Entering the brightly lit room with precise synchronicity, the knights that had escorted them took up their respective positions in the form of a small arc around the handful of Salamander members from the back, as if guarding the door while also taking care to not stand in their field of vision. The members of Salamander gracefully dropped to one knee, their burled left fists touching the ground and their free right hand rested across their chests. The motion appeared both graceful and urgent, a blend of finesse and haste in a singular gesture.
"We thank your majesty for this summons!"
A sentence in perfect unison echoed throughout the circular space.
The room was set up to resemble something like a judicial court, with two key distinctions. The first being the numerous lux crystals embedded in the walls about it, creating a perfect sphere of dim light in the center of the room where the group now kneeled. The floor here also had a strange pattern. It was a mix of evenly spaced and alternating black and white squares that spanned the entire room, reminiscent of a chessboard. The other distinction separating it from a typical court room was the fact that it was crafted in order for high-ranking nobility and royalty to convene and partake in a summit. On rare occasions, those not of nobility or royalty were able to enter this room and partake in these summits, and that was what the space below was for.
The status of the officials who were normally supposed to be here was the main reason why it was set up in such a secure space, a room hardly ever used in the country's royal palace. The only door for common entry was secured with a multi layered defensive Majic circle that could even withstand the impact volley from tank shells. The officials in question occupied six personal quarters situated near the upper reaches of the room, arranged in a circular formation similar to that of a ring. These spaces were reserved for the six most important people in the country. They were referred to as the "Senary Council."
Currently the assembly members were seated on platforms that slightly extended outward, and resembled miniature balconies, offering an elevated vantage point for an overhead view of the room. There were two particular seats that were currently empty however, likely the reason why the summit hadn't commenced yet. The particular set up of this room was done as a means of conforming to one's own social status, as those below couldn't even gaze upon the nobility above them without permission.
"Fool! Lower your head, you're in the presence of nobility." An arch knight in formation yelled at the young man making light of the current situation.
Renard Licht stood out boldly in the center of the room, amid nobles and royalty, as if to garner all the spotlight for himself.
"I'm not lowering my head to any of you." The man calmly declared, his attitude as nonchalant as ever.
An uproar unbefitting of the refined setting immediately followed.
"What?"
"Foolish Peasant!"
"Commoners don't even belong here."
A torrent of remarks assaulted him and immediately after -
"You - who do you think you are?" A muffled voice reached out to Renard.
Glancing at the helmet wearing knight, he affirmed his stance once more.
"I meant what I said. I'm assisting you people on my own terms, not under your submission."
"Are you claiming to have no respect for Lorath's monarchy then?"
"Of course I respect the monarchy, but no more than I would the average person."
"That's blatant disrespect."
"I suppose you would see it that way."
The uproar flared up once again with that one statement, yet neither Renard nor the masked man paid any attention to it. They were both locked in a non-verbal standoff, isolated from the barrage of drivel descending like a rainstorm. Renard exchanged glances with the helmet covered knight, both oozing with hostile intent. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife, Cecilia couldn't help but lift her head to bear witness to the tense spectacle. The girl felt her heartbeat increasing by the second.
"Ignis, humble this fool." A noble man sitting crossed legged in the top left area of the room calmly issued the order while sipping on some freshly served barley tea, as if that was the natural course of action. The maid at his side remained resolute, carrying out her duties with a thin smile.
A moment later, a dull sound resounded from within the circular space before -
"Halt!"
A bellowing voice resounded from the top of the high assembly. All actions had ceased along with the verbal torrents.
"This is ludicrous, what exactly are you people doing?"
The current head of state for Lorath's monarchy, Lucius Aaron Castus had ended the chaos inside the room with little more than a sentence. Cecilia didn't raise her head towards the council, but she knew exactly who had entered the room just from that commanding voice. Renard was now in a somewhat lousy stance or at least that was how it appeared, in reality his current position was ideal for reacting to the threat in front of him. He had engaged in a forearm clash with Ignis, blocking the first strike thrown at him, and with his free hand he clenched his tightened fist, preparing for the next attack and his counter.
A slender, outstretched arm stood frozen in the air, only twelve millimeters from its intended target, the fingers of the assailer not even twitching, as if they were ready to resume the assault at any moment. Ignis had leaned forward, clashing forearms with his target, the arrogant mercenary. It seemed he had intended to grab Renard by the throat and force him to his knees, that would be the proper course of action given their current location – The savagery of bloodshed wouldn't be permitted in this space.
Since Renard had blocked his first strike, he was now in something of a deadlock with Ignis, staring down the man almost 15 cm shorter than him.
"Stand down Ignis."
The chevalier slowly pulled back his arm before walking back to his position.
"You're awfully thin aren'tcha?" The mercenary received no reply to his snarky comment.
(Amazing! Their movements were nothing but fluid and had spot on timings too. Renard might actually be on par with that chevalier.)
Cecilia was secretly admiring the two fighters, as a mage she was often fascinated by the world of close quarter combat – her weakest point in battles.
"William, what is the meaning of this?" Lucius asked with his domineering glare.
"Sire, I do apologize for the disturbance, but that man down below is acting in defiance of the entire monarchy. I only saw it fit to teach him a lesson." The nobleman continued sipping on the lukewarm barley tea.
"Yes, your majesty. This is simply a matter of discipline." A woman wearing a wide brimmed hat chimed in, aiding the other's cause, they had both held a casual smirk this entire time – as if in sync.
"Teach him a lesson, you say? Using Ignis?" Lucius began pressing Willam even further.
"Yes Sire, someone of the same status should be able to convey these simple concepts to him much easier, wouldn't you agree?"
The woman, seemingly out of place in her wide brimmed hat gave a small chuckle.
"I see you agree with his line of reasoning, Linia."
Lucius asked that question with an intimidating tone.
"It is somewhat barbaric your majesty, but the age-old tactic has also been proven to reap results, no?"
Lucius glanced around the high-class assembly before letting out a small sigh.
"Your majesty, I do apologize for his rudeness, but this man is somewhat of an acquaintance of mine. I'm the one who hired his group and requested he be brought here, so there's no reason for him to bow his head here as he's unaware of our noble customs."
The declaration came from a slender, pale looking man occupying the council's 4th seat.
"Ehhhh?!" Cecilia couldn't hide her shock at the fact, now looking at Renard with a conflicted expression.
The surprising news stirred up whispers among them, but even more impressive than that was how the news had instantly caused the smirk to disappear from the faces of the two haughty nobles, Linia and William. Renard held a wide grin as he watched their faces contort in irritation.
"Thanks for the quick update!...Ferris." Renard blurted out in his typical discourteous manner; a wide grin stretching across his face.
His exaggerated tone had a chilling connotation to it. Ferris simply ignored him, but he had once again earned the ire of the upper class.
"Your Majesty, If I may – I feel inclined to side with Sir William and Miss Linia on this matter. I simply cannot allow commonfolk like this to act so discourteous in your presence. He ought to be taught his place!"
The deep voice echoed throughout the hollow room, carrying the fury of the man who just spoke. His eyes bore a violet color and were now shining with conviction, he had a tall slender build and was only a few centimeters shorter than Renard, with chestnut brown hair that was parted to one side, and a well-kept beard of the same color. He stood up, now facing towards Lucius, looking to drop down and dispatch Renard with the simplest of commands.
"Stan down, Guile. I understand your reasoning, but judging by the circumstances, it seems we might have use for him-Isn't that right Ferris?"
"Yes, sire you're correct." The slender man answered in a suspicious tone.
"There you have it Guile – Stand down."
"Understood." Guile answered through gritted teeth. He reluctantly sat down and clasped both hands together, quietly attempting to disperse his rage.
"That will be it for this little charade. And you...."
Ferris directed his gaze to the mercenary standing in the literal spotlight below and was met with his unwavering eyes.
".....Calm yourself."
"Okay~" Renard answered in a nonchalant tone, promptly strolling to the opposite end of the room, casually leaning against the wall.
With arms folded, he briefly surveyed the Salamander members and the arc formation of knights that nearly encircled them, before finally closing his eyes as if to detach himself from the current proceedings.