Of course, they all understood that the Four Major Clans would follow suit and surrender their position and authority to the Crystalforge Clan. It was apparent they couldn't handle this situation themselves, or else they would have done so already.
However, upon hearing the Gemheart Clan Mistress relinquishing everything they owned, even with Orion stating that he would deal with them, and sensing a hidden intent, it wasn't hard for them to speculate the kind of judgment the Gemheart Clan was about to face. Despite this, they found it somewhat challenging to believe that the Gemheart Clan Mistress would willingly swallow her pride and utter such a sentence without hesitation.
They wouldn't doubt her reasons if they were aware of the punishment the Gemheart Clan Mistress had endured under the Gemheart Clan Head. However, since she managed to conceal her scars whenever she left the Castle to avoid arousing suspicion, it was understandable that they couldn't.
Crystalia snorted disdainfully at Elara's words, dismissing them without consideration. With Orion taking charge of the Gemheart Clan's fate, she had no intention of intervening or showing any mercy. If the Gemheart Clan Mistress expected leniency from her, she was sorely mistaken.
However, another familiar voice resounding voice echoed in the air.
"The Prismaflow Clan willingly steps down from its position of power and relinquishes all authority to the Crystalforge Clan," Ralias Prismaflow, the Clan Head, said with a calm and serene expression.
He, along with his family and the attending members of the Prismaflow Clan, bowed their heads toward Orion.
Orion raised his brows slightly, as he hadn't expected the Prismaflow Clan to surrender so easily. He had already heard about their Clan's behaviour and understood that they were usually the only Clan among the other Major Clans who hardly interfered with the affairs of the Prismarian Kingdom, except for the Young Heirs' battle for the throne or any major situations.
Regardless, he hadn't had any bad encounters with the Prismaflow Clan, except for the battle at the Young Heir Banquet, where he had beaten both of their young heirs to a pulp. So, he could only nod in response to Crystalia, who had turned her head towards him for approval, before she sighed and turned her attention back to the crowd.
It was obvious that she was satisfied with the Prismaflow Clan's response.
Immediately after, another voice rang out loudly, surprising the crowds once more.
"The Quartzwraith Clan hereby steps down from their position of power and relinquishes every authority they possess to the Crystalforge Clan," Clan Mistress Olivia Quartzwraith declared loudly.
Her husband, Clan Head Jadues Quartzwraith, frowned deeply at her words. He was about to speak; however, after seeing the unwavering resolution in his wife's eyes and realizing that he could not change her decision, Jadues sighed silently and dropped his head even lower. He understood that from now on, there would no longer be a Four Major Clan, except for one.
The Clan they had all thought would disappear and be replaced could now look down at them from a mountain.
'Maybe this is what they call fate,' Jadues thought internally as he shifted his gaze from the two warriors standing at the door to Orion, a glint passing through his eyes.
Witnessing three of the Four Major Clans willingly surrender without hesitation, the rest followed suit, shouting to the top of their lungs to be heard clearly by everyone in the hall.
After a few minutes, the entire hall fell silent as everyone surrendered their positions and authority to the Crystalforge Clan, except for one.
Crystalia narrowed her eyes at the Luminaris Clan.
Even though the two young heiresses were Orion's partners, she couldn't rule out that they had been one of the primary reasons the Gemheart Clan quickly consolidated their authority within the Prismerian Kingdom.
Before she could attempt to speak, Orion's voice resounded loudly in the air.
"Is the Luminaris Clan unwilling to surrender and bear the consequences of their actions, or would they rather join the Gemheart Clan in suffering the same fate?" Orion asked, a fierce glint in his eyes.
Everyone in the main engagement hall cast a subtle glance towards the Luminaris, muttering silent prayers for the Crystalforge Clan in their hearts.
Despite Owen being Merida's and Maya's father, he was aware that they had snuck out of the Castle during the Gemheart Clan's attack.
Since they hadn't been found or returned to their clans, it meant they didn't support what their father and family had done. Knowing the character of the two girls, who would never go back on their word, he was sure they were waiting in hiding to confirm whether he was dead or alive first.
Nonetheless, even if those two were the only reason he had not killed off the whole Luminaris Clan instantly, Orion understood that he couldn't let them go unpunished for what they had done.
After almost a minute of silence, Orion raised his other hand and activated his gift.
CRACCCKKLLEE!! CRACCKKLLEE!!!
Violent strikes of bluish lightning emerged from Orion's arms as he immediately conjured about fifteen lightning-bluish arrows, each with a blunt head. He steadily charged them from his arm, planning to deal a devastating amount of damage to the Luminaris Clan and leave them at death's door without killing them.
Since they could now leave the mountain as they wished, he could have Aunt Greta treat them back to health for their injuries. As for the rest of the Luminaris Clan members, he couldn't let his pregnant wife deal with their problems, so whether they survived or not, was based only on their luck.
Witnessing Orion's movement, the Luminaris Clan members' eyes widened, especially Owen, who was already on death's bed.
Before he could even manage to say a word in fright—
Orion swung his wrist forward.
CRACKKLEEE!!! SWWISSHHH!!
CRACKKLEEE!!! SWWISSHHH!!
CRACKKLEEE!!! SWWISSHHH!!
Over fifteen arrows were shot towards them like a bolt of lightning, accurately striking down fifteen Luminaris Clan members even before they could react.
"ARRGH!!"
"AHHH!!!"
Various screams rang out in the air from the Luminaris Clan position; whether it was men or women, they all writhed on the ground as the lightning charred and electrocuted various parts of their skin.
It seared through what they were wearing, with apparent damage concentrated where the bolts of arrows had landed.
After the screams slowly died down, the rumbling and rolling sound of lightning echoed in the air again.
A drop of sweat gathered around the forehead of everyone in the main engagement hall as they turned their heads toward Orion.
They saw about eighteen arrows around him, each charged once more, ready to strike down the remaining Luminaris Clan members.
