Chapter 71

“Emma Urnen’s tail was cut at that point, Theo Lamstair must have thought he no longer had anyone who knew his secret.”

“Considering Carsein’s bad reputation, even if Radiel was killed, people might just think it was another problem caused by Carsein rather than suspecting him.”

“Even if Radiel herself came forward to calm things down, the old trial’s evidence still pointing to Carsein as the culprit would still be in a favorable position.”

“Unlike Emma, who tripped over all the evidence and witnesses, those who could lie were either locked up in prison with no chance to spread rumors or there was no evidence left.”

“In any case, stubbornly denying it would seem unreasonable no matter which way you look at it.”

“But he got caught red-handed.”

“When the incident of Radiel being attacked in Sha Pel Forest was mentioned, it was when Emma, who had been his strongest ally at that time, disappeared, that this incident surfaced.”

“Although he had removed all exposed weaknesses, he lost all his strength simultaneously.”

“With the disappearance of alibi proofs and testimonies related to the commission, Radiel’s testimony became the only thing left.”

“Oh, no! That’s…! Please bring my fellow trainees who are currently in jail!”

“What significance do they hold?”

“They were present at the scene! They can correct the wrongly reported incident as witnesses…”

“Nonsense. The victim is now pointing at you, and those two were knocked out and fainted due to Carsein’s actions for some reason. What could they possibly know?”

“That’s…”

When Arshien pointed out the flaw, Theo was left speechless.

He had nothing more to say.

No matter how hard he tried, the situation wouldn’t change.

It was time to drive the final nail in the coffin.

“I will present additional evidence.”

It was truly a stroke of luck.

As an untrained recruit, I only became recognized as an apprentice knight after the incident at the water faucet.

After moving into the apprentices’ quarters, I immediately started tidying up my belongings.

But then,

Before even unpacking, something felt off about the wall—it seemed slightly protruding.

Curious, I touched it, and realized faint light was seeping through.

Yes, it was a Memorial.

In the game, I hadn’t even discovered it, but this allowed me to glimpse another memory of Carsein and earn an item to put on Theo’s collar as a reward.

Something that could have served as evidence if Theo had managed to handle it properly.

“The letter and request from Emma, copied in the name of Radiel—”

At that moment,

Bang! Theo slammed his fist on the table.

“…There’s no need to bring that evidence out. It’s the truth.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since accepting the commission from Emma, I could make a lot of money, so I took it. During the process, I enticed the others a bit more… and also thought I could get rid of the Carsein brat again in the slums.”

“Hmm?”

Surprisingly, the guy was confessing.

“You seem to be confessing right now.”

“Yes. Captain Radiel was right. After causing trouble, I was afraid of punishment as much as the money.”

Bowing his head and shaking his fists in frustration,

“…I heard that the depth of the Tullea Mine is divided by layers. And I don’t want my mark on the Judgment Gem either.”

He said this.

“Huh. So you were scared of the Judgment Gem and the severity of the execution?”

Arshien sneered at Theo.

Theo was clearly scared.

If someone lies under oath during a trial and the one holding the Judgment Gem finds out, they can punish the liar.

The player text mentions that the face and entire body are branded with a mark, causing excruciating pain.

The face’s mark lasts for 30 days, but the body’s mark remains forever, tormenting the criminal endlessly. With such torture involved, it’s no wonder it’s frightening.

“Hmm… did I clear this too easily?”

Episode VI: Rehearing of Sha Pel Forest was the episode I replayed the least.

It was predictable and I could prepare for it, but…

“It felt too easy to clear.”

To think, before presenting the evidence, I already hit 100% achievement.

Normally, according to the game’s progression, I should present the evidence and break Theo’s argument once more before hitting 100%.

After that, the same as always, based on Arshien’s judgment, Emma and I would be dragged out, ending the episode. The result remained the same, but skipping this process felt significant.

No, to be precise, even without my intervention, the best choices were automatically selected.

Like when Claire stepped forward,

Or when the maids and attendants defended me,

And even when Heron or Sheiden did.

So, all I had to do was make a few key choices, call the right witness at the right time, and present the evidence.

While Episode VI felt easier, it wasn’t that easy.

“Hmm… perhaps because of affinity?”

Looking at the numbers slightly higher than in the game, it made sense.

“Take him away. Keep him in the duke’s house prison until he is expelled from the Lamstair baronetage, and send him straight to the Tullea Mine after confirmation.”

“Yes!”

Meanwhile, Theo was led away by the knights.

The trial ended quickly.

Arshien’s verdict was that Carsein was innocent—clearly framed.

The nobles who had hoped for my disgraceful defeat left with a sour expression, while those who helped as witnesses bowed and left.

“Let’s talk outside for a moment, Carsein.”

Isabella left me with those words, her face filled with sadness, before walking away.

Now, it was my turn to leave.

With these two gone, who were like bosses of Chapter 1, I could finally relax for a while.

Just as I was about to step away,

Arshien, who had recorded the contents of the Judgment Gem onto documents, spoke to me.

“You handled it cleverly. Your eloquence was impressive.”

“It’s an exaggeration.”

“No, it isn’t. When I first took on this case, it seemed overwhelmingly against you.”

That couldn’t be helped.

This was a game designed with strict conditions…

“If the audience’s opinion swayed and you had become demoralized, it could have been dangerous. Tsk. Truly an unfair trial.”

In reality, it was indeed dangerous.

The audience was swayed by Theo and Emma’s arguments, and they continuously lowered my achievement level.

That’s why I tried to seize control of the atmosphere all at once.

But I didn’t overcome this disadvantage alone.

“Didn’t Her Majesty side with me?”

“Hmm, interesting. I’m not sure what you mean, but please tell me if you can.”

Arshien pretended not to understand.

Her eyes looked genuinely curious. Oops, I probably shouldn’t have said that.

“Because you started the topic with the incident at the water faucet instead of Sha Pel Forest. One of them would surely have brought up the Sha Pel Forest incident to tarnish my reputation.”

“Hmm. Anything else?”

“At the trial, you didn’t stop me from blatantly targeting Emma Urnen. Strictly speaking, this was my and Theo Lamstair’s joint trial.”

Before she could ask anything else, I spilled everything.

Whether it was pointing out Claire as a potential witness or emphasizing the flaws in Theo and Emma’s arguments to raise doubts, there were several points.

-Clap clap clap.

“Remarkable insight. I thought you were bluffing, but it seems the evidence was the key?”

“Yes, it was. Even just Emma’s request form would have been enough.”

“As I expected. Heh heh.”

Arshien seemed satisfied, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

And the numbers in front of me changed.

[Arshien Rein Peselros]

[Affinity: 7%]

“So, how long do you plan to keep seeing the fake fiancé, Harnier Teresia?”

“Excuse me?”

“It won’t work pretending you don’t know. The nobles may be fooled, but I know the two of you didn’t end up together out of love.”

Startled, she waved her hand.

“Oh, no misunderstanding. I’m not threatening you. It’s just important information for me since I need power to become emperor.”

Come to think of it, Arshien has two older brothers and wants to become emperor through political struggles.

Between the Bargrand and Teresia families,

She had to pay attention to such information.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot say.”

“Hmm. Then it must be quite important.”

“But it won’t affect Her Majesty.”

It’s just a contract engagement.

There’s no need to merge. It’ll naturally fall apart in a year.

“I see. If you say so, I’ll believe you. But I’ll need to keep a close eye on your fiancée’s movements.”

“What do you mean?”

“Heh heh. You figure it out yourself.”

Arshien left with those cryptic words.