Chapter 132: Chapter 132

“Could it be, could it be that all of this was the work of Luna Peils for years?! Did she purposely send that lowly thing to me…?!”

Of course, the Duke’s anger didn’t last long. The only words a convicted criminal could say were, ‘I’ve committed a crime deserving death,’ and nothing more.

Moreover, both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were present in the court. It was unthinkable for a criminal to speak out of turn.

Thus, the Duke was immediately restrained by the guards and was thrown to the ground.@@novelbin@@

It was a disgraceful sight, unimaginable for the head of the Empire’s sole Ducal family.

Even if he broke the law, the courtroom fell silent at the brutal treatment he received before his guilt was even confirmed. Of course, only those who were unaware of what the Duke had done felt this way. Despite everything, Luna stuck out her tongue in a teasing manner.

It was a childish act, but its effect was perfect. The Duke’s face turned even redder from being mocked by Luna than from being trampled on by the guards.

The butler of the Duke’s household, kneeling nearby, looked aghast, as if he couldn’t come to terms with the reality.

“Do you not understand the gravity of this place, or have you not yet grasped the situation?”

The jesting was over. Callion sneered as if he couldn’t bear it any longer.

“You’ve deceived the imperial family’s eyes, created multiple identities for tax evasion, and you’ve also been involved in bribery, confinement, threats, abuse, and deals close to human trafficking-“

Callion was in charge of this case. In a short time, he listed the Duke’s crimes one by one.

Although the investigation was complete with solid evidence, the Duke didn’t give up. He repeated the same excuses he’d been spouting throughout the investigation.

“There are misunderstandings in some matters! You shouldn’t believe everything you hear from a mere lowly creature! I gave her a chance to refuse, she accepted, there was no confinement or threat-“

“A mere lowly creature? That’s not even funny. We have what we’ve seen, heard, and experienced. Since when can we dismiss the testimony of non-nobles with such naive remarks?”

Callion cut off the Duke as if there was no value in hearing more. He continued with an angry expression.

“Besides, if I take your words, then you’re implying that the entire investigation I personally oversaw is a lie.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant…!”

The Duke hastily lowered his head at Callion’s tone that challenged the integrity of his work. Callion sneered at him.

“So? If that’s not what you meant, then you agree?”

“No, no…!”

Unfortunately, the Duke found himself in a situation where he could neither confirm nor deny. He needed to argue back, but it was clear Callion would get angry and retort, so he was at a loss for words.

“Well, it doesn’t matter what you say. Criminals always plead their innocence.”

“…!”

Callion, who was forced to end the conversation, passed a few documents to the Emperor. These were summaries of the case’s results and the appropriate punishments.

The details had already been reviewed in advance at the palace, so the Emperor didn’t need much time to make a decision.

Seeing Callion’s judgment as appropriate, the Emperor nodded and spoke.

“This case pertains to crimes that evaded our Empire’s gaze for a long time. Considering the motive, method, and malicious intent, no matter the reason, there will be no leniency.”

It was an expected outcome, given that both the Emperor and the Crown Prince had personally come down to the court.

The hopelessness in the Emperor’s words made the faces of the culprits and their families turn pale.

“Viscount Shuma Roani is stripped of his title and all his assets are confiscated. Viscount Mag Croist, Baron Waffenbitter are relieved of their administrative positions as imperial officials, and all their assets are confiscated.”

Whether or not it mattered, the Emperor’s judgment was passed. Luna recognized some of the households mentioned.

“To think I’d hear about them here…”

“Why, do you know them?”

“They’re families of ladies who tormented me. We even had a wager at the boutique.”

She had forgotten about them since she thought they’d never meet again, but they had brought about their own downfall.

If they could falsely accuse someone and harm them to such an extent, they wouldn’t be ordinary households.

But Luna never dreamed they could deceive even the imperial eyes. She couldn’t hide her astonishment.

“You don’t seem particularly pleased to see those who tormented you get their comeuppance.”

Antes, who had been observing Luna, asked, implying that one would typically feel happy in such a situation.

“It’s strange, I don’t feel particularly happy or sad. If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s complicated.”

“Why?”

“It’s a bit different from the content of the book I told you about before. It was written that I and the young lord would be punished.”

And most people who have read the book still probably believe it to be true without knowing the reality. If there are multiple dimensions, Luna in another dimension would be suffering without even knowing why.

Therefore, Luna, who was wrapped up in a complex emotion where she couldn’t be either happy or sad, couldn’t hide her awkward expression when Antes harshly criticized the original novel.

“I thought it was some kind of prophecy, but it’s just a useless book that only helps in finding the mine.”

The response that it was good to lose it was just a bonus. There was further talk about it being trash that even a garbage can would refuse.

‘No, it still helped us find the mine, so it’s not that bad of a novel…’

Luna thought, but realizing the intention to lighten her mood, she let out a snicker.

Suddenly-

With a small noise, someone entered the courtroom. Fortunately, the noise wasn’t loud enough to interrupt the verdict, so most didn’t pay it any attention.

“Zirte Gillian, life imprisonment. Duke Aison Rodrian, title revocation, exile, and property confiscation. Some will be paid as compensation to the victims, Deborah and Lady Luna Peils.”

However, the following commotion couldn’t be ignored. Someone new in the courtroom dared to loudly object amidst the Emperor’s ongoing judgment.

“Please, correct the verdict! Duke Aison Rodrian owes me compensation!”

All eyes turned to the back door of the courtroom. There stood the Duchess with a flushed face.

Hearing from Beth that things had gone wrong, she had rushed over, still panting.

“Nonsense! Asking for compensation even after having an affair with Gillian!”

The Duke erupted in anger, but she continued to assert her claim.

“I am currently in divorce proceedings with him! And it’s not like I was just a bystander to his wrongdoings! I was collecting evidence to charge him when the time was right!”

But in the end, it was Luna who secured and presented the evidence. Thus, the Duchess, desperate, alternately looked at Luna and Deborah for help.

Luna sided with the Duchess, acknowledging the pivotal role she played in obtaining the evidence.

“The Duchess is right. She has helped me and Deborah greatly.”

“Then, we’ll reconsider the distribution of the Duke’s property.”

With Luna, who played a crucial role in the case, testifying, the verdict seemed to change. The Duke was left speechless while the Emperor agreed. The grateful Duchess deeply bowed to Luna in thanks.

Just when it seemed the judgment was over, the Duke, escaping the guards’ hold, appealed to the Emperor.

“Please reconsider my verdict too! There’s definitely been a mistake! Those wicked women have undoubtedly fabricated evidence against me!”

Ignoring even the Emperor’s gaze, he argued that there were errors in the investigation. Having his title revoked, his property confiscated, and being exiled was equivalent to a death sentence for a noble.

As Luna was about to retaliate against his absurdity, Callion spoke up with a sneer.

“I was going to let you know after your exile since you were once a Duke of this nation.”

His gaze shifted between Antes and the Duke.

“If you took something you shouldn’t have, you should’ve kept quiet and lived.”

It was a cryptic statement.

Despite that, the Duke seemed to realize what Callion was implying and swallowed hard.

“Surely, you don’t mean…!”

“If you didn’t want it known that the position of the head of the Rodrian Duke family goes to those born with special powers, you should’ve been more discreet.”