CHAPTER 77: THE GRAND BALL (7)

Justinian was left looking at the ceiling with pure confusion and bewilderment. He finally had his first experience of political intrigue.

Yet instead of feeling excited or even adventurous, he just felt... completely out of it.

’...Not sure if that plan was genius, or just plain stupid.’

Justinian ran his hand through his hair, trying to reclaim his composure as he stopped himself from laughing through sheer stupidity.

"Are you... feeling okay, Duke Thirell?"

"To be honest, I don’t really know the answer to that."

Justinian closed his eyes for a second, cursing the novel and its convoluted schemes and characters who thought elaborate plans like this one were the most efficient way to handle problems.

’Why am I surprised... the novel had plenty of stuff like this, guess experiencing it firsthand is just drastically different.’

"Feeling overwhelmed, it’s fine to take a break if you can’t keep up."

Augustus teased, he might be a genius, but he’s still prone to elaborate and inefficient plans that were more theatrical than practical.

But either way, Justinian smiled, it meant that he had the perfect chance to complete his quest.

What else to maintain the princess’s favor than to completely solve this problem instantly?

"I think I already have an idea of how to solve this issue."

"R-really?" Augustus raised a brow, impressed at Justinian’s confidence. "We have owls in each room, nobody seems suspicious, there’s no-"

"I’ll handle it."

Justinian brushed Augustus’ concern off, leaving the storage room, but not before having aggressively brushed his armor of dust and grime.

’I have a system, I don’t even need to bother doing this the normal way, and even if I do, it probably won’t be that hard.’

Justinian thought to himself as he walked towards the manor’s main hall, where almost everyone gathered, Augustus and Maria following him skeptically, the two exchanging glances, confused at what Justinian was about to do.

’I just need to create a formal meeting, then I’ll be able to use my ability again, no need to spend prestige at all.’

The three of them quickly arrived at the main hall, with Justinian purposely opening the door loudly and catching everyone’s attention.

"Everyone, listen closely, I have something to announce!"

Justinian barked in an aggressive and demanding tone, fully embracing his crimson appearance to his advantage.

What the system classified as a formal meeting was vague, and if a royal ball was classified as such, then an announcement would definitely also count as one.

[Demon of the Court]

’Perfect timing.’

"I know who the traitor is."

BOOM!

Those words alone immediately increased the pressure within the room, a suffocating and heavy atmosphere enough to crumble most spirits.

even Maria and Augustus, who were merely following, felt it, a strange feeling they didn’t even understand, nor knew what was causing it.

To everyone around the entire manor, it was Arethrus speaking through Justinian.

Justinian stood at the center of the hall like a crimson storm, his voice and presence swallowing the air whole. Every noble froze mid-motion, every breath, whisper, and tremor silenced.

The faint hum of the chandeliers flickered across his armor, giving him an almost otherworldly glow. His words carried like a divine decree, not a man’s declaration.

Maria took a step back, her heart pounding against her ribs. Augustus, though outwardly calm, subtly clenched his jaw. He’d seen many men command a room, but never quite like this.

’Perfect... now for the easy part.’

Justinian’s lips curled slightly, a mix of irritation and confidence. He didn’t have time for more noble posturing or subtle interrogations. He wanted results.

"None of you are leaving until I’m finished."

His words pressed down like invisible chains. He walked forward, gaze sharp, sweeping across the hall, each noble flinching when his eyes passed over them.

"We have a traitor among us who cooperated with an organization that doesn’t even exist anymore."

His tone dripped with contempt, and that alone sent a ripple of unease through the gathered lords and ladies.

"An organization I had crushed with my bare hands before they even got a chance to rise... and now some pretenders think they can adapt their name without risking my ire!?"

Justinian made deliberate steps across the room, most walking back as he approached, completely clearing the center for himself.

"I must say, you are all certainly brave."

He made sure to keep himself vague; he had no idea how many were conspiring together, so he generalized his speech, making himself sound as threatening as possible until the guilty crumble.

His trait may affect everyone, but for those who are innocent, they would only feel a slight tremble.

"Don’t even think of hiding anymore..."

Justinian laughed coldly, for a noble who was mostly silent at the ball, the fact that he suddenly took control and started threatening everyone was definitely a sight most won’t forget.

"Y-you have to be bluffing..."

A noble spoke, his spirit crumbling, completely breaking composure and unwittingly revealing himself to be one of the traitors.

’That’s one, an unknown more to go.’

"Am I...?"

Justinian’s presence was so commanding that most couldn’t even think about what was happening. Justinian may be the honorable guest, but the ball had already stopped at this point, so who gave him the right to just suddenly parade around like this?

Quite literally no one, but they didn’t even consider that when their heart was beating loud enough for their own ears to hear.

"I shall count to three... those who do not reveal themselves within that time will be killed."

Justinian tapped the floor once, his banner appearing out of thin air.

[Duke’s Domain]

Duke’s domain may have been a powerful combat ability, but in scenarios like this, it was entirely useless; despite that, it still had one use.

The fear factor of seeing someone’s banner appearing out of thin air while threatening an entire court of nobles and rulers.

"W-what!?"

Maria and Augustus gasped.

"What in the..."

Another voice came, it was Velen, just done mobilizing the guards to surround the manor and had entered once more, only to be greeted by a sight that was quite literally ethereal.

"Three..."

Justinian had begun his count.