"Shut up! You mongrel! What are you barking about?!"
Yaligong bit his lower lip until it bled, glaring with furious, bloodshot eyes. "If the Divine Ancestor didn't want to spare the life of a mongrel like you, who has polluted our Dragon Blood, I'd slice you into a thousand pieces right now!"
Reiya glanced at Yaligong without a word, her scornful gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Look at you all. Cowering, feigning compliance, reeking of hypocrisy. You all hate me so much, but I don't hate you. I just find you pathetic and laughable."
"Because you don't dare to hate the one who truly killed your loved ones. You know better than anyone who the real killer is, but you don't dare name them! You wouldn't dare feel a shred of hatred for those in authority over you."
The Silver-haired Dragon Lady's sneer grew more mocking. "So you can only hate me. After all, I can't fight back, and hating me is a convenient way to display your loyalty and prove you're on the right side, isn't it?"
Reiya's words, holding nothing back, tore the masks of hypocrisy from the faces of most nobles present.
Their darkest thoughts laid bare, the nobles erupted in a fresh torrent of curses, their faces flushed with shame and rage.
"Your anger is as pathetic as your hatred! Can you do nothing but repeat the same tired insults?"
Reiya let out a derisive, impassioned laugh and took a few steps forward.
"Either refute my words openly and honorably, or use your customary violence and authority to kill me!"
"Enough!"
The cold, blonde Regent King immediately cut in.
"Reiya, you've gone too far. We will not lay a hand on you, but displaying Dragon Thunder before the Holy Hall is an act of blasphemy. Are you not afraid of inviting Divine Punishment? Don't forget that the Divine Ancestor is watching. Return, before this situation becomes irreparable."
Sylvia's head was throbbing. Of all the times for a commotion like this to break out, it had to be during the Holy Tree Festival she was presiding over. Even though she didn't personally dislike Reiya, she found her utterly exasperating at this moment.
She had no choice but to invoke the Divine Ancestor. In the Imperial domain, the authority of the Radiant Holy Tree was absolute. No matter how defiant someone was, they would become perfectly docile before the might of the Celestial God.
"The Divine Ancestor..."
As expected, Reiya fell silent, her head bowed in thought. Just as the Regent King thought she would finally back down, the Silver-haired Dragon Lady laughed.
"Ah, yes. Since we're on the subject of our great Divine Ancestor, I have a question of my own to ask the Radiant Holy Tree."
Sylvia frowned. "The Divine Ancestor has no obligation to answer you. And how dare you speak its sacred name?"
Ignoring the Regent King, Reiya turned to face the Holy Tree Illusion.
"Being born a Dragon is my sin, but none of you have the right to pass judgment. The only one qualified to judge a half-breed mongrel such as myself is the supreme Celestial God—my God, my Ancestor! The Radiant Holy Tree!"
The Silver-haired Dragon Lady raised her hand, unleashing a torrent of Dragon Thunder straight at the Holy Tree Illusion. Her furious question rode the whistling bolt:
"So I ask the Holy Tree: How do you intend to dispose of a mongrel like me, one who bears the stain of Dragon Blood? If you mean to torture me to death, then spare me the tedious process! Send down your divine wrath now and grind me to dust! But if my sin does not warrant death, if you will allow me to live, then give me a chance to become something more!"
Reiya's challenge rang out, casting a deathly, fearful silence over the entire assembly.
Sylvia trembled with rage, her calm, dignified facade finally shattering. She looked on, aghast and terrified.
"You're insane! What are you doing? Questioning the Divine Ancestor?!"
"I am indeed questioning the Divine Ancestor, the great Celestial God. Whatever fate it has in store for me, I will know it, here and now."
Reiya declared without a moment's hesitation. She then called upon her instincts, and the azure Dragon Thunder surged forth once more.
'Enjoy this fleeting peace through self-deception? Fool myself into believing everything will be alright? Or just muddle through, one day at a time?'
The Silver-haired Dragon Lady refused to live in a state of constant, trembling anxiety, like a prisoner on the chopping block, waiting for suffocating despair to fall.
She just wanted to know if she had a future.
That was the only answer she needed.
With resolute determination, Reiya hurled another Thunder Spear at the Holy Tree Illusion, forcing the Celestial God to declare its will.
"CRUNCH—"
The Regent King slammed her fist down, crushing the railing of the floating platform. Her beautiful face was a mask of utter exasperation.
An act of blasphemy against the Divine Ancestor had occurred on her watch. The blow to her prestige as Regent King was immense. It was a truly Unwarranted disaster.
Meanwhile, Yaligong, who had been beside himself with rage just moments ago, began to laugh.
"Hahahaha! It seems the mongrel has finally lost her mind! Imperial Sister, let's enjoy the show! Let's watch how this defiant, presumptuous madwoman is torn to shreds by Divine Punishment!"
As if in answer to Yaligong's wish, a radiant branch formed from particles of Gold above the Holy Tree Illusion and began to descend slowly.
Reiya watched the Holy Tree Branch descend before her, her eyes devoid of fear. She had already accepted any possible outcome before she came here. Even instant death would be a wish granted.
'I just don't want to endure this aimless, wretched existence any longer. If I can't hold my head high and embrace the future with dignity, then just put an end to this painful life of mine.'
The Silver-haired Dragon Lady took a deep breath and stepped forward. But before she did, she couldn't resist looking toward the section reserved for the Branch of Prosperity.
Having risen from his seat, Westheid watched the scene unfold in silence.
"It seems the Fourth Princess is doomed. Tsk, tsk. In a situation like this, wouldn't you say you're the one who caused her death?"
Luyetan sighed softly, speaking to Westheid with keen interest.
"After all, if it weren't for Duke Qinghui's 'encouragement,' would she have done something so foolish?"
Westheid laughed at the remark.
"Yuanxi Palace has a rather dark sense of humor. But you'll find it impossible to make me feel guilty, because Reiya is going to be fine."
"Oh? You seem quite certain of that, Duke Qinghui."
Luyetan was puzzled by Westheid's confidence. Could anyone truly commit such a crazed, blasphemous act and walk away unscathed?
'The answer, in Westheid's mind, was unequivocal.'
'Of course she could! And with ease!'
"CRACKLE—"
The radiant branch coalesced by the Radiant Holy Tree let out a crisp crackle. Streams of light and a liquid like molten Gold flowed across it, finally transforming into a Holy Emblem emblazoned with a blossoming tree. The emblem was then offered to Reiya.
"This is..."
Reiya, stunned by the unexpected turn of events, accepted the unfamiliar token.
She had no idea what this Holy Emblem represented.
However, her confusion was soon dispelled. Prince Yaligong, who had been hoping to enjoy the spectacle of an execution, completely lost his composure. He stared at the Holy Emblem in Reiya's hand, his face a mask of utter disbelief.
"Permission for the Trial?! How can this be! It's... it's impossible!"