Kritonia raised his head, only to discover that Natasha was standing straight against the light. She was so intimidating that her gender and her beauty subconsciously ignored.
He narrowed his eyes. Even though he did not actively release his dominance, he was still full of pressure as a legendary Knight. Even Duke James, who was protecting Natasha, couldn't help but move his eyes away, but Natasha stared back at him firmly without moving her eyes at all.
After a dozen seconds of silence, Kritonia said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you've handled it well. I agree that anyone who violates the basic order of nobles must be punished, but I hope that Your Majesty will allow me to finish York in person. I do not want him to disgrace the family on the gallows."
"That's understandable." Natasha's face was more or less gentle. The fatigue that was as intense as a battle with a sky Knight of the same level was rising inside her body. "Also, I would like to advance the rotation of the legendary Knight. After all, I need to get familiar with both of them after my coronation. I hope that you can take over with Mr. Winston as soon as possible, Your Excellency Kritonia."
Kritonia understood that it was a deal. Also, he knew that Natasha would not trust him for the time being after what happened. If she did not do that, he would suspect that she was hiding other schemes. So, he nodded his head and said, "I'll exchange with Winston after I escort Your Majesty back to the Nekso Palace to watch over the few territories in the alternate dimensions. I won't disappoint Your Majesty."
"Your Excellency, you are the legendary hero who founded the kingdom. I have full confidence in you." Natasha encouraged and comforted him. "I'll leave Duke York's affairs to you. You can decide the specific heir."
Kritonia held his chest and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I'll escort you back to the Nekso Palace first."
With the arrival of the Heart of Time, the "Helpless Kiss" of Camille, Russell, and the rest of them were quickly resolved. Also, Kritonia "successfully" found the evidence from "Primous". After the comparison of bloodlines, it was proved that he was the "Cursed Angel", who ranked fifth among the night watchers.
After returning to the Nekso Palace, Natasha asked James and the rest of them, "Duke James, please invite Duke Solefen here and block the news. A meeting of the Parliament of Nobles will be held in an hour. Duke Russell, please prevent Count Baradei from escaping and check if York is truly dead. "
"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke James and the rest of them replied sincerely. A distinguished Knight was always admirable. Also, Natasha was the only one who was capable and had a slim chance of breaking the defense of the divine power circle and escaping, but she stayed to block the enemy.
…
In the Parliament of Nobles in the Nekso Palace …
Count Baradei walked in with Duke Russell gloomily. Faced with the enthusiastic greetings of the nobles who belonged to the Ecclesiastical Church, he simply nodded in response, losing his usual elegance.
"Russell, can you tell me why Her Majesty is summoning the nobles? I remember that the one-month mourning period is not over yet. Is she going to break her promise? "Count Baradei asked Duke Russell, who had been smiling like a golden-haired young man.
He knew that Natasha would go to James' private manor today, and that David and Grunwell would take action. Therefore, he had a bad feeling the moment he heard that Natasha was going to convene the Parliament of Nobles. However, Duke Russell, a level-eight Knight, had come to invite him directly without leaving. He couldn't hide or escape even if he wanted to. He could only follow them uneasily.
He kept telling himself that everything would be fine, that he had only hinted and guided the hatred in David's heart. He had also introduced Grunwell to him, but he had never directly instigated him to assassinate the queen. It was not like he was going to take the blame just because the two people he introduced to each other in a private party turned out to be murderers, right?
Seeing that Duke Rex moved his eyes to him, Russell knew that his responsibility had been fulfilled. He left Count Baradei with a smile and returned to his seat.
"Why are you here with Russell? Do you know why Her Majesty is convening the meeting? It's a violation of the one-month promise. "Rex had a bad feeling too. Something bad seemed to have happened.
Count Baradei shook his head. "I don't know. Where's York?"
Duke Rex frowned. "I didn't see him. Isn't he always the earliest to arrive? Did something happen to him? If so, Kritonia's fury will burn everything. "
As long as there was a meeting in the Parliament of Nobles, Duke York would always arrive early to meet the Heart of Time.
Hearing that York was not here, Count Baradei looked even more awful, but he had a plan to save himself, too.
Because it was a last-minute meeting, many nobles who were not in Renstadt and were not strong enough did not make it. Only about two thirds of them arrived.
Sensing that Natasha had reached the door, Rex left his seat and walked to the platform in the front. He knocked the mallet heavily.
After the crisp sound, there was nothing but silence in the Parliament of Nobles.
"Welcome, Your Majesty." Rex turned around, his black cloak fluttering.
Natasha was wearing a black court dress, and her long purple hair was tied up casually. She slowly walked in from the gate, followed by Camil and a team of knights.
The moment they entered the hall, the team of Knights separated and "guarded" the seats in the round conference hall.
Their leader was a calm blond man. Count Baradei recognized him as John, the deputy captain of a small legion of Knights that Queen Natasha brought from Aalto. The rest of them were Violet Knights from Aalto, Sword of Truth Knights, Judgement Knights, and Saint Cross Knights who had been loyal to the queen recently. Fifteen of them were grand knights, and more than fifty were as good as Knights. Together with Camille, they were much stronger than a medium-sized legion of Knights.
The nobles who did not understand what was going on whispered to each other, hinting at the unrest that was to come.
In the meantime, they were shocked that Her Majesty had won the loyalty of so many grand Knights and Knights in less than a month. Also, the Sword of Truth's Knight Legion had always belonged to the royal family and was most cooperative with Natasha's adjustment. They were more reliable in terms of loyalty.
It meant that she was already strong enough to guarantee her throne.
Pa. Natasha knocked the mallet, silencing the Parliament of Nobles that seemed to be buzzing with a hundred flies.
Then, she looked around the hall expressionlessly and said, "Secretly angry",
"I was assassinated this morning."
"What?" The nobles were all shocked. Assassinating their liege was taboo in the first place, and it happened less than a month after the queen's coronation. It was almost a challenge to the order of nobles!
Rex was stunned for a moment. Thinking of York's absence, Barady's absent-mindedness, and the hints in their words, fury was immediately ignited in his heart. He glared at Count Barady angrily. Idiots, I hope that you don't have no plan to kill me! If evidence is found, you can go to hell!
At this moment, Count Barady calmed down. Ignoring Duke Rex's eyes, he considered how to reduce his crime to the minimum.
Natasha knocked the mallet again and said, "It was David Count and the 'Cursed Angel', who ranked fifth among the night watchers, who tried to assassinate me. Duke James, Duke Russell, and Count Henson can testify for that. Saint Sardes can testify for the identity of the 'Cursed Angel'. "
The hall fell into silence again. The nobles found it hard to understand why David, who was close to the Congress of Magic, was involved with the night watchers, but they soon realized that their desires were harmful!
"The night watchers were bold enough to assassinate Her Majesty. The Church is getting more and more outrageous."
"I believe that such an action must be stopped, or it will be our turn one day."
"Stop? How many similar things have happened in the past? The Church always forgets the lesson after expressing its apology. Perhaps our strategy of balance is wrong! "
The nobles discussed angrily, which was similar to Natasha's expectation. The Church could've denied Grunwell's identity, but Sardes was the Grand Cardinal of the Holm parish.
"Your Majesty, such an action must be punished. David must be hanged, Grunwell burned, and the Church must offer corresponding compensation!" Both those who were close to the Church and those who were close to the Congress of Magic expressed similar opinions.
Natasha nodded. "They will be given a fair trial. The meeting today is called because Count David confessed that he was instigated by someone else. It was Count Barady who instigated him, and Duke of York was involved, too. "
The noises stopped again. Except for the few who knew it earlier, all the nobles were shocked. Duke of York and Count Barady were both great nobles and the leaders of the Church. Their involvement would've caused great shock. Also, behind Duke of York was "Heart of Time".
Thinking about that, they all looked at Count Barady who was sitting quietly, praying that nothing would happen to him. The kingdom could not afford a civil war.
Rex, on the other hand, glared at Barady angrily. Idiot who acted on his own!
Count Barady stood up slowly. "Your Majesty, I deny the accusation against me. I would like to confront David face to face. I never instigated or hinted him to assassinate you. His bad thoughts after he met Grunwell were beyond my control. Duke of York is also innocent about that. You can ask him. "
He tied himself to York, trying to minimize his crime with the prestige of "Heart of Time". Also, he did not leave any evidence of instigation.
"I've already sent someone to invite Duke of York." Natasha said calmly, which made Count Barady rather uneasy. He urged even more, "Your Majesty, please let David confront me in front of all the nobles."
Natasha waved her hands, and a Knight walked in with David, who was shackled by the restraining bracelet.
"Hahaha. Barady, you're still denying it? It was you who tempted me to think in the direction of hatred. It was you and York who instigated me to assassinate the queen. "David laughed, not scared of the trouble at all.
Count Barady smiled. As long as David was crazy, he would be more likely to be exonerated as long as he was deeply involved with York. "Please tell everybody how we instigated and bewildered you."
David was stunned for a moment. He could not think of anything to say, so he made up something based on his previous statement.
Barady raised his voice. "Your Majesty, he's lying. We never said that. I ask the clerics to test him!"
He believed that he did not say anything that could be caught. He was very confident in himself!
Looking at Natasha sincerely, Count Barady said, "Your Majesty, please repeat the test and the testimony. I'm very angry about David's false accusation."
A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
At this moment, another Knight came in and said on one of his knees, "Your Majesty, Duke of York committed suicide to escape punishment. This is his confession. He confessed in detail that Count Barady was the mastermind. "
The hall was filled with exclamations. It was a change that they did not expect at all.
What? Duke of York committed suicide to escape punishment?
What about the Heart of Time?
Why would he confess?
Count Barady collapsed in his seat. His brain was in a mess. He could not hear anything. His vision was blurred.
It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't be like this!
Natasha knocked the mallet and announced calmly, "The evidence is conclusive. Count Barady is convicted. He will be hanged, stripped of his title, and his territory …"
The nobles listened to Natasha's verdict in confusion.
"… The territory will be divided into five pieces. The largest piece will be returned to the royal family. The other four pieces will be given to Duke James, Duke Russell, Count Henson, and Count Camille in recognition of their success in stopping the assassination …"
"… All members of the Barady family will be stripped of their titles. The direct members will be exiled to the north …"
"Duke of York confessed before his death. He was not the mastermind, and his family will not be traced …"
The cold female voice kept ringing. The nobles were sweating profusely. This was a real great noble with an epic Knight behind her.
In the past, Natasha was only a talented level-seven Knight, a lady with unparalleled beauty, and a representative of the rootless royalty from a foreign country. However, with the verdict, with the Heart of Time's concession, with the fall of the great nobles, and with her control over the Knight Order, the Natasha in their hearts had truly transformed into a majestic and oppressive queen!
Rex looked at Barady's breakdown and shook his head. Since this meeting was called, it meant that the private exchanges and compromises had been completed long ago. Your fate had been decided long ago. Also, no matter how you quibble, when David repeated the encouraging words, the nobles with discerning eyes would see that something was wrong. That was why the Heart of Time had to compromise in private. By then, as long as the clerics or the neutral nobles tested and interrogated you, they would get the most powerful evidence. It might even implicate other people.
However, he also understood Barady's desperation.
… …
After Lucien returned to Allyn, he was summoned by his teacher as soon as possible.
"Considering your ability to attract danger, I've decided to negotiate with Douglas and ask him to exchange for the improved 'Life Concealment'. You should first consider which part of your body you don't want," Fernando said straightforwardly as he thought about the changes that would happen in the coming year.
Lucien looked at himself. The fingers on his left hand were certainly not suitable, as' Life Hiding 'would lose its effect. The lack of a finger on his right hand would affect his casting gestures and his ability to play the piano. So, he said, "The little finger on my left foot."
Then, Lucien thought of a critical question. "Master, do I pay for it myself?"
"Do you want me to pay for you?" Fernando said angrily. He would have to make other exchanges just to make the 'Hand of Paleness' agree to offer the ritual spell.
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