Ascension of the Nephilim

614  Rising Volcano

The power silenced everyone.

The argument angered many, but at the same time, a larger group was enlightened.

It did make sense. The Laws of Magical Birth explained how magical items would spring up or appear.

Because of magic, monsters may be born. Changes of minor concerns and catastrophic births of great monsters that would threaten the kingdom would happen.

The ground itself could change and give birth to miraculous things. Plants could come alive, and the souls of men would give birth to greater horrors like ghosts and zombies.

But always, the effects of the birth of magical creatures, events, or things would have, Causation, Relation, Stimulation, or a combination of these three.

"Shall I lecture everyone about this? The mine has no clear or established causation of magic. The earthquake opened the path, but the magic appeared only in the mine and not in the other areas. How could an earthquake cause it? Clearly, the reason for the earthquake should be investigated!" Perment voiced out.

"But no such answer! Can anyone tell me now what caused the earthquake?!"

There was silence...

"I know!" Perment declared confidently.

"I know of the power that caused it! Do you?" Perment challenged.

No one could answer Perment's question.

"If Causation cannot explain it, then Relation or Stimulation can! But even then, none of you can fully grasp how these two played a role in transforming the mine into something so spectacular that it could catapult this kingdom and region into a very superior state that can challenge the kingdoms of other planets! The Kingdom simply declared it was safe to mine! But what ripples of magic have spread out that it changed the mine? Or what power stimulated the magic in the mines? Should I discuss and explain what Relation is?"

"You!" The Duke shouted as he stood back up. He was wounded and angry.

"You do nothing but lie and accuse us! If you are truly innocent of all this, show us proof!" The Duke roared.

"The Duke speaks the truth! How dare you stand up here and sully my honor! Was it the Duke who did that? Was it, not the kingdom?! And friends, pay no heed to this swindler! For he has been swindling and tricking people all his life! His entire academy and the peers with him are even here to present their grievances to them." The King of Zarefard finally spoke.

He stood up from his lofty throne with eyes full of hate. The king himself was stunned by the magic attacks that resisted the Duke twice.

And in that moment of his surprise, Perment has laid out permanent suspicion to the king's claims.

Many from other kingdoms who invested in the Duke's business ventures were promised money that would help them rise into power in their respective kingdoms. Some nobles of other kingdoms saw this as their way to rise into greater political power.

But the words of Perment brought a great cut into their trust and confidence.

"King Vergos, we, of course, believe your words over this wench. But we now ask your grace for a more substantial explanation of how the mines gained power." A Count of another kingdom asked.

"Our concern lies not in the lies that this madman spout, but we fear the rumors that would spread from this madman's words. It will be of great shame if such lies will enter the minds of everyone nearby and create a commotion in the land. The promise of ascending and gaining power have lifted the spirits of the masses and those nearby." An eloquent Viscount explained.

"You dare… question my judgment? Do you think I would let an impatient and greedy Duke make such a half-baked proclamation?" King Vergos glared at the officials.

The respective investors both frowned at the answer of the king.

"I wish that the good king would still answer the question." A voice spoke.

Above them, the man seated on a floating platform asked a simple question.

King Vergos's eyes raged as he glanced up at the floating throne.

"And may I know, to which royal, honorable family do I speak?"

Ever since the past week, many knew that this was a noble of a floating kingdom, but he never removed his mask. But now, he stood up and removed his mask.

"The Royal Family of Fardur Powenquis. And might I ask the good king why the need to ask my name is such a pretentious tone?"

At once, the king's expression turned ugly. This was someone of royal lineage from the Floating Continents.

"Prince Alistair! This king humbly apologizes for not recognizing your arrival! As you can see, such problems have arisen in my humble kingdom."

"I am seeking the answers that my father would want to know. I am in no way doubting the king. But of course, many restless powers continue to ask. After all, if what that mage said is true, then… it could greatly affect the relationships of our kingdoms, no?" Alistair spoke.

"Of course! Forgive my aggressive disposition. But the minds of the lesser and tainted pedigree often chase after odd rumors and old wives' tales. I need a more... intricate explanation to deliver to my father, the King."

"And you shall have it, my Lord. Simply put, this rascal is twisting truths and facts. Trying to impress us with his numerous complex explanation and no doubt uses magical knowledge, which he stole from many mages present. He is a thief and a scoundrel. And because of that, he had been performing strange magic throughout the year." The king began.

The reports of the monsters inside the large underworld proved most of what Perment had stated. They knew that there was a portal of some sort inside. There was no other way to explain the presence of the Lizardman. While the news had been contained, they had already prepared their excuses.

"No doubt this scoundrel is making up stories to elicit the fantasies of men who desire glory and honor. Such delusions of grandeur are but his tricks to derail support to my kingdom. The truth is that there are volcanic activities below the underworld region. That underground area connects to a deep pit of lava. A volcano thought to be dead! The earthquake that opened the lands was nothing but the volcano becoming active again." The king explained.

"A volcano?" The prince asked.

"Yes. Isn't most of the ores found based on fire elements?" The king asked everyone.

"Duke Ressongraze, I order you to explain the details to the lords and nobles present."

The Duke had been healed by many mages, and numerous experts in the king's court were communicating with the Duke.

The Duke stood up in pain and anger at Perment. But he kept his noble bearing.

"It is as the king said. And the rumors about the lizardmen are true. We have captured several lizardmen to show it to you. As for their origins, they were within the magma world. Creatures that have been hidden for ages long past. It has happened several times in history. Did not the adventurer, Kormak, find a new species known as the Fishmen hidden in the depths of the Veerwood Sea? They exist, but we are just uninformed." The Duke explained.

At once, several chained red and brown lizardmen were brought into the place.

They had a strange heat emanating from them, and their red and brown colors were very distinct.

The strange species of creatures drew curious eyes from everyone.

"So there you have it. Magical Causation, Magical Relation… Now, for charges against the king to twist lies that divide and stir chaos when the truth of a rising volcano explains it, I hereby sentence you-"

"I don't think that's a valid answer. How can a simple volcano do that? No! Lords... You've seen the power that I wield. We resisted a Champion's attack two times! Where have I gotten the knowledge to do this? I learned through the ancient powers that the underworld offers!"