The representative of Blackmoon had left. Exar knew that they would be guided to leave Edenia as soon as possible. He was glad. Those humans were not worthy to bask in the radiance of Edenia.  

However, there was a situation which required Exar’s immediate attention. He had no time for those humans.

The Audience Chamber of Seraphion was quiet.

He knew the reason.

The High Advisor and the Queen of Irvana had a disagreement.

Exar did not understand why the queen and him had disagreement. Both hold similar facts about Kingdom of Blackmoon and they used these facts to make conclusion. Yet, they came to different conclusion about what the necessary action was.

He believed that it was necessary to punish Blackmoon and make it a prime example for humans. Everything had been planned properly. The summon was intended to show all humans that they are just puppets in the eye of Edenion, even their kings were just loyal dogs. However, Exar did not plan to use execution as example. He planned to show pity for letting the representatives live, yet he believed that it was necessary for Blackmoon to be under Edenion’s direct control. Human nations were growing, and they need to be cut and skimmed. Blackmoon was a good start.

However, the Queen of Irvana believed otherwise.

The final judgement came from Queen Seraph, but it was obvious that this judgement was greatly influenced by Queen Kirra’s opinion.

“If I may have a question, Your Grace?”

Exar broke the silence. Frameless did not like hidden words and round-talk, especially for important matters. Questions and issues need to be settled immediately.

“Please continue, High Advisor.”

“I do not understand why you let Blackmoon go easily like that. They deserved proper punishment.”

‘Why do you say I let them go? I simply stated the facts found by the Irvana, as ordered by Her Majesty.”

“Your Grace, you implied that those humans and Blackmoon should be forgiven because their mistake come from human’s nature. I assumed that you propose to let them go.”

The queen gave him a gaze which was colder than her usual.

“Your assumption is incorrect. The judgement of letting them go did not rest in my hand. It was Queen Seraph’s.”

“And, she is right, Exar.”

Another female voice cut the conversation.

Exar looked to his back. The valance had disappeared. A female frameless rised from the throne and step down the podium. She wore a long blue gown which reach her ankle. Her long silver hair reached her knee and gave her a majestic appearance. She wore a knife sheath which was strapped in her sleeveless left arm.

The Queen of Edenion did not wish to have a personal knight anymore. However, custom and tradition dictated that the existence of a knight was necessary. Thus, she was always armed to remind her people that she could protect herself and did not wish to be bothered by mere tradition.

Exar felt unsatisfied everytime he remembered that.

“Your Majesty.” He bowed to Queen Seraph who stop in front of him.

“Exar, your attitude to Queen Kirra is inappropriate. Apologise immediately!”

Exar was surprised. “Your Majesty, I don’t mean to be disrespectful. However, I just wish to know the reason behind Her Grace Kira’s words.”

“She gave you a proper explanation.” The queen’s usual impassive face showed a bit of impatience. “Queen Kirra simply stating facts obtained from investigation. She gave us her opinion because I asked her to. I am sure you know this already. You are not supposed to antogonise her simply because you have different opinion with her.”

 “I understand why you did not like her words. You had plans for those humans and Blackmoon. However, her words made you lost your chance to enact you plan.”

A slight smile appeared in the queen’s lips. “What if I tell you that this result is exactly what I want, Exar?”

Exar was speechless.

“Lately, we faced growing number of human rebellions. We had tried our best to suppres them, yet their number keep growing. I found that these rebellions are a great waste of Edenion’s resources. I wish to find the best method to reduce it.”

“Humans grow crazier and dare to take higher risk when they are threatened beyond a certain limit. We had tried to suppress them, so I thought let’s try to show them pity. Let’s show them the benevolence of Edenion. Blackmoon was a good start.”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Queen Seraph threw a look to him. “If you disagree, why don’t you let your opinion known in the audience?”

“I couldn’t let those humans think that we have disagreement, Your Majesty.”

“I see.” The queen muttered. “My apologise, Exar. I think I am supposed to consult you before deciding this.”

Exar bowed. “I will be glad if Your Majesty is willing to consult me in the future to avoid similar situation.”

“However, it is my responsibility to remind you of possible problems. I still think that we should not let those humans free and let them grow stronger. We should have learned our lesson with that Arkhan.”

“You. Will. Not. Talk. About. That. Again!”

For the first time, Queen Seraph showed an obvious anger. The aura she emitted enough to choke everyone around her.

“My apologise, Your Majesty.” Exar apologised immediately.

Your Majesty, you had grown more distant for the last century.

This problem, it is caused by him!

 “I believed that your decision was the correct one, Your Majesty.” Queen Kirra’s voice joined the conversation, tried to diminish the growing tension.

“Why do you think like that, Queen Kirra?” Queen Seraph returned to her usual calm.

Queen Kirra stopped a moment before answering. “I thought High Advisor’s method of handling these rebellions takes too much effort without touching the main problem. I don’t know if the Council realised or not, but the Irvana need to warn you that human rebellions grow stronger. We even got impressions that most of these powerful rebellions were orchestrated by a certain power.”

“If we keep supressing them without understanding the main problem, they will keep appearing. Showing leniency might demotivate some hostile humans to rebel against us. This act will buy enough times to find the main reason behind their growth in power.”

“I really hate to say this.” The queen stopped. Her impassive face showed a bit of hesitation for the first time. “However, we believed that it is possible that there are frameless who support these rebellions.”

Surprised shouts can be heard across the audience room. However, all frameless’ gaze fell to Queen Seraph immediately, as if they expect something.

The queen disregard their gaze. “Please continue.”

“Most powerful rebellions were backed by several frameless. The Irvana had noticed this pattern for several decades. We managed to capture those culprits, but we failed to understand their motivation.”

“We can’t neglect this situation any longer. This internal problem of frameless need to be understood and settled immediaty. Otherwise, we might face another Union of Destiny soon.”

Exar faced turned grim. He did not like to be reminded with the Union of Destiny.

The Union of Destiny was the most powerful rebellion Edenion ever face in its three thousand years of supremacy. The movement appeared around eighty years ago. It was started by an influential human merchant who wrote a blasphemous book about friendship and cooperation among human, half-human, and frameless. A hilarious idea, yet there were many who believed it. Edenion shut this idea immediately, but they let this human merchant free because of his position and lack of evidences about his direct role in rebellions. Later, this human merchant managed to gather huge number of powerful allies and stroke constant campaign against Edenion. They called themselves the Union of Destiny.

This movement was destroyed around fifty years ago, but its shadow remained.  

“Fifty years had passed, yet we never understand why there were so many frameless who were willing to sacrifice their lifes for an idea. This trend, surprisingly, continues until now. This is an obvious threat. The Union of Destiny was the prime example. The frameless who support it were not only some random frameless, but our pillars. We are talking about several members of the Willhelmer clan of Heavenly Kings and the Holy Clan of Flavianus. Vhelturius Flavianus himself was the main supporter of Union of Destiny.”

“Keeping our attention to humans while neglecting possibility of internal threat from frameless will be a terrible mistake.”

Exar observed that Queen Seraph was contemplating this statement.

Her Grace Kirra was permitted to mention the Union of Destiny, yet I am not.

A shred of dissatisfaction appeared in Exar’s heart.

“Thanks for your warning, Queen Kirra. The Council will discuss this issue thoroughly later. This meeting is over.” Queen Seraph gave her final word.

All council members rised from their seats. Queen Seraph took the first step to leave the room. However, she stopped in front of door and turned her head back to look at Exar.”

“And Exar, I never intend to let those humans of Blackmoon to be unpunished. House Tillius can not be permitted to live in Blackmoon any longer. Please take all necessary actions.”

Exar bowed. “I will arrange it immediately, Your Majesty.”

The Queen of Edenion gave him one final nod before leaving the room.

----------------------------------------

Exar was sitting in his office. He was reading a handfull of documents. A male frameless was leaning against the wall at the far-right side of the room. It was very difficult to determine frameless’ age by their look, but careful observation would show that this frameless was a young one. He had shoulder-length silver hair and twin swords hanged in the sides of his waist. His body emitted cold aura, and there was a sliver of ice around his fingers.

“Ragnar, Edenion needs your service.” Exar’s gaze finally left the documents and looked at the frameless.

“I would be glad to provide my service, High Advisor.” The frameless took a straight stance.

“As ordered by Her Majesty, House Tillius from the human Kingdon of Blackmoon will be punished for giving birth to a rogue who dare to challenge Edenion. I want you to bring several of your people and deliver the necessary punishment. I also want you to use the best method in delivering it, so it can also serve as good message for the human king who rule the kingdom.”

The frameless gave him a nod. “It can be arranged easily, High Advisor.”

“I know you will not face any problems, but you can not underestimate those humans. I also want you give good impression to the king. That young king of Blackmoon has some skills. Human’s succesion always result in bloodshed, yet he managed to obtain the power to rule. I am sure he is not some docile young man. Thus, I need you give something good enough to ensure the message can be received properly.”

The frameless’ lips curled slightly in disdain. “Humans never hesitate to destroy each other for obtaining power to fulfill their selfish desire. I can’t help to be amazed everytime I see those humans tear each other’s throat when they are supposed to ban together for their survival.”

Exar nod in approval. “That is what Vanaadinn made them to be. We need to keep reminding them of that fact.”

“I want you to leave soon and finish this mission as soon as possible. However, don’t forget to keep in touch with those usefull human nobles while you are there. We need to stay in good relationship with them.”

Exar took a cup of tea on his desk and had a sip before continuing. “This matter is finished and I will wait for your report. Now, tell me about this new mysterious power in Uthaym territory.”