Chapter 538
"What... what do you mean?" Rowena’s brow furrowed even more.
By now, Thesaya was also staring at Ian. Her expression was calm, but she couldn’t hide the way her eyes were shaking uncontrollably. It wasn’t just because she hadn’t expected the statement. Ian had just thrown a massive stone into the tranquil pond of southern fairy society.
After a brief silence, Rowena said, "Are you saying that there are corrupted beings operating within the Great Church and that there are fairies who agree with them?"
"You cannot simply call them corrupt," said Ian.
Shaking his head with a blank expression, he added, "The Round Table is causing strife and fear across the continent, stirring chaos and spreading madness. In order to rebuild the world to their liking, they first intend to destroy it completely. And that, in the end, is no different from saying they will bring down the Empire. They are traitors. The Round Table, and the fairies who follow them as well."
Rowena offered no reply. She simply stared at Ian with wide eyes.
Meeting her eyes, where shock and disbelief tangled together, Ian finally shrugged. "I believe this is sufficient information as payment for setting foot in the Deep Forest."
"...Evidence." Rowena, finally letting out the breath she had been holding, took a deep breath as if to steady herself and added, "Do you have any proof to support your claim?"
"Well, even if I did, I doubt I’d be showing it to you, Elder Chief."
Rowena’s eyes narrowed sharply. "What did you say? You accuse the central fairy nobles of being traitors without any proof—"
"I put my name on the line instead, did I not?" Ian cut her off.
Rowena paused, and he continued calmly, "I’ve been fighting them for a long time. That alone makes me living proof of their existence."