"...I think I should return now; there might be dangers I can't handle, and also, that little girl will worry about me if I don't go back..."
Raed decided to return after three consecutive days of hunting. He also wanted to visit the Global Trading Pavilion to sell the items he had collected from killing members of the Venomous Snake Group and the monster parts he had hunted.
Raed returned home without encountering any mercenaries, and the journey was easy. However, when he arrived home, he didn't find Sarah but saw two family guards on either side of the door before entering the family home.
"...Finally, the bastard shows up. I really thought you were a young master who could come whenever you please. We have been waiting for a long time..."
One of the guards said disdainfully when he saw Raed.
"Slap..."
But in the next moment, the guard was met with a slap to his face. He didn't even see how Raed struck him.
".....Damn you, bastard, do you want to die..."
The guard said angrily, reaching for his sword.
"...If you dare draw that sword, I will cut off your head..."
Raed said with a murderous look in his eyes, frightening the man and making him hesitate to draw his sword.
".....Young master, the clan elders have ordered you to appear at the elders' tribunal..."
The other guard clasped his fists and said politely. Raed frowned; clan trials only occurred if a family member had committed a serious crime, such as killing family members or treason.
"....Why do the elders want me at the trial?"
"....I don't know the specifics, but the First, Second, and Fifth Elders requested that you undergo the trial...."
".....Oh, interesting. Those bastards will show their dirty faces again. Fine, lead the way..."
"...Please, young master...."
The guard stepped forward politely and led the way to the trial location.
Raed entered the courtroom, which was a vast room with a platform for the clan elders and surrounded by seats for other family members.
Raed found everyone in the family seated around the room, and at the top, the First Elder sat in the head of the family's chair, with two other elders on either side.
There was a commotion in the room, but upon Raed's entrance, it fell silent immediately, though there was some underlying mockery.
Raed surveyed the room like a lion eyeing its prey. He noticed an old man with white hair among the crowd below and felt a more significant threat from him than from anyone else in the room.
"....Raed, do you admit your crime?"
In the next moment, the Second Elder stood up, glaring at Raed with anger and disdain.
".....Do you admit you are a bastard?"
Raed responded with a smile.
"...What are you saying, you bastard?"
The Fifth Elder said coldly.
"...What are you saying, you bastards?"
"...."
Raed said again, causing shock among everyone. Even the Second and Fifth Elders fell silent, unsure of what to say.
The First Elder, who had been silent like a fox, spoke up.
"...Do you not respect your elders, or did the Sixth Elder fail to teach you any manners? Or is it because you're a bastard and don't know your father..."
"...Which elders? I only see a group of whores singing to each other. One asks if I confess to my crime without clarifying what he means, and another jumps like a monkey saying I'm a bastard. But unfortunately, monkey, .....I am Raed the Sovereign. I know my father, and I do not consider you my elders..."
"....Damn, how dare you speak to the family leader like that. Get him to kneel..."
The Fifth Elder stood up coldly.
"....Family leader? What family leader? Has my grandfather returned, or do you think he is dead? Haha, you are such a fool. No one will ever make me kneel..."
Raed said mockingly and then proudly with a confidence that came from deep within him, daring anyone to make him kneel.
"....The Fifth Elder, my father is still alive and is the only family leader, isn't he, elder brother?"
The Third Elder said with a gentle smile.
"....The Third Elder is certainly joking. I wish my father would live forever. We are here today to discuss Raed. Raed, did you strike Karim, your second cousin, and knock out his teeth?"
The First Elder said with a smile and then asked Raed.
"....Yes, he deserved it..."
Raed replied calmly.
"...What? How dare you hit your brother? Do you want to rebel against the family?"
The Second Elder stood up with a clear intent to kill in his eyes.
"....You should thank me for not killing him. He dared to bully Sarah. Anyone who dares to touch her will die, no matter who they are."
Raed released a dense killing intent that frightened the Second Elder and everyone in the room.
"....Why does this child have such a strong killing intent? He is truly dangerous..."
The Fifth Elder thought to himself.
"...Alright, elder brother, Raed has made himself clear. I believe Karim started it. Also, this matter does not warrant gathering us all here..."
The Fourth Elder said with a friendly smile, as he was genuinely a good and neutral person who did not involve himself in conflicts.
"...Actually, we gathered everyone for another matter. The Second Elder claimed that Raed follows the path of a demon..."
The First Elder said, and then the Second Elder continued.
"....Yes, we all know he has no spiritual root, so how can he train if he is not on the path of a demon, practicing evil and slaughtering the innocent..."
"... Hahaha, fool. I couldn't train because of my physique alone. I need techniques suited to my physique; otherwise, even if you gave me a technique at the heavenly level, I wouldn't be able to train."
"And good and evil are just concepts. Good and evil are in the heart and have nothing to do with the techniques you practice. Also, the great elder should be able to sense if I am training on the path of demons or not..."
Raed said coldly, looking at everyone with disdain.
"...Well, he has not trained on the path of evil. His energy is very pure and intense... Let's end this tedious matter. Don't you recognize the danger..."
An old man with white hair sitting among the ordinary people spoke. Everyone was surprised and then greeted him.
"....Greetings to the Great Elder..."
"...No flattery..."
The Great Elder said and then looked at Raed.
"....You are very strong. I think you are as talented as your mother..."
"...Thank you, Great Elder. In fact, you are unwell...."