Carlisle watched Reinhard and Felt's retreating figures. Although Felt's words still echoed in his mind, there were more important matters to deal with at the moment.
He turned his gaze back to Bordeaux, who was slumped in his seat, his blue eyes still glowing with dangerous magical power.
"So, Lord Bordeaux," his voice was frighteningly calm, "can you give me an answer now?"
Bordeaux's heart was enduring an unprecedented torment. As a member of the Council of Sages, he had never imagined that one day he would be cornered publicly by a knight like this. His shriveled lips trembled, yet he could not utter a single word.
"Enough, Bordeaux. Apologize."
The rebuke came from Marcos beside him. Bordeaux turned his head in disbelief, his cloudy eyes widening.
"…What?"
"I told you to apologize. Are you deaf?"
Marcos slammed his hand on the table, his beard trembling with anger.
The elderly man was furious at his colleague's foolish behavior. He had never expected Bordeaux to lose his composure so completely just because of a half elf's appearance. Nor had he expected him to foolishly provoke Carlisle Eltheran and even accuse him of treason against the kingdom. Of course, what he had expected least was that Carlisle would dare to challenge Bordeaux so openly.
Does this old fool not understand?
Marcos cursed inwardly. Unlike Bordeaux, who had grown accustomed to living in authority, he clearly understood the weight behind the title "the kingdom's knight second only to the Sword Saint." More importantly, Carlisle was not restricted in the same way Reinhard was.
(For the stability of the kingdom, I can only inconvenience you, old friend.)
Marcos maintained a stern expression.
"Apologize immediately."
The hall fell silent as every gaze focused on the disheveled member of the Council of Sages.
Bordeaux's fingertips dug deeply into the armrest. Finally, under the gaze of everyone present, he forced several words through clenched teeth.
"…I… apologize…"
Bordeaux's voice was squeezed out with difficulty, dry like the rustling of withered leaves.
"Oh my, that will not do, Lord Bordeaux."
Subaru peeked out again from behind Carlisle, tapping her chin with her fingertips as she tilted her head in apparent confusion.
"I did not hear even the slightest hint of sincerity in that apology."
Her tone was sweet, yet every word carried a sting.
"Even if you do not kneel, you should at least bow properly, right? And…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Have you forgotten to explain exactly what you are apologizing for? Could it be that you do not even know what you did wrong?"
Bordeaux's pupils contracted violently. He felt his dignity being crushed bit by bit, yet he tragically failed to realize that he himself had caused this entire situation.
How could it come to this…?
He cast a pleading glance toward Marcos, hoping his old colleague of decades would help him out of this humiliation.
However, the cold gaze he received in return was like a bucket of ice water poured over him, extinguishing his final hope. Marcos's brows were tightly furrowed and his eyes remained firm and unwavering.
Bordeaux's legs trembled as he slowly stood up. He bent forward and spoke in the hoarsest voice of his life.
"I… I…"
"I should not have discriminated against Lady Emilia because of her appearance…"
"And I certainly should not have slandered the honorable reputation of Knight Carlisle…"
"Please… forgive me…"
The final words were as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet they were perfectly audible within the silent hall.
The moment he finished speaking, Bordeaux collapsed back into his chair like a puppet whose strings had been cut. He lowered his head, allowing the hat that symbolized his authority to conceal his twisted expression.
The nobles who had previously supported Bordeaux widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief. Veins bulged across their clenched fists.
The authority of the Council of Sages had been publicly trampled upon by a knight today.
"I understand, Lord Bordeaux," Carlisle said calmly. "I am glad we have reached an agreement. In that case…"
Before he could finish speaking, a suffocating killing intent suddenly erupted.
This time, the killing intent precisely locked onto the nobles who had previously directed hostility and murderous intent toward Subaru.
"Ugh…"
"H help me…"
"Ah… ah…"
The noble section instantly descended into chaos.
Some nobles collapsed directly to the floor, their luxurious silk clothing soaked with cold sweat. Others desperately clutched their throats. A few even lost control of their bladders and fainted from sheer terror.
Expensive wigs slipped out of place and fell to the ground. The once dignified noble seating area fell into complete disorder.
Carlisle stood perfectly still. A dangerous chill flickered within his eyes.
He did not speak a single word, yet everyone present understood the warning.
If any of them attempted revenge later, they would face the consequences shown at this moment.
The killing intent disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, but the fear it left behind was deeply carved into the hearts of every noble present.
When the pressure faded, those nobles who had avoided harm were pale as paper. None of them dared to look at Subaru again.
Carlisle slowly returned to the stage. He turned toward Emilia and bowed slightly.
"Lady Emilia, are you willing to accept Lord Bordeaux's apology?"
Emilia's gaze swept across the disheveled old man. Under the lights, her silver hair glowed softly.
Her voice was calm and gentle.
"Yes. I forgive him. After all, anger and prejudice only create more suffering."
She turned toward the audience and bowed politely.
"Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, my speech has concluded. Thank you for listening."
With that, she stepped lightly down from the podium, her silver hair tracing a graceful arc through the air.
Carlisle watched his liege walk away and released a nearly inaudible sigh before quickly following her.
Marcos wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with relief. He then gave a meaningful glance to Marcos.
The Captain of the Knights Order immediately understood. He strode to the front of the hall, and his loud voice echoed beneath the dome once again.
"Thank you to the five candidates for their wonderful speeches. The governing philosophies presented by each of you have greatly inspired us."
"Now I officially declare that the Royal Selection conference will proceed to its next stage."
---
After the Royal Selection conference ended, Carlisle and the others returned to Roswaal's mansion in the capital.
The moment they entered, Subaru excitedly ran toward Carlisle, her eyes shining brightly.
"Carlisle! You were amazing just now! I will never forget the way those nobles' faces turned green with fear!"
She gestured energetically.
"Especially that old man Bordeaux. When he collapsed into his chair at the end, it felt so satisfying. And when you released your magic…"
Carlisle gently placed his hand on Subaru's shoulder.
"Subaru, could you return to your room and rest for now?"
"Eh?"
Subaru blinked in confusion.
"Did something happen?"
"I need to discuss some important matters privately with Lady Emilia. You are tired after today as well, so please go rest first."
Although she was still full of questions, Subaru noticed the seriousness in Carlisle's expression and nodded obediently.
"Alright… then you two take your time talking."
She walked upstairs, turning back every few steps until her figure disappeared at the corner of the staircase.
The living room was suddenly left with only Carlisle and Emilia.
After a moment of silence, Carlisle turned toward Emilia and solemnly knelt on one knee. He unfastened his sword and gently placed it before his raised knee. Then he lowered his head.
"Lady Emilia, please allow me to sincerely apologize for my improper behavior during the Royal Selection conference today."
His voice was low and sincere.
"As your knight, creating such a disturbance in a public setting and even forcing a member of the Council of Sages to bow publicly…"
He maintained the kneeling posture.
"Whatever punishment you deem appropriate, even if it involves stripping me of my knighthood, I will accept it without complaint. That is my resolve."
Emilia was startled by this sudden formal apology. She instinctively stepped back slightly.
"Ca Carlisle… what are you doing…?"
She quickly knelt down so that she could meet Carlisle's eyes.
"To be honest… I still do not really understand the rules of knights."
Carlisle looked up in confusion and met Emilia's clear purple eyes.
"You stood up for me, didn't you?" she said gently. "If you had not stopped them in time, Bordeaux and the others might have done something terrible to that girl."
She gestured toward the staircase.
"So please stand up."
She reached out her hand, trying to help Carlisle rise.
"Do not always carry every burden by yourself. You did very well today."
---
"Hm… Carlisle, what is this about?"
Inside Roswaal's study, Roswaal looked up at Carlisle, who had arrived unexpectedly. His usual smiling expression remained unchanged.
"Lord Roswaal, are you not going to explain?"
Carlisle's voice was frighteningly calm.
"Oh my. Explain? I do not quite understand."
Roswaal tilted his head slightly and rested the back of his hand gently against his chin.
"Why did you publicly reveal Lady Emilia's half elf heritage? You clearly know the fear this country holds toward that symbol."
Carlisle stared directly into Roswaal's eyes.
"Oh dear."
Roswaal covered his mouth lightly.
"Because Lady Emilia's appearance cannot truly be hidden. Rather than letting people whisper behind her back, it is better to speak openly."
He narrowed his mismatched eyes.
"Although Bordeaux's reaction was somewhat unexpected. In the end, however, did you not resolve the situation perfectly?"
Carlisle remained silent for a moment.
"…I hope that next time you will choose a more subtle method."
With that, he turned and left the room.
The moment the door closed, the smile on Roswaal's face disappeared. His carefully made up face twisted slightly.
"So that is how it is…"
He stared at his trembling fingers, his voice barely audible.
"I still underestimated him. His strength…"
"…is already almost comparable to that gloomy bastard."
...
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