Chapter 483: Unsavoury
It would not be until a week later that Elion finally woke up.
However, something far more interesting was already taking place back in Grimholt no more than a day after their departure.
The strange eclipse had finally faded at the same time Celeste completed her awakening. The bloody color slowly receded from the sun and moon, while the skies returned to their natural appearance as though nothing unusual had ever happened.
Naturally, theories about the cause of the phenomenon were already spreading across kingdoms, churches, academies, and noble courts.
Some believed it had been a warning from the gods.
Others claimed it marked the birth of a powerful monster or the awakening of an ancient artifact.
The local priests of the Goddess of Light had, unsurprisingly, declared it a divine warning meant to punish the unfaithful.
But none of that was of great importance right now.
In his anger, the burly merchant Gale had rushed to personally inform Duke Dawncrest of Elion’s return.
The two of them had then traveled swiftly to Grimholt with an entire unit of mages and warriors who served beneath the Duke.
In the early hours of the morning, after the crimson sun and moon had faded, a rare crowd began gathering in Grimholt’s upper district.
It was no surprise that news of the gathering quickly reached the academy.
However, it was also no coincidence.
Duke Dawncrest had deliberately spread word of his arrival through his contacts, servants, guards, and various influential figures within the city. He wanted as many witnesses as possible to be present when he cornered the accused heretic.
By the time the sun had fully risen, the paved streets surrounding Elion’s manor were already packed.
Academy students gathered among merchants, minor nobles, servants, adventurers, and ordinary residents of Grimholt. Some stood on nearby balconies, while others crowded onto rooftops or watched from the windows of neighboring estates.
A heavily armed unit surrounded the manor.
Warriors in polished armor stood in orderly ranks, weapons resting against their shoulders, while robed mages gathered behind them. Several of the stronger figures among the group floated above the ground, keeping watch over the walls and courtyards.
Once Duke Dawncrest was satisfied with the number of witnesses he had gathered, a menacing smile appeared on his face.
He slowly floated into the sky.
A sound-amplifying spell formed around his throat, and his booming voice spread across the upper district.
"A month ago, a filthy demonic heretic revealed himself within our great academy during a historic tournament event!"
The crowd immediately quieted.
Duke Dawncrest’s expression twisted with rehearsed anger.
"And I am ashamed to say that the damned demon somehow slipped through our fingers, escaping through the forbidden power granted to him by his demonic pact."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Several students who had witnessed the tournament exchanged uncertain glances, while those who had only heard the rumors leaned forward eagerly.
"Over the past few weeks, we have worked tirelessly to hunt down this former student, now demon," Dawncrest continued. "However, the heretic remained elusive until recently."
He lifted one arm and pointed toward Gale, who stood among the more important figures gathered beneath him.
"Allow me to offer my gratitude to my great friend Gale, who acted swiftly after receiving information that this heretic had brazenly returned to the city, daring to walk among us as though he still possessed the right to do so."
Several gazes turned toward Gale.
The merchant stood tall, his broad arms folded behind his back as he accepted their attention with a grim expression.
Duke Dawncrest’s voice became heavier.
"Unfortunately, upon his return, the heretic committed an even more unforgivable act." He paused for effect. "He kidnapped my dear friend’s talented daughter!"
A wave of shocked murmurs spread through the gathered crowd.
Some gasped while others cursed beneath their breath. Several academy students immediately began whispering Mira’s name.
Dawncrest slowly formed a trembling fist.
A furious expression appeared on his face, convincing enough to shake the hearts of those watching below.
"It is only right that I, as his friend, a fellow father, and an aggrieved duke who desires nothing but peace and goodwill for the people of this great kingdom, act swiftly to detain and execute this heretic!"
His voice thundered across the district.
Then he lowered his gaze toward Gale. "Worry not, my friend. Your daughter will be returned to you unharmed."
"Yeah!"
A roar of agreement erupted from part of the crowd.
"Kill the heretic!"
"Save the poor girl!"
"Dawncrest protects the kingdom!"
The Duke continued speaking, stirring their emotions and shamelessly painting himself as a noble savior merely carrying out his duty.
The narrative that Mira had been kidnapped by Elion was something he and Gale had agreed upon beforehand.
It allowed both men to get what they wanted.
Dawncrest would gain public support for attacking Elion, while Gale would recover his daughter without having to admit that she had willingly chosen Elion over her own family.
Any inconsistencies could be corrected later.
Once Mira was safely returned to the family estate, Gale could simply claim that the shock and demonic influence had confused her memories.
The rebellious child had already caused him far too much trouble, and he would make sure to discipline her properly as soon as he got his hands on her.
She had escaped from his clutches last time, but now, with a Duke personally involved, it was only a matter of time before the matter was concluded.
Gale did not believe that Elion had somehow, suddenly become so powerful; he had just caught his entourage by surprise the last time.
Even the powerful woman accompanying Elion would not be able to do anything against such a force.
At least, that was what Gale believed.
The Duke had come personally, and he had brought some of his most trusted mages and warriors.
Among them were several High Mages, powerful combat specialists, and a formation expert personally hired to dismantle the manor’s defensive formations.
Further back within the gathering crowd, Xavier could only shake his head as he watched the spectacle.
The ease with which ordinary people were swayed by emotion and figures of authority was almost sad.
The more intelligent individuals naturally remained quiet, and those who were neutral also chose not to speak.
Then there were people like him, who had no choice but to appear supportive of his father’s narrative and pretend to stand in agreement with this farce.
Unfortunately, none of this was unusual.
The weak were oppressed every day.
Most of it simply happened behind closed doors.
But when oppression became a public spectacle like this, whoever controlled the narrative would always win.
Evidence mattered little: Truth mattered even less.
What mattered was who spoke first, who spoke loudest, and who possessed enough power to make their version of events impossible to challenge.
Unfortunately for Elion, the fellow academy student Xavier had briefly taken an interest in, Duke Dawncrest had invested a considerable amount of influence into spreading his chosen narrative over the past month.
The name Elion Nova had already become synonymous with heresy and demonic corruption among those who knew nothing about him.
’How unsavory.’
Xavier shook his head and turned away from the scene with a blank gaze.
He had only come because he heard his father was making quite the spectacle, but there was nothing here worth watching.