I Became the Vassal the The Tyrannical Is Obsessed With

200 – Episode 200 the Struggle to Survive

Episode 200: The struggle to survive

“…”

Cecilia announced the start of the trial. I just rolled my eyes and looked at the atmosphere of the outdoor courtroom.

The Marquis of Marlborough and the Duke of Montersen are sitting kneeling in the defendant’s box. There, on the left, Matthew and Lawrence, witnesses and defendants, were also sitting in a kneeling position.

After that, nobles and citizens of the empire gathered to watch the trial.

I looked back one last time.

Cecilia was sitting on her throne, looking down at her victim with cold eyes. Mulia and Flora were standing on either side of her throne, and they were scheduled to act as messengers, such as bringing evidence for today’s trial or bringing things that Cecilia requested.

Perhaps because today was an important day, not only Mulia but also Flora had very serious expressions.

What role did I play?

It was the clerk who recorded all the proceedings of this trial.

‘Your hands must be very, very busy.’

The desk I sat at had dozens of sheets of paper, an inkwell, and a gold pen that Flora had given me as a gift some time ago. I lowered my hand under the desk and turned my wrist to release it in advance.

Meanwhile, Cecilia explained to her audience the incident that led to this trial.

To summarize, in this case, there was a thug who attempted to kidnap Her Majesty, Empress Olivia Campbell Eckhardt, who was heading here in a carriage to attend an international banquet.

“Although the incident was only an attempt, their crime can be said to be serious in that they attempted to harm the royal family, which can be said to be the pillar of the Eckhart Empire.”

There was a dignity in his voice that was inappropriate for his age, and thanks to this, the solemn atmosphere continued without anyone making a single sound.

As she stood up from her throne, Flora handed Cecilia her material that she had prepared in advance. Cecilia confirmed it with her own eyes once more and then raised her voice toward the defender.

“Marquis of Marlborough. “You personally led the attempted kidnapping of the late Empress, is that correct?”

Marlboro couldn’t open his mouth with his eyes fixed on the ground.

It was refreshing to see them shaking like that after seeing them always making fun of each other in the conference room.

“Don’t test my patience.”

Cecilia warned in her cold tone, and only then did Marlboro lift his lips from hers.

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty… ” …”

Cecilia immediately told Mulia to prepare her evidence. Then Cecilia raised her voice and spoke to her audience.

“From now on, I will disclose to you the evidence showing that the criminal, Marquis Horneon Marlborough, directly participated in the kidnapping of Empress Olivia Campbell Eckhart!”

I quickly wrote down what Cecilia said on her paper, then turned her head. Videos began to flow over a white tent hung on a separately installed stand.

I had seen that video at a banquet hall the other day.

Instead of focusing on the video, I paid more attention to the reactions of those gathered in the courtroom. As the video continued, the faces of Marlboro sitting in the defendant’s seat and those sitting in the witness stand turned pale.

The nobles and the people of the empire continued to sigh and be astonished.

“Marquis of Marlborough.”

As soon as the video ended, Cecilia called him again.

“This clear evidence has emerged. Does the Marquis have evidence to deny this charge?”

Then Marlboro, who had been bowing down the whole time, suddenly raised his head.

“Your majesty. I object.”

What, you’re raising an objection here?

* * *

While the video was playing, Marlboro was bending down at his waist.

The situation was very hopeless for him.

Unlike usual, there was not a single judge in sight, and Cecilia was directly presiding over the trial. In other words, everything was up to Cecilia to make a decision.

You can make the decision to cut off your own head.

However, Horneon Marlboro did not lose his mind yet.

While he was locked in the dungeon, he continued to think of a plan just in case. Of course, I expected that this video would be played in the courtroom.

‘Momentum is important.’

Even if things go badly, you speak up first.

He had decided even before he was brought here.

And the opportunity he had been waiting for came from Cecilia.

“Your majesty. I object.”

“Hoo…”

Cecilia was lost in thought for a moment. In my mind, I wanted to pass a judgment while lightly ignoring the criminal’s objections.

But her crowd was larger than she expected. Now, it was necessary to listen to the story.

No matter how long it took, it was up to him to punish them.

“Tell me.”

“It is true that I instructed Matthew to instigate the Black Knife Guild’s kidnapping of Her Majesty, Empress Olivia. But…”

Marlboro paused and studied Cecilia for a moment. Cecilia maintained a cold and cold look in her eyes from the beginning of the trial.

Still, Marlboro had to try. Only then will the possibility of preserving her life her her her go up even a little.

“I also received orders from someone, and I had no choice but to put them into action!”

As Marlboro testified with her voice raised, the audience gathered behind her could be heard murmuring in surprise.

“You idiot, what are you talking about!”

Monte Lessen, who was right next to him, shouted excitedly, but Marlboro continued her speech without stopping, like a broken dam.

“The person who directly ordered me to kidnap Her Majesty the Former Empress was none other than Duke Howard Montersen!”

“Your majesty. Marquis Horneon Marlborough is perjuring himself! I am determined to kidnap Her Majesty the late Empress…”

Montersen tried to refute at the top of his voice, but with a single gesture from Cecilia, he ended up joining in.

“Duke. I have never given permission to the duke to speak. Be quiet.”

‘Good! The atmosphere has passed.’

Marlboro thought he could take a breather for now. Meanwhile, Cecilia gave Marlboro the right to speak.

“To continue.”

“As your Majesty knows, Duke Montersen and I are the main leaders of the aristocratic faction and have raised opposing opinions at every noble meeting. I know this myself. However, it was nothing more than a political act, and there was absolutely no other malicious intent.”

Marlboro, who had finished his lengthy introduction, sighed. A stinging glare that seemed to pierce his temples and he came from right next to him, but he focused all his attention only on Cecilia.

“But Duke Montersen had a different opinion than me. You have always said to me that the aristocratic faction should hold real power, but after hearing the news that Her Majesty the late Empress would attend the founding ceremony, I wanted to carry out a remark.”

“Was that an attempt to kidnap the late Empress?”

“Yes, it is!”

Marlboro shook his head quickly.

In fact, he has been on the same page as Montersen. But at this moment, it was probably a good thing.

Surviving somehow.

That was the Marquis of Marlborough’s only goal at the moment. For that purpose, he was confident that he would sell off any number of his comrades who had shared his cause.

“The Duke of Montersenne kidnapped Her Majesty Empress Sun and then used this as an excuse to blackmail Her Majesty to her. I thought it was excessive, but I couldn’t resist. Duke Montersen usually did not tolerate opposing opinions, and I was so scared of that that I had no choice but to do as he was told.”

“Did the Marquis tell the truth under oath to God Gordeus?”

Cecilia’s tone still contained an icy coldness.

However, Marlboro found a glimmer of hope. Cecilia judged that the fact that she asked this question meant that she would consider her own argument.

Moreover, what I just said was mostly true, although there were some lies mixed in. So, wouldn’t this be considered close to the truth?

“Yes, I swear to God Gordeus!”

Marlboro let out an excited voice.

* * *

As I wrote down everything Marlboro said on paper, this thought suddenly occurred to me.

Is that really the truth?

Or is there some part of it mixed with lies?

“…”

Just in case, I looked at Montersen, who was kneeling next to Marlboro. His face turned bright red.

It looks like something you don’t normally see.

Perhaps Marlboro’s statement contains some lies.

… Or perhaps he is simply feeling humiliated by the fact that he, a duke, is sitting in the defendant’s seat.

‘Well, either way, it’s your own karma.’

Since it’s none of my business anyway, I’ll just stick to my job.

While reviewing what she had written on her paper one more time, Cecilia opened her mouth again.

“Witness, let Matthew stand up.”

When she raised her head, she saw Matthew standing up on the witness stand. Cecilia asked a question to confirm whether Marlboro’s statement was true.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you swear to God Gordeus?”

“I swear.”

Matthew said, placing his left hand on his chest. Just by looking at the expression, it looks like innocence itself.

But I couldn’t believe it 100%. Matthew is a direct subordinate of the Marquis of Marlborough.

Is Cecilia going to use that tool here?

“Right…”

She was quiet for a moment, but this time she turned her arrow towards Monte Lessen.

It’s not time to bring it out yet.

“Duke Howard Montersen. According to the Marquis’ statement, the Duke can be said to be the actual mastermind of this attempted kidnapping of the late Empress. “I will listen to the duke’s argument whether this is true or not.”

It looks like they are probably planning to use that at the end of the trial.

I dipped the pen nib in ink and wrote down what Cecilia said on paper. Meanwhile, Montersen began his argument.