“Before we go through this door, let me inform you beforehand that beyond this door lies one of the Imperial Production Guild’s most important divisions: the Ancestral Council.” Feeling a bit of nervousness for Valyr regarding on what was about to come, Braum decided to give Valyr a bit of information on the people that were part of the meeting he was going to attend, prompting the latter to nod in response.𝑜𝓥𝐋xt.𝕔𝒪𝗆

“What does the Ancestral Council do?” As this question escaped Valyr’s mouth, Braum went silent for a bit as he thought about how he would explain the council to the man before him.

“Well, if one were to take into consideration their overall contribution to the guild, then one could say that they’re not doing a lot.” In the end, Braum decided to take the brutally honest route in explaining the Ancestral Council’s purpose, briefly shrugging his shoulders before continuing. “However, the Ancestral Council is made up mostly of the guild’s most senior members, if not their founding members. With that, it means that, in terms of authority, the Ancestral Council wields the greatest level of authority… after the leader of the entire Imperial Production Guild, of course.”

“Aside from that, the Ancestral Council’s main focus is on the Four Pillars’ Inheritance, which is one of the reasons why you’ve been summoned to a meeting involved the council,” he added. “However, if you want to ask me what about the Four Pillars’ Inheritance they’re specifically focusing on, then I’ll have to disappoint you since I have no clue.”

“That’s something you’ll have to ask them yourself.” With these words capping off Braum’s explanation regarding the Ancestral Council’s purpose, Valyr faintly nodded in response as he looked at Braum and Madeline, then at the large double door before them.

Thanking Madeline for all of her help thus far, Braum told Madeline that she was free to do whatever she wanted and that he would take on everything from here, causing the latter to thank Braum in response as she soon left the two to their own devices.

Looking at each other for a bit before nodding, Braum and Valyr went ahead and opened the door in front of them before making their way inside, eventually being greeted by a sight that would easily intimidate people if they weren’t prepared.

Being greeted by the sight of elderly men sitting down on seats on top of tall pedestals, Valyr quickly noticed that the seats were positioned a way that they formed a semicircle towards the person that would appear at the center of the room.

Feeling a slight hint of pressure from the indirect aura the people on top of the seats were radiating, it took Valyr a minute or so to get used to the somewhat overwhelming pressure being emanated by them before making his way towards the center of the room, with Braum following behind him.

At the very moment both Braum and Valyr had appeared at the center of the room, the faint clamor that could be heard amongst the elders seated on top of the raised pedestals was swiftly replaced with a deafening silence. With their gazes focused on the two that dared to appear in front of them, they waited for the other side to initiate the conversation.

Noticing how everyone on the raised seats were all looking at them, Valyr deftly tapped on Braum’s shoulder as he had an idea of what was going on, causing the latter to inwardly let out a faint sigh as he took a few steps forward before taking in a deep breath.

“Greetings, elders of the Ancestral Council,” said Braum, his loud voice echoing throughout the room. “My name is Braum Gladios, leader of the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment.”

Hearing Braum mention that he was part of the guild’s Reconnaissance Regiments, the interest of the elders were instantly piqued as they recalled mobilizing the entire guild’s Reconnaissance Regiments in search for a certain person. Unsurprisingly, it did not take long for most of them to put two and two together as they took a look at the man that had accompanied Braum, waiting for the latter to finish his statement with hints of excitement on their faces.

“Sometime ago, the council has mobilized all of the guild’s Reconnaissance Regiment in search for a certain person.” As these words escaped Braum’s mouth, a hint of confidence and pride crept up on his face. “With that, I, Braum Gladios, would like to announce to the elders of the Ancestral Council that the person you’ve been looking for has finally been found.”

Feeling as if Braum had given him a cue to start talking, Valyr looked at Braum for a bit before briefly nodding, taking a few steps forward not long after as he began to introduce himself to the elders. “Greetings, elders of the Ancestral Council.”

“My name is Valyr Zeihardt.”

At the very instant these words left Valyr’s mouth, the excitement on most of the elders’ faces finally blossomed in its entirety as they made a faint ruckus about how all of them could now be at ease since Valyr has already been found by their guild.

However, just as the elders were about to continue talking amongst themselves about the inheritance and how Valyr was going to participate in it, the elder at the central seat gestured for everyone to become silent, which the elders surprisingly followed without much complaint.

Of course, unlike everyone else in the room, Valyr was bewildered to see all of the elders follow the wishes of the elder at the central seat, causing him to wonder what kind of position the elder at the central seat had in order to have that much authority. Unfortunately, this train of thought was cut short as the elder’s voice soon resounded throughout the room, asking Valyr a question.

“Child… you mentioned that your name is Valyr Zeihardt, right?”

“That would indeed be me.” Nodding in response, Valyr felt a bit of confusion as to why the elder at the central seat made him confirm his own name. Fortunately, it did not take long for him to find out why once he heard the elder’s next question.

“Since you say you’re Valyr Zeihardt, child…”

“Would you give us proof that you are indeed him?”