第５５６堀：異議あり (Part2)
Yet, what I felt from their words was clear: Findar is the enemy, and Catherine is the enemy.
If one didn't know the fact that a ceasefire had been established, it would certainly look like an act of betrayal.
If they had managed to convey this first, Catherine would have been executed as an enemy.
But unfortunately for them, the schemes of Turklam and Clay have already fallen apart. After all, we have already made contact with the King.
Their recent statements have only served to tighten the noose around their own necks.
If they had confessed their crimes and begged for mercy on the spot, they might have still been saved, but that path is now closed.
Perhaps King Haiden wanted the pretext of having offered them a moment of leniency.
Regardless, it is now decided that Turklam, Clay, and the others will be disposed of in broad daylight.
"I see. So that was the case."
King Haiden nodded repeatedly.
Seeing that reaction as a positive sign, Turklam continued his speech.
"That is correct!! That wicked woman, Catherine, sold out our Haiden and defected to the Empire!! Even at this very moment, the Princess and Lady Kagura are being held captive!! To save our nation, I propose an invasion of Baide—no, an invasion of Findar!"
His performance was magnificent.
He didn't look like a villain; he looked like a hero standing up to save his country.
Half the people in the audience chamber, knowing nothing, were being swayed, whispering things like, "We must save the Princess," and "That traitor Catherine must not be forgiven."
"I understand."
"Then—!"
"Indeed. However, haste is the enemy of progress. As it happens, I have received similar information. It would not be too late to hear from those individuals first."
"Huh? Other individuals, you say?"
"That is correct. You may enter!"
And then, right on cue, Princess Carrie, Kagura, Princess Stasia, and Catherine entered.
They were escorted by Vilia, Dressa, and Hiiro.
For the record, my own escorts, Deryu and Ria, were by my side.
The appearance of the Princess and Kagura—who were supposed to be captives—completely flipped the situation.
"P-Princess!? Lady Kagura!?"
"Why are you here!?"
Ignoring the shocked Turklam and Clay, King Haiden continued.
"Now, my niece, Carrie. Is what was just said the truth?"
"No. It is entirely false."
"I see. Then, Catherine. Did you sell Carrie and Kagura to Findar?"
"No. If I had, I would not be standing here."
"Hmm. That is true. Then, what actually happened?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I, Kagura, Countess Catherine, and even Duke Kamishiro were nearly assassinated by that man there, Clay Igott."
*Murmur!*
The audience chamber erupted in a stir.
"Silence!! Hmph. This is completely different from the story told by Turklam and Clay. Which side should I believe?"
"Y-Your Majesty!! The Princess has been deceived by that Catherine!!"
"I see. So you are saying Catherine is threatening her from the side? That is to say, Princess Carrie is currently in mortal danger?"
At that statement, the soldiers in the room immediately surrounded Princess Carrie and her group—no, they surrounded Catherine.
"Now, Catherine. Do you have any evidence to overturn Turklam's statement?"
"Yes, I do. Please, look at this."
Saying that, she pulled out a video camera.
"What is that?"
"It is a magical tool that records events as they happen, brought to us by the hero who saved us from our predicament. May I have permission to use it?"
"Hmm. I grant you permission. But you know what will happen if you try anything strange, don't you?"
"Yes. Then, if you please."
Catherine left the setup to Vilia and the others.
Vilia and her group took a television out of their item box and first played back the recording of the conversation that had just taken place, proving that the device was indeed capable of recording events.
"I see. This is undoubtedly a tool that records the events of the moment. A magnificent thing. And you say this contains proof that Turklam and Clay were the ones who attacked?"
"Yes. Would you like to see it?"
By this point, the soldiers who had been surrounding Catherine had shifted their focus to surround Turklam and Clay.
In other words, the people around them were now convinced that Turklam and Clay had attacked the Princess.
Since they had brought out such a device, it was only natural to assume they had definitive proof.
"Hmm. Before that, Turklam, Clay. I will ask you once more. Is there no mistake in what you have said?"
Without answering the question, Turklam screamed.
"Clay!! Destroy that magical tool!! If you do, there will be no evidence left!!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Clay lunged toward the video and the television, forgetting that Dressa and the others were there.
"What, you? Did you forget about us? Ah, I suppose you really are an idiot."
"What, you—gwaa!?"
Dressa struck Clay down with a heel drop.
"What's with the 'what, you—gwaa'? It's Dressa. Remember that."
At the same time, Hiiro played the video, showing the Haiden officials the brutal scene where they had used monsters to attack the Princess.
"...Given your current actions and this record, Turklam. Do you have any defense?"
"I-I was not involved!! That was Clay acting on his own!! I am a victim here!!"
He was still trying to deny it, even at this late hour.
It was true that the footage only showed Clay's individual crime.
But did he really not think that he was being watched, given that this recording existed?
"I see. Then, Lady Vilia, I leave the rest to you."
Well, well, this play is entering its final act.
It’s a relief that I don't have to move a muscle.
Forget about objections; we’re just shoving the evidence right in their faces.
In a world like this, recorded footage is incredibly convenient.
So much for privacy, right?
Now, I look forward to Turklam-san's final efforts.
Will he use his three remaining transformations, turn the capital of Haiden into a sea of blood, and challenge us to a final battle?!
Will Yuki and his group be able to win?!
...It doesn't look like that's going to be the plot.