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Several Truths

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「Lady Dalistia Abacam.」

「...Yes.」

Addressed by His Majesty, Dalistia, who had turned pale, replied in a voice that threatened to tremble.

「It is forbidden to cast magic upon another without authorization—let alone in the presence of the Royal Family—save for matters of extreme urgency. You are aware of this, are you not?」

「I am...」

"Matters of extreme urgency" generally referred to incidents such as major injuries, fires or other disasters, or the sudden appearance of an assailant. These exceptions primarily applied to healing, defensive, or offensive magic used for counter-attacks; they almost never covered the act of casting a disadvantageous spell upon a defenseless individual.

「Do you have any plea to make?」

「...I had heard rumors that Lady Wellmy Lyloud was using mind-control magic and cursed artifacts...」

The King listened in silence, and the rest of the room followed suit.

「If the young noblemen who represent our next generation were under such a spell and deprived of their free will... then it would amount to a takeover... an act of high treason against the Royal House. That is what I thought...」

Dalistia likely felt that she was merely making excuses. For that reason, her speech was halting, but the logic itself was perfectly sound given her position.

「I had no personal means of approaching her... and I thought that someone engaged in illegal activities would never admit to them if asked directly... so, in order to extract a confession here, I used a spell that I was told Magic Officers use on criminals...」

「No such magic exists.」

「...!?」

「Magic or potions that interfere with the human mind are classified as Forbidden Curses. This is because any interference with the psyche carries the dangerous possibility of leaving the target a hollow shell of their former self.」

「Ah...」

Practicing magic designated as forbidden was a felony. Dalistia’s complexion had moved past pale and was now a stark, ghostly white.

(She likely didn't know,) Wellmy surmised.

Even so, the girl’s back remained straight, and she did not avert her eyes from the King. Though she admitted her methods were wrong, she clearly still believed her concerns were justified. Of course, the suspicion itself was a mistake, but it was highly probable that those doubts had been planted and then reinforced by an outside source.

(I might have thought the exact same thing if our positions were reversed.)

Dalistia was a woman of high pride; Wellmy found herself feeling a sense of respect for her.

Wellmy recalled a time back at the Academy when Dalistia had approached her for some reason. She remembered the girl looking at Irvine and herself with eyes full of hostility, appearing as though she wanted to say something but ultimately holding her tongue. Because she had seemed like a decent person, Wellmy remembered avoiding further interaction.

(I really do regret that I couldn't help her sooner.)

As Wellmy mused, the King addressed another person.

「Earl Crates Lyloud.」

「Sire.」

「Examine the magic item used by Lady Dalistia. Special Commissioner Malefident Abacam, remove the item and hand it to the Earl.」

「At once!」

Malefident, who had been supporting his sister, removed the necklace she had identified as the magic item and handed it to Professor Crates. After inspecting it, Crates turned back to the King.

「This is not a forbidden artifact. While it is an illegal modification of a permitted item intended to strengthen its effects, it appears only designed to place the target under a light suggestion and prompt them to nod.」

At Professor Crates's words, an air of near-relief swept through the hall. Everyone understood that if a Duke’s daughter had committed a forbidden taboo, the resulting fallout for everyone involved would have been catastrophic.

Wellmy had also speculated that it was that sort of magic. In her slightly hazy consciousness, she had simply been ordered to "nod." Furthermore, if it had truly been a forbidden spell, she wouldn't have regained her senses so easily with Professor Crates's minor treatment.

Seeking permission to speak, Wellmy dropped into a deep curtsy toward the King.

「What is it, Lady Wellmy Lyloud?」

「I wish to address Your Majesty. I myself have some knowledge of curse-breaking, and I testify that the magic cast upon me was exactly as Earl Crates described.」

In truth, Wellmy had been aware that Dalistia was targeting something. Leo had informed her that the Duchess had been seen speaking with a certain nobleman and that her behavior seemed suspicious. Because of that, Wellmy had Eides cast a counter-spell deep into her psyche to resist mind-interference magic beforehand, so she hadn't expected any serious harm to come to her.

(Besides, I never had any intention of framing Lady Dalistia in the first place.)

If anything, Wellmy had initially wanted to find a way to talk to her so she would understand the situation.

Wellmy bowed her head to the King once more and stole a glance to the side. Standing there, looking equally pale, was the Baron’s daughter... Teresalo Traff, the girl with silver eyes who had been scouted by the Church to become a Saint. She was a girl of lovely impression with peach-colored hair. Meeting Wellmy’s gaze, she gave a small, firm nod, despite looking like she might collapse from the tension.

Meanwhile, the King’s inquiry proceeded.

「Lady Dalistia. State the name of the individual who gave you that magic item.」

The question she had clearly been dreading had finally been asked. Dalistia lowered her eyes, but she stated the name without a moment’s hesitation. It was likely because she had heard beforehand why Wellmy was in this position... and having realized her fears were groundless, she made her choice.

「It was the son of Marquis Deltrate, Lord Tsurgis...」

Immediately, all eyes turned to Tsurgis, who was standing slightly toward the back. He pressed his lips together and scowled. He showed no fear, but his face suggested he understood he was standing on the edge of a precipice.

「Your Majesty.」

Wellmy chose this moment—the most effective one—to disclose new information.

「Like Lady Dalistia, who was incited... I know of one other person who was being blackmailed by Lord Tsurgis.」

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