Chapter 136

Normally, the Azure Knights would report first, but this time, the Red Knights went first again, since the last one was an exception.

Still, Rodella had no complaints.

After all, everyone was waiting for the Red Knights’ turn, so no one would listen to her report even if she went first.

While Rodella nodded her head, Ryan bowed to the Emperor.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

The Emperor gestured with his hand at the polite greeting.

It meant for him to start the report.

“Hello, I am Ryan Diepelt, Quartermaster of the Red Knights. I understand that this is a place to mainly report on financial matters, but…”

He looked around cautiously and continued.

“Today, I would like to first explain something else. Is that acceptable?”

The Emperor nodded at his words.

Chancellor Ameris, confirming his intention, added, “After all, the regular report is a place to report to Your Majesty on whether the Knights are being properly operated, so if the topic doesn’t stray too far, you won’t be bothered.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

The Emperor’s words followed.

On the surface, it was a gentle voice, but Rodella felt the coldness within it.

However, Ryan seemed not to have noticed it and looked a bit relieved.

“First, I understand that the Red Knights’ Commander, Edric Sneed, committed a great misconduct during an unfortunate, no, an unthinkable incident.”

The one who is most afraid is the one who talks for a long time.

In the silence, Ryan continued.

After a long-winded tirade about how disrespectful Edric Sneed was to the Emperor and how bad his usual behavior was, he said: “…Such a traitor must be severely punished!”

He then started the important part of his speech.

“Although that man dared to lead the entire Red Knights and march on the Imperial Palace, I opposed it.”

Really? Is that so? Let’s hear what kind of nonsense he’s talking about.

Rodella straightened her posture at his words, while Aivert was counting the number of patterns on the ceiling.

“I have already submitted the related documents… Have you examined them?” Ryan asked cautiously.

“I have examined them myself,” the Emperor said.

At the low voice, Ryan gulped and continued, “Th-thank you. As it was written there, I did not come to the Imperial Palace, and…”

Latine, who was watching the long-winded Ryan, muttered, as if spitting out the words, “He didn’t come because he was afraid of getting stabbed.”

It was a voice just loud enough for Rodella and Aivert to hear.

Rodella strongly agreed with his words and listened to Ryan’s sophistry with a raised eyebrow.

“…And as proof of that, some of the Red Knights who follow me did not dare to commit any disrespectful acts at the Imperial Palace.”

His sophistry was as follows:

After the Red Knights and Azure Knights were called in the name of the Imperial Family, the Red Knights’ Commander tried to use it as an opportunity for treason.

However, he, full of loyalty to the Emperor, opposed it at the risk of his life, and some of the knights who followed him did not agree with it.

As he was rambling, Latine raised his hand.

When the Emperor signaled for him to speak, Latine asked an important question.

“So you’re saying you’re not related to this rebellion?”

“Th-that’s right.” Ryan nodded eagerly.

But there were too many loopholes in his words.

“During the rebellion, the Red Knights pretended to come to protect His Majesty the Emperor and occupied the Imperial Palace.” This time, Aivert spoke.

“If you had known about the Red Knights’ plan then, you wouldn’t have let them into the Imperial Palace at all. Why didn’t you inform the Imperial Palace of the Red Knights’ Commander’s plan?”

Ryan flinched at his words.

Keeping quiet even though he knew the plan was no different from being an accomplice, was it?

“I, I sent a person,” Ryan said in a hurry.

“But the knight I sent went missing…”

Ryan, who was fumbling with his words, was clearly at a loss.

He probably didn’t expect a hearing like this to be held.

After all, until now, almost the entire Administration Bureau Department and each department were from the aristocratic faction, so he probably never thought that such a sharp atmosphere would be directed at him.

“That alone cannot prove your innocence,” the Emperor said bluntly.

Aivert followed up with a question.

“There was also a way to come to the Imperial Palace yourself and convey the plan. Why didn’t you do that?”

Ryan Diepelt was a key figure of the aristocratic faction who was being pushed for the next Chancellor position.

No matter how chaotic the Imperial Palace was, as long as the people who were causing the rebellion were on his side, he wouldn’t have had to worry about being attacked by them, would he?

He was pointing out that fact.

It was a sharp question, but for some reason, Ryan straightened his shoulders as if he had been waiting for it.

Then he took out the bundle of documents he had been clutching so preciously.

“I-it’s because of this! Duke Benerix threatened me, a c-contract that said I would die if I didn’t agree to the plan…!”

On the surface, it would sound like he only passively agreed because of that.

But Rodella knew what Ryan had done.

“Your Majesty,” she spoke.

“Speak.” The Emperor gave her the right to speak, and Rodella stood up.

“I would like to call in those who can testify that his words are false and question him. Would you grant me permission?”

At Rodella’s words, people looked at each other.

What kind of crucial witness did she have?

“Granted.”

When the Emperor’s words fell, Rodella gave a look to the chamberlain.

“They are waiting by the door outside this room.”

“I will bring them in.”

The chamberlain, who spoke in a low voice, soon headed for the door.

In the meantime, Rodella asked Ryan, “What was your relationship with Marvin Tilcot, who came as the acting commander of the Azure Knights?”

“H-he’s just someone I’ve talked to a few times.”

That can’t be true.

Rodella’s eyes narrowed.

It was Marvin Tilcot who deliberately messed up the Azure Knights at the perfect time and sent her and Aivert to the Port of Pomers.

And it was Ryan Diepelt who, at the behest of Duke Benerix, had the hostage situation at the ship in the Port of Pomers.

This was the conclusion reached by combining her information and Royden’s intelligence.

Ryan thought he had hidden a lot, but he hadn’t at all.

Above all, he couldn’t hide the most crucial thing.

“I see. Then, do you know the Kelia Social Club?”

At her words, Ryan’s face hardened.

“It’s a cult in the Red Knights’ jurisdiction. You don’t know it?”

When Rodella asked again, Ryan stammered and replied, “I-I know there was an unfortunate incident… I’d like to express my condolences.”

That’s when it happened.

“Your Majesty, I have brought the witnesses,” the chamberlain said.

“Bring them in.” The Emperor answered without even turning around.

When the command was delivered.

—Clunk…

With a heavy sound, the large doors opened.

“They are the nobles of the Kelia Social Club.”

The very people Ryan Diepelt had just tried to express his condolences to entered the hall, alive and well.

“??”

Ryan Diepelt, who had naturally thought they were all dead and had no proper bodies left from the explosion, was dumbfounded.

His face had turned completely white.

‘What, are you surprised to see ghosts?’

Rodella’s lips curled up.