Apotheosis

"Erm, well… That is…" stammered Saint Zara only to be cut off again as he stumbled over his thoughts.

"You were only considering that the man who was slain was part of the Zhuge family, a noble clan and that Zen isn't a noble citizen, but instead he's a nobody. If Zen had been killed by Fren that day, would you have cared at all?" asked Aura, the disgust she felt was heard in her authoritative pitch. There was an imperial air in her manner, and such a noble air could only have been inherited from her father, the king of all of the Eastern Region.

Although Saint Zara remained silent, it was Saint Viana, who stood beside him, and in a clear voice spoke, "Your Highness, as the owner of the Commandment Hall, Murry's an upright, scrupulous man and highly respected. When weighed against what Zen said, his words were more credible. If your highness were present, I think you would have believed Murry, over a statement from a murderer."

Saint Viana shrewdly defended the decision the court had made earlier.

After all, Zen was definitely the murderer. Murry's words were more persuasive. It was impossible for the saints to side with Zen over Murry.

Aura stared at Saint Viana up and down, which embarrassed Saint Zara a little. After a moment of awkward silence, Aura announced, "If that's the case, why didn't you wait for me before starting the court trial? I have evidence that shows Zen's innocence."

"You have evidence?" questioned Saint Zara with a surprised look on his face.

Saint Viana laughed as he commented, "Your Highness, you can't be serious. I was present the day that Zen committed this heinous crime. How could there be evidence that I am unaware of?"

"Of course th

e issues with the Burning Sky Palace, she was the royal princess of the Burning Sky Empire, and no one could deny it.

"Saint Zara, don't you think you owe me an explanation?" Since no one had spoken up, Aura broke the silence and directed her question at Saint Zara, the primary judge of today's trial.

As much as Saint Zara inwardly blamed Saint Viana, it was unrealistic to hope Saint Viana would step up and shoulder the blame which left him no option but lower his head as he said, "I am sorry, it was my negligence that led to the rash decision today. I beg your pardon, your royal highness."

"I can certainly forgive you. I wonder though whether or not Zen will forgive you. If I didn't arrive when I did today, he would be dead in the Commandment Hall by now. You should ask Zen," commanded Aura coldly.

It was clear that Aura intended to force Saint Zara to apologize to Zen.

Zen was a mere outer disciple at the Cloud Sect. It was utterly beyond anyone's understanding why Aura would require a noble saint to apologize to him.

As Aura's words sank in, Saint Zara and all the other saints' faces darkened.