Jules's words were like a trigger for silence throughout the hall.
The council elders all exchanged looks of confusion, aside from Freya, who watched with her lips curling down.
Everyone here expected a level of drama, but this development was not something anyone would have imagined.
Watching everyone's reaction was quite interesting to Jules–it was like when he made an artwork and people reacted to it as he expected.
Jules intended to be unpredictable.
The enemy needed a firm understanding of the clan to build their strategy—he had just made sure they no longer had that understanding.
Asides from Dino, the blonde-haired man, and Freya, the Elder's were taken aback.
The bald man even stroked his mustache in thought and glanced at Freya, wondering if she was aware of this.
"What are you planning?" Zacharia asked, his brow raised slightly.
Wearing a serious mask, Jules recalled his plan to purge the wretches out of the clan and reclaim his position as the heir of Noctharis.
It was quite simple.
Basically, as an exile, he was going to go beyond the Clan's territory to grow in a safe yet dangerous environment while investigating who the wretches were working with.
This was something Freya, a survivor of the downfall in the novel, was trying to do, but was never successful. However, there were trails he could follow.
Freya would monitor the clan and protect his family.
The internal war he suggested was a double-edged sword, but if not dragged too long, the pros outweigh the cons.
Well, on paper, it's simple, but In reality, hell nah!
Clearing his throat, Jules straightened his back.
"This…" He muttered, before raising his voice suddenly, "This is merely a stage to prove my worth to our Clan!"
"First, I relinquish my claim as heir, opening the path for new candidates."
"Second, I request exile," He paused, then continued, "Severing all ties to Noctharis," He emphasized loudly, "I will leave to destroy our enemies!"
"When I return, proven by blood and battle, I will reclaim my honor!
Then, his voice dropped as he concluded:
"Until then, neither my sister nor I shall claim the title of heir."
With a loud clap, Dino commented, "Yes, this is the nature of the Evanavas! I agree with this!"
Eleya turned to him and frowned. "You shouldn't be too hasty."
Dino shrugged. "What? You all wanted this too, didn't you? So why all the dancing around? If he survives, that only proves he's worthy!"
"Jules." Zacharia's voice boomed, silencing the chatter. "The words you have said hold weight.
"Have you underestimated the world because you survived an attack? Or have you believed yourself to be strong after acquiring a form of power."
By now, most in the room had heard that Jules had acquired some kind of artifact the previous day–not that Jules tried to hide that.
This made everyone believe that he had lost himself to trauma at last and was thinking straight anymore.
Before Jules could respond, Dean stepped in—his voice solemn, but carrying a thread of respect.
"You've been given a chance to reconsider. Standing on the noble emblem—are your words final?"
How much more drama do you need?
Jules sighed. Pressing his thumb into the palm hidden by his cape, he squeezed.
Red began to bloom against the white fabric, a slow, deliberate reveal.
Holding the blood-soaked cape high, Jules said, "I, Jules Evanava, swear on Noctharis."
Cattleya, watching the scene from the sidelines, could only tighten her grip on Julie's hand as she listened to the audience chatters.
"No way!"
"He swore? He must have lost it!"
"Indeed. Even pleading can't save him anymore."
"He even dragged his sister into this? Freya won't do anything?"
"She must have realized he's a lost cause!"
"Do you think she just wants to get rid of him?"
"At least, a better Heir can rise now!"
As chatters grew amongst the spectators, Zacharia sighed.
He turned to the Elders, excluding Freya who didn't wield that much political power, and gestured to ask what they thought.
After receiving gestures of agreement with Jules's request, Zacharia walked forward.
He was dressed in a blue shirt and a white pants with a large white coat draped on his shoulders.
Walking to the edge of the platform, mana gathered underneath him and coalesced to form a flying rock.
Zacharia climbed the rock and descended to the floor, then walked towards the center of the hall.
Standing about 5 inches taller than Jules who was already six-feet, Jules felt pressured.
Yeah… I hate staying in front of people that can easily kill me!
Jules gulped as he looked into the man's grey eyes.
"I have a condition for your request."
"By this time in year 243, if you're yet to return with said honour, you will be permanently removed as a Heir candidate."
That's two years from now when the Artifact can be accessed again…
Jules smirked inwardly before declaring, "I agree!"
A gasp seemed to be heard from the entire audience at that moment.
"I see you're determined," Zacharia said, a subtle smile crossing his features. Raising his voice, he added, "You won't be exiled!"
Huh? Jules wore a stunned look as he looked at the man.
Placing a firm hand on Jules's shoulder, Zacharia's voice rang out, clear and resonant:
"Before the eyes of Noctharis, and in the name of the Council Elders, I hereby grant Jules Evanava the right to undergo a Trial for Redemption.
"He shall go forth untethered from the Clan's name, to strike down our enemies and deliver unto them a silent declaration of war.
"Should he succeed before the end of November, Year 243, he will be considered once more for the Heir Candidacy.
"Should he succeed afterward, he may yet serve as a warrior—but never as heir.
"And should he fail, he shall never return."
A trial? This is better! Falling to one knee and bowing, Jules said, "Thank you for being merciful."
Then he intentionally glared at all of the Elders as he added, "I will kill all of the Noctharis Clan's enemies."
Still unfamiliar with bloodlust, a bit of it oozed out as he finished, "Mark my words."
The Elder and some warriors amongst the audience sensed it, but paid it no mind as it was still immature.
Instead, they were taken aback by Jules's boldness; there was no trail to follow, no certainty in his path—he hardly even looked the part of a warrior.
So why, then, does he stand so firm?
Revenge?
Courage?
Or sheer madness?
Whatever it was, it gave them an opportunity. In their eyes, the people they've been raising in secret will not lose to Jules even if he manages to return within 2 years.
Julie watched her brother get 'exiled' and turned to cover her face with her mother's body. Her muffled tears could barely be heard under the noise of the audience.
For years now, she's worked so hard to avoid these developments, she was even working with Freya to better things…
But her heart broke when Freya told her what would happen this morning.
Right at the moment, Jules glanced at her and saw her feeling a pang of regret.
Due to the original's memories, their fate in the novel and his childhood, Jules had come to like his mother and Julie.
However, for them to live long, he had to do this. Even this wasn't enough, there were more dangers he had to worry about beyond this Clan's issues right now.