Translator: CinderTL
A deathly silence blanketed the banquet hall, as if even the suspended crystal chandeliers had dimmed.
"A spy?"
"This... how could this be possible?"
"Does Your Majesty suspect a traitor among us?"
After a brief moment of shock, suppressed whispers filled with fear and suspicion rapidly spread among the nobles.
Every face beneath the opulent gowns was etched with disbelief and unease, their gazes filled with scrutiny and mistrust as they exchanged glances.
The once joyous and relaxed atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a cold suspicion that spread like a plague.
Amidst the turmoil, Prince Lucius abruptly rose to his feet, his aged face contorted with fury.
He extended a trembling finger, pointing directly at Sean, who remained kneeling on one knee. His voice rose to a shrill, almost cracking pitch.
"Lies! Absurd! You lowly soldier! How dare you spread such malicious rumors in the sacred banquet hall of the royal palace, before all the loyal nobles? You defile His Majesty Monen's wisdom and threaten the very foundations of our kingdom!"
His chest heaved violently, as if he couldn't catch his breath, yet the fire of rage burned fiercely in his eyes.
"traitor? This is nothing but a fabricated excuse for your failures at the front lines! Or perhaps you're an orc spy sent to sow discord among our ranks and drive a wedge between the King and his ministers! Guards! Guards! Execute this lying traitor on the spot!"
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as several royal palace guards in gleaming armor strode forward from both sides of the hall. Their gauntleted hands gripped their sword hilts, their icy gazes locked onto Sean.
Seeing this, Roland, standing in a corner, frowned deeply. His hand had already silently settled on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning slightly white. Sean was his brother in arms, and he would never stand by and watch his friend die unjustly for carrying out his duty and delivering the King's secret orders.
His eyes darted across the hall, calculating the number of guards, the road to the exit, and the massive upheaval that would inevitably follow a forced rescue...
This would be tantamount to declaring war on the entire Golden Valley Kingdom, with unimaginable consequences.
But regardless, he had to try.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall was taut as a bowstring, as if a single spark could ignite the entire fairground.
Princess Gloria's face paled as she stepped forward, her crimson lips parting slightly, clearly prepared to intervene at any cost.
But before she could speak, a deep, resonant voice, imbued with a reassuring strength, echoed through the hall, perfectly shattering the deadly stalemate.
"Your Highness, please remain calm."
All eyes instantly turned toward the speaker.
Duke Arno emerged slowly from the crowd. His massive frame resembled a mountain draped in a luxurious velvet robe, his face as ever radiating kindness and wisdom.
He first bowed slightly to the furious Prince Lucius, his posture impeccably respectful, before addressing the assembly in his usual measured tone, his voice booming clearly enough for every ear to hear.
"We swear by the holy tree and the golden sheaf that our loyalty to His Majesty and the royal family is unwavering. Captain Sean's intrusion into this banquet was undoubtedly reckless, and the veracity of the information he brings must be carefully assessed."
Duke Arno's words, steady and resolute as granite, temporarily quelled the restless tension that had gripped the hall.
Prince Lucius's chest heaved violently, his face still flushed with anger, yet he refrained from immediately refuting the powerful duke.
Arno turned his attention to Sean, who remained kneeling on one knee, his tone softening.
"Captain Sean, His Highness is not unreasonable. However, your accusation—that traitors lurk among our nation's nobles—will undoubtedly cause a great stir. Beyond your word, do you have any other evidence to support this claim?"
Sean raised his head, the despair in his eyes receding slightly, replaced by a flicker of hope.
Without hesitation, he reached into his tunic and retrieved a parchment scroll sealed with dark red fire lacquer from deep within his inner armor.
"This is the evidence!" Sean declared, holding the scroll aloft, his voice regaining some of its strength. "His Majesty Monen personally entrusted this to me, ordering me to deliver it directly to Prince Lucius!"
Duke Arno stepped forward, his expression grave, and accepted the scroll. He meticulously examined the integrity of the fire lacquer seal and the clear imprint it bore. After a moment, he turned to Lucius and nodded solemnly.
"Your Highness, the seal is authentic. This is indeed a letter written by His Majesty Monen himself."
He publicly broke the fire lacquer seal, withdrew the letter, and quickly scanned its contents. Taking a deep breath, he faced the breathless, attentive nobles and declared in a solemn voice:
"The instructions in this letter indeed align with Captain Sean's account."
"His Majesty has realized that our military operations have been repeatedly compromised. There is indeed an traitor among us. This letter is a secret order commanding Prince Lucius to mobilize all available forces to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the traitor within the royal capital and surrounding regions, ensuring the stability of the overall situation!"
The truth was revealed.
Arno turned to Lucius, whose expression shifted erratically, and earnestly advised:
"Your Highness, His Majesty's will is clear."
"Captain Sean risked his life crossing enemy lines to deliver this crucial order. He should not be reprimanded but rather commended for his bravery and loyalty!"
"I urge you to comply with His Majesty's command and immediately commence the investigation to reassure the army and the people. We must also publicly acknowledge Captain Sean's unwavering loyalty and courage."
As Arno's words echoed through the banquet hall, a chilling, absolute dread descended upon the assembled nobles.
This dread stemmed not merely from the existence of an traitor, but from their profound fear of the measures King Monen was about to take.
The faces of the elder nobles turned deathly pale.
They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with terror, as if they had heard an ominous prophecy.
"Investigate traitors... His Majesty's personal decree..." an earl murmured, his voice trembling.
"Could it be... could the purge after the Blood Moon Rebellion... be about to repeat itself?"
The earl's words fell like a giant stone into still water, instantly stirring the deepest nightmares of the assembled nobles.
Though no one dared to describe it in detail, the mere mention of the "Blood Moon Rebellion" was enough to awaken a collective memory of blood and oppression.
The rebellion, sparked by commoner knights, had been suppressed, but it was the subsequent large-scale purge launched by King Monen out of fear of renewed unrest that truly haunted their hearts.
During that time, the slightest hint of suspicion could bring utter ruin. Countless families were implicated, even the interests of established noble houses were severely damaged, and the entire Golden Valley Kingdom suffered a crippling blow.
King Monen's ruthlessness and unwavering resolve, coupled with the "efficient" methods of his cruel officials, had long been etched into the hearts of the kingdom's elite as an indelible terror.
Now, with setbacks on the front lines and His Majesty's personal order to investigate traitor...
This was almost a repeat of the signal from years past.
No one doubted His Majesty's determination to purge traitors, but even fewer could suppress their dread of the impending storm. How many old scores would be settled? How many innocents would become sacrifices under the iron law?
Amid this oppressive and restless atmosphere, Duke Arno seemed to suddenly remember the missions from the River Domain Nations.
He plastered his customary affable smile back onto his face and approached Reggie and Roland, his tone exceedingly gentle, tinged with just the right amount of apology.
"Instructor Reggie, Lord Roland, I sincerely apologize for this embarrassing spectacle."
"The kingdom has been struck by unforeseen events, and Prince Lucius must attend to urgent military affairs. Tonight's banquet must unfortunately end here. But rest assured, this incident will not affect the friendship between our nations."
Instructor Reggie and Roland exchanged a swift glance, each seeing the other's resolve.
This was no place to linger; the study tour needed to end quickly.
Reggie took a deep breath and stepped forward, smoothly taking over the conversation, his tone as considerate and tactful as possible.
"Your Grace, you honor us with your words. We fully understand."
"And precisely because the Golden Valley Kingdom has encountered such urgent matters, we wouldn't want to intrude further. In my opinion, it would be best if we concluded the study tour exchange..."
Before he could finish the phrase "ahead of schedule," Duke Arno gently raised a hand, interrupting Reggie with an air of undeniable authority yet utmost cordiality.
"Ah, Instructor Reggie, there's no need for such concern."
Arno's smile remained warm, but the weight in his words seemed to freeze the surrounding air for a moment.
"It is precisely because the kingdom faces these disturbances that we must maintain our established relations with friendly nations, demonstrating stability and normalcy."
"All arrangements for the study tour exchange will proceed as originally planned. This is the Golden Valley Kingdom's commitment, one that will not be altered by internal affairs. Please rest assured and enjoy your stay at your residences."
His words sounded full of goodwill and assurance, but beneath that gentle tone lay a steely resolve that left no room for refusal.
Instructor Reggie's words froze on his lips. He exchanged a glance with Roland, both seeing a hint of resignation in each other's eyes.
Duke Arno had elevated the matter to the level of diplomatic relations and the kingdom's credibility. Insisting on leaving now would seem inappropriate, even suspicious.
Reluctantly, Reggie nodded slightly, swallowing his unfinished words.
"In that case, we will abide by Your Grace's arrangements."
A satisfied smile spread across Duke Arno's face, as if he had resolved a minor inconvenience.
"Excellent. Then I won't disturb your rest any further."
He bowed slightly, his posture elegant, before turning and rejoining the anxious crowd of nobles.
Guided by attendants, Roland and his group quietly slipped out of the banquet hall, which remained shrouded in tension and suspicion.
(End of the Chapter)
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