"That's what I thought," Saito replied back. He knew from the start that almost all that happened here would happen. He knew that he had to get the facts straight with these people or with their self-righteous thoughts, they would keep on thinking that they were right and everyone else was wrong.
"Axel… Have you really married?" It was Chloe who asked him in a soft voice, this surprised the council members because they didn't think that Chloe would ask him about this.
Saito replied back almost immediately, "Yes… I am happily married." He turned towards her and sucked a breath of cold air as he saw a beautiful woman.
She had a very cute face. Her Brown hair were very long and she seemed to keep them tied in a ponytail. Her eyes were completely pure Black. And, her bust size was somewhat smaller than Lyra's bust. However, they seemed a lot firmer than Lyra's breasts. She was wearing a clothing which revealed some of her cleavage, the curve of her hipline was just perfect to stimulate him. Her body was simply perfect from all angles to a man.
He showed off his ring to Chloe and gave her a smile. Suddenly, an old man who remained quiet and observed as the council proceeded starts speaking, "Hudson, sit down now. This child is right in his own way. This was our fault so we paid for it."
Saito was surprised to see the old man speaking up for him. He was a little cautious against the old man because there was no free lunch in the world. If he was being nice, it meant that either he required something from him, he was genuinely nice or he was going to create a trap for him.
The Old man turned his head, "Hero Axel, I believe you did not come here to curse the Union or the council. From the way you spoke, it seems that you firmly believe that there is no reason to punish you, you hold your beast in high regard which I certainly respect about you. I have a Lava Horse; I can understand how you feel about your beast."
Saito nodded his head, and started speaking, "Indeed. I never came here with the intention to fight against the Union. I was just irritated that you all were slandering me when all I did was react to your actions."
"I want to live here in the City of Zleka as a member of the Union. Of course, I will do the missions for the Union and contribute a lot. However, my bottom line is that my wife and my pets are not to be touched." He spoke very calmly now, he thought that the old man was someone reasonable.
The old man nodded his head and says, "Very well. I can agree to those demands. They aren't very excessive but I would like to ask about your wife. What is her identity? I do not believe we have a record of her in the Union."
Saito narrowed his eyes at those questions 'Does that mean the Union has the record of every single human in this kingdom?'
Saito though lied quickly with a calm look, "She lived together with her parents outside the city. After her parents were killed by a beast, she ran for her safety and encountered me by chance. I saved her and after we confirmed our feelings for each other, a month later, we confessed to each other and married."
Saito made sure to make the lie as believable as possible by adding parts of truths within his story. The old man nodded his head signifying that he understood his story.
He definitely didn't plan to tell them that Lyra was princess of the elves. It was unknown what they would do to her if they come to know about this information.
The old man looked at everyone and said, "The meeting is adjourned. You all can go now except for Hudson. I have to talk to you about something."
~~
All the people present within the hall slowly started to leave. Hudson was left behind as the old man took a look at him, he spoke after releasing a tired sigh, "You are still so immature. Why couldn't you remain calm and take your decisions? Is that what you have learnt under me?"
Hudson was silent for a couple of seconds as he faced the old man's criticism, "I was just angered at how he was so casual about taking a human life. Comparing the life of a human to a beast and saying that the beast's life was more important."
The old man's eyes released a sharp glint, "He was not in the wrong. He thinks of the Human life as casual? If that was the case then you wouldn't be standing here Hudson. As for thinking of the life of his beast more important than that of a human, I do that as well. If anyone touches my Lava Horse or harms it, I will kill him."
Hudson replied back, "You are different master! You have contributed so much for the union and he hasn't done anything for the union."
To this, the Old man countered with a sharp gaze, "He has defeated a Great Demon king alone. He has contributed quite a bit to the Union. Can you go and defeat a Great Demon King alone without taking the rest of your party? Forget defeating, can you escape?"
Hudson was silent for once; this thing completely escaped his notice. The old man started to continue, "I know that you were thinking about your disciple Hero Renya who came from the other world with these kids. You wanted to restrict Axel to make sure he wouldn't be able to spend much time with Chloe."
The old man had a sharp look when he says, "Listen well Hudson, do not mistake your loyalties. Before a master, you are one of the high-ranking members of the Union. And what you were about to do was create an enemy for the Union. Have a clear vision of what your priorities should be…"
After speaking that, the old man walked off the council leaving Hudson in his own thoughts 'Master you are right about this but…'
~~
Saito met up with Lyra who was standing out of the chamber. Chloe followed him while the other council members stared at Saito with jealousy burning through their eyes.
Saito asked her with a gentle tone, "Are you all right Lyra? Did someone come and influence you? Did they try to force you?"
Lyra was about to reply but she turned towards the back of Saito and saw a pretty girl around the same age as Saito. Chloe asked Saito with a look of disbelief, "Did you both really marry? How could you not tell me about this Axel? Aren't we childhood friends? Didn't you promise me to…?"
She didn't speak any further. Saito takes a complete turn and says, "I apologize but during the fight with the Great Demon King, I have lost almost all my memories. I simply remember how to converse and some other things from my childhood."
Chloe had a doubtful look over her face, she stared at Saito who truly didn't seem like he remembered her. Saito remained there for a few seconds before he took his leave, "I should take my leave now Miss Chloe. I have to search for an inn where I and my wife can rest from now on."
Chloe suddenly raised her hand and said, "Wait. You don't need to live in an inn. You can stay at my place; I have enough place for the two of you to easily get accommodated there."
Before Saito could reply back to her, Lyra stepped forwards and says, "Thank you. We will take your offer miss Chloe."
Chloe had a faint smile when she stared at Lyra, "Just call me Chloe please. Axel was my childhood friend after all."