Chapter 73

The lords who attended the ceremony showed various reactions to Sora's viscount title being stripped away, as he had already become a force that could no longer be ignored.

The church faction, which had been in an adversarial relationship with Sora, felt relieved upon hearing the rumor that their growing enemy would be under the church's control. While he would be troublesome as an enemy, he would be an invaluable asset as an ally.

This was a major event that would tip the balance of power between the church faction and the mage faction.

The mage faction was still skeptical about the rumor that Sora would be under the church's control. Although Sora had not shown much interest in national politics, it was a well-known fact that he had been in conflict with the church in his own territory. By maintaining a neutral stance and not unconditionally aligning with the church faction, he had kept the balance. Therefore, being incorporated into the church faction would be a blow to the mage faction.

It was natural that attention would focus on the Duke of Bartz, who was close to Sora, and he was growing weary of the speculative gazes that surrounded him.

From Duke Bartz's perspective, Sora was preparing for something. Bartz smiled wryly at Sora's acting, which created a tense atmosphere despite his usual expression. Bartz smiled wryly because he knew the plan, but to the other nobles, it would appear that Sora was desperately trying to suppress his anxiety over losing his viscount title.

Count Kleinzelt was leering at Sora with a dirty smile. Nearby, Count Trynen and Chaff grimaced in disgust.

Sora, kneeling on the red carpet leading to the throne, glanced at the deputy commander of the royal guard, who seemed to be in charge of security for the ceremony. The commander was likely guarding the king at that moment.

The deputy commander looked at Sora with a deeply regretful expression.

At that moment, the announcement of the king's arrival silenced the entire hall.

The king, accompanied by the crown prince and the commander of the royal guard, surveyed the lords and fixed his gaze on Sora, who was kneeling in front of him.

Without hesitation, Sora spoke.

"Your Majesty, there is something I must speak about that I can only do while holding the title of viscount. I request permission to speak before the ceremony begins."

Sora's unexpected words caused a stir among the lords. Some voices criticized his rudeness, but as the king scanned the hall with a sharp gaze, the voices gradually subsided.

"Sora von Kleinzelt, viscount, you have permission to speak."

"Thank you."

– You little fox. Are you planning something again?

The king smiled wryly to himself. He had a certain level of respect for Sora, who had brought development and stability to his viscount territory in just a few years. Given his youth and demonstrated competence, Sora, along with Chaff, was expected to take on a significant role in the next generation. The king was reluctant to strip him of his viscount title. If Sora had a plan, the king was not averse to going along with it.

With this understanding, Sora spoke calmly.

"I hereby accuse my father of plotting to rebel against the king."

For a moment, an ear-splitting silence fell over the hall. The king's eyes widened in shock, the lords began to murmur, and Count Kleinzelt opened his mouth in astonishment. The shock rippled through the hall, and the nobles, regaining their composure, began to distance themselves from Count Kleinzelt. Chaff moved behind the count and grabbed his arm.

"What? What are you doing, you scoundrel!?"

"Count Kleinzelt, please do not move. Whether the accusation is true or not, any suspicious actions will only make things worse for you."

The count, who had been about to struggle, turned pale at Chaff's words and noticed the lords' suspicious gazes. He directed an angry glare at Sora.

"Sora, you scoundrel! Are you trying to frame my father!?"

Ignoring the angry outburst, Sora called out to the deputy commander.

"I have hidden evidence in my breast pocket. Deputy Commander, please check it."

The deputy commander looked to the commander for approval. The commander slowly nodded, and the deputy commander cautiously approached Sora, suspecting that Sora, as the son of a potential rebel, might attack unexpectedly.

"Excuse me."

Before searching Sora's breast pocket, the deputy commander apologized. He retrieved the evidence, took three steps back, and unfolded the parchment, swallowing hard before quickly approaching the commander and handing it over. The commander, with a stern expression, examined it and then presented it to the king. Seizing the moment, Sora spoke.

"This is a declaration of rebellion against the royal family, written by my father. I was as shocked as anyone, but the signature and the count's seal are undeniably genuine. As a viscount, I could not ignore this and thus have come forward with this accusation."

"It's a forgery! A fabricated document! I never wrote such a thing!"

Count Kleinzelt desperately protested over Sora's words. The king, frowning, examined the declaration.

The count, trying to salvage the situation, forced a smile and spoke.

"Your Majesty, do not be deceived by a forgery. The signature and the count's seal are undoubtedly forgeries."

The king lowered his eyelids and sighed heavily. When he opened his eyes, they focused sharply on Count Kleinzelt, emitting a cold light.

"Count Kleinzelt, this is genuine. The signature, with its distinctive style, is unmistakable, and the count's seal is also authentic. A comparison would make this even clearer."

As the king raised his hand, the count's scream echoed, and Chaff pushed him to the floor. The royal guard immediately rushed to restrain the count.

"What are you doing? Wait, this is a mistake!"

"Father, please stop making a spectacle of yourself. I am saddened."

Sora's face was a mask of pain, and even tears welled in his eyes. His performance was impeccable, leaving no room for doubt.

The restrained count was dragged to the center of the hall. The ceremony to strip Sora of his viscount title was now a distant memory.

Sora, watching the count being dragged away, thought of a boneless ham and turned to the deputy commander.

"What are you doing? Restrain me as well. I am prepared, and there is no need to hold back."

As the son of a traitor and a viscount, Sora should be restrained as well, given the presence of the lords. The deputy commander, though reluctant to bind the person who had made the accusation, reminded himself that it was part of his duty.

"Excuse me."

"Despite my request not to hold back, you are quite formal."

Sora smiled wryly, and the deputy commander returned a troubled smile. The king, who had been rubbing his forehead, narrowed his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

The king was almost certain that the document was a forgery. The timing of the discovery of the rebellion was too convenient, and the count lacked the courage to plot such a rebellion. However, the signature and the count's seal were genuine.

– Perhaps the text was altered...?

The king turned his gaze to Sora. Some of the lords might also be considering this possibility.

"Lord Sora, where did you obtain this declaration?"

The king asked.

Upon hearing this, Count Kleinzelt realized something and, seeing an opportunity to turn the situation around, spoke eagerly.

"Your Majesty, this forgery is likely a tampered version of a document I exchanged with Sora ten days ago. I have a copy at my residence. If given some time, I will bring it here!"

The king, hearing the count's words, looked at Sora. Sora, who had been looking at his father with pity, bowed upon noticing the king's gaze.

"No such document was exchanged. My father intends to flee. I request that the royal guard be assigned to monitor him."

"Understood. The ceremony is temporarily suspended. Count Kleinzelt, bring the evidence by this afternoon. The royal guard will monitor you, and any attempt to flee will result in immediate conviction."

The lords bowed respectfully at the king's declaration, and the ceremony was suspended. Sora was escorted back to the waiting room under the watch of the royal guard. A cold, chilling smile played on his face.