Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Snake Hunt (5)
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The hearing chamber was in chaos.
Calix Angard's expression, cornered as he was, was quite a sight.
His eyes darted around like those of the orphaned children he'd kidnapped and imprisoned.
Archbishop Sophia, who had accompanied him, stepped forward in an attempt to smooth things over.
"Esteemed Chairman, it seems there was some issue with our witnesses arriving."
"And what do you expect us to do about it? Should the hearing go out and fetch the witnesses ourselves?"
The Princess, standing alone with her arms crossed, shot back coldly.
The Chairman nodded silently in agreement with her.
"You've already delayed the hearing by two hours because of your antics. How much more of a spectacle do you intend to make in front of His Majesty the Emperor?"
Sophia had no means to counter the Princess's words.
Unlike the evidence I had presented, they had proven nothing.
Any further excuses would only make them look more pathetic before the Emperor.
"...No, that's not the case. We apologize."
As the Holy See's resolve finally broke, Camillia Andalusia stepped forward to the center of the council.
She called out to her father, who watched from the second-floor balcony.
"I report to Your beloved Majesty the Emperor."
Infusing her voice with mana, the noisy hearing chamber fell silent.
She skillfully brought this war of reversals to a close.
"This hearing has already run far longer than expected. It will soon cloud everyone's judgment."
I admired her ability with pride.
In this round, she hadn't been assassinated and was confidently leading the chaotic empire.
'Camillia will rule the empire just fine on her own.'
I wouldn't have to devote myself like I did when I was Imperial Prime Minister.
I planned to reap the rewards of my past hardships in the empire she stabilized.
Starting with sleeping all day.
And living luxuriously while no one knew I was rich.
"No matter how long we wait, the witnesses aren't showing up. Therefore, we will proceed to the final vote based on the evidence presented."
"Permission granted. It seems clear enough which side is in the right."
With the Emperor's approval, Camillia turned to face the hundreds of spectators.
"Let's start with the Holy See. They accused Derek Minster of being the culprit in the Archbishop serial killings."
It was a situation where dragging me down from the warden position was all that mattered.
Then, in the gap with the prison empty, they planned to spring Anje and Myoran.
"However, they failed to produce any valid evidence. They pressured the respondent solely on suspicion."
Now even the Princess had grasped their insidious intentions.
They had gone so far as to use fake witnesses to keep me tied down.
"In contrast, Derek Minster presented evidence of rebellion, complete with the Pope's signature."
Camillia glared at the Holy See side as if meting out punishment.
With the overwhelming killing intent inherited from her ancestors.
"Everyone knows who should be facing interrogation here."
She then approached the inquiry committee members.
Their vote would decide the fate of both me and the Holy See.
"I ask the committee members to vote. The Imperial Family will decide whom to investigate based on the results."
The ten high-ranking officials seated at the committee table.
They glanced at each other cautiously before stating their positions.
The result was overwhelmingly in my favor.
The majority of spectators seemed satisfied.
However, a few Holy See followers and nobles harmed by my family voiced strong objections.
"This is outrageous!! Regardless of the Holy See, that man deserves investigation!!"
"The Minster family is a blight on society. Their youngest son is no different!"
Their loud voices assaulted my ears.
For three lifetimes, such harsh treatment had always followed me.
But I had no intention of giving up this time either.
Falling to the floor would only bring the chill of the ground, changing nothing.
My only option was to press forward.
I strolled casually toward the spectator seats.
Then slammed the podium hard enough to bruise my hand.
"If you're so dissatisfied, why don't you find the evidence yourselves?"
In this hearing where everything could be lost in an instant, I felt not a shred of fear.
"If you don't have the confidence, keep your mouths shut."
A ferocious expression befitting the man called the great serpent of the north.
My contemptuous gaze silenced everyone.
"...".
The Princess smirked at the sight.
She stood beside me and joined in.
"Derek Minster is no longer the respondent. Insult him now, and you'll face charges of defamation."
With the Princess stepping in, even the Holy See supporters began to disperse.
I closed my eyes gently as I watched the emptying spectator seats.
'Nice one, Princess sis.'
"And the Holy See, stay in the capital and await the Imperial summons."
"Us as well...?"
Sophia asked, her pupils dilating.
"Of course. Your corruption exploited our people, didn't it? You deserve proper interrogation."
"Your Highness, this is an internal matter for our church, unrelated to the Empire."
She waved her hands desperately to weasel out, but it was futile.
The empire's hidden serpent never lets go of prey once it bites.
"No, the connection is more than sufficient."
The Princess extended her hand into the air.
A massive spear soon materialized nobly before her.
Landruin, the great spear bestowed by the Emperor to punish evil.
Camillia aimed the spearhead at the archbishops and declared,
"As commander ruling the north, I consider all plundered residents my subjects."
Calix and Sophia gulped deeply.
They began trembling in dazed expressions.
Even they, who feared nothing in the world, dreaded the Princess's spear.
"From this day, you are under detention. A new hearing will be prepared. Best behave until then."
The light faded from Camillia's eyes.
Her deep, abyssal blue gaze drew in the archbishops.
"If you understand, get out of this sacred council chamber now."
The archbishops sighed deeply and rose gracefully.
As they slowly departed, the Princess tucked the spear under her arm and held her head high.
Like the lead female serpent driving off hyenas from her territory.
"If those guys keep meddling, Father's lifespan might shorten."
I watched her approvingly.
My lips curled up involuntarily.
"What's with that sly grin?"
"Sly? I'm just smiling contentedly."
"I'm two years older than you. How long will you keep looking at me like a little sister?"
"Haha... misunderstanding. What can I do about my face?"
The Princess narrowed her eyes at me.
Then chuckled and patted my shoulder.
"Follow me. His Majesty wants to see you."
I ascended the council chamber stairs following Camillia, spear in hand.
And had a private audience with the Emperor seated on the second floor.
"Congratulations on clearing your name, Derek Minster."
"It's all thanks to Your Majesty watching without prejudice."
The Emperor said there was no need to bow.
"No need for humility before me. I saw you navigate the difficulties yourself."
Bodoin VIII.
He adjusted his posture and fixed his gaze on me.
"Your family keeps dragging you down. It must be tough. If you wish, I can promote you to restore your honor."
Berryhill Prison was originally the worst exile ground.
With me, the worst family member, staying there, the image wouldn't improve.
"...".
Camillia smiled subtly upon hearing her father's offer.
She whispered sweetly in my ear.
"Father doesn't offer chances easily, Derek. Best seize it now."
The Emperor rested his chin on his hand, waiting leisurely for my reply.
But it wasn't purely out of goodwill.
The numerous women's hairs on his uniform.
And the measures to prevent witnesses from the Holy See side.
Having prepared the hearing so meticulously, he surely suspected I'd demand an ambitious position.
But.
"...".
I exhaled briefly.
With a resolute expression, I gave an unexpected answer to His Majesty.
"I'm fine. I'll fulfill my duties in my current position."
At my dry response, not only the Emperor but Camillia blinked in surprise.
"What...?"
"I want no rewards. This hearing stemmed purely from my own shortcomings."
I bowed politely.
Firmly refusing the goodwill of the father-daughter duo who commanded the continent.
"So I'll return to my post as warden and do my duty. To prevent such misunderstandings in the future."
The ever-cool Camillia showed a girlish expression for the first time.
She gripped Landruin tightly and let out a short sigh.
However, the Emperor's reaction was the complete opposite.
Upon hearing my answer, a smile appeared on his face for the first time.
"Is that so? Can't be helped then."
He'd assumed I'd want a position close to his daughter.
Instead, I'd vowed to effort in a role fitting my station to avoid future incidents.
"If that's your will, I'll respect it. But don't refuse the compensation gold."
"Such generosity, I'll humbly accept."
Camillia clenched her fists tightly at the sight of the two men satisfied with each other.
Her anxiety shook her, nearly dropping Landruin.
"Camillia, anything else to say?"
"N-no, Your Majesty. If possible, I'd like to escort him to the guest room."
"Do so. You all must be tired from preparing the hearing. Rest up."
"...".
The Princess felt an odd pang of jealousy at her father's unusually good mood today.
Still, somewhat satisfied, she led me away with light steps.
'Right, if he just snatched the reward without thought, he wouldn't be to my taste.'
Slipping away like a sly weasel when she thought she had him.
She walked beside me without a change in expression, secretly smiling with her eyes.
As if the situation had become even more amusing.
The guest room was in an imperial villa near the council chamber.
Fitting for royalty and dignitaries only, it was exceedingly luxurious.
Rumor had it that it was expanded during the previous reign because too many royals were born.
I flopped onto the overly grand bed.
I relaxed while counting the platinum inlays on the ceiling.
'One hurdle cleared.'
The Holy See, a major contributor to the empire's downfall, would be fully pushed out by this.
One pillar supporting the Crown Prince had crumbled.
Now, the Princess's only rivals were Tutton Grand Duke and Prime Minister Ainz.
Smart Camillia could certainly stand against them.
In the meantime, I'd return to the prison, tend to the inmates, and that was that.
It felt like shedding a sandbag.
I stretched my stiff body and decided to shower.
"Warden, may I come in?"
"You're already in. Why ask?"
Vice Warden Clea Rockhart peeked in and asked.
She'd apparently washed up, with her blue hair down and wearing a T-shirt for once.
"What's up?"
"I was worried you might get assassinated by the Holy See in retaliation after the hearing, so I came to check."
Her deadpan concern for me.
Now I could even spot the subtle hint of good mood.
"As if. Nothing happened, so don't worry."
"I see. Good."
Clea approached my desk quite naturally.
She opened the drawer and collected the premium tea bags.
"Thrifty, aren't you."
"Hard to get outside. Grand Elder likes this variety too."
She scrimped and saved even for the inmates.
I really had good luck with people.
"I'll shower, so finish up and head back to rest."
"Understood."
I grabbed a change of clothes and entered the spacious bathroom.
The moment I left the room.
Clea returned with a serious expression and scanned the surroundings.
"...".
The guest room seemed fine at first glance.
But her sharp eyes soon spotted a suspicious potted plant.
The vice warden seized the pot like grabbing hair.
And...
Found a hidden crystal orb inside.
She glared at its smooth surface with fox-like eyes.
Then injected mana into her finger and shattered it.
Ching―――!!
At that moment, in the Princess's office.
Camillia stared at the crystal orb while holding ointment good for bruises.
"He went to shower?"
She cleared her throat awkwardly, managing her expression.
Monitoring the guest room, waiting for the right moment to visit naturally.
But.
Soon, instead of the man she wanted, a grumpy fox appeared in the orb.
Clea slowly lowered her head toward the surface.
As if to say "not a chance," she smashed the orb.
"What."
Camillia's excited heart sank.
Her eye twitched as she muttered,
"This fox bitch beat me to it...?"
Camillia, famed for her upright image.
The pure princess said to resemble the previous Emperor wore a cold, expressionless mask.