[ PRESENT TIME ]
Even though Abel didn't meet Veronika and Ismael when coming to the mainland, Fabian ensured their efforts wouldn't be unmentioned. Of course, Abel had to exert a bit of effort by concealing his presence. But since even with a concealed presence, the natural air he emitted was something Maximus could sense even from a mile away.
How did Maximus not notice him?
Well, that was because of another person's help. London Leviticus.
The side of Abel's lips curled up, wiggling his brows at Maximus. The latter had this sour look plastered on his face, gazing at everyone in the conference, who was looking back at him with a mix of dismay and solemnity.
"Your Majesty," called the marshal one more time. This time, his voice was lower and his tone was colder. "Please. Allow us to do our duty and let this summit start and end in peace."
"Hah…" Maximus let out a dry laugh, setting his eyes back on this audacious marshall. "He is a member of the summit, but aren't I one, as well? He had slaughtered my men in my territory. Yet you… and everyone in this place wants me to turn a blind eye to my men's deaths? How laughable."
'Since when did he care about his people's lives?' Aries mentally blurted out, biting her tongue to keep her thoughts to herself. The tension in the conference room was already high and almost suffocating, adding sarcasm to it wasn't a good idea.
Aries was already puzzled herself; she too wasn't in a good shape and was still in disbelief at the turn of events. This wasn't what she had expected today; at least, this was not the kind of trouble she was looking forward to.
"In my defense, you men blocked my path." Abel spread his hands to the side, shaking his head mildly. "As a member of this summit…" he trailed off, cocking his head back, cold eyes falling in Maximus's direction.
"... how dare those insolent forbid my entry and raise their weapons at me?" his tone dropped as coldness suddenly added to the stifling atmosphere. "Maximus, my dearest friend, I was merely defending myself. It was self-defense; not because you ruled the mainland that was isolated from the rest of the world, you can be this barbaric and oblivious of what it is like outside the corners of this country."
Maximus balled his hands into tight fists while his body trembled in anger. In his eyes, the sudden glow in the eyes of everyone in this place was the look of mockery. Were they thinking that just because the mainland wasn't a part of the world until two years ago, they — the king was a fool?
Surely, they were all pushing their luck, was what he thought.
"I was, indeed, a self-defense," the marshall, who turned silent while waiting for Maximus's compliance, spoke once again. "I confirmed it just now. However, if Your Majesty isn't still satisfied, you can always raise a complaint to the chief deputy."
"I will ask you for the last time…" the marshall trailed off as many loud footsteps grew louder, echoing in the open conference hall. His eyes grew sharper and colder, raising his chin, while countless soldiers from the said organization intruded on the conference and surrounded the royal knights under Maximus's order.
"... order your men to retreat, Your Majesty," continued the knight sternly. "Don't lose more of your people."
Some monarchs tensed up and panicked at the appearance of more soldiers inside this sacred conference hall. Now, not only escorts who were granted to stay were inside throughout the summit, but the royal knights who intruded first to subdue Abel, and then more knights from this committee thronged the place. Fortunately, the conference hall was enormous enough to occupy everyone inside.
If Maximus didn't back down, blood would spill for sure. The monarchs didn't want to get caught in the crossfire. However, since the majority of the monarchs didn't move from their seats and kept stern expressions, none of them didn't want to do the initiative.
"Moving from this seat means you do not trust this organization the world is trying to build," Veronika suddenly spoke upon noticing the panic on some kings' faces. "However, I trust in this joint project. We are trying to create a wonderful organization that will protect the world from collapsing from countless wars. Therefore, even when the swords were drawn, I'll stay in this seat and trust that I'll be able to come out of this place unscathed."
Some monarchs gazed at her with shaking eyes mixed with horror, while other monarchs' expressions turned grim. Those in the latter were aware of that. Thus, even if their hearts were hammering through their chest, their pride impeded them from fleeing before the swords were drawn. Not all of them were courageous enough to put all their faith in this organization, but they had to. If they couldn't trust this organization, then no one else would.
"King Maximus," called Ismael solemnly. "You may want to stay stubborn to uphold your honor. Or you back down and show us that a king could lower his pride for the sake of the world and the people we must protect. No one would see it as cowardly, but rather, an honorable act for the sake of the many."
"The Emperor of the Maganti Empire is correct," said another king in agreement.
"That's right, King Maximus." Another one chimed in, although his tone was awkward and shaking nervously. "This is a misunderstanding between kings!"
"Normally, when two monarchs had a misunderstanding, a war would arise. However, since the summit's very agenda is to prevent more wars from arising, we should set an example right now!"
"Yes! If this is settled, then we can rest assured this joint project is heading to its rightful path."
One after another, the monarchs spoke in agreement, voicing out their thoughts to prevent blood from spilling. But alas, unlike their intention to have a more peaceful resolution and calm Maximus, the latter took it as the complete opposite.
Maximus lowered his head, hiding the dark, and coldness plastered on his face. He listened to all the nonsense buzzing, taking it as all of them ganging up against him, ridiculing him, and underestimating him just because he had laid low for the past two years.
"How disdainful."
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