Chapter 173: Chapter 172: Argument

When Ronin first made his accusation, he said Reisen had a hand in the attempt on Blanche’s life at the Beast Fighting Arena, but he offered no solid proof.

But when Sir Toru appeared with the clothing embroidered with a Golden Skull, Reisen was suddenly linked to Blanche’s assassination.

Few outsiders knew the identities of the members of the Skull Society. Even Wushan Castle hadn’t been able to locate the assassin organization’s base of operations.

Yet Reisen had managed to get the Skull Society to issue a contract to assassinate Ronin. This was enough to prove he had a direct line of contact with them; it couldn’t even be ruled out that he was a member himself.

As the only person present known to have close ties to the Skull Society, Reisen was naturally unable to shake the suspicion of his involvement in the assassination attempt on Blanche.

Ronin glanced at Reisen’s ghastly expression, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “Reisen, do you have any excuses left?”

“You’ve misappropriated resources that belong to Wushan Castle, assassinated Marina and Malik of the Green Clan, tried to have me killed multiple times, and you’re inextricably linked to the assassinations of both my father and Her Highness Princess.”

Ronin’s gaze was sharp. “This is a capital crime!”

“No, this is slander!”

Reisen roared in fury, “Your testimony is a lie! This Tom is a fraud! The assassinations of Earl Wiggin and Her Highness Princess have nothing to do with me!”

“It’s all lies! I admit nothing!”

Ronin didn’t speak, but another figure leaped down from the terrace—Sir Broel, Vice Leader of the Royal Griffin Knight Order.

Sir Broel landed directly behind Reisen. His voice was icy. “Whether you admit it or not, as long as you’re a suspect, you’re a subject of my investigation.”

For the past several hours, Sir Broel had been worried sick that the investigation had turned up no viable suspects. If things had stayed that way, he had no idea how he would face his superiors.

Now, a suspect had finally been exposed. How could he possibly let him go?

Without another word, Sir Broel reached for him.

Enraged, Reisen threw a punch in return. Surging Fighting Qi condensed into a massive spectral fist that smashed toward his opponent.

“You overestimate yourself!”

Sir Broel snorted. His right hand formed a claw and tore through the radiance of Reisen’s attack, then unstoppably clamped down on the man’s fist and squeezed.

CRUNCH! CRACK!

Reisen’s fist was crushed and twisted out of shape. As he let out a bloodcurdling scream, his right hand was utterly ruined.

Ronin was taken aback. ’Sir Broel’s counterattack was almost completely devoid of fanfare. I only saw a brief eruption of Fighting Qi before he effortlessly shattered Reisen’s attack—without even activating his Fighting Qi Armor.’

’He’s the Vice Leader of the Griffin Knight Order, all right. I wonder what Level he is?’

At that moment, Wiggin, who had long been unable to hold back, finally spoke from above. “Toru, take Reisen away and interrogate him thoroughly! Let’s see just how many acts of treason this bastard has committed against Wushan Castle!”

Sir Toru put away the evidence and gave his son, Galier, a meaningful look. Galier immediately led several knights forward to restrain Reisen.

“Count Ossen, I’ve been framed! I’ve been framed!”

“Please, Count Ossen, uphold justice for me!”

Reisen was utterly terrified. Forgetting all about his noble decorum, he began to bellow for help.

In the crowd, many of the nobles turned their gazes toward Ossen. The Count, however, showed no particular expression, merely furrowing his brow slightly.

At last, he spoke up. “Sir Toru, wait!”

Ossen walked to Lurans’s side and said respectfully, “Marquis, of all the evidence Ronin has submitted, only this testimony connects Reisen to the Skull Society. The truth of that testimony, however, can only be confirmed after the assassin is brought to Wushan Castle for trial.”

He paused before continuing, “Therefore, I suggest that until the assassin is brought here, we should treat Reisen with the courtesy due a nobleman.”

“Father-in-law, I see no reason to wait.”

Before Lurans could speak, Wiggin cut in. “I know Ronin’s character. He wouldn’t dare forge evidence. That means Reisen is without a doubt a traitor to Wushan Castle!”

Ossen said nothing, but ’he’d already cursed Wiggin a dozen times over in his head.’

’Your son’s performance is leagues better than your own, yet you still claim he lacks courage and that you know his character. You’re completely clueless.’

’As far as Ossen was concerned, he wouldn’t be surprised if Ronin had forged the testimony himself.’

“Ossen, whether or not Reisen was involved in the assassinations of Wiggin and Blanche does indeed require a trial.”

Lurans began to speak slowly, his gaze falling on Ronin in the square. “But that he repeatedly tried to have Ronin killed is an established fact. On this crime alone, I can strip him of his noble title and territory.”

At this, he looked at Ossen. “Therefore, we no longer need to treat a traitor like him with the courtesy of a nobleman.”

“Marquis, isn’t this decision a bit… hasty?”

Ossen’s tone was no longer as respectful. “We all know what Ronin used to be like. My own granddaughter died because of him. Given his disgraceful history, the idea that he can bring down a nobleman with a single piece of testimony and one witness is simply farcical!”

Hearing Ronin being slandered, Blanche, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but speak up.

“Anyone can grow and change, Count Ossen. If Ronin hadn’t protected me yesterday, I would have died under the blades of the Skull Society. For such a brave and powerful Knight, I don’t believe he would frame a nobleman.”

“Blanche, as your uncle, I must remind you.”

Jesus had approached at some point. He showed Her Highness Princess no deference at all, speaking to her in a patronizing tone in front of everyone:

“Sometimes you shouldn’t judge a person’s character based on a single incident. Ronin saved you, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t frame someone else.”

Blanche’s delicate brows furrowed, her face tightening. Being rather reserved, she didn’t know how to argue with her uncle.

“Watch your words, Jesus.”

Sir Broel stepped back onto the terrace. “You have no right to speak to Her Highness Princess in such a tone!”

“And you, watch your attitude, Broel. You are loyal to the Royal Family, and my surname is also ’Oduin’!”

“My apologies. I am loyal to His Majesty Bruno, not to you, the Count of Moonlight Valley!”

Seeing that the argument was about to get more intense, Lurans, who was sitting in his chair, stood up. “Alright, everyone, calm down.”

He looked at Ossen. “Speaking of which, Wushan Castle already handed over the matter of exterminating the Skull Society to Black Python City. Ossen, in the past two months, not only have you made no progress, you even allowed members of the Skull Society the time and energy to come cause trouble in Wushan City. You bear responsibility for this.”

“I…”

Ossen froze, stunned that the blame was now falling on him. The crucial part was, he had no way to refute it.

Lurans withdrew his gaze and looked down again. “Toru, take Reisen to the prison. Also, the knights and servants who came with him—imprison and interrogate them all. Give me an answer by tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Sir Toru bowed and accepted the order, then quickly left with his men to begin arresting the entourage from Sain Territory.

“Catching a traitor is a good thing. Everyone, don’t let this matter dampen the mood.”

Lurans turned to the nobles behind him and said, “Let us return to the banquet hall and continue this unfinished grand event!”

Whether others were happy or not, Lurans didn’t know, but he was very happy.

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