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The trial date within the Count’s House has finally been confirmed.

It has been set that the trial will take place within a week, and the arrangements were made swiftly enough to not waste the three gold coins wagered. It was exactly six days after the news reached Ainel that the trial was scheduled, which set off a whirlwind of activity not just for the expedition but also for the internal purge of corruption.

‘Still, it’s not easy to directly threaten Piana into attending the trial.’

Piana Trilla. A senior retainer of the Count’s House, known for amassing wealth.

Even with her current poor reputation, she is associated with many influential connections. It wouldn’t be easy to bring her to the trial so quickly without taking precautions.

‘This all progressed smoothly thanks to Siabel laying the groundwork.’

The guise presented was an urgent corruption investigation prompted by whistleblowing.

I’ve heard that Siabel concocted some vague allegations of corruption against her to drag her onto the witness stand. Suddenly, the past incidents she had skillfully concealed were surfacing, as if they were bobbing up to the surface.

Thanks to this, capturing Piana Trilla turned out to be a success.

“…A whistleblower. Having overlooked matters while following the Maid, I wonder what charges might be brought against me as well. But at least I won’t feel ashamed when writing to my father going forward.”

“You’ve established justice, so you’ve done a noble deed, haven’t you? Your father will undoubtedly be proud, Aheira.”

“With you saying that, Baron Karpel, I feel a bit more reassured. I’ve also heard you assisted Shione in calling a priest for my father.”

“I intended to keep it a secret. Did Shione mention that?”

“Good deeds ought to be revealed and praised, don’t you think? Thank you, Baron.”

“…Let’s go catch the Maid.”

With Aheira’s refreshing act of whistleblowing, we successfully ensnared the Maid through Ainel’s special order.

I boldly walked into her office, seeking the Maid.

As I casually wielded my sword, exuding a slight aura that I had never shown her before, her usual poker face cracked, revealing her flustered expression vividly in my mind.

“…Baron Karpel, what brings you here? With your sword drawn—”

“Due to Aheira Feldart’s whistleblowing, Ainel’s special order has been issued. I hereby detain you. Please cooperate willingly.”

“What do you mean…!”

“If you refuse, I will subdue you on the spot.”

We had already gathered enough evidence and circumstantial factors against her.

Even if they had been captured due to different accusations, we could easily present the evidence to substantiate deeper connections.

I would surely yield the results that Shione desired.

Thus, Siabel, who had been taking charge of the trial preparations in place of Ainel, succeeded in setting a swift course for these individuals under the name of an urgent trial. Things proceeded terrifyingly fast.

Thanks to this, with the trial approaching the very next day, Shione was busily running around conversing with Siabel and Sion.

“I’ll need to meet with the head of the family due to the urgent trial. Deputy Commander, how about we keep today’s special mission team training short and sweet in the morning?”

“Sounds good. The knights also need time to rest. A good long break today and tomorrow would be wonderful.”

“Just as I thought, Deputy Commander. You understand well.”

To be honest, it was more of a suggestion because I wanted to rest.

Since I seemed to have earned favor with Diolia as well, I enjoyed a good outcome of relaxation that afternoon.

I found myself resting in my quarters with the spirits after a long time.

As I lay on the bed, absentmindedly petting Orna—

“Mya…? Myaaaang…!!”

“……?”

Suddenly, Orna, who had been enjoying my touch, vanished with a scream.

When I raised my body to check, in her place sat Tania, fidgeting her hands anxiously. I caught sight of Orna and Elvis, who had fallen from the bed and were sighing.

“Listen, listen. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but….”

Before I knew it, Tania had wrapped her arms around mine, whining.

“Don’t tell me you forgot about the party I worked so hard for…? I thought you forgot since you’ve been so quiet lately…”

She was starting to feel anxious since there hadn’t been any news about the promised party yet.

I gently patted Tania on the head and replied.

“Of course, I’m preparing it. I mentioned there would be a trial tomorrow, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you just informed me.”

“Once the trial is over, we’ll go out to the city for some fun instead of here.”

“City…! There must be loads of fun stuff there!”

“Let’s buy some sweet drinks and snacks too.”

“That sounds great, but… isn’t money tight for Shinwoo? You were a slave until recently.”

What kind of spirit worries about my financial situation?

Though it has been a while since I became a deputy commander. Whenever the time to collect taxes from my territory comes, money tends to just roll into my pocket.

“Order whatever you want. I’m a noble now.”

“Noble…! It feels kinda like being a chaebol!”

With that, Tania spread her arms wide and started flying around.

“Well, Elvis and Orna too. Think of what you want to eat.”

“Dad is the best!”

“Myaang!”

Simultaneously, both Elvis and Orna began to spin around cheerfully in line with Tania.

It was quite a chaotic scene, but since they were happy, it felt wrong to stop them.

So, instead of the dizzying ceiling, I decided to focus on the desk.

‘I should write down what Shione asked me for in advance.’

She mentioned being somewhat afraid to write it herself.

Thus, she had asked me to write and send it on her behalf.

For Shione’s sake, writing a single letter was a simple task.

I pulled out some stationery from the desk drawer and slowly began to write. I meticulously scribbled in the common language, even more carefully and neatly than usual. As I recited the letters aloud—

“…Former maid and wet nurse to Shione Shianella—”

At the same time, as I read the words aloud slowly, I wrote—

“To Senior Herrel.”

Herrel, Shione’s wet nurse and my senior.

I sincerely hope that my, no—Shione’s letter reaches Herrel.

*

Finally, the urgent trial commenced.

I participated in the trial as an observer. The atmosphere in the courtroom was cold and solemn, maintaining a hushed stillness.

‘This is the second time I’m setting foot in a courtroom.’

The first time was during the Grand Trial in the Great Forest.

I distinctly remember standing on that stage alongside Shione, striving to punish the betrayers among the elven people.

I believe those two’s names were… Aina Ianette and her lackey Cenya. How heavy the gazes of the crowd had felt back then, as I faced them.

With that memory lingering, I could only worry about whether Shione would be able to succeed this time.

“Did you hear? The prosecution is Shione…”

“Who doesn’t know that? Don’t stir up more conversation; just stay quiet.”

“We just have to follow the decisions of Lady Ainel and the judges.”

As I stood apart from the murmuring crowd, I noticed people gradually gathering around me.

“May I sit beside the Deputy Commander of the Special Mission Team?”

“What could stop you? Please, take a seat.”

Perhaps word had spread about Shione’s trial.

They were witnessing her efforts firsthand, and were genuinely pleased by her growth.

The ones who had somehow gained observer status—knights and rangers—slowly filled my vicinity.

Before I knew it, a supportive group of onlookers dedicated to Shione had formed in a corner of the courtroom.

‘Still, it’s different from the Great Forest case.’

Though we were praised as heroes back then, aside from the Arielte family, there were really no solid allies to back us. A human caught amidst the elven factions was bound to be discriminated against. All the numerous observers could do was regard us with cold stares.

Unlike that past, now so many stood ready to trust and support Shione. I felt that even if I wasn’t by her side, she could manage just fine.

And as I thought this—

‘Ainel Shianella, she’s finally here.’

Ainel and the judges took their positions at the fore, silencing the audience.

Then, as Shione, Siabel, Piana, and the Maid stood ready for confrontation, the moment had arrived.

“Following the whistleblowing and the corruption investigation, this urgent trial has been convened to properly address the past events; I sincerely hope that justice follows the right path.”

With overwhelming charisma, Ainel surveyed us with a gaze as sharp as a blade.

“Let the trial begin.”

With that cold voice, she solemnly announced the commencement of the trial.

 

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