Chapter 124: Merit and Authority
Chapter 124: Merit and Authority
Raven returned to the Knights’ Quarters shortly before eleven in the morning.
[What do you intend to do next?] Zera asked within his mind.
“Once I reach Oakvale Town, I’ll focus on absorbing the Goblin Shaman’s corpse,” Raven replied as he changed into simpler clothes. “I need to obtain its corresponding Memory Seal spell.”
While adjusting his sleeve, he noticed the strange black markings encircling his wrist.
Six lines remained.
There had once been seven.
Raven stared at them for a moment before lowering his arm.
The cost of each loop was becoming harder to ignore.
He lay back on the bed and closed his eyes, concentrating on regulating his breathing.
The potion’s backlash still hasn’t faded. My body needs more time to recover.
He had intended to rest for only a short while, but exhaustion soon overcame him.
…
When Raven awoke, the sky outside had darkened with the approaching evening.
He checked the time and rose from the bed.
Six o’clock.
The strategic meeting was scheduled to begin at half past six. Arriving early would give him an opportunity to observe the nobles before the formal proceedings began.
After making the necessary preparations, Raven left the Knights’ Quarters and headed toward the mansion.
Carson received him at the entrance and summoned a servant to escort him to the grand hall.
The room had been rearranged for the meeting. Rows of chairs formed a semicircle around a large round table at the centre, while mana lamps illuminated the polished stone floor.
“Please choose whichever seat you prefer, Sir,” the servant said respectfully.
After Raven acknowledged him, the servant withdrew.
Only a handful of nobles had arrived.
Among them was Baroness Elara.
The moment she noticed Raven, surprise flickered across her face. She raised a hand in greeting, and he responded with a polite inclination of his head before taking the seat beside her.
“It seems you’ve attracted considerable attention from Lord Solomon and Count Magnus, Mr. Holmes,” Elara remarked with a faint smile.
Her expression soon grew serious.
“I owe you an apology. I doubted your warning. Had you remained silent, many of my elite knights—and perhaps even I—might not have survived.”
Raven shook his head.
“I merely did what I believed was necessary, My Lady.”
“There's no need to be so modest.”
Elara chuckled softly, then leaned closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“But tell me something. How did you learn about the assassination attempt? Did the Rebel Prince truly contact you? And how do you know him?”
Curiosity was unmistakable in her eyes.
Raven cleared his throat, feigning a little discomfort.
“I’ve met His Highness only once, My Lady. Yesterday, shortly before the attack, an owl delivered a letter to me. After reading it, I wasn't certain what to do. Eventually, I decided that warning everyone was the safest course of action.”
Elara leaned back, considering his answer.
“Regardless of his current circumstances, he remains a prince,” she murmured.
Before Raven could respond, two more nobles entered the hall.
Viscountess Rowena and Baron Gideon approached him almost immediately.
“You’ve accomplished something remarkable, Thomas,” Rowena said warmly. “I was just speaking with Lord Andres. He was impressed by your actions, and Lord Magnus is currently discussing your reward.”
Her smile widened slightly.
“You may have something worthwhile to look forward to.”
Gideon gave a short snort.
“Just don't grow too comfortable,” he said bluntly. “Saving lives earns gratitude. Your connection to the Rebel Prince, however, will invite scrutiny.”
He gave Raven a firm pat on the shoulder before taking a nearby seat.
Raven acknowledged both nobles with a quiet nod.
As more attendees arrived, the hall gradually filled with conversation.
“I heard His Highness Raven personally killed Traitor Jace.”
“They say he even healed Lord Solomon afterward.”
“But why would he help us? Aren't we aligned with the Sixth Prince?”
A thick-moustached noble frowned.
“And where was Prince Abel while our cities were falling? We received not a single reinforcement from him.”
“If even one Mystic Knight had been dispatched earlier, the assassination attempt might have been stopped much sooner.”
“At least Prince Crispin arranged assistance through the Spade Council.”
“That was the Emperor’s order.”
“You're naïve, Oliver. Without Prince Crispin pressing the matter, do you really believe the Emperor would have intervened?”
The discussion grew louder.
Some nobles defended the royal family. Others questioned its response to the crisis. Beneath the arguments, political divisions began to emerge.
“Whatever the politics, it wasn't the Spade Council that ended the attack,” someone remarked sharply. “It was Prince Raven.”
The comment provoked another round of debate.
Raven listened without participating.
The assassination attempt had ended, but its political consequences were only beginning. The nobles were already arguing over who deserved credit, which royal faction had acted decisively, and what the incident meant for their future alliances.
Then the grand doors opened.
Count Magnus and Count Andres entered together.
The conversations stopped almost immediately. Nobles rose from their seats to greet the two counts as they made their way to the front of the hall.
Magnus took his seat first, followed by Andres.
“Let us dispense with pleasantries,” Magnus said.
His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly across the room.
“We have more important matters to address.”
He folded his hands on the table.
“Regarding last night's assassination attempt, the attackers were subdued and the internal traitor was eliminated. Nevertheless, our losses were considerable.”
His blue eyes swept across the assembled nobles.
“Fifteen dead. Among them were Baron Roland of the Spade Council and several promising knights.”
He paused, allowing the figures to settle over the room.
“This was not a victory without cost. It was a warning. Our defences will be strengthened immediately. Patrol rotations will be doubled, and the internal investigation will continue until we are satisfied that no further threat remains.”
He delivered the orders without raising his voice.
There was no need for anger. The decisions had already been made.
A baron rose from his seat.
He was tall and composed, with a thoughtful expression that gave little indication of hostility.
“Your Lordship,” he began, inclining his head. “There is another matter that requires clarification.”
Magnus turned toward him.
“Speak, Baron Julian.”
“It concerns Sir Thomas of House Holmes.”
Several nobles shifted their attention to Raven.
He felt their gazes settle upon him. When he looked back at them, a few quickly averted their eyes.
Julian continued in a measured tone.
“It is widely acknowledged that Sir Thomas warned Viscountess Rowena and several other households before the attack. Reports also suggest that he assisted Lord Solomon during the battle.”
He paused briefly.
“My concern is not his bravery. His actions speak for themselves. Rather, I believe we must consider the implications of what occurred.”
The room quieted.
“How did a knight from a rural county obtain intelligence concerning a coordinated assassination? More importantly, how did he establish communication with His Highness Prince Raven?”
Julian kept his expression neutral.
“If such a channel exists, it could prove advantageous to this alliance. However, it could also expose us to scrutiny from the Royal Court.”
He looked toward Magnus.
“In the interest of protecting our alliance, should we not formally report this connection to the Palace and ensure that the matter is reviewed by the appropriate authority?”
Julian never explicitly suggested arresting Raven.
He didn't need to.
His argument was clear enough: Thomas's connection to the Rebel Prince might become a liability, and the other nobles should consider distancing themselves before the Royal Court intervened.
Low murmurs spread through the hall.
Magnus remained silent for several seconds, studying Julian before answering.
“Your concern is noted. However, let us remain within the boundaries of the law.”
He turned toward the assembled nobles.
“Has the Royal Court issued a decree declaring His Highness Prince Raven a traitor?”
Several nobles shook their heads. Others remained silent.
“Has an arrest warrant been circulated?”
“No, My Lord,” Julian answered.
“Has His Highness been stripped of his royal standing?”
This time, no one responded.
Magnus nodded slightly.
“The dispute between His Excellency Ian and his son remains an internal matter of the Royal Family. Until a formal proclamation states otherwise, Prince Raven retains his standing under imperial law.”
His gaze returned to Julian.
“To act against him without legal authority would be imprudent. Indeed, it would constitute an overreach.”
He spoke without anger, as though stating an obvious legal principle.
“As for Sir Thomas, he acted upon information that proved accurate. His warning helped preserve the lives of those gathered here.”
Magnus leaned back slightly.
“If the Royal Court requests clarification, we will provide it. But proactively detaining a knight who helped prevent a massacre would demonstrate neither strength nor stability. It would suggest that we are afraid of the very person who helped protect us.”
The implication was unmistakable.
Raven quietly released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Count Andres spoke next.
“Let us speak plainly. Without His Highness's intervention, the outcome could have been catastrophic.”
Several nobles shifted uneasily.
“The Spade Council and House Magnus will submit a merit report to the Royal Court, formally acknowledging Prince Raven's role in repelling the assassination attempt and safeguarding our allied houses.”
The announcement changed the atmosphere in the hall.
This was more than a statement of gratitude. By formally recording Raven's contribution, the two powers were establishing an official position that would be difficult to dismiss without contradicting the facts.
They were not openly defying the Royal Court.
They were making their position clear before anyone else could define it for them.
Julian inclined his head.
“My intention was merely to ensure that our alliance remains beyond reproach.”
“And it shall,” Magnus replied.
Having received no further support for his argument, Julian returned to his seat.
The discussion appeared settled.
Then Count Andres slowly rose.
“Sir Thomas Holmes.”
Raven was momentarily caught off guard. He stood and bowed respectfully.
“It has been verified that you warned several households before the assassination attempt,” Andres began. “It has also been confirmed that your knights helped alert others during the chaos.”
He paused.
“Your actions prevented greater losses. That is not speculation. It is a fact.”
The hall fell silent.
“As Lord of Azmar and a member of the Spade Council, I recognize that you acted without hesitation and without seeking recognition for yourself.”
Andres inclined his head slightly.
“Accordingly, your conduct will be formally recorded as High Merit in the Spade Council's wartime register.”
A ripple of surprise passed through the assembled nobles.
High Merit was not an honour granted casually. It was an official acknowledgment of exceptional service, carrying weight beyond a simple expression of gratitude.
Andres continued.
“Oakvale Town is a strategically important frontier position. Several houses, including a baronial banner, will be deployed to reinforce its defences.”
His gaze swept across the room.
“All houses assigned to Oakvale will retain authority over their respective forces.”
The arrangement protected the autonomy of the noble houses. None would be required to surrender direct command of its own troops.
“However,” Andres continued, “overall operational coordination of Oakvale's defence will be entrusted to Sir Thomas Holmes.”
A heavier silence followed.
Raven remained still, listening carefully.
The appointment placed him in a position of responsibility over the combined defensive effort without stripping the other houses of their established authority.
“This appointment is made under wartime authority and will remain in effect for the duration of the campaign.”
Andres allowed a moment for the announcement to register before delivering the final decision.
“If House Holmes continues to distinguish itself in the coming war, House Magnus and the Spade Council will jointly petition the Imperial Court for its elevation into the peerage.”
Several nobles stiffened, particularly Julian and those seated near him.
The prospect of House Holmes rising in status was no longer a distant possibility. It had become an official intention backed by two influential powers.
Count Magnus gave a single, deliberate nod, confirming his support for the declaration.
Andres looked across the hall one final time.
“Merit will determine standing. The war will determine merit.”