True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 95 - The Council

Arthur Leywin POV

As we passed the guard and stepped through the hidden door, I could immediately sense the change in the atmosphere. We entered a large circular room with a high-rise ceiling made entirely of glass. The room's simplicity seemed deliberate - no ornate decorations or displays of wealth, just a long, rectangular table at the far end where six of the most powerful people in Dicathen sat watching our approach.

The Council members each wore expressions ranging from stern disapproval to carefully masked concern as they studied me. Their combined presence filled the room with an almost tangible weight of authority. The afternoon sun streaming through the glass ceiling cast long shadows across the polished floor, making our approach feel longer than it actually was.

"Your Majesties." Olfred and Varay both bowed towards the Council as the former kings and queens rose from their seats. Uncertain of proper protocol in this situation, I followed the Lances' lead and bowed as well. Jackson and Lara mimicked the gesture beside me.

"Ignorants! Do you think of yourself on the same level as the Lances? You should take a knee at the very least as a sign of respect," a husky voice boomed across the chamber. Looking up, I found myself facing the figure of Dawsid Greysunders, the former dwarf king.

His bushy brown beard cascaded down his chest, partially covering the ornate leather armor that seemed to strain against his barrel-like torso. But as I observed his soft, uncalloused hands delicately handling a golden wine flute, I questioned whether those impressive muscles had ever seen real combat or were merely for show.

I felt my face twisting into an expression of annoyance, but a quick glance at Alduin gave me pause. His subtle head shake and worried expression carried a clear warning. The elf king's normally pristine appearance showed signs of strain - his silver hair slightly disheveled, dark circles barely visible under his eyes.

Swallowing my pride, I forced my voice to remain steady. "My apologizes, Your Majesties. I am-" I began through gritted teeth, moving to kneel, but Jackson's firm hand on my shoulder stopped the motion.

"I hope you'll excuse him, Your Majesty. He's just a kid who saved the academy yesterday, but now he's forced to stand before you -even though he doesn't have to- without knowing what's going on." Jackson's voice carried a quiet authority that seemed to fill the chamber.

"How dare you?!" Queen Greysunders shouted, her voice echoing off the glass ceiling. Her face flushed with indignation as she half-rose from her seat.

"Enough!" King Alduin's voice filled the chamber with authority. "We are here as a council, not as tyrants demanding respect." The weight of his words seemed to press down on everyone present.

"Hmph." Queen Greysunders dropped back into her seat with obvious displeasure, crossing her arms like a petulant child. Her elaborate dress rustled with the movement, the sound oddly loud in the tense silence that followed.

"Now, now. I'm sure the journey had been long and everyone's eager to get started." Blaine Glayder's measured tones cut through the tension. Curtis' father hadn't changed much since I'd last seen him, save for a few new wrinkles around his eyes. His calm demeanor served as a counterpoint to the dwarf royals' hostility.

Studying the Council members more closely, I noticed that while Priscilla Glayder showed signs of fatigue, her composed expression never wavered. The former dwarf queen matched her reputation - distinctly masculine in appearance with her square jaw, sharp eyes, and dark hair pulled severely back. Her broad shoulders tested the limits of her simple brown blouse as she maintained perfect posture.