Lynen gestured again, “Raul, bring them in.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Raul and the event staff temporarily left to fetch the final witnesses.

Until then, Viscount Gallard was still desperately laughing to himself.

‘I’ll just pin everything on Dillen! There’s no evidence that I gave the orders!’

After shifting the blame, he would promise Dillen greater support along with protection, and the boy would have no choice but to accept.

Conveniently, Dillen was unconscious in the infirmary, so there was no need to coordinate their stories.

At that moment, the final witnesses appeared. The audience murmured.

“Who are those kids?”

“Aren’t they the ones who were stung by magical creatures?”

The witnesses were none other than Jamie’s gang. Their bodies were still covered in red welts from the Venomous stings that hadn’t yet subsided.

Viscount Gallard wore a confident smile.

‘What fools. What could they possibly prove with such brats!’

The Viscount and these boys had never even seen each other’s faces. After all, the Flameli incident was something Dillen had orchestrated on his own.

‘They have no evidence that could implicate me!’

Viscount Gallard was certain.

However, Jamie’s gang shattered the Viscount’s expectations with their cries.

“Viscount Gallard ordered us to help Dillen eliminate Noah!”

“He told us to humiliate him!”

“We couldn’t refuse because it was Viscount Gallard’s will!”

Viscount Gallard’s eyes bulged like a frog’s.

“What…! These brats, where do they get off lying? Do you have any proof?!”

“We just believed what Dillen told us. He said it was the Viscount’s orders since he’s sponsored by you.”

All three boys pointed to Viscount Gallard as the culprit.

If they had appeared first, their credibility might have been questioned.

However, since the witnesses and evidence Lynen had presented earlier were convincing, people assumed this testimony would be reliable too. Duke Ortega’s reputation for fairness also played a role.

Even the Empress couldn’t hide her anger as she glared at Viscount Gallard.

Watching this unfold, Calliphe gave Lynen a subtle glance, silently asking:

‘…Is all this true?’

Lynen answered with his eyes.

‘What matters is that we’ve eliminated one vote against your succession.’

He deliberately omitted mentioning the threatening letters sent to the families of Jamie’s gang.

[Duke Ortega will reveal Viscount Gallard’s misdeeds through his sponsored child before the Empress. This is no longer just about children, so your families won’t be able to escape the consequences either.]

He had managed to gather and fabricate witnesses and evidence in a single night.

‘I thought he looked tired. I didn’t realize he’d been running around without a wink of sleep.’

He must have been busy right up until today’s match. Calliphe inwardly clicked her tongue in admiration.

Noticing her impressed look, Lynen whispered softly, “I told you I’d help you properly.”

Despite his composed expression, an unmistakable pride shone through. If he had a tail, it would certainly have been wagging from side to side.

‘…That’s kind of cute?’

No, wait.

What did I just think? No way!

Calliphe tensed her eyes and sharply turned away from Lynen.

‘How can a mountain-sized man be cute? Get a grip!’

While Calliphe was struggling with her thoughts, Lynen respectfully addressed the Empress.

“All witnesses and evidence related to this incident point to a single individual: Viscount Gallard. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you deliver a wise and just punishment.”

“…”

Though Viscount Gallard shouted that this was absurd, his protests had already become meaningless.

The Empress quietly swallowed a sigh.

‘…I owe him one.’

He had very quickly resolved the unfortunate incident that occurred during the Harvest Festival.

Thanks to him, attention had shifted from the accident to Viscount Gallard, minimizing the damage to the Crown Princess who had organized the event.

The Empress had already forgotten about Ferica when she spoke.

“The circumstances seem quite clear. I promise to deliver a fair punishment based on the evidence the Duke has presented.”

The audience responded with cheers.

“Punish Viscount Gallard!”

“Expel him!”

Although no formal investigation or trial had taken place, the atmosphere suggested that a verdict had already been reached.

Viscount Gallard’s arms were seized by the event staff.

“N-no, this can’t be! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

His struggles were quickly drowned out by the audience’s cheers.

* * *

Only after the commotion had subsided could Noah finally leave the podium.

‘I need to get home quickly with Lady Calliphe!’

He wanted to present his prize to her as soon as possible.

Just then:

“Noah.”

A gentle, mysterious baritone voice called out to him.

Turning around, he saw Prince Blaine standing there with a smile.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“Th-thank you, Your Highness.”

“When we first met, I didn’t realize, but now I see you’re quite a talented individual with remarkable potential.”

“…”

Though uncomfortable around the unfamiliar adult, Noah appreciated the praise.

Blaine’s smile was as thin as mist as he watched the fidgeting Noah.

“I wonder why I didn’t notice before…”

“Pardon?”

“Duke Ortega’s training must be excellent. Or perhaps…”

Noah’s innocent face reflected in Blaine’s pitch-black eyes that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.

“Lady Offensa is using some special educational method.”

“Educational method…?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing. Here, take this.”

Blaine held out an elegant envelope.

“It’s a special invitation to a talent development institute I manage. It’s scheduled to open next year as an academy.”

“Talent…”

“It’s a place for special children with potential.”

When Noah didn’t respond and only fiddled with the envelope, Blaine gently patted his head.

“I hope you don’t feel pressured. You’re already special enough without having to come to this place.”

“…”

Noah remained unresponsive despite his words. Blaine spoke with resignation.

“You can deliver the invitation to your guardian, Lady Offensa. I’d like to give it to her personally, but…”

Blaine’s gaze shifted toward Calliphe, who was leaving the stands. And to Lynen, who was by her side.

“…I’ll have to wait for another opportunity.”

“…?”

“Now, go to your sponsor.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After offering a somewhat clumsy bow, Noah left the arena.

Blaine watched him briefly before setting off himself.

His destination was the infirmary.

This was where Dillen was recovering after being knocked unconscious by Noah’s attack.

“How are you feeling?”

“Y-Your Highness?!”

Dillen, who had just regained consciousness, hastily knelt on the bed and bowed his head upon seeing Blaine.

“I am honored to see Your Noble Highness! I-I never expected you would come to see me personally.”

“You lost by a narrow margin.”

“I apologize. Even after Your Highness personally encouraged me…”

While Dillen was fumbling for words, the thought of Noah filled him with rage once more. No, rage was insufficient to describe it.

Fury.

A hatred bordering on murderous intent.

“That b*stard must have used underhanded methods. When I first fought him, he was just a novice who couldn’t even sense aura. I must find him and—!”

“Enough.”

Blaine placed his hand on Dillen’s shoulder as the boy trembled with indignation.

“I’d prefer you not waste your talent on such matters.”

Pat, pat. His hand tapped rhythmically.

“This is merely a trial to temper you. You’re not someone who wastes time on revenge, are you?”

“Ah…”

Dillen’s eyes grew momentarily hazy as he looked up at Blaine, then returned to normal.

The anger gradually subsided from his expression.

“Your Highness is right. I almost… disappointed you again.”

“It’s alright. Just remember that you’re also a child I cherish.”

“Sniff.”

Dillen bowed deeply.

“I’ll work hard to repay Your Highness’s grace. You’ve been like a father to me since we first met.”

Blaine merely offered a faint smile.

Slowly rubbing the hand that had patted Dillen, he thought to himself.

‘Why didn’t it work on Noah?’