"Could it be a mistake?"

On the high platform, Duke Modkaesar's face sank upon hearing these words.

He always had no good feelings towards the Invokers, and even because of this, he disliked his youngest son, who was too close to them. Of course, it wasn't just that; it was their disconnect with the traditional values of the Modkaesar Family that left him feeling cold.

He couldn't help but glance at his youngest son, who seemed oblivious to the current scene, looking up intently at the fiery bird on the statue. The duke couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment, but thankfully, his eldest son almost perfectly inherited his duties, pleasing him in every matter.

He looked again at the latter, who hadn't yet recovered from a disappearance incident, his face a bit pale, but noticing his glance, Loshelle nodded to his father while holding his sword.

The Praetor, watching this scene, showed a hint of disdain in his eyes, only raised his right hand and made a gesture. As soon as the gesture was made, a squad from the City Defense Force rushed out from the back of the plaza, surrounding the members of the Song of Ash.

Seeing this, the latter realized that the other side was well-prepared and immediately sensed something was amiss.

But the Stargate Port and the Native nations had agreements that the capture and judgment of Invokers required joint execution with the Super Competitive League. Of course, this was also true for Native cases involving Invokers — the League's intervention similarly required the local royal authority's consent.

So where did they get the audacity to make a direct move against them with such a slanderous pretext?

The people found themselves both shocked and angry, drawing their weapons. However, the next moment, they saw a group of people walking out from behind the City Defense Force — none other than members of the Shadow Throne.

"Shadow Throne!?" The members of the Song of Ash were immediately infuriated, cursing, "Have you become dogs for the Natives too?"

Fang Hong also watched the scene from afar, seeing the Invokers walking out from behind the City Defense Force, identified as members of the Shadow Throne. One of them was an old acquaintance of his, the Apprentice Alchemist who had repeatedly caused them trouble.

However, that person evidently had a lower status among the group, standing at the back, while the leader was a woman. Sophie came up behind him, whispering that she was the Chairperson of the Shadow Throne.

"You know her?" Fang Hong asked, somewhat surprised, turning his head.

But Sophie shook her head, "I didn't know before, but I specifically checked. This kind of information is publicly available in the guild's registration data."

Fang Hong understood.

And as the Chairperson of the Shadow Throne, that woman came out from behind the City Defense Force and, looking at the members of the Song of Ash, spoke, "You misunderstand. This isn't our decision. You all know that I was an old acquaintance of your chairman... I find such an event difficult to accept as well."

She paused, "This is the decision of the Super Competitive League. You might not know it, but someone in your guild definitely participated in this matter, which we've investigated thoroughly. You should know, this is a serious violation of the "Stargate Manifesto" guidelines."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Song of Ash couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment, slightly lowering their weapons. After all, the guild had disbanded, and like Fang Hong, they couldn't be sure if someone else had done it.

But this was somewhat alarmist.

Just as they lowered their weapons, the woman waved her hand, saying, "Capture these people first."

The City Defense Force surged forward, the woman saying to them, "Pardon us." Her resolute demeanor left the Song of Ash members unsure whether to resist, and most chose to lay down their weapons, with only a few making a last stand.

But being outnumbered, they were quickly subdued.

The Praetor watched it all from above, coldly opening his mouth, "You claim you didn't do this thing, so I'll give you the chance to defend yourselves." He looked at the Phoenix Soul on the statue, as if this Dulun's Holy Sword was his greatest reliance.

Then he turned around, pointing at one of them to ask, "Seven days ago, what were you doing?"

"How am I supposed to remember?" replied one of the previously resisting individuals, now held to the ground by City Defense Force soldiers, his face full of enraged discontent, "I didn't participate in such things, you're simply ridiculous."

But the Phoenix chirped softly, shaking its head.

"Lies." Before the Duke could speak, the Praetor had already passed judgment.

The man's eyes widened, incredulous at the scene, he suddenly struggled, shouting, "It's a conspiracy, you're working together against us!" His voice echoed across the plaza, but the Praetor didn't bother to glance, merely waving his hand.

"Take him away."

Yet before the words fell, the man suddenly roared angrily, "Damn you!" At that moment, the City Defense Force holding him felt only an emptiness in their grasp, realizing he had transformed into a burst of white light, committing suicide and resurrecting.

The Invoker's staunch determination clearly took the Natives present by surprise. People watched the sparkling white light ascending into the dark night sky, momentarily speechless, as silence fell over the plaza.

In the quiet, Fang Hong and Sophie exchanged a glance.

"The real drama is yet to come." Only Miss Hilveld watching the scene, her ocean-like eyes shimmering faintly.

"Miss Hilveld?" Sophie turned back.

Miss Ship's Officer shook her head gently, "The other side belongs to the Prime Minister's faction. They wouldn't target the Invokers without reason, and the Super Competitive League doesn't have the capability to act like this. If he does this, he must have a backup plan."

The Princess of Silver Weslan turned back, frowning slightly in concern.

And at this moment, the Praetor nonchalantly turned his attention to the next person, asking again, "Seven days ago, what were you doing?"

The person remained silent, glancing coldly at him before turning into a beam of white light, vanishing. The plaza fell even quieter, only the Praetor remaining unaffected, proceeding to inquire of the next person, "Seven days ago, what were you doing?"

This time, it was a mere boy.

Even in Fang Hong's view, he seemed to be about the same age as Tianlan and Gita, a mere child, likely a member of the Youth Training Team of the Song of Ash, or perhaps just a Trainee.

People expected another white light to rise.

But just then, the boy suddenly burst into tears, crying, "I, I don't know... it was just a task, I was only completing a task, this has nothing to do with me… I didn't violate the "Stargate Manifesto"…"

The plaza was so silent, only the sound of the boy sobbing could be heard.

The remaining members of the Song of Ash were taken aback, and one of them looked at the boy, both shocked and angry, shouting, "Royde, what nonsense are you talking about!? Weren't you with me and Cook seven days ago!?"

But before the words finished, the Praetor sliced down with his right hand, and behind, a City Defense Force's blade fell, transforming that person into a beam of white light.

The Praetor then stepped forward, looking at the boy from the high platform, asking, "...Don't be afraid, you are Holy Choosers, I know you well. I understand you were executing a task, so you need to tell me, who assigned you this task?"

The boy opened his mouth, taking a deep breath before answering, "It was… it was…"

"It was a woman…"

"A woman assigned us the task, I, I know her."

...

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