Yeman narrowed his eyes. He suspected that Mayu informed something to the emperor. No need to guess what it was because itâs clear as day. With all these setups, he believed Mayu confided to the emperor that he was the one who killed the Rat Lord.
Around him, everyone was gazing at him in wonder as he walked confidently towards the center.
Eina was staring at her brotherâs back in wonder. She wondered why her brother was known by that big sister, and why they called him to the center.
Night with her usual countenance. But she guessed that it was her lord that the man known as the emperor was saying about. As expected of her lord. He was unrivaled.
Mina already knew about his achievement in that mission. So she agreed that the emperor must give him a befitting reward.
Hannah and Jura were both wondering why. Why he was called at.
Those who carried an unfavorable thought towards him had begun questioning as to why this person who only had a value of a worm was called, to where the emperor was standing.
.....
However, all their puzzlement was sated with the next announcement of the emperor.
âListen, everyone, this young man here was the achiever of great feats! He wasnât only prevented the beastâs assault which consisted of hundreds of strong beasts, he also slew the leader of the enemy, the Rat Lord!â Announce the emperor in an old, yet overbearing voice, as he was pointing to the kneeling young man, Yeman, in front of him.
Nearly all of the people inside the grand hall were dumbfounded after hearing the emperorâs words.
After a deadly silence, murmurs started to proliferate.
âWhat? That magic-less man was the achiever of great feats?â
âHow can that be possible?â
âHow did it happen?â
âCan a powerless person slay a ferocious beast, known as the Rat Lord?â
âAre you trying to make me laugh? Not even those in the peak of silver can do it!â
âSo...â
âSo, perhaps, he lied to the emperor.â
âYeah, and not even the commander can slay it alone.â
âExactly! Thatâs why thereâs no way that worm guy can do it! Itâs impossible!â
Only a few people, that could be counted in one finger, knew about his awakening. So most of the people still believed that he was a powerless person and no magical aura. Thatâs why most of them were wondering about the emperorâs announcement. However, none of them were brave enough to question the emperorâs decision.
However, Jura, who was as shocked as everyone else, suddenly grinned as he thought, this man is digging his own grave! Hehe!
He knew that it was the moment he was waiting. It was the right timing to embarrass this person, and how great it was to be in front of the emperor! Jura thought in elation.
âYour Majesty, sorry to intrude. My name is Jura of the Grenn family. One of the main branches from the Gentlewind family...ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Silence immediately took over the hall after Jura stepped forward and announced.
The emperor looked at him. âI see. A young man from a high noble family. Do you need something?â
Asked the emperor.
Although Juraâs action lacked courtesy, the emperor seemed to not mind it.
Jura hid a smirk before opening his mouth. âYour majesty, I condemned that person to be the achiever of great feats!â Jura boldly said as he pointed on the kneeling Yeman, who remained silent. âActually, not only me, your majesty, but most of the members in the subjugation team knew that person couldnât accomplish those achievements,â Jura added.
The emperor narrowed his eyes at him. âOh... and why is that?â Asked the emperor in curiosity.
âBecause, your majesty, this person is a powerless man. He doesnât have a magical aura. Heâs equivalent to a worm.â
Such derogatory remarks were seamlessly spouted from Juraâs mouth. However, he wasnât finished.
âTherefore, your majesty, this person was impossible to save anyone, not even himself, more on slaying a ferocious enemy such as the Rat Lord. Haha. This person is a liar, an achievement grabber!â
Upon hearing Juraâs words, the other people started to express their disagreement on rewarding that person.
âJura was right, Your Majesty. Someone without a magical aura canât defeat the Rat Lord. Not even the 30 strong soldiers were able to defeat it!â One of Juraâs friends added. Until most of the people inside were expressing their disagreement.
Even Hannah did too as she was one of the many people who could witness that he was a person with broken seeds.
Mayu was shocked upon hearing their words. She didnât know about it and could only remain silent. If it was true that Eman was truly a person with a broken seed, then it was truly unbelievable that he killed the Rat Lord by himself.
Is this the reason why Junior Brother Eman insisted their group be the Rat Lord killer? Mayu asked herself in a little regret. Looks like she acted unbefitting to her familyâs honor. She should have informed him first before informing the emperor.
With this, her reputation would plummet. Not only that, thereâs a high chance that the Royal family would lose their trust in her family. Mayu was afraid to drag her family in her own blunder. Wait, she didnât even see when Eman fought with the Rat Lord. Since when they arrived at the Rat Lordâs chamber, it was already dead and Eman was sitting on top of it. So they assumed that it was him who killed it. What if someone else arrived there first and fought with the Rat Lord until he/she slew it, then Eman came next. Seeing the lifeless Lord, he might have jumped on top of it and acted as the killer.
Mayu pondered for long. But the more she thought about it, the more trouble she felt.
A bead of sweat was visible on her face when she noticed the emperorâs glaring eyes on her. She was at a loss for words. It was an awkward moment in her life.
After glaring at her, the emperor then stared at the kneeling young man in front of them, who was silent the whole time.
âIs it true?â The emperor asked him.
Hehehe, this fool is dead! Jura thought. Thatâs what you get for coming here tonight. He wanted to ask him how it feels to have his lie revealed in front of many people.
Jura could not wait to see his sorry face.
Youâre a dead worm. He thought.