Chapter 91

91. Revelation

The central square, where the trial was held, was packed with onlookers. It seemed as though the entire population of the city had turned out, creating such a crowd that carriages couldn’t pass through.

Interest in the trial was enormous, not only because it concerned the assassination of the widely respected Pope but also due to the unprecedented announcement that the Emperor would attend, a rare public appearance.

“Events like this are always more entertaining with a big crowd,” said Adelaide, smiling as she surveyed the throng of people filling the square, having successfully spread the word of the trial through Martin Owens. Callion clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Let’s hope no accidents happen.”

“There are so many soldiers around that nothing will go wrong,”

Adelaide replied lightly. Soldiers with spears surrounded the courthouse, separating the spectators from the dignitaries.

Even though the knights of the Duke’s house were escorting them, and the Earl of Haywards had stationed soldiers to prepare for any contingency, Callion could not relax.

“Still, be careful. I can’t stay by your side.”

“Don’t worry about me; just go,”

Gently pushing Callion’s hesitant back. After instructing Ahio to guard her well, Callion reluctantly walked towards the jury seats.

Only after he had left did she head towards the VIP seats. Despite only inviting nobles closely associated with the temple, the VIP seats were full.

Following a priest who was guiding her, Adelaide stopped to greet someone.

“Good day, Duchess.”

“You too, Your Grace,”

The Duchess of Howard, who had arrived first, raised her eyes and replied, though Shayla Lephisto, who stood beside her, averted her gaze with a grimace. Adelaide pretended not to notice and nodded to both before passing by.

“You may sit here.”

Taking her place in the center of the audience, she slowly scanned the square. In the center of the circular courtroom, a dais had been set up for the accused to stand. It was a fitting place for the hero of the day to stand.

Opposite the VIP section were the jury seats. Comprising key figures from various sectors, the jury had gathered at the temple three days prior to review the case and confirm the verdict. Unless the true culprit appeared and confessed, the verdict would not change. This trial was merely a formal procedure to convict Cardinal Orland.

The Emperor’s right to appeal the verdict was variable, though.

‘Could Elkius exercise the right of appeal? ’

Adelaide wondered as she looked down at the empty front seat of the VIP section. At that moment, a trumpet sounded, announcing the Emperor’s arrival. Everyone in the courthouse stood and bowed their heads.

Elkius entered the VIP section, flanked by armed knights, and took his seat with a displeased expression. His discomfort was evident from his rigid posture.

‘It must be because of Samuel Dorfman,’

She thought. Elkius was likely furious that Samuel Dorfman’s name was omitted from the fake ledger, making both bribery and threats ineffective.

“Let the trial begin,” declared Samuel Dorfman, waiting for the Emperor to sit. The noisy courthouse fell silent immediately.

“Bring in the defendant,” he ordered.

The guards swiftly brought in Cardinal Orland, bound with ropes, to the defendant’s stand.

Cardinal Orland, despite being accused of a heinous crime, was dressed neatly in his priestly robes. Though his complexion was pale from prolonged confinement, his eyes were sharp.

As he scanned the VIP section, a murderous look crossed his eyes. Adelaide, who understood whom his gaze was directed at, smiled faintly.

The priest she had tasked with the delivery had confirmed that the vial was handed over, so she anticipated what Cardinal Orland might say.

Shifting her gaze from Cardinal Orland, Adelaide looked at the Emperor’s back. She strongly felt that Elkius would be the highlight of this trial.

Samuel Dorfman began the interrogation.

“State your name, affiliation, and occupation.”

“Edmund Orland, Cardinal of the Central Temple.”

“You are here on charges of breaking into the Pope’s quarters and assassinating him. Do you admit your guilt?”

“……”

Cardinal Orland did not respond. He had consistently denied his guilt since his arrest.

As if expecting this, Samuel Dorfman turned to call a witness to testify, but then Cardinal Orland spoke.

“I admit it.”

“……!”

A silent wave of shock swept through the courthouse. Everyone, from Dorfman and the jury to the spectators, was stunned by Cardinal Orland’s confession.

Only one person remained unsurprised. A triumphant smile spread across Adelaide’s face. Cardinal Orland’s sudden admission of guilt meant her plan had worked.

Words were spoken in the courtroom, which had been as silent as cold water. The jury was also stirring. The verdict would remain the same, but the manner of execution would change depending on whether Cardinal Orland confessed.

Samuel Dorfman, who was the first to regain his composure, struck his gavel forcefully. Quieting the commotion in the courtroom, he asked in a clear voice:

“Defendant, are you confessing to the crime now?”

“Yes, I assassinated His Holiness.”

Cardinal Orland repeated the words without hesitation. Since he confessed to his crime, no witness was needed.

Samuel Dorfman, who had sent down the priest who had been waiting to testify, changed the order of the proceedings on the spot and directly questioned Cardinal Orland.

“You have served the Pope in the Central Temple for a long time, so why did you assassinate him?”

“That is…”

Cardinal Orland’s gaze turned towards the VIP section. His hands, bound in shackles, pointed into the air.

“It was by order of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…!”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

A shock far greater than before struck like a blow to the head. Callion clenched his fist and stared at Elkius. The Emperor, caught off guard by the unexpected revelation, stood frozen like a stone.

Cardinal Orland had betrayed the Emperor. The implications of this fact were immense.

Callion took his eyes off Elkius and looked at Adelaide, who was sitting in the back. A faint smile appeared on her otherwise calm face.

“Oh, Cardinal Orland. This is a sacred courtroom. If by any chance you are lying…”

Samuel Dorfman, who seemed flustered, called out Cardinal Orland’s title and then fell silent. He was confused because, having already been sentenced to death, there was no additional punishment for perjury.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to his confusion. Cardinal Orland spoke with a firm expression.

“I swear to God, I will speak only the truth.”

It was an oath that sounded almost sacred. People pricked up their ears, anticipating what he would say next. Cardinal Orland began to speak.

“It was all because of the regalia that Duke Tiflis offered at the memorial service.”

“Regalia?”

“When Duke Tiflis offered the regalia at the tomb of the late Emperor, thImperial Council questioned the legitimacy of the Emperor’s authority based on the possession of the regalia.”

“…”

“As pressure mounted to reveal the regalia to affirm the Emperor’s authority, His Majesty ordered me to steal the regalia.”

Cardinal Dorfman raised the fake regalia high.

“Then what is this fake regalia that was used to harm His Holiness?”

“It was commissioned from a blacksmith to replace the real regalia.”

Cardinal Orland glanced at Elkius and continued speaking without hesitation.

“I looked for every opportunity to steal the regalia, but it was difficult as His Holiness kept it in his bedroom.”

“…”

“When His Holiness mentioned returning to his hometown after the cardinal vote, I urgently informed His Majesty.”

“…”

“Then His Majesty ordered me to bring the regalia even if it meant killing the Pope. So, I entered his bedroom while he was sleeping. As I was stealing the regalia, he woke up, and I had no choice but to assassinate him.”

“What you just said is…”

“All true. And the 200,000 cels missing from the accounting books were all given to His Majesty.”

“Your Majesty!”

There was a commotion in the VIP section as Cardinal Orland spoke. The Emperor, who had been unable to hide his anxious expression, stood up and exited the courtroom.

‘A foolish decision.’

Callion watched as the Emperor pushed past the soldiers and left. Such behavior only confirmed the truth of Cardinal Orland’s words.

It took considerable time to calm the atmosphere, which had become even more chaotic with Elkius’s sudden departure. Once the room was finally quiet, Cardinal Orland resumed his confession.

“His Majesty was always wary of Duke Tiflis, conscious of his weak legitimacy. This incident occurred because he feared losing the throne to the Duke.”

“Cardinal Orland, do you understand that your words could plunge the empire into great turmoil?”

“I am already sentenced to death; what happens to the empire is no concern of mine.”

Cardinal Orland replied with a steely gaze. Samuel Dorfman swallowed dryly, looking at him, then struck his gavel.

“We will reconvene in 30 minutes to deliver the verdict.”