagine the weight of Your Majesty’s burdens.”
Zion countered sharply, and the atmosphere in the hall froze in an instant. The king’s blue eyes flared with anger. He fell silent for a moment, then, as if he had made up his mind, spoke with a face that had regained composure.
— Since you understand my burden so well, the decision should be easy. A Tither who can go on another Rampage at any time is a ticking time bomb. Merely keeping such a person close is dangerous. Consider this: if Duke Vetria were to lose control again after returning to her territory, the entire eastern region—her daughter included—could be put at risk. She had a compatible guide and received proper Purification, yet still lost control. Isn’t that a problem with the Duke herself?
“But Duke Vetria didn’t harm anyone, Your Majesty…!”
Bridehit interjected, visibly flustered. Zion, on the other hand, remained silent—perhaps because the evidence staring him in the face made it difficult to openly oppose the king. Given that Shildras had led the execution of the previous Grand Duke after his Rampage, it would be hard to take a different stance now.
“Brother, Duke Bridehit is right. Vetria didn’t do anything wrong.”
Parma also appealed to the king personally. The fine lines between her brows were frozen in dismay.
— Then do you have a viable solution? A Tither who has gone on a Rampage once is highly likely to do so again. And who’s to say there will be another Tither close by to stop it next time, like we had now? Yet we can’t afford to keep another Tither stationed beside Vetria at all times, not with how few we already have!
Seiyad sneered. Not a single person here had ever witnessed a Tither going on a second Rampage—because the moment they reached their limit, they were killed. How would anyone know what came after that?
“Then let’s put it to a vote,”
Aster, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, spoke softly.
“Everyone here is entrusted with the safety of Solias. Wouldn’t it be most rational to follow the will of the majority, Father?”
It was unexpected. Everyone had assumed Aster would naturally side with the king, but instead, he offered an alternative. The king swept his icy blue gaze across the hall. After a tense silence that suffocated the room, he finally nodded in agreement.
— Very well. We shall decide by majority vote whether to grant Duke Vetria rest. However, with each vote, a concrete solution must be proposed. Simply pleading to spare her life without offering a single measure is both incompetent and shameless.
The king pressed the issue, emphasizing that they could not simply let Vetria be.
— I wish to grant the Duke her rest. Her eldest daughter, Stella Vetria, is well and capable of succeeding her. As for the tragic nature of this incident, appropriate compensation will be offered to make amends.
It was far too soon for Selfini Vetria to be given rest. She was only forty-six this year. But Seiyad’s own mother had been granted rest even younger than that.
— Those who oppose my decision, raise your hands and present both your reasoning and your alternative.
Without a change in expression, Seiyad surveyed the room. Duke Bridehit kept his mouth shut, clearly troubled. His lips parted as though to say something, but no countermeasure seemed to come to mind. Zion remained silent, visibly uncomfortable. Aster only watched with a neutral face, but it was also clear he had no intention of opposing the king.
The king’s words were not exactly wrong. For the Tithers, it was unfair and unreasonable—but at the same time, impossible to refute. A Tither who had gone on a Rampage was a walking threat, cursed by the very nature of their power, unable to stop themselves.
There were no certainties. Whether it had been caused by Aster, by Parma, or by some inevitable fate—no one knew for sure, nor did anyone know how to prevent it from happening again.
And yet, Seiyad realized he had already come to a decision.
“Then punish me instead, Brother.”
Parma stepped forward. Her unexpected declaration turned all eyes on her.
— What did you just say?
“It’s a guide’s duty to ease a Tither’s burden and ensure they never lose control. If Selfini went on a Rampage, doesn’t that mean my Purification was flawed? I should take responsibility.”
— Insolence!
The king roared in outrage. His voice, seething with fury, cut through the chamber like a blade, silencing any challenge to their authority.
— For over twenty years, you’ve faithfully fulfilled your role as a guide. A guide’s power is purely benevolent—it can never be something corrupt or dangerous!
It was a delicate issue that had never before been openly discussed. The others were visibly shaken. Only Seiyad looked at Parma with curious eyes—astonished that a guide could think that way of herself.
“If that’s what you believe, Aunt, then you’re insulting every Tither who’s endured without a compatible guide. Aren’t there plenty who’ve fulfilled their duties without ever Rampaging, even without perfect Purification? It’s been centuries since the last incident like this.”
Aster cut in. His rebuttal, delivered with clear examples, left Parma at a loss for words. The king, sensing his opportunity, seized the moment to rally support.
— Aster is right. If Purification itself were the issue, then history would be full of Rampaging Tithers! Even the previous Duke of Shildras never once lost control, despite never finding a compatible guide. He was granted rest without ever Rampaging. Parma, do you understand what your words imply?
“I cannot agree with this, either, Marchioness.”
Bridehit spoke carefully to Parma. The assumption that Purification could be harmful would only instill fear and anxiety in the Tithers. Parma choked back a sob, covering her face with her hands. Her soft, curly golden-brown hair trembled desolately. Even the king fell silent, clearly unsettled.
Seiyad knew this was the time to act. He had remained an observer, surprised by Parma bringing up Purification, but now there was no need to delay further.
“Then I’ll continue to monitor the Duke myself.”
His calm voice rang quietly through the hall.
