5.15 My army, your army

After convincing the 2 little idiots that Shu XinYi was not looking to rebel, nor was he giving up on anything; they made their way back to the capital. Yuè and Zither didn't know about Saye being there last night or that he was a dragon, so Shu XinYi didn't explain. It took a while, but they reached at the optimal time. By now Yuè could handle himself well. Neither Zither, nor Yué conversed with each other.

Once they reached the palace, the 3 parted ways to head back to their quarters, without alerting anyone. Shu XinYi made it to his quarters and bought FengYi to his own room. After laying the boy down on the bed, Shu XinYi wore some decent clothing and went to cook some healthy breakfast.

The military palace was the smallest palace in the capital, Mostly because Ilseu didn't want to have a big residence. The servents here all have their own rooms and they were people specially selected by Ilseu. So Shu XinYi wasn't worried. Since it was Ilseu's personal residence. Well; it was the residence made for the military commander.

Shu XinYi cooked some congee and ginger tea, with some easily digestible side dishes and bought it back to his room. The bed was empty, yet Shu XinYi didn't panic. He just placed the dish on the side table and said, "Eat something, your body can't hold on much longer like this. I'll leave. There are some supplies in cupboard. You are injured so use them carefully."

After this Shu XinYi really did leave. He didn't have time to treat himself, as he quickly made his way to the council palace, and had a shower in his room there. He then made his way to the meeting room and as expected, the council had gathered. Including Bane.

"My Leige, This subject is late." Shu XinYi said with a bow. This time too, Levay had joined the council meeting.

"No need. Last night the Dào pearl chose a new king. According to my investigation, the person was a dragon. Calian, do you have any opinions on the matter?" Levay said pointing to an empty seat.

Shu XinYi sat down and politely replied to the whole council, "My Leige, It does seem this way. I was called upon by the Dào pearl myself. I resisted it as best as I could. Yet in the morning, the power had weakened enough for me to handle. Which must mean that the chosen king went outside the Elven kingdom." There was obviously a reason for Shu XinYi too speak this lie. Either way, there was no way to check the authenticity of his words.

As expected Bane had started to panic. This meant that Bane didn't know how FengYi came across the Dào pearl himself. Maybe FengYi really did get lucky. Knowing that Ilseu had been called upon the Dào pearl, the council too started to look at Shu XinYi as a gem; as expected of Shu XinYi. If it was a dragon chosen by the Dào pearl, then the council would definitely feel the need to kill them and have one of theirs take their place. If that someone was as powerful as Calian Ilseu, then the task could be deemed complete.

If the truth about Yuè being called upon had been revealed, then the following behavior would be faced by Yuè.

"Master Calian. Then you should hurry up and take that dragon down. We even know the method now." One elf said.

The others joined in, "Master Calian, This is a fine opportunity for us. Even if you don't want to be the king , you can still bring the Dào pearl to us."

"Definitely, we'll organize a feat for this immediately. After all, the dragons did use that wicked slut to take our Dào pea-" One of them was even bold enough to say this.

"BANG!!" it was Levay who took action. "ENOUGH. Jin-Sama, I can respect your old age but your words are beyond the line." Only a very few people knew about Ilseu's truth. And none in the council knew. They only knew that a lady elf had stolen the pearl.

Shu XinYi stood up and bowed to say, "My Leige, You need not worry. Jin-Sama and rest of the members think that I am obliged to steal something that doesn't belong to me. I will have to politely refuse. If the Dào pearl chose the dragon, then I am not anyone to interfere with the decisions of the Gods. Or does the council disagree with the decisions of the Gods?" Shu XinYi asked facing everyone.

With this all yet one were silenced. "Are you sure it's the Gods Master Calian? Or are you just afraid to harm a dragon, someone who had invaded our land to say the least?"

Shu XinYi said with disgusted eyes, "Anyone who finds and kills the keeper, becomes the keeper. Go ahead. Give it a try."

Seeing reluctance appear on Bane's face, Shu XinYi further confirmed that Bane was unaware of FengYi being the chosen King. Shu XinYi would have to be even more careful trying to keep FengYi safe.

"My decision remains. No one is to interfere with the matter of Gods. The council is dismissed. My Leige, I have some words to say." Shu XinYi had a cold harsh tone in the first half of his words, yet when he talked to Levay, his tone became that of polite and respectful.

Some in the council still had the guts to speak, "But My Leige, how can we just let such a matter go? It was in our territory that the Dào pearl chose in. How can we allow a mere dragon to get away with this."

The others were compelled to speak up, "Yes My Leige, with the matter of the war, we all are worried about the action the dragons are taking. What if this is also one of their schemes."

Shu XinYi this time respectfully addressed this problem, as Levay refused to speak on the matter himself, "I am aware of your worries. That is why I don't allow anyone to interfere with this matter. This may be a trap that the dragons have set for the potential kings of our land. It's best to stand out ground. As for the war; a decision is yet to be made."

Bane raised his eyebrows at Ilseu's words. What is he trying to do? Bane wondered. It was getting even more difficult to figure out Ilseu's motives. "How much longer are we to drag this decision? Our people are scared, and here we are trying to hide away." Bane said after some thought.

Shu XinYi looked at Bane to say with a polite smile, "Mr.Bane, People are scared of losing their loved ones. Tell me, would going head on in a war with the dragons without knowing the reasoning behind it; may cause more deaths. Or, avoiding the war without confrontation and negotiations; may cause more deaths?"

Shu XinYi waited 40 seconds for Bane to reply, but except for irritation Bane gave away nothing. If he still said he wanted war, that would be downright blasphemy. Shu XinYi then proceeded to say, "The war will not be approved by me, unless the dragons harm one of us first, without reasonable actions. If you want to have a war on your own for fun, then by no means sit back. Just that, neither me nor My army will be participating."

More than half of the Elven nations army was loyal to Ilseu. One word from Ilseu, and they would drop their weapons. So this threat was enough for the council. But Shu XinYi could sense that Levay had become tense because of his words. After silencing the council, Shu XinYi went back with Levay to a private study.

Bane is bound to take some drastic actions after this, to have a war. Maybe he'll try to anger the dragons. But right now Shu XinYi wanted to deal with Levay. They were alone in the quiet study.

"My Leige, I have troubled you with my words. This subject did not intend to cause distress to My Leige." Shu XinYi said to break the awkward silence.

Levay was silent as he went to his desk and sat down. Shu XinYi spoke again, "If I must resign from my position, then I will accept it. My Leige, this subject had only meant to silence the council."

Levay scoffed saying in a small voice, "You confuse me Ilseu. I trust you. I know you won't use YOUR army against me, unless I do something that rightfully requires it."

Shu XinYi kneeled down at the side of the desk to say, "This subject asks for forgiveness." For Ilseu to say that he won't be participating in war with "MY" army was really not easy for any king to handle.

Levay though knew Ilseu's intentions, "No need be. Is there something else you want to say? Were you actually called by the Dào pearl?" If Ilseu really was called then he would go to protect the chosen king, as I know him.

Shu XinYi kept kneeling as he said, "No. I wasn't called. But I went to the location last night. My Leige... Yuè was called upon."

"What? How? Where is he now?" Levay asked standing up.

"My Leige, Yuè is resting. Last night was a difficult one. I did my best to protect Yuè from any harm as the chosen king was an adult dragon prince. I had questioned him before anyone got there. He said, "I am no king, but I will take this pearl away for now. Instead of a new king, our lands need stability. Even if my brother was killed on this land, a war should be avoided if it can." Shu XinYi had thought about all this. It was better not to mention FengYi at all.