Chapter 251: I am innocent - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Dusk was falling, and shadows flitted about in the ancient council chamber of the Mosgra family. The afternoon after the council meeting ended, members of the Mosgra family, including Fred Marquis, gathered in the chamber, seething with righteous indignation over Saint Laurent VI's decision earlier in the day. "This devil could have been executed directly; why go through with a Sacred Tree trial?" A young member of the Mosgra family slammed his fist on the oak table, viewing it as a redundant act. His words resonated with many in attendance. "Exactly! His Majesty shouldn't complicate things. For such heinous criminals, especially since he's already confessed, a direct outcome trial should have been the course!" croaked a woman with a withered appearance, her voice raspy. This woman was Eunice's mother, who had witnessed her daughter being impaled and drained of blood by Lynn at that fateful banquet. Hatred had long saturated her soul, consuming the once graceful and composed noblewoman. "Silence!" Fred Marquis sat sternly at the head of the table, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over each family member present. His eyes were somewhat red, seemingly suppressing anger, yet still managed to control it, saying in a low voice: "His Majesty... has his reasons." Although those present were primarily family, his understanding of that person suggested there could very well be spies for Saint Laurent VI among them. So, some words were better left unsaid. "I'm not too worried, really. The Sacred Tree trial is absolutely just and fair. According to our intel, at least the fact that Lynn killed Prince Joshua is undeniable," Theodore Mosgra, with his slightly wavy hair, calmly stated. As Fred Marquis's youngest grandson, he was known for his steadiness. Even at the wild parties where noble youths indulged, he habitually stood by the columns, acting as a listener and observer. His words brought some quiet to the previously tumultuous council chamber. Clearly, everyone thought he was right. "Since the founding of the Saint Laurent Empire, never has there been an incident of such cruel murder of a royal by a criminal. Lynn's actions not only constitute murder but also shake the empire's foundations, blatantly challenging the sacred royal authority!" "Indeed, the harshest punishment of the Saint Laurent Empire awaits him!" Amidst the exchanges, only Fred Marquis remained grim, as if awaiting someone's arrival. And as if on cue, the door to the council chamber was knocked. Conversation ceased instantly as all eyes focused on the newcomer, who, to everyone's astonishment, turned out to be Bishop Connor of the Heavenly Order Church. The two old foxes exchanged a knowing glance and nodded imperceptibly. Others were surprised by Bishop Connor's unexpected visit, making the atmosphere tense and anxious. Only Theodore Mosgra remained unsurprised. The reason was simple. For both the Heavenly Order Church and the Mosgra family, killing Lynn was a mutual goal. Thus, Bishop Connor's visit to Fred Marquis was to ensure the trial left no room for error. As the cardinal bishop of the Heavenly Order Church, Connor held a transcendent status, which even Fred Marquis had to acknowledge. His appearance at a private Mosgra family meeting was sensational enough to shake the imperial capital. "Good evening, everyone." Walking on the plush red carpet, Bishop Connor stepped into the center of the room under everyone's gaze, speaking calmly, "It seems you've encountered some trouble." Fred Marquis stood to greet him with pleasantries, saying, "Regarding the case of Lynn Batreon, does the Bishop have any advice?" After greeting him and seating Connor, Fred Marquis dismissed surrounding family members, leaving only the core and immediate family to listen. Connor shook his head: "Advice, perhaps not. But... Fred Marquis, are you absolutely certain of sentencing Lynn to death?" Fred Marquis maintained composure as he retrieved a parchment scroll from his pocket: "Here's the detailed procedural arrangement for the trial. The Sacred Spirit Tree will focus solely on Lynn's memories from that night at the old factory." "At that time, the entire city will witness how he brutally murdered Prince Joshua." "So, Lynn's death is inevitable!" Reassured by Fred Marquis's confirmation, Bishop Connor relaxed slightly. He was familiar with the Sacred Tree trial's process. The Sacred Spirit Tree could read the host's memories and display them in the skies for the entire city to see, making the choice of memory point crucial. Though aware of Lynn's many hidden secrets, which, if exposed through memory reading, might unveil unknown secrets, perhaps even insights into the Third Princess's hidden matters. These too piqued Bishop Connor's interest. Unfortunately, reading too many memories could indeed complicate matters, potentially steering the predetermined trial into an unpredictable conclusion. Thus, focusing solely on Lynn's memory from that fateful night was undeniably the safest approach. Moreover, the Sacred Spirit Tree's judgment was fair and just, beyond their manipulation of its nuances. Still, after a moment's silence, Bishop Connor recalled the many seemingly hopeless situations involving the Third Princess that Lynn had effortlessly defused. Perhaps, no amount of caution regarding this extraordinary young man named Lynn would be excessive. Realizing this, a hint of madness flickered in Bishop Connor's eyes as his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Besides the Mosgra family, another card must be readied to utterly ensure Lynn's demise." With that thought, he squinted, a plan forming. Outside, the last rays of sunset were swallowed by the night. "Dong, dong, dong..." The grand clock in the attic struck seven, ominously counting down to the imminent trial. Several days had passed since Lynn's arrest. In those days, he remained out of contact, and the Third Princess Ivist still lay in coma, leaving Morris, Grey, Rhine, and Lynn's sister Eleanor, who had once been saved by Lynn, wandering the manor disoriented as if their souls had been extracted. Stopping for even a moment seemed to invite despair to devour them. Undoubtedly, losing their two pillars plunged everyone into profound anxiety and despair. Not only Morris, Grey, and Rhine, but even Eleanor, Lynn's sister, exhausted her connections, trying to pull strings and have her brother released. But at this point in time, who would dare to risk universal condemnation by bringing up matters concerning Lynn? Eleanor bit her lip, reviewing family correspondences over and over, seeking those who once benefited from the Batreon family. But it was all to no avail. The reason was simple: Lynn had killed Prince Joshua, thus offending the royal family of the Saint Laurent Empire. Even blood relatives would likely shy away at such a critical juncture. In these past days, they faced countless rejections, now pale and gathered in the manor, uncertain of the path ahead. Three days had passed since a letter was sent to an Imperial High Court judge, yet still no response came, like a stone cast into the sea. Eleanor murmured weakly, her voice drained of strength. The austere Judge Cornell of the Saint Laurent Empire, her last hope, knew well his prestigious status in the legal world. Forty years ago, on a snowy winter night, Cornell was just a frail youth, languishing in the slums of the lower district of the imperial capital, bursting with ambition but unsuccessful. Collapsing on a library step, his frozen fingers clenched tightly around a snow-soaked half of the "Saint Laurent Code." If not for encountering the head of the Batreon family, Eleanor's grandfather, after a court meeting, intrigued by the young man's dedication to legal texts amidst a blizzard, and brought him home, there likely wouldn't be the acclaimed judge in the legal circles today. "It's hopeless. Judge Cornell is renowned for his unwavering integrity. Banking on him to save Lynn is akin to believing I'm Saint Laurent the first." Rhine sighed. Grey stood silently by the window, his fingertips absentmindedly tracing the scratches on the window frame as he murmured, barely audible, "Everyone's afraid of being implicated, which is understandable. After all, who would risk offending the entire nobility and His Majesty for someone who doesn't matter much to them?" Everyone understood this reasoning, yet nobody wanted to do nothing while watching Lynn be judged and executed. It was something they couldn't accept. "Is there truly no way to save him?" "Not even the slightest bit of hope?" These people, who had once fought side by side until the last moment in the manor defense, saw each other as completely trustworthy companions. Despite past grudges, they sought advice from Rhine, the only one considered a bit wise in the current crisis. Unrelenting, he responded with a "certain death" verdict. With Lynn caught in the maelstrom and without Ivist's protection, he was sure to be devoured by the capital's nobles. This response left everyone more despondent, at a loss for words. "Are we really just supposed to watch him be executed?" Morris stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor with a harsh noise. Rhine looked at him, his gaze cool to the point of cruelty: "Unless you plan to break him out and all get hanged together." The air grew tense. After exhausting all options to no avail, perhaps the only remaining course was a desperate prison break to save Lynn, albeit one that would lead to all their deaths. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm them, the conference room door suddenly opened. With light steps, Aphia, who had been absent, returned. Despite her red-rimmed eyes, the feline girl stood tall, seeming unburdened, as if she'd cast off a heavy load. Only then did they remember she was supposed to seek help from the Crown Princess, reigniting a flicker of hope. After all, Shirleyna held a power and status in the empire far beyond what Ivist could wield alone. As they eagerly turned to Aphia, she shook her head and said: "Even Her Highness the Crown Princess is at a loss." The hope on their faces shattered, like a cold douse of water. Morris eyed her skeptically: "Aphia, why do you look so pleased despite returning empty-handed?" Only then did they realize Aphia's demeanor was out of sync with the rest, contrasting the growing despair surrounding them. While everyone else faced Lynn's impending execution with dread, Aphia seemed unfazed, prompting confusion. Aphia replied naturally: "Though Her Highness Shirleyna said she couldn't help with this matter, she visited Lynn in prison. That rascal asked her to pass along a message." Pausing dramatically, she looked at their tense faces before slowly repeating: "Don't worry, I'll be back." Her words rippled through the room like a stone cast into a tranquil lake. "That rascal" was Aphia's nickname for Lynn, and upon realizing this, everyone instinctively straightened up. The room seemed to freeze. Everyone fell silent, their expressions varied. Admittedly, those words had evoked a flutter of hope, but harsh reality quickly set back in. They considered it nothing more than a comforting lie from Lynn. "Ha!" Morris laughed weakly, "He's probably been driven mad in prison, saying things like that at a time like this." "Maybe he just didn't want us to worry," Grey murmured, so softly it was nearly inaudible. "But he's something, isn't he? In the face of death, he's still thinking about us. Makes it hard to stay mad at him," Rhine sighed. Though once at odds with Lynn, whose actions ruined his own reputation, Rhine felt his resentment diminish over their time together. Perhaps even a hint of admiration had taken root. In contrast to the others' despair, Eleanor and Aphia seemed different. Their eyes gleamed with an unmistakable belief that Lynn's words were more than mere comfort. "My brother said he'd return..." "And he will return!" Eleanor declared, her voice soft yet resolute. Standing by the window, the setting sun gilded her profile, and her eyes—so much like Lynn's—flickered with undeniable faith. "Exactly," Aphia chimed in, moving to Eleanor's side and looking around at the others, a sweet smile playing on her lips. "When has Lynn ever broken a promise?" The fire in the hearth flickered, casting shifting shadows across their faces. Some frowned in disbelief, others wavered in doubt, but the two girls, bathed in light, had eyes brighter than the fire. Time flowed swiftly, and soon the day of execution dawned. In the capital's majestic Ecclesiastical Square, the ground was densely packed with people. Carriages of nobility lined the square's perimeter, and drivers shouted above the crowd to carve a narrow path through the throngs. Citizens stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to witness the "sacred trial," as if Lynn's death might purge some deep-seated anxiety. At the platform's center, the gallows stood like a grim fracture on the ground. Barring any surprises, after the trial, Lynn's youthful and "evil" life would end on these gallows. In the eastern noble observation area of the square, a few splendidly dressed nobles muttered in hushed tones, failing to mask their contempt and glee. "We've waited long enough for this day," sneered Marquis Saxton, tapping the silver wolf atop his cane—a symbol of his lineage. The Silver Wolf family and the Battalion family had long been at odds. Ancestors from both houses served in the Empire's Third Legion, comrades-in-arms until a strategic dispute tore them apart. Saxton's ancestor proposed sacrificing a small town of thousands for victory, while Lynn's forebear vehemently opposed. He led a successful flanking cavalry charge, only to find after his triumphant return that Saxton's ancestor had gone ahead and sacrificed the town anyway. Incensed, Lynn's forebear severed ties and reported the act to the military, resulting in some disciplinary action for Saxton’s ancestor and a marquis title instead of an earldom, a grievance carried through generations. Marquis Saxton had played no small part in the Battalion family's decline. He assumed them vanquished, only for Lynn, once deemed useless, to rise again with Ivist's support, suggesting a resurgence of the Battalion line. This unsettled Saxton greatly. Yet before he could act, Lynn had fallen by his own hand, committing the high treason of killing Prince Joshua, and was now certainly doomed. "Hanging's too merciful for him. Criminals like him deserve to hang until crows devour their flesh and their bones weather away," Madame Olivia beside Saxton sneered, her contempt for Ivist extending naturally to her lackey, Lynn. "Ha, eager for the spectacle, aren't you?" Earl Wallis meticulously adjusted his attire, his gaze sharp and incisive, "Let's not forget, the Third Princess supports him. Who's to say she won't suddenly awaken and cause more trouble?" "That freak?" Madame Olivia scoffed. "She's struggling to stay afloat herself, whether she'll wake is uncertain. What more could she stir up?" Earl Wallis narrowed his eyes, glancing at the opposite side of the square, where a handful of somber figures stood, clearly supporters of Lynn. Among those firmly backing Lynn even at such a time were only Morris, Grey, and their companions. Drawing his gaze back, Earl Wallis chuckled coldly, then lowered his voice, suggesting, "How about... we place a bet?" "On what?" Marquis Saxton arched an eyebrow. "On whether he'll die today," Earl Wallis grinned cruelly. "I wager he'll be hanged before everyone, his body left hanging for three days to quell the populace's anger." After all, the victims of the Limb Cloaker included countless civilians. "I wager he'll be torn apart by enraged citizens before the execution," Olivia chimed in with a light laugh. "Who'd tolerate a prince-killer breathing a second longer?" Marquis Matthew Augustin, who had remained silent, suddenly smiled, a meaningful curve to his lips. "I bet... he won't die at all." Those around him paused and then burst into laughter, as if he’d told an absurd joke. "Matthew, has the sun baked your brains?" Olivia taunted. "If he walks out alive today, I'll swallow my badge." Matthew didn't retort, simply locking eyes with Olivia meaningfully and then addressing the group. "Swallowing your badge, better not. You'd likely choke, Olivia," Matthew drawled, a mischievous light gleaming in his gray-blue eyes, starkly contrasting the surrounding nobles' demeanor. Olivia gave him a chilly glance. "What gives you the nerve to think Lynn will leave Ecclesiastical Square alive?" Matthew shrugged, flippantly answering, "I just think your badge is crudely made, and its jagged edges might tear your throat." "Unless you swallow mine," he paused, prompting Olivia to blush, suspecting him of making a crude jest. As the sole heir of the Augustin family, this young man had just turned eighteen. His unexpected inheritance of the title at sixteen had left him seemingly unfinished in maturity. Yet before Olivia could refute this cheeky youth, Matthew procured a sleek silver family crest from his pocket, flipping it in the air. "See, our Augustin badge is well-polished, smooth—fine on the palate." The badge arced through the air before Olivia swatted it away, glaring at him as if her gaze could burn through him. "Are you looking for trouble?" Feigning surprise, Matthew widened his eyes, "I'm saving your life, dear Madame Olivia." Earl Wallis chuckled, cutting short their charade, "Enough, Matthew, that mouth of yours will get you into trouble sooner or later." Matthew picked up the badge from the ground nonchalantly, pinning it back on his collar with a lazy smile. "You should be worrying more about your wallets than my mouth." "Since you proposed the bet, you each owe me ten thousand gold if you lose." "Agreed." With that, Matthew's gaze swept beyond the throng, fixing on the podium. The entire Glostine seemed to pause, the populace riveted by this unprecedented spectacle. As the sun rose high, all eyes finally fell on the villain, shackled in heavy chains. Many were stunned, not expecting the orchestrator of the serial Limb Cloaker murders to be a young, albeit ragged and weary-looking, yet remarkably handsome youth. Lynn was marched to the platform, the cold metal of the shackles around his neck glimmering ominously in the sunlight. Matthew appraised Lynn from head to toe, unexpected admiration flickering in his eyes. He turned slowly, meeting the eyes of the noblemen he had gambled with, one by one. "Remember... he is Lynn," Matthew chuckled quietly to himself, a hint of madness lacing his demeanor. Marquis Saxton and Madame Olivia flashed disdainful smiles. True, Lynn had his share of notable victories, performing miraculous feats. Yet given the current circumstances, they saw no plausible escape for Lynn. Having murdered Prince Joshua, Saint Laurent VI would never grant him clemency! Unexpectedly, the once tumultuous square fell into an eerie silence. The trial commenced! Judge Cornell stood upon the platform, his aged and stern voice resonating through the square, listing Lynn's charges: "Publicly stabbing Congressman Black, leading to lifelong paralysis, murdering Prince Joshua, and orchestrating the Limb Cloaker case..." Each charge read intensified the crowd's fury, voices rising in a tidal wave of curse and jeering. Judge Cornell's relationship with the Battalion family was no secret, yet Saint Laurent VI had entrusted him with the trial, testament to his integrity. "Hang him!" "This demon deserves no trial, just execution!" "Divine judgment upon this monster!" The crowd roared, insults and pleas mingling. In the crowd, the Battalion estate members looked anxiously at Lynn, hearts heavy. Yet he stood serenely, offering them a reassuring smile. That smile, instead of calming them, deepened their despair. Even with Eleanor's belief in her brother's safe return, her heart ached crudely. If it were possible, she wished to stand where Lynn did and accept judgment in his place. "Lynn Batreon," Judge Cornell's voice was cold and solemn, "How do you plead to these charges?" A hush fell over the square, anticipating his response. Lynn simply stood there, a faint smile on his lips, silent. He chose silence. Judge Cornell frowned, displeased with Lynn's demeanor, yet the trial proceeded. "As the accused refuses to plead, we shall proceed to the Sacred Tree trial." He announced, "The Sacred Spirit Tree shall decide your fate." With a nod from Cornell, two attendants escorted Lynn toward the Sacred Tree for his judgment. Yet at that very moment, chaos erupted! The guards escorting Lynn suddenly revealed malevolent intent, unleashing supernatural power to attack Lynn from both sides! They intended to bypass the Sacred Tree trial and execute Lynn directly! Outside the crowd, in a carriage, Bishop Connor watched with a cold expression, clearly orchestrating the attack. Time seemed to slow, as the members of the Battalion estate watched helplessly, the tragedy seemingly unavoidable. "Die, you unforgivable devil!" One guard roared, conjuring a sharp ice blade aimed at Lynn's throat! The other drew a poisoned dagger, stabbing at Lynn's heart! The crowd gasped, some crying out, others cheering hysterically. Yet, in this critical moment, just as the ice blade and dagger approached within inches, Lynn was suddenly enveloped in a familiar and powerful crimson glow, invoking the powers of Third Princess Ivist! Though not as grand as when Ivist wielded them herself, the powers burned fiercely like molten blood. The two guards didn't even have time to react before they were cut down on the spot. The entire square fell silent. Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them. Lynn slowly lifted his head, his previous haggard appearance was gone, replaced by a calm and solemn demeanor as if reborn. The sudden reversal caught everyone off guard, leaving them in shock. It turns out he had deceived everyone these past days. After Ivist used life-sharing on him, the causality-based punishment and injuries from the Fate's Prison had mostly healed. Moreover, because his life was intertwined with the princess's, or perhaps due to some unique aspect of himself, Lynn could wield a small portion of Ivist's abilities. Though not powerful, it was enough to buy him crucial time! "Seize him!" Judge Cornell commanded coldly. Instantly, numerous extraordinaries who had been watching Lynn sprang into action. They had no idea why the two guards attacked, but their task was to prevent Lynn from escaping. Among them were also those with ulterior motives, ordered by their factions to kill Lynn here and now, preventing future complications. But it was too late. In a flash, Lynn transformed into a blur, weaving through the gauntlet of attacks, reaching the trunk of the Sacred Spirit Tree in an instant. In the stunned silence of the onlookers, Lynn calmly raised his hand, placing it against the ancient bark. "I deny every accusation against me."