Chapter 118: The Fall of Yoo Hee-yeon

“Based on the evidence, the Royal Court hereby declares Lee Hyun-seung innocent of this incident.”

As soon as Knight Commander Park Seong-min finished his statement, silence fell over the crowd as if by unspoken agreement.

Most people had doubted Lee Hyun-seung, but many also believed he would be found innocent.

So, the silence wasn’t because the verdict was unexpected.

The real issue was that the Royal Court—indeed, the Knight Commander himself—was publicly announcing this verdict.

Whispers started among the crowd in barely audible voices, careful not to be overheard.

• W-why would the Royal Court get involved in this case…?

• Isn’t this just a stalking case? Seems like something the Court wouldn’t bother with…

• D-does Lee Hyun-seung have some kind of connection with the Royal Court…?

The reason the Royal Court had sent the Knight Commander directly to resolve this quickly was a form of apology for not granting the Mana Database usage permission sooner, as requested by the Magic Tower.

“We apologize for taking several months to grant the permission. But we made sure to put every effort into fulfilling your request.”

This was the Emperor’s message.

Of course, no one knew these behind-the-scenes details, so naturally, they were confused.

Stalking is a serious crime, but it is not one worthy of direct intervention by the Royal Court.

Normally, the Court only sends someone like the Knight Commander for cases involving serial killers who have killed dozens or hundreds, or national-level terrorism and rebellion.

Not only did the Court grant permission to use the Mana Database, but they were also moving to clear Lee Hyun-seung of the stalking accusations.

It seemed strange to anyone who thought Lee Hyun-seung had no connection with the Court.

Kim Hee-ra, watching from nearby, gradually grimaced.

‘What kind of connection does he have with the Royal Court to make even the Knight Commander come here…!’

She had tried everything to pin the stalking crime on Lee Hyun-seung.

Even if the Mana Trace results came out, she planned to use power and influence to frame him and drag him down.

But now, it was impossible.

The Royal Court had publicly declared that he was not the culprit of this incident.

crunch

Kim Hee-ra clenched her teeth until they ached.

To oppose the Emperor’s proclamation was to challenge his authority and commit rebellion.

No matter how much power the Artemis Guild wielded, standing directly against the Royal Court was impossible.

The Court did not just have the Knight Commander and his troops, but also the authority to control the people.

“Lee Hyun-seung… that damn bastard…”

Because of what had just happened, Yoo Hee-yeon’s position had certainly fallen to rock bottom.

She had openly accused Lee Hyun-seung of being the real stalker, and everyone knew it.

• Wait… why did Yoo Hee-yeon hate Lee Hyun-seung so much all this time?

• Now that I think about it, there was no solid evidence, but she acted like he was the real culprit.

• Wow… that’s shocking… honestly, I thought he was the criminal.

• But why did Hileon stalk Yoo Hee-yeon anyway?

• Be careful what you say. If we get involved, we could be in big trouble. Better not to be curious.

Hileon’s notorious name was well-known, and many feared them.

They operated outside the law and even lived in labyrinths crawling with monsters.

They were capable of killing several people with ease.

For individuals without the power to confront them, Hileon was a symbol of terror that could strike at any moment.

step

step

In the quiet hall, slow footsteps began to echo.

• Hey, look there…

• Wow… crawling out of the Academy again today…

• She’s seriously shameless.

Yoo Hee-yeon was walking toward the Royal Knight Commander, Park Seong-min.

step

step

Through her delicate ears, the murmurs of the people reached her.

• That Yoo Hee-yeon…

• Only Lee Hyun-seung is the one to pity…

She must have thought they wouldn’t be heard, but every word was clearly audible to her—people’s harsh criticisms, mockery, and scornful reactions.

Just a few months ago, those same people had bowed their heads and tried to snatch whatever scraps they could.

Now, they sharpened their blades to attack Yoo Hee-yeon.

They knew well enough that her standing was rapidly falling, and that Lee Hyun-seung’s connections were far more formidable than expected.

step

step

Those who had hidden behind Yoo Hee-yeon to attack Lee Hyun-seung were now driving a knife into her heart.

Because, far behind them, Lee Hyun-seung was watching everything.

slide

People subtly glanced toward Lee Hyun-seung while praising him and criticizing Yoo Hee-yeon.

They wanted to show their support, to make clear they were on his side.

But Lee Hyun-seung did not look at them.

People who switch sides according to circumstances were nothing but fakes, ready to betray at any moment.

step

step

Yoo Hee-yeon walked again and stopped directly in front of Knight Commander Park Seong-min.

Then, trembling slightly, she quietly asked.

“Is it… really true that Lee Hyun-seung was found not guilty…?”

From the Knight Commander’s point of view, it was natural to be annoyed by such a question after the public declaration.

But Yoo Hee-yeon’s expression and tone were not accusatory.

Rather, they were filled with despair and defeat.

The Knight Commander answered calmly.

“He used the Mana Database directly, and the results are recorded in documents that cannot be manipulated by magic.

If you don’t believe it, see it with your own eyes.”

rustle!

He unfolded a document showing the results of the mana trace analysis from the Mana Database.

There, two names clearly identified as members of the Hileon group were printed.

“Ah…”

Yoo Hee-yeon murmured softly.

Then, she collapsed right there.

“I… this can’t be happening…”

People around looked at her.

Instead of pity, they regarded Yoo Hee-yeon, who sat on the ground muttering like a mad person, as if she were a naive fool trapped in a small well.

“That… that can’t be true…”

Yoo Hee-yeon’s stomach churned.

What had she been doing all this time?

If Lee Hyun-seung was not the culprit, then what exactly did everything she had done to him mean?

“Ah…”

If he wasn’t the culprit, then why had he helped her in the Class Extermination Battle and the conflict with the Blacksmiths’ Association?

What was the meaning of everything she had done until now?

Yoo Hee-yeon was crumbling more and more—mentally, socially, in power, and even in her surrounding relationships.

Watching from afar, Lee Hyun-seung glanced briefly at Yoo Hee-yeon, then turned his head toward the source of a gaze he felt.

There, he saw Kim Hee-ra glaring at him as if she wanted to kill.

Lee Hyun-seung looked Kim Hee-ra straight in the eyes, smiled slyly, and mouthed the words.

“Look forward to it. This is just the beginning. Soon, everything you have will disappear.”

He recalled the words Kim Hee-ra had once said to him over the phone.

• Sigh… What’s the point of talking to an orphan like you? Keep living with your pride so high and just wait to see what happens. After graduating from the academy, you’ll be stuck doing manual labor your whole life. Growing up without parents, you’re shameless and disgusting. Talking to you any more just tires my mouth. Live like that forever. A worthless loser full of inferiority complexes and no Awakening.

Those words Kim Hee-ra had spat at him while he was enduring unbearable pain—his arms, legs, teeth, and blood sacrificed as offerings in the [Goddess’s Well].

Yes.

Her contempt, insults, and vile abuse of power had become the driving force that helped Lee Hyun-seung endure everything.

Not only Yoo Hee-yeon, but Kim Hee-ra too would be brought down.

They would pay the price for despising him.

Then, Lee Hyun-seung parted his lips toward Kim Hee-ra once again.

“Just like you said before, I’ll show you what happens when you act out of your place.”

At that moment, Kim Hee-ra suddenly convulsed and screamed without realizing it.

She could no longer bear the insults Lee Hyun-seung was spitting at her.

“You f*cking criminal bastard!”

As Kim Hee-ra shouted,

swish

The sound of a sword being drawn echoed instantly.

whoosh—!

Knight Commander Park Seong-min’s sword was pointed at Kim Hee-ra.

A secretary nearby tried to react, but the Knight Commander’s sword was much faster.

Kim Hee-ra had no chance to fight back.

Park Seong-min spoke in a cold voice.

“Who were you talking to just now? Depending on your answer, this could be considered treason.”

Then, pressing his sword harder against Kim Hee-ra’s neck, he shouted,

“Answer immediately. Who exactly did you call a criminal just now?”