Chapter 9 : Imperial Hearing (3)

The Imperial Hearing.

In front of the Emperor, the only ruler of the Empire who reigns over the throne, and in the presence of numerous nobles, one defends and proves their innocence.

Thus, it is bound to be a highly burdensome experience.

A noble who had directly experienced the hearing once said that it felt like falling into a lake full of carnivorous fish.

Certainly, it was not entirely inaccurate to say so.

After all, you would end up being bitten either way.

The only difference is whether it’s your body or your mind.

However, today’s hearing was of a different nature, and right away, the atmosphere among the nobles seemed somewhat strange.

“Are they really holding a hearing for Sir Leonhard?”

“Although strange rumors have been circulating among the nobles recently….”

“Hey! Watch what you’re saying! Be careful with your words!”

The hearing was typically a place where corrupt nobles were torn apart, so the attending nobles were always arrogant and overconfident.

But at least in today’s hearing, not a single such noble could be found.

Instead, countless question marks filled the room.

And the one who provided answers to those question marks was an old man who, like them, attended the hearing.

“Sir Leonhard has chosen to confront things head-on.”

His face, weathered by the harsh winds of time, was full of wrinkles, and his hair was white as snow, but the intelligence in his eyes was vast and deep, like the ocean.

When an answer came from an unexpected place to a question thought to go unanswered, the nobles turned their eyes toward the old man, and soon, shocked, they quickly stood up and bowed their heads.

“We, we greet His Grace, Duke Ifrit!”

“Please, be seated. I am also just another noble attending this hearing.”

“Thank you, Your Grace, Duke Ifrit!”

“But… what do you mean by saying she chose to confront things head-on?”

A noble with much curiosity and a bit of courage raised his hand and asked another question.

For that, he earned the scorn of the other nobles, but Duke Ifrit did not mind and responded.

“I’m sure you’re all aware of the strange rumors that have been circulating among the nobles recently.”

“Yes, we are.”

“There are usually two ways to deal with rumors. The first is to ignore them, and the second is to respond sternly. Either way, both leave lingering consequences.”

If you ignored them, the rumors could grow uncontrollably, and while the second way could quell the rumors, it could also lead to people continuing to whisper amongst themselves in private.

As the saying goes, ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’

That’s why she chose to confront them head-on.

Duke Ifrit could sense her resolve from that decision.

If you have questions, then ask.

I will neither run nor hide.

But you too must come forward with confidence.

‘Indeed… that’s just like her. It reminds me of the old days.’

Unlike himself, who had burned out and was left with nothing but ashes, she still burned fiercely, like a flame.

Just like when Duke Ifrit first met her ten years ago.

Even now, but especially back then, the conflict between the Emperor’s faction and the noble faction was particularly intense.

And why wouldn’t it be?

They were tearing each other apart over the few remaining resources.

There was no uglier sight than that.

Perhaps,

Everyone had already given up on themselves.

Duke Ifrit knew how much blood and sweat his ancestors had shed in their battle to survive the Winter of the Apocalypse.

However, in the end, they all failed and were defeated.

Frustrated by repeated failures, they eventually lost even the last shred of hope, focusing only on what they held in their hands.

They could not imagine the future.

Or rather, they did not want to.

Who didn’t know that if they did nothing, they would be swallowed by the Winter of the Apocalypse?

But the failures ingrained since their ancestors were enough to turn the Empire into helpless losers.

Even when the victorious news from the Baikal territory arrived, no one moved, paralyzed by their helplessness.

“They’ll fail again anyway, and if I step in, I’ll just suffer a loss for no reason,” they thought.

“I’ll keep it brief. Could you give us some support?”

“…What?”

“I’m asking for support. Food, weapons, and troops.”

Even then, she chose to break through head-on.

To be honest, at first, I thought she was crazy.

Some unknown nobody had suddenly shown up and boldly demanded supplies and troops.

“I’ve heard of your victory. But that’s just a very small victory. The real despair hasn’t even begun.”

“Yes, you’re right. It’s only a small victory for now. And if Your Grace doesn’t help, it’s just a small candle that will flicker out.”

“What do you think will change just because a small candle has been lit?”

“Things will change. There’s a world of difference between 0 and 1. On the contrary, let me ask you, Your Grace. Will you just let this rare opportunity slip by?”

She appeared suddenly and boldly demanded support, not drawing a sword, but essentially no different from a robber.

Nevertheless, she was blazing like a flame.

‘Perhaps, even this hearing is part of her plan.’

It seemed strange that a hearing would be held over a mere rumor.

Considering her nature, it wasn’t impossible.

And finally, she arrived.

The door made of luxurious brown wood opened.

Though one of her eyes was covered by a patch, her golden eye, shining boldly like the sun, could not be met by anyone’s gaze.

She wore a military uniform, impeccably neat, with a military cap atop her head.

Wolfgang Leonhardt sat in the seat prepared for him, his movements without hesitation.

‘Finally, I’m retiring!!!’

It seemed the will Duke Ifrit had read belonged to someone else.

He had heard enough times that hearings were the graveyard of nobles.

If the nobles attacked during the hearing, he planned to respond appropriately and end it like this:

“I apologize for causing trouble. I’ll take responsibility and step down from my position as commander.”

That way, he could finally retire and return to a peaceful life, and offer some excuse to Vendetta.

It was a perfect plan, killing two birds with one stone.

However, her flawless plan completely unraveled from the very start of the hearing.

Even though the hearing had begun, no one was asking her any questions.

‘What is this? Why is it so quiet? They’re supposed to be nobles’ graves, so hurry up and show that much strength!!’

‘The momentum has completely shifted.’

Unlike Wolfgang, who was inwardly urging the nobles, Duke Ifrit could guess the reason. It was because all of them had been overwhelmed by Wolfgang Leonhardt’s force.

Originally, this hearing would have passed without a word even if they had refused.

It was practically close to laying out the stage because of a small number of nobles who kept nitpicking.

Even if they refused, it wouldn’t have been a big problem.

But she didn’t refuse the hearing.

On the contrary, she came forward with confidence.

What does that mean?

‘To ask her a question here is like stepping onto the stage she has prepared.’

She doesn’t run or hide. Instead, she confidently appears in front of everyone, waiting for the sword called ‘question.’

Yes, it was as if the stage for a duel had been set.

At least in the Empire, there are very few people with the guts to accept a duel with the hero Wolfgang Leonhard without hesitation.

So everyone stayed silent like mute.

Finally, Duke Ifrit stepped forward.

When he raised his hand and gestured, a young noble who had been watching Duke Ifrit closely stood up in response to the signal.

“I am Count Carnavon, an inspector of the Empire.”

“I am Wolfgang Leonhard.”

“Have you ever heard the name Lana Frost?”

As the name Lana Frost was mentioned, the atmosphere of the already quiet hearing froze over.

At least in this room, there was no one who didn’t know that name in the Empire.

“I know it. Isn’t it the name of the notorious villainess from the kingdom?”

“Yes, that’s correct. She is infamous for trying to poison the fiancée of the prince of the Miness Kingdom, attempting to kidnap her, and pulling all sorts of tricks.”

“That’s right.”

“I will ask you directly here. Sir Leonhardt, are you Lana Frost?”

“I am not.”

Though Wolfgang desperately desired to retire, he wasn’t so foolish as to not be able to tell the difference between filth and food.

Lana Frost’s infamy was so well-known, she even inspired the Empire’s bards.

But to admit that?

It might make him worry about his treatment before retirement.

To reiterate, what she desires is a prosperous and peaceful life after retirement.

Not a life like maggots growing in trash.

And in fact, she had anticipated this question would come up.

‘In preparation for a situation like this, I’ve also thoroughly prepared documents over the course of three days. Come on now!’

“Yes, understood.”

‘…Hm?’

“This concludes my inquiry.”

At the same time as concluding his inquiry, Count Canavan looked toward Duke Ifrit and shook his head slightly.

Seeing this, Duke Ifrit also nodded.

As expected, it was just a false rumor.

Count Canavan possessed the ability to discern lies from others.

It was more of an innate power than magic.

From his perspective, she wasn’t lying.

Therefore, Duke Ifrit had tried to discern the truth through Count Canavan, and the truth revealed was that she was not Lana Frost.

‘Unless an entirely different soul had entered that body, it should have been impossible to avoid Count Canavan’s power.’

As Duke Ifrit kept silent, the other nobles also didn’t dare to say anything.

With that, the emperor, feeling no further need to continue the hearing, brought it to an end.

‘…What about my discharge?’

Leaving Wolfgang, who was desperately searching for his discharge, behind.