Chapter 78: The Woman at the Center

I sat still with my brow deeply furrowed.

My thoughts were hopelessly tangled.

How am I supposed to resolve this case?

The talk about the lord’s tyranny was nothing more than an excuse.

The son, Grady, was furious at his father for stealing his lover.

And the truly absurd part started from there.

A father coveting his son’s woman, and a woman who jumps ship the moment she’s tempted.

This wasn’t some 200%-rated American drama packed with cheap sensationalism.

It was a complete farce.

An absolute farce.

I casually glanced toward the gallery.

Perhaps because the word “parricide” carried such a strong impact, there were quite a lot of spectators.

My reputation probably drew even more people in.

Exposing an affair involving a count’s household in a place like this?

It’ll become far more troublesome than it already is.

I raised my hand to stop the prosecutor, who was in the middle of questioning a witness.

Then I summoned both parties.

“We’ll call a brief recess. Let’s meet in the conference room at the back.”

“What? Why all of a sudden?”

“The prosecutor in charge of this case is… Anderson Cantrell, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Are you aware that there is a third person behind both the defendant and the victim?”

“What? There has been no such testimony.”

“This matter is serious. It doesn’t seem appropriate to discuss it in a public setting.”

“Oh.”

“All right.”

Prosecutor Cantrell nodded readily.

However, the defense counsel—Grady’s side—voiced an objection.

“Why should we do that? We don’t agree. Please proceed with the hearing immediately.”

It seemed the other side had already steeled themselves.

They didn’t care if the identity of the woman caught in between was revealed.

Grady had nothing left to lose, after all.

Not only had his lover been taken, but he had also been stripped of his position as heir.

What’s funny is that the one who filed the charges was Count Antonio himself.

That man must be petty in his own way.

Regardless, I couldn’t let the trial continue like this.

Confirming the intentions of both sides came first.

I firmly dismissed the defense counsel’s objection.

“We will recess. The hearing will resume later, so everyone please vacate the courtroom.”

The spectators rose from their seats and began to file out.

Each of them wore a puzzled expression.

“Did something happen to His Grace? Did he suddenly feel unwell?”

“He looked fine to me. Maybe he realized something we didn’t?”

“No, even he must be flustered. Can something like that really happen, realistically speaking?”

“Good heavens. If my son did something like that, my insides would burst from anger.”

Opinions flew about in all directions, but they would never get their answer.

I intended to handle this case quietly.

Before long, I was able to meet the defendant and the victim separately.

I started with the father.

“Pleased to meet you, Count Antonio.”

“The honor is mine, Duke of Carius. I regret that we must meet under such circumstances.”

“Think nothing of it. But have you considered withdrawing the charges?”

“Of course not. How could I possibly forgive that wretched brat?”

“But if you proceed, the shameful affairs of House Antonio will be laid bare. Your son is hoping for that outcome.”

“…What?”

Count Antonio’s face went blank in shock.

That reaction was only natural.

Until now, not a single word had been spoken about the third party—the woman at the heart of the affair.

I continued, speaking as though I already knew everything.

At times like this, pressing hard was the only way to crush empty bravado.

“The trial rules were recently changed. Judges are now allowed to investigate cases in advance.”

“Oh, I see. For a moment, I thought the rumors were true—that Your Grace possessed divine foresight.”

“I’m just an ordinary man. In any case, from what I’ve looked into, that woman lies at the center of everything.”

Naturally, that was a blatant lie.

I had just returned, negotiated with the Emperor, and immediately begun my first trial.

I hadn’t even had enough time to thoroughly review the case documents.

But there was no way Count Antonio could know that.

Striking at the core from the outset caused his expression to crumble.

“It would bring grave disgrace upon House Antonio. Everyone would look down upon the name.”

“…!”

Count Antonio remained silent.

His goal was likely to end the matter as a simple assault case.

Using that as justification, he could strip his son of the heir position as well.

But if the other side exposed everything, it would turn into an outright catastrophe.

“You wouldn’t go that far, would you? Your own honor would fall into the mud as well…”

“People with nothing left to lose become reckless.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Why not resolve family matters within the family? Start by withdrawing the charges.”

“That’s precisely the problem.”

“Why?”

“Hem.”

Count Antonio cleared his throat loudly, then spoke with care.

His face was slightly flushed, as if the topic was uncomfortable.

“My wife is uneasy around our son.”

“Wait. When you say your wife…”

“Yes. She says it’s difficult to live under the same roof and wants him cast out as soon as possible.”

She was far more of a monster than I’d expected.

To think a single person could tear apart an old and prestigious count’s household like this.

Yet an odd feeling surfaced.

Both the defendant and the victim are nobles. They must’ve seen plenty of beauties.

Just how extraordinary was this woman to cause all this?

I felt I needed to see her in person.

Normally, this had nothing to do with proper procedure, but my sharp intuition insisted.

“Then could you have her brought here? I’ll try to persuade her.”

“Are you sure that’s all right? My wife is… quite beautiful.”

“So?”

“I was concerned that Your Grace might take an interest…”

“Now hold on. What do you take me for? I understand your concern, but there’s no need to worry.”

“…Very well.”

Soon after, Count Antonio returned with someone whose face was completely covered by a veil.

Absurdly enough, she was accompanied by six robust female knights.

Wow. If I’d gone up against them back on Earth, I’d have lost for sure.

It felt like a swarm of female UFC heavyweight fighters charging in.

Just how beautiful did she have to be to warrant that level of overprotection?

Then, a voice as clear and cold as ice echoed through the conference room.

“I was told you wished to see me.”

…

I stared silently at the woman.

It wasn’t because I was captivated by her seductive, mysterious aura.

It was because of the holographic text floating before my eyes.

「Information on transcendent individuals cannot be accessed.」

「You may partially unlock this function using an Item Summon Ticket.」

「Would you like to use it?」

The Item Summon Ticket I had obtained by promulgating laws in Delriat.

I’d wondered how it was meant to be used—apparently, it only activated under certain conditions.

Events like attempting to view the information of a transcendent being, for instance.

What should I do?

I hesitated briefly, but not for long.

Being able to view information on transcendent beings would be invaluable in the future.

For example, I might even be able to peer into the Emperor’s true intentions.

Huh? Then why didn’t this appear back then?

There was no way to confirm the reason right now.

Perhaps his standing was several levels higher.

Either way, I couldn’t pass this up.

I immediately focused on the confirmation button.

With a flash of light, a single card appeared.

That must have been the Item Summon Ticket.

「Information viewing function has been enhanced.」

「Your standing has increased, allowing you to see through transcendent beings.」

「However, this function only applies to non-human entities.」

What? What kind of nonsense is that?

After finally unlocking it, there was a restriction like this?

For a moment, I thought I’d wasted the ticket.

Then, in that very instant—

Name: Lilliana
Race: Half-Succubus (Half-Demon)
Status: Countess
Position: None
Relationship: None

<Character Information> State: Confidence gained from securing a powerful backing, eyes set on new prey, desire for greater heights. Skill: Charm Overall Ability: S

Wait—she wasn’t human?

I’d thought she was just a temptress who toyed with men.

She was far beyond that.

I quickly tapped my chest.

Shugle was a half-demon too—he might know something.

Immediately, a curt voice echoed in my mind.

— Hah. To think that trash is still wandering around. The world really is a strange place.

“What do you mean?”

— We don’t even count those things as demons. They drain not just spiritual energy, but life force itself.

“Then what happens?”

— All kinds of energies mix together, forming a tainted demonic aura. It’s a self-imposed limitation.

Either way, she was unquestionably a being that harmed humans.

That meant I couldn’t let her be.

House Antonio was already on the verge of collapsing from the inside.

“Everyone else, please step outside for a moment.”

“What? Why would you give such an order?”

The moment I asked for privacy, Count Antonio leapt in alarm.

What on earth is this man imagining?

Did he think I was trying to claim Lilliana for myself?

My mood soured instantly, but perhaps his reaction was understandable.

Both father and son had been enthralled by a half-succubus, after all.

Keeping a calm expression, I gave a small nod.

“I’ll be conducting a witness examination. The victim has no need to be present.”

“Oh!”

“Prosecutor Anderson Cantrell will be here as well, so it would be wise not to indulge in pointless fantasies. You haven’t forgotten who I am, have you?”

“…M-My apologies, Your Grace.”

Count Antonio withdrew awkwardly, hiding his embarrassment.

I then looked Lilliana straight in the eye and spoke.

“A half-demon mingling within human society. If you’d lived quietly, that would be one thing, but causing turmoil is unacceptable.”

“It seems the presiding judge has no interest in me.”

It was meant as a warning for her to back down quietly.

But an instant later, a terrifying wave washed over me.

My vision reeled, and Lilliana’s face suddenly appeared dozens of times more beautiful.

So beautiful that no woman alive could compare.

Then a crimson energy surged forth, wrapping around my entire body.

[Beast’s Heart activated]

The dizziness vanished, and my vision returned to normal.

The skill’s effect seemed to have completely blocked her charm.

I glanced to the side.

Prosecutor Anderson Cantrell was still utterly dazed.

He stared blankly at Lilliana, drool dripping from his mouth.

Like someone intoxicated.

“It’s useless, so why don’t you stop?”

I regarded her coolly.

“Just who are you…? This has never failed before. Don’t tell me you’re not human?”

“What are you talking about? Do you think the Empire’s chief judge is some kind of demi-god or half-demon?”

The aura pouring from her diminished sharply.

She must have realized her skill wasn’t working.

Even so, Lilliana didn’t stop trying.

“Don’t you think I’m beautiful, Judge? If you want, you can have me anytime.”

She must have escaped countless crises by seducing others.

That was why such lines came to her so naturally.

But this time, she had chosen the wrong opponent.

I could finally see her true nature clearly.

“Honestly, you’re ugly as sin.”

“…!”