Chapter 615: The Count’s Insight
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 615: The Count’s Insight
"Wait! This is a misunderstanding! Colluding with Evil Gods? That has to be fake!"
Muen was genuinely shocked. He was currently on the hit lists of several Evil Gods who wanted nothing more than to strap him to an altar and light him up like a candle. Why would he be colluding with them?
As for the Wilted Guy... could you even call that collusion? That was just a case of both parties taking what they needed. Besides, now that he had usurped a portion of that god's divine favor, the moment the Divine One woke up, He would probably launch a "victim’s righteous retaliation" against him.
"Exactly, exactly! I also think it must be a misunderstanding!"
Ariel was equally shocked. Debauchery in the harem? Harem? Whose harem?
...The current ruler was Celicia, so it would naturally be her harem. But lately, she had seen Celicia buried in government affairs, and there hadn't been any intimate behavior between her and Muen. The harem thing is fake—it has to be fake!
Besides, how could the word "debauchery" ever be used to describe someone as proud, cold, and ethereal as Celicia? She was like a snow lotus on an icy peak.
With her personality, if she encountered someone trying to desecrate her, wouldn't she just snap their "thing" right off?
"Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
"We are only responsible for the arrest. Whether the charges are true will be determined by the Imperial Tribunal!"
The leading knight appeared cold and impartial, refusing to give Muen any further chance to explain. He waved a hand toward his subordinates. "Take him away!"
Two knights stepped forward and approached Muen.
"Forgive us, Young Master Muen."
Muen frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he decided not to resist and allowed them to snap the shackles onto his wrists.
Though he didn't know why this unexpected development had occurred, the arrest warrant was clearly genuine. If he resisted now, he would only be handing his enemies ammunition to use against him.
He needed to observe how things played out.
Besides, as long as things operated within the established rules, he didn't need to fear anyone.
After all...
I’ve got connections at the top.jpg.
And so, Muen allowed himself to be led away obediently.
Standing to the side, Ariel watched the Royal Knights take Muen away. She blinked, then suddenly turned and ran in the opposite direction.
*
"What do you mean?"
In the administrative hall, Celicia was still reviewing official documents. Upon hearing Ariel’s frantic question, she slowly set down her coffee cup. Without looking up, she said calmly:
"It means exactly what you think. I was the one who issued the arrest warrant."
"You issued it personally?" Ariel’s eyes widened.
"Of course. I have gradually taken control of the Empire. I don't think anyone would be able to bypass me to issue an order to arrest the Emperor's fiancé."
"Isn't that... a bit much?"
"What’s wrong with it? It’s perfect timing. That fellow has been far too arrogant lately, acting as if I don't even exist. It’s time he was taught a lesson."
At this point, Celicia let out a cold snort that sounded thick with disdain.
"I see..."
Ariel breathed a sigh of relief.
She wasn't relieved because there was no deep conspiracy, but rather... since Celicia was willing to ruthlessly arrest that guy Muen Campbell, it meant the "debauchery in the harem" charge was definitely fake!
Judging by Celicia’s disgusted expression just now, the only reason she maintained a relationship with Muen must be because she cared about her reputation and the support of the Campbell family. She was just compromising for the time being!
Yes, that must be it!
Based on my vast emotional experience, this is ninety-nine percent the case! Ariel thought with absolute certainty.
"So, about this matter..."
"Indeed, it is the handiwork of your father... the currently restless Count Bugard."
Celicia casually handed a document to Ariel. Ariel looked closely and realized it was a letter of denunciation.
The signature and the seal at the bottom were the crest of the Bugard family, which Ariel knew all too well.
"Actually, a single letter of denunciation wouldn't normally be enough to catch my attention. But Count Bugard is an old fox; he wrote three identical letters."
"Three?"
"Yes. Aside from the one sent to me, he sent others to the Silence Bureau and the Life Church."
Celicia tilted her head, staring at the contents of the letter. "The other accusations are trivial and don't matter, but the Empire cannot adjudicate a charge of colluding with Evil Gods alone. I cannot suppress it on my own, either. Count Bugard likely intends to blow this out of proportion to pressure me. So, while it looks like he’s targeting Muen, his real target is me."
"I... I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Your Majesty."
Not knowing what else to say, Ariel scratched her head sheepishly.
"There is no need to apologize. This has nothing to do with you. Haven't you already severed ties with the Bugard family?"
"Y-yes! That's right!"
Ariel’s eyes lit up. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
While she was happy to see Muen Campbell suffer a bit in a cell, she instinctively sensed that this was a golden opportunity to perform well in front of Celicia!
"No."
Celicia shook her head.
"No one can help him for the time being. Even I can only wait and see how the situation develops."
"Wait and see? But if Muen Campbell is actually convicted..."
"Hmph, then let him be convicted."
Celicia spoke expressionlessly. "It’s not like he’s being framed, is it?"
"Ohh!"
Seeing Celicia like this, Ariel grew even more delighted. She felt like she still had a chance—a big one!
*
After Ariel left, Celicia finished her current batch of paperwork.
She picked up the letter of denunciation again and examined it carefully. With a gentle flick of her hand, a photograph that Ariel hadn't noticed earlier slid out from behind the pages.
It was clearly a photo imprinted via image-recording magic. Because the lighting was dim and the spell had been cast in haste—likely amidst a stampede of magical beasts—the image was blurry and chaotic.
However, one could vaguely make out the man in the photo, his body wreathed in ominous, eerie black flames.
Celicia pinched the photo between her fingers, holding it up to the light of the magic stones to examine it more closely.
"So... you're playing this card against me?"
These were the details Ariel didn't know. This wasn't just a simple false accusation.
There was evidence.
Of course, this photo alone wasn't enough to prove Muen Campbell was colluding with Evil Gods, but it was enough to prove that someone connected to an Evil God truly existed.
Combined with the fact that the Bugard family had issued the report to three different parties in their own name, this matter would inevitably be dragged into the light. It might even reach the point where all of Belland knew about it. Therefore, no matter what, Muen Campbell had to be pulled into this vortex, and even she couldn't cover it up.
Besides, who knew if Count Bugard, having produced this photo, had even more evidence in reserve?
"As expected of Count Bugard. The old ginger is indeed spicier," Celicia murmured softly, a mocking curve touching her lips.
"However, the Silence Bureau, the Life Church... Hah!"
*
"Is it finished?"
"Yes, everything has been arranged."
The old butler bowed and spoke earnestly. "Everything was done according to your instructions, My Lord. There will be no mistakes."
"Excellent!"
Count Bugard patted the old butler’s shoulder appreciatively. Since the fall of the Inner Council, this was the first good news he had heard.
"You've worked hard."
"No, it is only my duty."
"Sigh, there are few reliable people left in the Bugard family. Fortunately, I have you. After this is over, I will do whatever it takes to secure a noble title for your son!"
"Thank you, My Lord."
"Don't mention it. You've earned it."
Seeing his plans falling into place step by step, Count Bugard felt much more energized. He immediately went to his desk to continue sketching out the next phase of his strategy.
"My Lord, there is actually one thing I don't quite understand..." The old butler followed him to the desk and, after watching for a moment, suddenly asked.
"Speak."
"Is it not too dangerous for us to keep pressuring Her Majesty like this? She is, after all, the Empress—the ruler of the Empire. If she holds a grudge against the Bugard family, even if we survive this time, I fear the future will not be kind to us."
"..."
Count Bugard’s pen paused. After a long silence, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Of course I know that."
"Then..."
"But do we have a choice? Her Majesty has already bared her blade at the Bugard family. The matter with the Robin will eventually lead back to us."
Count Bugard’s gaze sharpened. "Therefore, we must take the initiative and move forward before that happens."
"The initiative?"
"Exactly. Colluding with an Evil God is a matter of grave importance. By involving the Silence Bureau and the Life Church, both of whom loathe Evil God remnants, I’ve ensured Her Majesty won't dare to handle this perfunctorily."
"I know for a fact that Muen Campbell’s strange black flames are definitely related to the power of an Evil God. As long as she still cares about Muen Campbell, she won't fight me to the death."
"So, this isn't actually an advance or an act of coercion; it is an advance intended to secure a retreat. Her Majesty is a clever woman. She understands that if she compromises, takes a step back, and guarantees she won't pursue the Bugard family further, I will also step back and withdraw the accusation."
"This is why I first sent my son to apologize, then reported Muen Campbell, and finally provided a photo that isn't enough to actually convict him. I am applying pressure while leaving room for maneuver. Being firm when necessary, compromising when appropriate, maintaining a balance between tension and relaxation... this is what we call the art of politics."
Count Bugard exhaled a long breath. These few moves contained the essence of everything he had learned during his years of climbing through the Empire’s political landscape.
"...So that's how it is."
After hearing the explanation, the old butler offered a sincere look of admiration.
"The Count’s insight is profound. With your brilliance, My Lord, the Bugard family will surely weather this storm with ease."