Perhaps sensing Luna's panic, Leo stepped forward and greeted her.
"Long time no see, Aunt Luna."
"You took good care of the family while I was away."
Leo smiled and spoke in a tone befitting a "master."
This made Luna feel somewhat ashamed, but she wasn't the type to give up easily.
She took a deep breath to calm herself down.
She is Luna St. Garus, the family's technical lord.
The study of STC has lasted for twenty years, with the support of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the possession of forbidden knowledge that is unimaginable to ordinary people.
Besides, the other party is just a junior to me, so there's nothing to worry about.
Suddenly struck by a thought, she looked up, pointed at Gus and Anthony, and said:
"Perhaps they were corrupted by Chaos along with Leo!"
"Otherwise, why would the governor suppress the news that Leo had been proven innocent?"
They must have done something behind our backs!
She sneered, "I don't accept this kind of proof!"
Lynn spread his hands, looking completely innocent.
"Lady Luna is too kind."
His tone was relaxed, as if he were chatting with a friend.
"I have no right to order the Emperor's most loyal servants around."
He looked at Bishop Anthony.
"Bishop Anthony's loyalty is known to everyone present. I would never dare to corrupt him."
He smiled and looked at the old man sitting in the main seat.
"Archbishop Goodwin will be the first to target me."
Goodwin, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
He stood up.
That aged figure suddenly grew taller at that moment.
He walked up to Bishop Anthony, his pure white eyes, which seemed to see through everything, fixed on Luna.
He did not possess the ability to activate the Pure White Eye.
But Luna still felt a little guilty under that gaze.
"Bishop Anthony,"
Goodwin's voice was old, yet carried the authority of a superior.
That's the kind of aura that only someone who has been immersed in the Ecclesiarchy for three hundred years and has seen countless storms can possess.
"He is the head of the Ecclesiarchy in the Midtown and the recognized successor to the next archbishop."
He raised his scepter and pointed it at Luna.
"His loyalty to the Emperor is none of your business, as a Lord Regent!"
Bishop Anthony stepped forward at the opportune moment.
He exuded an aura of holiness unique to clergy.
Pure, intense, like sunlight piercing through the clouds.
That's the aura of someone who is completely devoted to their faith; it's something that can only be obtained through countless days and nights of prayer, asceticism, and dedication.
Anyone can sense that this is the quality of a truly devout person, and has nothing to do with Chaos.
The entire room fell silent.
Those who were just questioning Leo are now all silent.
In a corner of the conference room, Sorine Wimlot stood quietly.
She was dressed in ordinary servant's clothes, blending in seamlessly among the servants who served tea and water.
The Blackstone amulet hidden in his chest suppressed the fluctuations of Psychic Power.
But her eyes remained fixed on Luna.
As long as Luna dares to do anything out of line, as long as she dares to reveal her true colors.
She would then step forward and publicly judge her.
Luna didn't say anything more.
She could sense that something was off about the atmosphere around her.
Some of the nobles who had initially stood by her side began to look away, and those who had been cheering for her just moments before now lowered their heads, not daring to look at her.
She knew she had lost this round.
But it doesn't matter, the bet is still in effect.
As long as she captures Carl II first, she will remain the expeditionary marshal, and at that time, she will still be the Lord Regent.
Just then, an older paladin stood up.
He wore the exclusive, finely crafted Power Armour of the St. Garus Family, the giant bear emblem on his chest worn and barely legible.
His hair was gray, and his face was marked by the passage of time, but his eyes were still bright and piercing.
Galil St. Garus.
One of the most senior paladins in the family.
In his youth, he fought alongside Caladogon and participated in hundreds of battles fought by Great Bear St. Garus in Brevis.
His seniority surpasses that of anyone in the family.
He glanced at Luna.
That glance carried a silent judgment.
He then left his seat and walked towards Leo.
He walked up to Leo, stopped, and knelt on one knee.
"Young Master Leo." His voice was old, yet strong and resonant.
" Galil St. Garus, I wish to follow you."
Leo watched this scene, for some reason, he thought of the old, frail figure who always sat on the throne.
A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and he quickly stepped forward to help the elderly knight up.
With Galil leading the way, half of the twenty-odd paladins present stood up.
They silently walked one by one behind Galil and knelt on one knee before Leo.
Next came the retainers and generals, all of whom had served the St. Garus Family for generations.
They made up roughly half of the attendees at the meeting.
This is only because the people who came this time were the ones who were more inclined to support Luna.
Many who were loyal to the orthodoxy refused to attend the meeting.
Luna's face turned ashen.
She wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.
She had no advantage whatsoever against Leo.
In terms of bloodline, she is from a collateral branch, Leo is the eldest grandson of the direct line.
In terms of honor, she can't yet claim the glory that Leo earned fighting his way through the Forbidden Wall.
In terms of prestige, the way the paladins looked at her was completely different from how they looked at Leo.
She could only stand there and watch as these people left her camp one by one.
His resentment towards Caladogon grew deeper and deeper.
Leo remained silent for a long time.
He looked at the people kneeling before him.
Galil, the old knight who watched him grow up.
There were other familiar faces, some he could name, others he couldn't.
But they could all call out their own names.
He knew that many people didn't actually like his impatient nature.
Within the family, he was always seen as an "oddball," far less reliable than his father, Alistair.
But in this time of crisis, they still chose to stand by his side.
Regardless of the reason, everyone agrees on one thing.
It's better to have Leo as the leader than to let that stupid Luna destroy St. Garus.
Leo took a deep breath to calm himself and said:
"I've not returned to claim the throne."
Everyone was watching him.
"My grandfather, the High King Caladogon, is still missing, his fate unknown." Leo's voice was somewhat hoarse.
"As long as he has even a sliver of hope, I have no right to sit in that position."
Knight Galil's eyes lit up; this humility and filial piety were precisely the virtues a knight should possess.
"But."
Leo looked at Luna, his gaze as cold as a gust of wind sweeping across an icy plain.
"The family is currently leaderless and urgently needs a qualified leader to guide us through this difficult time."
"I believe no one is more suitable than me."
He immediately announced:
"From this day forward, I will temporarily assume the role of the family's Councilor, replacing the Supreme King, and manage all family affairs."