Chapter 82: Ch 81: Consequences of Losing
The High Judge was trying his best to signal to the noble side that they did not want the list to be made public, but they did not listen.
In the end, the High Judge had no choice but to comply with that demand due to his oath, and the list of crimes became public.
And the crimes on the list did not only involve Sir Ridley, but also other prominent noble names.
The council’s side went pale as soon as they saw the list and immediately tried to deny it.
"This is a false list of accusations! We refuse to acknowledge it! High Judge, that Grand Master is trying to fool you-"
"I’ve had enough! Not only is your side not here with concrete evidence, but you are also making absurd claims and even threatening innocent people. Moreover, you are pointing your fingers at the High Judge as well. I cannot overlook it anymore."
The High Judge snapped, and the council finally realized that they had messed up big time.
"T-That-"
"I had already given my verdict. These cases are dismissed and shall not be reopened."
And just like that, Kael’s side had won their case.
The council, on the other hand, looked like they were heading to their execution. Their eyes slowly turned toward Kael, and some hostility came back.
"You! This is all because of you! If only you had not-!"
Sigh
"That’s right! It’s all because of me. I stopped your attempts at every step and also caused your downfall. So, what are you going to do now?"
He asked, and one of the nobles charged at him, only to be knocked down by Leon. The others did not even try, realizing that they would be taken down by him in an instant.
"Hmm, now that we are done here, it is time for us to take our leave. I hope you have better luck next time."
Kael bid their side goodbye and left.
The council members he left behind trembled in their places, knowing that their lives were finished.
But Kael’s sympathy for them had evaporated a long time ago. He could no longer bring himself to care about them.
"Are you sure we should leave them be?"
Seraphina asked as she looked back at the small group.
There was no sympathy in her eyes, only curiosity. She wanted to know what would happen to these people now that there was no one left to protect them.
Kael ruffled her hair reassuringly.
"Don’t worry about it. Those people will reap what they sow. However, it is no longer our problem. Besides, I doubt we will ever see them again."
The council would take care to tie up any loose ends. But Kael did not want Seraphina to know about that.
Thankfully, Seraphina did not question what he meant and simply walked behind him toward the exit.
__________
The news of what happened in the meeting spread in an instant. People who were curious started to gossip.
And it only took one day before the council’s reputation hit rock bottom (not that it had ever been good).
The leaders of the council knew that they needed to do something before they were affected further. So they quickly called for the people they had sent as representatives of the council.
Their purpose had been to take all the blame for what happened and disappear afterward.
But not only had these fools failed at that, they had also found a way to make the names of the people behind Sir Ridley public.
"I hope you all know why you were called here today."
The council head, Kristain Han, asked the small group.
He was a man who had long surpassed the age at which he should have died, but he still looked no older than twenty-five. It was because he was prolonging his life using magic.
Every noble knew him as the ’eternal’ noble, the one who maintained their dignity and enforced the rules. He could also end a noble’s life in an instant, and no one would bat an eye.
"W-We apologize! We got ahead of ourselves and did not think things through. B-But it is all that Grand Master’s fault! He interfered with us and-"
"Are you blaming young Kael now? He is indeed a problem, but the real problem is your handling of the situation. Because of you, we have become a laughingstock for the public."
The council head did not yell, but his voice carried enough weight to make people flinch.
"T-That is-"
His glare made the younger generation tongue-tied, and no words came out, no matter how hard they tried.
They kept trying to deny the claim when they suddenly felt their throats closing. No air reached their lungs, and they gasped while clutching their throats.
"Kristain, you are too soft on them. You need to administer real punishment if you want people to stop repeating their mistakes."
Lumi Lena, the chairwoman, spoke in a low and seductive voice.
Her appearance looked no older than eighteen, but unlike Kristain, she was draped in the latest fashion. Her eyes, however, were much colder and crueler than his.
"Tsk, did you take over another young body? You need to stop doing that and just make yourself immortal. These young women are not for you to play with."
Kristain commented with disdain, only for Lumi to frown at his words.
"Tsk, why would you say such a thing? We made the council and these nobles. The least they could do is be of use to us. What’s the harm in taking a body or two for my use once in a while?"
Lumi asked with a giggle, and Kristain sighed.
"Did you like her boyfriend? Is that why you decided to take over her body?"
He asked, and Lumi pouted.
"That’s not the only reason...but I admit that it is one of them. Unfortunately, that guy was too boring for me, so I dumped him after doing the deed. And once I am bored, I will hand this body back to its original owner."
Kristain sighed, knowing that his partner had just ruined another life.
Nobles valued a maiden’s purity a lot, and by losing control of her current body, that young woman had now become an outcast.
However, he kept these thoughts to himself, mainly because he wanted Lumi’s help with something else.
"Lumi, how about you deal with ’Grand Master Kael’ before he becomes a thorn in our side?"
He asked, and Lumi made an interested noise.
"Hmm, alright! I guess I can check him out to see if he’s any fun...Ah, these people died. What a pity. Are humans today truly so fragile?"
Kristain shook his head at his partner’s words and signaled that it was the end of the meeting. As for these people...they did not deserve a noble’s rest. Their bodies were better off being fed to the beasts he kept.
