After discovering the culprit, Akuji hurriedly requested a meeting with Regulus.
Although Akuji was still undergoing punishment, he remained one of the supreme powers of the Interdimensional Alliance.
Thus, despite his busy schedule, Regulus made time to meet him.
"I found it! The one responsible for our losses in the Silent Void Expanse!" Akuji said excitedly.
Though he wasn't particularly concerned about such an insignificant loss, identifying the culprit who had tarnished the Interdimensional Council's name was still an accomplishment.
"It's Maximus Shadowcrest! The so-called Supreme Primordial Candidate!"
"Hm? It's him? As expected, he had such strength even without a River of Law," Regulus remarked, somewhat impressed.
Recalling Maximus's demeanor during their last encounter, Regulus couldn't help but feel admiration.
Such a man was destined to reach the Absolute sooner or later; as for the Overlord Realm, his chances were high.
"Huh?" Seeing Regulus praise Maximus instead of condemning him, Akuji stiffened.
"That Maximus must be a spy! Destroying two of our Dimensional Void Ships and killing one of our members—he must be a pawn of the Devourer faction!" Akuji accused furiously.
Hearing this, Regulus's expression grew solemn.
Gazing at Akuji, a mighty pressure began to emanate from him. "Watch your words carefully. Even if he killed you, Maximus would still be a prodigy of the Dimensional Alliance!"
"Why? We are the Interdimensional Council! How can a mere Primordial Candidate wield influence over us?" Akuji shouted indignantly.
As he endured punishment, Maximus was basking in glory; how could Akuji not feel resentful?
"The importance of a Primordial Candidate is not something for you to dismiss. Don't underestimate them as weaklings now. Their significance might even surpass that of us, the Masters of Absolutes of Law,"
As one of Overlord Ascelon's trusted confidants, Regulus knew these Primordial Candidates were more than just reserve powerhouses.
Noticing that Akuji still hadn't calmed down, he frowned slightly.
"So, I can't do anything?" Akuji finally sobered, slumping down with a sigh.
"Anyway, you're not to touch him. Even the Master couldn't save you if you did."
Although Regulus didn't fully understand Maximus's importance, he could estimate it.
The fact that Pandora had been stationed nearby to secretly protect him showed his significance.
In an instance where an Absolute-level enemy gets close to the Etherium Realm, that little mink would be the first line of defense.
"So, I'm supposed to just swallow this injustice? Doesn't the Interdimensional Council's reputation matter anymore?"
"Don't goad me with your trivial concerns. I don't care about some false reputation. Only weaklings like you value such vanity."
As an Overlord organization, the Interdimensional Council's glory would continue as long as they refrained from mass massacres across dimensions.
Realizing he had no options left, Akuji gave up.
"What about my punishment? When will it end? And could the compensation be reduced? How can I train without any resources?" Akuji asked, recalling his debts and the long penalty still hanging over him.
"Since you've already found the culprit, there's no need for further punishment. But as for the compensation—it cannot be reduced."
"Oh…" It seemed he'd have to work himself to the bone for a while.
"If you're that desperate, you could take Maximus to the Dimensional Alliance's Court of Council," Regulus suggested.
The Court of Council was where various Alliance members settled their disputes.
Established to reduce infighting and provide a fairground, this council offered a structured avenue for grievances.
Regulus had just forbidden him from laying a hand on Maximus, yet now he suggested prosecuting him?
"Why not? As long as you don't harm his life, you can do anything. After all, the Interdimensional Council did suffer some losses. Plus, he's quite wealthy—you should be able to get a decent compensation."
Observing the data streaming to and from the Tower of Knowledge, Regulus knew exactly how rich Maximus was.
This man's wealth was on par with that of a top family.
The brat was even richer than him, which sparked a bit of envy.
If not for the complex web of forces surrounding Maximus, Regulus might have been tempted to apply some "rules" to collect a little "tax."
Hearing Regulus's suggestion, Akuji's eyes lit up.
"So, I can still go this route!"
"Hahaha, how much compensation should I demand?"
A few months later, within the Tower of Knowledge, Maximus received a notification.
"From the Court of Council?"
The Court of Council was likely the strongest surface-level power, below the Overlords.
Although it had no Overlords, it housed the strongest Seven Absolutes:
The Absolute of Justice, Judgment, Righteousness, Sin, Purity, Equality, and Oath.
These figures originated from the early days of the Aeon Plane.
Although they hadn't reached the Overlord Realm, their power was said to rival it.
If not for their stance of neutrality, they might have become a major force apart from the Dimensional Alliance and the Devourers.
Seeing a notification from the Council, Maximus grew slightly solemn.
Fortunately, after reading it, his worry quickly disappeared.
"A notice to compensate the Interdimensional Council? What a joke~."
He had long expected it was only a matter of time before the Interdimensional Council discovered his alternate identity.
What surprised him was that they had gone through a legal channel rather than directly confronting him.
"It seems I'm more important than I thought…"
The domineering Interdimensional Council retracted its claws and attempted a reasonable approach?
This made Maximus suspicious, thinking of the deeper implications.
While his ultimate physique granted access to limitless origin energy—able to help Masters of the Ocean of Law advance to Absolute of Law—that was all it could do.
As for aiding someone in reaching the Overlord Realm, that was far-fetched.
Deducing the likelihood of such an event using the River of Knowledge, the answer he got was almost zero.
Having an importance beyond what he estimated could only mean one thing: he still had undiscovered abilities that he hadn't even anticipated.
Looking over the total compensation he was supposed to pay, Maximus sneered.
"Compensation? Heh, it should be you who should be compensating me."