The ground quaked while Wolf’s shocking statement echoed, reverberating from building to building. A peal of thunder without lightning exploded, rising from the heart of the world.

“No lies were uttered.” The rumbling deafened the ears and shook the bones. Those words stabbed themselves into everyone’s consciousness. They were the truth, and no sentient being dared doubt it.

Wave of fatigue washed over Wolf as the world siphoned Soul Force from his Mind Palace. Wolf’s identity stunned the crowd and terrified the conspirators out of their minds.

Only Lord of Steel took this revelation with leisure, entertaining random notions. When you unleashed your aura, it was well past the Twentieth Order Mage mark. Meaning, you haven’t figured out your second True-Name.

However, those were his personal thoughts. His words and actions remained detached from his contemplation.

Headmaster Smith gasped in shock. The Duke, who paid close attention, rolled his eyes. Headmaster Smith’s acting was superb. But it wasn’t good enough to fool a patrician, breathing political intrigue during his every waking moment.

*Bam! Bam!*

The gavel struck the desk twice, calling for silence. Save for dramatic effect, Headmaster Smith wasted effort. The crowd was stunned speechless, as were the seated nobles.

Damn. I should have waited a few more moments. They are still dazed from hearing the words of a god.

“Since that’s the case, I offer my apology to Marquess Hillman. This was a sinister plot!” Headmaster Smith bellowed, but Wolf remained dazed, uncaring of the crazy old bat’s antics.

Then Headmaster Smith’s billowing firestorm of rage froze. The man’s expression turned calm as he continued. “Someone attempted to frame a Marquess and a True-Namer of the Empire for a capital offense. They could have succeeded. Three of my Mage Academy’s students lie dead, their murderer unaccounted for. These crimes are punishable by public decapitation. By the power vested in me, I hereby ask the gathered noble lords whether you were knowingly and of free will involved in this heinous plot to execute this young man?”

“Nay.”

“Nay.”

“Nay.”

“Aye.”

“Nay.”

…

“Nay.”

“Aye.”

“Nay.”

Two hundred-odd assembled nobles spoke in unison. Under normal circumstances, a chorus that big was unintelligible, guaranteeing privacy. If you confessed, you admitted your crimes to those standing next to you. But in front of so many Mages, sixteen people declared their involvement.

The Duke’s pupils dilated. His face, however, remained unchanged as he cursed inwardly. If you’re planning to kill my thanes, at least tell me in advance you crazy old crackpot! Gods, three Marquesses said ‘Aye’. This is going to turn the whole political scene into chaos.

The Duke wasn’t the only one versed in legal matters. Almost everyone present realized this situation only had one lawful resolution. Three Mage Academy students died, even under normal circumstances such a crime was difficult to cover up.

Edwin needed to become a Baron by hook or crook because nobles could cover up murdering commoners. It happened often. But they couldn’t conceal a scandal before so many witnesses.

Their minds raced. They realized this was a giant conspiracy, and behind the plot stood a puppeteer. Dozens of gazes locked onto the crazy old Lord of Steel. Sixteen men on stage sweated. Tears streamed down some of their faces. Thirteen of them were dead. Their houses ruined. Enmity they and their ancestors built over the centuries of rule would come knocking.

The situation wasn’t much different amongst students and teaching staff. Descendants of those sixteen noble families witnessed their world end. Even those not directly involved paled, recalling what they had done these past months.

They laughed at the Perverted Mage. They mocked and jeered. Few had the guts to target Wolf, but Anna was his fiance and his relationship with Mandy was an open secret. Both women were sitting ducks. Thinking about carelessly thrown insults, these people shuddered with fear. They dared sling mud at a Marquess's future wife and his mistress. Wolf even claimed his father was a Duke, and Earthmother confirmed it. Has the world gone mad?

“Marquess Wolf Hillman, you may speak freely.” Headmaster Smith removed Wolf’s restriction.

“If you two did anything to Anna or Mandy… I’ll pay you back twice over,” Wolf growled, strengthening the already formed chains which bound him.

Headmaster Smith’s face remained impassive. His gleaming eyes, however, revealed his inner laugh.

“I will hold you to that promise. I swear not to resist when the time comes,” Headmaster Smith whispered, then continued the proceedings with cold efficiency. “All criminals who confessed step forward. We still need to determine the truth behind these loathsome deeds.”

Sixteen men with ashen faces came forward. Five of them considered fleeing, but it would be pointless. Where could they escape?

Duke watched them drag their feet, running numbers through his mind. That boy will gain twenty-five thousand gold per Count, fifty per Viscount in damages. Their heads will roll and all of their assets, after deducting the reparations, will go to their lieges for redistribution. The three Marquesses have to cede half their assets and holds, but they will at least keep their lives and some wealth.

Hiragino and Beirut families are quite poor. Before this they struggled to maintain their rank, and they will drop to Counts now. Bradley, however, is affluent. His fiefdom has thirteen counties. Along with five counties the youth will get from Elric and Dominic this youth will have at least eleven… No, wait. If he chooses to establish his own domain, I’m supposed to find him ten more counties. I can take four Elric and Dominic will lose, but I need to add six destitute ones, otherwise he will wield too much influence.

Duke Silverhound glanced at Headmaster Smith, who started interrogating the Marquesses. You clever bastard! You set up another piece on my court, while knocking out people who didn’t suit you. Elric and Dominic are out, Bradley is weakened, while you added a favorable vote alongside house Alexandria. The Thonburis stay out of our games, and amass wealth, trying to become the next ducal family…

While Duke Silverhound overestimated Headmaster Smith’s political prowess, the man in question established guilt through simple questions and ‘Aye’ or ‘Nay’ answers, to which everyone readily agreed before the trial.

Counts and Viscounts wept while answering. They choked while trying to say ‘Nay’ instead of ‘Aye’ and ‘Aye’ instead of ‘Nay’. Their efforts were futile. This trial was a serious affair, far removed from the parody Daniel Smith enacted for Wolf. Instantly, Headmaster Smith became an impartial, wise man. His inquiries were to the point and meticulously defined to remove loopholes.

Those questions are oddly specific? He must have known everything, down to the tiniest detail. Wolf silently observed as the history of his ambiguous missions became clear. When Headmaster Smith mentioned dates and people present at meetings, Wolf realized the crazy old man knew everything before it happened.

He knew they planned to kill those three whores. Yet he did nothing to stop it. No, wait, this played out exactly the way he said it would. Crimes moved out of the Mage Academy where someone silenced or tampered with the eyewitnesses… Were his words back then true? Am I too naive?

While Wolf wondered whether there was wisdom to Headmaster Smith’s madness, the latter wrapped up the trial and slammed the desk with his gavel.

He’s enjoying banging that thing way too much. Wolf and Duke Silverhound thought in unison.

“The law is clear on this matter. Upon confirming beyond the shadow of a doubt that a plot against a higher noble has occurred, the involved parties of a lower rank are to be decapitated summarily. Their legal successors are to pay fines issued by the Duke, while their betters will confiscate their holds.”

A dozen men sobbed and kneeled, begging for pardon, but their words died before leaving their mouths. Even when faced with death they could not escape the Word Filter’s restriction. Headmaster Smith paid them no mind and continued passing his verdict.

“Nobles of equal standing will pay a fine announced by the Duke. If you disagree you may apply for trial by combat. As the representative of Imperial Law, I would champion the law. If trial by combat results in a success you would be freed of your charges. If it results in failure, you would be executed. Marquess Elric Hiragino, Marquess Dominic Beirut and Marquess Bradley Hoefler are entitled to trial by combat. Do you wish to exercise your right?" Headmaster Smith gave them a way out. A way which led straight to hells. Three Marquesses shook their heads, uttering defeated nays.

“Finally, Tommy Dmitrin will be tried by the court of law in Highseat. I will suggest a legal remedy, but I have no jurisdiction over a different duchy’s residents.”

Headmaster Smith finished his verdict. He faced the dead men. “Do you have any last words? You may speak freely.”