After being forcefully shut up, Stralit could only listen to the Matriarch of the Luxeux Clan, her own mother, "This council is giving you one last chance. Explain why you thwarted the operation on Draconic Deus and where your [Successor] is?"
The invisible force that's keeping Stralit's mouth loosened but she didn't answer immediately and collected her thoughts. Regarding her [Successor] John Smith, there's a clan law that dictates all main members of the clan introduce their [Successors] upon conferment and have them take a rite of passage.
Regardless of the result of this rite of passage, the honor of being a [Successor] could never be taken away, however, the [Successor's] potential will dictate the [Predecessor's] future position and authority.
'This clan law isn't normally enforced and there's a tacit understanding that the [Successor] can have some time to prepare for the rite of passage before the official introduction for better chances, yet these geezers couldn't wait to meet him.' Stralit thought to himself. Well, it's not like she couldn't understand their feelings because his last appearance sent many of the prestigious clans of Etouldes a wave of panic for his presumably "Anti-Spirit" weapon.
If by chance the Evies get hold of this weapon and manage to replicate it, it'll immediately tip the balance of war against them.
'But thanks to that sudden panic, a lot of nasty things are being aired out in an attempt to gather more information about it.' Stralit recalled various scandals plastered on the headlines before she was forced to return to their home planet.
And it was also thanks to these 'nasty things' that Stralit was able to come in contact with certain individuals and stopped a certain operation that they suspected to be compromised by Evies and would lift the barrier surrounding the Draconic Deus, 'Still, why is my "crime" of interfering with the operation is on the same level as me not introducing my [Successor]?'
Stralit looked around to carefully observe each and every member of the council before thinking, 'There's so much about the Draconic Deus that's being hidden that it's probably only the Matriarch who has a good view of things over there. If they know about those three, they won't be asking about my [Successor]. Not to mention, the weapons that are being developed there could warrant a much greater response.'
It's only now that Stralit realizes how restricted the flow of information is from Draconic Deus, 'No wonder Alicia couldn't give any attention to what's happening in the backlines.'
Stralit sighed. Either way, she didn't have any sort of defense for this trial. First is that she didn't have any proof of Evies' involvement in the operation and second is that even she doesn't know where her [Successor] is, much less present him to the council. She already fully expected to be thrown in prison until some things are changed, '...Maybe that will finally fish out the goddamn traitor who sent Ajax Aurelius to me.'
"Your silence won't save you." The middle-aged man with long white hair and a beard standing in front of her interrupted her thoughts. This man is her uncle and for some reason, he's giving her a stare full of hate, 'No... I know exactly the reason. Grenlan and I were just way too much better than his own son and daughter. I really pity those kids.'
The matriarch sitting on the highest seat wanted to sigh but couldn't show any expression because any of that would be seen as favoritism. She was her own daughter but she absolutely had no idea what's on her mind, 'I know that I'm a failure of a mother, but what exactly is she trying to achieve here? Strangely enough, Grenlan is not trying to involve himself in this mess. Are they fighting?'
She also asked her trusted aide to investigate Stralit's previous actions but the only strange thing she found was a coincidental meeting with the young lady of Yarwood. Of course, she's not discounting the fact that Stralit may have been able to hide her tracks, but even then, it doesn't really explain anything aside from her knowing more information than what's available.
'There's also the instance of Aurelius targeting her. I destroyed that clan but I doubt that's the end of it.' Thanks to that, the Luxeux Clan received a sanction from the [Holy Family] and she lost a substantial amount of authority within the council.
The matriarch stared at Stralit for a few more seconds before thinking of handing down the punishment, 'It seems that she's already prepared for this. How long should I give her so that these old men won't argue back?'
But while thinking about this, the matriarch first noticed it and hurriedly stood up with a glare.
A second later, the other members of the Luxeux noticed it too, and also got off their seats.
Stralit's uncle jumped back and shouted, "Stralit Luxeux, what are you trying to do!?"
The person in question, Stralit, was also shocked at their sudden actions until she realized that she was releasing a tremendous amount of Spiritual Power and her shadow wiggling, 'What? How? I'm on cuffs.'
And while looking down on the cuffs that seals the power of a Luxeux, black liquid started dropping on it, "Huh?" She muttered loudly and touched her own face, realizing she was now crying with black tears and her nose was bleeding with the same black substance, "W-wha-"
Stralit could even finish what she was saying when an indescribable pain suddenly assaulted her senses and made her almost lose consciousness. It was so bad that her knees immediately buckled and she couldn't scream for help. She could only keep her head down and vomit a concerning amount of black liquid which started to flood the floor she was standing on.
No one in the room knew what was going on but the matriarch immediately issued a lockdown command, thinking that someone was remotely attacking her daughter.
"Is... Is this poison?" One of the councilmen asked while trying to approach to inspect Stralit's condition.
"It's not! And don't approach!" The matriarch hurriedly yelled back.
A few seconds later, the pool of black substance began moving away from Stralit and from it, a man started emerging from it.
At the same time, a strange heavy pressure that directly assaulted the soul made everyone freeze and some weaker people instantly lost their consciousness.
'...What is he? A being of pure Spiritual matter?' The matriarch asked herself.