His own kind. What a ridiculous notion. Humans see monsters as nothing more than abominations, incapable of kinship or companionship. And in truth, they are. Yet here they were, using the idea of “kinship” as an excuse to drive Zetak from the palace. Whether there really were monsters in the forest they mentioned, or whether it was just a trap, I didn’t care. I had no intention of following their suggestion.

“If he’s risking his life fighting for humanity, you admit he’s safe?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“After all, His Majesty’s safety comes before all else. Regardless of the Temple’s assessment, it’s been seven years. Who can say how he might have changed in that time?”

The nobles collectively supported each other, reinforcing their arguments to make their stance seem stronger. I listened in silence, waiting for them to finish. My goal was clear from the start – to destroy their arguments so they wouldn’t bring it up again. They spent a long time discussing the dangers of monsters before they finally fell silent. Without any reaction from me, they began to look at each other, their confidence waning. When the last speaker also fell silent, the hall was filled with silence.

All the while, Bapharos did nothing to mediate. His silence was a tacit approval – a signal that he wouldn’t interfere, no matter what I did. But this approval wasn’t for my sake. If I let this go now, there would undoubtedly be a second and a third time. They would use Zetak again and again as a target for their criticism. And each time, Bapharos would have to waste more of his time on these pointless meetings. By allowing me to act freely, it was clear that his true intention was to use this opportunity to crush the nobles and put an end to these discussions.

I picked up a pen and placed it upright on the table, pressing the tip lightly with my finger to keep it from falling over. Then I looked at the nobles.

“Fine. I understand. His Majesty’s safety is paramount. It’s only natural that loyal subjects are concerned. After all, I too am concerned for the safety of my brother, who bears the responsibility of this realm.”

The feather, now imbued with my energy, began to glow with a faint red light, causing the nobles to jump and subtly push back their chairs. Keeping my eyes on them, I gradually increased the pressure on the feather with my finger. With a strange cracking sound, the stylus slowly sank into the thick wooden table.

It slid in as effortlessly as cutting through tofu, but the sound was anything but silent. The sound of splintering and cracking wood echoed through the silent meeting room. I pushed the pen all the way in until it was out of sight, then spoke.

“Work for humanity, you say? Why not be direct? Just ask him directly to die for you.”

The nobles were pale as ghosts. Only one, the elderly noble who believed he was putting me on the right path, didn’t take his eyes off mine.

“Using such a show of force to intimidate the nobles is not the right way.”

“Violent actions, you say? Did I throw a pen at you? Did I overturn the table? Tell me, what violence did I allegedly use? 

“Psychological pressure is also a form of violence. It’s an unjust act.” 

“What a strange thing to say. It is just part of my rehabilitation. I often practise using energy with my right hand. Why should you feel pressured? Do you all break out in a cold sweat just because someone sitting quietly drives a pen into a table?” 

I heard Zetak chuckle softly from behind me. The nobles fell silent. Even the elder noble, who usually had a retort ready, said nothing this time. But his gaze was unyielding. 

“You twist words, Your Highness. Even if you claim that wasn’t your intention, if those around you took it as a threat, then it is a threat. Many of the nobles here were startled by your actions. Can this really be dismissed as mere rehabilitation?” 

“A threat, you say? It seems you’ve never experienced what a real threat feels like.” 

I lifted my fingers off the table. With a crack, the thick wooden surface splintered as if it were nothing more than a brittle piece of candy. As I scraped across the surface, the sound of the wood breaking and crumbling echoed eerily through the silent room. Each time the nobles jumped, their shoulders shaking.

I let the handful of shattered wood fall to the floor. The nobles, now pale, stared in shock at the deeply gouged, broken table.

“I don’t see my actions as a threat. If that’s how you perceived it, perhaps you have something on your conscience. Very well, let’s explore what you call a threat. I’m told that I’ve received many proposals of marriage over the past seven years – cards that have neither been thrown away nor forgotten, still kept intact. It seems likely that there will soon be incidents where the daughters of these families begin to disappear one by one. So let me offer my condolences in advance.”

“What… wh-what are you saying?!” 

Several heads of noble families who had proposed marriage alliances to me slammed their desks and stood up. 

“Don’t you understand? I’m doing what you called ‘threatening’.” 

Some of the nobles opened and closed their mouths, at a loss for words. 

“Go ahead and tell me. What harm has my attendant done to the Imperial Palace? What evil has he done? Has he hurt anyone, or perhaps killed anyone?” 

“That is…” 

“You say monsters have appeared, so you want him to go and catch them. You want him to prove that he serves humanity. Why does he need to prove anything? He is not someone who serves humanity. What do you want from a monster?” 

The faces of the nobles hardened. After locking eyes with each of them, I opened my mouth again. 

“Do not impose human laws on a being that is not human. It may not harm humans, but that does not mean it will serve them. Do you want him to reassure you? To make you feel safe? Why should someone you call a ‘monster’ have to do that? The Temple merely confirmed his safety, but they never claimed that he was bound to humanity. Make sure your expectations are clear.”

“Ha… But to live in the Imperial Palace, one must obey certain rules.”

“Rules, you say. Very well. If the confirmation of the temple is not enough for you, I’ll tell them. I’ll tell them that the nobles gathered here question the judgement of the temple. 

At my words, the noble’s face turned pale. To defy the Temple was to face a lifetime of isolation – perhaps even for the next generation. If they fell from their horse and broke a leg, or were near death from illness, the Temple would never help a family that had defied it. 

The nobles who spoke of rules eventually avoided my gaze. They knew it too. This meeting was merely an attempt to find fault with Zetak, but the real conclusion had been reached long ago. Zetak’s safety had been confirmed seven years ago – what was there to question? 

“That should do it.” 

Most of the nobles avoided my gaze, their spirits crushed. A few stubborn old nobles still glared at me in discontent, but they wouldn’t dare openly call another Noble Assembly now. The majority of those who had initially sided with them had already withdrawn their support. 

“It seems we’ve come to a conclusion. May I take my leave?” 

When I asked Bapharos, he looked around at the nobles and tried to suppress a grin. 

“If there are no further objections, we’ll end here. If anyone has a problem, speak now.” 

Of course there wouldn’t be. No family would risk becoming an enemy of the Temple. 

“There seems to be none. Let’s end the meeting here.” 

As Bapharos stood, the nobles followed, their expressions grim. Bapharos approached me with a refreshed expression. 

“You look like someone who would solve things with reason, but your actions tend to be more… aggressive.” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” 

“Good, because it is. Keep it up.” 

He muttered openly as he turned away, something about having to use this method more often to keep the nobles at bay. However, he was forced to pause before leaving the chamber. One of the stubborn old nobles, who had been glaring at me in discontent until the very end, slammed the table and stood up. 

“This is unacceptable! A meeting conducted in this way is unprecedented. To use force and threats, backed by the Temple, is nothing less than a blatant disregard for all of us nobles!” 

His voice was so loud it echoed throughout the hall. It seemed to encourage the other nobles, who began to murmur amongst themselves. As I turned to look at him, the old noble met my gaze, his back perfectly straight. 

“The matter of security, as confirmed by the temple, should not end here. You are a member of the royal family and must behave in a manner befitting your status. How can someone of your stature dishonour the dignity of the royal family in such a way?” 

“Disgrace the dignity?” 

“Do you know what rumours are circulating in the castle? That a member of the royal family is consorting with a monster and enjoying its tentacles. All sorts of vile rumours are circulating. Do you have any idea how much of the people’s taxes are allocated to you under the guise of maintaining the dignity of the royal family? With the amount you receive, you should act accordingly – not indulge yourself with monsters!” 

‘A lowly man.’ 

As soon as the old noble had finished speaking, a faint laugh was heard from somewhere. Although it was barely audible, it was clear to me. It’s well known that those who harness energy develop heightened senses. But those who have never experienced it seem unaware of its extent – unaware that even the faintest whisper can be heard.