Chapter 163 - Black

Akard stroked his chin and asked,

"Regent Ferda, didn't you say the body had already been buried? By now it should have begun to decompose. Can there really be any clues left?"

Naturally, Ferda had already prepared for that possibility.

"Prince Marcus Yurei's body was buried, but it has been preserved in the exact condition it was in at the time."

"Why did you place a preservation spell on it?"

"No matter how much he insulted my fiancé, he was still the precious son of a noble house from another nation."

Ferda spoke as if to say he wasn't foolish enough to overlook something so obvious.

In truth, if Duke Yurei hadn't become a strategic card at this point, Ferda had intended to return his son's body to him.

"If you investigate it, you will be able to determine its origin..."

After a brief pause, he continued,

"And through this case, you'll discover the real enemy hiding in the shadows."

"What do you mean by the real enemy?"

Ferda cast the bait.

"The true entity bringing chaos upon the Empire in order to lead this continent to ruin."

Ferda insisted they should stop fighting one another and instead target the true enemy.

Surprisingly, the first person to agree was Erdes.

"That works for me. As long as we find out who killed him, there's no need to make things complicated, right?"

That approach would make the discussion much smoother, and since it involved Black Magic, she naturally had every reason to be proactive.

"I agree as well. If Regent Ferda is not the murderer and the truth can be uncovered, then the culprit deserves to face the wrath of the great Alte."

Joseph Faust also expressed strong support for Ferda's proposal.

"In that case... who should perform the autopsy..."

As Akard murmured to himself, Ferda answered immediately.

"I'd like Bishop Joseph Faust to conduct the autopsy."

"What?"

Erdes frowned.

"If this concerns Black Magic, shouldn't I be the one handling it?"

Everyone in the world knew how much she despised Black Magic.

And because she hated it so deeply, no one surpassed her expertise in dealing with it.

Even the person Ferda had nominated admitted as much.

"I also believe that would be the better choice... May I ask why you specifically chose me?"

"Because of transparency. We cannot expect transparency from an investigation conducted by the President of the Magic Association."

Ferda argued that because he and Erdes had a poor relationship, her conclusions could easily be viewed as biased.

Those words immediately irritated her.

"So you're saying I'd frame you?"

She asked with a fierce glare.

Ferda answered calmly,

"If forcing a father and child to sever their bond still isn't enough for you, then I'd gladly leave it in your hands."

Ferda stared directly at her.

He hated the father who had abandoned him...

But not as much as he hated the woman who had driven them apart.

As the neutral chairman, Akard brought the discussion to a close.

"It appears there is personal history between the two of you... In that case, Bishop Joseph Faust seems the most appropriate person for the task. Bishop, are you willing?"

"By the light of Alte, I shall conduct a fair and impartial investigation."

Erdes certainly hated Black Magic, but her lack of mercy had earned her little public support.

With an expression full of dissatisfaction, she simply kept staring at Ferda.

The hearing recessed for two hours while the body was examined.

Joseph departed with his attendants to transport Marcus's corpse.

"I'll accompany you."

Consilus volunteered and followed Joseph.

He intended to watch closely in case anyone attempted outside interference or tampered with the evidence.

"Very well."

Ferda permitted it.

If his prediction was correct, this investigation would reveal everything.

He remained vigilant until the very end.

"Hey."

A youthful yet growling voice made him raise his head.

It was Erdes Roton.

She climbed onto the desk and squatted there like a street thug.

"Do you think I'm easy to push around?"

Rage burned within her eyes.

"Or do you think your backing is so powerful that I can't touch you? Which is it? Huh? Huh? Answer me."

"President, you shouldn't be doing this here—"

"All you small fry, get lost. I'm not in the mood to entertain you."

Her face was flushed with anger after all the insults she'd endured.

Ferda never looked away.

"I have a valid reason."

"Because you think I'd manipulate the investigation and throw you into the abyss? If I'd wanted to do that, I could've done it anytime. I wouldn't even have bothered coming here. Do you think I didn't because I'm some brainless idiot?"

Just as Erdes said, she absolutely had the power to ruin Ferda whenever she wished.

A few public accusations and enough pressure, and society would condemn him as a Necromancer.

But that wasn't the path she pursued.

The reason she had never truly moved against Ferda was simple—

She had never found any connection between him and demons.

The hatred dwelling in her heart was directed toward demons above all else.

Which meant...

If catching those demons was possible, she could judge Ferda's case fairly.

"That's precisely why I can't allow it."

Ferda had never wanted that kind of fairness to begin with.

"If you're present, those rats won't dare approach."

This entire affair...was bait cast to catch a giant fish.

His eyes silently conveyed the message.

There are beings I hate and cannot forgive just as much as you do.

Erdes glared at him as though she wanted to kill him.

Finally, she said,

"Fine."

Although the hostility remained on her face, she quietly climbed down from the desk.

"I hope the results are convincing."

Otherwise...

I won't let this go.

Her departing back seemed to say exactly that.

Ferda also hoped for a favorable result.

He simply wasn't sure whether they both desired the same outcome.

Two hours later, Joseph returned.

Consilus came back with him, his expression unusually subtle.

Ferda asked,

"Well?"

"I think they found something... but I have a bad feeling about it."

Had the fish taken the bait?

Akard reopened the session, and Joseph began reading his report.

"The autopsy of Prince Marcus Yurei has been completed. Prince Marcus Yurei was murdered, and the method used was indeed Black Magic."

His face sank under the weight of what he was about to reveal.

Was this the strange feeling people called déjà vu?

Unfortunately, it was the déjà vu of a future that should never have come to pass.

"Furthermore, we have identified the person who cast the spell..."

The very moment Ferda was about to be branded an enemy of the Empire for an utterly absurd reason—

"The spell was created within Grand Duchess Valdrova's castle, and it was unquestionably cast by Regent Ferda Valdrova."

The entire chamber exploded into chaos.

"Then the Regent really did commit murder?!"

"More importantly, if it's confirmed to be his magic... doesn't that prove he's a Necromancer?"

"He killed someone himself, and yet he still has the nerve to stand there with his head held high?!"

The audience was plunged into utter shock.

Duke Yurei's face turned crimson.

Unable to contain himself, he roared,

"You damned spawn of a demon! How dare you kill my son!!"

Alexander immediately joined in.

"What are the marshals doing? Arrest that Necromancer immediately!"

At the Crown Prince's command, the marshals hesitated before cautiously advancing toward Ferda.

Unable to remain seated any longer, Consilus rose to his feet.

"Who dares lay a hand on the Grand Duchess's fiancé?!"

It was impossible to believe such imposing spirit came from an elderly man.

The entire situation had become a complete mess.

One thrown punch would have turned the chamber into a full-scale brawl.

Ironically, standing at the center of that storm...

Ferda felt perfectly calm. 1

Compared to conversations full of carefully hidden emotions and twisting words...

This place, overflowing with the emotions of hundreds of people, felt far more comfortable.

The entire hall seemed to fit within the palm of his hand.

A razor-sharp insight filled his eyes.

He illuminated every person before him, peering into each of their hearts.

Where are you...

Where is the black stain hiding beneath this gray floor?

"Stand down, Count Consilus!"

"If you're determined to spill blood, then you'll have to go through this old man first—"

Cough!

Consilus suddenly coughed violently.

Ferda's concentration shattered.

"Count, what's wrong?"

"Cough... cough...!"

The coughing wouldn't stop.

His body staggered before he turned toward Ferda.

"Urgh!"

With a violent gasp, something sprayed across Ferda's clothes.

Bright red blood.

"Ugh..."

He had coughed up blood.

The heated atmosphere immediately froze.

Ferda pulled a black handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood from the Count's lips.

"Count... are you alright?"

"Cough... cough... haa... haa..."

Consilus painfully narrowed one eye.

As everyone stared at the shocking scene—

Someone suddenly shouted,

"A p-plague! Count Consilus has caught a plague!"

Those words instantly seized everyone's attention.

"A plague?!"

"Are we going to die too?"

Whether it truly was a plague no longer mattered.

The fear created by that single sentence spread through the chamber like a plague itself.

Even the marshals who had been approaching immediately retreated.

Then someone shouted first,

"Everyone! Get out of here!"

"The plague is contagious! We'll all die!"

In an instant, the murderous atmosphere transformed into complete panic.

"Order! Everyone, remain where you are!"

Akard desperately tried to restore order.

But when people believed their lives were at stake...

No one listened.

As the chaos spiraled completely out of control and an unavoidable suspension seemed imminent—

"SIIILENCE!!"

A single man's voice dominated the chamber.

Every voice fell quiet.

Reason returned.

It was Valdemar, seated among the Supreme Council members.

He said nothing more.

Once calm returned, Akard spoke again.

"We will continue. The priests will examine Count Consilus to determine the cause of his coughing blood and confirm whether or not this is truly a plague."

Letting out a weary sigh, Akard continued,

"Therefore, we will recess for another two hours. During this time, no one is to leave the council hall. Remain where you are while quarantine procedures are carried out. Count Consilus and Regent Ferda will both receive examinations from the priests. That is all."

Fearing they might die, the audience silently prayed to their god.

But Ferda, who had witnessed everything up close, knew with certainty.

It wasn't a plague.

Aura Reversal.

The Aura within Consilus's body had begun flowing backward.

Aura was the very essence of life.

When that life force reversed its flow...

The agony was enough to kill.

Becoming angry might raise one's blood pressure—

But it would never reverse one's Aura.

Unless someone deliberately caused it.

Then why?

To change the atmosphere.

The momentum against the alleged Necromancer had been interrupted.

The chamber had frozen under the fear of a plague.

And precious time had been bought.

I never even told him the plan... and yet he went this far...

Ferda had never drawn Consilus into his scheme.

Not because he distrusted him.

Simply because involving him would bring no benefit.

Yet thanks to the Count's bold action...

Everything had become much easier for Ferda.

That was why he carefully wiped the blood from the old man's lips with the black handkerchief.

"Count Consilus."

While the Count remained conscious, Ferda quietly asked,

"Who entered the room to examine the Prince's body?"

Groaning in pain, Consilus answered,

"Many... people... gathered..."

"Who actually entered during the examination? Did you go inside as an observer?"

Painfully, he replied,

"I... couldn't... Only... one... person... entered..."

"I see. Thank you."

As Ferda continued carefully wiping the blood away, someone approached him respectfully.

"We're the Alte Relief Corps. We'll transport Sir Consilus now. Regent, are you experiencing any symptoms?"

"None. I can walk on my own. I'll come with you."

Ferda stepped aside.

Consilus was carried away like a frail old man who had lost all his strength.

The Relief Corps was crowded with people, making the area chaotic.

Amid the commotion, one of the attendants lightly tapped Ferda on the shoulder.

At first, he assumed it was merely an accident caused by the rush.

Then the man quietly said,

"Jewels and Swallows."

It wasn't an accident.

He was a member of the Black Bandana, responding to the signal Ferda had given by taking out his black handkerchief.

While pretending to prepare the transport, the man listened carefully.

Ferda leaned close and whispered,

"Black..."

From the moment he had been declared the murderer, Ferda had observed every single person in the chamber with absolute concentration.

Again and again, he had analyzed every reaction.

Now, Consilus's testimony had confirmed his conclusion.

Leaning toward the man's ear, Ferda quietly said,

"Black is Joseph Faust."

The Leader of the Alte Religion.

He...was the follower of the Demon Race.  comment