Not only was Percival stunned by the question, all those who could hear Dyon’s words were as well.
If Dyon came here to save someone, fine. They could accept something like this. Judging by how clearly talented Giralda was, it wasn’t a surprise that she had a connection to a True God like Dyon. Although there was quite a bit of difference between a High Order Second Grade celestial and a True God, those who were keen could see something odd about Giralda’s cultivation.
It wasn’t consolidated!
Of course, this was in part due to the fact her cultivation had been sealed for so many years, but there was another explanation as well: she broke through in a rush and earlier than she should have.
What did it mean for someone to have rushed their cultivation, yet still have been a high order second grade celestial? It meant that their truest potential was that of the legendary first grade!
Clearly, Giralda broke through earlier than she should have in hopes of saving her husband. However, in the end, she failed due to injuries from her tribulation. She was then forced to exchange herself for their lives.
That aside, while saving her made sense, what was with this question? Why did it sound like it came from the lips of a boy naïve about the matters of the world instead of coming from the True God Dyon was?
However, other than confusion, there was a mixture of disgust, odd looks and gloating aimed toward Percival.
The disgust and disappointment mostly came from those of the Grand Templar Sect. They were meant to be a morally upstanding sect, one that took their knight’s code very seriously. How could a supposed knight of honor disgrace his family name in such a way?
King Cromwell trembled with rage. If it wasn’t out of respect for his friend and Percival’s late father, he would have turned Percival to ash where he stood.
As a man on the precipice of learning Holy Will, his demeanor was highly refined. While those with affinity for holy will could be good or evil, those without affinity like King Cromwell who strived their whole lives to learn it all embodied the will’s purity.
Of course, Dyon would find the idea of knights being bound by codes of honor highly ironic considering the legends of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere. After all, in those stories, Arthur’s best friend, Lancelot, a supposed “honor bound knight”, committed quite a few acts of adultery with Guinevere. Still, the knights of the Grand Templar Sect didn’t know of this and took their honor very seriously.
Percival’s face turned a bright shade of red. Half in embarrassment at the odd looks he was receiving, and another half in anger at the emotionless young man before him.
In his mind, Dyon was mocking him. He didn’t believe that this was a legitimate question… It was too odd. It must have been that Dyon wanted his sect to know how much of a lowly scumbag he was.
“You…” Percival wanted to say more, but the cloud of killing intent emanating from his uncle seemed to only be getting thicker.
Giralda’s complicated expression grew deeper. Although she had a thought of exposing Percival earlier, she hadn’t for various reasons.
Despite the fact King Cromwell was an honor-bound individual, she knew what kind of fury her family would have if they knew she was here. If she knew, King Cromwell would know as well. In that case, he might even decide to kill her directly so that her family would never know… Even the greatest of men make immoral decisions when pushed into a corner…
Dyon scanned Percival’s features, seemingly unaware that he wasn’t being taken seriously. “Not only did you act to ruin the lives of what could have been a good family, your actions had trickle down effects, disseminating your evil unto others…
“Your son was just as arrogant as you are, running rampant in Sapientia Corner and bullying those of lower status than himself. The number of individuals he’s brought pain and suffering is likely innumerable… And you’re to blame.
“Giralda’s daughter, Violet, doesn’t see the world as she should…”
Hearing her daughter’s name, Giralda’s heart seized. Could there be something wrong with Violet? What happened to my daughter while I wasn’t there?
“Violet has become highly materialistic, unwilling to suffer the same fate her mother did… She doesn’t believe in true love, she only seeks out those with the strongest backing… A person who very well should have grown up to be as gentle as her mother was distorted and tainted… And you’re to blame…”
Giralda’s shoulders trembled as tears fell from her beautiful eyes. She couldn’t help but hold onto the boy in her arms tighter, cradling his small head.
“And now you’ve created another emotional tether, one so fragile that it could easily splinter and self-destruct in the future.
“What do you think will happen when this boy grows up and learns of what his father did? Will he be racked by guilt? Unwilling to ever look his mother in her eyes? Will he follow down the same path of his father? Blocking himself off from emotion so that he doesn’t have to feel that guilt? Will he be unwilling to acknowledge his ancestors? Cutting himself off from the Grand Templar Sect, never to associate with half of his family?…
“You’re to blame…” Dyon said slowly. “Tell me… Why?”