“Episode 62”
It had been a long time since Emerson had seen Yuliana O’Ban, and although she appeared somewhat thinner, her beauty remained unchanged.
Noble beauty sometimes had to be muddied to appreciate its value. Emerson frowned as he looked at Yuliana, who still seemed lovely and still viewed herself as if she were a stranger.
“This is unfair,” Emerson muttered to himself, raising his own arrogance to match Yuliana’s.
Yuliana O’Ban.
Once a coward who thrived on receiving affection, she was now deemed contemptible and cowardly.
Emerson smiled sardonically at his beloved, cowardly Yuliana. She was too beautiful. Too tempting.
“Does anyone here not know about the affair of the Countess?” Emerson asked.
“Really? I’d appreciate it if you could explain properly,” Yuliana replied coldly. Her mysterious bronze eyes fixed on the accuser, Iris Caverner. Whether her half-sister glared at her or not, Yuliana spoke calmly.
“If I’m guilty, testify like a proper witness,” she said.
Emerson shrugged, standing before the podium as if accepting his fate.
Then, he began to speak as if delivering a speech.
“The Countess and I became acquainted at last year’s spring party. The Countess was fully engaged in the party atmosphere, and many attended. I, being from the eastern border’s small noble family, ventured to the capital to catch a glimpse of central politics. My original purpose was to foster relationships with central nobles and bureaucrats, but upon seeing Yuliana O’Ban, my purpose changed.”
Who wouldn’t have coveted her, seeing her smile like an angel? She stood in the center, enjoying people’s gazes and laughter. As innocent as she appeared, she hungered for affection.
Emerson bitterly smiled at the memory. Even though he knew she could never be his, her attention still thrilled him. She had that effect on people. Making them swoon with just a glance. Making them desire her.
She was everyone’s coward.
But she was also so incredibly lovable and impossible to hate.
As Emerson recalled the past, he furrowed his brow.
Even her fleeting gaze upon him lifted his spirits. She was that kind of person. The kind who could make people giddy with just a glance. The kind who made people desire her.
So how could her presence be anything but divine? Even a young priest, sworn to purity, would crumble like a sandcastle before her.
“… Countess, you were kind to me. Knowing that made it difficult to believe that your letters were mere formalities. But once I realized, I couldn’t ignore it.”
Emerson then handed the judge a letter, claiming it was from the Countess. The judge read the letter, scanning the family seal and date.
The family seal was imbued with the family’s unique magic, making forgery impossible. The judge glanced briefly at the unemotional Yuliana O’Ban.
“Countess, the disrepute surrounding you is due to your excessive kindness. Although we priests shouldn’t be concerned with secular matters, I’ve heard many stories about your honor. Should I read the letters you’ve sent to men?”
Ordinary nobles, especially those sworn to purity, wouldn’t send such intimate letters to unmarried nobles.
But Yuliana O’Ban was different in the past. She was particularly enthusiastic about affection and attention from those who showed her affection. Even if that affection was unnecessary, she hoarded it like a hungry beast.
“…Yes. You may not need to read them. As someone who was once enamored with me, did you not use my foolishness to your advantage? Many unmarried men misunderstood due to my naïveté. I wanted to correct that misunderstanding, but time passed.”
Yuliana sighed quietly, pretending to hesitate for a moment before smiling.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings through this righteous trial. It’s a somewhat embarrassing process, but necessary to reveal the truth.”
“Is this your way of showing respect to those who admired you?” the judge asked.
“Let’s be honest, Emerson. Wasn’t it people like you who took advantage of my foolishness to indulge in baseless fantasies? The reason I was summoned to this trial is simply because I was kinder than others. Honestly, the only reason I’m here is because you, like others, expected too much from the letters I sent. I can’t help it if my kindness led to misunderstandings and brought me to this trial.”
Here’s the English translation of the text:
“Facing those black pupils without fear for the first time, Yuliana spoke solemnly. It was as if she was speaking in reality.
“I’ve heard that His Majesty proceeded with the accusation and suggestion of the saint without the noble council. Of course, I’ve also heard that the clergy followed His Majesty’s opinion. However, as far as I know, not all priests have accepted the saint.”
[Yun, if you’re confident, come here.]
As if in response to that, Yun slowly stepped forward. Yun, who came forward more than Emerson, looked down at Yuliana from a higher position and said slowly:
“If some clergy who sided with the duchess undermine my sacred purpose, it can escalate to a sacred trial. I have already proved to His Majesty that the existence of the Aryakne magical stone has been communicated, and I have also directly warned His Majesty of the impending danger of war. How can a mere duchess doubt the saint who descended under the command of God?”
[Yuliana, it seems like you can’t protect even one husband. You just hid that person. You were afraid of me from the beginning.]
Yun smiled faintly. Then, she touched her palm.
From her palm, the crimson light that had flowed since she entered the duke’s family erupted. The magic spread through the air in clumps, gradually forming a shape.
“The Yahart tribe is gathering again. They are controlling demons and mages through the entrance to the demon world. Their rebellion will soon ignite the flames of war. The duke, a knight of the empire, is nearing the time to replace them with divine punishment. So, the duchess must also prove her loyalty to the duke.”
The faint crimson light formed a clear image above the lake.
It was a scene of soldiers dying and falling from the northern mountains as if prophesying the war. Amidst the tragic light, Yun, whose eyes were the only ones shining, spoke calmly.
“However, the clergy who should cleanse the entrance to the demon world and chase after mages and demons are here for the duchess’s dubious ‘trial.’ Please explain how this happened.”
[Yuliana, do you think you’re saving me? You’re just another puppet that stupid and affectionate god picked up. I’ll adore you, but that’s it.]
Yun smiled contentedly.
Yuliana frowned as she looked at that smile. Then she shook her head vigorously and spoke clearly, hiding her face behind a colorful fan.
“Of course, that’s what I think. As the saint knows, the clergy have been guarding the temples in the north and driving away demons from ancient times. They failed to protect the mages who entered the entrance to the demon world… So, the opinion of the pontiff was needed to judge the saint. As he has discerned and purified the entrance to the demon world throughout his life.”
[Yun, there’s a reason why you’ve been so mischievous to me, right? That stupid and affectionate bird god told me that you’re my savior. So, you’re treating me with such cruelty because of that, aren’t you?]
Yun paused for a moment, then said calmly.
“You’ve grown a lot. You can speak to me confidently now. But I was afraid you might say something about your husband’s broken mind, so I hid you. If you’re scared, just say so. I can consider it.”
Yun looked at the beautiful Yuliana O’Ban and pursed her lips similarly, then calmed down.
“Admit it. I’m scary. I won’t be cruel then. You’re my savior, right?”
[Ah, Yun. Poor Yun.]
Yuliana laughed ecstatically.
“Your Holiness. Please testify what is hidden at the base of the Emerald Lake, where the saint came out. After this trial is over, I will accompany my husband on the next expedition. I will prove that I am not just a duchess.”
The duchess knelt by the lakeside. Behind her, the priestesses of the clergy came forward wearing black robes.
The pontiff recited a purification prayer. The prayer gradually turned into a chant, filling the lakeside with a calm atmosphere. The pontiff began to sing loudly, starting to set the flames of purification on the calm lakeside.
“I am the flame of purification, the enemy of those who should be destroyed. O Lord, let our souls burn and see their end.”
It was the flame of purification, but also the flame of Yuliana O’Ban, the fire sorceress.
The black flames began to burn the bottom of the lake. Yuliana smiled faintly amidst the burning flames.
Even as she smiled, the surprised voices of the clergy shook the audience.
“My, my goodness. The flame of purification is burning elsewhere!”
“Why is it burning? It shouldn’t happen to a simple lake!”
“Isn’t the Emerald Lake the sacred lake of the duchess’s family? How should we interpret this?”
“Moreover, didn’t the saint come out through this lake?”
Yuliana muttered as she stared at the blazing lakeside.
“Your Honor, I suggest a trial of the one who claims the position of the saint as the successor of the O’Ban Marquis, recognized by the royal family.”
As the flames flickered, Yuliana winked at Yun.
[Poor Yun. Let’s stop acting like a middle schooler now. As your savior, I’ll take you back to reality. Even if I have to kick your butt to do it.]
