Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 365. The debt with Duke Aurelius

As soon as they were done, the emperor tilted his head slightly, and the next moment, the door opened again, and everyone was brought back inside.

Many of them looked at Theo and the baron as if they personally had a grudge with them since birth.

"I have decided to send Theo Merrick to the royal capital for an evaluation."

His voice remained calm but firm.

"This information should not get outside this seating, and in return, the results will be shared with everyone present."

Murmurs rippled through the hall yet again, and all Theo could do was wait and remain silent while still on his knees.

He felt a twinge of guilt for his attendants, who had been kneeling for nearly an hour.

"But your majesty, are you certain about this?" the same irritating noble chimed in again.

Theo was sure that the guy was going to be reprimanded this time, but even for him, the emperor showed an amused smile.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"They violated the fundamental rule of unauthorized gate entry. Not only that, but ignoring the summons from the Historical Academy is considered an even greater crime."

The emperor listened to what he had to say with patience, and when the noble was finally done, that same faint amused smile rested on his lips, which looked so natural that Theo found it hard to believe that it was a poker face.

"Before his punishment can even begin," the emperor said evenly, "we first need to evaluate where Young Theo stands in the kingdom’s hierarchy."

His words confused the noble who had been spouting all those annoying questions.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty...?" The noble asked again, and even Theo felt annoyed this time.

He glanced briefly at his father, only to find him completely locked in, his eyes still fixed on the ground.

Seeing him like that, Theo decided to do the same for the time and lowered his gaze.

"Young Theo," the emperor turned to him, "would you like to show everyone here your fascinating blade?"

Whispers erupted instantly.

It wasn’t just because the emperor had called him ’Young Theo’ for the second time but also because of the fact that he was asking Theo to draw his weapon in a full noble assembly.

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

Theo nodded and rose slowly.

This time, he moved his hands with even more deliberate grace, enough to make both the baron’s and the emperor’s eyebrows twitch a little.

He drew the blade in a smooth and slow motion before going on to assume the same side stance as earlier.

But this time, he lifted it slightly higher until the blade aligned opposite to his own face.

Then, he closed his eyes and began channeling his aura, pushing it rapidly into his blade.

Everyone marveled, their eyes staring nonstop, wondering what he was going to do.

Several of the older nobles instinctively stepped closer, knowing well what was about to happen. They had seen something like this before, just not with someone so young. Shock was clearly evident on their faces.

Seconds later, the blade began to glow from its tip, and Theo opened his eyes slowly.

The emperor’s eyes remained on Theo with a knowing smile. Those extra steps hadn’t been there when he first demonstrated his aura to him before.

At the same moment, both the baron and the emperor shared the same thought.

Was this brat enjoying all this attention?

As expected, the gathering of the nobles erupted into murmurs, this time much louder than before. Most of it was pure shock at what they had just witnessed.

The emperor turned toward the noble who had been making the most fuss, whose eyes were now completely locked in on Theo’s aura.

"Do we still not need to evaluate Young Theo, Duke Theron?" The emperor asked calmly.

Theron studied the aura for a few long seconds, then glanced at the emperor. Slowly, he nodded and took his seat.

Theo felt the gaze of someone from the side. He turned slightly and found Sir Rhys staring at him. It was only then that he realize that Sir Rhys’s sleepy eyes weren’t that sleepy anymore, and he stared at Theo even though he was on duty.

"There will be no voting this time; Theo Merick is to be sent to the Royal Capital as early as the first rays of the sun tomorrow."

The emperor rose to his feet, prompting every noble, be it young or old, to follow suit.

"This secret meeting is now concluded. You all may now return to your families. I shall do the same."

The emperor then began walking toward the gate. For a brief moment, the space beside him blurred, distorting like the rising hot air.

The scene made Theo’s eyes widen.

’What was that?’ He thought to himself, but then he saw the air behind the emperor flicker once again.

Theo forced himself to let it go, but curiosity still gnawed at him. When their eyes met once more, he noticed a faint seriousness in the emperor’s gaze.

Theo paused for a moment, then lowered his head.

The emperor moved past the crowd and walked out with the red-uniformed tamers.

Some of the dukes followed immediately without hesitation. But even as they left, several of them glanced at Theo. A few gave him slight nods, and he returned them with a small smile and a nod.

That surprised Theo a lot.

The dukes were very important in the kingdom and stood just below the emperor in the kingdom’s hierarchy. And their acknowledgement definitely meant something.

When almost everyone had already left, a few figures remained seated.

Alfred had gone to escort the emperor and the dukes out with finesse, and the knights stood firmly at their positions.

Theo’s gaze shifted toward the few nobles who still remained seated, confusion creeping into his mind.

Then the baron stepped forward, approaching one of them, and bowed.

"It’s good to meet you again, Duke Aurelius," the baron said, then turned toward him with a straight back.

Theo stared at the old noble in shock.

Duke Aurelius?

The very man who had gifted them the Whispering Forests, simply because he believed that only a man like the baron could prevent it from going berserk.

"Hahahaha... you have always been an interesting one, Aldric," the old Aurelius said with a warm chuckle, then turned his gaze toward Theo.

"But I didn’t expect your son to follow the same path. I suppose it truly runs in the blood."