Evidence (Part 2)
Four days of total research stagnation had steadily eroded public faith, fueling the creeping terror of the Principality's citizens. Yet when Hyplisia—the enigmatic, faintly glowing blue flower—was revealed to be the miraculous cure for the Lemterte Plague, that suffocating distrust was extinguished in less than four minutes.
Even so, one crucial barrier remained.
To secure a steady, continuous supply of Hyplisia, there was still a bridge that had to be crossed.
"You have traveled far, Marquis Emerald."
"Hardly a hardship," Muniher replied. "The ones truly suffering are your people, are they not?"
It was a negotiation between the Sirens and the Principality.
Wiping away the false accusations pinned onto a race that humans had long branded as monsters was no simple feat. But what if the only salvation from a horrific epidemic devouring mankind lay entirely in the hands of those very Sirens?
However disorienting it might be, humanity had no choice but to reach out a desperate hand.
Yet the Sirens had already bolted their hearts shut against the outside world. To have any hope of reaching them, the Principality had to approach with utmost courtesy, bringing terms capable of melting their bitter resolve.
"Quite a cunning angle you have taken."
"Had I approached any other way, you would have refused the summit entirely, would you not?"
The Siren Elder let out a weary huff and fell silent. In a sense, his silence conceded that he could not fault the reasoning.
Even so, he has shown an enormous measure of grace just by sitting across from me, Muniher thought. After all, there was a time when my own kin were treated no better within the Empire.
In truth, the Sirens had spent days flatly rejecting any notion of a summit, insisting there was no reason to negotiate with humans. Their hatred and distrust had festered for generations, and viewing this audience with contempt was only natural. The sole reason the meeting had been granted at all was that the envoy sent before them was not a human, but a fellow beastman—a demi-human who shared the sting of prejudice.
Even now, the village chieftain looked thoroughly displeased. The bitter resentment radiating from every resident around the lake was palpable. Muniher had no intention of overlooking the fact that, in this room, the Principality stood entirely at their mercy.
Until recently, society had treated the Sirens as volatile outcasts who stirred unrest through violence. But now that the true story had surfaced, the Principality's guilt was etched in stone.
"Let us dispense with the pleasantries," Muniher said evenly. "As you well know, the Principality requires Hyplisia."
"And?"
The Elder's posture was defiantly crooked, as though daring Muniher to find the right words on his own.
Against an official envoy, such an attitude was border-line contemptuous. Had any of the haughty dukes or ministers from the capital been present, they would have slammed their fists on the table, rebuked the old man's insolence, and stormed out.
Hmm. Coming on this aggressively, are we? That means he has no intention of parting with it easily.
And rightly so. There was no earthly reason for the Sirens to welcome this summit. But Muniher preferred it this way; a blunt adversary made the diplomatic dance far simpler. Without a word, he slid forward a freshly sealed parchment to lay down the first stone.
"What is this...?"
"First, a formal declaration that your names shall be cleared. The truth of what occurred back then is finally coming to light."
"You think this scrap of parchment washes away everything our people have endured?!"
The Elder crumpled the paper violently in his fist, his weathered face contorting with righteous fury.
"Do you have any idea what has been done to us since that cursed day?! You think... you think a pathetic sheet of scribbles can console those who are no longer of this world?!"
Unable to withstand the raw magic surging through his trembling hands, the parchment shredded into useless confetti, scattering across the wooden table.
"A worthless, hollow decree! Suppose this one slander is erased—what guarantee is there that another lie won't be slapped over our heads tomorrow?! Who among your noble lords will guarantee our safety when they are the very monsters who enslaved us, drained us of our dignity, and wore our bodies as trophies?!"
Some had been shackled into slavery, stripped of every right. Others had lived wretched lives as tools to be broken and discarded, or slaughtered simply to craft luxury trinkets for aristocratic vanities. An unread petition from a dead chieftain meant nothing. To the Sirens, the paper Muniher brought was less than trash.
"You deceived our previous elder, only to throw his frozen corpse back onto our shores... And now you have the gall to thrust this in my face again?"
"..."
The Sirens did not use the names given to them by the Principality. They did not cry out for justice or appeal their innocence.
Because the moment the previous elder had walked into the detention ward alongside the Penarive household, only to return as a mangled, lifeless body, they knew that proving the truth to humans was a fool's errand.
...A tragedy, Muniher reflected quietly. To think the one who died trying to reveal the truth was this old man's father.
Only now did the full tapestry of the Principality's buried shame assemble in Muniher's mind. He understood the Elder's grief down to his very bones. Decades ago, Muniher had stood in the searing heart of the central desert, screaming until his throat bled from sheer, suffocating helplessness. He knew that agony.
Which was precisely why he could not afford to fail here.
"The Principality's records merely recorded the Sirens' crime as an unknown power harmful to humans," Muniher said, keeping his voice calm and steady. "If you stand and refute that charge, it will irrevocably validate the testimony left behind by the Siren named Welkeren."
"Ha! You expect me to march before the humans to prove it, just as my father did?!"
"The proof has already arrived," Muniher replied. "The fact that your kind are harmless has been indisputably proven by the medicinal power of Hyplisia. By granting us that flower, the false guilt hanging over your people will melt away like winter snow."
"A convenient excuse to fleece us of our sacred blossoms! Keep dreaming, Marquis. This talk is over!"
The Elder whirled around, breathing heavily as he stalked toward the threshold. But with a single sentence, Muniher froze him dead in his tracks.
"If you walk out that door, then the evidence Junon bled to secure will turn to ash."
"...What did you just say?"
"The one who proved Hyplisia's potency against the Devourer—the very source of the Lemterte Plague—was Junon."
The moment the name Junon crossed Muniher's lips, the old Siren flinched. He spun around, his pupils quivering like autumn leaves in a gale.
"How I learned of this does not matter," Muniher pressed gently, his tone softening with genuine conviction. "If you truly care for your kin, should you not ensure the survivors live in peace and dignity? And more than that... what of Junon? Are you prepared to let that boy's blood and sweat be buried in vain?"
"That cannot be..."
"I leave the choice to your people. Ah, and by the way—the patient saved through that trial was a young woman named Lumia Penarive, the very first survivor cured of the plague."
"...!"
The name of the Penarive family struck like a thunderbolt.
Having played every card in his hand, Muniher calmly turned his back and stepped toward the exit. Unlike the Elder, who had tried to storm away in blinding rage, Muniher moved with absolute, relaxed certainty.
And just as anticipated...
"...Hyplisia begins its growth floating on the water's surface, and only blooms once a Siren's mana infuses it ashore. It takes time. Even if we gave you our entire reserve right now, it would not be enough to cure everyone."
The Elder called out, arresting Muniher's steps and guiding the negotiations into the ideal harbor.
"Make no mistake—we do not trust you, nor your Principality. We trust... that boy."
"I am glad we understand each other," Muniher said with a faint smile, turning back. "Think what you will. Tell me, what provisions does your clan require from the Principality? Whatever it is, we shall provide it."
The Elder hesitated for a long moment before offering an unexpected request.
"I will send a formal letter outlining our material needs. But what we truly desire... is this."
"Oh?"
It was a peculiar wish, yet one that suited Muniher's tastes immensely.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm~♪"
"..."
"..."
Under ordinary circumstances, the maids would have spent this hour gently scolding Lady Renias, nudging her awake as she yawned, begged for five more minutes of sleep, or lazily rested her chin on her hands while they dressed her.
Yet today, miracles seemed to be in season.
Their lady was standing tall, humming a cheerful little melody under her breath while swaying her head to the invisible rhythm!
Anyone with eyes could tell something momentous had happened.
A senior maid caught the eye of the seamstress measuring Renias's waist and gave a subtle flick of her chin. The seamstress caught the signal instantly and broke the ice with practiced innocence.
"My goodness, my lady. Have you lost some weight?"
"Huh? Really?"
Weight loss confirmed. Intel acquired.
"Yes, especially around your waistline! It's so slender!"
Waist emphasis. Duly noted.
"Mmm... but I still feel like I'm carrying a bit too much, though."
"What are you saying?!" the seamstress gasped dramatically. "Your figure is practically a crime, my lady! Everything that should be lush is lush, and everything that should be trim is trim! Where on earth is this extra weight you speak of? You look positively breathtaking right now!"
"You think so?"
"Without a doubt! The heavens themselves must have sculpted you!"
Renias waved her hands in modest embarrassment, insisting the praise was far too extravagant. But the maids gathered in the corner nodded in fervent, unanimous agreement. A bust that effortlessly cleared a D-cup was already enough to stir envy across high society, but when paired with an immaculate hourglass curve, radiant porcelain skin, and generously rounded hips, it was downright unfair.
"Ahem. That aside, my lady... aren't you going to tell us how you managed to slim down?"
"Ah, hehe. Well, recently I've been training alongside a certain senior! And I've been doing my best to eat properly without being picky, just like you girls always nagged me to do."
"Is that so? To think our lady, who always brushed off our advice as pesky nagging, has become so diligent... That senior of yours must be an exceptionally upright person."
"That's because you girls always tried to drown my plate in bitter greens! Hmph."
Training alongside a senior?
Behind Renias's back, the maids collectively covered their mouths, their eyes widening in frantic silent communication.
Training with our lady...? And she specifically asked for an evening gown today... Could it be?!
Look at the gift she prepared earlier! A silk cravat! That is one hundred percent a gift for a man!
I know Lord Ronelion's tastes, and that cravat is definitely not for him!
Which means it's for a romantic interest! No wonder she looked so flustered and blushed to her ears while picking out the fabric!
Our lady finally has a sweetheart...!
To the maids who had doted on her for years, their peerless, gentle lady was their greatest pride. Every crumb of information Renias dropped was swiftly assembled into undeniable proof that romance had finally blossomed in her heart.
"There we are, my lady. All finished! Would you like to take a look?"
"It's beautiful, but... do the shoulders really have to be this bare? It feels a little daring..."
"Oh, nonsense! An off-the-shoulder cut looks utterly divine on you!"
"Hehe, thank you. But um... why are you all looking at me like that? Your eyes are kind of scary..."
"Scary? Why, whatever could you mean? Ho-ho."
"You wound us, my lady. We only have your best interests at heart!"
It was time for the styling team to take over.
Resolved to make Renias the most dazzling woman in the entire world tonight, the maids cracked their knuckles and entered full battle formation. Small wonder Renias felt a shiver run down her spine.
"From this moment on, you are not allowed to move so much as a muscle, understood?"
"G-Girls...?"
"My lady! Keep your chin level!"
"If you slouch your posture, we will tie you to the mannequin with silk ribbons just like last year!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am...!"
The fiery determination blazing in their eyes was fierce enough to rival the dowager duchess herself.
Meanwhile, Muniher watched the final preparations for the grand banquet unfold, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
That boy managed to pull yet another faction to his side.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say he had forced the Principality to swallow its pride and face its sins. Either way, the outcome remained the same.
"How are the banquet preparations progressing?" Muniher called out.
"Ah, Professor Muniher! Yes, everything is on track! We should be ready to welcome the guests shortly. Did you require something?"
"Hmm. It appears an important item was omitted from the ceremony's schedule. I wish to append it."
"I see. Of course, sir. Here is the master ledger."
Just as the old Siren Elder had demanded, the time had come to set the stage.
"What we truly desire... is for every ounce of honor and credit in this matter to be laid entirely at Junon's feet."
"Oh?"
"I heard the truth from Senia. Within that Academy of yours, that boy is being treated as no better than a criminal over petty, fabricated nonsense. The savior of my people, branded a villain?! Not while breath remains in my lungs!"
The Elder had made it clear that if this condition was not met, not a single petal of Hyplisia would leave their shores. The fierce, unyielding light burning in the old man's eyes had left no room for doubt.
"Such terms are more than welcome on our end," Muniher murmured with quiet satisfaction.
With a smooth sweep of his quill, a single, decisive sentence was added to the master of ceremonies' parchment.