Sensing the powerful magical energy that had emerged out of Flintor, King Garnet couldn't help but blink several times to ensure he wasn't seeing things.
Crystal Sage Rank?
No, the magical energy emanating from him seemed even more potent, suggesting he might be at the Crystal King Rank. However, King Garnet had already confirmed that the Princess's personal guard was at the Crystal Luminary Rank.
Thus, the idea of Flintor being at the Crystal Sage Rank was something he found incredibly hard to believe—impossible, even!
Of course, the Four Major Clans witnessed this scene and were even more shocked by it.
Olivia couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Is this the true strength of the Princess's personal guard?" She knew that the position of the Princess's personal guard was unique.
When she first heard about the appointment, the news was spread throughout the kingdom to the extent that the Princess's personal guard could be considered part of the royal family. However, even without that, his strength had never been revealed to the public.
Olivia had no idea about how strong he truly was. She had even wondered if he was at the tenth tier Crystal Luminary Rank, just like Princess Crystalia after her strength was unveiled during the Gemheart' Clans attack. However, looking at the personal guard before her, she realized she was absolutely wrong!
In fact, it should be obvious that the Princess's Personal guard should be at least someone stronger than her. If Princess Crystalia's strength was at the Tenth tier Crystal Luminary Rank, then that meant that the personal guard demonstrating an immense amount of magical energy that even she was not able to sense was—
Olivia gulped down a mouthful of saliva. For some reason, this situation reminded her of exactly how her last encounter with Orion had ended.
Instantly, her mind raced, searching for a way to leave the Gemheart Clan Manor with the rest of her family because, whatever it was, she was sure the results wouldn't be pleasant.
Just as another group of guards was about to jump in and attack again, King Garnet immediately shouted at the top of his lungs.
"STOPP!!"
The guards instantly halted their steps and returned to their previous positions.
Seeing this, King Garnet focused his attention back towards Flintor.
"Do you have any idea what you are doing?" King Garnet asked.
Flintor merely looked at him.
Instead of responding, he said, "I have thought about many ways that I want to kill you. However, as the king, I'll be willing to give you a choice," he asked, "How do you want to die, King Garnet?"
King Garnet immediately gritted his teeth in anger.
He snapped his head to the side, focusing on the guests present. "As you can all see, the Crystalforge clan has decided to retaliate once again, even after their defeat. However, it would be too shameful for one of the Four Major Clans to throw their fists against an already fallen clan."
He then focused his attention back on Flintor.
"So, I will give you one last chance to surrender. Otherwise, not only will I label you and the Crystalforge clan as traitors, but I will also place a bounty on the Crystalforge Clan. Whoever successfully wipes out the Crystalforge Clan will be joined with the Four Major Clans, restoring its numbers to the Five Major Clans," he said.
He still had to confirm in detail about the Princess's Personal guard's current strength before taking any action he might regret.
As King Garnet's voice reverberated through the air, the whole area couldn't help but become absolutely silent.
Crystala's eyes immediately widened after listening to King Garnet's words.
Becoming one of the Five Major Clans—what does that mean?
Forget about their current position; for them to be here, within the main engagement hall, meant they obviously held considerable power within the Prismerian kingdom.
However, when compared to the Four Major Clans, their authority might as well be like comparing a toothpick to that of a tree.
It was incomparable!
So, the moment King Garnet's words ended, the eyes of all the smaller clans and families burned with determination.
"The Glimmerskin Clan has heard the King's words and would gladly soil its hands in taking care of the Crystalforge Clan."
A voice soon sounded out, and a middle-aged man with deep blue skin and white hair locks stepped forward.
Although the Glimmerskin Clan was part of the vassals under the Crystalforge Clan, helping them control some crucial areas in the kingdom, now that the Crystalforge clan had fallen and their authority had been seized by the Gemheart Clan, other clans and families had been slowly eating up their business and authority. This compelled them to look for an alternative way to restore their previous position of power.
That's why they chose to attend the engagement of the Crowned Prince and the former Princess of the Prismerian kingdom, aiming to befriend the Gemheart Clan and prove their capabilities.
However, now that they not only had the chance to do so but could also climb up the ladders and instantly ascend into the position of becoming one of the Five Major Clans, even if it meant becoming one of the weakest Major Clans, how could they resist such an offer?
Nevertheless, he wasn't the only one who found such an offer irresistible, as several other voices rang loudly.
"The Jadefall family has heard the King's words and would gladly extend its hands in exterminating the Gemheart Clan."
"The Moonstone Clan has heard the King's words and would personally want to take care of wiping out the Crystalforge Clan themselves."
Another voice sounded out, and in just under a few minutes, about six Clans and ten Families spoke and stepped forward.
Witnessing all of this, Crystalia couldn't help but grit her teeth in anger and frustration. Yes, she understood that although some of the clans and families that had stood up to face them were once loyal to the Crystalforge Clan, it was all about power and survival at the end of the day.
The Crystalforge Clan had already lost its power and was now clinging to its last thread of survival. So, after King Garnet had made such an offer to everyone present, Crystalia understood that after today, the Crystalforge Clan would be... no more.
