Translator: Yang_Wenli
Recently, Farucci was in a slight turmoil. But, it has not reached a point of social unrest. Merely, Madam Schroder would always be able to hear some rumors and gossip whenever she goes out.
The burning of the Blackwood Forest that left the Blackwood Elves homeless became a hot topic throughout Farucci.
Even though Madam Schroder was the Grand Duchess of Blackwood, she knew very little about what exactly happened.
Fortunately, her daughter who was in the care of the Blackwood Elves did not suffer any mishap in the fire.
The reason why Madam Schroder was in such a rush to send Gallolie out of Farucci was due to her husband’s strange behaviors. Even though he does not appear to be ill, she felt like he was someone else.
Many of the servants in the manor also felt the same way she does.
By coincidence, Madam Schroder witnessed a servant in the manor transforming into a monster, a monster much more terrifying than demons.
Because of that, she immediately gathered some of her trusted aides and departed from the Blackwood Duchy. Braving dangers, she proceeded toward the royal capital to seek help.
After traveling for half a month, Madam Schroder arrived at Farucci’s capital. Having been in the royal capital for a day, she planned to proceed toward the Central Academy of Drama, the place with the greatest authority in the capital.
As Madam Schroder got into her carriage, she saw a group of crowd gathering on the other side of the street. A person in a gray gown was currently speaking vehemently.
“A bunch of demons with raging flames burning from their bodies had burned down the Blackwood Forest! Citizens of Farucci, please keep away from that land of disaster! Our Great King has already dispatched soldiers to suppress those demons! Please, before leaving, offer your thoughts and prayers to the innocent lives snatched away by those demons in the great fire!”
This was a ‘performance’ very commonly seen in Farucci. But, the content of this ‘performance’ caused Madam Schroder to crease her brows.
Ever since she came in contact with the Chaos Demon ‘Joshua’ in Norland, Madam Schroder’s understanding of Demons was completely revised. She was unwilling to believe that an artist that excellent would be a ‘cruel and barbarous’ demon described by the Nation of the Holy Church.
Furthermore, she learned from her daughter’s letters that the burning of the Blackwood Forest was caused by the Nation of the Holy Church’s Heresy Tribunal!
That was also the reason why she came to the royal capital. It was all so that she could inform their king what the Nation of the Holy Church did.
Yet, there were people spreading remarks about the Blackwood Forest all over the royal capital. Madam Schroder was certain that all of this was caused by the missionaries from the Holy Church.
“Oris, whether or not our king will avenge your race will depend on your sincerity.”
Madam Schroder turned away from the crowd and looked at a Blackwood Elf girl in the carriage. She was a witness recommended to Madam Schroder by Elder Safran.
“I will watch my words and actions. Grand Duchess of Blackwood, I thank you for giving me this chance.” The elf gestured her gratitude.
When the carriage entered the royal capital’s Central Academy of Drama, it suddenly stopped. Madam Schroder pulled back the curtains of the window and saw that there were over a dozen fully armed knights outside.
“Stay in the carriage,” After saying those words, Madam Schroder opened the door to the carriage and walked out.
“I am the wife of the North’s Grand Duke of Blackwood, Karana van Donnell... You all best prepare a reason to obstruct my path.”
Madam Schroder’s gaze swept toward the knights. There were two powerful mages among them.
“Karana van Donnell, wife of the Grand Duke of Blackwood, daughter of Earl Ranke of the North, with the imperial laws, I hereby declare... your arrest.”
One of the knights walked out from the formation. He pulled open a scroll and made a loud declaration.
“Arrest?!”
Madam Schroder’s heart sank in an instant. She never imagined that she would receive this sort of treatment upon arriving at the royal capital.
Another knight had walked out from the formation and took out handcuffs to apprehend Madam Schroder. At this time, Madam Schroder felt the fluctuation of magic from the carriage behind her.
That Blackwood Elf seemed to be planning to rescue her. But, Madam Schroder raised her hand to indicate to her to not act rashly.
“I wish to know what my crime is? Who gave this order?”
Madam Schroder allowed herself to be cuffed. But, her voice remained exceptionally calm.
“My apologies, that is not something that we can answer. However, you will soon be put on trial.”
The knight leader ordered his subordinates. The soldiers walked toward the carriage. It seemed like they were planning to conduct a search.
But, when the soldiers opened the carriage door, the Blackwood Elf had disappeared.
The soldiers retrieved a suitcase from the carriage. Apart from Madam Schroder’s clothes and personal items, the originium crystal with ‘Léon: The Demon’ was also present.
“We will safekeep these for you,” said the knight leader, “Now, please follow us to the court of law.”
“I was not aware that there exists a court of law in the Central Academy of Drama.”
Madam Schroder’s voice gradually grew colder. She swept her gaze across all the knights present. Some of the more timid knights didn’t even dare to look her in the eyes.
She was an influential noble in Farucci. Whether her husband or her father, they were high nobles with first-tier authority.
Thus, if they didn’t have a proper crime to charge her with, all these knights and soldiers involved in her arrest will face the danger of execution through beheading. Furthermore...
“There aren’t many people in Farucci that are qualified to interrogate me,” said Madam Schroder.
“The court has been waiting for you the past couple days. Please follow me, Madam Schroder.”
The knight leader began to walk toward the Central Academy of Arts. As they entered deeper, Madam Schroder was brought to a grand building.
“The Senate...”
Madam Schroder naturally knew what this imposing building represented. Many years ago, this was the heart of Farucci’s powers. But now, Farucci’s powers were held by the king and nobles.
Even though the Senate still exists, their influence was far from before.
Led by the knights, Madam Schroder entered this history-filled building. Following the passage with originium crystals engraved with illumination runes placed in the surroundings, Madam Schroder could see the figures seated on the judgement seats.
It was as that knight said, all the participants of this interrogation were people qualified to try her.
“I wish to know what sort of crime I’ve committed, Your Majesty Klund... This journey to the royal capital has been the worst one in my entire life.”
Madam Schroder looked at a middle-aged man wearing a crown seated in the middle. Even though she did not see her father among these people, the King of Farucci was a close friend of her husband.
The king did not say anything. His expression was extremely stern. He turned to look at a stooped minister beside him.
The minister slowly stood up and pulled open an ancient sheepskin scroll.
“Karana van Donnell, you are accused of treason for colluding with demons to summon an invasion into Farucci’s borders.”
“Ridiculous! I wish to know who accused me!” Madam Schroder loudly questioned the minister.
“Your husband, the Grand Duke of Blackwood...”