Chapter 619: A Three-Way Standoff
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 619: A Three-Way Standoff
The Imperial Tribunal.
As the supreme symbol of imperial law, it remained as magnificent and majestic as ever, even after decades had passed.
Thraswell’s gaze swept across the surroundings. His memories whirled, and for a moment, it felt as if he had returned to the past—back to the days when he sat high upon the judgment seat, manifesting the might of the Empire’s laws.
And now, that moment was about to repeat itself.
"The son of a Duke? Perhaps he is worthy of being the final glorious mark upon my career."
Thraswell reached out, straightening his solemn black judicial robes, and slowly sat down in the seat belonging to the Grand Judge.
Behind him, a massive tree-like pattern climbed from the golden dome to cover the entire hall. The Goddess of Justice, symbolizing the law, was depicted bound to the tree, her arms outstretched in a compassionate gaze, her left and right hands forming the two ends of a scale.
"To see Teacher’s heroic bearing once more... I am truly moved."
To the side, the Chief Judge bowed, presenting a gold-inlaid wooden gavel.
"Then watch closely."
"Yes. This student will certainly learn with an open mind."
Thraswell nodded and took the gavel. After scanning the room once more, he struck it down with practiced authority.
"Bring in the accused."
*
"Go on in."
Led by the same knight as before, Muen stepped into the Imperial Tribunal for the first time.
It was actually quite funny when he thought about it; lately, he had been racking up a lot of "firsts." His first time in a cell, his first time eating prison food, and now, his first time being put on trial.
If this were happening in the original novel, it would almost certainly be the path to the original host’s tragic destruction. The next step would be a sentence of exile or death, bringing a pathetic end to the story’s blonde bastard.
Fortunately, the current plot was already worlds away from the original book. Muen couldn't fathom how a trumped-up trial could possibly end him, so he wasn't worried at all.
"Are you the accused, Muen Campbell?"
On the high platform, the elderly man looked like he was in the twilight of his life, yet his voice was full of vigor as he questioned Muen loudly.
"I am, Grand Judge Thraswell."
Muen glanced at the nameplate in front of the old man and smiled. "I am Muen Campbell."
"Hmm, very well."
Thraswell scrutinized Muen, feeling slightly surprised.
In his imagination, this young noble master should have been intimidated by the majesty of the Tribunal, his expression betraying a sense of panic.
Yet, he couldn't see a trace of alarm on the boy's face. Muen looked so composed, as if he weren't worried in the slightest that he might actually be convicted of a crime worthy of severe judgment.
He believes himself innocent... No, it’s too early to decide. I’ve judged many people; those skilled at feigning innocence are not few.
"The identity of the accused is confirmed. Next... Count Bugard, you are the accuser, correct?"
"Yes. It was I who reported Muen Campbell for colluding with an evil god."
Count Bugard, who had been waiting off to the side, pressed a hand to his chest and bowed sincerely. "Though Muen Campbell holds a special status, for the peace and safety of the Empire, I had no choice but to stand forth and denounce his crimes."
"Mm, such spirit is commendable. I hope you can provide sufficient evidence."
"All evidence has been prepared. We only await Your Honor’s judgment."
Count Bugard’s posture was humble, making him look nothing like the minister who once held a prominent seat in the Empire’s political arena. After finishing his statement to Thraswell, his gaze shifted slightly, meeting Muen’s eyes.
"Talking about 'peace and safety of the Empire'... how high and mighty of you."
"It’s nothing special. As a minister of the Empire, one must always share the Empire’s burdens, must one not?"
After exchanging "pleasantries," the two refrained from further trash-talking due to the rules of the Tribunal and looked away.
No more words were needed, for both were confident.
And right at that moment, a figure of such importance that the entire courtroom fell silent arrived with graceful steps.
Seeing her, Muen’s eyes lit up, while Count Bugard’s fighting spirit flared even hotter.
"Your Majesty."
Thraswell stood and bowed to the young Empress. His posture was neither humble nor arrogant; he showed no fear despite how much noble blood this sovereign had on her hands.
The surrounding people followed suit and saluted.
"There is no need for such formality, Grand Judge."
Celicia was expressionless. "Proceed according to the rules. Do not mind me."
"Yes."
Celicia declined the Chief Judge’s invitation to a special seat and casually found a spot in the jury section, with only Wei'er following behind her.
After sitting down, her beautiful eyes swept across the room, naturally landing on the blonde man standing in the most conspicuous spot in the center—the man about to be judged.
Muen looked back at Celicia. Seeing her gaze sweep over him, he immediately flashed a handsome smile and even gave her a playful wink.
Mm, excellent. That stubborn tsundere actually came.
With the Empress herself attending the trial, was there any suspense left regarding the outcome?
He was golden!
Muen straightened his back even further. He was already getting a bit impatient with this farce, hoping the trial would start and end quickly. That way, he could go to Her Majesty tonight and beg her to use her silky black stockings and slender, beautiful legs to comfort his heart, which had been so wounded by these false accusations.
"Since this is a tripartite trial, please have the other two parties enter as well," Thraswell continued.
"Huh?"
Muen, who was currently enjoying thoughts of a wonderful evening, froze.
Tripartite trial?
What tripartite trial?
Why hadn't he heard anything about this?
And "three parties"... which three?
Did the Empire have other judicial departments?
Muen thought about it carefully.
...I don't think so.
And speaking of three parties related to evil gods...
It couldn't be...
In an instant, the unease that had been buried at the very bottom of Muen’s heart due to Celicia’s arrival suddenly sprouted and began to grow wildly.
Until...
Click.
The crisp sound of high heels hitting the floor rang out.
Perhaps it wasn't intentional, but in Muen’s ears, it was so clear—just like the unease growing in his heart, frantically asserting its presence.
Muen felt a daze, as if he were caught in a hallucination. The darkness around him began to shift, like countless shadows pacing within it, leaning into his ear to whisper terrifying yet intimate things.
Gulp.
Muen swallowed hard, his body stiff. He tried to convince himself it was just an illusion, yet he could still clearly feel a piercing gaze coming from behind him.
When he looked up, he happened to meet Celicia’s meaningful gaze.
His death premonition began to scream.
No way, no way, no way, no way, no way...
It shouldn't be...
How could something so terrifying that it makes your skin crawl actually happen?
How could it... haha...
Muen finally couldn't control himself and looked back.
Of course, he didn't die.
He simply saw, as expected, a stunningly beautiful girl sitting casually in the jury section. She had a charming beauty mark at the corner of her eye, and her eyes were curved like crescent moons.
She pursed her lips slightly and smiled, waving at Muen with an intimacy that looked like a wife greeting her husband.
It really was Senior Sister.
Muen closed his eyes and began to think about how to write his suicide note.
"An agent of the Silence Bureau?"
Thraswell flipped through the documents in his hand and asked casually, "What is your rank?"
"Rank?"
Anna blinked her eyes, which seemed to hold the essence of spring, and covered her mouth with a light giggle.
"I would advise the Grand Judge to be a bit more respectful with his words. Well, while you don't need to be as respectful as you are to Her Majesty, a little basic politeness toward the Sword Bearer of the Silence Bureau should still be mandatory, right?"
"The Sword Bearer?"
Thraswell froze, looking at the girl who seemed not much older than the current young Empress.
"What?"
Anna shifted her sitting position. Her fine figure was outlined even more provocatively by her uniform, and her long legs, clad in black stockings, were crossed. She smiled and said, "Do you think... someone would dare to impersonate the Silence Bureau?"
Flicker.
The originally bright courtroom suddenly flickered a few times, as if a vast darkness was churning in the unseen depths of the shadows.
The girl was still smiling, but anyone could feel the terrifying power held in check within her delicate body.
"Ahem... You are the Sword Bearer? Has the Empire’s Sword Bearer been replaced? I was unaware."
Thraswell coughed a few times, flipping through his documents even faster. He hadn't expected this development at all. He could understand the Empress coming personally, since the accused was her fiancé in name, but the Silence Bureau... why would they send the Sword Bearer herself?
Did this Muen Campbell possess some value he didn't know about?
He glanced to the side, only to see his disciple frantically wiping away sweat. He himself began to have a premonition that the situation was spiraling out of control.
"She is the Sword Bearer?"
Count Bugard’s expression was also grave.
Ever since Anna joined the Silence Bureau, all her public information had been completely erased. This was the first time Count Bugard had seen this legendary new Sword Bearer who was said to be as young as the Empress.
Similarly, he didn't understand why the Sword Bearer would come in person. In his estimation, even out of respect for the Empress, the Silence Bureau would likely only send a regional head or something similar...
But this was fine. This way, the pressure on the Empress would be even greater.
"Giggle... Everyone is so shocked just to see me. If you see the person coming next, won't your jaws drop to the floor?"
Seeing the various interesting expressions on everyone’s faces, Anna gave a few silver-bell giggles and suddenly turned her head to look behind her.
"Don't you agree, Archbishop? And... that little sister over there?"
Light descended.
A holy radiance, coming from nowhere, made the entire courtroom significantly brighter.
A peaceful aura spread out, as if to dissolve all the conflict and noise in the room.
Under Thraswell’s truly bewildered gaze, and amidst Muen’s despairing sense of doom, Archbishop Canterbury waved his hand helplessly and gave a wry smile.
"Don't mind us. I'm just bringing this one along to have a look. Carry on as usual."
Beside him stood another girl. Her voluminous divine robes couldn't hide her explosive curves, but she was shrouded in holy light, making her face difficult to see.
However...
"This one."
For someone to be referred to as "this one" by one of the Archbishops of the Life Church... how many people in the entire, massive Life Church could fit that description?
Besides, was there anyone else among his acquaintances who possessed that burning gaze that had been practically glued to him since the moment she walked in?
Muen closed his eyes, a peaceful, Zen-like smile of resignation appearing on his face.
It was Liya.