Chapter 616: A Three-Way Balance of Power

The Empire’s Tribunal.

As the highest symbol of imperial law, even after several decades had passed, this place was still as grand and imposing as ever.

Trasweir’s gaze swept across the surroundings. His memories turned back, as if he had returned to the past—to the moment when he sat high upon the bench, displaying the might of the Empire’s laws.

And now, that moment would reappear.

“A duke’s son, huh? Perhaps he’s worthy of becoming the radiant mark left behind after my final judgment.”

Trasweir raised a hand, straightened the black, solemn judge’s robe on his body, and slowly sat down in the seat that belonged to the Grand Judge.

Behind him, enormous tree-like patterns spread along the golden dome, covering the entire hall. They symbolized the impartial Goddess of Justice bound upon the tree, arms outstretched, watching kindly, with the two ends of a scale in her left and right hands.

“To be able to see Teacher’s heroic bearing again like this truly moves me deeply.”

At the side, the presiding chief judge bent at the waist and presented a gold-inlaid wooden gavel.

“Then watch carefully.”

“Yes. This student will learn with humility.”

Trasweir nodded, took the gavel, and after sweeping his eyes around once more, struck down heavily in a practiced posture.

“Summon the defendant.”

...

...

“Go in.”

Led by the same knight as before, Muen walked into the Empire’s Tribunal, a place he was entering for the first time.

Thinking about it, it was pretty interesting. During this period, he really had experienced so many first times... first time entering a cell, first time eating in a cell, first time being put on trial.

If this kind of thing happened in the original novel, then it could basically be confirmed that the original owner was heading down the tragic route toward ruin. The next step would be exile or a death sentence, and from then on it would draw a sorrowful period to the blond punk in this story.

Fortunately, the plot now had already diverged from the original novel by an absurd distance. Muen couldn’t imagine how some groundless trial could possibly end him, so he didn’t feel panicked at all.

“You are the defendant in this case, Muen Campbell?”

On the high dais, the elderly man who looked to be nearing the end of his life had a voice that sounded full and forceful as he loudly questioned Muen.

“Yes, Grand Judge Trasweir.”

Muen glanced at the nameplate in front of the old man and smiled as he said,

“I am Muen Campbell.”

“Mm. Very good.”

Trasweir examined Muen, slightly surprised.

In his imagination, this noble family’s eldest young master should have felt fear toward this imposing place of judgment, with panic showing on his face.

But he had not seen the slightest trace of panic on his face. He looked so composed, as if he was not worried at all that there would truly be some crime on him that would be subjected to severe judgment.

He believed himself innocent... no, it was too early to decide that now. He had judged so many people, and those skilled at disguising themselves were far from rare.

“The defendant’s identity is confirmed. Next...” Trasweir said. “Count Bugaard, you will be the accuser.”

“Yes. I reported Muen Campbell for colluding with an Evil God.”

Count Bugaard, who had already been waiting at the side, placed a hand to his chest and bent at the waist, speaking sincerely. “Although Muen Campbell’s status is special, for the Empire’s peace and security, I have no choice but to stand up and accuse him of his sins.”

“Mm. It’s good that you have that intention. I hope you can provide sufficient evidence.”

“All evidence has long since been prepared, only awaiting Grand Judge’s judgment.”

Count Bugaard’s posture was humble and respectful. He did not look at all like the minister who had once occupied a seat in the Empire’s political arena. After he finished explaining things to Trasweir, his gaze shifted slightly, and it just so happened to meet Muen’s eyes.

“Talking about doing it for the Empire’s peace and security—how high-sounding.”

“Just so-so. As an imperial minister, one must always share the Empire’s burdens, right?”

After the two exchanged a single “courteous greeting,” they refrained from saying any more harsh words due to the Tribunal’s rules, and each moved their gaze away.

No need to say more, because both of them were very confident.

And right at this moment, that great figure who made the entire courtroom fall silent also arrived at an unhurried pace.

Seeing this, Muen’s eyes lit up, while Count Bugaard burned with raging fighting spirit.

“Your Majesty.”

Trasweir rose, placed a hand to his chest, and paid respects to this young empress. His posture was neither servile nor overbearing, and he did not show fear just because how much noble blood this Majesty’s hands were stained with.

Everyone around also saluted together.

“Grand Judge, no need for formalities.”

Celicia’s face was expressionless. “Just follow the rules. Don’t worry about me.”

“Yes.”

Celicia refused the presiding chief judge’s invitation, casually found a juror’s seat, and sat down, with only Wier following at her side.

After sitting down, her beautiful eyes swept over, and naturally landed on the blond man standing in the most conspicuous position at the center—the one about to be judged.

Muen also looked at Celicia. Seeing her gaze sweep over, he immediately showed a handsome smile and even waggled his eyebrows at her.

Mm, very good. This dead tsundere really came.

If the Emperor of the Empire personally came to participate in the trial, what suspense could there still be in the verdict?

This was locked in!

Muen’s waist and back straightened even more. He was already a little impatient with this farce, hoping the trial would start sooner and end sooner, and then at night he could request Her Noble Majesty to use her slick black stockings, and her long... to comfort his heart, which needed warmth after being falsely accused.

“Since this is a three-party joint hearing, then invite the other two parties in as well,” Trasweir continued.

“Hm?”

Muen, who was enjoying beautiful nighttime moments in his imagination, froze when he heard that.

Three-party joint hearing?

What three-party joint hearing?

Why had he never heard about this?

And three parties... which three parties?

Did the Empire have other judicial departments?

Muen thought carefully for a moment.

...No, right.

And speaking of three parties connected to an Evil God...

Don’t tell me...

In an instant, deep in Muen’s heart, that unease that he had completely pressed down to the lowest layer because of Celicia’s arrival suddenly sprouted and grew—and the more it grew, the more rampant it became.

Until...

Tap.

A crisp sound of high heels stepping on the floor rang out.

Perhaps it was not made on purpose, but in Muen’s ears it was so clear, like the unease sprouting in his heart was frantically proclaiming its existence.

Muen went dazed, as if he had fallen under an illusion. All the darkness around him began to sway, as if countless shadows were wandering within it, leaning to Muen’s ear and whispering terrifying yet intimate murmurs.

“Gulp.”

Muen swallowed, his body stiff. He wanted to convince himself this was only an illusion, yet he still clearly felt that piercing line of sight from behind him.

And when he raised his head, it just so happened to meet Celicia’s meaningful gaze.

A sense of mortal danger began to buzz madly.

No way no way no way no way no way...

It shouldn’t be, right...

How could something that would give you goosebumps just thinking about it possibly happen?

How could it... haha...

In the end, Muen still couldn’t control himself and turned around to look.

Of course, he didn’t die.

He only, as expected, saw that peerless beautiful young girl sitting just as casually in a juror’s seat, with a charming beauty mark under her eye, brows and eyes curved like the moon.

Her lips pressed together. Smiling, she waved at Muen, her attitude so intimate, like a wife greeting her husband.

So it really was Senior Sister.

Muen closed his eyes and began thinking about how to write his will afterward.

“An agent of the Silent Bureau?”

Trasweir flipped through the documents in his hand and casually asked, “What position?”

“Position?”

Anna blinked her spring-warm eyes, covered her mouth, and chuckled.

“I advise Grand Judge to be a bit more respectful in your words. Well, you don’t have to be as respectful as when facing Her Majesty, but for the Silent Bureau’s Swordbearer, a little basic courtesy should be necessary, right?”

“Swordbearer?”

Trasweir froze, looking at that young girl who did not seem much older than the current young empress.

“What?” Anna shifted her sitting posture. Her lovely body was outlined even more seductively by the uniform. Her long legs wrapped in black stockings crossed, and she smiled as she said, “Do you think... someone would dare impersonate the Silent Bureau?”

Crack crack.

The originally bright courtroom suddenly flickered a few times, as if massive darkness was surging in the depths of shadow that no one could see.

The girl was still smiling, but anyone could feel the terrifying power hidden within her delicate body, ready to erupt.

“Ahem... It’s actually a Swordbearer? Has the Empire’s Swordbearer already changed? I didn’t even know.”

Trasweir coughed a few times and flipped through the documents in his hands even faster. He had not anticipated this development at all. He could still understand Her Majesty coming personally, because the defendant was her fiancé in name, but the Silent Bureau... why would they have the Swordbearer come in person?

Did this Muen Campbell have some value he didn’t know about?

He glanced to the side, only to see his disciple wiping sweat frantically, while he himself also faintly felt that things were slipping out of control.

“She’s the Swordbearer?”

Count Bugaard also looked solemn.

Ever since Anna joined the Silent Bureau, all her public {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} information had been completely erased, so Count Bugaard was also seeing this legendary, extremely young new Swordbearer for the first time—said to be as young as Her Majesty.

Likewise, he didn’t understand why the Swordbearer would come in person. In his expectations, even out of respect for Her Majesty, the Silent Bureau would most likely just send someone like a branch chief...

But fine. In that case, the pressure on Her Majesty would be even greater.

“Hehe... If you’re this shocked just from seeing me, then if you see the person coming next, won’t your jaws drop in fright?”

Watching the various interesting expressions on everyone present, Anna let out a coquettish laugh, then suddenly turned her head and looked behind her.

“Isn’t that right, Archbishop—and... that little sister?”

Light descended.

Holy radiance, from who knew where, made the entire courtroom much brighter.

A peaceful aura spread out, as if it wanted to erase all conflict and clamor in this place.

Under Trasweir’s truly stunned gaze, under Muen’s slightly despairing sorrow, the Archbishop of Canterbury helplessly waved his hand and, with a bitter smile, said,

“Don’t mind it. I just brought this one to take a look, that’s all. Just treat everything as usual.”

By his side was also a young girl. A wide priestly robe could not conceal the explosive curves of her figure, but shrouded in holy light, her face could not be seen clearly.

But...

“This one.”

A being who could be addressed as “this one” by one of the Church of Life’s archbishops—how many people could that possibly be in the enormous Church of Life?

Moreover, that scorching gaze that, the moment she entered, was practically stuck to him—among the people he knew, was there a second person like that?

Muen closed his eyes and showed a serene smile like someone attaining Buddhahood.

It was Liya.