Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 123: Vale’s trial

The silence that followed was filled with shock, as if some of them couldn’t believe Vale was saying something like that.

Dlodus smirked and leaned back in his seat, his eyes gleaming with glee as if he’d been presented with some kind of entertainment.

The leader of the Forsaken Tribes said nothing, his face a mask of rigidity.

Serdan looked uncharacteristically sober today, her deep green eyes watching Vale carefully.

But it was the representative of the dead teams that flared up.

Gravemor, the Vice of Fell, stood up and jabbed his finger forward, his eyes glaring venomously. "You! You dare to play tricks and ambush Fell! How dare you!"

Vale raised his brows. "That’s new."

The man ignored him and continued, his words dripping with bitterness. "How else would you have killed a rank 3? I was away all this time, and that was the reason you were able to do what you did! If I, Gravemor, was there, then you wouldn’t have had the chance. You sneaky bastard."

Vale pointed his new sword and said casually, "If you haven’t forgotten, I killed a rank 1 too."

Gravemor sputtered, his cheeks puffing up as if all his words were tangled in his throat. His eyes flickered to the other people in the room, as if waiting for support.

At that moment, a man stood up. His blonde hair had been carefully combed back, and his clear eyes watched Vale calmly. "You should return the leader’s sword."

Vale was getting tired of them running their mouths. He took a step forward, but the man continued without giving him time to speak.

"Besides, you are here for your trial. You shouldn’t be holding a weapon."

Vale watched in surprise. He heard Tiber’s rumbling laughter behind him and Slya’s giggle before she said, "This is going to be fun."

Vale took a deep breath and said, "A chair. Find me a chair."

This made Gravemor flare up again, but the Vice Leader of team 1 gestured at him and spoke with his eyes. "Very well. There are extra chairs over there. Tell your underlings to get one for you." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Oh boy," Dlodus chuckled, sharing a glance with Jenna of team 6.

Vale smiled. "You heard him, underlings."

Slya smiled back. "Of course, my lord."

But instead of going to get any chairs, she simply conjured a seat that looked more like a throne for him.

Vale stared at the black throne-like chair and smiled. "This works too."

Then he said to the two new faces, "Just to be clear, are you the new rank 1 and rank 3?"

Before they could answer, Dlodus spoke from his place, his voice playful but firm. "They’re not. But Sepler and Gravemor here will be acting as if they own the positions until everything gets... settled."

From his tone, Vale understood that the two vices basically held no power. ’So why did they allow them into this meeting?’ He sighed, already feeling tired before anything had begun.

Dlodus continued, "They... have something they want to share with the Ten. A trial."

"And I want to say this before the Ten. The Steelclaw Alliance disassociates themselves from Vale. He has never carried the will or interest of our Flag. Ever. He is not from our Flag," Dlodus said firmly, his face hardening briefly before he smiled.

Gravemor and Sepler looked at each other with a smile. They understood what was happening. ’The Steelclaw Alliance was basically saying that Vale was now free meat they could do with as they wished

’The previous day, the two had meetings with their Flagbearers and among themselves. They understood the situation at the Rift front wasn’t good, as the friction between the Flags was reaching a peak

’They believed the Steelclaw Alliance was like the hand behind the curtain, directing Vale. That was the only reason he was able to kill the rank 1 and rank 3. How else?

’Their aim today was to find a way to reveal who Vale was working for, so the Flagbearers would have a reason to act. But now that the Steelclaw Alliance was openly disassociating itself, wasn’t that a clue? Were they the ones behind it, refusing to admit it? Let’s use Vale as their scapegoat’

Sepler and Gravemor were thinking the same thing. ’Let’s pass judgment on Vale today, and then we’ll deal with the Steelclaw Alliance another day!’

Everyone in the room had different reactions to what Dlodus said.

Vale himself was thinking in an entirely different direction, understanding some subtlety in what was happening.

’Does this mean the Steelclaw Alliance will not interfere with what I do from now on? Are they saying they approve of my actions? Or will they just stand by and let me do my thing without helping or hindering?’

’From what I understand, the issue right now will benefit the other Flagbearers...’

Vale smiled. "That’s a welcome development. Maybe I’ll even create a new Flag by myself."

He was met with stunned silence before Dlodus laughed. "Ah! Won’t that be interesting? A sixth Flag!"

No one else was amused.

Sepler seized the opportunity to stand. "Now, we will start the trial of the murderer, Vale, and his teammates! And since the rank 1 leader... isn’t here, I will take charge as the one in command since the rank 1 team is still standing. Any objections?"

Nobody said anything.

Those who mattered kept quiet.

Vale surveyed them.

Dlodus had that small smirk on his face and had returned to leaning back in his seat. The only thing missing for him was some chopped meat to enjoy the unfolding drama.

Serdan, the Exiled team leader of rank 4, looked as if she’d rather be anywhere but here. The fact that she wasn’t holding any alcohol meant she was taking her presence seriously.

Manefor of the Forsaken Tribes kept his peace as well, his hands folded in front of him. The rest of the Flag teams followed the example of their respective highest-ranked members.

Gravemor joined Sepler in standing. "There are no objections. Let’s start the trial. Even the accused is keeping quiet now that he’s in front of the Ten and can’t use any tricks."

The trial of Vale had begun.