The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Witness to Darkness
Alexandra stood before the mirror in her assigned chamber, adjusting the formal attire provided for her appearance before the Council of Monarchs. The garments were beautiful—finely woven fabric in the Lionhart colors of blue and silver, with subtle embroidery that marked her as a direct line member without ostentation. Yet despite their quality, they felt constricting, almost suffocating.

Or perhaps that was merely the weight of what lay ahead.

A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. “Enter,” she called, expecting a servant with final instructions.

Instead, Raphael stepped into the room, his healer’s robes exchanged for more formal attire befitting his status as Roman’s son. “Are you prepared?” he asked without preamble.

Alexandra turned from the mirror, studying her father’s face for clues to his thoughts. “As much as anyone can be when facing seven of the most powerful individuals on the continent.”

Raphael’s expression softened slightly. “They are still people, Alexandra. Extraordinary people, perhaps, but people nonetheless.”

“People who hold Klaus’s fate in their hands,” she replied, the concern evident in her voice.

“Yes.” Raphael crossed the room to stand beside her, both of them reflected in the mirror now—a study in shared blood and divided experience. “Which is why what you say today matters greatly.”

Alexandra met his gaze in the reflection. “Grandfather has briefed me on what I should—”

“I’m not here to reinforce my father’s instructions,” Raphael interrupted gently. “I’m here to remind you of something more important.”

“And what is that?”

“The truth as you witnessed it is yours alone. Not Roman’s, not the Beast Emperor’s, not even mine.” His hand came to rest briefly on her shoulder. “Trust your judgment, Alexandra. You were there. You saw what happened.”

She nodded slowly, understanding what remained unspoken—that her testimony might not align perfectly with Roman’s carefully constructed narrative, and that she would need to navigate these waters with caution.

“What will happen to Klaus if the Beast Emperor’s claim is granted?” she asked, voicing the fear that had haunted her since learning of Reizhor’s demand.

Raphael’s expression grew contemplative. “Physically, he would be moved to Reizhor’s domain for treatment by his healers. Beyond that…” He shook his head slightly. “Political consequences would extend far beyond Klaus himself. It would represent a significant shift in power between our houses.”

“And if Grandfather prevails?”

“Klaus remains here, under our care. The Beast Emperor returns to his territory, likely with some diplomatic concession to save face.” Raphael paused, then added, “But that outcome is not assured, even with your careful testimony.”

Alexandra nodded, understanding the delicate balance required. The gong sounded in the distance, signaling the gathering of the council.

“It’s time,” Raphael said simply.

They walked in silence through the corridors of the Lionhart Estate, servants and guards bowing respectfully as they passed. The weight of expectation pressed heavier with each step, until they reached the antechamber outside the Imperial Chamber where the Seven Monarchs waited.

Melo stood at the entrance, his white mask revealing only his golden eyes. “They are ready for you,” he informed Alexandra, his voice revealing nothing of his thoughts on the matter.

With a final, steadying breath, Alexandra stepped past him into the majestic circular chamber beyond.

The seven thrones formed a perfect circle, each occupied by its respective monarch. The room fell silent as she entered, seven pairs of eyes following her progress to the small dais positioned at the circle’s center. She had been warned not to bow to any individual monarch, as that might imply favoritism or submission. Instead, she stood tall, offering a single, dignified incline of her head to the gathering as a whole.

“Alexandra Lionhart,” Roman’s voice carried the formal weight of his position, “you stand before the Council of Seven Monarchs as witness to the events at Northwatch. Do you understand the gravity of this testimony?”

“I do, Emperor Roman,” she replied, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her stomach.

“Then speak,” commanded Queen Sylvana, the Lightning Monarch. “Tell us what you witnessed, without embellishment or omission.”

Alexandra drew a steadying breath, organizing her thoughts. She had replayed the events of Northwatch in her mind countless times, both in waking hours and nightmares. Now she must present them coherently, walking the fine line between truth and protection.

“Our mission began as a routine communication verification,” she started, her voice growing stronger as she continued. “Two teams from White Lion—Team 55 led by my cousin Klaus, and Team 27 under Commander Leone—were dispatched to investigate why Northwatch had fallen silent.”

She described their arrival, the eerily perfect condition of the city, the growing sense that something was fundamentally wrong. The monarchs listened without interruption as she detailed the discovery of the homunculi, the confrontation with the transformed Duke, and the revelation of his plan to use the Eternal Rift as a gateway.

“The Duke called it ‘the Convergence,'” she explained. “He spoke of ‘Those Who Wait Beyond’ who would enter our world once the gateway was complete.”

“How did you attempt to stop this Convergence?” asked King Varroth, his voice like grinding stone.

“We needed to reach the barrier control station,” Alexandra answered. “As we approached, we encountered heavy resistance from homunculi forces. The entrance to the control station was nearly impassable.” She paused, carefully selecting her next words. “Klaus determined that someone needed to remain behind to hold off the Duke and his forces while the rest of us reached the controls.”

“The boy volunteered for this position?” Reizhor asked, his golden eyes intense.

“Yes,” Alexandra confirmed. “He ordered the rest of us to proceed while he engaged the Duke and his homunculi in one of the corridors. We heard the battle as we escaped through an elevator shaft.”

She continued the account, describing how they reached the barrier control station and attempted to disrupt the gateway. She detailed how several team members fell protecting Finn while he worked on the override.

“We were losing,” she admitted, the memory still painful. “Then suddenly, the Duke appeared in the barrier control station. He had somehow broken free from Klaus’s position and reached us. We thought all was lost.”

Alexandra paused, reaching the most difficult part of her testimony. Several monarchs leaned forward imperceptibly.

“The chamber doors burst open,” she continued. “And there stood… something wearing Klaus’s form, but fundamentally changed. His hair had turned midnight black. His eyes were like voids in reality itself. He moved with a grace that seemed inhuman. And when he spoke…” She swallowed. “He identified himself as Gluttony.”

“The Duke recognized this entity?” Empress Lirelle inquired.

“Immediately,” Alexandra confirmed. “He showed fear—the first emotion I had seen from him. He called Gluttony an ‘interferer’ and a ‘servant of the Opposition.’ These terms seemed to have significance to both of them.”

“And what happened then?” prompted King Taerin, the Wind Monarch.

Alexandra chose her words with extreme care. “Gluttony confronted the Duke. Their interaction was… beyond my complete understanding. The Duke attempted to escape, but Gluttony pursued him. Within moments, the Duke was simply… gone. Not destroyed in any conventional sense, but unmade. Consumed.”

She described how Gluttony had then done something to the Eternal Rift—redirecting it, changing its nature. How darkness had spread outward, consuming Northwatch piece by piece.

“I remember the darkness closing in around me,” she concluded. “And then awakening in a perfect circle of ash where the city had been. Klaus lay unconscious nearby, returned to his normal appearance, though gravely injured.”

Silence fell over the chamber as the monarchs processed her account. It was Queen Sylvana who broke it.

“In your assessment,” she asked, “was Klaus in control during these events? Or was he entirely supplanted by this ‘Gluttony’?”

Alexandra considered the question carefully. This touched on matters she could not fully explain without revealing what she was deliberately concealing.

“I believe,” she said slowly, “that Klaus made a conscious choice to protect his team by any means necessary. Whether he understood what would happen when Gluttony manifested, I cannot say. But knowing Klaus, he would have willingly sacrificed himself if it meant saving others.”

“Thank you, Alexandra Lionhart,” Roman concluded formally. “You may withdraw while the council deliberates.”

She bowed slightly and turned to leave, feeling the weight of seven powerful gazes on her back. In the antechamber, Raphael waited, his expression revealing nothing of what he might have overheard.

“You did well,” he said simply.

“Did I?” she wondered aloud. “I’m not sure what consequences my words will bring.”

“The truth has its own power,” Raphael replied. “Now we must see how it shapes what comes next.”

They moved away from the Imperial Chamber, finding a quiet alcove where they could await the council’s decision. Alexandra felt drained, as if the retelling had sapped her physical strength along with her emotional reserves.

“There are things I didn’t mention,” she admitted quietly after ensuring they were alone. “Things about Klaus that I saw…”

Raphael studied her face. “You protect him even now.”

She nodded slightly. “Some secrets aren’t mine to share.”

“You believe you did what was best for him?” her father asked.

“I hope so,” Alexandra replied. “I just told the truth of what happened while leaving out…” She hesitated.

“His abilities,” Raphael supplied, his voice barely above a whisper. “Abilities that shouldn’t be possible for a swordsman.”

Alexandra remained silent, her expression confirmation enough.

Time passed slowly as they waited. Servants brought refreshments that Alexandra barely touched. The winter sun tracked across the sky beyond the windows, shadows lengthening as afternoon faded toward evening. Still no word came from the Imperial Chamber.

Finally, as twilight settled over the estate, Melo appeared at the entrance to their alcove. “The council has reached a decision,” he announced. “Your presence is requested, Alexandra.”

She stood, smoothing her formal garments with hands that trembled slightly despite her best efforts to appear calm. Raphael rose as well, offering silent support as they followed Melo back to the chamber where seven of the most powerful beings on the continent had decided Klaus’s fate.

The air within the Imperial Chamber felt heavy, charged with the competing energies of its occupants. The monarchs sat straight-backed on their respective thrones, expressions revealing nothing of their deliberations or conclusions.

Alexandra took her position at the center of the circle once more, back straight, chin raised slightly—the posture of a Lionhart facing uncertainty with dignity.

“Alexandra Lionhart,” Roman began, his voice carrying the formal weight of both patriarch and monarch, “the Council of Seven Monarchs has heard your testimony and deliberated on its implications. Before we render our decision regarding custodial rights for Klaus Lionhart, is there anything further you wish to add?”

She hesitated, weighing her next words carefully. This was her final opportunity to influence the outcome—to protect Klaus, to honor the truth, to navigate the competing claims of bloodline and duty.

“Only this,” she said finally, her voice clear and steady. “Whatever power manifested at Northwatch, whatever entity spoke through him—underneath it all, Klaus remains my cousin, my squad leader, my friend. His actions saved not just those of us present, but potentially the entire continent from what might have come through that gateway. I believe his recovery should be the priority above all political considerations.”

Roman inclined his head slightly, neither approving nor disapproving her statement. “The decision of this council is as follows…”

Outside the Lionhart Estate, night had fully descended, stars emerging in the clear winter sky. In the Frost Chamber far below, Klaus remained motionless, unaware of the deliberations that would shape his future. And in the Annex Mansion across the grounds, a black-scaled dragon raised its head suddenly, golden eyes fixing on the main estate with unnerving intensity, as if sensing a shift in the currents of fate.