Chapter 450: The Tension Reaches Its Peak (1)

"Of course, Prime Minister Mikazura. Since you asked, how could I refuse?"

A soft, slightly playful woman’s voice came from among Elina’s supporters.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and saw a stunningly beautiful woman walking toward them.

She was tall, with a perfectly oval face and long, curly burgundy hair.

Her figure was captivating, with voluptuous hips and a full chest.

Her eyes radiated a seductive charm, enough to mesmerize anyone who met her gaze.

She was none other than Shion, the leader of the Blue Moon Trading House.

’Shion? What is she doing here? Did she come to defend Elina too?’

Ragan was taken aback.

Of course, Ragan knew Shion. They had met several times before.

Just recently, Shion had approached him to discuss business permits in several major cities of the empire.

What surprised him was her reason for interfering in this matter.

However, a moment later, his thoughts turned to his son, Nolan.

It was said that Nolan had connections with one of the Blue Moon Trading House’s high-ranking officials, so it was possible Shion had come to repay Nolan’s kindness through Elina.

’Shion? Damn it... what the hell is this? Why did she show up too?’

Cedric gritted his teeth in anger.

In the past, he had requested a meeting with Shion, only to be flatly refused.

Even so, he did not give up and continued making the same request, but the result never changed.

Eventually, he abandoned the idea of bringing the Blue Moon Trading House to his side.

After all, Shion had clearly rejected him outright.

And now, Shion—the very person he had once desperately wanted to bring to his side—had appeared to defend Elina.

How could he possibly remain calm?

Not only Cedric, but also Aldric, Adalen, and Cassian took deep breaths.

They swallowed hard and stared at Elina with wary, fearful expressions.

’This woman really hides her hand well,’

Aldric muttered.

Meanwhile, Shion stopped beside Mikazura and looked at Ragan with respectful eyes.

"Sorry to interrupt this debate, Your Majesty. However, since this case involves one of the Blue Moon’s products, I must confirm whether there were any errors or manipulations involved," she said, clasping her hands together.

"Manipulations? What do you mean?" Ragan frowned.

From afar, Cassian felt his hair stand on end. He had not expected Shion to say that.

"Could she have found it?"

Considering that Shion was the inventor of the recording stone, it was indeed possible—and the thought made his body tremble with fear.

"Your Majesty, you may not know this, but the recording stone is composed of a very complex series of spells," Shion explained calmly. "Even a Celestial Mage cannot scramble the spells within it. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible."

Her eyes flashed meaningfully as she glanced toward Cassian.

Cassian swallowed hard and said frantically,

’Demon Emperor Zerathos, this is fine, right? What if we’re discovered?’

If he were dealing with Mikazura alone, he might still have been able to rely on rhetoric to hold him off.

Even if he lost the argument, as long as the recording evidence existed, he had nothing to fear.

But now, Shion had stepped in to examine the very recording stone he had prepared.

If they were exposed, all his plans with Zerathos would be ruined.

Zerathos’s expression also darkened. The magic formation he had tampered with would indeed be easy to detect if Shion truly inspected it.

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it," he replied in a heavy tone.

Cassian did not know what Zerathos meant, but he could only nod and place his trust in him.

"So are you saying, Miss Shion, that Cassian could have done such a thing?" Cedric said with narrowed eyes and a playful smile. "But doesn’t that sound contradictory? Even a Celestial Mage can’t do it, let alone Cassian. He’s just an ordinary human, isn’t he?"

Many nodded in agreement and turned their confused gazes toward Shion.

Instead of Shion responding, Mikazura stepped forward.

"Prince Cedric, in any case, evidence must be verified. I don’t know whether this rule applies in the Great Velmora Empire, but in my empire, it is mandatory. And the one fit to examine it must be a neutral party. In this case, that person is Miss Shion. After all..."

He smiled faintly before continuing in a meaningful tone. "Evidence can be falsified or altered through magical means. Who can guarantee that Prince Cassian did not do so?"

His words silenced everyone and plunged them into deep thought.

’This person is truly incredibly intelligent,’

Orlan muttered in awe.

Earlier, Mikazura had already pointed out that Elina had no motive whatsoever.

To an ordinary observer, it made sense.

Elina was already one step ahead of all her siblings in the fight for the throne.

Why would she commit such a heinous act—turning everyone into demons?

Now, Mikazura raised a second point: the evidence itself could have been falsified.

He had deliberately held that argument back, waiting for Shion to step forward as the inventor of the recording stone used by Cassian.

"Ugh..." Cedric choked, unable to find another argument to refute him.

Mikazura was clearly mocking him.

In a criminal case, evidence must be examined by a neutral party.

Mikazura had even pretended not to know whether that rule applied in the Great Velmora Empire, an act that was clearly veiled contempt.

"Very well. I will grant my permission," Ragan said in a heavy voice.

He did not understand why Mikazura and Shion were helping Elina—especially Mikazura, who had dismantled every argument Cedric put forward.

But one thing was certain: he wanted this case to end as soon as possible.

He also wanted to confirm whether his daughter had truly done it.

Deep down, he did not want Elina to be the culprit. After all, she was the daughter he loved the most.

He could only hope that everything was false.

The nobles who had previously pressured Elina with their words now gulped and exchanged fearful glances.

They had not expected Elina to receive such strong support from Mikazura.

Not to mention, Shion of Blue Moon had personally stepped in to help her.

Considering their earlier behavior, would Elina seek revenge and wipe out their families?

It sounded excessive, but it was not impossible. After all, Blue Moon was an extraordinarily powerful trading house, capable of covering the sky with one hand in this empire.

"In that case, may I have the recording stone, Prince Cassian?" Shion said.

Cassian trembled, but he still forced himself to step forward and hand over the object.

Shion stared intently at the recording stone as everyone waited in tense silence for the result.

Whether Elina was guilty or not, this revelation would be sensational.

Shion shook her head, and Cassian was immediately flooded with relief.

However, before he could savor that feeling for even five seconds, Shion suddenly made an unexpected statement.

"I can’t confirm it directly. So I need the help of the Singularity of Light. Would you assist me, Singularity of Light?"