Sorry for the late posting. Have been busy in RL.There'll be another chapter after this.
──That's just ridiculous.
That was what Isaac shouted in his heart, and surely Duke Crockford would do that as well.
While everyone else in the hall was exclaiming in admiration at the presentation of the Silent Witch, only Isaac and the Duke, who knew the truth, were stunned in disbelief.
Isaac was just an ordinary citizen. Of course, he didn't carry any royal blood or have any blood relation to the king.
As the atmosphere in the hall escalated suddenly, Duke Crockford dropped a cold remark.
"Silent Witch. That criminal has already stated, ‘I admit to all crimes.' No matter what suspicious color that dubious magic tool of yours turns, words once spoken cannot be undone."
The Duke's words made the hall fall into a dead silence.
That's right, the Duke was correct. Isaac had already admitted to all crimes in this very hall.
If he were truly the Second Prince, he should have pleaded his innocence.
Everyone nodded in agreement with the Duke's words, whispering that it was indeed so.
Amidst this, Monica calmly said, "What I am about to say may be a great shock to you all… but please listen."
Just what is she…trying to pull?
As Isaac watched with bated breath, Monica solemnly announced,
"His Highness Felix is under a terrible curse."
──Now, this is the real test.
Monica clenched her stomach, steeling her resolve.
Reading the statement and unveiling the chalice were one-sided acts where only Monica spoke to those present.
But from here on, it would be a "fight"…a one-on-one fight with Duke Crockford.
"Do you all remember the cursed dragon incident that occurred in the Duchy Reinberg at the end of last year?"
Though several months had passed since the incident, it was surely not forgotten, especially by Duke Reinberg who was directly involved.
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Duke Reinberg seemed ill at ease, his gaze wandering around restlessly.
"I was present at the scene where His Highness Felix solved the cursed dragon. There, I realized a dreadful truth."
Here, she paused at length to draw the audience's attention.
Recalling the staging notes written in Isabelle's script, Monica raised her voice with emphasis.
"That cursed dragon was artificially summoned by a shaman! The name of that shaman is Peter Sams."
The sudden mention of the name caused most present to look perplexed.
However, one person reacted noticeably──Duke Reinberg, Eliane's father.
The Duke was likely unaware that the missing servant of his household was a shaman. But from the way he kept glancing at Duke Crockford as if seeking help…
Duke Crockford sent Peter to you, didn't he?
And for some unknown reason, Duke Reinberg ended up accepting Peter.
Monica felt a slight pang of sympathy for Duke Reinberg as she continued,
"This man Peter is a dreadful shaman who can manipulate living beings with curses. Manipulating living beings through curses is forbidden… yet Peter freely controlled the dragon with his curses. And then…"
Monica glanced momentarily at Isaac, putting on a pained expression.
"To silence His Highness, who was beginning to realize the truth behind the cursed dragon incident, Peter also cursed His Highness Felix. Just as he did with the dragons, he put a terrible curse on His Highness to brainwash and control him at will!"
The Second Prince was cursed.
At Monica's words, murmurs arose in the hall. If it were true, how dreadful it would be.
If one could not only control dragons but also a prince at will… they could seize control of the entire nation.
"However, the curse Peter cast was incomplete. Thus, His Highness desperately resisted the curse… and consulted the Jeweled Magician, with whom he had long been acquainted."
The Jeweled Magician was one of the Seven Sages who supported the Second Prince. It was no surprise that Felix would choose him as an advisor.
"But Peter realized this and poisoned the Jeweled Magician, leaving behind a fake will at the scene. Shocked by the Jeweled Magician's death, His Highness succumbed to the curse… and was brainwashed by Peter."
At these words, the moderator, whose presence had become almost negligible, timidly interjected.
"Then… when he admitted to all the crimes in this hall is also…"
"Yes, he was made to say that by the shaman Peter."
Monica nodded, glancing briefly at Duke Crockford.
The Duke did not change his expression overtly… but his gaze towards Monica had clearly changed the moment she mentioned Peter's name.
Monica had brought up Peter's name in this hall as a warning to Duke Crockford.
──I am aware of what you have done.
If Monica revealed the connection between the Duke and Peter, as well as the Duke's involvement in orchestrating the cursed dragon incident from behind the scenes, the Duke would be in a dire predicament.
But that would not do.
If I drive Duke Crockford to ruin… he might expose the truth from ten years ago.
Then Monica's plan to save Isaac would be rendered futile.
At the Seven Sages Summit, Louis Miller had said, The source of thɪs content is N()velFire.net
"In politics, what is right does not necessarily become the truth. What is convenient for those in power may sometimes become the truth."
In other words, what matters is a truth that is convenient for everyone… a "compromise."
Monica deliberately refrained from pointing out the connection between Peter and Duke Crockford. This way, the Duke could maintain his position as a "victim whose important grandson was brainwashed by a shaman."
Isaac, too, could maintain his position as a "victim brainwashed by a shaman."
Monica held the Duke's greatest weakness──his connection to Peter──while still being able to save Isaac.
And the one who would benefit the most was…
The King, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, solemnly spoke.
"In other words, the Second Prince is… still under the influence of this curse?"
"Yes, that is correct."
As Monica nodded, the king turned his gaze towards Abyss Shaman Ray Albright, seated among the Seven Sages.
"….Abyss Shaman. Is what the Silent Witch says true?"
Summoned by the King, Ray reluctantly stood up and shuffled forward.
Glancing briefly at Isaac, he muttered in a monotone voice.
"Ah, what a strong curse this is. I've never seen such a curse before."
Though somewhat flat in delivery, no one paid it much mind, as Ray normally spoke in a toneless manner.
Ray hunched his robe-clad back and placed a finger on Isaac's forehead. He then began to mutter an incantation.
Suddenly, an eerie pattern appeared on Isaac's forehead, glowing brightly.
Everyone was startled, but the light soon subsided, and the mysterious pattern faded away.
Ray slowly raised his head.
"…Now, the curse has been lifted. The prince should be back to his usual."
The king gazed silently at Isaac and Monica in turn.
Then, in a voice that resonated throughout the hall, he declared solemnly:
"Summon the physicians at once to examine my son who has been freed from the curse!"
Those words were the verdict.
Those who had been watching with bated breath let out a collective exclamation, while Duke Crockford, his expression unchanged, glared at Monica.
Monica met his gaze unflinchingly.
I am fully aware of everything you have done.
Your role in driving my father to his death seven years ago.
Your scheme behind the cursed dragon incident.
If you dare bare your fangs from now on──I will reveal the entire truth.
She silently conveyed this as she returned his gaze.
"So how's it? Is this whole thing settled, then?"
The Artillery Magician, who had not quite grasped the flow of events, glanced sideways, likely assuming the Thorn Witch to be of the same ilk.
Raul was covering his mouth with his hand, his shoulders trembling as if suppressing laughter.
"Oi, Thorn. What're you snickering about?"
Raul dodged the question vaguely while briefly glancing at Monica and Ray.
So the final trump card in this bluffing battle was the "curse that makes part of the body glow"! That Ray sure got to have all the fun!