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The courtroom is a place for examining crime and justice. Naturally, everyone present here had to be weighed down by the solemn atmosphere. Especially the pressure emanating from the Head of the Family, Ainel, who holds the final judgment, was tremendous.

Ainel, usually expressionless, exuded the dignity of a high-ranking noble with her sharp gaze and graceful yet precise movements. However, today she was more intense than usual. It must have meant a lot to be here after hearing about Shione’s situation.

Her cold, piercing gaze swept over everyone.

‘She must be really angry.’

Whether it was directed at herself for having turned her back on Shione until now, or aimed at the defendant maid and Piana, it felt as sharp as if she had drawn a sword.

“This case is a trial for the crime of defamation against nobility, brought to light by corruption and whistleblowing. Both parties must humbly accept the sacred verdict of this trial.”

Siabel and Aheira had already gathered plenty of clear evidence regarding the allegations. The reason for holding a trial instead of immediately delivering punishment was, after all, to highlight their misdeeds even more and to unravel the past.

Shione and Siabel had confident expressions, while the maid group maintained their usual expressionless demeanor.

“Now we shall begin the discussion on the intentional spread of defamation against Shione Shianella and the attacks on her former maid, Herrel. Ms. Plaintiff, please start.”

At Ainel’s prompt, Siabel, Shione’s attorney and supporter, stepped up as if she had been waiting for this moment. She briefly glanced at the documents in her hands before clearing her throat and speaking slowly.

“Let us begin with the story of Herrel, the former maid of the Count’s House and her relation to the accusations. This case has been shed light on due to the whistleblowing of a maid under the supervision of the head maid. Thus, I would like to invite Miss Aheira Peldart as a witness.”

“Witness, Aheira Peldart. Please take the stand.”

Following Siabel and Ainel’s call, Aheira took her place at the witness stand.

“Miss Aheira Peldart, you stated that Head Maid Kelsy Arnin instigated and turned a blind eye to Herrel’s bullying, correct?”

“Yes, that is correct. Maid Herrel experienced severe bullying among her peers and was subjected to verbal abuse. In particular, she was mainly ostracized by the servants of the Shianella Young Adults, and the head maid, Kelsy Arnin, did nothing to mediate and instead neglected the situation.”

“What is the basis for your claims, Miss Aheira Peldart?”

“I was in a position where I witnessed the injustices that Maid Herrel faced while later becoming another pair of eyes and ears for the head maid.”

“Are you admitting to having some kind of relationship with the head maid?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Their exchanges flowed smoothly, as if they had rehearsed them multiple times.

At this point, the head maid’s attorney opened their mouth.

“I object.”

“Objection noted.”

“Head Maid Kelsy Arnin did not turn a blind eye to the issues that Maid Herrel faced. Everything occurred under the secretive lead of Kenan Pallet, the personal attendant of the Shianella Young Adults, and the reputation of the Pallet household blinded the head maid’s eyes and ears. Please consider this point.”

Both participants were from the same ring.

With Kenan Pallet’s involvement, this was the beginning of the cover-up.

“Furthermore, I must point out that the relationship between Kelsy Arnin and Aheira Peldart was not necessarily a negative one. The head maid recognized that Miss Peldart’s father was bedridden and endeavored to provide help while monitoring the conflicts among the maids. Please keep this in mind as well.”

The attorney’s effort to cleanse the head maid’s reputation was quite remarkable.

Where did they find such an eloquent attorney in such a short time? Seeing Piana gain more confidence indicated that she must have opened her thick wallet to obtain this legal support.

Unfortunately for them, Siabel stood there exuding an even more confident aura.

“Head of the Family, I would like to submit evidence that strengthens my witness’s voice over their attorney’s.”

Ainel nodded and agreed to accept the evidence, and Siabel promptly placed several documents in front of her.

“These documents detail everything that Miss Aheira Peldart has done under the head maid’s orders along with her compensation. Additionally, this document is regarding Kelsy Arnin pressuring Aheira to monitor Shione Shianella’s activities. Furthermore, this testimony from my personal attendant, Bronte, concerns the head maid’s neglect and instigation.”

“…Your Honor, I’d like to raise an objection—”

“There’s no need to worry about the documents being forged. They were written under a mana oath by Miss Aheira Peldart herself. If she had fabricated anything, she wouldn’t be standing here as a witness.”

“……”

At Siabel’s words, everyone fell silent.

Suddenly mentioning Herrel drew Shione’s attention. Initially, Aheira was meant to play the part of the head maid’s tool, capturing situations to support her.

From the moment Shione began to ensnare her, the head maid’s suffering was all but foreseen.

“Witness, you mentioned that Maid Herrel actively expressed her anger during her bullying, is that correct?”

“Yes. Maid Herrel would lose her temper and scold her bullies whenever insults regarding Shione Shianella were hurled at her, rather than insults directed at herself.”

“It seems Maid Herrel had extraordinary affection and loyalty towards Shione Shianella. Therefore, we investigated why someone like her would hurl insults at Shione Shianella and be driven away. Your Honor, we wish to submit evidence.”

Once again, having received Ainel’s permission, Siabel slowly approached the head of the family and presented a letter.

“This letterhead is guaranteed by the kingdom’s wizards and alchemists. Should falsehoods be inscribed within this letter, it will spontaneously combust to disappear. It contains the testimony of Maid Herrel.”

…Herrel’s testimony, you say?

I hadn’t realized that Siabel had contacted Herrel. Seeing Shione’s eyes widen in surprise, it appeared that she wasn’t aware of this information either.

“According to the content of this letter, Maid Herrel swore that if she were to insult Shione Shianella and disappear, she would ensure that any subsequent heavy criticisms would be diverted from Shione.”

“…Siabel Shianella, is that true?”

“This agreement was sealed with a powerful curse to ensure discretion. I will submit further proof regarding the undoing of the curse and the testimony of the High Priest who treated its aftereffects.”

The undoing of curses.

In this world, those who handle curses are typically shamans from cults and not wizards. Among the wizards capable of dealing with curses, mentioning anyone skilled enough to be exceptional is like picking stars from the sky.

Thus, finding someone knowledgeable about such specific curses and capable of undoing them would be a monumental challenge.

“This is the record of the curse breaker and the notes by the High Priest who treated its aftermath.”

A curse breaker and a special letterhead.

All have been crafted by wizards and alchemists aiming their fortunes at the nobility.

The expensive evidence prepared in such a short span must carry immense credibility.

“With this, I wish to inform Your Honor that the severity of the crimes committed by Head Maid Kelsy Arnin is not light.”

Before long, Herrel’s expression began to grow pale and twisted.

The hearts of Ainel and the other judges, not to mention the observers like myself, leaned to one side. Without a doubt, Kelsy Arnin belonged among the wicked.

“Attorney, do you have any counterarguments?”

“…None.”

The already worsened atmosphere grew thicker.

Realizing that even the attorney hired by Piana with a hefty sum could not overturn this, she seemed to abandon the head maid’s case to strategize for Piana’s defense.

Thus, Siabel seized the opportunity to continue.

“It is impossible for a mere head maid to deliberately mock the direct line of the Count’s House and procure a curse expert to silence Herrel. Moreover, we have traced and discovered the connection between Piana Trilla and Kelsy Arnin.”

The next target was none other than Piana Trilla herself.

“The individuals surrounding young Shione Shianella during her childhood consisted solely of servants and attendants. It was Piana Trilla who placed the head maid at the forefront. Now, I will transition to discussing her.”

With the direct arrow now aimed at her, Piana couldn’t help but feel nervous.

‘Well, it’s not like being anxious will stop Siabel.’

Now this place would become what had previously happened to the head maid: a venue to expose every single one of Piana’s crimes.

“Before we dive into the main discussion, I would like to submit another piece of evidence.”

And now, naturally, Siabel’s offensive of evidence was beginning.

“Hereby, I present key evidence linking Piana Trilla and Kelsy Arnin: the donation records made to the orphanage targeting the impoverished of Piana Trilla’s domain.”

“I object. How could donations to an orphanage serve as evidence? Isn’t this the most noble form of spending, offering grace and kindness to the poor subjects?”

“Dear Your Honor, please consider for a moment who owned the orphanage at that time and where the donation funds were allocated.”

At Siabel’s words, Ainel quietly scanned the records.

“…Orphanage, owned by the Arnin House. Also, it seems that the gold spent was directed more towards reinvesting into various other groups rather than for the children.”

Piana Trilla felt it on her skin.

Siabel’s dance of the sword was far from over, and now that chaos would be directed right at her.

 

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