Chapter 59: Kneel
The temperature plummeted at Connor’s question, and I squirmed in my seat. I looked anxiously at Soltair, but he seemed at a loss for words.
"I, uh, yes," I stammered, dropping my head into my hands. The faces of the young priests sprang to my mind, forever burned into my memory.
"See?" Ronin said, resting his hands on the table. "What else do I need to say."
"It wasn’t like that at all!" Soltair burst out, recovering his tongue. "Her actions were strictly self-defense, and an accident at that. No normal person could have done anything differently."
Victor’s eyebrows knit together. "It doesn’t really matter. A hero must exemplify virtue and justice, knowing how and when to restrain their strength. We were called here to defend humans; killing them is unacceptable."
"We shouldn’t judge without fully understanding the circumstances," Levin said, the Earth Hero’s low rumble causing everyone to look at him. "If the church allows her to continue as she is, then what more can we say?"
"All that depends on Xiviyah herself," Grace said, peering at me with narrowed eyes. "I believe we interrupted her before she finished introducing herself. How strong are you?" she asked directly.
"W-well, I’m only capable of fourth-circle magic right now, but I feel confident beginning to learn fifth," I said, not wanting them to be too disappointed.
On the contrary, almost everyone relaxed. "I see," Grace murmured. "In that case, it hardly matters."