Miss Ireya's words were well-reasoned and resonated with many, In fact, long before the Black Dragon had targeted important figures from various noble families, many had suspected there was a mastermind behind it.
That mastermind certainly wasn't Gabriel, the Foreigner. Although Gabriel might have been able to control the Black Dragon, he was not familiar with the nobles of the western lands, especially given how adeptly the Black Dragon had chosen the timing of its attacks.
For instance, the time it killed Stiles, the Family Head of the Lycet Family, was while Stiles was inspecting the defense works, accompanied only by a few guards—making him an easy target.
