They all lowered their heads in shame, not daring to look up. No matter how they examined his words, he was right.
Olivia couldn't help but bite her lip as she also lowered her head in embarrassment and shame. She understood that everything Orion had just said was true.
"Anyway, I can't fully blame you all for your actions since all you've known is only within this mountain. So the fact that you thirst for more power and authority, thinking you are the centre of the world, should be understandable. Nonetheless, there's one thing that at least you all got right," Orion said, calming down his rage as he released a sigh and continued, "Which is that the Crystalforge Clan were the only ones who welcomed me upon my arrival, so I would go as far as I can to repay that favour…"
"Mr. Orion…" Elara quickly interrupted before Orion could continue speaking.
After witnessing Orion and the Warrior's gruesome actions, and hearing his last words, she understood that if things continued like this, then forget about finding a way to salvage whatever relationship they have left with him; Orion might as well kill them without fearing the consequences since it was already clear that he obviously had the capabilities to deal with it.
"What is it?" Orion asked as he turned and saw that Elara, the Gemheart Clan mistress, had interrupted him.
Elara understood this was the only chance she had to avoid whatever calamity was about to befall the Gemheart Clan.
"Mr. Orion, we are sorry for our foolish behaviour," Elara said as she took a deep bow towards Orion's direction.
She even stretched her arm and grabbed hold of her stupid son before she pressed her hand on his back and forced him to take a deep bow against his will.
"Bow down," Elara whispered, her voice laced with a threat.
Zephyrion took a deep breath and obeyed his mother, bowing down as he gripped his fist tightly.
Garnet, who could see in his dizzy condition, gritted his bloodied teeth as he stared at his wife, bowing deeply towards Orion, 'That woman…' he cursed under his breath.
Orion furrowed his brows at Elara's words. It was evident that Orion didn't have a good opinion of Elara, considering how their first meeting had ended up, so he narrowed his eyes at her before he could speak; another voice rang out in the air.
"Mr Orion, we sincerely apologize for our foolish behaviour," Olivia said, bowing deeply towards Orion.
She understood this was the only way to avoid their difficult situation and swiftly followed Elara's lead.
However, after she finished speaking, another voice resonated loudly in the air.
"Mr. Orion, please forgive us for our ridiculous actions!"
"Mr. Orion, we humbly request…"
Soon, various other voices joined in, echoing in the main engagement hall as everyone, including the injured, bowed towards Orion's direction.
Observing the situation, the Luminaris Clan, still tending to their Clan Head, found themselves confused and torn about the appropriate course of action.
Their attention shifted to Owen, who maintained a fiery gaze directed at Orion, and they let out resigned sighs, abandoning any thoughts of surrendering.
On the other hand, Anna couldn't help but bite her lip, questioning whether this was the most prudent decision they could make.
Observing the scene, Orion couldn't resist letting out a loud snort at their actions. Nevertheless, this was the intended effect he had hoped to achieve with his speech. He was well aware that he couldn't simply eliminate everyone in the hall due to the inevitable consequences that would ensue.
Turning his attention to the still-dazed Crystalia, who had witnessed the entire event, he spoke audibly, "I will personally deal with the Gemheart Clan. As for the others, how do you want to handle them?" He ensured that his words reached every ear in the room.
Elara swallowed hard upon hearing Orion's words but chose to remain silent.
Crystalia fixed her gaze on Orion's calm demeanour. Quickly recovering from her momentary daze, she nodded with a serious expression.
After ensuring that Elysia was seated comfortably on the ground, she stood up. Her eyes scanned the crowd of people bowing down deeply within the main engagement hall.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to speak.
"You all should face punishment for the destruction of the Crystalforge Clan and the chaos that has spread throughout the Prismerian Kingdom," Crystalia stated, sending shivers down their spines.
"However, realizing that your deaths would only sow more chaos in the kingdom, I am willing to withhold my revenge if you are prepared to step down from your positions and cede all authority to the Crystalforge Clan."
The announcement left everyone wide-eyed and astonished, from the Major Clans down to the smaller families.
Wasn't relinquishing their hard-earned positions and authority, the same as killing them?
"Princess... I th—," a voice began from one of the smaller clans, a group that had once sought to eliminate the previous royal family, only to be swiftly interrupted.
"What? Do you find the terms I've made in exchange for your lives too burdensome?" Crystalia responded, narrowing her eyes and fixing a fierce gaze upon the Glimmerskin Clan Head. "Or perhaps, I've misjudged, and you'd prefer death over surrendering everything you own."
"No, my Princess. We... We are grateful for your understanding and compassionate heart," the Glimmerskin Clan Head gritted his teeth and spoke loudly, "The Glimmerskin Clan at this moment relinquishes its position of power and authority to the Crystalforge Clan."
Although he never wanted to utter such a word, the moment those words escaped his lips, he immediately felt a huge burden lifted from his shoulders, causing him to exhale in relief silently.
Suddenly, a loud, familiar voice rang out in the air.
"The Gemheart Clan at this moment steps down from their position of power and relinquishes everything they possess, including their authority, to the Crystalforge Clan," Elara declared, her words causing everyone in the room to become dumbfounded immediately.
