Chapter 61

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“They accused me?”

The Mayor’s office in the City Hall.

Vares, who was listening to the report while sitting on the chair, frowned his glabella and asked back.

“Yes. It seems to have been led by the figures who were under the former Mayor William. The targets are Brooke and His Excellency Vares.”

“…So those bastards were the ones aiming for the sealing stone.”

Vares recalled the stolen sealing stone.

Judge Harpen who came running while panting late in the evening.

He let out a crying voice saying his mansion was attacked and the sealing stone was stolen.

Although it was a far too pathetic situation, if they openly revealed their teeth like this, they would rather become easier to use.

“It would be best to clean them up soon.”

The faces of the retainers naturally came to his mind.

Although he knew they were William’s confidants, he left them behind to handle the city’s various tasks.

Because in the first place, they were bastards who didn’t even utter a single word to William’s death too.

However, if they played such tricks, there was no need to deliberately keep them alive.

“The evidence? What did they put forward?”

“I have organized the evidence submitted to the court. I believe it would be best for you to check all of them.”

“Hmm.”

Picking up the bundle of documents his subordinate brought, he examined the contents with an expression clearly showing signs of discomfort.

After a little time passed, Vares let out a voice mixed with a sneer.

“It is not even funny. Do they think they can topple me with this level?”

The evidence for the accusation prepared by the former retainers was reasonable.

However, none of them were at a fatal level.

If there was a variable, it would just be Camon’s workshop contained inside the sealing stone.

“Did you attach someone to Henry?”

“Yes. I have taken measures so they can handle him immediately if suspicious circumstances are seen.”

Henry, who went to another city for business.

Because he was the person closest to William, he attached observers to him.

If he changed directions and went to the Royal Capital, it would mean he was hiding something.

If he played a foolish trick, he would definitely lose his life from a bandit’s ambush.

“What about Black Dragon? There is also a possibility that he is their employee.”

“We are hiring a few adventurers to observe him, but there have been no special movements. They say he doesn’t even appear at the guild very often in the first place.”

“So he was just a bastard whose mouth was only alive. No, the breed called adventurers are originally like that.”

At the bland news, Vares let out a sneer.

The sight of him chattering with good momentum was also exactly at the level of an uncivilized adventurer.

Tapping the desk with his finger, he leaned his body against the chair and said.

“News of Reventia is late. You properly narrowed down the search radius, right?”

“As you commanded, we inserted disguised personnel and are searching starting from the slum district. However, because it is an exceedingly closed-off place, it seems it will take a little more time.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Since they won’t be able to pass through the city’s inspections. Finding a single loach trapped in a dam is just a matter of time.”

Not long ago, Vares detected an abnormal sign within the city.

It was a power caught by the Spirit detection magic tool brought in through the black market.

In other words, it meant Reventia had started moving.

Perhaps there was also a possibility she had been plotting a plan together with the former retainers including Henry.

“Those bastards smelled it amazingly well.”

The piece of combat uniform Adventurer Black Dragon mentioned.

It was a dark operative of the Holy State who infiltrated Edlen.

To be exact, it was also the forces of a specific Bishop.

Because each and every one of them was a powerful assassin, the magnitude of their power was also considerable.

“Find out clearly who they clashed with as well. The possibility that they inherited the lineage of a Spirit Summoner is high.”

“Yes. I will increase the search personnel a bit more. And what will you do about the trial? We have more than enough leeway to hand down an order to the court and dismiss it.”

“No.”

Vares said, stopping his finger that was tapping the desk.

Because an entertaining thought came to mind.

Since it is a trial where the result is predetermined, it was an appropriate stage to completely crush their hope.

“The trial will proceed as is. We will shove even the dead William’s soul into the ground. Then Reventia will also pop out while grinding her teeth. I’d like to see that face once.”

“Yes. Then I will give the command to prepare for the trial.”

The subordinate paid his respects and exited the office.

Vares, who turned his gaze outside the window, smirked.

“Wait just a little longer. I’ll make even the Pope kneel under my feet.”

***

Sss-

The sight that changed with that scene as the end.

At some point, the surroundings had changed to Edlen’s plaza.

“They’re suddenly holding a trial?”

“I heard they’re dealing with Mayor Brooke and Vares’s crimes?”

“What crimes. It’s obvious it’ll fizzle out no matter what comes out.”

The gathered people murmured while looking at the court set up in the front.

“But it’s been a long time since a trial was held like this, right? Don’t you think there might be something?”

“I’m telling you the judge is just tightly gripped by Vares. That won’t fly in Edlen.”

“The Mayor is actually under Vares too. Although they’re similar trash.”

Within the words of the citizens who had their taxes ripped off here and there, a sharp sword was harbored.

That topic naturally led to the former Mayor.

“As expected, it was much better when Mayor William was here, right?”

“Shush! Watch your mouth. Do you want to be framed as a Holy State follower?”

“No, I heard a temple was discovered in the underground waterway? There are words going around saying Mayor William built that?”

“It could be a different person. Perhaps the trial right now is also related to that matter?”

“Eh, no way.”

The speculations leading from past memories bit each other’s tails.

Meanwhile, Han-bit, who was hiding his body near the court, examined the quest window.

[Main Quest #14: Trial]

Following Vares’s decision, a trial has been held.

The necessary meetings with the former retainers have progressed sufficiently.

It is time when everyone’s roles according to the plan become important.

Objective: Let’s observe the progression of the trial.

Reward: None

*Current Progress Rate: 88 Percent

The focus of the quest was the trial.

It was scheduled to truly proceed from one to ten according to the planned flow.

It was also the result the former retainers put out while racking their brains.

“Oh? There they come.”

“What the, it’s really the Mayor, right?”

“Vares is there too?”

At that time, the related parties appeared at the court.

The former retainers sitting on the left.

On the right were Vares and Brooke.

“Silence.”

The judge’s voice sitting at the bench echoed across the plaza.

Even though he radiated an atmosphere as if he’d be infinitely fair, it was all fake.

It could be known just by looking at the name floating above his head.

[Judge Harpen]

The owner of the mansion that was storing the sealing stone.

As it was close to a master-servant relationship, he had probably already finished talking with Vares.

Looking around his surroundings for a moment, the judge continued his words again with a solemn voice.

“I will begin the trial for Brooke Northon and the Vares Rober family. The charges are the destruction of evidence, fabrication, concealment along with false accusations, perjury, instigation, etc., regarding the incident of the past William Northon.”

***

“We obtained a testimony from the city gate soldier that the records regarding William-nim’s outings were fabricated. I declare that the one who gave the command was the Defendant Vares, and the evidence for that is written in item number 8.”

William’s former retainers pointed out the problems of the past one by one with the prepared evidence.

However, Vares didn’t even bat an eyebrow.

“I also know the soldier who testified well. The problem is that he suffers from a hallucination-type mental illness.”

“That is nonsense! To say he has such an illness…”

“It would be best for you to pay a little more attention to the collection of evidence. Not only does the reliability of the evidence drop, but a bias that feels like the results were predetermined stands out.”

Vares refuting the evidence using elements that were difficult to verify at this location.

The judge listening to the story nodded his head as if he was waiting for it.

“Hmm, the Defendant’s side’s opinion is reasonable. Move on to the next.”

– They’re playing out a scripted bullshit. Lol.

– Fair? Trial?

– Can’t we introduce AI?

– ???: Are you crazy, human?

Like this, the atmosphere of the trial identically flowed.

A composition where no matter what new evidence and witnesses were pulled out, it was all glossed over by Vares’s excuses.

The judge just nodded his head like a marionette and took one side.

“I told you so, right? I said it’d end up like that.”

“But Vares-nim’s words make sense too, though?”

“The Royal Guard Knights even came and investigated in the first place, right. How do you fabricate evidence?”

The citizens watching the trial expressed their respective opinions.

Especially the story about the Royal Guard Knights went a little deeper.

“About that. There was a rumor circulating in the Royal Capital.”

“A rumor?”

“The knight who commanded Mayor William’s investigation back then is a human called an incompetent sword.”

“What the heck is an incompetent sword again?”

A rumor heard through hearsay in the dark places of the Royal Capital.

Since they were discussing the noble position of a Royal Guard Knight, their voices became very quiet.

“It’s obvious. The type who pushes forward thinking only their thoughts are right while having no abilities. From what I heard, he even chased out his subordinate who was trying to dig into the evidence. He was offended because he was getting above himself or something?”

“Then isn’t he just incompetent rather than fabricating things? How did he become a Royal Guard Knight?”

“Dunno. He’s probably from some nice family.”

As it was a rumor circulating in places like taverns, its authenticity was also unclear.

Since to the commoners, it was merely an appetizer for their drinks for a brief moment.

“So when is it ending?”

“They should wrap it up soon so we can prepare our shops.”

People gradually grew tired of the lengthening trial.

The reason they had little interest in the outcome was simple.

Setting right and wrong aside, everyone knew the judge would ultimately raise Vares’s hand.

“I shall hand down the verdict.”

When the trial had lasted for about 2 hours, the judge opened his mouth.

Looking around the audience, he spoke with a solemn voice.

“As a result of verifying the 47 pieces of evidence presented from William’s side, they were all determined to be lacking in accuracy and reliability. As both sides know, the verdict back then occurred due to a fair process and verification under the attendance of the Royal Guard Knights. In other words, it can be seen that the verdict on William’s espionage acts was clear.”

Handing down the verdict, the judge turned his gaze to the former retainers.

Then he continued with a slightly flushed tone.

“I know you followed William well. However, committing false accusations in this form is an act that greatly shatters the order of the city and the court. If the Defendant’s side decides to press charges later on, you probably will not be able to avoid heavy sentences. In addition to that, the crimes committed during the process of gathering false evidence for the false accusation must also clearly be brought to light.”

Judge Harpen put his emotions into it while reflecting on the memory of his mansion being robbed.

The former retainers were merely quietly listening to the story.

That reaction provoked the judge’s mood.

“You don’t even show signs of remorse. The Defendant’s side should indict them as quickly as possible. With this, the trial is…”

Rumble-!

At that time, a loud noise rang out from the path leading to the city gates.

It was the sound of the barricade blocking passage collapsing.

The gazes of everyone in the plaza headed there at the same time.

“Thankfully, it seems the trial has not ended.”

A calm woman’s voice clearly heard over the packed crowd.

The surprised people gradually moved and made way.

A path leading up to the court was naturally created.

“I thank the citizens for their consideration.”

Along with the voice that rang once again, someone revealed their figure through the created path.

Black hair and blue eyes.

The platinum-colored armor suited for the beautiful face was informing them that she was a Royal Guard Knight.

“T-The Royal Guard Knights?”

“With that insignia, isn’t she the Vice Commander?”

“The Vice Commander? Don’t tell me, Leon is that person?”

The name of the youngest Vice Commander in the Kingdom’s history was widely known even to the citizens.

– Omg.

– Leon Nunna *shiver*;

– Crazy, she really came. Lololo.

– I can hear Edlen’s stonks rising.

– The r*tards who already beat the story are wailing.

– They’re noisy so tell them to go outside and cry.

[User LeonSIMP donated 200,000 won.]

[Please save a 4K video of this.]

The chat window was just about to explode at Vice Commander Leon’s appearance.

Other than the hidden skill, was there ever a reaction hotter than this.

“What…!”

“Hiiik!”

Seeing Leon’s face, Vares and Brooke couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

“Please understand my intervention like this as it is a grave matter.”

Leon, who had stepped up onto the court at some point, turned her gaze to everyone.

Then she took out a translucent crystal ball from thin air and held it in her hand.

“I will execute a few procedures by Royal Command from now on. First, I request the citizens to check this as well.”

Finishing her words, she injected mana into the crystal ball.

Sss-

The gazes of the people gathering to the light emitted from the crystal ball.

The appearance of the temple becoming clear was right after that.