Laurel studies Kyrie's expression because she knows that Kyrie would not enter the gates due to his soul's condition. However, she couldn't find the same anxiety that she feels inside even though she could enter the gate.
'It is the mentality,' Laurel remembers what her brother Tobias often said, '... that makes humans different even with the same kind of circumstances or even worse.'
"That is right," Kyrie weakly smiles, "If the first gate is successfully closed, then you will be entering into the demon continent for the next five gates."
The marquis and marchioness have forgotten how to breathe after hearing that the next gates are in the demon continent. After all, the wars between humans and demons have deeply ingrained into every humans' heart. Even though time has eroded a lot of the fear that once was felt, the stories passed down kept the tight grip of fear throughout the races that went against the demon race.
A race that could summarize in one word - 'Insanity.'
Although there has been peace between the demon race and the rest of the races, once the fight for the relics happens, the peace between them will waver.
A big part of the demon race worships the fallen god, and they believe that the destruction of this world would bring them salvation. They will bond with the fallen god and become his immortal army. Those extreme beliefs have made the other races think that the entire demon race is filled with murderous beings with superiority complexes.
There are still a lot of demons who believe the opposite. They believe only in the days they are given by nature and that there is no beyond the days after they close their eyes eternally.
The greatest problem that Imogen and Ian would face is when Cynthia would gather demons for the upcoming gates. Since Cynthia is Erebus's chosen one, then the demon race would be under her hands. However, till now, Cynthia has yet to show her cards, or there is the possibility that the demon race is reluctant to follow her.
Although it is not described in the novel that someone specific has gathered the demons, Kyrie can guess that this was the case since the demons would act organized in some way or another. Imogen would naturally gain followers that come and go throughout the gates, but having more resources will help her pass through the gates swifter.
That is why Kyrie had never wasted any time when he was transmigrated into this world. From the first day, Kyrie has been preparing for these days to come. He has been amassing people and resources secretly for all those two years before meeting Ian.
"Wouldn't that be a huge problem? The demons will kill us before we could even go to the next gate! Plus, they could follow you into the Phantasm!" Laurel is shaken.
"There is indeed a waiting period before the next gate opens, so it is vital to remain safe until then. But again, there are too many misconceptions about the demon race… Although... there is still some good news," Kyrie circles his finger around the teacup.
"Not everyone is eligible to enter into the gate," Kyrie explains.
"Huh? Then… am I even eligible to enter?" Laurel leans back to her seat.
"You are," Imogen affirms.
"I am? How do you know?"
Imogen pauses, and Laurel runs her eyes over to Kyrie and Ian, who remain quiet.
'Is there something I don't know?' Laurel's heart tightens.
Imogen smiles but lies, "I know because I am the saintess. I can see that you are eligible."
"It's not that people can't enter, " Kyrie changes the direction of the conversation, "They die if they enter. There are only a selected few who can process essence, and all boils down to bloodline, heritage, and blessing."
"Isn't bloodline and heritage the same thing when it comes to our bodies, dear?" the marchioness joins into the conversation.
"By heritage, I mean a family heirloom that happens to be a relic is getting passed down throughout generations. Being in contact with the relic might have changed those people's constitution. Since Laurel does not possess a relic, I think Laurel has some kind of unique bloodline running inside."
For the first time, Laurel questions her identity. She knows that her biological mother is just a prostitute, so she has never asked about her biological father. However, now that she has learned that there is a unique bloodline inside her, curiosity planted a seed within her heart.
Her wild thoughts running around her mind immediately get interrupted by the rushing footsteps towards them after a loud boom. Outside the closed doors, screams slip through the doors.
"What is going on?" the marquis gets up from his seat.
He looks at a maid, "Check what is happening!"
The maid fast walks to the doors, and when she is about to open the doors, they blast open, sending the maid flying through the floor.
Lance Hardin, a well-known personal royal guard of the King Aria, enters the room. Behind him incomes a dozen of knights. He lifts a paper with gold borders and fancy writing up. On the bottom of the paper has a seal of the king.
Everyone in their seats stands up and kneels to receive the decree.
"Royal decree. Prince Ian Ethern has found the crime of sacrilege. Knowing that he possesses a curse and dares to enter into the holy grounds of goddess Vita. Corrupted the church, making the deeply devoted from the Kingdom of Aria to suffer the separation to the almighty goddess, resulting in the collapse of the Garden of Oracles. In addition-"
The royal guard stops announcing once Kyrie stands up in a fury, wanting to punch that royal guard in the face, but he gets intercepted by his father and Ian at the same time. Kyrie's expression continues to darken, and his body shakes from rage.
The royal guard clears his throat, feeling nervous to see the paladin with such murderous expression, "I-In addition, suspected to be involved with the warehouse kidnapping incident. Heaven-daring to use his relationship with the saintess and paladin to cover his schemes. His majesty has a great relationship with the monarch from the kingdom of Ethern. Based on the old and good relationship between kingdoms, his majesty is open to talking with King Ethern for compensation."
Then, Lance whips out another letter, "Marquis Rowan, there is a royal decree for you." The Marquis remains down on his knee.
"Marquis Albert Rowan, as the head of the Rowan noble family, housing a criminal, will receive his punishment. For a month, the marquis and subjects are subjected to in-house confinement to reflect on his decisions. His majesty is being lenient due to the many years of loyalty to the crown. However, the king wishes you not just to let," the guard pauses uncomfortably, "... any parasite into your home."
Once finished, Lance motions his hand to direct the knights behind him to detain Ian. Kyrie wants to skin the royal guards alive.
"Son… Control yourself… Violence now will only make things worse," the marquis holds tighter onto Kyrie's arm.
Kyrie looks over to Ian, who is quietly accepting such false accusations. Ian meets Kyrie's eyes, and he shakes his head, letting Kyrie know to stay put. Kyrie's eyes turn to Imogen, who only gives back a glance and does not do anything.
The knights place the handcuffs on Ian. A knight forcefully shoves Ian to move, but he feels a hand on his shoulder. He flinches when looking back at Kyrie, sending him a murderous stare.
"Careful that you are treating a royalty like that. I will assume that you will have the proper attitude towards him."
The knight nervously swallows and leads Ian away without being as forceful.
"Ian," Kyrie calls.
The knights and Ian turn their head back.
"Wait for me."
Ian nods and lets out a little smile. Kyrie follows the knights all the way to the front entrance.
Once the carriages are out of sight, Imogen, who is standing beside him, asks, "Why didn't you stop them? You are stateless, so the king cannot do anything to you."
Kyrie lets out a deep breath, "I have my family to think of too. I am sure Ian was also aware of that as well."
"Why are you hesitating? They are not your parents," Imogen frowns.
"Imogen… Don't you have parents too?"
Imogen's stare sends Kyrie chills. He must have touched the wrong nerve.
"Anyways, I will take care of it, Imogen. You worry about the gate."
Kyrie walks back into the mansion and meets the marquis and marchioness on the hallways.
"Son, what are you going to do now?" The marquis questions Kyrie.
Kyrie rubs his thumb on his palm as he thinks.
After a minute of silence, he says, "I am going back to the academy to do the final preparations for my early graduation."
The marquis and the marchioness look at each other confused, trying to see if the other knows what Kyrie means.
"What do you mean, dear?" The marchioness asks, stopping him from walking away.
Kyrie smiles at his parents, "As a cover, of course."