[Bonus Chapter for 500 powerstones]
"That bow! That glove!" King Viri and King Lantes spoke out at the same time.
Everyone knew that bow all too well. Despite the Heavenly Body Sect being supported by the most talent and the strongest Clans, the Natural Order Sect was always able to stand as their equal. Why was that? It was precisely because of the bow in Ryu's hand, and the glove that ran up his arm!
It took several moments for King Viri and Lantes to calm themselves and collect their thoughts. Just what did it mean for this to happen? Were the Tors really responsible for clearing out the whole of the Natural Order Sect? Had they been played?
In the end, King Viri shook his head. "I admit that you do have reason and evidence to support your thoughts, but there are too many problems with this.
"Even if Crown Prince Tor managed to get his hand on his bow, how do we know that the Tor Clan was involved? No matter what, Ryu Tor was beaten like a dog on the streets of Tor City. Then, he limped home, suffering the gazes and ridicule of almost everyone. How could it be possible for someone to endure such hardship, yet still display filial piety?
"If you ask me, it's more likely that Ryu Tor's Natural Awakening alerted the experts of the Immortal Plane. You know as well as I do that the only reason our best talents are of the Earth Grade at best is because everyone above that grade are taken away the moment they awaken. It's less of a logical stretch if Ryu Tor was taken in by an Immortal. This would explain how he so suddenly disappeared for almost two years. Now, he's back for his revenge.
"In fact…" King Viri's eyes narrowed. "… Ryu Tor seemed to have quite a good relationship with your sons, even helping them out multiple times. How do we know that he isn't putting you up to this in exchange for a portion of your Sect's resources?!"
As expected, Kings weren't fools. King Viri's conclusion was actually very close to the truth, yet it only took him a moment to think of it. Ryu had indeed come to King Opes with his plans. As far as King Opes knew, everything King Viri said was the truth. However, would Ryu be one to form such a half-baked plot?
King Opes remained silent for a moment.
"Your words are logical, maybe I was a bit too rash. I should have thought of this possibility occurring as well.
"Now that you say it, there are a few inconsistencies. For example, Ryu killing such an important member of the Tor Clan power structure in Death Guard Bhishak is a bit odd. However, I still believe that there is more evidence on my side of thinking.
"For one, by your logic, Crown Prince Tor should have hated his brothers to the core as well. After all, while your sons enraged him by being witness to Imperial Doula Miriam's death, wasn't First Prince Amory the reason they were there in the first place? Ryu Tor had plenty of chances to cripple not just his first brother, but also his second and third brothers as well.
"Secondly, there's the matter of Ryu Tor's blindness. Why did he hide it for so long? Knowing King Tor, he definitely would have ordered someone to permanently blind his fourth son if what you say is correct. But, not only is Ryu Tor not blind, he actually hid it until he forced into a corner he couldn't get out of like he had before.
"Thirdly…" King Opes smiled lightly. "… Do you all know what happened on the date of Ryu Tor's birth?"
King Viri and Lantes were slowly wavering in their own conclusions, so when they heard this, their ears couldn't help but perk up.
"I'm sure you all know that after Ryu Tor was born, Tor Kingdom went into a lockdown that I assume was implemented in order to hide the appearance of the Fourth Prince. Like myself, I'm sure you two were very interested in why that was, so just like me, you likely contacted your various spies immediately, no?"
The two Kings nodded.
"And I'm sure that, once more, like me, you two didn't find anything. Everything was sealed up tight. It wasn't until things laxed in later years that we found out the truth, correct?"
The two Kings nodded once more.
"I should tell you two that although I didn't find out anything about Ryu Tor's birth back then, I found something far more interesting…" King Opes smiled. "… I learned that Queen Olivia had order Meridian Severing Powder through various channels and the one she asked to administer the poison was… None other than Death Guard Bhishak!"
King Viri and Lantes sucked in a cold breath. Meridian Severing Powder was too vicious and rare a poison, especially when used on an unborn child. In fact, the supply was so low that there were only a few places it was possible to buy this poison on their Higher Mortal Plane, places that were heavily monitored by all four Kingdoms.
This wasn't even the most important point. If what King Opes said was true, then not just Ryu, but even King Tor would want Death Guard Bhishak killed for betraying him. But since the Cedar Clan was involved, they would have to do it in such a way that they weren't alerted, or else it would stir up inner conflict. The Coronation Games were basically the best opportunity!
"How could you possibly know that it was Death Guard Bhishak that she ordered to do such a thing?" This question was the most important. If King Opes had a good answer, this could change everything.
"I don't." King Opes said with a light smile. "But… He certainly does."
At that moment, the attention of the two Kings were shifted as a certain individual walked into King Opes' office. When they saw who it was, a sudden realization came over them.
Many years ago, the Garis Clan had suffered a major slap to the face at the hands of the Cedar Clan. Though, in the end, the matter was buried by the Imperial Censors, how could the Garis Clan forget the humiliation they faced? Back then, the Garis Clan had used all resources at their disposal to enact justice for themselves, but they reached a dead end. Unable to do anything, they could only resign themselves to fate. This turn of events was what changed the old General's outlook on life, making him believe that if he wasn't as harsh with his Clan as those others were with theirs, his family would only suffer even more humiliation in the future.
Why was it that even the old General had to give up? After years of investigation, they found the insurmountable wall that was Death Guard Bhishak at the end of it all! And who was it that walked into the room just now? It was none other than Second Prince Jedrek Tor!