“What do you mean by ‘the next step’?”
Emperor Kleiwo put down the scroll in his hand and looked deeply at Shuang Ye. “Conviction? Or trial?”
“Neither, my dear Emperor.” Shuang Ye smiled, her eyes behind her glasses narrowing into a beautiful pair of crescent moons. “We cannot so hastily convict a Grand Duke who has inherited a glorious surname, a lord who governs one-ninth of Violet’s territory, even with such clear evidence. Everyone here knows this, and I know it too~”
Kleivore nodded lightly. “Go on, Miss Shuangye, but please don’t beat around the bush. I think everyone has already fully appreciated your intelligence. Now, every person in this room only needs a clear idea or approach, if you don’t want us to do it for you.”
“Alright, alright, speak directly, right? No problem.” Shuang Ye nodded briskly, but just as she dropped her playful demeanor, she exaggeratedly sighed again. “I originally thought you were quite a humorous person, Emperor.”
Kleivore smiled slightly. “I am, but you’ve given me a topic that’s completely devoid of humor, so, stop wasting time.”
“Alright, then it’s better to obey than to be respectful.” Shuang Ye shrugged, then calmly sat back next to Aimilin, collecting the last trace of her smile, and said in a deep voice, “Everyone can stop looking at these pieces of evidence. It’s a waste of time to delve into them further.”
At Emperor Kleiwo’s instruction, everyone put down the scrolls in their hands and re-seated themselves around the wooden table in the center of the room, waiting for someone to speak.
“First, let me say, I don’t want to be the one dictating the pace of this meeting, but as the Emperor just said, you all probably need an idea now. Hmm, if you don’t mind, please allow me to put away these precious relics first.” Shuang Ye smiled gracefully, then lightly snapped her fingers. Several gentle breezes swept across the table without warning, blowing the scattered scrolls closed, then transforming into a harmless little tornado that stacked them together, just as they had been when everyone entered the room.
Grand Duke Fernan and Grand Duke Crystal Wolf simultaneously gasped, then asked in unison, “Are you really a Low-Tier Mage?”
“Yes.” Shuang Ye nodded shyly, then emphasized, “The most awesome and divine Low-Tier Mage.”
Grand Duke Fernan gave a dry laugh and said nothing more.
Grand Duke Crystal Wolf Aimilin, however, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Her control over magic is simply miraculous, even more so than mine…”
“Aimi, you half-baked magic swordsman have no comparison to her.” Grand Duke Baloka shook his head, cutting him off, then sternly straightened his face. “The Emperor means for Miss Shuangye to get to the point quickly, so please be a little more composed.”
Grand Duke Crystal Wolf nodded, her face slightly flushed, and immediately fell silent.
After all, Shuang Ye was only a Low-Tier Mage. How talented or awesome a Low-Tier Mage was, was simply not worth mentioning compared to the question of whether a Grand Duke was suspected of being a ‘slave trader.’ Moreover, everyone present was far stronger than Shuang Ye in terms of raw power. Even Emperor Kleiwo and Duke Dentis, who had the weakest individual strength, were Mid-Tier professionals. It was precisely because of this that no Mirror Guards stopped Shuang Ye when she used low-tier magic in Purple Juniper Hall earlier, because anyone with eyes could see that this little girl was absolutely no match for anyone here, not to mention that everyone present had several trump card self-preservation items.
Even if they were currently quite ‘approachable’ towards Shuang Ye, and even allowed her to retort a few times, these people were all regional overlords, the elite of the elite, and their profound backgrounds were imaginable by anyone with a brain.
“Alright, let’s get back to the main topic.” Shuang Ye lightly snapped her fingers and gestured with her chin towards the stack of scrolls on the table. “First, everyone has already verified the ‘evidence’ I brought. Their authenticity is clearly very high, so high that even Grand Duke Marshall himself cannot completely deny it. Am I wrong?”
Grand Duke Crystal Wolf, Grand Duke Baloka, Duke Dentis, and Grand Duke Fernan nodded slightly.
Buffy Marshall frowned. “I only dare not assert because I was unaware, but the absurd notion of a slave trading ring in Mercury City…”
“I know, I know, that’s why I said you can’t ‘completely’ deny it, not that you endorse it all. Also, since we’re talking seriously, please don’t interrupt me casually. After all, I represent Fireclaw Duke, and even if I’m not a noble, at least for now, I have the same, or even greater, right to speak as you do.” Shuang Ye impatiently interrupted Marshall, then pulled out half a bottle of mana potion emitting a scent of wine from her satchel and took a small sip. “So, everyone can understand that my accusation is reasonable and well-founded. This is a good thing. However, unfortunately, we still cannot convict Grand Duke Marshall.”
Grand Duke Simon looked at her scrutinizingly. “So?”
“That’s why I suggested everyone put down the evidence and stop wasting time, and move directly to the next stage. The Emperor clearly thinks so too.” Shuang Ye, her face slightly flushed, winked at Grand Duke Simon, and took another sip of the drink in her hand, which she didn’t know was a potion or wine, and whispered, “No more beating around the bush. I, Shuang Ye, High-Rank Advisor to Fireclaw Duke Xiluo Bloodaxe, hereby suggest that an investigation team be immediately formed to go to Marshall Territory to verify the ‘evidence’ before you. I will prepare the copies within three hours, and this time can be used to select the members of the investigation team.”
Duke Hussein seemed to choke. He covered his neck and coughed twice. “Now… uh, cough cough! Now?! Isn’t that a bit too hasty?”
“Is there a problem?” Shuang Ye tilted her head curiously, putting the crystal bottle in her hand back into her satchel. “Do you think it’s more appropriate for us to convict Grand Duke Marshall directly without forming an investigation team? Or do you think there’s some benefit to having the investigation team depart later?”
Lord Hou Saiyin shook his head. “I just think it’s too rushed.”
“Speed is paramount in war, my dear Duke Hussein.” Shuang Ye showed an impeccable smile and gently wagged her index finger. “Believe me, trivial matters like your alleged purchase of cheap labor are not a high priority. I think the investigation team’s first stop should undoubtedly be Mercury City.”
Scorpi opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something more, but Grand Duke Simon raised his hand and cut him off.
The meticulous Dark Elf lord looked at Buffy Marshall and asked indifferently, “What’s your opinion, Buffy?”
“I have no opinion.”
Grand Duke Marshall gave an answer that surprised most people present.
Shuang Ye also seemed a little stunned. She frowned and asked somewhat hesitantly, “You have no opinion?”
“Of course, I have no opinion.” Grand Duke Marshall smiled and nodded, spreading his hands. “On the basis that we are all eager to find out the truth, I am even more eager to clarify my innocence. As you said, speed is paramount in war. Yes, that’s what I mean.”
Emperor Kleiwo nodded slightly. “Good, if that’s the case, then as Miss Shuangye said, an investigation team will be formed immediately.”
He did not resist immediate verification, nor did he have any intention of delaying. If that was the case…
“Wait a moment.” Shuang Ye suddenly said softly, then very seriously asked Emperor Kleiwo, “I’m sorry, Emperor, but I’d like to know how the members of the investigation team will be decided?”
Clayvo Bracern did not seem displeased, only replying indifferently, “Under normal circumstances, it is organized by all the lords each contributing personnel.”
At that instant, Shuang Ye seemed to catch a hint of cunning in Buffy Marshall’s eyes.
“Is this a normal circumstance now?”
She immediately asked quickly.
Kleivore raised an eyebrow and did not answer Shuang Ye’s question, but instead asked, “Then what do you mean?”
“I hope to exclude Grand Duke Marshall’s people, after all, his current position is ‘defendant,’ well, the accused party. So, to be safe, I think Duke Buffy Marshall should not interfere with this investigation before the preliminary investigation is over.” Shuang Ye said without hesitation.
Duke Dentis stroked his beard hesitantly. “This seems a bit against the rules, but this kind of thing… frankly, it’s the first time it’s happened, and what Miss Shuangye said is not unreasonable…”
“No, it’s fine.”
Grand Duke Marshall smiled again under Shuang Ye’s shocked gaze, and said word by word, “I agree.”
Kleivore nodded with satisfaction. “Very good, in that case, this investigation team will consist of two people each from Grand Duke Baloka, Grand Duke Crystal Wolf, Duke Dentis, Grand Duke Simon, Duke Hussein, and Grand Duke Fernan, selected from your accompanying personnel. The Violet Royal Family will also send two teams of guards and four officials to Marshall Territory. All expenses and supplies for this journey will be provided by the Royal Family. How does that sound?”
The others immediately agreed.
Shuang Ye, on the other hand, stared intently at Marshall’s smiling eyes, biting her silver teeth lightly. “Very well, then I will trouble you all. I will prepare copies of these evidences within three hours.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Emperor Kleiwo nodded, then was the first to stand up. “Then, everyone, let’s go now…”
“Excuse me, Emperor.”
Shuang Ye stood up immediately after him, ignoring his slightly displeased gaze, and asked with her head bowed, “I have two final suggestions.”
Aimilin, behind her, gently tugged at her sleeve.
Scorpi looked at her coldly. “You need to know when to stop, little girl. Even if you are a distinguished guest of Fireclaw Duke and a disciple of Master Ta-Lasha, you still need to observe basic courtesy and virtue.”
“Miss Shuangye.” Duke Dentis sighed and said softly, “Scorpi is right, know when to stop…”
Grand Duke Baloka also patted Shuang Ye’s shoulder. “Grand Duke Marshall has made enough concessions, Shuang Ye.”
Grand Duke Fernan had just jumped off his chair and said nothing.
“Perhaps…”
Grand Duke Simon, however, shook his head slightly at everyone. “We can listen first, and then decide whether or not to ignore Miss Shuangye’s endless questions and demands.”
Grand Duke Marshall, on the other hand, smiled broadly. “I don’t think it matters.”
There wasn’t much expression on Kleivore’s rather weathered face. He merely narrowed his eyes slightly. “Are these the last two?”
“Yes.” Shuang Ye seemed to have anticipated that the Emperor before her would allow her to continue speaking. She nodded vigorously, then stated her first suggestion: “First, I hope the Emperor will send people to monitor the actions of Grand Duke Marshall and all his accompanying personnel during the period before the investigation team returns.”
Kleivore raised an eyebrow. “Reason?”
“To prevent any possibility of information transmission. You should know that whether it’s sending messages using small-scale teleportation arrays at the Mage Guild, using well-trained flying magical beasts, or finding a secret contact or directly paying someone to rush to Marshall Territory on horseback, all of these have far greater efficiency than the investigation team’s actions.” Shuang Ye turned her head provocatively to look at Buffy Marshall and said in a deep voice, “We must guard against such a situation. Of course, if Grand Duke Marshall has a clear conscience and believes he was merely caught in a ‘conspiracy,’ then with your demeanor and magnanimity, you would absolutely not refuse such caution, right? Moreover, if only key evidence is verified, the investigation team’s round trip won’t actually take much time. You can just read a book or play with birds at your residence and the time will pass~”
The other nobles suddenly realized, and for a moment, they all admired the little girl’s meticulousness. After all, not everyone could immediately detect such seemingly obvious loopholes, and just a few hours of belated realization in such matters could potentially lead to the overturning of the entire situation.
If Grand Duke Marshall truly had problems, then even a small delay in the evening could mean the investigation team would return empty-handed.
In any case, Grand Duke Crystal Wolf and Grand Duke Baloka, who were more inclined to Shuang Ye and Fire Claw, had not thought of this. However, this oversight was not because they were unintelligent, but merely a matter of perspective…
To give a simple example, in some simple exams, invigilators who are unsure if children will cheat find it very difficult to catch those who have long premeditated, thoroughly prepared, meticulously planned, and used every means possible to cheat. This is not because the invigilators’ IQ is lower than the cheaters’, but because those kids who know they will be screwed if they don’t do well are simply desperate. Under highly tense mental conditions, they will never miss any possibility, and these possibilities are often things we find very hard to think of.
On the other hand, invigilators who hold the mindset of ‘these brats will absolutely cheat, and I (or she) must make you kneel and go home today,’ and who view the children as class enemies, often catch them red-handed, because they also don’t miss any possibility, to the point of being deranged, like wanting to lift up a girl’s skirt to see if she’s written answers on her thighs.
And Shuang Ye, on this matter, was clearly more deranged.
However…
“Alright.” Grand Duke Marshall agreed very easily. He nodded readily, saying, “Anything is fine, as you said, I have a clear conscience~”
Shuang Ye’s eyes almost popped out. Her face was ashen, as if covered with dense, unbelievable expressions.
And Emperor Kleiwo merely nodded slightly, then asked her, “And?”
Shuang Ye bit her lip tightly, her body trembling slightly. “And… and… um… what else was it… I…”
Kleivore blinked. “Miss Shuangye?”
Grand Duke Marshall laughed triumphantly.
The next second, he saw the girl, who had originally seemed somewhat flustered, actually start laughing even more triumphantly. Her previous flustered expression seemed to disappear as if by magic.
“And that is~ since you have such a clear conscience, then changing locations shouldn’t be a problem, right? Like moving to Scarlet Garden with your people for a while, how about that?”
“…”
“Eh hey? What kind of expression is that? Our conditions here are quite excellent, Grand Duke! You can stay in the boudoir I used before, wow~ what a supreme treatment! You don’t need to bother anymore, just wait for your guards to come. But I think it’s better to use the excuse of having them come to pick you up to return to your mansion~ Of course, your personal belongings will need to be inspected~”
“…”
“Huh? Why aren’t you speaking? Oh la la, is there something in your current residence that you can’t bear to leave behind? No way? Could it be? Is there really? What could it be?”
“…”
“Wow, that expression! Could it be something that allows you to have a ‘clear conscience’? Like a small~ item~ that can transmit messages or letters remotely?”
“You…!”
“Everyone, look, his expression is so interesting!”
“I…!”
“Despair? Despair? Despair? Despair? Despair? Despair? Haha~ Not enough! Not interesting enough! Make your expression even more despondent, you bastard! Despair, right? You’re really in despair, right? Ha, haha, hahahahahahah!!”
Chapter 260: The End
