"Heh... The guards found his body among a pile of rocks not far outside the city."
"And that wasn't all. A Paphos Scimitar had been left to accompany the poor man in death."
Kryudera's expression was cold.
"I can scarcely imagine how much that loyal warrior suffered before he died..."
She slowly turned toward a man among the delegates and asked in a low voice:
"Paphos Representative, what do you make of this?"
"W-what?" Cold sweat broke out across the man's back, and he trembled.
"I knew nothing about this..."
"M-maybe the scout killed himself? Too much work and no time off, perhaps..."
Kryudera's brows drew together. "The evidence is overwhelming. Don't waste your breath."
"But we'll set that trial aside for now—"
"You have all seen it: in the most sacred, most solemn council chamber in the world, someone among us would raise a blade against an ally, openly defy the alliance, and destroy the unity and peace we fought so hard to win..."
She folded her arms and declared sharply:
"Fortunately, I uncovered it."
"Now, to protect this beautiful city and its people, Caesar's legion stands ready—"
"—to escort you all to the Hall of Three Phases of Destiny, where you will receive the alliance's highest level of protection."
"Afterward, the legion's warriors will join me on the campaign to subjugate Fagina."
"..."
"?"
The elders standing at their seats could no longer hold back.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"You summoned us here just to send us all to Destiny Chongyuan?!"
At the news, every elder erupted in protest.
"This is obviously a trap!"
"Caesar! Did you bring us here just to trample on your allies' dignity?!"
"Fuck... Do you think we wouldn't dare smack you?"
An old man serving as Ladon's representative narrowed his eyes.