Chapter 154: Madman Lin En, suddenly kills people! - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

As the images concluded, the hall was enveloped in a profound silence. Everyone stared blankly at the young man who had just removed his hand from the sealed item, speechless. What could they possibly say? A descendant of a loyal military family brought low by the betrayal of greedy, power-hungry individuals — with no happy ending for any of his family. Though incidents like this were commonplace in the imperial capital for many, witnessing such a vivid portrayal in front of them was an entirely different experience. Those with a conscience averted their gaze instinctively, avoiding looking at the pale-faced youth. Even Tia, who had advocated for his use of the sealed item, subconsciously took a step back. Her own face was pale—but not due to any physical discomfort. Hearing Dalion's piercing words, she was beset by a mix of turmoil and confusion. From the onset, her impression of Lynn Bartleon was exceedingly negative. Not only did he openly challenge her beloved brother Sia, but he also concocted fictitious stories, pretending to know her, causing her great disgust and aversion. It was precisely to swiftly deal with this annoyance that she had been so eager to suggest he use the sealed item. Yet, it seemed the young man never showed any resentment towards her suggestion. And now, having witnessed these memories, she understood the full context and truth behind everything. As the Silent Saintess, Tia had never concerned herself with worldly matters, dedicated entirely to the rituals of serving the goddess and to deep cultivation. Naturally, she was oblivious to the past misfortunes of the Bartleon family. Thus, in her eyes, Lynn was merely a rogue prone to violence and disreputable tactics. But now, it seemed there was a reason behind it all. Though her demeanor was akin to an emotionless doll due to her teachings from the Moonlight Codex, deep down, Tia was someone profoundly empathetic and compassionate. Upon learning of Lynn's tragic fate, she instinctively put herself in his shoes. Having suffered slander, betrayal, a comatose father, a brother murdered by treachery, and even a sister oppressed by the royal family... If it were me, after enduring all this, could I still stand here self-righteously, challenging and accusing others? Tia took a deep breath, trying to quell the inner anxiety. She did not know the answer to this question, but instinctively, she wanted to reach for her brother Sia's hand. But as soon as her fingers made contact, the curse reactivated, causing her to retract as if shocked. At that moment, the young man surveyed the crowd with a clear gaze. Upon reaching her, his eyes lingered briefly before he spoke, "Now, are you satisfied?" The youth’s face was ashen, experiencing adverse effects from the sealed item. His current state was dire. Though his words addressed all the doubters present, for some reason, Tia felt as though they were meant specifically for her. Are you satisfied? His tone faintly carried a trace of imperceptible sorrow, as if she, the villain, alongside others, had cornered him, leaving him no choice but to bare his heart to prove his innocence. A wave of intense agitation surged within Tia once more. Yet, unlike before, this time, it came with an inexplicable undertone—an emotion called guilt. No. This was merely sympathy for his plight. Besides, I don’t even know this guy! Tia bit her lip, suddenly wanting to turn and exit the council hall. However, seeing Sia’s grim face and his clenched fists, she could not bring herself to do so. Just then, Saint Roland VI turned to Lin En and spoke. “Have you anything more to say?” Hearing this, Marquis Mosgra, almost collapsing to the floor, paled and hastily interjected, “Your Majesty, Mosgra family absolutely did not orchestrate this. Moreover... Moreover, upon closer examination, many aspects appear suspicious, such as—” “Lord Frederick need not fret,” Saint Roland VI frowned, “While the authenticity of this memory remains uncertain, your loyalty has always been recognized by me.” “Besides, these are merely some disparaging remarks made behind closed doors. How many in this world have disparaged me, or even wished for my death? Are they few?!” Saying this, Saint Roland VI snorted, scanning the crowd. Yet, Marquis Mosgra did not relax; instead, his expression grew more rigid. It seemed to be smoothing things over, calming him, but the words had already confirmed Dalion's statements as fact. This was no good sign. What kind of magnanimous monarch would dismiss such damning words? Marquis Mosgra did not know. He only knew that after ascending the throne as a dark horse, all the defeated princes from Saint Roland VI’s era had perished within a few years under various circumstances. Sweat trickled from his forehead, sensing the Mosgra family stood at an unprecedented crossroads. One misstep could lead to a disastrous downfall. Upon Saint Roland VI's inquiry, Lin En replied slowly, “The old marquis’s reasoning is laughable indeed.” “The doubts were raised by you, and it was also your suggestion to explore memories with the sealed item. I complied entirely from the beginning, without any hesitation. Yet now, you want to label me as fabricating memories; that I will not accept.” Hearing this, Marquis Mosgra gritted his teeth, “Yet that is not entirely impossible! Returning to the capital, you must have premeditated a response. Moreover—” “Moreover, with the third princess by your side and her substantial power, she could alter memories. Therefore, I do not accept this outcome!” Even though the sealed item confirmed its ability to detect memory alterations, what if there was an error? At this moment, Marquis Mosgra was entirely unreasonable. “Hmph.” At this juncture, a soft chuckle filled the air. The crowd instinctively turned to see the third princess, Evester, now gazing in their direction from her wheelchair. Her earlier aloof reaction led many present to believe she intended to abandon Lin En, seeing him as a pawn to discard. But now it appeared otherwise. Evester looked at him indifferently, “Such doubts, I’ve heard countless times since childhood; I’ve grown thoroughly tired of them.” Marquis Mosgra opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words. The next moment, the woman’s voice turned icily cold. “But being tired of it doesn’t mean I'm accustomed to it.” Evester’s crimson eyes fixed on him like a serpent, “Old fool, if you wish to question me, are you prepared to wager your life?” In that instant, a chilling frost swept through Marquis Mosgra’s entire being. Eunice could no longer support his frail body, and he collapsed with a thud. Saint Roland VI’s eyes flashed with anger, evidently displeased with Evester’s actions. He raised his holy staff, striking it against the floor with force. An invisible holy energy swept over the hall, instantly dissolving the terrifying killing intent Evester had just exuded. “Do you consider me nonexistent?!" Saint Roland VI glared angrily at Evester. Yet she couldn’t care less, having accomplished what she intended, and withdrew without a backward glance, wheeling herself back to her initial position. Seeing this, a cold glint flickered in Saint Roland VI’s eyes. The atmosphere turned tense. No one dared to speak up or mediate in this father-daughter quarrel. After a moment of silence, Saint Roland VI chose to move past the topic. He glanced down at the prone Marquis Mosgra, once again revealing the emperor’s indifference: “Lord Frederick, since you are feeling unwell, you should return home and recuperate.” "The duties of the Minister of War will temporarily be assumed by Ralph. Once you have recovered, you can resume your post." Clearly, it was apparent that the phrase Dalion had uttered about him being "dim-witted and weak" wasn't something he truly disregarded. However, by this point, no one really cared whether the incident was genuine or not. The moment this scene unfolded before everyone, a silent death sentence was passed on the Mosgra family. Yet fundamentally, it didn’t hold too much significance. After all, the rise of this backstabbing family was never truly rooted in Marquis Mosgra but rather, in the empire’s youngest Valkyrie. Thus, the punishment of Marquis Mosgra was ultimately a mere slap on the wrist. As long as Irina hadn't lost her power, regaining their former prestige after this incident blew over would be a simple task. Everything hinged on a single word from Saint Roland VI. This was the common understanding that emerged among people. Yet, this consensus was not something everyone could swallow easily. "I am grateful for His Majesty's grace." Marquis Mosgra whispered with reddened eyes, trembling in his reply. Tonight was meant to consign Lin En to eternal damnation, yet in the end, not only did it fail to harm him in the slightest, but even his own standing was compromised. The hatred burned within him! Marquis Mosgra roared internally, feeling a stifling sensation in his chest that he could not alleviate. But now, his only option was to retreat temporarily. With this thought, he cast a glance at Cardinal Connor standing behind Saint Roland VI. Connor remained calm, subtly nodding. This boy cannot be spared! Unmistakably, this was the consensus reached between them. Ever since they struck against the Bartleon family over a year ago, a life-and-death struggle with the young man before them was inevitable. As he thought this, Marquis Mosgra wore a sullen expression, slowly heading towards the door with Eunice's support. Eunice herself was struck by unprecedented shock and disbelief. Before tonight's banquet, she had always considered her family among the upper crust of the imperial capital, and she took immense pride in this. Amidst the constant flattery from those around, Eunice gradually lost herself. Yet, the family's former glory and power was stripped away entirely with just a single decree from Saint Roland VI. Without the position of Minister of War, the power of Marquis Mosgra would be severely diminished! Although he had only been acting as a temporary replacement and had always been troubled by his inability to control the military. Reflecting on this, Eunice turned her gaze to the cause of it all. Her eyes filled with an unprecedented hatred. Was it merely that you planted a few servants in your household and facilitated a blood pact between your sister and the fourth prince? So many people would be eager to establish ties with him but couldn't. And yet, you not only failed to appreciate it but even resorted to base revenge against the Mosgra family! For a moment, Eunice's heart was full of venomous emotions. But there was no room for her to speak now. After casting a glance at the silent fourth prince Joshua, her expression dimmed, and she ultimately swallowed her anger. Simultaneously, Lin En sensed the murderous intent from her heart. Watching her slowly retreating figure, he suddenly spoke, "Miss Mosgra, have you forgotten something?" The unexpected words once again captured everyone's attention. Hearing this, Eunice's contorted countenance barely concealed an icy veneer, "That was just a duel you unilaterally proposed. I am not obliged to indulge in your charades." With that, she continued supporting Marquis Mosgra towards the exit, ignoring Lin En’s words. However, everything that transpired tonight had been rehearsed countless times in Lin En's mind. He had already calculated even the number of people who might die and how they would perish. How could he let her leave so easily? "But you picked up the glove I threw!" Lin En raised his voice, "According to ancient knightly traditions, as a noble, the moment you pick up a glove, it signifies your acceptance of the duel without room for withdrawal!" "Under the Holy Tree, only the death of either party can end it!" In an instant, Lin En's body suddenly burst with immense extraordinary power. This sudden move caused a stir among the crowd. Princess Silina's eyes reflected disbelief, while Second Prince Felite widened his eyes, seemingly unable to fathom that he would flout imperial authority and law, brazenly issuing a challenge! And within such a solemn venue as the council hall, in front of Saint Roland VI's scrutiny no less! Was he out of his mind?! Everyone's heart raced violently, as if they were on the verge of witnessing an unprecedented confrontation. The drama had reached its climactic moment. "How dare you!!!" Saint Roland VI’s roar reverberated like a bell, accompanied by an overwhelming force of divine spirit that rushed towards Lin En! Moreover, the Silverwing Knights, who had been standing by, vanished in a blur. Sia intended to capture him, but was ultimately held back by Silina, who seized his wrist. Meanwhile, in the crowd, the petite Ninth Princess gazed at Lin En's series of actions, her small mouth slightly agape and her eyes filled with a trace of admiration. Yet Lin En and Evester, the protagonists of this drama, remained indifferent to anyone's opinions. Their exchanged glances conveyed an instant understanding. Looking at the brilliantly radiant dark-haired youth, Evester's eyes were calm yet content. The return to the capital was not for peace and compromise. It was to deliver a minor shock to those fools who mistake your kindness for weakness. To ensure Third Princess Evester's fierce reputation resonated throughout Glostein. Go on. Do whatever you wish. I will always be behind you. In a blink, an unprecedented crimson energy erupted like a blazing sun, its dazzling brilliance flooding the council hall. With one swift motion, she ruthlessly and arrogantly suppressed the entire venue. As a second-tier superhuman, Lin En had no idea what he was truly capable of achieving at this moment. Because he had never tested his ability limits in a fight. But there was one thing he was sure of. With the maximum number of divine grants within him and the strengthening by the sorceress, although also second-tier, his attack was something Eunice certainly couldn't withstand. Under her frightened and enraged gaze, the playing card Lin En held between his fingers transformed into ten strands of wandering black threads. He gently raised his wrist, spreading his palm. Suddenly, the black threads shot out, intertwining and winding through the air like slithering snakes. Originally loose, the endless strands now began to coalesce into a unified whole under his deliberate control. Moments later, a spiral lance, formed from countless black threads, took shape, falling into his palm, its cold sheen reflected in the light. Seeing this, Marquis Mosgra's eyes flashed with rage and fear, giving Eunice a forceful shove, "Quick, run!" Eunice staggered briefly before fleeing towards the door, terror-stricken! She had no intention of resisting, only wanting to escape from the council hall alive! Yet aside from her, everyone else was restricted by the sudden outburst of Princess Evester, only Saint Roland VI and several higher-ranking church cardinals were able to withstand it. But everything transpired faster than the blink of an eye. By the time the crowd regained their strength and sought to halt the madman, it was too late. Lin En's gaze, cold and unyielding, never wavered from Eunice. With the fiery heart of the blazing dragon pounding in his chest, his muscles tautly filled, his whole being a tightly drawn bowstring, poised to strike! What needed to be done was simple. "Boom!" With overwhelming force propelling it, the black spiral lance shot forth like a deadly arrow, ripping through the air with a deep, sharp whistle, a shadow as it vanished from its starting place. The distance of several dozen meters vanished in an instant. "Thud!" Accompanied by the sickening sound of flesh being torn apart, the black lance pierced through Eunice's chest without resistance, embedding itself firmly into the marble floor. Blood spurted like a fountain, splattering in all directions. The girl's face froze in an expression of despair, her once-bright eyes instantly dulling. In the next moment, she collapsed to the ground without warning, life entirely extinguished. Within the council hall, there was an absolute silence.