Undisturbed by the ninth elder's words, Olrich briefly studied the reactions of every single one of his clansmen. There was mostly stupor and incomprehension. However, as the reality of his words settled within them, strong rejection brewed.

　　"Emperors never jest."

　　Olrich declared, his resolve evident to all those gathered. Konrad, who remained on his knees, found the situation particularly frustrating.

　　"Konrad, rise, and come stand on my left."

　　"Yes, adoptive father."

　　Without delay, Konrad stood up and crossed the stairs to stand on Olrich's left.

　　From this height, all the faces came into view, their frustration and rejection self-evident. The ninth elder stepped forward and bowed toward Olrich.

　　"Your majesty, this is nothing short of outrageous. Let's not even mention the eunuch part and status leap. In what realm does a human boy gets adopted in paragon spirit families? How could such an inferior breed be allowed to share in the imperial family's glory?!

　　This is not the Barbarian Continent! The hierarchy of races doesn't allow such travesty!

　　Please reconsider!"

　　Immediately, the six other elders standing on the side lined with the ninth elder and bowed toward Olrich.

　　"Your majesty, please reconsider!"

　　As for the consorts and princes, although they found the situation just as outrageous, they couldn't openly reject it. More accurately, they didn't dare.

　　Adelar frowned. Though he possessed a relatively good understanding of his father's erratic moments, he never did anything that endangered the essence of the imperial family's dignity.

　　But if this move were allowed to pa.s.s, house von Jurgen would no longer have any face on either the national or international stage. He could tolerate anything except for this.

　　Meanwhile, Nils was the only one who didn't take the whole thing so seriously. Instead, she stared into that eunuch boy's effeminate face, and though he paused with deference by Olrich's side, for reasons she couldn't understand, she found his eyes disturbing.

　　She frowned but couldn't put her finger on the disturbance's source.

　　"What is this reasoning? Because other realms don't dare do it, we shouldn't either? Because it has never been done before, we should avoid it? If our ancestors followed such principles, how could we have this empire? And how could you live off its wealth and resources?"

　　Olrich began, his tone calm but his words aggressive.

　　"You look down on his human blood and eunuch state. Good, then may I ask you, my good elders. Your cultivation has been in the Holy Rank for centuries at the very least. None of you is less than a thousand years old. Across those years, the country's resources allowed you to cultivate in peace, while the von Jurgen name gave you glory, splendor, wealth, and rank.

　　But may I ask you, in this long existence, besides using state wealth to reach the Holy Rank, what are your contributions?"

　　Olrich's inquiry took the seven elders aback, and as they exchanged glances, they didn't know what to reply.