"A g-general?...." Lauden softly mumbled with a stupefied expression, as if he was repeating the words to himself to make sure he heard it right.
Wasn't this no different than replacing his son with the son of the woman who betrayed him? The very same son who was carrying the blood of the one he hated the most?
How disgraceful and humiliating!
"Your Majesty…are you really sure about this?" Elder Tobias asked with a stunned expression, just like the others. None of them ever expected the Frost King to award such a respected title to an exile with an infamous background and who also seemed to have mastered forbidden arts that could prove to be a threat in the future.
Eli's expression became ecstatic as she felt as if an iron rock was lifted off her chest. She had never felt so relieved and happy since this meant that her father truly recognized Azu's strength and probably did it for her sake as well.
She couldn't help but look at her father with misty eyes before turning to look at Azu with a resplendent smile. She wished she could just run down to him right now and give him a hug.
"Elder Tobias's question isn't without reason, Your Majesty. What you just proposed might stir a lot of commotion and offend a lot of people," Elder Orien added while wondering why the Frost King would make such a foolish decision.
Based on his knowledge of the Frost King, he should be the last one to make a decision in favor of someone with half werewolf bloodline.
The Frost King could feel a lot of heavy gazes landing on him, yet his expression didn't change as he said in a regal tone, "My decision will not be questioned by anyone. But to address any concerns any one of you might have, I haven't overlooked the crimes the mother of this boy had committed in the past, nor did I forget the other half of the blood that flows through his veins. But…"
Everyone held their breath as the Frost King continued, "...he is the first of his kind…someone none of our ancestors nor us have ever seen before. So in truth, our laws do not really hold up against him since our Frozenblood bloodline flows through his veins as well. But ignoring all this, we all witnessed for ourselves his strength, his potential, and his grit. He is a genius unlike ever seen before. He wasn't someone who chose to be born with the bloodline of our mortal enemies but something he possessed from birth. That does not necessarily make him a danger to us, especially if he can prove his loyalty to us. That is why I decided to recognize only him as a citizen of our kingdom, or would you all rather let the Nightfall tribe take him in? What do you have to say about that, Elder Tobias?" The Frost King asked as he looked at Elder Tobias and asked, "Would you prefer a genius as strong as him to be a source of our strength or let him be a source of strength for our enemies?"
Elder Tobias' expression became a bit difficult, as if he got his tongue-tied. Even the two elders beside him couldn't also refute the words of the Frost King. In fact, they felt that what he said made sense. Rather than letting their enemies recruit this boy, it would be more prudent to take him into their fold and even use him against their mortal enemies.
Just like the Frost King said, nobody could predict what this boy would grow to be in the future.
Eli smirked, unable to believe that her father was really supporting Azu this much. Not too long ago, he was this close to killing him and even talking about eradicating his entire family. She wondered if Azu's performance today won her father's approval.
Lauden cracked his knuckles as he saw that even the rest of the royal elders were being moved by the Frost King's words. By now, he was absolutely sure that the Frost King was supporting this half-blood dog rather than his own son, whom he had carefully trained and groomed for years to win the hand of the Frozenblood princess.
He couldn't just keep swallowing this humiliation as he finally spoke up, "Your Majesty, what you said is justified. But the title of a 'General' as per our ancient customs should only be given to someone who has already proven himself in battle."
"I know how much Draven has achieved in battle. We all know it. But then, can you explain why a General like him lost to this boy who had never fought in a war? I am afraid I shouldn't let others hand over such important ranks without going through me henceforth," The Frost King said with a firm expression, making Lauden grind his teeth against each other since this was just even more insulting for his son and for himself.
He still couldn't let it go as he said, "But Your Majesty, it is not only about that. If we are going to trust so many men of ours in the hands of an exile who might still hold resentment towards us, who will guarantee that he won't turn our own men against us? Who will guarantee that each and every move of his wouldn't be harmful to us?"
"I will guarantee it!"
Everyone's brows raised when they saw the person who stood up and called out. Some even gasped while Draven, who barely recovered his consciousness, had his eyes widened like saucers as he mumbled, "N-No…It can't be…" He mumbled before coughing out blood and passing out from shock, or so people thought.
"I, as the Frozenblood princess, will personally guarantee that Azu would never be a danger to our kingdom," Eli said with firm determination as her gaze swept over everyone before looking at Azu as her gaze softened, "I stake my own name on my word."
Azu smiled as he looked at her, moved by the fact that she was willing to risk her status and prestige to be his guarantor. He felt that his future may not be as difficult as he had imagined and that today would be a turning day in his life.
But suddenly, the surroundings began to dissolve into darkness, and instead, what began to replace it was dark blue surroundings as Viktor's consciousness began to resurface.
