“Please calm down, Miss Shuangye.” Marshall sighed, a bitter smile playing on his lips: “I am willing to apologize again for my previous gaffe, but I also hope that you will not be blinded by those illusions filled with malice and darkness, and rationally analyze this incident with us.”
Shuang Ye chuckled: “I’ve always been very rational. Saying you were full of nonsense just now was just a spontaneous reaction, purely without malice, so you can continue to ramble.”
“I am truly grateful,” Buffy Marshall elegantly performed a Gentleman’s bow, then picked up the parchment, scanned the people present, and said in a deep voice: “First, I want to briefly defend myself for my earlier lack of decorum, because before I heard Miss Shuang Ye’s final statement, those accusations held no persuasion for me. So, whether as the current Grand Duke who inherited the Marshall name, or as an ordinary person who upholds conscience but is slandered as a slave trader, I found every word from Miss Shuang Ye difficult to accept, which led to my gaffe. I hope everyone… especially the Emperor… will be lenient…”
Emperor Kleiwo shook his head slightly: “If it was just an unintentional mistake, Buffy, I believe I already forgave you just now.”
“But if what the young Miss Shuang Ye said is true,” Grand Duke Baloka stared intently into Grand Duke Marshall’s eyes, his entire being like a drawn sword: “Then even the most glorious name must pay the price for such an outrageous act!”
The latter nodded earnestly: “Of course, I completely agree with your point, Vernon. I’ve already noticed something. Perhaps my upcoming conjectures and deductions are still insufficient to prove my innocence, but the truth will always come to light…”
“I’m already impatient for it to come to light,” Shuang Ye tapped the table impatiently and snorted, “So please quickly defend yourself. I believe there will be at least one clever person in this room who won’t be deceived.”
Grand Duke Marshall nodded: “No problem, Miss Shuang Ye. My point is very simple: Benny Crow is problematic. The reason he was willing to be hired by me back then now seems not to have been for money, at least not for that amount of money.”
The others exchanged glances. No one was foolish; Buffy Marshall’s underlying meaning was already very clear…
“Oh?” Shuang Ye raised an eyebrow with interest, leisurely twirling a few strands of hair that hung from her shoulder as she said, “You mean Benny Crow did a lot of bad things right under your nose, and those had nothing to do with you, is that it?”
Marshall gave a self-deprecating laugh: “Such belated words are indeed a bit difficult to utter, and they prove my past foolishness, but that is precisely what I mean.”
Grand Duke Simon furrowed his brows: “You need to provide evidence, Buffy.”
“I just said that Benny Crow left the Marshall Family two months ago, and the attack on Miss Shuang Ye’s squad happened after that,” Marshall shrugged at Grand Duke Simon and said unhurriedly: “Many people can provide evidence for this. I even had a small dispute with Benny before he left. Later, when the Autonomous Army searched for casualties at the border, no one saw him, so it’s obvious that Benny was acting alone at the time and had nothing to do with the Marshall Family.”
Shuang Ye glanced at him lazily: “So you mean, the Fenrir Squad’s encounter has nothing to do with you?”
“No, I feel I must bear some responsibility,” Marshall shook his head sorrowfully and sighed softly: “You were once my soldiers, and Benny Crow has followed me for many years, so…”
“You don’t need to say more, I’m already bored.”
Shuang Ye stood up, looking coldly at Grand Duke Marshall: “You’re distancing yourself from Benny Crow, pushing all the blame onto him, then putting yourself in the position of a ‘victim.’ You won’t deny the truth of slave trading, but you also won’t admit that such a thing has anything to do with you. You’re changing your identity from ‘mastermind’ to ‘Bewitched’ or ‘Deceived,’ fabricating a non-existent Pang Da conspiracy, constantly muddying the waters in the process, and even selling out some collaborators and lackeys to compensate for your minor ‘missteps.’ Finally, you’ll self-direct and self-perform the termination of the ‘mysterious slave-hunting group roaming within the Violet Empire,’ and with everyone’s cooperation and effort, you’ll expose the so-called conspiracy. After killing some high-ranking Substitute Ghosts, you’ll still be Grand Duke Marshall, and the slave-hunting group, having suffered some minor losses, will still be a slave-hunting group, just needing to be more cautious in their future actions. Ah ~ what a perfect ending, I’m truly impressed by you.”
The girl spoke incredibly fast, giving no one a chance to interrupt, and after she finished her last word, no one stepped forward to refute or question the content.
“Uh, it’s understandable that you would think that,” Grand Duke Marshall’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he gave a somewhat awkward laugh: “But I must…”
“You must clarify yourself, that’s right, you would do that both emotionally and logically.” Shuang Ye waved her hand, somewhat annoyed, and said in a deep voice, much louder than Marshall’s: “But I’m already bored, so I finished those pointless ramblings for you. Now, let’s skip those boring quibbles, save some breath, and get straight to the point.”
Grand Duke Dengtis, who had been silent for a long time, shook his head: “Miss Shuang Ye, you are merely a participant in this meeting, not the host. Please do not be so autocratic.”
“Exactly,” Grand Duke Simon also nodded in agreement, “We should let Buffy finish what he has to say.”
Duke Hussein scoffed twice: “Don’t let anger cloud your judgment. In my opinion, Buffy is much calmer than you right now.”
Even Grand Duke Baloka and Grand Duke Crystal Wolf nodded.
“Thank you, everyone.” A composed smile returned to Grand Duke Marshall’s face, and he smiled faintly: “Now I shall…”
【In this situation, there isn’t much room left for him. If we just simply rule out…】
“If you intend to suggest that everyone first look at the evidence after saying a bunch of rambling nonsense,” Shuang Ye interrupted him again, raising an eyebrow: “I have no objections. The materials Captain Ned left are in the Scarlet Garden. We can depart at any time.”
Marshall looked at Shuang Ye with some astonishment, and after several seconds, he lightly coughed, then spread his hands and said, “You’re right, that’s exactly what I intended. Through the information you provided, Miss Shuang Ye, I recalled some things I had previously overlooked, which is why I planned to… Haha, I originally thought you wouldn’t agree.”
Duke Hussein was startled: “Buffy?”
Grand Duke Marshall shrugged: “That’s what I was thinking all along.”
“I agree.” Shuang Ye nodded briskly and smiled at everyone: “What do you all think?”
Grand Duke Simon folded the parchment in front of him and put it into his pocket: “I think that since Buffy and Miss Shuang Ye both agree, then the sooner we see the evidence, the better.”
The other lords also nodded.
“Then, what does the Emperor think?” Shuang Ye turned her head again to look at the thoughtful Kleivore, and asked with a grin: “Is that alright?”
The latter stood up and slowly said, “Then let it be so. We shall now depart for the Scarlet Garden. Does everyone agree?”
Grand Duke Marshall beamed: “My pleasure, I imagine there will be many…”
“Emperor.” Shuang Ye suddenly bowed to Emperor Kleivore at this moment and said softly, “For safety’s sake, I have a small additional request.”
Kleivore looked at her indifferently: “Speak.”
“I hope that the journey from here to the Scarlet Garden will be free of any interference from unauthorized personnel,” Shuang Ye said with a smile, adjusting the collar of her magic robe: “So, might I ask your Mirror Guards to escort us? As for the Grand Dukes’ retinues, they can return to their temporary residences in the Imperial Capital and wait there for a while.”
Grand Duke Fernan looked up at Shuang Ye in surprise: “You mean, to prevent us from contacting our personal guards?”
“This is only temporary.” Shuang Ye shrugged and shook her index finger: “I said, it’s just for safety’s sake. Didn’t we just witness the strength of the Royal Mirror Guards? This won’t affect anyone’s safety.”
Grand Duke Baloka laughed heartily: “I have no objection.”
Grand Duke Crystal Wolf also nodded after half a second of hesitation: “Acceptable.”
“Alright, Miss Shuang Ye’s words are not without reason.” Emperor Kleivore gently clapped his hands, then whispered to the air in front of him: “Have the Grand Dukes’ attendants, who are waiting outside Purple Juniper Hall, return to their residences first. Tell them we have important matters to discuss.”
“Yes, Emperor.”
A hoarse voice sounded at the entrance. A Mirror Guards in a purple robe suddenly appeared before everyone, bowed to Kleivore, and then turned to leave.
【He didn’t reveal anything unusual. I don’t know if he’s too idealistic or if he has a communication method I don’t know about, but it doesn’t matter, I’ll slowly push you to a dead end…】
Shuang Ye watched Buffy Marshall, who was casually chatting with Grand Duke Dengtis not far away, and gently chuckled, covering her small mouth. Her eyes, hidden behind the mirror’s reflection, were filled with malice and Chaos.
A moment later
“All the lords’ followers have departed, Emperor.”
The purple-robed Mirror Guards with the mirror face mask reappeared at the entrance of Purple Juniper Hall and respectfully said to Emperor Kleivore: “The Violet Mirror Guards’ Third and Seventh Squads are waiting outside.”
“Thank you for your efforts.” Emperor Kleivore nodded slightly, then stepped forward and led the way out: “Let’s go.”
Shuang Ye immediately trotted behind Kleivore, with Grand Duke Crystal Wolf, who had approached at some point, beside her. The latter whispered in Shuang Ye’s ear in an almost inaudible tone: “Are you really sure, little sister Shuang Ye? Is Grand Duke Marshall truly…”
“Seeing is believing, Aimilin sister.” Shuang Ye smiled easily, glancing at Buffy Marshall, who was walking behind with Grand Dukes Simon and Fernan, and gave a small whistle: “I sincerely hope he can still smile this happily when he leaves the Scarlet Garden, if he can even get out ~”
The nine people walked out of the long corridor. Outside, two rows of identically dressed royal Mirror Guards were waiting, and all the attendants who had come with their lords, including the old man who had accompanied Aimilin, had disappeared.
Shuang Ye nodded in satisfaction, then left Grand Duke Crystal Wolf and walked up to Buffy Marshall, winking at the somewhat displeased Grand Duke in front of her: “Can I walk beside you?”
“…”
…
Twenty minutes later
Saramun, Scarlet Garden
Le Wen, the Half-Orc internal affairs manager of Fire Claw Territory, greeted them with a smile from inside, showing no surprise on his face. He greeted everyone present with impeccable noble etiquette, and particularly enthusiastically said: “My lords, you’ve come to see the evidence, haven’t you? We’ve already prepared everything ~ Come, come, Mr. Ned’s dossiers are inside. Oh, the Emperor’s Mirror Guards can rest in the front yard. Would you like some tea or fruit platters?”
“The Mirror Guards can stay outside Scarlet Garden, they must have eaten already.” Emperor Kleivore shook his head, looking at the fox-man in front of him with some amusement: “Long time no see, Manager Le Wen, did you know we were coming?”
Le Wen bowed deeply to Kleivore: “Yes, Emperor. Miss Shuang Ye said that if Grand Duke Buffy Marshall did not directly confess, then you would all surely come for a visit.”
“Is that so…”
Kleivore nodded noncommittally and said softly, “Then lead the way.”
So everyone followed Le Wen to a small room in the deepest part of the Scarlet Garden, where dozens of heavily armed Fire Claw Territory warriors were stationed.
“I’ll wait for everyone outside. If you need anything, feel free to call me,” Le Wen stopped in front of the room, turned back, and smiled at everyone. His gaze paused slightly as it swept over Grand Duke Marshall: “Fire Claw Territory has been waiting for this day for too long.”
The latter gave an unnatural smile: “The truth will always come out…”
“Then stop talking nonsense.” Shuang Ye stepped forward first and pushed open the door: “Everyone, please.”
The room was simply furnished, with only a very large wooden table piled with a stack of clearly aged parchment scrolls. Around it, there were exactly nine chairs, just as Bro had said; Shuang Ye had anticipated this visit today.
“These are all the legacies Captain Ned left behind,” Shuang Ye walked to the wooden table, turned to the crowd, and smiled: “He was a small person, a truly small person, a small person who struggled desperately in front of important people, a small person whose death was particularly, particularly cliché, and he even dragged three other small people just like him to their deaths…”
She raised an eyebrow and lightly snapped her fingers.
Several invisible breezes swept through, unfurling the scrolls of records on the table, whose medium was unusually cheap…
“And I, I just want this legacy, belonging to Ned, belonging to Fenrir, to serve some purpose, like destroying a high and mighty Grand Duke or something. That’s all ~”
The girl’s eyes, devoid of any emotion and overflowing with Chaos, stared intently at Buffy Marshall.
“It has nothing to do with law, nothing to do with conscience, nothing to do with morality, simply because doing so will make me happier.”
Chapter 258: End