Chapter 45
‘…The Crown Prince!’
Cecile’s eyes widened in shock.
‘This is the Crown Prince’s seal. Does that mean the Shadow Union was connected to him?’
As she carefully examined the documents, it became clear—the Shadow Union had been receiving the Crown Prince’s sponsorship for a long time.
‘Never thought I’d meet my dear brother’s trace in a place like this.’
A faint sneer curled on Cecile’s lips.
‘So the Shadow Union has been serving as his eyes and ears all this time? Well then… cutting out my brother’s eyes and ears might not be such a bad idea.’
Amused by the thought, she chuckled inwardly.
Time passed, and the day of the hearing arrived.
Lucien and the Parchment Circle attended as defendants at the Guild Council’s hearing. Orion also appeared, as the plaintiff.
Cecile, however, could not attend officially.
Her disguise lasted no more than two hours, so it was too risky to stand as a witness.
‘…Which means I can still attend unofficially.’
So Cecile hid among the audience. Appearing in her natural eight-year-old body, not even Lucien realized she was present.
‘During the hearing itself I can’t intervene. The rest is up to Lucien. He’ll have to handle this well.’
Holding her breath, Cecile watched.
The Guild Council’s Grand Hall was imposing, with high arched ceilings and dragon statues exuding authority.
The councilors, high-ranking representatives of the Empire’s major guilds, sat in a semicircle surrounding Lucien and his guild members.
The pressure was immense, yet Lucien’s expression remained utterly calm.
The guild members looked nervous, but they seemed to draw strength from their master’s composure.
A middle-aged woman with streaks of white hair spoke.
“This hearing has been convened to deliberate on the charges brought against the ‘Parchment Circle.’ Guild Master Lucien, you stand accused of breach of contract, illegal trade in information, and violation of confidentiality. Do you wish to make a statement in your defense?”
Dozens of sharp gazes, like needles, were all fixed on Lucien.
Yet even under the weight of so many stares, he remained unmoved. With a relaxed smile, he replied:
“Before answering, I wish to confirm whether these charges are based solely on the Shadow Union’s claims.”
The audience erupted into murmurs at his bold statement.
“Order!” a councilor barked. “Lucien, the Guild Council always acts based not only on claims, but on evidence. At the time of accusation, the Shadow Union presented concrete evidence to support their case.”
“Then I request that such evidence be presented here, at this hearing.”
Though defiant in tone, Lucien’s request was perfectly reasonable. The councilor nodded.
“Very well. Guild Master Orion of the Shadow Union, stand.”
“Yes.”
From the plaintiff’s bench rose a man with fiery red hair and a muscular build—Orion. His demeanor radiated confidence.
He looked at Lucien, tilted his chin upward, and sneered.
A Shadow Union guild member handed him a lead box.
“Orion, present the evidence.”
At the councilor’s command, Orion opened the box with great confidence.
But…
Inside, where the fabricated evidence he had painstakingly prepared should have been, there was nothing.
Orion’s eyes bulged as he stared into the empty box.
He reached inside, rummaging desperately—still, not even an ant could be found within.
“No…! What… what is this…?!”
He screamed in horror.
The audience exploded in bewildered uproar.
Only two people remained unshaken, even calm—Cecile and Lucien.
“What is the meaning of this, Orion? Where is the evidence?”
The councilor’s face paled with shock, his voice rising in fury.
In a panic, Orion looked up at him and stammered, as if compelled:
“Councilor! I… the Shadow Union… fabricated the evidence.”
The Grand Hall fell into suffocating silence at his explosive confession.
Meanwhile, Cecile could barely contain her laughter.
One hand clutching her stomach and the other covering her mouth, she struggled not to burst out loud.
[The Potion of Truth did its job perfectly!]
Nibelung’s jubilant voice rang in her ears, only for her to hear.
Just before the hearing began, Cecile had approached Orion, feigning the act of a mischievous child.
“Are you ready? Do you have the evidence?”
“Yes, Master. We’re prepared. I have the items with me.”
“Good. Today’s hearing will mark Lucien’s downfall. That arrogant brat won’t escape.”
Orion’s face twisted with a vile smile.
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day, how much effort I’ve poured into it. I can’t wait to see that smug face of his crumble…”
Meanwhile, Cecile had slipped a small vial from her pocket.
She poured its contents into the cup Orion had left on the bench.
“What are you doing here, brat?! This is no place for children!”
“Run back to your mother!”
Noticing her, Orion and his men barked angrily.
“S-sorry…”
Cecile pretended to be frightened and scampered away, leaving Orion and his guildmates grumbling behind her.
“Who brings a kid to a hearing like this?”
“Her mother must be out of her mind.”
But once Cecile melted into the crowd, her timid mask vanished. A sly smile curved her lips.
“A truth potion that makes lying impossible… this will probably be the most honest moment of your life.”
Back in the hall, chaos still simmered. Then one man raised his hand—Lucien.
“Now then.”
His voice was gentle yet commanding.
“Though we are all stunned by this unexpected confession, I believe, for fairness, I too should present concrete evidence as the council requests.”
He smiled at the councilors and nodded, then signaled to one of his guild members.
The member handed him a lead box—nearly identical to Orion’s.
When the lid opened, gasps echoed throughout the hall.
Inside lay piles of evidence—records of fabricated documents, bribes, and other crimes committed by the Shadow Union.
“I hereby accuse—” Lucien’s voice rang out, strong and unwavering.
“Guild Master Orion of the Shadow Union has falsely accused our Parchment Circle, sullying the authority and integrity of this council. Furthermore!”
He slammed the desk with his palm.
“To cover his deeds, he committed even fouler crimes. He murdered his own guild members who partook in the forgeries, and buried their bodies beneath the cliffs of Snowdin Mountain. I reported this to the constabulary this morning; even now, they are recovering the corpses. Therefore!”
Lucien thrust a finger toward Orion, his voice thunderous with passion.
“Illegal information gathering, perjury, evidence destruction, bribery, false accusation, murder, concealment of bodies! For these crimes, I formally denounce Orion here and now!”
The cascade of revelations left the hall frozen in stunned silence.
Jaajjaa.. he deserves it!!!!