Revelations and the Sudden Assault
『When the war begins, Edlen will become the outpost of the great Holy Nation. I will devote my life to returning the Raven Kingdom to God's embrace.』
『An excellent mindset. I was a bit worried when you said you'd frame Mayor William as a spy for the Holy Nation, but fortunately, things proceeded smoothly.』
『It was easy thanks to Brooke's inferiority complex toward his brother. He'll play the role of a figurehead and hold the position until the plan is executed.』
…….
The scene projected by the projection magic tool continued under everyone's gaze. The citizens in the square watching it had no choice but to fall into shock.
“...What the hell does that mean? An outpost?”
“So Brooke and Bares really framed Mayor William?”
“This is insane……”
The truth revealed with each snippet of conversation. What followed was Libentia's story.
『By the way, I received a report yesterday. Is it true that William's daughter escaped outside Edlen?』
『Does that mean she accepted her own future?』
『William is a shrewd man. He knew long ago that if he didn't sacrifice himself, the entire city would be in danger. But to that man, the safety of the city means nothing compared to his daughter's life.』
“Mayor William had a daughter?”
“I've heard rumors at city hall. Something about her being sickly and staying in her room.”
“So she survived by avoiding execution? Is that even possible?”
Information about Libentia was scarce and inaccurate. It was the result of William's decision, sensing the strange atmosphere early on.
『I will obtain the Spirit King's Trace for you, no matter what.』
With the final voice, the projected light vanished. Silence descended on the square amid the shock. After a brief wait, Vice-Captain Leon turned his gaze to the citizens.
“As you saw, William Norton's past crime was fabricated through false accusations. Shamefully, the incompetence of the Royal Knights who handled the investigation at the time failed to uncover the truth, creating an innocent victim.”
Guilt seeped from her clear voice. As someone who upheld justice, her anger was greatest toward herself.
“The knight who led the investigation was expelled, but I was there as well. Therefore, I will personally apologize to Libentia, the survivor and sole remaining family member.”
Continuing her words, she turned her eyes to the stairs.
Thud—
A yellow-haired girl emerged from there, followed by a white-haired old man. The citizens widened their eyes and focused their attention.
“...Huh?”
“No way, is that really her?”
“But how……”
Skeptical reactions were natural. Neither Libentia nor Liora had ever had their faces known, from past to present. Even her pickpocketing during training was premised on never getting caught. It had targeted corrupt nobles and upstarts from the start.
“……!”
The two in the defendant's box stood up almost simultaneously.
Brooke looked at his niece with fearful eyes. Bares fixed his gaze on Libentia's fingers, more than the crisis befalling him. The most important Norton ring was missing.
“…….”
Lia quietly met their eyes as well. The only emotion she felt was rage. She had no desire to even speak with the last remaining blood relative.
“Lady Libentia.”
Leon, standing beside her, knelt on one knee and bowed her head. A posture reserved only for the king, carrying immense weight.
“Due to our shortcomings, we have inflicted an unforgivable wound. On behalf of the Royal Knights, I offer my deepest apologies.”
“...I heard from my brother that it wasn't your fault. The knight who led the investigation was expelled, right?”
“Yes. He was removed for abuse of authority. He should have received a harsher punishment, but his family connections minimized the incident. I will ensure that the wrongs committed during William's investigation receive proper punishment, staking my name on it.”
“…….”
-Whoa;;
-Justice GOAT
-She's really going up against her family for this;
-That's Leon for you. No empty words.
Her voice carried a firm resolve that was unmistakably clear. The Black Dragon's description of her as the symbol of justice naturally overlapped.
“Black Dragon.”
At that moment, someone approached Hanbit amid the citizens. Turning his head, he saw Henry with his face covered.
“Good thing I arrived early. The castle gate is already secured by the Royal Knights.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Did the plan go through well?”
“Yes. I delivered the letter you sent to the vice-captain. She agreed it was a solid plan.”
Henry, who had been heading to another city, swapped places with a disguised subordinate and sneaked to the capital. Thanks to Leon remembering him, contact was made successfully. The projection magic tool and petition, seen as key evidence, immediately clarified the situation. After that, the letter sent via Cown's guild network guided all proceedings.
“Is everything proceeding as planned?”
“Yes. Everyone's doing great, and Bares hasn't suspected a thing.”
“That's fortunate.”
Everything unfolding in the courtroom was part of the plan from start to finish. The order of evidence, Leon's intervention, and Libentia's appearance—all flowing exactly as scripted. All that remained was the ending.
“Then please handle the rest of the plan as is. Stay by Lia's side.”
“Understood. Sorry to burden you with such a heavy task.”
Swoosh—
Finishing the conversation, Henry slipped outward, revealing his face. Then he boldly strode toward the courtroom.
“Is that really Libentia?”
Meanwhile, Bares narrowed his eyes and asked. Brooke, trembling, simply averted his gaze.
“It doesn't seem to need explanation.”
“That won't do. Are you calling every girl that age Libentia? Show proof.”
“Proof? I'll show you.”
To his persistent questions, Lia reached into her bag. Pulling out a gold ring embedded with a red gem, she approached right up to Bares' nose.
“Still gonna deny it?”
“...Hmph.”
Bares carefully examined the ring. His eyes changed the instant he confirmed it was the real Norton ring.
“I didn't expect you to show yourself like this. Was hiding away that suffocating?”
-This bastard?
-That smirk is disgusting af;
-You're done, death sentence.
Curving his lips, Bares spoke in a voice laced with mockery. But Lia calmly slipped the ring onto her finger.
“No matter how much you pretend, you're finished.”
“Is that so? I don't see any danger coming my way yet.”
“Danger always comes unexpectedly.”
At that moment, Henry entered the courtroom. In his hands were a stack of documents and a pendant.
“……!”
Brooke's eyes widened once more upon spotting them. Ignoring the reaction, Henry approached Leon, who stood nearby.
“Evidence containing all of Brooke and Bares' crimes.”
“I'll verify it.”
Leon carefully reviewed the evidence. The pendant magic tool with recorded voices boomed loud enough for the square to hear.
『This is the last time. Brooke, lure William outside the mansion around midnight. I'll plant the prepared evidence throughout the mansion in the meantime.』
『I will succeed. This is the plan I prepared; there are some useful things in……』
『No need.』
The conversation between Bares and Brooke echoed starkly. Listening quietly, Leon stopped the magic tool and turned her gaze.
“No need to argue innocence.”
“Hic!”
“…….”
Brooke gulped, while Bares glared silently. Placing her hand on the sword sheath at her waist, Leon continued.
“The vice-captain of the Royal Knights can exercise some of His Majesty's authority. Summary judgment is one of them.”
The duties performed as the king's sword were never light. Thus, the captain and vice-captain were granted authority to resolve situations. It meant striking down the enemy before her with her sword posed no issue.
“Brooke Norton, Bares Roberga. I ask you both: Do you admit to the crimes committed against William Norton and Libentia Norton?”
“Th-that……”
Brooke still hadn't grasped the situation. The bishop of the Holy Nation, his lifeline. The evidence he'd handed over was now in Leon's hands. Was this part of the plan? Or waiting for the rescue moment? Or had he been abandoned? A whirlwind of thoughts heated his head.
“Somewhere… somewhere……”
Mind muddled, he frantically scanned the square. He was sure the bishop was watching this situation.
“...Ah!”
Searching desperately, Brooke spotted the bishop's face in the crowd. Overjoyed, he nearly rushed toward him—
Swoosh—
Hanbit quietly raised a finger to his lips.
“……!”
A silent command. Brooke took it as a secret order from the bishop. There was a plan. Convinced, he calmed his surging emotions, sat back down, and composed himself.
-What the hell's that guy doing? lmao
-Shh (shut your trap)
-He really believes Black Dragon is the bishop?
-He even memorized scripture; of course he believes;
“You must really want to catch me.”
Closing and opening his eyes briefly, Bares scanned the courtroom and spoke. His stalling tactic didn't work on Leon.
“Dragging this out is meaningless. Futile resistance will only lead to greater crimes.”
Clang—!
With her words, a group of knights and soldiers entered the square. Far too many to escort just one person.
“This is a very poor evaluation.”
Bares leisurely assessed the forces.
“Can it be solved by bowing your head?”
“If it's an apology, direct it to Lady Libentia. Admit your crimes, and you'll be transported to the capital for a full investigation. I'll be involved in the verdict too, so don't hold vain hopes.”
“The vice-captain is quite the position.”
Influence even over trials in the capital. Genuinely impressed, Bares had already made up his mind.
“My answer is simple.”
Gazing at Lia, he slowly lowered his posture. From afar, it looked like true contrition. But Bares was no such man.
“An apology? What a joke.”
Boom—!
In an instant, a massive bang and black smoke spread. Blanketing the entire courtroom in its vast reach. But the problem didn't end there.
Thud—!
Dozens of armed forces hidden in the square and outskirts leaped out simultaneously. They swarmed the courtroom in a flash.
With the anticipated situation unfolding, Hanbit kicked off toward it as well.