The indifferent voice echoed across the entire square.

The Praetor spoke with a flat tone: "Now, before the just Phoenix's soul, say it again. If what you say is true, I shall grant you pardon."

There was a murmur of discussion in the square, as the citizens watched the scene with some confusion, not understanding why the New Year celebration had turned into this—yet the Phoenix Holy Sword is the symbol of justice and light, a belief deeply rooted in the hearts of people in Dulun, and even in the Southern Region.

Fang Hong was in the crowd, still a bit worried.

He was still concerned about the previous issue—whether Miranda's old servant would recognize the Uncrowned Crown members. Although the latter hadn't come out of the inn, the others were still outside. Even if those from the "Forest" had returned to the inn now, it would still be too late.

Fortunately, there were so many people in the square, it seemed unlikely that the old servant with failing eyesight would have happened to see them, right?

What relieved him even more was that the first to come out was not Palomo, but a trembling young prisoner. Judging by the scars on his body, he had obviously suffered quite a punishment.

The Praetor, standing on the high platform, looked coldly at the person and asked, "Seven days ago, someone attacked the City Hall and rescued some rebels detained in the dungeon. You were one of those left behind during the failed operation. Now tell me, who are your accomplices?"

Once again, there was a murmur in the square.

Many people had experienced the attack, and the events of a few days ago were still fresh in their memory.

Fang Hong had also heard of it, allegedly that attack was very similar to the earlier one on the execution ground. From the clues he had gathered, these were likely some covert maneuvers by the southern nobles.

The prisoner nodded, then fearfully replied, "Yes, it was the Invokers... I'm not quite sure where they came from, but they mentioned the Ashen Song guild more than once..."

Ashen Song.

Silence swept across the square.

Fang Hong was taken aback by the news. In the Southern Region, due to the Alliance's presence, the Invokers and natives were already well acquainted, familiar with each other's roots. The southern Invokers knew the famous noble families and native organizations in the Southern Region as if they were listed treasures; and the natives naturally wouldn't be unfamiliar with the Summoners' Guilds there.

Not to mention, before the Southern Region Alliance's disbandment, Ashen Song was one of the top Grand Guilds in the south. In fact, it was one of the three major guilds that formed the South Region Alliance with the Alchemist Alliance.

It could arguably be said to be the foremost.

Thus, people were clearly not unfamiliar with the name.

Fang Hong's first reaction in his heart was that it was impossible. The Invokers in the Southern Region had their own interests; their actions could be said to be in the interests of maintaining the Southern Region Alliance, but they would never blindly follow the orders of the nobles—even for tasks, it's the same.

With the Alliance's disbandment, most of its internal guilds fell apart accordingly, and although some might secretly seek revenge, it wouldn't be to the extent of attacking the natives or the City Hall.

Such actions would seriously violate the "Stargate Declaration" regarding the Invokers' conduct code, not to mention that the Invokers' conflicts were generally focused on the Super Competitive League.

Even if they had grudges or resentment, they should be targeting the New Southern Border Alliance for trouble.

This reasoning was simple, and of course, Fang Hong wasn't the only one who thought so. Thus, after the silence, people began to buzz with astonishment.

Before the Praetor could speak, voices filled with shock and anger erupted from the square below: "What are you saying!?"

"Utter nonsense!"

"How could we, Ashen Song, ever do such a thing!?"

The speaker's identity was clear, and people turned to look in that direction, discovering that it was a few Invokers—after the Southern Region Alliance's dissolution, due to a series of regulations by the Super Competitive League, Ashen Song, Dragon Hunter Mercenary Corps and Remembrance guilds effectively became defunct in name.

After the Southern Region resolution, even though Ashen Song members remained in Dulun, they still carried their guild's name, but in reality, they no longer held formal status—they merely carried the title of their old guild.

There were not many such people, just around a dozen on the square, which was still due to Ashen Song's wide influence. If it were some small, less-known guilds, they would likely have disappeared in this turmoil.

The Praetor looked at these Invokers.

He had naturally heard of their rebellious nature, but he didn't intend to lower himself to argue with them. He simply glanced at the flame bird on the statue above. Beside him, Duke Modkaesar nodded, the holy spirit chirped, and slowly nodded as well.

"It's true..."

"What that man said is true!"

There was a renewed buzz of discussion in the square.

The Phoenix Holy Spirit's reputation for fairness and clarity had already spread throughout the Southern Region, and with the Phoenix Holy Sword being under the Oly Divine Power's protection, it couldn't possibly be wrong, right? Unlike the Invokers who analyzed the issue differently, the natives immediately believed this statement upon witnessing the scene.

But Fang Hong, upon seeing this, felt a vague sense of something amiss—had he judged it wrong? Yet he couldn't figure out why Ashen Song's people would do such a thing—could it truly be just to vent frustration? The price seemed too high, though.

In the center of the square, the few Ashen Song members appeared even more bewildered.

But these people evidently did not share the locals' blind faith in the Phoenix Holy Spirit: "What can this Phoenix even represent? We didn't do such a thing at all."

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