Chapter 551: I Want To Be A Movie Star

In that moment, the entire room seemed spellbound.

Every single person had fallen completely under the charm of Cassius’s tale.

Their hearts softened, their defenses melted, and the once-accused man standing before them now looked more like a tragic figure than a criminal.

Whispers of sympathy filled the air.

“Oh, the poor man…”

“He was so alone…”

“To think someone like him suffered so much…”

Even the nuns, women who prided themselves on being unshakable in the face of sin, now found their faith in judgment wavering. They looked at Cassius with pity in their eyes, wondering if perhaps they had all made a terrible mistake.

’Maybe the Goddess was wrong.’ One of them dared to think. ’Maybe he truly is innocent.’

Perhaps this was all just a colossal misunderstanding—rumors and false stories twisted by those jealous of his wealth or charm.

Maybe, in their zeal for justice, they had condemned a man who was merely misunderstood.

Even Stella, who had spent her entire life investigating sinners, found herself trembling.

She could no longer bring herself to see him as the monster in those recordings; now she saw a lonely boy who had lost everything.

But one person did not share those thoughts.

One person stood apart, arms crossed, her expression cold and unwavering.

Joy.

The Saintess of Judgment stood tall and rigid, her arms crossed, her expression like carved stone.

No amount of tears, no amount of charm, no clever words or sentimental tales could sway her heart.

In her mind, there was no doubt. The Goddess herself had spoken to her directly—told her that this man was the source of corruption, the one whose sins needed to be purified from this world.

It was her divine duty to act. Her purpose. Her calling.

So while the others saw a wounded soul deserving of pity, Joy saw something far darker: a deceiver, a serpent who could twist emotion into a weapon and make angels doubt themselves.

His ability to turn sympathy to his advantage only convinced her further that he truly was the devil in disguise.

Her patience snapped.

“Then tell me, Lord Cassius.” She said suddenly, her tone cutting through the wholesome moment.

Everyone froze. The maids quickly released him from their embraces; Aqua turned, startled, while Maria bit her lip nervously. Cassius blinked once, lifting his head to meet her cold, piercing gaze.

Joy’s voice was low, but laced with anger.

“If what you say is true—if all of this nonsense about acting and childhood loneliness is true—then answer me this.”

She took a step forward.

“If you truly wanted to be an actor or a performer, why didn’t you just act on a real stage? Why not perform in an actual theatre? You have influence, power, and wealth. You could easily buy out an entire hall and gather hundreds to watch you. Not to mention why act out such depraved scenes.”

Cassius said nothing yet, simply watching her with that same faintly amused look on his face, which only infuriated her further.

“And why…” Joy continued. “…is there no record—none at all—of you ever performing publicly? Why do all of these so-called ’plays’ exist only in video transmissions?”

“And do you think me a fool? Creating such elaborate projections costs a fortune! Why would you spend so much money to record yourself, rather than perform like a normal actor?”

For a moment, silence.

Then Cassius’s melancholic, tragic mask fell away—replaced by that infuriatingly confident smirk once again.

“Ah.” He said lightly, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. “That’s because, my dear Saintess, I’m not just acting for the sake of being an actor.”

Joy frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Cassius smiled. “I’m creating something new. Something this world has never seen before. I call them—’movies.’”

The word was strange to everyone present. A few of the maids blinked. Aqua tilted her head, confused.

“Movies?” Joy repeated slowly, the word tasting foreign on her tongue. “What in the Goddess’s name is a movie?”

Cassius stepped forward slightly, hands folded behind his back, and began to explain in that charismatic tone that always drew people in.

“It’s a new form of entertainment I’m developing. You see, in traditional theatre, people must gather in one place, a grand hall or stage to see the actors perform.”

“But with movies…you don’t have to.”

“The entire play is captured on a video transmission device—recorded perfectly, every emotion, every line, every gesture—and then, that recording can be distributed.”

“People will be able to watch the entire performance from their own homes, in privacy and comfort. They can laugh, cry, and feel, all without leaving their seats.”

There was a collective murmur of amazement.

The nuns couldn’t help but glance at one another, whispering about how fascinating that idea sounded.

Joy, however, folded her arms.

“That’s absurd.” She said flatly. “Such a thing would be ridiculously expensive. You’d bankrupt yourself trying to distribute something like that. Only the top nobles could afford such devices.”

Cassius waved his hand casually.

“That’s why I’m developing something new.” He said with a confident grin. “A cheaper, more accessible form of the device, something even commoners could afford.”

“And if that fails, I plan to establish theatres across the continent—places where everyone, noble or commoner, can come to experience a movie. It’s a dream of mine.”

He turned to Lucius and gestured.

“Lucius, the documents.”

“Right away, Young Master!” Lucious said before darting off and returning moments later with several thick folders stacked in his arms. He placed them carefully on the table before Stella.

Cassius motioned toward them with a graceful sweep of his hand.

“In these files, you’ll find all the proof you need—reports on the progress of my theatre project, expense ledgers, blueprints of the recording equipment, the funding sources, the list of engineers and artists working on it, and even the scripts of my films, including costume records, actor lists, and casting notes.”

He smiled faintly. “Everything you need to verify that my so-called crimes were nothing more than recorded performances.”

Joy’s expression faltered for just a moment, uncertainty flickering across her face. She turned toward Stella.

Stella hesitated, then carefully opened one of the folders. Her eyes darted over the neatly written reports, blueprints, sketches, and financial breakdowns.

After several tense moments, she swallowed and looked up nervously.

“It’s…all here.” She said quietly. “Everything he said—plans, designs, staff lists, even signatures from artisans and engineers in the southern district. It’s…it’s legitimate.”

The nuns murmured again in disbelief.

Joy’s jaw tightened as she turned toward her subordinate. “Are you certain?”

Stella nodded nervously. “Yes, my lady. Every detail matches his claim.”

Cassius smiled, hands clasped behind his back.

“You see? I wasn’t lying. I truly am making something revolutionary. I’m not deceiving anyone. I’m simply…ahead of my time.”

He gave a wistful sigh, pressing a hand over his chest.

“Regarding the reason why the scenes all seemed vile, I simply thought I would get into the character that a lot of people potray me as for some realism but I do have normal scenes of course, which you can check out with some having action and even romance.

“And as for those recordings that got leaked across the continent. Well…”

He lowered his eyes dramatically.

“That was truly unfortunate. They weren’t meant for public view. Someone leaked them before the editing was even finished.”

“And now look what’s happened.” He let out a sorrowful laugh. “My entire reputation destroyed, my name dragged through the mud.”

“People see the performances and think I’m a monster. Rumors spiral, and suddenly even the Empress orders an investigation. It’s…tragic, really.”

Aqua, unable to bear it, immediately hugged him again. “Oh, my poor brother…you’ve suffered so much again…” She said, her voice breaking.

“Indeed, Young Master.” One of the maids sobbed, wiping her eyes. “You are too good for this cruel world!”

Cassius smiled faintly, patting their heads like a benevolent saint. “Thank you…all of you.”

Then, reluctantly, he stepped back from their embrace and turned to Joy again.

“Well then, Saintess.” He said evenly. “You’ve seen the evidence. I’ve answered every question. I’ve proven that I’ve committed no crime. So, if there’s anything else you wish to ask or investigate, now is the time. I’m willing to answer anything.”

All eyes turned toward Joy, waiting for her reply.

And just herself grinded her teeth in frustration at the situation before her.

She knew he was lying—she had to believe he was lying.

But with the files laid out before her, the testimonies, the clever explanations, every angle of her case had been blocked.

And she knew even if she asked something now, he would only twist it, manipulate it, and turn the crowd even more against her.

So, almost like I woman who was giving in after having no choice, she clenched her fists tightly beneath her sleeves, taking in a slow breath before saying,

“…There’s nothing I have left to ask.”

“All my questions…have been answered.”

Hearing this statement, for a brief, blissful second, everyone believed it was over.

Maria exhaled deeply, pressing a hand over her heart as if releasing the weight of the past hour.

“Thank the heavens…” She murmured, her tone trembling with relief. “It’s finally over. I thought a holy war was about to break out right here…”

Aqua, beaming brightly, actually jumped a little on the spot, clasping her hands together in joy.

“He’s innocent! My brother’s finally innocent!” She laughed through teary eyes. “See? I knew he didn’t do anything wrong!”

The maids broke into smiles and quiet cheers, wiping away the last of their tears.

“Our young master is safe!” One said, while another clapped her hands in delight. “The Goddess herself must have seen his heart!”

Even the nuns—stoic, disciplined women of the cloth—seemed visibly relieved. They exchanged glances filled with exhaustion and shame, some bowing their heads in regret.

They had come here to purge sin, but instead, it seemed they had tried to persecute a man who was perhaps not guilty at all.

“Yes.” Whispered one nun softly. “We were misled by rumors.”

“Such a kind soul, and we judged him so harshly…” Another murmured.

For the first time since the ordeal began, warmth filled the room again. The tension melted away.

Cassius himself straightened slightly, his ever-charming smile returning, and he looked like he was about to offer a graceful bow in thanks.

“Saintess Joy.” He began, his voice smooth and gracious. “Thank you for your understanding. I appreciate your—”

But he never got to finish.

Because that was when Joy smiled.

Not the gentle, relieved smile everyone expected—no, this was something else entirely.

A slow, deliberate curve of her lips, filled with amusement and quiet malice. Her eyes too glinted like sharp blades, calm yet terrifying.

The air instantly grew heavy again.

“But even though.” She said softly, her tone almost playful. “I have no questions to ask you right now.”

Everyone froze.

“I do have one last thing I’d like to do.”

Cassius tilted his head, still keeping his composure but visibly cautious now.

“One last thing?” He asked, trying to keep his tone light. “Well, I suppose I can’t refuse a lady’s request. Whatever it may be, I’m at your service. What do you wish to do, Saintess? Some sort of lie-detecting ritual, perhaps?”

He smirked faintly, trying to make light of it.

“Or maybe there’s a magical truth bell hidden under the table I’m supposed to ring?”

Joy’s laughter was soft but humorless.

“No.” She said simply, shaking her head. “Nothing like that. Those things are worthless, anyway—tricks and tools that can be manipulated with enough will or power. They can’t tell the real truth.”

Her tone grew colder, her words sharper.

“Just like how, with enough manipulation, the most evil man can appear innocent…and the truth itself can become so twisted that even the purest heart begins to doubt.”

Cassius met her eyes, the faintest trace of unease flashing beneath his calm facade.

“…Then what exactly do you trust, Saintess?” He asked, his voice low.

Her smile turned cruel. “Something far simpler. Something that you can’t escape from.”

Cassius raised a brow. “And what might that be?”

“The Blessing of Soul-Bound Appraisal.” She said.

Every nun in the room gasped. Maria’s breath hitched audibly, and Aqua’s grip on Cassius’s sleeve tightened in alarm.

Joy’s expression hardened. “You’ve surely read about it, haven’t you? Considering all those reports you claim to have about me.”

Cassius’s gaze narrowed slightly. “…Yes. I’ve heard of it.” He admitted slowly. “A divine power said to read the truth of a soul.”

“Exactly.” Joy said softly, her smile unwavering. “A sacred gift from the Goddess herself—one that allows me to see the true color of someone’s soul.”

“So, tell me, Young Master Cassius…”

Her voice dropped to a near whisper, though it carried across the hall like a divine echo.

“Will you allow me to see your soul? To gaze into its colour. To see whether it truly shines as white and pure as everyone here believes…”

Her tone darkened.

“Or…” She said, her smile turning cruel. “If it’s black. Abysmally black. The kind of black that only a demon could possess.”

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