I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 213 The Blame (Part 2) 9000 words today

However, when the last person was called up to stand as punishment, Zarason interrupted everyone's thoughts again: "Everyone, this is getting a bit boring. I'm sure none of you here have an IQ below 20, so how come you can't even think of a way to handle such a small matter?"

No one spoke up. The vice speaker shook his head with some regret: "If you keep doing this, I'll have to call people out."

There was still no response. He looked at the Storm Daughter: "Soraka, who do you think is the most suitable person to do this?"

“Of course it’s Lord Simon! Who doesn’t know that this is the noble young master Yarakh?” Soraka finally found a breakthrough, and her resentment towards Zarason vanished instantly. “This first heir of the sorcery family is incredibly powerful. He even protected the notorious sodomist who appeared in the clan last year. I think he definitely has the ability and the skill to handle this matter well and give Yarakh a bright future.”

Upon hearing this news, some councilors who were at odds with the Simon family couldn't help but burst into laughter, while Simon's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

This incident truly brought shame upon his family, and he couldn't help but look at Soraka with a hint of ferocity: "Indeed, there were some educational problems in my family, but we have already exiled him, and this year he even paid for his sins with his life. I think that should at least appease his sins and prevent him from further smearing our family, right?"

“I was just stating the facts, how can that be called smearing?” Soraka smiled broadly. “Besides, I was just praising your ability to get things done. Please don’t misunderstand, I don’t want to offend such a shrewd Mr. Simon.”

This slut is so provocative, she's practically oozing sexiness.
Simon cursed inwardly, when a councilor behind him spoke up: "Excuse my intrusion, but I remember something, and I wonder if anyone else recalls it."

When someone spoke up, everyone looked at the councilor. Even Simon was curious about what insights this man, who relied on his family but whom he had to address as his uncle and was known as the barber, had.

As a veteran senator and a high-ranking mage, the barber was naturally unafraid of such attention. He smiled and said, "I didn't think of it before, but when the topic of Simon's death came up, I suddenly remembered another person involved in this matter, named DuPont."

"This young man is extraordinary. He is young but quite capable. He knows how to hide his strength and has made a name for himself. He is intelligent enough to devise strategies to change national policies, and brave enough to kill a vampire noble who has lived for 400 years as an apprentice and a paladin. Later, he intervened in time to save the situation during the Drow attack on the Moon Elf Princess, so that Harua would not be burdened with the bad reputation of being a bad host."

Upon hearing someone mention DuPont's name, Veronica's mind went blank. She squinted at the man who was speaking so confidently: "You big killer, DuPont is my apprentice. He's only 14 years old, just a kid. You suggested he handle this matter. What are you really up to?"

"Hehe, Miss Veronica, you misunderstand. I didn't mean anything by it, nor was I giving you random advice." The barber smiled kindly, seemingly unconcerned about the female mage mentioning his other nickname.

"Who are these people protesting this time? Apprentices, and DuPont was also an apprentice. I think they must have a lot in common."

The barber spoke methodically, clearly having figured out a way to break the deadlock: "We are all in high positions, yet we are too detached from worldly affairs. I think you all know that our reputation among the people is not good."

"Many people call us good-for-nothings and traitors, as if Harua would only prosper if we died. To put it bluntly, even if we stood up and showed our hearts to these apprentices, they would think it was just a show; there's no foundation of trust between us."

Many members of parliament nodded in agreement, but the barber didn't finish his sentence: "If the members of parliament feel this way, so do the guards and secret agents. Getting involved together will only make things worse. Instead, I think it would be a better idea to let DuPont, who has the same status and position as them, deal with them."

Veronica had a toothache; she herself refused to bear the infamy, so how could she let her apprentice bear it? But the other party's words had already won the approval of many people.

They didn't care whether DuPont could solve the problem; they just wanted him to come here and take the blame again.

“What you’re saying is just theory, but the problem is that DuPont wasn’t Yarach’s student. He became my apprentice, and his status is obviously different from these troublemaking apprentices. I don’t think his status can be recognized by these apprentices.”

“Ah, but according to the information I have, Miss Veronica, you have not formally taken DuPont as your apprentice.” The barber smiled kindly: “Even the news that Lavoisier took him as his apprentice is just a hoax. He has never undergone an apprenticeship ceremony, nor has he ever entered your mage tower for a single day.”

The barber pulled out several pages of paper and held them up, shaking his head at Veronica's unfriendly expression: "Please don't be angry, Councilor. I'm doing this for Harua and everyone in the council. Otherwise, look how big the crowd is getting. If this gathering turns into a riot, who will be responsible?"

Hearing this, Sonic looked at Veronica. Their relationship wasn't particularly close, but it wasn't bad either. Her eyes couldn't help but plead: "Dear Veronica, please agree! I'll discuss anything you need with you."

Veronica still refused to give up. She took out the blue dragon's tooth: "But these past few days, he and some companions went to the desert to suppress bandits. They were accidentally injured by an old blue dragon. His body was seriously injured, and he is currently recuperating."

Hearing this, many councilors looked surprised. Just when Veronica thought she had successfully evaded the question, Simon said with a grin, "Oh dear, doesn't this further prove that this DuPont is young and promising? Even I have to rack my brains to kill an old blue dragon to prevent the cunning fellow from escaping. Isn't it a testament to DuPont's wisdom and courage to be able to successfully hunt it down?"

Veronica cursed the other party in her heart after hearing this, and was about to make excuses again when Zarason spoke up: "Councilor Deirsad, please find the information on the DuPont apprentices of Northwest College and distribute it to each councilor."

Upon hearing this, Veronica immediately sensed something was wrong. She looked angrily at her eldest senior brother, but the vice-speaker seemed not to see her piercing gaze at all.

When the councilor Deirsad, who wore a badge with a silver star surrounded by blue flames and represented the most orthodox Harua people among the eight great families, placed the 30-page document on the table, Zarason said softly, "Please be seated." Veronica leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.

With the opportunity to shift blame presented itself, dozens of members of parliament meticulously examined DuPont's documents as if they had discovered a lost 10th-level magic, with some frequently exclaiming exaggerated praises such as, "This is truly a talent of Harua" and "A blessing for Harua in the future."

This really infuriated Veronica.

She was incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon a hidden gem, and ended up being exposed to everyone.

A minute later, Zarason spoke up: "Do you all think this DuPont apprentice is up to the task?"

"Excellent, absolutely excellent!" Soraka ignored Veronica's angry glare and instead gave her a gentle, lesbian-like look: "This is probably the next genius after Grand Mage Lavoisier in the last hundred years. I would have to look up to him. If he weren't so young, I would consider giving Miss Veronica some benefits in exchange for this little cutie. He will definitely be a Grand Mage in the future!"

"What grand mage? This is clearly a promising candidate for legendary mage, who knows, he might even lead the council in the future!" Simon interrupted, as if the boy in the file wasn't his brother's killer at all: "Alas, it's a pity my family has some bad ties with this DuPont, otherwise introducing my daughter to him would be a wonderful thing." "That's right, I think my granddaughter would be suitable too."

"Stop talking about my granddaughter. If he could join my sect, I'd even give him the concubine I just bought! If he develops well, he'll definitely bring glory to the family, if not establish his own sect, and become a stable cornerstone for the region for centuries!"

As the congressman's words became increasingly outrageous, Zarason quickly coughed lightly to quiet the room, then smiled and looked at Veronica: "I wonder if you agree? I will definitely ensure that all levels of government cooperate with him. Anyone who dares to interfere will not only be held accountable, but his superiors will also be severely punished, and even the congressman will have to take off his white coat."

The congressman looked serious upon hearing this, and Veronica looked troubled. But how could she refuse something that the entire parliament had agreed to?
The female mage made a last-ditch effort: "How about this, I'll use the communication talisman to ask this little guy. If he really has a solution, I'll invite him over. If not, then we'll all think of another way, okay?"

However, the others did not take it seriously.

Whether it's about winning people over or suppressing them, it doesn't matter; all that's needed is for someone to take the blame.

As long as this person takes all the responsibility, they have a hundred ways to deal with these reckless apprentices.

“We respect Councilor Veronica’s choice, but please be honest, Miss, and don’t use rhetoric that might hinder a young man’s ambition.” Simon chuckled mischievously and produced a ring inlaid with a magnificent gemstone, a precious ring enchanted with both amplification and lie detection abilities.

Veronica clenched her fist, took a deep breath, took out the communication gem, and coughed lightly. Under the ring's effect, the gem was crystal clear.

"DuPont, are you there? How's the recovery from the dragon-slaying injury?"

Silly boy, you have to make it sound serious!

At this moment, DuPont was lying on the Moon Elf's lap, enjoying a head massage. The gentle massage was soothing his cerebral cortex: "I'm fine. I'm getting ready to go home. What's wrong, mentor?"

Veronica felt a little tired: "Well, did you see that newspaper at noon?"

"Oh, I saw it. Didn't the council ask you to attend a meeting?" DuPont replied without hesitation. "What's wrong, mentor? Does the council want you to handle this? This is something that will only make you take the blame and won't bring any benefits. Please don't take it, mentor."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the members of parliament present were quite interesting. Veronica breathed a sigh of relief and was about to hang up the message when Zarason silently floated over and handed her a piece of paper.

Veronica glared at him angrily after reading it, but her senior brother's eyes were filled with endless coldness, and a familiar handwriting appeared on the paper.

Sometimes, a test isn't necessarily a bad thing.

This is the handwriting of her mentor, who was also the old man.
Veronica's mood instantly plummeted. She rubbed her temples, looked at the words on the paper, and softly read, "DuPont, do you think there's a way to resolve this satisfactorily?"

“A perfect solution is unlikely, but there’s always a suitable method.” DuPont said with some surprise, “Mentor, is it because you were too young and were bullied by those old bastards in the council? Did they force you to go? Those guys are really inhuman.”

Simon almost laughed out loud when he heard this, but only a slight strangeness flashed in his eyes, while Zarason's face remained calm and composed, as hard as a sculpture.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Veronica said, her mind a jumble of emotions, her fingers nervously twirling her soft hair. “It’s not that I have to go, but this matter concerns the stability of Harua. If there’s a way to resolve it, we can get a very valuable reward. I can’t think of a good solution right now, so I wanted to ask you.”

"Oh, I see." DuPont said, stroking his chin. "What benefits did you offer? Do you need my help?"

Upon hearing this, the congressman couldn't help but get excited. Veronica twirled her finger and wrote down the legendary book about intelligence on the paper, but Zarason shook his head and wrote something that made Veronica's pupils dilate.

"The essence of the World Tree, two bottles!"

All the councilors present gasped, but DuPont, on the other end of the communication rune, had no idea what it was: "The essence of the World Tree? What is this thing?"

"A natural elixir that increases all attributes by one does not conflict with alchemical potions or legendary books."

Veronica's breathing quickened. She looked up again and saw her senior brother nod silently and take out two small bottles that shone with seven-colored light. The beautiful colors captivated even the councilors.

Damn it, if only I had known this vice-speaker would be so generous!
"Hey, they even gave away two. It seems those old bastards in the council aren't just good at creating difficult problems." DuPont couldn't help but laugh. "Mentor, you should take this on. However, given your status, it might be inconvenient for you to handle this. It would be best if I did it. But I'm just an apprentice and not a local. Isn't that a bit inconvenient?"

"I'll think of a convenient way. You come first, then we'll discuss it." Veronica snatched the two bottles of dark green essence and stuffed them into her bag. "So it's settled then?"

"Okay, but when should I go?"

"I'll come pick you up right away!"

(End of this chapter)