Chapter 299: The Trial(1)

Chapter 299: The Trial(1)
In this world, trials are usually left to the local leader or the Order. However, cases only go to the Order when they are truly 'hopeless'; for the most part, the leader handles everything.

The current situation was no different. Since this was an unprecedented incident where a princess of a kingdom had been struck, the judge was, naturally, the King.

There were no separate lawyers or prosecutors; the audience acted as both, offering their respective opinions.

In other ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words, I had no allies except for Rina. While there might be those who would defend me just to spite the King, I couldn't afford to trust them blindly.

Rina hadn't advised me to keep my mouth shut for no reason. The moment I opened it, the other side would surely shower me with a bucketload of insults.

Furthermore, while the Ters Royal Family’s domestic affairs were trash, their political situation was extremely stable.

Even though only a few decades had passed since the massive upheaval of the Jayros Revolution, the man who had quelled that chaos was none other than King Friedrich.

Even if there were factions opposing him, like Count Kamar, they weren't strong enough to be my allies. He, too, would only try to use me to achieve his own goals.

So, following Rina's advice, I initially kept my lips tightly sealed, but...

"How dare he lay a hand on the noble face of a princess?! He must be executed immediately!"

"He's right! What was he thinking, especially when he hasn't even inherited his title yet?!"

"Looking at that fellow, I can see the lack of dignity in the Minerva Empire!"

The moment I took my seat, numerous nobles hurled verbal abuse at me. They stopped short of using profanity, but it was enough to make one's head spin.

I hadn't even said a word yet, and they were already calling for my execution, asking who the hell I thought I was to slap Hiriya, and so on.

It felt like I was hearing a lifetime's worth of insults all at once. I wanted to let them go in one ear and out the other, but they were the kind that stuck.

It's not like I committed murder.

The situation was so absurd I almost let out a hollow laugh. Most of the nobles shouting at me now were likely closely connected to the royal family or trying to get in their good graces through this opportunity.

I wondered if they actually knew what atrocities Hiriya had committed. I looked forward to seeing their reactions once they heard the truth.

Adel-...

I tried my best to ignore the barrage of insults and turned my head to the side. Adelia, attending in her capacity as my exclusive maid, was currently standing behind me.

Since this was her first time in such a situation, her sky-blue eyes were trembling slightly. Even though she was trying to act composed on the outside, she was breaking into a cold sweat.

Finally, Rina, attending as my advocate, sat beside me. She was also scowling deeply at the pouring abuse, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

"Enough!!"

A thunderous shout silenced the already rowdy courtroom. The cry was so sharp it echoed, bringing an instant hush to the room.

The one who had shouted was a middle-aged man sitting opposite me. He wasn't in a chair at my eye level, but in one placed much higher.

His sky-blue eyes shone with a piercing light, and his neatly groomed sky-blue beard added an air of dignified sophistication.

King Friedrich, the ruler of the Ters Kingdom and the biological father of Hiriya and Adelia.

He was the man acting as the judge for this trial, publicly known as a romanticist and a devoted husband.

However, from my perspective, he was the worst kind of father—one who, far from taking responsibility for his illegitimate child, Adelia, neglected her and treated her as if she didn't exist.

Naturally, I didn't have a good first impression of him, and I expected the upcoming trial to be grueling.

After all, before being the King of Ters, Friedrich was Hiriya's father.

"State your name."

Friedrich addressed me in a solemn voice. Since he didn't refer to me as a 'sinner,' it seemed he was at least maintaining a neutral stance for now.

I stood up according to his command. As I did, I didn't forget to check the key figures present.

First, Hiriya, whom I had slapped, was sitting a short distance away from me, accompanied by her older brother, Crown Prince Laos.

Since Lara wasn't there, it seemed they decided there was no need for her to see this. Or perhaps they didn't want to show her the darker side of things since they were coddling her.

I wish they'd thought of Adelia with that same heart.

If they had cared for Adelia even a little, this mess wouldn't have happened. Though, if that were the case, I might never have met her.

Grumbling inwardly, I stood tall and looked around. The gazes of the audience were incredibly sharp, as if the King had handpicked every single person there.

Eventually, enduring their stares, I met ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠King Friedrich's eyes directly. His piercing gaze felt like it was freezing my body solid.

"To the illustrious Ters Kingdom's..."

"I have no need for flattery. Just state your name."

Well, thank you for that. I didn't really want to say it anyway.

I bowed my head slightly at Friedrich's 'consideration' and stated my name.

"My name is Isaac Ducard Maishal. I am the son of the Maishal Baron family of the Minerva Empire."

"Isaac Ducard Maishal... I see. Your red hair is quite striking."

I hear that a lot. Normally, I would have said something like that, but I remembered Rina's advice and refrained from adding anything extra.

Friedrich then signaled for me to sit. Just as my backside touched the chair, he spoke to me in his characteristically dignified voice.

"You must know why you are here, and in the Ters Royal Palace, no less."

"Yes."

"Then I shall ask. Was it truly you who slapped the cheek of my beloved 'second' daughter and the Second Princess of the Ters Kingdom, Hiriya?"

Just as expected. Seeing how he pointedly emphasized 'second' even with Adelia right there, it was clear he intended to treat her as a non-person.

In the past, Adelia's trauma would have flared up, and she would have run away, but now she stood firmly behind me.

I couldn't let her down. I pretended to hesitate for a moment before giving my answer.

"Yes. That is correct."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to hear anything more!"

"The sinner has confessed! What more is required?!"

The moment I admitted to it, the hyenas pounced as if they had been waiting for the chance.

I wanted to remember each of their faces, but their appearances were so varied it was hard to keep track of the details.

Still, I could identify a few who had been raising their voices since earlier. I made a mental note to remember that one with the mustache in particular.

"Silence! Silence! We have not heard the full story yet!"

Then, one of the audience members intervened with a deep, commanding voice. He was a man with dark blue hair that had a hint of azure, rather than the pitch-black hair of a Demon.

That man was likely Count Kamar. He was the center of the faction currently in opposition to King Friedrich.

Just as he was using me, I was in a position where I had to use him as well.

"It appears there are complicated circumstances involved. Why not hear them out at least once?"

"Count Kamar. Do you believe the Princess is also at fault?"

"We won't know until we hear it. Rationally speaking, unless one is mentally unstable, one doesn't slap someone's cheek for no reason, do they?"

Thanks to Count Kamar, the courtroom, which had been on the verge of an uproar, quieted down again. Still, the stinging glares from the nobles remained.

If I had been a noble of the Ters Kingdom, it might have been different, but because I was a citizen of the Minerva Empire, they were being particularly aggressive.

Even if there are internal enemies, nothing unites people like an external threat—especially one that poses a real danger.

Fortunately, Count Kamar was acting reasonably; otherwise, I might have been dragged away without even getting a chance to defend myself.

"Count Kamar has a point. Then I shall ask. Why did you lay a hand on my daughter?"

King Friedrich asked calmly. He surely knew the circumstances, but he was likely asking for the benefit of the other nobles who didn't.

Before answering, I shifted my gaze toward where Hiriya was sitting. Whether it was good timing or bad, Hiriya happened to be looking at me as well.

The moment our eyes met, she hurriedly looked away, but I saw them—the dark circles she hadn't been able to hide with makeup.

Her previous arrogant attitude was nowhere to be found; she was trembling with fear.

I wasn't sure how that behavior would affect the trial, but for now, explaining the circumstances was the priority.

"I shall speak on his behalf. The truth is..."

However, now was the time for Rina to step forward. It would be more credible and carry more weight if she spoke directly rather than me, and furthermore, the other nobles wouldn't be able to treat her lightly.

If someone were to shout at her? That would only give us a justification to push back, so even Friedrich would have to stay quiet.

Rina's presence here was as good as representing the stance of the Minerva Empire.

Moreover, they must have realized from her presence alone that this wasn't a simple matter of cutting ties.

"...What? Is that true?"

"Princess Hiriya pursued a man who already had a fiancée...?"

"For what reason?"

As Rina's defense concluded, the room was filled not with an uproar, but with hushed murmurs. Confusion and bewilderment were written on the nobles' faces.

And for good reason—Hiriya's attempt to steal a man who already had a fiancée was a major transgression by anyone's standards. They must have realized that Hiriya was the one who provided the catalyst.

Of course, that didn't mean the act of slapping her was acceptable. However, one had to keep in mind that this was a world akin to the Middle Ages.

It was a world that valued 'honor' above all else, where a single small rumor could cause a massive stain on one's reputation.

And what if that person wasn't just an ordinary noble, but a princess? Usually, such rumors would stay within the nobility, but if they were to spread to the commoners, the situation would spiral out of control.

Well, with enough distortion, they could probably paint Hiriya as a tragic woman. I wondered if Friedrich would actually stoop to that.

"Hmm... Hiriya."

"...Yes."

"Is what Princess Rina said true?"

Having heard Rina's defense, Friedrich questioned Hiriya. Hiriya, who had been hanging her head in fear, snapped her head up at his words.

After looking up, she glanced at me once, but immediately lowered her eyes again the moment our gazes met.

She then clutched her chest and took a deep breath before answering in a trembling voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"...Yes. It is."

The moment Hiriya admitted it, the room began to buzz again. The moment she confessed, the atmosphere began to tilt in our favor...

"Father. May I say something?"

Then, the man sitting next to Hiriya, Laos, slowly raised his hand and requested to speak.

With that single request, the buzzing that had filled the room vanished instantly, and all eyes were focused on him.

Rina and I also turned toward him. He had a dignified appearance that resembled Friedrich, with the corners of his mouth turned up.

On the surface, he projected the image of a handsome noble like Leort, but his smile seemed slightly unstable.

"Speak."

"Thank you. As we heard from Princess Rina, Hiriya showed deep interest in the young Lord Maishal and even went so far as to court him. However, even if she was excessive, I believe slapping a woman's face is going too far. Do you all believe this is right? Don't you think Lord Maishal's response was far too extreme?"

This bastard? My eyes widened in shock at Laos's explanation.

I could vividly picture my common sense waving goodbye and walking out of my head. Laos's sophistry was that nonsensical from my perspective.

Who was the one who insulted Adelia's parents first? It was infuriating how he conveniently left out the most important part.

"Wait a moment. At that point..."

Just as I was about to speak up in a hurry, Rina grabbed my wrist under the table and stopped me.

When I looked at her with a 'what are you doing' expression, she stared back at me with a stiff face.

She then glanced around and whispered so only I could hear.

"I know what you're trying to say. But try not to bring up Sir Cross if possible."

"Why?"

"It's obvious the Ters Royal Family intends to treat Sir Cross's existence as 'non-existent.' That's likely why they gathered an audience instead of resolving this privately."

After hearing Rina's explanation, I understood. Even if I revealed Adelia's origin now, these people wouldn't believe it.

Furthermore, King Friedrich was currently known as a devoted man who didn't even have concubines and only looked at one woman.

Anyone who knew even a little about how important it was for a king to produce ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heirs would find that quite extraordinary.

So, if I were to reveal here that Adelia was Friedrich's hidden daughter? It would mean that even if my head were chopped off for insulting the King, I would have no room for complaint.

These bastards...

That made me even angrier. To think they would not only drive a person into the abyss but even try to erase their very existence.

"It was indeed excessive. No matter what, slapping her..."

"And to hit a lady's face, his character must be terrible."

"He was that kind of fellow all along."

Due to Laos's political maneuvering, the perception began to shift toward me being a piece of trash from the start.

Part of it was their desire to protect Hiriya, but on the surface, Laos's words didn't seem wrong at all.

"Ahem. Everyone. Please, for a moment..."

"Rina."

"Listen to... Huh?"

I stopped Rina just before she could defend me. She looked at me with wide eyes.

I gave her a mysterious smile and shrugged, and she fell silent. She had likely guessed what decision I had made.

As she stepped back for a moment, I slowly rose from my seat. Countless gazes fell upon me.

Being the center of attention, I slowly scanned the audience, including King Friedrich, before turning my head toward Laos.

Laos maintained a relaxed posture, crossing his arms as if daring me to speak.

On the other hand, Hiriya just looked back and forth between me and Laos, her previous arrogant attitude completely gone, replaced by fear.

"... ..."

Finally, I looked at Adelia. She only gave me a sorry smile, but seeing her nod, it seemed she respected my decision.

Is this the crossroads?

Whether I would remain a piece of trash who slapped a woman because I couldn't control my anger, or whether I would take responsibility for the consequences that would follow.

It coincided perfectly with the timing Mora had mentioned. It hadn't been a month since I slapped Hiriya.

But now, a month had passed. I took a deep breath and looked King Friedrich straight in the eye.

"Your Majesty Friedrich, and to everyone else and the Gods, I swear. What I am about to say will not contain a single lie; I shall speak only the truth."

"There is no need to go as far as Lord Luminous. We shall resolve this before then."

Friedrich replied bluntly. Those words meant I could disappear like dew on the execution grounds before I even had a chance to tell the truth.

That was exactly what I wanted. If I were to disappear like that, the Ters Kingdom would immediately be stepping onto the path of destruction.

I smiled inwardly and began to reveal the 'core' that Laos had omitted, piece by piece.

"It is true that I slapped Princess Hiriya. However, she not only insulted my guard knight but also hurled unbearable insults toward her biological mother, calling her a prostitute."

"What?"

"Is that true?"

"Why would she...?"

The audience fell into confusion at the new testimony. However, Friedrich and Laos did not lose their composure.

Just as Rina had said, they seemed intent on treating Adelia as a non-entity.

"You probably cannot understand. What kind of conflict could have occurred between Princess Hiriya and my guard knight, Sir Cross, for her to hurl such insults? However, the story changes once you learn who my guard knight truly is."

"Ho. That is an interesting story. Could you tell us who that woman is?"

Laos provoked me from the side with a sarcastic tone. I gave him a sharp glare before facing Friedrich again.

He gestured for me to go ahead and speak. He had an expression that suggested he already knew what I was going to say.

So, 'for now,' I reacted exactly as they wanted.

"My guard knight, Adelia Cross, is the child of His Majesty Friedrich Ducard von Kerchers, the King of the Ters Kingdom, and..."

I finished my sentence while shifting my gaze toward the seats where Laos and Hiriya were sitting.

"...the half-sibling of Crown Prince Laos, Princess Hiriya, and finally, Princess Lara."

The moment I finished speaking, a deathly silence fell over the room. Actually, this was the natural reaction.

After all, Friedrich was known as a devoted man, and as if to prove it, he had four children.

But suddenly, without any warning, a half-sibling appears?

"Hahahaha!! I wondered what you were going to say!!"

"Talk sense! What are you even saying?!"

"It turns out he wasn't just violent, he's just a young man who's lost his mind!"

Naturally, they wouldn't believe it. Even those who weren't part of the Ters Royal Family wouldn't find it easy to believe.

I ignored the mockery filling the room and stared only at Friedrich. He had one corner of his mouth turned up, showing his confidence that he had won.

If I were dragged away as an example under the charge of insulting the King, it would be my defeat. But I also had a trump card.

"Everyone, silence!!"

At Friedrich's shout, the room that had been filled with laughter went quiet instantly. However, the sound of someone snickering reached my ears every now and then.

Friedrich then rested his chin on his hand, adopting a haughty posture, and looked back and forth between me and Adelia before speaking quietly.

"So. That guard knight is my child?"

"That is correct."

"But this is the first time I have seen that woman. Do you have proof that she is my child? Simply looking alike will not be enough."

Friedrich had even preemptively blocked the only evidence—the sky-blue eyes. I couldn't help but sigh at his brazenness.

But I had to endure. Revealing it now would be too abrupt, and even if I were to lose my cool, this wasn't the right timing.

I had to build it up step by step and wait patiently until Friedrich and Laos created a suitable pretext.

"Do you truly intend to deny it?"

"I do."

"I see. Then may I ask what you think about the part where she insulted my guard knight?"

"Hmm..."

Friedrich stroked his well-groomed beard, deep in thought. Even putting Adelia's origin aside, the fact that Hiriya had insulted her—specifically, a parental insult—was an issue that couldn't be ignored.

In any time or place, a parental insult is an unforgivable form of verbal violence. Unless they are sworn enemies, it's common for someone to act impulsively after such an insult, leading even to murder.

In that sense, Hiriya's insult was at a level where she had no room for complaint even if she was slapped. However, a problem arose here.

"I shall have to hear Hiriya's side of the story. Hiriya."

"Ye-yes, Father."

Hiriya, who had been sitting hunched over until now, slowly raised her head.

As she did, our eyes met, and she flinched violently as if she were looking at a monster. Why was she acting like that?

Anyway, she slowly stood up and faced Friedrich. Although she had covered it with makeup, her face, which had become haggard over the past few days, was noticeable.

"Oh dear... How did the Princess end up like that..."

"She was heartbroken and even got slapped."

"It's so tragic."

Seeing her like that, the nobles—especially the noblewomen—reacted with pity, as if she were the tragic heroine of a drama.

The malicious glares they sent my way were a bonus. I was indifferent to such stares by now anyway.

But heartbroken? I let out a hollow laugh at such absurd nonsense.

"Is what that man said true? That you insulted his guard knight."

"Th-that is..."

Hiriya started to speak but kept glancing at me. Since I had revealed I was Xenon while slapping her, she was likely worried about that.

Would the Ters royalty follow the script they had prepared, or would they surprise everyone with an unexpected outburst?

I waited for her answer, as did everyone else in the room. After a few tense seconds, as if finally gathering her resolve, she opened her mouth.

"I... I did not insult her. It was merely a disagreement..."

"A disagreement? What kind of disagreement?"

"I only suggested that we should try to get along, and that... the person she serves might change in the future..."

"Wow..."

I couldn't help but marvel. She was still as thoughtless as ever, but she was skillfully painting herself as a woman blinded by love.

Furthermore, by flatly denying Adelia's existence and with the audience already inclined to believe her, it was a highly effective piece of manipulation.

"Princess Hiriya. Do you swear by Luminous that those words are the truth?"

Lina, seemingly appalled, pressured Hiriya with a sharp tone. Whether it was an act or a genuine pang of conscience, Hiriya flinched under the scrutiny.

Lina then turned her gaze toward Adelia, who stood behind her, and asked in an elegant yet commanding voice.

"Sir Cross. Is what Princess Hiriya said true? Do not feel pressured; speak only the truth."

"..."

At Lina's urging, Adelia looked at me with a slightly stiff expression. I responded to the conflict in her eyes with a simple nod.

She had nothing to fear. Having her existence denied once again would only fuel her rage, not her lingering attachments.

"It is absolutely not true. Princess Hiriya said this to me: 'Why is a low-born wench like you by his side?' She called my mother a prostitute and told me I had no right to be near him."

"She said something that cruel?"

"It doesn't seem like she's lying..."

"Nonsense! That is surely another fabrication!"

The image the Ters royalty had cultivated must have been quite strong, as the audience was slow to believe Adelia's testimony.

They might have understood if they believed the truth of Adelia's birth, but they wouldn't—not yet. This, too, was thanks to the reputation King Friedrich had built.

Though she had sworn to a god, such oaths only held true power within a Sanctuary or a temple; in a trial like this, they were practically meaningless. It was little more than the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠standard oath a defendant or witness gives to a judge in any other court.

"Silence, everyone! We must hear this knight out. This time, I shall ask the questions."

The one to calm the rowdy courtroom was Count Kamar, the man I had been keeping an eye on.

His influence among the nobility was clearly formidable, as the audience fell silent the moment he spoke. He let out a long breath through his nose and then addressed Adelia in a solemn voice.

"Adelia Cross, was it? I ask you: are you certain there is not a single lie in what you just said?"

"I swear by Luminous, I am certain."

"Hmm... Then, were there no minor conflicts before that?"

Regrettably, it seemed Count Kamar didn't believe the truth of Adelia's birth either. It was understandable; believing such a thing without proof could lead to a severe backlash.

Adelia glanced at Hiriya at the mention of "minor conflicts." She let out a frustrated sigh and answered in a heavy voice.

"...We had a duel previously. And I emerged victorious."

"How did you win?"

"I believe that failing to give one's all is the true insult to royalty."

Her testimony carried multiple layers of meaning. She subtly disparaged Hiriya's skills while framing her as a petty, small-minded person.

It was the best answer Adelia could give under the circumstances, and—setting aside her birth—it added a layer of plausibility to the situation.

"Such arrogance... She must have used some foul trickery!"

"How humiliated Princess Hiriya must have been. She surely wanted to look her best in front of the man she loves."

"But to hurl such insults over just that? That doesn't sound like the Princess Hiriya we know."

"Is there more to the story?"

Naturally, the audience sided with their own. They didn't easily believe Adelia's logical points. Instead, they were busy belittling her or comforting Hiriya.

Lina was doing her best to defend her, but without that one piece of decisive 'evidence,' they were running in circles. It was too risky for Lina to mention Adelia's birth directly.

It was an unspoken rule among royalty. Furthermore, there was no benefit in further damaging the relationship between the two nations.

"But if that guard knight really is His Majesty Friedrich's child..."

"It would make sense, but it's an absurd notion. Don't we all know how much the King and Queen love each other?"

"True, he's been quite restrained ever since Princess Lara was born."

"Still, if that's not it, then none of this makes any sense..."

Fortunately, the seeds I had planted earlier were beginning to sprout. The audience was starting to suspect that the entire incident was deeply connected to Adelia's parentage.

But the Ters royalty wasn't about to let that slide. As the atmosphere of suspicion regarding his relationship with Adelia grew, Friedrich roared.

"Silence! I will hear no more of this! Do you dare to slander me and my Queen?!"

The courtroom, which had been buzzing, fell into an instant hush. Insulting a king was a capital offense that could lead to execution.

In that sense, Friedrich had gained another card to pressure me with. He glared at me with piercing eyes and spoke in a chilling voice.

"My honor is being tarnished by your wagging tongue. You may claim there was a reason for striking Hiriya, but I will not tolerate the slander that this knight is of my blood."

"..."

"I wish to hear exactly what grounds you have for such drivel. This may very well be the last time you are permitted to speak."

Was he telling me to choose between losing my head or my tongue? On the surface, he was exercising his royal authority, but the reality was different.

He was trying to shut me down before the situation turned against him. Once rumors and doubts begin to bloom, they grow beyond control.

As most eyes turned toward me following Friedrich's words, I scanned the room. Curiosity, worry, anger, condemnation.

A kaleidoscope of expressions was focused on me. I stood up and spoke in a voice that was quiet yet reached everyone's ears.

"Your Majesty Friedrich. Let me state clearly that I have no intention of slandering you."

"You spout such nonsense and then claim you have no intention to slander? How laughable."

It wasn't Friedrich who sneered, but Laos. Friedrich merely nodded in agreement.

They weren't just trying to make me look like a fool; they were trying to erase Adelia's very existence. Adelia was not someone who deserved such treatment.

She possessed not only martial prowess but also exceptional talent, and despite her lack of self-care, she was strikingly beautiful.

Even without me, she was a woman worthy of being loved by any man—and she was my family.

I took a long, deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then looked Friedrich straight in the eye as I spoke.

"...Your Majesty Friedrich. I repeat, I have no intention of slandering you. I am merely speaking the truth."

"I've heard enough. Guards! Take this treacherous man at once—"

"What if."

I cut Friedrich off mid-sentence, my voice ringing with authority.

I narrowed my eyes and spoke in a voice that seemed to be suppressing a deep-seated rage.

"What if the same story appears in the Xenon Biography?"

"What?"

"If a similar story appears in the upcoming volumes of the Xenon Biography, will you still deny it?"

Friedrich stared at me, his expression a mix of bewilderment and absurdity. The rest of the audience looked the same.

It was nonsensical to bring up the Xenon Biography out of nowhere. However, the Xenon Biography was currently regarded as a book of prophecy, or even a holy scripture.

It was renowned for showing events that might become the 'future.' In other words, I was asking if he would still deny the truth even if the Xenon Biography depicted a similar situation.

As it happened, I had already written that very content in Volume 22. This wasn't a bluff intended to deceive.

"If a story appears about someone born as a royal bastard, enduring harsh abuse and contempt, barely managing to find a beloved partner through sheer perseverance, only to have even that partner snatched away... if such a tragic tale is told, will you truly continue to feign ignorance?"

"Ha! And how would you know that?"

"Who do you think you are, to speak as if you were Xenon himself?!"

"Do you not fear the gods?! This man must be punished for blasphemy immediately!"

The reactions were exactly as I expected. Currently, the name 'Xenon' was being deified by countless people, not just the demons.

The nobles of the Ters Kingdom were no different. In their pride as a cultural powerhouse, Xenon was someone who could never be surrendered, and further, someone who must never be trifled with.

To hear his name used so casually for someone's own ends naturally provoked their fury. They likely thought I was a madman, a fool who didn't know his place.

"Can you take responsibility for those words? Because of what you've said, not only you but your family—and even the Empire—will be shaken."

Friedrich, also thinking my statement was foolish, scoffed and mocked me openly. From his perspective, it must have looked like I was walking into a pit of fire of my own volition.

I looked away from him and toward Lina and Adelia. Lina shrugged as if telling me to do as I pleased, while Adelia wore a sad smile.

"I have seen countless fools risk their lives to protect a mere woman. To walk the path of ruin yourself... how truly pathetic."

"A mere woman? Did you say 'mere'? Sir Cross is like family to me. Unlike some, I trust her enough to keep her by my side regardless of status."

"Do not open your mouth again. If Xenon himself saw this, he would have roared in anger. Do you truly not fear the gods? The world is far wider and more cruel than you think."

Friedrich was offering sincere advice, both as a king and as an elder. Though half-mocking, he likely said it out of a sense of pity.

"What should I fear?"

But contrary to his expectations, I felt no fear at all.

"Who would dare to judge me?"

There was no 'person' who could judge me.

"I have not told a single lie, so even the gods will not punish me."

The 'gods' were giving me their full support and were sincerely cheering for my future.

"I'm sure none of you will believe me even after hearing this. No, you probably think I'm a madman."

Effortlessly weathering the countless glares directed at me, I walked toward Laos, holding the manuscript I had prepared in advance.

"But in this moment, it is you who are wrong, not I."

I placed the manuscript on the desk where Laos and Hiriya were sitting.

"I have told no lies."

I declared boldly.

"And as proof..."

There was no longer...

"I shall show you that I am Xenon."

...any reason to hide it.