Chapter 83: A Prepared Reversal (2)

Not long after his first reporting order was dismissed, Eisen called another reporting order. It was a serious situation because no reporting orders had been called since the purge of the State Contributors, but now two had been called in the span of a few days.

However, the Patrician Family members were more curious than concerned, although they didn’t reveal this. Except for Eisen, everyone sat around the throne with cold eyes, their expressions as serious as the reporting order.

‘I wonder what Eisen’s up to now?’

‘He must have something good planned.’

‘Damn, look at Aubert’s face, haha.’

Eisen did not hide his excitement, which made the imaginations and curiosity of the Patrician Family members run wild.

They were more excited than worried, since the boring peace would be disrupted, just like it had been when they executed the State Contributors.

‘Tragedies are fun to watch when they happen to others.’

They were just bystanders watching the conflict unfold excitedly, but Aubert had to keep his composure.

‘Eisen, can it be…? No way… The Eisen that I know doesn’t have that kind of strength.’

The marquis tried his best to keep calm as he tapped his finger on his knees.

The situation was not looking good.

Although Aubert was known for his tricks, most of his schemes had been successful because he had information. However, this time, he had to prepare for Eisen’s attack without having any information, and he didn’t know how to avoid blame. Last time, he managed to cover up his crimes through his acting and injury, but Aubert didn’t believe that the same method would work again.

Aubert made a fist and quietly exchanged gazes with Eisen.

Smirk.

Eisen’s eyes were curved like a crescent moon. He had the same smile on his face that Aubert had had last time.

The emperor soon appeared along with two court ladies. “What is it this time? A reporting order again?” The emperor’s disheveled appearance gave clues as to his activities before he appeared, but it didn’t matter since he was a foolish, arrogant, and self-centered tyrant.

Marquis Alfred answered, “Yes, Your Majesty. Count Eisen has called another reporting order.”

“You called a reporting order last time, too, didn’t you? Tell me, what is it this time?” he asked Eisen.

Aubert’s cold sweat and Eisen’s little game began.

“Your Majesty, I called another reporting order because a shameless man has lied to Your Majesty and violated the laws of the empire, making a fool out of Your Majesty behind your back.”

“There are so many shameless people in this empire. Who is it this time?”

“It is Marquis Aubert, Your Majesty.”

“What?”

The game had begun.

Some nervously swallowed, while others watched Eisen’s game play out with excited eyes.

However, the emperor became suspicious rather than angry, because Aubert had already proven his loyalty previously. He frowned and asked, “Eisen, what evidence do you have?”

“I have plenty of evidence this time. If you allow me, I will show Your Majesty.”

“Alright, I give you permission.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Guards, bring the evidence in right now!”

Several soldiers appeared with the corpses of the third unit members and their leader, Canye.

Although quite some time had passed, the bodies hadn’t decomposed much due to the spell cast on them.

Esien pointed at the corpses and said, “These are the bodies of the third unit of the Viper Knights, including their leader, Canye.”

“It’s the imperial knights again?”

“Your Majesty, Aubert sent this team to Salmora to cover up his wrongdoings before I called the first reporting order.”

“He sent them? To do what?”

“Before the first reporting order, Aubert tried to not only kill the exiles in Salmora, but also the witnesses and the checkpoint soldiers to destroy all evidence.”

“Aubert tried to kill his own imperial soldiers with the imperial knights in order to get rid of evidence?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m not making baseless accusations. Chief Vhant has witnessed this himself. Here is his statement.” Esien took out Chief Vhant’s statement and placed it on the table, looking as confident as if he were holding out a medal.

Eisen was using the same tactic as before, but since he had more evidence this time, it was impossible for Aubert to improvise an excuse.

‘You’re done for.’

‘How stupid. You should have done it right if you were going to cover up your evidence in the first place.’

Aubert’s face grew white like those of the corpses before him as he heard the whispers of the Patrician Families.

The emperor’s face grew red, but unlike before, he did not raise his voice in rage. This time, the emperor's anger grew slowly like boiling water. He had experienced this situation before, which was why he could stop himself from acting rashly.

However, this was not what Eisen wanted.

‘As expected, this is not enough?to enrage him?like last time.’

Eisen remembered Henry’s advice and nodded slowly.

The emperor called out, “Aubert.”

“...Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Shouldn’t you at least make up an excuse?”

Even though he was called a genius strategist, Aubert was still human. However, he could read the room better than anyone else.

‘Eisen has something else up his sleeve.’?

Aubert could tell just from Eisen’s expression. However, if Aubert admitted to his crimes without remorse, he would suffer alone. In addition, the gravity of the crime meant that there was a strong possibility his punishment would not end with his death alone.

‘It’s said that a military man will always wait for revenge, even if it takes ten years. First, I have to survive.’?

Instead of answering, Aubert picked up Vhant’s letter and opened it.

Rustle!

Aubert had to find clues from the information he could get. When he was done reading the letter, he said, “Your Majesty, what Eisen said is half true, half false.”

“Half? What do you mean?”

“It’s true that the Viper Knights went to Salmora on my orders, but it was not to destroy evidence. It was to ensure that something like this would never happen again.”

“What do you mean? Continue.”

“It’s just as I said. I already admitted to my mistakes and showed my sincerity during the first reporting order. It’s true that I did send these knights, but I sent them to right my wrongs because I realized my mistake. I never sent them to destroy evidence, Your Majesty.”

“You dare, Aubert! How could you lie to the emperor’s face!” Eisen shouted, but Aubert wasn’t done talking.

“Count Eisen, your actions are quite strange. The first reporting order was a misunderstanding, but how can you frame me with the bodies of the knights and Vhant’s statement twice within a span of a few days?”

“What?”

“Your Majesty, I have already admitted my faults and conveyed my sincerity, but to be honest, I believe Count Eisen is acting suspiciously since he has called another reporting order for exactly the same reason as the previous one.”

“Aubert, are you saying that Eisen is lying to harm you?”

“Not necessarily but… Your Majesty, I apologize for bringing this up right now. Count Eisen and I don’t have a very good relationship.”

“A bad relationship?”

“As you know, Alfred and I were promoted to the position of marquis, and ever since that moment, Eisen has had a grudge against us.”

Eisen hurried to cut Aubert off. “Your Majesty! Marquis Aubert is trying to hide his guilt by bringing up something that is completely unrelated to this case!”

However, Aubert didn’t stop. “Besides, the current checkpoint chief of Salmora is Vhant. Your Majesty, Chief Vhant used to be a member of the State Contributors. I’m afraid that these two men are accusing me of the same crime twice because they want to tear me down so that Eisen can take over my position as marquis.” Aubert didn’t know this for sure, but he was correct about Eisen’s motives; he was truly a strategist.

Alfred frowned because Aubert had used him to support his argument.

The emperor asked, “Alfred.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is Aubert telling the truth?”

“...It’s true that their relationship is not good, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Be quiet.”

It seemed that the situation had gone through an upheaval. Without support, Aubert’s accusation would have no legs, but thanks to Alfred’s admission and Vhant’s background, Aubert’s words were having an effect on the emperor that was beyond his expectations.

Facing such varying accusations, the emperor brought his hand to his forehead. His head hurt from simply hearing the name “State Contributor,” it was that detestable to him.

The emperor suddenly recalled the face of the dead archmage who had lashed out at him at the execution site.

‘Damn him…’

Aubert smiled as he watched the emperor.

‘I don’t know what’s going on with Salmora, but I have to end this order quickly before anything else gets brought up.’

As more time passed, it would only lead to a disadvantage. Aubert added, “Your Majesty, I believe Eisen might have misunderstood the situation, but it’s also possible that he’s trying to slander me. Therefore, in order to find out the truth, I believe it is fair to ask the six Patrician Families and the grand dukes to weigh in.”

“Grand dukes…”

It was clear that Aubert was calm and confident. Eisen began to argue in irritation, “Marquis! Are you confident that you can prove what you’ve just said!”

“Of course. If your accusations are true, I will gladly accept the punishment according to the laws of the empire. However, if it’s the other way around, I leave it up to you to determine your own fate.”

“How shameless…!”

“Count, what kind of behavior are you showing to the emperor?” As Aubert regained his composure, he tried to bring down Eisen’s confidence.

The emperor removed his hand from his forehead and began to speak. “Eisen, Aubert does have a point.”

“Your Majesty!”

“As Aubert said, this is a very serious matter! It is necessary to hear the opinions of the other grand dukes and find the truth.”

‘It worked!’?

Aubert was satisfied and the other Patrician Families watched in admiration.

It seemed as if this was how the second reporting order would end.

“Your Majesty,” Eisen spoke with a calm smile.

“Is there something else you want to say?”

“Your Majesty is right. This is a serious matter, and it’s important to find the truth.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“However, I didn’t say that I only had one piece of evidence.”

“What?”

“Guards! Bring in the second evidence!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers entered the room once again, holding Salmora and Pip’s stiff bodies.

?

Another person followed them into the room: Kale.