"What the heck was that?!"
"It came from his blade..."
"He killed Lord Isambard just like that??"
All the nobles in the hall are shocked to see how effortlessly Arthur dispatched Dmitri, slicing his body in half as if his blade were a hot knife through butter.
For some, such a surprise awakens fear and aversion towards Arthur, and for others, admiration and respect.
"Is that a spell?"
"No... I think it was Intent, Sword Intent!"
"That means..."
"Is he really a Swordmaster?"
"But isn't he under thirty?"
"Fifteen, according to Young Master Drummond..."
"A fifteen-year-old Swordmaster? Bullshit!"
"There's no such thing even in the most fantastical books..."
As most of the nobles debate over Arthur's power, others fall into total despair. This is especially the case for the remaining members of the Isambard family.
The other siblings of Anastasia, all injured from their fights against Oliver and Arthur, now see their sister with her face destroyed, crying tears of blood in their mother's arms, also in shock; but the worst is their older brother, convulsing in a large pool of blood and entrails left by the two halves of their father's body.
A grotesque and brutal scene, even for the most vile nobility of that place.
But in the center of it all, standing in that very pool of blood, is Arthur, a young man whose face so handsome makes him seem like an angel, but now this same beautiful creature is covered in blood, his face painted with a cold and diabolical expression, his eyes gleaming, filled with dark emotion.
"There's no doubt, he's a demon!" One of the nobles comments, and everyone agrees.
Arthur's actions generate so many different sentiments that the commotion among the nobles turns into a mess. Among them is Edgar, one of the most negatively shocked.
'This can't be happening...' Just a few minutes ago, Edgar thought nothing could stop his father's plan. The benefits gained that night would surpass all ever.
But now, all he sees are the cold eyes of Arthur shining like dark pearls. 'No, no, no...' Edgar's hands and legs begin to tremble, fear growing uncontrollably inside his heart.
But he is still the eldest son of the Viscount of Lakeview, so he points at Arthur. "Murderer! He killed Lord Isambard in cold blood!! Arrest this murderer!!!"
"Bullshit!" Oliver immediately exclaims. "Everyone saw Dmitri break the rules of the competition and attack Arthur right after his daughter attacked Margaret in a cowardly and malicious manner!"
"No, no, no!!" Edgar keeps his trembling finger pointed at Arthur. "He used a sword; he's still holding it! He broke the rules!!"
"Lord Isambard is dead, but will his allies still have to bow to the Drummonds?"
"Does that include the Viscount himself?"
"So this was Madam Drummond's goal..."
"She really is a clever woman to foresee such an outcome."
"Nobody could have predicted this end, not even her."
"I guess so..."
All eyes turn to Emilio and Josephine. The nobles wonder if he really will kneel and apologize to her.
At the start of this evening, Emilio never imagined he would lose such a competition. He had not only a significant numerical advantage and the two strongest competitors but also a deadly and invisible poison.
'There was no way I could lose...' He thought so, but reality proved otherwise.
After feeling Aria's power in his bones, Emilio has nothing in his heart but the instinctual desire to survive and a lot of fear that he might not manage it.
In front of everyone, he does not hesitate; his body simply gives in, his weak legs fold, and he falls to his knees in front of Josephine and Aria.
"I admit my defeat," his pleading voice rings out for all to hear.
While all the nobles around are again surprised, Josephine can't prevent her lips from curving into a subtle smile.
For several generations, her family and Emilio's have had a great rivalry. Even though she and Emilio are at the tip of such conflict, far from the more intense violence, she and her family suffered because of his greater influence in Lakeview.
But now, it's not she who has to lower her head but Emilio, making Josephine feel especially good. 'This is so delicious...' She enjoys the feeling, but the best part is knowing that Oliver can have a better life than hers.
Oliver has never liked seeing his mother bow her head to such stupid nobles, so he also enjoys this moment a lot. "What are you waiting for?!" He shouts at the other nobles, all of whom came to his house with bad intentions toward his family.
"Now!" Emilio also yells to his family and allies. "You must,"
"No need," but Josephine quickly interrupts him. "This has been enough." She speaks politely, but there's no real gentleness in her voice, just pity.
"Mother?" Oliver is confused. "They lost, that's only fair."
"But it's not necessary," Josephine repeats, her eyes shining as she looks at her son. "It's enough, believe me."
"I see," Oliver still doesn't quite understand that because he doesn't understand the gleam in Arthur's eyes now.
But Josephine does. She can see how his expression isn't one of someone satisfied even with the bodies of Elias and Dmitri at his feet. On the contrary, his expression is that of a hungry wolf that has just tasted blood and will not stop until they are all dead.
But how could it be different after they planned to harm his beloved family?
The sacred family of a sadistic devil.