Chapter 30: Arcana

Sigrid had no worries even though she went with the guards. Because she used her power justly. However, when she arrived at the guard station, the story had changed.

“What do you mean?” Sigrid frowned.

“I’m talking about how dare you to assault and threaten my party in the middle of the road. You even beat down on my knight who couldn’t even pick a weapon!” Count Orange said with a rather stern face. Next to him stood the knights with their harsh faces who were beaten by Sigrd earlier.

“You drew your weapon first, so I picked mine too.”

“Nonsense! The knights attacked first? If the weapon was drawn from our side first, why didn’t you get hurt?”

“That’s because I’m strong.”

“No matter how strong you are, it is nonsense to be able to beat four men by yourself, just apologize and compensate!”

Sigrid was shocked. “What are you talking about now?”

“Are you saying I’m lying?”

“Yes.”

“This bitch! Guard Captain! What do you think!”

Count Oren quickly turned his head to Ammu, the guard captain, who now made a troubled face.

“Well, there’s no evidence on either side...”

“Of course there is evidence.” Count Oren grinned.

‘Evidence?’

Sigrid frowned slightly, then said, “oh.”

“I also have? a witness. Please call the woman whom Count Oren harassed of at that time.”

Someone nodded.

Count Oren smiled more deeptly after he heard what SIgrid said.

As one of the guards went out to the address Sigrid said, Morris came in as if switching with the guard.

“Sigrid, what’s going on?”

“Morris? How did you know?” Sigrid’s eyes were opened wide, surprised.

Morris scratched his cheek. “Somehow, I found out. Anway, assault crime?”

Count Oren’s eyes narrowed.

Guard Captain Ammu coughed and explained the situation. “According to Count Oren, he said that Sir. Ankertna blocked Count Oren’s carriage that was going to the capital this afternoon, and quarreled. Count Oren’s knights tried to appease Sir. Ankertna, but she pulled out her sword, and injured three people. He also claimed that Sir. Ankertna disappeared after intimidating the count and extoring his money.”

“What?” Morrias asked spontaneously. He couldn’t believe what he heard. Because there was no way Sigrid would do that.

Sigrid then said in a cold voice. “I’ve never done that. While i was walking down the street, I saw Count Oren harassing a woman and trying to kidnap her. But when I tried to stop them, those knights pulled out their sword, so I responded to it. Then I handed over Count Oren’s knights to the capital guards who came over.”

“Handed over? They’ve protected me from you!? Just call the guards and listen to their story!”

“When they arrived to the scene, the situation was over.. That’s the testimony of the guards...”

Ammu quickly spoked up for his guards.

“Then, let me present my witness.” Count Oren nodded to one of his knights. The knight went out for a moment, then came in with a man in shabby clothes. The man looked very nervous when he saw people in the room.

“Now, tell us the truth.

At the words of Count Oren, the man groaned. “Yes, yes.”

“At that time, this peasant was picking weeds out of field, then suddenly this peasant heard loud noise, so I thought what is it? Then when I looked at it, that woman blocking the carriage.”

“What?” Sigrid’s voice lowered hearing the man’s statements.

“Ehm!” Count Oren glared at Sigrid. “Don’t try to intimidate the witness, Sir. Ankertna. You, keep talking.”

Sigrid furrowed her eyebrows hearing the unfounded facts in the man’s story. But the man did not stop talking.

“I, I was just there watching because I was shocked. The Count spoke nicely from inside the carriage, the male drivers approached to the women, but suddenly she pulled out her sword!”

Sigrid clenched her teeth.

“The knights were bewildered! This person swung her sword when they didn’t even drew their swords. Then she asked the count some money! When they Count handed over the money bag, that woman disappeared. Yes, yes.”

SIgrid remained silent. The scene in front of her right at that moment was very similar to what happened to her in the past. A stranger testified that he saw her, and knew her well. A lier. A man she’d never seen before, telling his own story, lying, and unseen shreds of evidence pouring out from her room—her breath suffocating.

It felt like her eyes were going blackout.

At that time, here and there—the voice of the slanders, the evidence that refuted her desperate claim. She told the truth, but everyone said it was a lie.

“...lease..”

Morris turned to Sigrid after he heard Sigrid’s little whisper, and he was startled seeing her palce face.

Sigrid reached out and grabbed the hem of Morris sleeve. “No.. I didn’t.. No”

Hearing Sigrid’s desperate words, Morris took her hand and smiled. “I know.”

Know.

Sigrid felt the heavy load on her shoulders was draining her, her strength rushing out from her body hearing that word. She felt like crying.

Morris wondered why SIgrid was so anxious, so he tightened her grip on her hand.

Ammu coughed and said. “The witness of Sir. Ankertna hasn’t arrived yet, so let’s wait a moment.”

After a while, the guards arrived and salute, but his face was like he was in trouble. “Sir. Ankertna, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find that person.”

“What?” SIgrid asked in surprise.

Ammu and Morris’ face darkened at the same time.

“I went to the house you mentioned, but no ona was there. When I asked the villagers, the people living in that house had disappeared two or three days ago...”

“No way!”

She’s just talked to them today.

“Oh my, oh my.. Beside committed false perjury, now you tried to stage a false witness? Buying time is ended. Should I take this case to His Majesty the Great Emperor?” Count Oren said sarcastically.

“What do you actually want?” Morris asked.

“Compensate with money, and since she has been given a special wealth as a knight of the Emperor, she should quit Knight Order. And in order to resolve the misunderstanding, it would be nice? talk to Sir. Ankertna separately.”

Morris sneered. A bitter laugh blew out. He looked at Count Oren, then looked at the man who claimed to be a witness.

“You.”

“Yes, yes.”

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Shamu.”

“There is no lie in your statement, right? Because people who gave false testimony would have their tongue plucked out.”

“Oh my, oh my, certainly! How could this peasant dare to lie!” Shamu’s face turned pale while he fell on the floor.

Count Oren looked at Morris for a second. “Hey! Stop threatening witnesses! What are you doing? Shamu, don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Yes, yes.”

Count Oren coughed heavily, and then asked, “So, who are you?”

“I’m Morris D’Forest. I’m Sir. Ankertna colleague.”

“D’Forest? Oh, you’re the second son of the D’forest family.” A mean smile spreaad across Count Oren’s face. “Is your brother doing well?

“Yes, he’s doing well.” Morris’ face hardened, but th answer flowed smoothly from his mouth.

Count Oren smirked. “It’s hard, it’s hard indeed to be the capable second son. And Sir. D’Forst, you must be careful in choosing your friends. It’s funny that commoner could become imperial knight. Do you see how daring they are to raise their swords towards nobles?”

“I don’t think I need your advice on my friendship.

As Morris cut him off, Count Oren snorted. “So, what are you going to do huh, SIr. Ankertna? Shouldn’t you get down on your knees and offer a sincere apology now?”

Sigird’s shoulders trembled slightly. Anger and despair swirled in her chest.

‘Why do I have to suffer like this when I haven’t done anything wrong?’

Suddenly, a bright voice was heard.

“Oh, Count Oren, I heard you have something to do with my friend?”