Balam shrieked in horror. "T-This is ridiculous, my lord! Stripping Astaroth of his noble title? That's too extreme! He is the blessed! How can revoking his noble title be permitted?"
Losing the title meant that a demon would be forced to live like a commoner, without the privileges and reputation that a noble enjoyed. For noble families, nothing instilled more fear in their hearts than losing their luxury and forsaking their place in the upper echelon.
Astaroth exclaimed. "Yes, Your Majesty! Please show mercy! T-This is absolutely unacceptable!"
Asmodea smiled. "But imprisonment is absolutely unacceptable too, isn't it? How many concessions are we supposed to make in lieu of your blessed status? I don't find my lord's suggestions to be so unreasonable."
Doloros thoughtfully nodded. "For all the years of ignorance Nethermoor faced and Casca, who almost fell victim to the ice tide today, they deserve justice. If we simply exile the young lord for a year, they'll see it as us shielding you because of your status."
Gressil added. "It could very well bring civil unrest. It'd be an unnecessary use of the military to contain a rebellion that we can prevent here."
Xeraphine quickly knelt before the throne, pleading before Veloria.
"Your Majesty, we can accept my lord's first two terms. But to strip him of nobility…? I implore upon Your Majesty to not take such a drastic step. I assure you that Astaroth will mend his ways."
Balam elbowed his son hard. Realizing his intent, Astaroth swiftly joined his mother and dropped to his knees before Nefarion and Veloria.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll change my ways and strive to be more responsible!"
Nefarion glanced at Veloria. Seeing her hold her silence, he turned to Xeraphine indifferently.
"Madam Xeraphine, it's either imprisonment or revoking nobility. Your son has disappointed me deeply. This wasn't expected of the blessed demon. Our citizens would think that anymore leniency is the blessed's tyranny to get away with serious crimes."
Astaroth paled.
"That's why I support Zerath's suggestions. We cannot let Nethermoor and Casca rebel. Hence, I declare my following judgment."
He raised his index finger. "First, young lord Astaroth must return all the embezzled funds that he misused to the royal treasury.
Second, Nethermoor's citizens must not be retaliated by his stay, and he shall wholeheartedly serve his repentance. To this effect, Gressil will be responsible to oversee Nethermoor's situation and report to me every month."
Gressil stood up and bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."
"Third, I hereby revoke the nobility of Astaroth Elyrius, son of Balam and Xeraphine Elyrius. From this moment, he is no longer nobility and shall relinquish all ranks, privileges and dignitary rights. He must adopt a humble lifestyle befitting a common citizen."
Astaroth stared at him in disbelief.
No…This cannot be happening…
Nefarion continued. "Regarding the ice demon child, Eurus - I don't hold him responsible for today's incident as he was unnecessarily provoked into an unstable state of mind."
Vivia exhaled her caught breath, overwhelmed with relief.
"However, the events behind Nethermoor's eternal winter are still unclear. Though the child was the direct cause of the winter, what led him to unleash his powers is yet to be known. I cannot determine his guilt or innocence yet. Hence I order Gressil and Zerath to begin a full-scale investigation surrounding the crisis."
Gressil and Zerath nodded in acknowledgement.
He then looked at Draconis. "Furthermore, I instruct Draconis to create a magic-binding amulet for Eurus. The child must learn to control his powers and until then, this amulet will suppress it from going berserk."
Draconis bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Nefarion shifted his attention to Vivia. "It's extremely unfortunate what Princess Clairette had to endure today. I sincerely hope this incident doesn't tarnish our alliance and relations with your realm."
Vivia rose with grace and offered a poised smile. "No, it won't. I assure you that Rudaheim won't face any revolt from Emberlain."
Nefarion stared at her, then nodded. "I hope so too, Princess. However as the King, I shall take responsibility for the injustice you faced on my soil. I hereby declare a compensation of fifty thousand gold coins to Princess Clairette for the grievances she faced."
Vivia almost puked blood.
F-Fi-Fifty thousand!?
I haven't even seen ten gold coins together in my lifetime and he is sending fifty thousand my way…!?
She stammered breathlessly. "T-That is not necessary-"
"Sir Doloros. You'll oversee the Princess's and the child's treatment and ensure their recovery and full return to their health as soon as possible."
Doloros bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."
"..."
Did he just ignore me?
"Lady Asmodea," Nefarion said, "You shall prepare to handle any upcoming political repercussions with the Emberlain convoy regarding these developments."
"As you command, Your Majesty," she bowed.
"Lastly…" his gaze rested on Zerath, not betraying the pride and joy he held in his heart.
"It's truly commendable how the Crown Prince protected Casca, the palace and quelled the uncontrollable pandemonium."
Zerath bowed. "I simply carried out my duties, Your Majesty."
He nodded. "To acknowledge your valor, I hereby appoint you as the Lord of Casca. Casca will now be under your direct jurisdiction from this day forward."
A wave of gasps and whispers echoed throughout the courtroom.
Until now, Casca had always fallen within the King's jurisdiction, being the capital city. But now that authority had been granted to Zerath, which was a significant and monumental decision.
"An official decree will be issued by tomorrow. I hereby declare a grand festival to be held at Casca to celebrate your heroic deeds in honor of your valor."
Zerath bowed once again. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I vow I won't let you down."
Vivia beamed.
This is splendid! A new jurisdiction for Zerath and a grand celebration!
Her heart thudded with joy. If she could, she would have shed tears of happiness right here in the court.
Balam protested. "Your Majesty, forgive my interference, but what about my lord hiding his mysterious powers from us! Does that not warrant a punishment?"
Vivia's gaze darkened.
Will he just never give up?
Nefarion narrowed his eyes. "No. Not when Zerath has clearly stated that he doesn't fully understand his powers yet. It was fine if he kept it to himself as long as it didn't harm national interests or caused any injustices."
"But Nethermoor suffered unjustly."
"As he already said, the power isn't honed yet. He couldn't end the winter, despite his numerous attempts. He did stop the tide, and that's a hopeful step forward."
He further added. "It's meaningless to punish him, and I need confirmation of the power, not assumptions. Assumptions only create unnecessary speculations and rumors."
Asmodea chuckled. "Fufu~, as the Minister of Law and Justice, I believed Sir Balam was well-versed with all such distinctions~"
Balam could only grit his teeth in silence, seething with indignation. Xeraphine, too, had nothing more to offer.
Nefarion's voice rang clear across the courtroom one last time.
"These judgments will take effect immediately. I now declare the court dismissed."