Mage And Wolf
Chapter 293

Chapter 293: Chapter 293

It seems strange to me at first that nobody else has recognized the Imperial Family’s officer from being present during the two separate attacks on the Mayor and his family. Surely I can’t be the only one that saw him?

But then I realized that the problem was everyone else only saw him. My sense of smell is incredibly sharp, honed by my cultivation and my species.

His appearance had been very different all three times I had seen him, but he smelled the same, so I’ve recognized him as the same person, despite the differences. His size has been roughly the same, but his bulk, his face and his voice were all different. Currently he blends in very well with the other Titan forces, a bland and easy to overlook figure.

I’m still not sure what he’s up to, so I’m sticking close to Mila until I can be sure he’s not going to hurt her.

The council building has gained a double rank of guards when we arrive, protecting the compound and ushering the wounded Titans into a large auditorium for treatment. More messengers are coming as we walk, bringing news of destruction, chaos, and finally, retribution.

To say that the Dragons took the news of a High Priestess being held as a slave poorly would be a colossal understatement. According to the messages we are receiving, they have sent armies from five different worlds in the Immortal Plane, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, all staging for an imminent invasion outside the city as we speak.

The Lycans have sent runners to each force to bring them into the conversation and prevent more civilian casualties before a decision is made.

It’s not long before the Lycans arrive back, each with a group of Dragons accompanying them. The knowledge that the Titans would be put on trial for breaking the agreements governing Immortals was enough for them to hold off on their plans for retribution, at least for a little while.

Each delegation from the Dragons has sent an Avatar, two from the red and two from the black, all in the Immortal Realm of cultivation. That doesn’t bode well for the Titans of Deimos; War and Death working together usually mean a massacre is coming your way.

The Demon who is mediating today brings us all into the council room just as we are joined by two more Divine Level cultivators, so powerful that even this world’s suppression isn’t entirely masking their power. One is human and one is a Seraphim, but both are older men with white hair and long beards, dressed in matching white robes.

"We didn’t want to miss the show." The human says, smiling at me, and the Lycan representative chuckles.

"Young Miss, meet Wisdom and Justice. Both enforcers for the Temporal Stability Sect. They only intercede when someone tries to tamper with past or future events, but they’re well known for showing up to ones they think will be entertaining. Ask your friend Song about them sometime." Beta John whispers to me, and I see their faces darken with annoyance at Elder Song’s name. They must have better than expected hearing to pick up a whisper between Lycans.

The two new arrivals don’t sit at the central table, instead they choose a table towards the back of the room where they’ve got a better view of the proceedings. The five of us appointed as dignitaries sit at the central table, with the other ranking members of our faction behind us. To my left is the Titan faction, to my right are the Lycans, with the Demons and Nephilim across from me at this large round conference table.

Still looking out for Mila, I picked a spot for her on the edge of the Titan group, closest to my chair. That way if anything happens I’m only a few seconds away.

"We will now begin the inquiry into crimes against Immortals committed by the city of Deimos and its representatives. I, Zircon, on behalf of the Demon races, will be mediating these proceedings. Are there any questions before we start presenting evidence?"

"Point of order. As a plaintiff and witness, Young Miss should be disqualified as a dignitary." The Titan Council leader insists.

"Seconded." The Lycan emissary says with a smile that suggests that he knows something the others don’t.

I look back at the four Avatars behind me; the two from the Black Priesthood both have the look of consummate professionals, experienced and knowledgeable. One of the Red Dragons is an Orphanage Matron with a strict and unforgiving set to her face. Beside her, in a wiry human form with a single star above the four bars on his robes showing he’s the senior member of his council, the final Red Avatar looks annoyed that we’re not killing anyone while he sharpens a Kopesh.

We have found our winner.

"The Young Miss will step aside. In exchange, the Senior Avatar present will represent the Dragons." I agree, stepping to the side as the Red Dragon looks at me, startled. He expected that I would pick a Black Dragon for the position. As he realizes that he’s up, a slow smile spreads across his face and the Titan emissary facepalms.

It serves him right. He thought I would be biased, but I’m sure this Red Dragon will be even more so.

"Ragnar the Red assumes the position of Dragon Dignitary for these proceedings." He says without looking up from the sword he’s polishing. Even when we switch seats, he still keeps up with his work, like he’s expecting to need that sword soon.

"Anyone else?" Zircon asks, checking the room for objections.

"Good, let us begin. The first article of evidence presented is the Census logs, detailing the species and power level of all known enslaved people in the city. Those marked with an asterisk are known to city officials to be dangerous beyond Mortal Realm capabilities."

They kept written records of that? And here I thought the Titans were an intelligent species.

"Objection. The asterisk is not for known Immortals but for those believed to be more dangerous than a Mortal Realm guard can handle."

The Nephilim Dignitary gives him a slightly incredulous look. "Too dangerous for a Mortal even with a slave collar on?"

"Physical cultivators with fangs and claws require special care." The Titan shrugs.

Beta John gives me an amused look, and I return my very best innocent face while polishing my fingernails on my sleeve. The Imperial Guard, the one who has been everywhere today, smiles at our exchange, moving a few seats closer to Mila to get a better view. Sneaky, but not good enough to fool me.