"Huh?"
One of the captains, Cedric Valemont, gave an expected reaction to Nathan's response and said,
"I told you all that he had no knowledge of this man."
Captain Ravencroft objected to this claim.
"Are you dense, Cedric? We've already questioned Nowell on his student's whereabouts during his recent commission. As he said, he arrived late on the scene. Which begs the question of where he was all this time, or who he was with."
Captain Regina gave her opinion on the matter.
"You have a great point, Lukas, but let's not forget that Nowell himself vouched for him and his innocence."
"Tsk, he could've only done that just to save his student's skin."
Captain Carter Aldrin chimed in with his take,
"Lukas, you've known Nowell for over a decade. Do you really think you would lie on such a serious case like this?"
The other Captain, Luna Ashbourne, appeared to be asleep during their whole discussion with her eyes closed.
"Enough."
A low-graveled voice overtook their bickering. The voice came from a man who suddenly appeared behind a heavily distraught Nathan. Nobody felt his presence. His yellow eyes conquered the darkness of the room, like a lantern shining through a pitch-dark cave. He took a few steps forward, and all the captains kneeled down to bow before him, including Captain Ashbourne, who woke in an instant after she heard his voice.
"We greet the rising sun of Elarion, He who vanquishes the darkness and brings purity to the land of Luminaris. His majesty, King Augustus.
Distracted by focusing on the man in front of him, Nathan failed to realize the man behind him. He quickly tried to kneel down, but the King put his hand on the emotionally tired young man to reassure him that it's alright.
"You may all rise."
Captain Ravencroft quickly reported to him on all that had happened here.
"I see. Thank you all for your cooperation and taking the time out of your day to help."
"Our lives are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our beloved country."
"I appreciate the commitment, Captain Regina. But just to reiterate, we are here to confirm two things. Whether this man before us is really the father of this young man, Nathaniel Valen, and if he is in any way linked to the recent terrorist group that has come out."
Nathan's expression turned cold with his fist clenched.
The king walked towards the man chained to the chair, looking into his raven-black eyes. The man asked King Augustus,
"What are you looking at, blondie?"
The king chuckled and asked,
"What's your name?"
The man began feeling weary of the king, but responded nonetheless.
"Lawrence."
"Mm, does Lawrence have a last name?"
"Is that in any way related to all this?"
"I suppose not. Nathan, have you ever met this man?"
Nathan snapped out of his confusion.
"N-No, sir."
"Alright then. May you exert some of your mana."
Nathan nods, and a shadow envelops his right hand.
"Is this enough?"
"Yes, thank you. Now it's our guests' turn. Captain Regina, may you release the magic restraints and these chains so that we may proceed."
"Are you sure, your highness? He may attack and escape."
"It's fine. He can't escape from me."
Augustus gave a solace smile to wipe away her worries. She removed both blockers and chains.
Lawrence stood up with his joints cracking with each stretch. He stared down at Augustus, looked him dead in the eyes, and sighed. He exerted his mana as requested. Same as Nathan's mana, with it also being shadow, but he does so in a more menacing manner. The air in the room changed as the pressure of both Lawrence and Augustus strains all who are there to witness it.
Augustus chuckled, catching Lawrence off guard and relaxing his mood.
"After examining mana from both of them, I can confidently confirm that Lawrence is indeed the father of Nathaniel Valen."
Everyone in the room except for the two titans gasped in shock, with Nathan having the worst response. Nathan's heart fell to the ground, his body trembling, causing his knees to give out after all the stress that he had gone through the whole day.
Captain Cedric questioned the result of this,
"Are you certain, your majesty? Because anyone could have shadow magic."
Captain Regina supported her colleague,
"That's right."
"I appreciate your concerns. Not only do both of them have the same type of magic, but it's known that those who don't have the traditional elementals are as rare as diamonds. (turns his attention towards the fallen Nathan) Meaning that the likelihood that he isn't his son is almost zero."
Captain Ravencroft broke his silence,
"Those aren't the only reasons that you have, correct?"
"Of course."
"Then what else is it?"
"Call it… faith."
Everyone looked at the King in confusion, except Lawrence. Augustus looked out at the moon and said,
"It's getting late, and I'm sure we are all tired. Thank you all for this little exhibition that we had, and we'll continue this at a later date. I'm sure that we all would love nothing more than to rest after such a tiring day."
Captain Regina pointed at the Lawrence.
"And what will we do with him, your majesty?"
Augustus gave Nathan a hand and helped him up.
"What do you think, Nathan? Do you wish to leave with him?"
All the captains expressed their concerns.
"Your majesty, are you certain it is all right?"
"Exactly, what if he runs off or hurts anyone. Maybe even Nathan."
Augustus put his finger on his mouth and calmly shushed them.
"It's alright, he isn't a danger to anyone. When you held him captive, did he resist?"
Captain Aldrin replied,
"N-No but still…"
"Why condemn a man who has done no wrong?"
They all went silent.
He then put his hand on Nathan's shoulder and asked,
"Nathan, what do you wish to do with him?"
Nathan then spoke amidst the shock he went through.
"I-I don't know."
Captain Ravencroft snarked at his response.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
Captain Cedric answered on behalf of Nathan,
"Not everyone is as emotionless as you, Lukas."
Augustus chuckled at their bickering and continued talking to Nathan.
"Don't worry. Whatever choice you make here won't negatively impact your life."
Nathan took a deep breath and answered his question with more confidence.
"I haven't grown up with a father, couldn't even see myself with one. So, the choice of what to do with him… isn't to my concern. Because either way, I'll continue to live my life as it was before I met him."
The whole room goes quiet after hearing such words. The king grinned ear to ear after hearing his response and said,
"We've heard his answer. Now then, Captain Ravencroft, may you inform the Council on what has happened here."
"Yes, your majesty."
"If all is done and well, I now see that this meeting is done. Thank you all for your time, and have a safe trip. Nathan, the carriage outside will take you back home (stares at Lawrence), and you, sir, can do as you wish."
All who attended started to disperse, with the captains going to their quarters, Nathan going back to calm his distressed mother, and the king going back to his chambers.
King Augustus looked at the moon, stretched his body as he sensed a person behind him.
"So… how was the first time meeting your son, Lawrence?"
"Not how I pictured our reunion, but it wasn't so bad."
"I'm guessing you didn't come here to ask for parenting advice from me of all people."
"No, I want to know what you're playing at."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Cut the shit, we both know what I mean. Just what in the hell are you?"
Augustus turned his head with the moonlight illuminating over him.
"I wouldn't want to ruin the fun."