Chapter Sixteen: The Round Table’s Special Ability

“An insider?!”

The voice was heavy and low, and many eyes were filled with deep suspicion.

Present at this meeting were representatives of the kingdom’s core powers: the great dukes and nobles, the Magicians’ Round Tower, the Holy Church, the royal family, and ministers—all wielding considerable influence in the capital. Prince Ota would not speak so decisively without cause.

Could it be that the royal family already had further clues?

Judging by the anger etched on Prince Ota’s face, it was clear he despised this so-called insider as if the threat had invaded his very life.

Prince Ota clearly held the kingdom’s safety in the highest regard.

“That statement seems somewhat absolute, Your Highness Ota,” came a gruff voice.

Everyone turned to see Duke Mace of the Kur Kingdom speaking. His estate was near the Magicians’ Round Tower, and his reputation for indulgence in women was less than stellar, so many felt Prince Ota was throwing dirt directly onto him.

Duke Mace relished the attention, shook his head, and then said:

“Couldn’t it be those mercenary bands chasing wealth, thieves lurking in the shadows, or even the third prince who defected abroad? They are all capable, aren’t they?”

He glanced at the Round Tower’s chief, Rack: “Perhaps the true culprit is even this very note’s owner!”

Startled, Rack’s aged face went pale, his eyes wide with shock.

Rack was clearly upset… Ota glanced at Duke Mace with a hint of disdain.

The kingdom’s political factions were divided and rife with conflict, and they spared no face for those with no vested interest. At least for Chief Rack, Duke Mace of the noble class was part of the “Round Tower Suppression Faction.”

Similarly, there were the “Prince’s Party,” the “Neutral Party,” the “Holy Church Supporters,” and the “Rent Card Brotherhood”…

Incidentally, the largest group was the “Kalia Solo Fan Club” and the “Hero Mino Victims’ Alliance,” the latter secretly founded by Chief Rack himself.

As a commoner and the kingdom’s greatest hero, Mino faced the greatest hostility among the nobles.

Rack was still nervously gasping for breath, and Ota could only offer slight reassurance before turning back to Duke Mace: “Duke, please watch your words. I do have corresponding evidence.”

He sat upright, calm and deliberate: “Do not forget, the round table meeting we hold now is based on a certain foundation.”

The core members of the kingdom suddenly realized and looked toward the ancient, grand round table before them.

A mysterious aura hovered over the table. Everyone knew it was the sacred artifact upon which the Kur Kingdom was founded, possessing powers close to divine.

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“The round table has a ‘foresight’ function, granting vague revelations and glimpses. After the Round Tower’s notes were tampered with, I finally resolved to use the table’s insight.”

Prince Ota swept his gaze around the room with authority and continued: “The culprit who destroyed the Round Tower’s notes…”

“Is someone of high renown within the kingdom!”

Eyes widened in astonishment. They had never imagined the round table at this meeting possessed such miraculous abilities.

Even more unexpected was the confirmation that the insider truly existed—right among them!

Based on the revelation, thieves, mercenaries, and even the defected third prince could be excluded.

Now Duke Mace realized his argument was untenable and frowned, pondering the clues Ota had presented: “Someone of high renown… someone of high renown…”

Most of those fitting that description were indeed present.

He had no choice but to withdraw his objection.

At that moment, a snicker arose from the crowd: “In that case, Duke Mace can be completely cleared of suspicion.”

Mace’s face darkened instantly. The speaker was Duke Clyde, with whom he was at odds. Known for his sharp tongue, Clyde’s meaning was clear.

Mace’s reputation in the capital was notoriously poor, well known even among commoners, hardly one of high renown.

Mace retorted fiercely: “Nonsense! I am the noble most resembling an insider! It’s you who could never be the insider!”

“You’re not the insider! Neither is your entire family!”

“I’m dripping with insider vibes! From head to toe, suspicious as can be—what else could I be?!”

Rack sat in his chair, struggling to suppress a twitch in his face.

What are you arguing about… being an insider is a point of pride? Rack pondered silently. It was the first time he had learned of the round table’s power, and by that standard, “high renown” might even apply to him.

A haze of confusion filled his eyes. Could it actually be him, unknowingly so?

Amid their verbal sparring, a timid voice suddenly emerged:

“Um, is it possible that the insider… is actually the captured hero, Mino?”

The room fell silent instantly.

Everyone turned toward the speaker, a court minister named Tuss, who was huddled in a corner.

“Well, I just think Lord Mino fits the criteria, doesn’t he?” Tuss said cautiously, shrinking back slightly:

“After all, the highest renown in the kingdom belongs to Lord Mino, the human hero.”

“Besides, he is now imprisoned in the Demon King’s castle and must be enduring demonic interrogation. It’s quite possible he has revealed the Magicians’ Round Tower’s secrets…”

A hush fell over the assembly.

“Heh… haha.”

“Ha ha ha, heh heh ha ha!”

Soon, the chamber filled with laughter and mirth.

“Ha ha, Minister Tuss, your sense of humor grows by the day…” Duke Clyde wiped tears of laughter from his eyes: “That is the kingdom’s strongest hero! Can you imagine what kind of torment it would take to make him betray the kingdom?”

“Exactly! Don’t forget, that is the commoner hero who survived the Sword Saint’s trial for a whole year on nothing but black rye bread! Having endured such hardship, he has no worldly desires and is the kingdom’s spiritual pillar!”

Even Duke Mace nodded repeatedly: “Though I want to kick that scoundrel Mino’s backside with my boots, his spirit and physique as a hero are undeniable. Last time I tried to trip him at a meeting, I ended up with an ingrown toenail…”

Prince Ota looked helplessly at Minister Tuss and half-explained, half-guided:

“Tuss, you are very wise and always consider the most reasonable angles, but you overlook the most important thing:”

“That is the willpower of us humans!”

Ota proudly lifted his chin: “We are the kingdom’s elite, the hope of humanity. We stand on the front lines against evil and cannot be swayed by mere interrogation to betray our ideals.”

“I believe most here share this conviction.”

Hearing this, the noble elites nodded appreciatively.

“Then everything becomes clear,” Ota said confidently, spreading his hands.

“With such willpower, do you think Mino lacks it?”