Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 258: Surprising Guest

Chapter 258: Surprising Guest

The council chamber buzzed with tension as the nine-tailed elders took their seats for what many suspected would be the final deliberation on Grim’s petition.

Elder Míngzhì sat with obvious satisfaction, a collection of documents arranged before him like weapons prepared for battle.

"The session is convened," Húwáng announced, his voice carrying across the circular chamber. "We gather to reach final judgment on Lord Ambrose’s petition for marriage alliance and integration into our realm."

"Before we proceed," Elder Míngzhì interjected, rising with ceremonial precision, "I have obtained new information that directly bears on this decision. Information that reveals the true nature of Lord Ambrose’s methods in human lands."

Several elders exchanged glances at the formal challenge. Míngzhì’s tone suggested he possessed evidence that would definitively resolve the debate in his favor.

"The floor recognizes Elder Míngzhì," Húwáng said, though his expression showed wariness about what would be revealed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Míngzhì replied, lifting the first document from his collection. "Through careful investigation, I have uncovered details about Lord Ambrose’s recent activities that paint a disturbing picture of his true character."

"What kind of investigation?" Elder Zhìhuì asked, his political instincts clearly engaged.

"Correspondence with human sources, testimonies from witnesses, and official records from the imperial court," Míngzhì replied. "Evidence that cannot be dismissed as rumor or speculation."

The elder’s confidence was unmistakable. He had clearly spent considerable effort gathering information that would support his opposition to Grim’s integration.

"Please proceed," Húwáng said diplomatically, though his tone suggested he anticipated problems.

"The centerpiece of my investigation concerns the destruction of House Luminaris," Míngzhì announced, his voice carrying the weight of a formal accusation. "Lord Ambrose didn’t simply defeat political rivals—he orchestrated the complete annihilation of an entire noble house."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber as the implications became clear. The destruction of a noble house was far more serious than normal political maneuvering.

"According to multiple sources," Míngzhì continued, reading from his documents, "Lord Ambrose systematically destroyed House Luminaris’s economic foundation, eliminated their political alliances, and has made miltiple threats to their family."

"Those are serious charges," Elder Qīngfēng observed. "What evidence supports these claims?"

"Testimonies from imperial courtiers who witnessed the events," Míngzhì replied, producing another document. "Records of House Luminaris’s financial collapse following Lord Ambrose’s targeted attacks on their trade networks. And most damning, eyewitness accounts of Lord Ambrose’s openly threatening Julius Luminaris with death in front of the whole nation."

The accumulated evidence was clearly damaging. Even elders who had previously supported Grim’s petition looked troubled by the scope of destruction being described.

"Furthermore," Míngzhì continued, "my investigation revealed that Lord Ambrose employed torture, intimidation, and assassination to achieve his political goals. This is not the conduct of someone suitable for integration into our peaceful realm."

"What specific evidence do you have of torture and assassination?" Elder Míngjìng asked, his legal background demanding concrete proof.

"Testimonies from former servants of House Luminaris who describe interrogations conducted by Lord Ambrose personally," Míngzhì replied. "Accounts of mysterious deaths among his political opponents. And evidence of intimidation campaigns against anyone who opposed his rise to power."

The chamber fell silent as the elders absorbed the magnitude of the accusations. If true, they painted a picture of someone whose methods were fundamentally incompatible with fox spirit values.

"These are grave accusations," Húwáng said carefully. "How do we know these sources are reliable?"

"I have verified them through multiple independent channels," Míngzhì replied confidently. "The pattern of behavior is too consistent across different sources to be fabricated."

"And Lord Ambrose’s response to these charges?" Elder Tiānkōng asked.

"He has not been informed of this investigation," Míngzhì admitted. "I believed the council should evaluate the evidence before allowing him to craft explanations or justifications."

Several elders nodded approvingly at this approach. If the accusations were true, giving Grim advance warning would only allow him to prepare deceptive responses.

"The fundamental question," Míngzhì continued, "is whether someone capable of such destruction can be trusted with access to our realm. I submit that the evidence clearly demonstrates he cannot."

"You’re asking us to judge him based on actions taken in a different context," Elder Cháng observed. "Human political systems operate under different rules than our society."

"Murder is murder regardless of context," Míngzhì replied sharply. "Torture is torture whether conducted in human lands or fox spirit territory. Character doesn’t change based on location."

The debate that followed was intense, with various elders weighing the evidence against their previous impressions of Grim.

Some argued that human political necessities justified harsh methods, while others maintained that fundamental character traits transcended cultural boundaries.

"I move that we postpone final judgment until Lord Ambrose can respond to these accusations," Elder Zhìhuì suggested.

"I second that motion," agreed Elder Míngjìng. "Due process requires that the accused be allowed to address charges against them."

"With respect," Míngzhì replied, "allowing Lord Ambrose to present his version of events would only give him the opportunity to obscure the truth with clever rhetoric. The evidence speaks for itself."

As the debate reached its crescendo, the chamber doors opened without announcement.

A figure entered with such presence that conversation ceased immediately—not from any formal protocol, but from the sheer overwhelming nature of her divine aura.

Húxiān stepped into the council chamber, her nine magnificent tails flowing behind her. Her beauty was so profound that several elders actually gasped, while her power made the air itself shimmer and even pushed back Húwáng’s aura.

Every elder except Húwáng immediately dropped to their knees in reverence, their heads pressed to the floor in gestures of absolute submission. Even Elder Míngzhì, despite his shock at the interruption, prostrated himself before her divine presence.

"Honored Húxiān," the elders whispered in unison, their voices filled with awe and terror.

Húwáng alone remained seated, though he inclined his head respectfully. "Divine One, we are honored by your presence. Though I confess surprise at your appearance during our deliberations."

"Your Majesty," Húxiān replied with a smile that could have melted glaciers, "I come because these deliberations concern a matter of significant importance to our realm’s future."

"The council welcomes your guidance," Húwáng said diplomatically, though his expression suggested he understood the political implications of divine intervention.

"Rise," Húxiān commanded gently, and the elders slowly returned to their seats, though they kept their eyes downcast out of respect.

"I have been observing your discussions about Lord Ambrose’s petition," she continued, her voice carrying the authority of absolute power. "And I felt it necessary to provide clarity on certain matters."

Elder Míngzhì, despite his obvious nervousness, managed to speak. "Divine One, the evidence I have presented—"

"Is accurate in its details but incomplete in its context," Húxiān interrupted smoothly. "Yes, Lord Ambrose destroyed House Luminaris. Yes, he employed methods that would be considered harsh by our standards. But you have failed to understand why such actions were necessary."

"Necessary?" Míngzhì asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"House Luminaris was instrumental in the persecution and murder of House Ambrose members years ago," Húxiān explained, her tone carrying the weight of absolute truth. "Lord Ambrose’s actions were not random violence—they were justice for crimes committed against his family."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the chamber. The elders had been debating the morality of Grim’s methods without understanding that they were acts of justified revenge.

"Furthermore," Húxiān continued, "Lord Ambrose’s willingness to employ harsh methods when necessary is precisely what makes him valuable to our realm. The threats we face in coming times will require someone capable of decisive action."

"What threats?" Elder Qīngfēng asked, her expertise in foreign relations clearly engaged.

"That knowledge will be revealed when appropriate," Húxiān replied mysteriously. "For now, it is sufficient that Lord Ambrose has demonstrated the strength and resolve necessary to protect those he cares about."

"But the torture, the assassinations—" Míngzhì began.