Chapter 257

Chapter 257

“It’s Duke Hayman.”

“Oh my...”

The nobles looking down from the upper floor whispered, covering their faces with fans.

Though Hayman’s eyes and posture remained fierce and unblemished, his shabby attire made him look every bit the criminal. It was said that half the gold coins circulating in Bariel had passed through the duke’s hands, and he had always maintained such a noble appearance.

The nobles frowned, inwardly groaning. Even if they stood to gain from the downfall of these families, weren’t they all bound by the identity of nobility?

‘Duke Hayman has fallen to this state.’

‘To think the mighty Hayman would end like this...’

‘We must lie low for the time being, no matter what.’

The same thoughts spread through dozens of minds. Even Hayman had fallen to this. Didn’t this imply that they too could easily end up the same way?

Who were they to think they could stand against the authority of Jin and Ian? The pitiful sight of the seven families’ backs clearly showed that the era of nobles was setting.

“My, is that all for the defense counsel?”

Though there were twenty-one bound individuals, only two defense attorneys stood beside them. They were children from the indicted Avalia and Chen families. The two stood at opposite ends, gently grasping their parents’ hands.

“Both of them are direct descendants of the families. The young master is from Avalia, and the young lady is from Chen. I heard they received a lot of help initially.”

“They’re perceptive. What madman would argue for the family’s innocence there? Since the verdict for the family will be their own verdict, no one but direct descendants would defend them.”

When the central nobles were first arrested, there were efforts from various quarters to help them. It was seven families, after all. They had established dozens of schools, hospitals, and religious facilities through their patronage, and countless talents had passed through those institutions.

But when the Sereau family united the opposition and submitted a petition with signatures to apply pressure, they cleanly broke away, reading the flow of the political situation.

The nobles glanced at Sereau’s direction and whispered.

“Did you see earlier? He just greeted Lord Ian once. It seems there’s still some misunderstanding about the Chetur district.”

“Isn’t it more likely they’re at odds over the marriage proposal?”

“You mean he proposed to Lord Ian, but it turned out he was involved with the second son of Hayman?”

“Shh. Be careful. It seems you only heard one part and not the other. I heard Lady Alenara tore out all the hair of the rumored second son.”

“Goodness, how violent.”

“They say she’s also chasing after those who spread the rumors with fire in her eyes, so everyone is keeping quiet about that at least.”

“By the way, who’s that gray-haired person next to His Highness Jin?”

“I heard it’s a guard assigned by Lord Ian.”

“Lord Ian assigned one directly to His Highness? As expected...”

“Let’s not do this. After it’s over, we should directly approach Lord Ian...”

Akorella’s perception of the nobles’ strange silence before the trial was not mistaken. They were engaged in subtle power struggles among themselves.

Jin, watching the trial from the front row, glanced back slightly. He clearly looked uncomfortable. Xiaoshi also shifted his gaze following Jin.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

“...It’s nothing.”

It’s truly pathetic. Of course, changing one’s stance was important for survival, but they were taking it to an extreme, without any sense of moderation.

In the flow of political circumstances, how foolish do those who prioritize mere survival without principles or convictions appear? What little dignity they had left has all fallen to the ground. The inherent nature of humans that couldn’t be disguised by fine fabrics and dazzling jewels was palpable.

“Xia, it might be better if you sat in those seats instead.”

Xiaoshi was silent, unusually flustered. Though he was about to be freed from slave status, he was still a slave for now. How could he sit in a noble’s seat?

Fortunately, Jin didn’t seem to expect an answer, as he immediately turned to focus on what was in front of him.

“State your name.”

“Moving on to the next. Assault on the royal family.”

Assault on the royal family. The charges related to the Arsen incident were secretly included here. Whether they were deceived by a magical beast or not was not a particularly important point. They supported a magical beast, and as a result, Dilaina and Gale died. No excuse would be accepted regarding this.

“Your Highness. Was Duke Hayman also under a gag spell?”

“Yes. It was sealed along with the interrogation.”

Xiaoshi quietly asked with a worried heart. She was concerned that Hayman might mention Arsen to turn the situation around, with everyone’s attention focused on him.

“...Therefore, there was no intent on my part in the deaths of Lady Dilaina and Prince Gale.”

As Jin said, Hayman struggled to complete his defense, unable to connect his words smoothly, perhaps due to the gag spell.

“Rejected.”

Bang!

Although he put in a lot of effort, it was denied in an instant.

The chief judge struck his gavel sharply and briefly, as if to hurry things along.

“Rejected.”

Special property damage.

Bang!

“Rejected.”

Violation of the Dragon Sanctity Agreement.

Bang!

It must have felt like their hearts were being sliced with each strike of the gavel. Duchess Hayman finally burst into tears. The heir, their son, embraced his mother, and the other nobles waiting their turn covered their faces, looking deathly pale.

The chief judge paused momentarily as he turned the pages.

“Here, His Highness Jin’s testimony is requested.”

Ian raised an eyebrow as if surprised. The chief judge, who didn’t seem like it, had a talent for acting. This was something Ian had prepared to allow Jin to give his first speech in front of the imperial citizens.

The chief judge lowered his glasses slightly and called out to Jin.

“Your Highness. What would you like to do? Shall we proceed?”

“Of course.”

Jin stood up boldly, as if he had been waiting for this. Ian also stood up and extended his hand to the child.

Jin, coming down the stairs escorted, tightly held Ian’s hand, nervous until he reached the witness stand. Ian also responded by squeezing lightly.

“Your Highness. This way.”

“...Thank you.”

Only after confirming that the prince had properly taken the witness stand did Ian step back far away and signal the mages. It was a look that promised punishment if there was any problem with the magical devices amplifying His Highness’s voice. The mages hurriedly concentrated and raised their magic power more grandly.

Zing. Zing.

“Witness, please state your identity.”

At the chief judge’s kind request, Jin turned his head towards the window.

An endless crowd. The people recognized the young prince, the future of Bariel, the little emperor, and their eyes were filled with excitement. The energy was palpable even to the child.

Jin, as if entranced by that sparkle, stared blankly outside before stating his name.

“...I am Jin Verocion, the Fifth Prince of Bariel.”

Clap clap clap!

Ian raised his hands high and applauded as if to show off. The palace officials followed suit, then the nobles joined in, and the people cheered.

It was the moment when Jin first witnessed his Bariel.