Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe-Chapter 1627: Right or Wrong

After the Emperor’s arrival, the guests were initially stunned.

Seeing Lucian Acadia step onto the balcony had been enough to calm down the rising tension. Slowly, alarmed whispers faded, and the royal guards relaxed the grip on their weapons.

The Emperor guided Balthazar, Anna, and Valerian deeper into the palace. Gradually, the guests began returning to the banquet hall as well.

Yet the atmosphere was no longer the same.

Moments ago, they had witnessed Adam’s dragon injure a mighty Mana Core Magus, one of the most powerful figures on the continent.

Even if Balthazar had shown no intention of fighting back, the fact that Valerian had even managed to wound him in the first place spoke volumes about the young dragon’s terrifying prowess.

Among the warriors of the Dark King’s army, the reactions were mixed.

Many of them felt pride at witnessing the display. After all, the creature that had just wounded a powerful Mana Core Magus was none other than the companion of their commander.

Yet at the same time, there was an unmistakable sense of awkwardness among them.

After all, the young dragon had just attacked someone inside the royal palace, during a formal banquet, no less.

And the victim was known to be a close friend of the Emperor’s...

***

Deep within the palace, inside a quiet private chamber, five figures had gathered.

They sat at a round table. Lucian Acadia’s presence was calm and commanding. Beside him was Old Ani, her aged eyes observing everything around her in exasperation. Blackfire Balthazar’s expression was composed despite the recent clash.

Finally, Anna remained silent, feeling very awkward. She was in a room full of Mana Core Magi, after all. And in her arms was Valerian, who had reverted to his cat form. Still, he couldn’t help but menacingly glare at Balthazar.

Old Ani glanced at the crimson-haired princess and noticed how uncomfortable she was.

"Dear, would you like some tea?" She asked with a gentle smile.

Anna turned to the elderly woman. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Yes, please."

The atmosphere in the chamber still remained awkward, however. Valerian openly glared at Balthazar, ready to chop his head between his jaws at any moment. Meanwhile, Lucian watched that silent interaction in amusement.

As for Balthazar... he had never been so embarrassed in his life.

Being glared at by a cat?

He sighed helplessly.

"I must congratulate you on your father becoming a Mana Core Magus," Old Ani said with a gentle smile. "Although we are separated by the vast ocean, I have heard tales of his just rule and his genius in commerce."

Anna’s lips curled into a faint, genuine smile. She nodded her head and said, "Thank you, my lady."

Lucian glanced at Anna, studying her for a moment. Then he curiously asked, "You’ve known Adam the longest. Would you mind sharing with us what he was like in his childhood?"

Anna arched a brow, wondering if this was a subtle interrogation meant to learn more about Adam’s past. But given the relation between Adam and the Emperor, and the history he shared with Gerald Acadia, she figured Lucian was probably just curious.

"Of course, your grace." Anna nodded politely.

Then she briefly recounted how she first met Adam in Behal. She was just about to continue and speak more about the time she had spent with him when Valerian suddenly struggled in her arms, as if he could no longer bear to remain in the same room as Balthazar.

Anna paused and turned her attention to the little gray cat, who was still glaring at Blackfire.

She smiled awkwardly and turned to Lucian and said, "I apologise for his behavior. Valerian means well—"

But the young dragon interrupted her.

"No, I don’t!" He hissed, pointing his furry paw at Balthazar. "I mean death and agony upon him!"

Luican tried his best to suppress a chuckle from escaping his lips. Meanwhile, Old Ani felt an even greater headache coming.

Balthazar let out a heavy sigh. He deeply looked at Valerian and began, "I was right there when it happened."

He paused briefly, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions.

"When the Cult used that artifact on all of us," he continued. "At the time, Berger, Nylian, and I bore the brunt of it. They were both shocked and heartbroken over the deaths of their mentors. And I..."

Balthazar turned silent, recalling that day.

"I was the only one who had a grip on my emotions. Well, comparatively. To me, Adam was the villain, the man who orchestrated the Battle of Ravenfell and led to the deaths of the people close to me."

He looked deeply at the young dragon.

"Tell me... how do you think I would have reacted?"

"My mind had already been affected by that cursed artifact," he continued. "In my heart, all that remained was the desire to avenge the deaths of all those who had fallen that day."

He paused for a moment before speaking again.

"I do not regret what I did. At the time, I believed I was delivering justice."

Balthazar’s eyes narrowed.

"And yet... I still ask for forgiveness."

The room fell silent as everyone’s attention turned toward the young dragon.

A storm of conflicting emotions flickered in Valerian’s topaz eyes.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though Balthazar’s words had reached him. The young dragon’s gaze wavered, uncertainty passing through his eyes.

But in the end...

His young mind couldn’t accept Balthazar’s reasoning.

To Valerian, the pain and suffering he and his brother had suffered could not simply be explained away by curses and manipulation.

His tiny paws tightened around Anna’s arms. And then, he spat through gritted teeth:

"I will never forgive you for what you did to my brother and me! Never!"

Anna felt helpless.

She understood Valerian’s feelings, but she also understood Balthazar’s point of view. In truth, neither of them was entirely right or wrong.

She offered a strained smile to Balthazar as she gently patted Valerian’s head.

"He’s just angry," she said softly. "In time, he’ll come to understand. I’m sure—"

"Never!" Valerian hissed.

Anna’s smile threatened to break.

"It doesn’t matter." Balthazar shook his head as he rose to his feet. "I’ve said what I came to say. And I’ll speak with Adam as well."

He turned and began to leave, offering his final remarks.

"Whether or not you two accept my apology... it makes no difference. I will still fight alongside you in the great war to come."