~Chapter 64~
The one who snatched the magazine from Bill’s hand was none other than Valtrich. He silently read through the densely written Sunday’s Exposé, then slowly parted his lips.
“Emerald Palace’s Discount Sale Today: Rebels 1+1.”
“What… what did you just say?”
“Outsourcing Civil War — Empress Dowager Roselia’s Dazzling Tricks. Can the peace of Draxion truly be called peace? Can her actions—borrowing power from enemy Aldrosia to kill war hero Killian Winters—ever be justified?”
The council chamber instantly descended into chaos. Duke Dilsen and Baron Crawford shouted that it was nonsense. Killian’s supporters yelled at them to be quiet. Roselia bit her lip so hard it bled, glaring at Killian like she could kill him.
“Rebel-Hunting Project! Look in the Mirror, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!”
But Valtrich’s voice continued steadily.
“If Duke Killian Winters, who has risked his life to protect us, is falsely branded a traitor, then who will be left to defend Draxion? This case has made one thing clear. To Empress Dowager Roselia, what matters most is not the empire’s safety or peace, but her own profit and ambition.”
His calm voice echoed through the chamber.
“Duke Dilsen holds the monopoly on weapon production. Baron Crawford controls the mining rights. And yet—where have all the mana stones from those mines gone? Unlike Draxion, Aldrosia’s magic is advanced, and they always need mana stones as a source of power. If they never appeared even on Draxion’s black market, then did they fall into enemy hands? Or did Baron Crawford and his allied nobles secretly smuggle them out?”
“That—that’s impossible! Mana stones may be expensive, but Draxion doesn’t even have advanced magic, so—”
…Ah.
Baron Crawford realized too late he had just spoken carelessly. His face turned pale, and he fell silent. Duke Dilsen exploded with rage.
“As Her Majesty has said, this is all lies! And doesn’t this prove everything? This magazine is clearly trying to frame Her Majesty and us nobles! What greater evidence is there that Duke Killian is behind Sunday’s Exposé! Otherwise, why would they publish such—”
“Ah, that’s written here quite clearly.”
“What?”
“Our Sunday’s Exposé has taken courage to expose Empress Dowager Roselia’s outrageous crimes, to restore peace to Draxion.”
Valtrich read aloud from the end of the magazine.
“We know some accuse Sunday’s Exposé of turning political instead of covering only society gossip. But this is not about politics—it is about right and wrong. Sunday’s Exposé is simply a group of citizens who love and cherish Draxion. If someone tries to silence us with childish accusations, then that person is the true criminal, using political framing to deceive the people.”
Ha.
Killian let out a soft laugh.
“Sunday’s Exposé will never bow to oppression. We will continue to fight for what is right. And I, Bibi Bubblemouth—chief editor and journalist—will keep supporting all who stand bravely for justice. For a peaceful Draxion. —Bibi Bubblemouth.”
Valtrich closed the magazine and looked around at the nobles.
“So, the journalist Bibi Bubblemouth declares herself the chief editor. Quite the opposite of the rumors, it seems.”
“That could just be made up! Where’s the proof Duke Killian didn’t threaten this Bibi Bubblemouth person to write such things?!”
“I should thank you for that perfect setup, Baron Crawford.”
With a faintly mocking expression, Killian pulled something from his cloak and tossed it onto the table.
They were none other than Sunday’s Exposé special issues—focused entirely on Killian Winters.
“In this issue, we reveal secrets long kept hidden! From Killian Winters’s first love to his past mistresses! Why did this beautiful man end up ruined beyond repair?”
All eyes turned to the bold, thick headlines.
“Notice: Special perks for top sponsors—Rank 1 supporters receive a mask molded from Killian Winters’s face, lips specially painted…”
“I.”
Killian’s chilling voice filled the chamber.
“Killian Winters Special Issue No. 2! Is he truly causing all that commotion just to get women’s attention?”
“Would have to be insane…”
“Is it true the Winters knight order is actually his fan club, receiving secret bribes on top of their pay?”
“…to commission garbage like this.”
“Killian Winters in a secret romance with his bodyguard Theorn?! We reveal the truth!”
“Do you think I ordered this filth to be written?”
Silence.
No one answered. Not because they feared Killian’s piercing black eyes, nor because of Roselia’s rigid face. But because everyone knew—
No sane person would pay to spread such humiliating stories about themselves.
“Therefore, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,” Killian said coldly, locking eyes with Roselia.
“I hold evidence of every crime you’ve committed.”
The recording stone with undeniable proof of treason.
The ledgers showing illegal sales of mana stones to Aldrosia.
And…
“If I had truly planned rebellion, I would have done so right after the war. With my soldiers, I could have taken the palace then, when less than a third of your troops remained inside!”
Every angle of Roselia’s argument had been crushed.
It’s over.
Roselia will fall.
Killian and Theorn’s eyes gleamed the same sharp conviction.
But then—
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
The unexpected announcement cut through the air.
“All rise and show respect!”
Everyone turned.
At the open doors stood Belmore—his face stiff, unlike ever before.
