Chapter 652 - Conflict

"It seems you've mistaken our silence for cowardice. In truth, we simply find no need to dignify the ramblings of people like you or the half-undead woman. But if you think I need to prove myself, say it plainly instead of dancing around the issue." He then tilted his head forward as a strong glint of challenge shone in his eyes. "Or would you rather keep barking from behind the safety of your table?"

Before Silver could respond, the grand doors of the chamber creaked open, drawing the attention of every beastkin present. The click of elegant shoes echoed through the hall as a figure stepped forward, draped in regal finery.

Princess Kitsara Ironfang of the dogkin people had arrived. However... She looked different than how most people present recognized her as.

Gone were her previous revealing garments meant to seduce, replaced by flowing robes of deep crimson and gold embroidery meant to impress. Their design was intricate and undoubtedly woven to signal her status. Her white hair was pinned back with ornate hairpieces, allowing her stunning facial features to shine in all their natural glory.

Her red eyes spoke volumes of her annoyance as she took in the sight before her. "I thought I was late, but based on the loud shouts that reverberate across the entire damned palace, it seems I didn't miss much."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber as she stepped forward, moving toward her father's seat at the head of the table. Many assumed she would stand behind him, taking her place as his daughter.

But instead, she stopped before the humans.

Gasps erupted as she turned her attention toward the masked man, who simply parted his arms as he said, "You look gorgeous."

Kitsara's expression softened immediately, warmth replacing the annoyed edge in her gaze. Without wasting a single further motion, she settled onto his leg, nestling into his embrace with the ease of a woman entirely comfortable in her place.

Despite Kitsara's change of wardrobe, it was not what made it hard for others to recognize her as the dogkin princess. Instead...

Silver shot up from his seat as soon as his shock subsided. His chair scraped loudly against the stone floor as he sent it barreling back in his extreme outrage. "You dare hide a Nine-Tailed Sorceress from me?! She's one of my people!"

Kitsara merely giggled while resting her head against Quinlan's shoulder. "I approached you personally once, and your people many times, yet I was driven away every single time."

"Lies!" Silver hissed, slamming his fist against the table. "I would never—"

Kitsara lifted a single hand, cutting him off as she uttered, "."

A shimmer of magic coursed over her body, and in an instant, the radiant sheen of her hair dulled, her ears shortened slightly, and her two long, lush tails shrank into a single ordinary one. The chamber fell silent as the illusion settled, leaving her looking like any other foxkin—beyond beautiful, certainly, but clearly just a normal foxkin.

Then, with a knowing smile, she spoke.

"Your exact words were, 'Leave. You stank like a rancid dog. Your adoptive father has corrupted your existence. You are not one of us and never will be.'"

Silver went pale as a clean sheet as if struck by an unseen blow. For a long moment, he simply stared at Kitsara with his mouth opening and closing before he finally found his voice.

"As leader of the foxkin people," he declared, grasping at whatever straws he could find, "you have a duty to follow my word. Regardless of past misunderstandings, it is my right to decide your place among us."

Vargis immediately surged to his feet. His growl reverberated through the chamber like thunder. "She is my daughter! The princess of the dogkin people! Her place is not for you to decide!"

Before Silver could fire back, a new voice cut through the rising tension.

"I consider myself a man of logic."

All eyes turned toward the masked man. He hadn't raised his voice thus far, yet his words carried an unmistakable weight to them this time around.

"Before every decision I make, I do my utmost to weigh the pros and cons, ensuring that my actions are always calculated. Yet… There are times when a man must stand his ground instead of running away, no matter the pros and cons behind such a decision."

His voice lowered into an ominous declaration. "When a man tries to take my woman away from me… That, Silver, is one such moment."

Silver scoffed, forcing himself to regain composure, though the stiffness in his posture betrayed his unease. "It seems we can't come to a decision, then. Fortunately, we have a way to settle things. By the laws of the Beastman Confederation, I invoke my right to challenge you to a duel!"

Murmurs rippled through the chamber, and Gorruk, the bearkin leader grunted in disapproval. "Taking another's woman in such a manner is unprecedented. It goes against the spirit of our duels—"

Quinlan raised a single hand.

"I appreciate your support, Lord Gorruk, but we both know this summit will not move forward as things stand. We have to settle this matter so that we can work together in carving a future where we can all thrive together." He shifted his gaze back to Silver. "I accept your challenge. However…"

With a subtle movement of his gauntleted hand, a holographic message materialized to life above his palm. Glowing letters hovered in the air for all to see.

"Devil, a cherished Vesper Phenom of the Consortium. Attacking him is the equivalent of declaring war on the Vesper Consortium."

Silver's expression tightened as he read the words.

Quinlan's voice lost its hostile edge and returned to his previous eerie calmness, yet there was an undeniable sharpness beneath the surface.

"In case you aren't aware, a person can remain a Vesper Phenom for a decade, and the latest a man can earn this rank is at thirty years of age. As the Phenom Trials take place once a decade and the latest one concluded a little more than a week ago, I can be a few days older than 30 years of age at most. Let me ask you, Silver. Are you a man who would dishonorably challenge a young warrior like me with your many centuries of experience?"

The chamber fell into stunned silence, all eyes shifted to Silver.

The foxkin leader clenched his fists. As a cunning, scheming man, he would've liked nothing more than to beat this youngster up with his own two hands. However, he was already angering the others with his actions. Most beastkin had immense pride and valued their honor higher than their own lives. His current display earned their ire, they were disapproving. Yet, Silver couldn't just give up on securing a woman with the legendary Nine-Tailed Sorceress class.

All his predecessors had one such wife, it became a representation of the royal foxkin family's power. Yet he'd not found his mate… up until now. Kitsara was not only of the illustrious class but was a sensational beauty to boot. She easily outshone all four of his other wives. She was exactly what he needed to consolidate his powers over his people once and for all.

However, he knew that if he did anything the other leaders perceived dishonorable, he would be sent packing, kicked from this temporary alliance.

"Can you prove your claim?" Silver asked with squinted eyes.

"The Red-Eyed Demon was my examiner throughout the trials, you may ask her. Though I already know you'll say humans are untrustworthy. As such, I'm willing to let you use an age-measuring artifact on me. It'll tell you the truth without leaving a shred of doubt behind."

Silver glanced at Vex, who smirked at him condescendingly. She made it clear that he was nothing more than a little rat in her eyes. However, the old fox wasn't one to wear his pride on his heart, he was one of the few beastkin who could easily shrug off such mockery.

Then, his gaze returned to the masked man. In Devil's eyes, he saw nothing but conviction.

Silver was extremely talented at reading people, and he immediately understood the man was telling the truth. Not wishing to lose more face when the artifact would eventually prove the masked man's claims true, he shook his head. "No need. Raelor, step forward. Represent your father."