Chapter 156: Unsolvable Conspiracy, the Drama Ends - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Is this person insane? As Lynn's words echoed throughout the council hall, a singular thought surfaced in everyone's minds. The situation had escalated to such a level that they dared not suspect Lynn of mere showboating. Yet, this only heightened their confusion. If his mind was sound, why would he make such an accusation? He wasn’t targeting any specific individual but rather the entire organization. Indeed, this person seemed determined to bear the charge against the entire Church of Heavenly Principles himself! Could he truly be mad, or perhaps that was the only explanation for his brashness in assassinating the Mosgera family heir in front of everyone. At this very moment, Marquis Mosgera, eyes aflame with rage, glared at Lynn. “Don’t listen to his nonsense, apprehend this audacious criminal immediately!” “Does Your Majesty intend to disregard the empire’s laws?!” The older man, now past fifty, seemed almost deranged after facing the loss of two offspring in quick succession. Saint Roland VI furrowed his brow ever so slightly. Although unimpressed by this family known for their arrogance due to favor, he realized that their reliance on the empire's Valkyrie on the battlefield against demons was still necessary, and prematurely disposing of them would not be wise. Moreover, due to the electoral monarchy and the current division among the nobility, his grip on the military was tenuous at best. For these reasons, he could not afford to abandon the ineffective Mosgera clan wholly. Having thought this over, the balance in his mind shifted. He slowly turned towards the Silverwing Knights, resolving to temporarily suppress Evester with his own power and then hand her over to the knights for execution on the spot. The atmosphere became tense and electrified. But before anyone could react, the young man darted towards the spherical seal artifact, faster than a bolt of lightning, and pressed his palm against it once more. Colorful memory particles floated into the air again. What was he planning to do? Confusion filled the hearts of everyone present. Among those at the Augusta Manor standing behind Evester, including Greya, Morris, and even Rhine, an expression of excitement appeared on their faces. They knew full well that Lynn truly didn't have to take such risks. And yet, he did. Why exactly? To seek justice for the innocent estate guards and Duke Tyrus's soldiers who died in that disaster. They shouldn't have died in such a wretched place. If they must meet death, it should have been as honorable sacrifices on the battlefield, not due to betrayal by their allies. As the colorful mist spread out, a new image appeared before everyone’s eyes. High above, Cardinal Connor’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The next moment, he turned towards Hylina. “Your Highness, for the sake of a fair judgment, please assist us with this proceeding.” It was well-known that the Grand Princess possessed a powerful level-0 seal. Upon hearing this, Hylina nodded softly, raising her delicate wrist to reveal a tarnished bronze bell. With a light flick of her slender fingers, an ethereal sound wave established a new rule over the area. Here, “falsehood” was forbidden! Immediately, several ladies present gasped softly, instinctively covering their faces. Evidently, they had used extraordinary items to mask their imperfections, items which were now being suppressed. Hylina offered them an apologetic glance before focusing intently on the image projected by the young man. The exclusion of falsehood signified that the memories Lynn displayed were wholly authentic. Immersed within his mental plane, Lynn was oblivious to the events unfolding outside. Even if he had known, he likely would have smiled nonchalantly. Not to mention, with the witch’s means, should there actually be a fabrication of his memories, no one in the world would ever detect the artifice. Most crucially, the memories he unveiled were genuine events. In the displayed scene, majestic mountains stretched into the horizon. Yet at this moment, a colorful barrier, fashioned from artifacts of the major churches, contained all pollution and power within. As everyone witnessed a deluge of ominous black sludge surge forth, their hearts seemed to cease beating. Even as mere memories, remnants of divine-level power lingered, causing a heart-stopping fear. It was unimaginable, the mental strain endured by those who faced the full brunt of demonic might. Indeed, numerous attendees would likely flee in terror with but seconds of exposure. An air of gravity settled over their hearts. In equal measure, confusion simmered. What was Lynn's purpose in all this? How did it relate to his accusations against the Church of Heavenly Principles? The next unfolding scene provided the answer. Following commands from Duke Tyrus, amidst an ocean of black sludge,the soldiers began their withdrawal from the mountain. The stark reality was beyond everyone’s expectations. No one anticipated that the artifact hidden by the School of Creation in the underground ruins was a genuine level-0 seal, containing a demon within! This was a realm far beyond their reach. Remaining would only hinder Her Highness the Princess; thus, retreating to preserve their forces was the logical course. This was their shared understanding. However, when the surviving soldiers and estate guards finally reached the mountain's edge, they faced unprecedented despair. In prior chaos, a subset of Augusta Manor’s extraordinaires, collapsing under pressure, fled prematurely. Yet they did not leave the mountains alive, instead, they hung executed from the trees, warnings to all not to flee. Moments later, black-robed extraordinaires, emblems of celestial paths adorning their breasts, appeared before them—a sign of the Church of Heavenly Principles. With a gentle radiance of purple divine factors illuminating, the acting bishop led an invocation of celestial gravity, pinning survivors to the ground. “You dared—" “Why murder us?! We aren’t tainted!!!” “Damn it, do you wish for us to be completely obliterated?!” Outrage erupted among those trapped. Yet, Church members remained unmoved. Identifying a few as Lynn's comrades, solemn yet cold expressions came over them. "Apologies, but these are orders." “Defend the empire’s glory within the Soren Mountains until death!” The cold voice and the mountain’s formidable barrier quashed the faintest hope remaining. Caught between perpetual pursuit by the sludge and inner collapse, they screamed. What began as routine and ordinary descended into irreversible doom. Why? Why were they bound for death? This persistent question haunted those still among the living. Indeed, why? With the unsettling images fading, a similar query surfaced among princes and nobility within the council chamber. Swiftly, they dismissed such absurdities. Having grown past simplistic moral dichotomies, they recognized life’s complexities. Yet, Lynn’s abrupt accusations and the disturbing images lingered in their consciousness. In varied expressions, they turned towards Cardinal Connor of the Church of Heavenly Principles, searching for any hint of emotion upon his face. Connor, however, merely furrowed his brow slightly, as if he couldn't believe the scene that unfolded before him. Lynn caught a glimpse of his expression. A fine performance. Too bad... he met me. Noticing the heavy silence in the room, a faint smile crept onto Lynn's lips. “The demon inside the Wishing Jar has only just awakened and desperately needs the blood of humans and supernaturals to gain power. As the bishop of the Church of Heavenly Principles, do you truly not understand even this?” “Or perhaps, as he claims, this was merely a command given to him by some other entity?” “An entity that orders such a thing, aiming to witness the arrival of a powerful and dangerous demon into the world?” Lynn’s words were unrestrained as he revealed the sinister potential lurking beneath. While his assertions were speculative, they held a semblance of logic. Unfortunately, the depths of these waters were perilous, and none present dared to engage. They were even careful to muffle their breathing, fearing it might attract attention from those watching. Nevertheless, it seemed inevitable that everything that transpired tonight within the council chamber would soon echo throughout Glostin and across the empire. Seeing the collective silence, Lynn remained unperturbed. He cast his gaze around and spoke loudly, “Everyone is aware that for bishops managing a subordinate parish, only the main archdiocese of Glostin or the great Emperor himself can issue them direct orders.” “So, shall we speculate as to who might have issued such an order?” “What do you think, Mr. Connor?” As he spoke, Lynn didn’t shy away from directly confronting Connor Gregory on the platform. The question bore only two plausible answers. The first: that Connor, being a cardinal, had issued such an order himself. By recklessly putting an elector at risk and using the lives of imperial soldiers as mere pawns to handle a seal riot, it would be a grave dereliction and abuse of power. The second was far more terrifying to contemplate. “...” At this moment, Cardinal Connor seemed like he was being roasted alive. His expression was somber, staring silently at the young man before him. Noticing this, Lynn chuckled, “Or perhaps you’re hoping to lay the blame on our great Emperor, implying to everyone here that it was he who passed down such an order?” “That it was he who sacrificed his armies and subjects, presenting them as a birth offering to ensure the demon's entrance and fortify the demon forces?!” The instant Lynn uttered these words, everyone's hearts pounded wildly as they lowered their heads in a unified act of pretending not to hear. Only Saint Roland VI, seated atop the platform wearing his crown, cast a profound gaze towards him. A select few in attendance knew in their hearts that the order indeed originated from Saint Roland VI. Despite the myriad of reasons behind it, no one dared voice them aloud. Since no one dared to speak, and the innocent who perished in the event were deemed as mere sacrifices, he felt compelled to speak up. I’ve heard that you lean towards that old beast from the Mosgera family. Very well, then. I’ll place you, and this untouchable topic, as counters on the scales. What will you do now? Meeting the oppressive gaze of the Emperor head-on, Lynn remained unflinching. If we're going to dig deep, why not expose everyone's scandals to the light? After all, at worst, I only face death. This was his unavoidable gambit. The night stretched on endlessly. And now, it seemed this dramatic episode, with its numerous twists, was drawing to its close. Here's a book recommendation—feel free to check it out if you're interested.