As soon as these words were spoken, the room erupted into chaos...
Some individuals, quick-witted and alert, stood up as if struck by lightning the moment Levi finished speaking. Others remained seated, confused, while a few sat upright, their bodies tense like coiled snakes ready to strike at the slightest disturbance.
Levi, observing the intense reactions, allowed a cold edge to creep into his voice, "What, do you all think I've brought disaster upon us?"
Those who had stood up showed no signs of embarrassment.
A low, deliberately subdued voice spoke up, "It's not that I'm overreacting. I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your son, but I must point out that if your son has been compromised, then you are exposed. The letters you sent and this gathering could lead to our exposure as well. You claim to have our best interests at heart, but what exactly are you trying to achieve?"
Those who hadn't fully grasped the situation now reacted with alarm, some standing up abruptly, creating a cacophony of noise, only to awkwardly hesitate between remaining standing and sitting...
Levi's anger deepened, but he suppressed his pain and fury, saying, "Rest assured, I used an ancestral relic to perform a divination. The Theosophy Order only managed to extract Vasik's name, address, and the names of the Abraham family members he knew. After that, Vasik's spirit completely dissipated."
"Vasik always upheld the honor of the Abraham family. He only identified himself as Vasik Abraham and didn't expose anyone else. The address he provided was his own residence, where he had no interactions with neighbors. The house contained only some mystical materials, with no information about me or any of you."
"As for the list, he didn't have it memorized completely. However, some of the Abraham family members who were discovered were killed and subjected to spiritual interrogation, but no further members were implicated. Others are still under observation. I used the 'Ancestral Staff' to rescue them and provided them with new identities. So, do you still have any questions?"
Levi delivered this rapid-fire explanation, his voice filled with barely contained anger. Florent found it hard to believe that a man as aged as him could speak with such vigor.
Once he finished, those who had stood up either sat back down with awkward smiles or simply returned to their seats without a word. The entire process was eerily silent, as if they were performing a mime act.
Observing Levi oscillating between anger and grief, and the others caught in an awkward silence, Florent decided to lighten the mood:
"Mr. Levi, I'm truly sorry for your loss. But since the crisis has been averted, why exactly did you call us here for this family gathering?"
Levi took a moment to compose himself before responding in his usual emotionless tone, "Although I've performed divinations and successfully rescued the unaffected Abraham family members, the Theosophy Order acted within just two days. Such swift action makes me uneasy..."
"...Additionally, while rescuing our kin, I was afflicted by an illness, indicating the involvement of a Sequence 5 'Demoness of Affliction'. If a demigod were to intervene, I fear the situation could become even more volatile. Moreover, while using the Grade 1 sealed artifact for divination, my spirituality continuously warned me of danger. I am deeply unsettled..."
"...Therefore, to uphold the honor of our ancestors and ensure that the bloodline of Gabriel Abraham never fades, I convened this gathering. Do you still have any questions?"
With that, Levi's eyes gleamed with intensity as he scanned the room, his calm tone masking the storm beneath.
The Abraham family members in the room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone.
A lively voice suddenly broke the tension, "Mr. Levi, isn't this gathering also to celebrate my successful digestion of the 'Astrologer' potion and my official promotion to Astrologer?"
Florent turned curiously toward the speaker...
The man was dressed in a well-fitted black suit, his figure otherwise concealed by a black cloak. He wore a white iron mask that reflected the candlelight in an intriguing way.
As he spoke, the man stood up, bowed to Levi who had created the oppressive atmosphere, and then turned to the room, performing a theatrical bow to everyone present.
Florent thought to himself, 'This new 'Astrologer' is quite the performer. He's good at breaking tension and lightening the mood...'
Turning his attention back to the main figure of the gathering, Florent noticed that Levi who had been on the verge of explosive anger moments ago had suddenly calmed down, as if the intense emotions had never existed.
This elder who was a newly promoted 'Astrologer' sounded young. His lively tone and cadence made it hard to imagine an aged face beneath the white mask.
With a hint of emotion, he apologized to Levi, "I'm truly sorry. I just didn't want you to harm your health with anger. After all, you're our leader. I resorted to this untimely joke to interrupt everyone's thoughts. I believe our Abraham family is not afraid of our enemies."
His words brought a sense of stability to the room.
Florent felt that this new elder was an 'Astrologer' with considerable emotional intelligence... though it was also possible that he and Levi had staged this exchange to test the reactions of the gathered family members...
Levi, known for his unflappable demeanor, had always spoken in a calm and collected manner, earning him the nickname "Stone-faced Levi" among his friends.
Now, he resumed his usual detached tone, "That won't be necessary, my fellow new elder. Although the members of the Abraham family in Trier wear iron masks at gatherings for safety, only close associates know each other's identities. The only one who openly reveals his face is the family's representative in Trier."
Levi continued, his words now directed at the entire room, "Given the danger I'm currently in, and the uncertainty of whether the Demoness Sect has more information about me, I've decided to promote this new 'Astrologer' to elder status. I will also introduce his name to all of you. If I am no longer here, he will be your new representative in Trier..."
At the end of his speech, though his tone remained calm, Levi traced the simplified emblem of the Abraham family over his chest, a gesture of his unwavering dedication to the family, "For the Abraham family..."
.....
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