Chapter 88

"Wh-What nonsense! I was attacked too!"

In response to Lord Barb’s pointed question, Tyuri angrily rebutted. His anger revealed his anxiety.

"Tyuri, be quiet."

"But Father—"

"Be quiet!"

Anxiety leads to mistakes.

It was probably correct for the Duke of Bapott to silence his son to prevent him from saying something rash. However, it wouldn’t work in this trial. Alessandro had solid evidence, not just witnesses.

"…Then, let’s hear testimony from the party involved, the Duke of Lucel."

"Yes."

In response to Lord Barb’s call, Claude stood up and bowed to Alessandro.

"As you know, I have been investigating those plotting rebellion under the secret orders of His Majesty on multiple occasions. However, I could never catch them just when I was about to. I was convinced that someone close to me was leaking information, so I spread several pieces of false information to those I suspected. The person who acted on that false information was Viscount Amadi."

"That’s just a coincidence. I’m sad that you suspected me."

"Wouldn’t you be suspicious too? The viscount was always there wherever I went, as if watching my every move. But all the secret orders I received from His Majesty were decoys."

"What…?"

Tyuri seemed to have regained his composure, but he didn’t understand Claude’s words. The audience was similarly confused, and Claude began to explain again.

"The secret orders I received from His Majesty had already been given to other loyalists a few days earlier, and they were carrying out their missions ahead of me. My movements meant that the enemy would also move. It would have been better to have a bit more time, but…"

Claude’s words trailed off as if he were grumbling, and Alessandro smiled. It would have been more certain to give the order to Claude, who was a decoy, after ensuring the mission was accomplished. He always didn’t give his predecessors any leeway, claiming it was to avoid being predictable. However, Alessandro was undoubtedly enjoying it, even this trial.

"Unfortunately, it was an undeniable fact that Viscount Amadi was leaking information to the conspirators. I also learned from an informant that there was a plan to have soldiers disguised as bandits attack me. So, I took the initiative and replaced the soldiers pretending to be bandits with my allies."

"That’s just a fabrication! You can make up anything you want!"

"Yes, that’s true. I could call the person who ordered the attack as a witness, but if the viscount denies knowing about it, it would just be a matter of he-said-she-said. Therefore, it’s better to show clear evidence."

When Claude said this, the Duke of Bapott snorted. He seemed to think that no evidence would come forward. The cautious duke had probably destroyed all letters that could serve as physical evidence and didn’t sign any letters he sent to his accomplices.

Lord Barb agreed with Claude’s suggestion, and both of them looked to Alessandro for approval. Alessandro nodded silently, and several ledgers and two letter boxes were brought in. Cole’s face turned even paler when he saw the ledgers.

The witnesses sitting in the audience provided detailed explanations of the evidence. They seemed to be appealing to Alessandro about the guilt of the conspirators, but in reality, they were addressing the audience to ensure the legitimacy of the trial.

As the evidence was presented one by one, the conspirators seemed to realize they couldn’t talk their way out of it and slumped their shoulders. In contrast, the audience seemed excited. If this rebellion had resulted in much bloodshed, it might have been different, but for them, this trial was just a spectacle. Among them, the Duke of Bapott, who hadn’t been presented with any evidence yet, remained composed, and Tyuri followed his lead.

"Next, I will explain the letters in this letter box. We were able to obtain these with the help of the Duchess of Lucel. Would it be acceptable for the duchess to explain them?"

"Yes. I understand."

When a legal officer asked, Opal stood up, and the hall buzzed. The audience seemed surprised that Opal, a woman, was speaking in this setting. Ignoring their reactions, Opal opened the letter box, took out the letters, and held them up so the seals and senders were visible. The seals were broken, but the coat of arms could still be seen.

"These letters were all sent from the Duke of Bapott to the Duke of Seamus in the Kingdom of Sosie."

"Nonsense! Those are forgeries!"

"Until about a year ago, the seals were stamped on the wax, but recently, the sender’s name wasn’t even written. However, the content of the letters clearly indicates that the sender is the duke."

The Duke of Bapott, who had been composed, jumped up and pointed at Opal, trying to refute her. However, Opal continued without being fazed. The audience was surprised by the duke’s sudden change in attitude and fell silent.

"The content involves smuggling gold and requesting swift aid in the event of a rebellion. I won’t read them here, but His Majesty and the judges have already seen them. As I mentioned earlier, the recent letters don’t have the sender’s name and are marked to be burned after reading, but the Duke of Seamus didn’t comply. Despite their cooperative relationship, there was no trust. He must have kept them in case something happened. Thanks to that, we were able to obtain this evidence."

"No! I didn’t write such things! It’s someone’s—Lucel, it’s your conspiracy!"

"…I wouldn’t go to such lengths to bring you down."

"What…?"

The Duke of Bapott, who refused to admit it, tried to blame Claude. However, Claude ignored him. The duke seemed confused at first, then his face turned red.

"Don’t get cocky, you young whelp! You deceived the old man Lucel, then got close to His Majesty, and now you’re after the money—!?"

The duke’s rant was cut off by a flying ledger. He hurriedly tried to protect his face, but the corner of the ledger hit his forehead, and he groaned in pain.

"Oh, my! The important ledger flew away!"

Opal, who had thrown the ledger, feigned surprise, and everyone, including the guards, stood there dumbfounded. The only sounds in the hall were the laughter of Claude and Alessandro, who couldn’t hold back their amusement.