Chapter 112
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112.
Naturally, thanks to the First Concubine handing me such an easy task, I had at least a modicum of time to work with.
Since the banquet had been attended by all the key figures, the Emperor had to officially grant me time to investigate this matter.
Of course, I could have simply used the evidence the First Concubine provided to clear her name.
But that would have been nothing more than a half-baked solution, just like in the original story.
'After giving me such a hint, it would be a shame to settle for that.'
Admittedly, only a few scattered words were written, but that alone was sufficient as a hint.
Unfortunately, due to the scroll's activation conditions, I couldn't go back and witness the past directly.
'The constraint that I must go to that location in person is the problem.'
The trouble was that Scarlett Jamoti's original estate was as far from the Capital City as the Salice Barony, so I didn't have time to travel there.
Just to be safe, I recalled the Q&A I'd asked the dragon about before and unfurled the Lair-bound scroll as well, but there was no significant change.
'A person shouldn't rely solely on tricks and shortcuts.'
So I simply did what I do best.
'The witch has been resurrected!!'
'There you go again with your ridiculous ideas. Do you know how heartless the Salice Advisor really is?'
'...Look, spirit magic requires a lot of stamina too!'
I ground Samuel Motty and the Criminal Mages to dust.
Since stamina was needed, I prepared a nutritious juice packed with all sorts of good ingredients and distributed it at regular intervals.
'Ugh... I'll just do it. Can't you just give them meat, Salice Advisor?'
For some reason, after drinking the nutritious juice about three times, they refused it.
In any case, thanks to treating the criminals inhumanely, I was able to secure the evidence safely.
It would take time to bring the physical evidence, but that wasn't a major problem either.
Since Samuel Motty's abilities had been revealed during the previous Emperor poisoning incident, recordings made using light spirits were also accepted as evidence.
Moreover, while mages might not know other things, they could certainly use scrolls for long-distance communication magic—mail—so I was able to secure testimonies from residents using the knights dispatched to that region.
'She used to visit often. It was quite a distance from Basmach, but the young master would follow the young lady around like a puppy, calling her his fiancée.'
'The young lady seemed to think of it as just an engagement arranged by the parents. We all thought that way when we were young. We figured the young lady would become the princess.'
I'd squeezed every ounce of ability from Samuel Motty and left all the evidence meticulously documented.
Of course, not everything unfolded exactly as I'd anticipated.
*
"...What, what's the problem with that?"
Gillard examined the evidence, then gripped the prison bars tightly, trembling violently.
"What's wrong with me doing something for the person I love?"
"It has nothing to do with the Fourth Concubine?"
"Of course not!"
Gillard laughed like a madman.
"Yes, that's how all those working in the Imperial Palace are! You assume they have no pure hearts and make vile accusations instead."
Bang—!
Gillard seized the bars and shook them violently.
"You must be thinking by now that the Fourth Concubine, Scarlett, used me, right? So you're trying to drag poor, innocent Scarlett into this somehow!"
I hadn't said anything quite that far.
Though it would be a lie to say I hadn't harbored such hopes.
"Don't distort my pure love like that! I simply cannot bear it, and with the desire for Scarlett's happiness...!"
Gillard's face turned sinister.
"The Empire's Emperor took what was mine without hesitation, and he doesn't even cherish Scarlett as she deserves? She, she shouldn't be confined to the Imperial Palace so miserably."
His eyes filled with pathos.
"This is all because of my older brother's failure! If you'd listened to me back then, over a decade ago when our sister died, when I said you shouldn't forgive the Empire—!"
He released the bars and wrapped his face in his hands as if in agony, writhing in distress.
"Then I could have saved her from persecution in the Imperial Palace long ago, she could have lived happily by my side.... I would have seen only her!"
Ugh, this is truly infuriating.
I'd never felt anything but contempt for the Fourth Concubine, yet for the first time I nearly felt a twinge of pity for her.
"Do you think that's what the Fourth Concubine desires?"
Gillard let out a bitter laugh at my question.
"Why would that matter? I'm going to save what's mine."
It was truly horrifying logic.
"After I've sacrificed this much, struggled so desperately to save her! Of course she should love me, shouldn't she?"
Gillard gripped the bars tightly and spewed nauseating words at me.
"Unlike the Emperor, I see only Scarlett! So naturally Scarlett should look only at me, shouldn't she!"
It was obsession twisted beyond recognition.
Feeling there was nothing more to hear, I instructed the knights to guard him carefully, then turned away—but Gillard's muttering voice reached my ears.
"...You said to ask me for help anytime.... Why.... How could you, Scarlett. I told you I'd always be on your side. Why not this time...."
Watching his expression mingled with disappointment and betrayal, I suddenly grasped the truth.
'From that reaction, in the original story, Scarlett really did order this.'
And this time, he truly acted out of selfish desire.
Unlike the original, Gillard's actions were far too careless.
The threatening letters sent to the Imperial Harem weren't as fatal as in the original story—they were merely at a level where precautions could be taken beforehand.
'It's somewhat unfortunate that I can't pin Fourth Concubine down on this.'
She still couldn't be removed from the stage yet.
My con artist route—no, that wasn't it.
To prevent the terrible incident of meeting Original Cassian.
She, a character in the remaining trials, had to endure a bit longer.
*
"Fourth Concubine isn't involved, and since you've said so, it must be true."
The Emperor examined the report I presented with an enigmatic expression.
The Gilad Basmarh case now had only the extradition of the criminal remaining.
Since we also needed to tie up loose ends on our end, he received fifty lashes.
It was because we had to hand Gilad over to Basmarh alive.
Well, his life was expected to end by the time he reached Basmarh anyway.
The King of Basmarh had no intention of forgiving Gilad, who had caused his sister's death.
His demotion to a deposed prince had also resulted from his defeat in a power struggle against the King of Basmarh over advocating for war with the Empire.
'Would I not grieve as well! But I cannot send all my people to their deaths to avenge my sister's resentment. Moreover, that wretch's cause wasn't even that, was it!'
When I shared the details with the king, he spoke with barely restrained fury.
'That wretch has only the most terrible death awaiting him. I regret that our negligence has caused the Empire trouble in many ways.'
As a ruler of a nation, he demonstrated the ability to quickly compose his emotions.
However, what had been concluded was merely Gilad Basmarh's disposition—there remained unfinished business for us.
"—Evidence of communications between Gilad Basmarh and the Late Duke Jamoti."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
Naturally, I had not deployed Samuel Motty and the Mages merely to uncover something as trivial as a prenuptial betrothal.
I intended to properly resolve the Basmach Concubine's fall from her horse as well.
Perhaps because the Late Duke Jamoti had still been alive at the time of the incident, traces of his communications with Gilad remained not with the Fourth Concubine, but within House of Jamoti.
The Emperor studied the documents, lost in thought, before nodding slowly.
"—Regardless of how long ago it occurred, the fact remains that he revealed domestic affairs to a foreign nation and committed actions that posed a threat."
As the Emperor pulled the bell cord, the Chief Attendant entered immediately and bowed.
"Let it be known that the Old Liardan Duchy, which House of Jamoti possessed, shall be reclaimed by the Imperial Family. While stripping them of their seat on the Imperial Nobility Council would be justified, out of consideration for the Fourth Concubine, their title shall be demoted to its original rank of Marquis."
The Chief Attendant acknowledged the Emperor's cold decree and promptly left the chamber.
As I remained silent at that decision, the Emperor, as if pricked by guilt, opened his mouth.
"Do you think I am being too lenient with the Fourth Concubine?"
"That matter lies beyond my authority, Your Majesty."
At my response, the Emperor let out a soft laugh.
"You are a tempest that sweeps away everything cleanly, so I imagine this must feel frustrating to you. Yet I have no choice."
The Emperor closed the report with a tap and spoke.
"In all matters of state, justification is paramount. That principle cannot be broken. Not so long as I am Emperor."
"I understand."
That infuriating aspect, I know all too well.
I cursed him only in my thoughts, yet the Emperor chuckled softly.
"You must be aware that sympathy for the Fourth Concubine could have arisen. By suppressing it alone, you surely recognize how rather inequitable my decision has been. And yet you carry yourself as if dissatisfied."
"I have said nothing, Your Majesty."
"I knew you would answer thus."
The more the Emperor expressed familiarity toward me, the more unsettled I felt.
The Emperor tapped the surface of the closed report and spoke to me.
"Then go about your duties and return."
"Pardon?"
"I have come to understand quite well that when you remain in the Capital City, you think so much of work that I almost pity Cassian Artez."
Is that not a desirable quality for an advisor?
You even commanded me to work just now.
Yet my confusion was soon resolved.
The Emperor smiled broadly.
"Inspect the Old Liardan Duchy that the Imperial Family will reclaim this time. Go with Cassian Artez."
He had assigned me a long-term task to remain away from the Capital City for some time.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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