Cardinal: Now that the five guilds have assembled, we can finally begin.

--- Chapter 75 ---

Cardinal: I now present the archbishop!

The sound of clattering metal armor is heard ringing throughout the hall. The sound of marching is accompanied by the glistening shine of their armor. A man wearing pristine iron armor is accompanied by four knights. Red sees the man and his eyes widen. The man steps up to the left side of the throne, opposite of the cardinal. The four knights stand a couple steps down but relatively close to him. Luna notices Red staring at him, but there's something more. She notices his hands clench in seemingly anger. He grits his teeth, rage in his eye. His insignia glows softly.

Luna: Red… What's wrong?

Elias: That fucker.

She looks back at him. He rests his hand on Reds shoulder, and so does Ame. Although Hiro looks unaware. Luna looks around, seeing the nine have scowling faces. She even spots Mave looking back for Red.

Luna: Why does everyone dislike him? What did he do to earn this? Or… What did he do to Red to get him this worked up, that even Elias is acting caring. I mean not to say he wasn’t caring before its just that he always acts so angry and-

Suddenly, Red bursts forward, leaping over the crowd. He summons his blade running toward the Archbishop.

Red: You! YOU FUCKER!

The guild snaps to and begins trying to stop, but before they do, a barely armored man with the four accompanying. He starts to swing his sword around. An odd shine can be seen around the room. As he's running he notices what they are. Small razor-like pieces of string. He quickly stops himself. But a large heavy armored knight with a helmet obscuring his identity lifts his blade to red. Red energy flowed out of the creases in his armor, and swirled around his blade, causing his blade to heat up, disintegrating to nothing. The energy suddenly swirls toward him, stretching out in the shape of a phoenix. The phoenix smashes into him, causing the energy to swirl around him. The metal from his blade forms around his wrists and angles, and there dragged together, effectively binding him. The red energy returns into the armor through its joints. The man with the string gives a sly sadistic grin and wraps his fingers around some of the string. He pulls them to the side, causing strings to move and be right up against his neck. A little bit of blood trickles from it. Red looks shocked, and angry, at how effortlessly he was encaptured.

Red: You! How did you become archbishop?!

Archbishop: It’s nice to see you too. Red.

Red: ANSWER ME!

The knight with the string looks at the Archbishop, and begins to speak.

Knight: Your orders my liege.

He says in a light and cocky tone. Almost taunting.

Archbishop: Come now, let him go. That's not how we treat a fellow knight of the empire, or ex at least.

A knight with blonde hair that hadn’t restrained him looks back up, and says with a cheerful tone.

Knight 2: Sir! We should execute him, he tried to assassinate you my liege.

Saying it with a smile. The archbishop motions his hand to take it down a notch.

Archbishop: Now now, settle down. Release him.

Knight: Are you sure? It would be simple to tug this string.

Archbishop: I said release him.

Knight: Fine fine, whateva you say.

The knight pulls on some strings, retracting them all, and the other knight causes his red energy to retract the bind into its blade form. Red stands up eriely. He retracts his blade looking at the four knights. He takes steps back to his group. Elias, Ame, Hiro, and Luna extend their hands and pull him back into their group, asking if he's ok with concern.

Archbishop: Now that that's settled. The reason I called you all here.

He waits a brief moment, people confused as to why the king had not shown up.

Archbishop: As you can see, the king isn’t present. The reason is that he is currently extremely ill, and has been in comatose for about two weeks now.

Worried whispers are spread around the room.

Person: Why didn't you tell us sooner?!

Other group of people: Yah! What gives?!

Archbishop: We had contacted any healers we could. But none have been successful.

The crowd starts to quiet down slightly. A guild part of the 5 royal court guilds, Maskrah’s master steps forward.

Maskrah Master: So, what do you propose? I assume that's why we have been summoned.

Archbishop: Indeed. The king's grandson is only 7, and his father not being of blood would not be allowed such a role. So. I volunteer myself as acting king while the king recovers.