Avril noticed a guard swiftly moving around behind her at Alois’ signal.

This would make the second time she was on the verge of being imprisoned. As a villainess whom Lawrence had placed his expectations, she wanted refrain from a conclusion where she’d have to escape prison by filing away at the bars with a sharpened spoon.

Uhm, what should I do…?!

Listeard knew Avril was innocent regarding this matter. Still, just how long is he going to remain silent?

Dylan, who was observing this situation, had come as the Kingdom of Branwill’s representative. Surely, he’d abide by Listeard’s request and refrain from interfering, though with considerable frustration.

But Alois’ eyes are serious…

If pressed further, Avril—whose thoughts easily slipped out into words—felt she might end up carelessly revealing something. If that were to happen, wouldn’t this become a terrible situation?

She firmly clamped her mouth shut as she paled.  Listeard, who appeared to be listening calmly, smirked at Alois.

“Hmph, that’s…”

“That is far enough, Alois Herzfeldt.”

Just as Listeard laughed through his nose and started to speak, someone else spoke over him with a clearly resounding voice.

It was a resolute tone that sharply stood out within this great hall filled with many people. Who in the world could that have been? The voice came not from the central area where the successful applicants were lined up, but from the side.

Avril had such a thought over the blink of an eye and glanced over. For some reason, she saw Dylan, his entire being radiating anger, striding toward the center of the hall.

L-Lord Dylan?!

Avril had been relieved, thinking that Dylan would prioritize his own mission, but she seemed to have been utterly mistaken.

Avril, overcome by confusion and panic, wondered why it was that Dylan had come all the way up before her before then wordlessly closed in on Alois. She had never seen Dylan this angry before.

Due to the height difference between the two, the pressure Dylan exerted on Alois was tremendous.

“I want you to correct yourself.”

“Correct myself?”

Dylan gave a menacing glare to Alois whose expression seemed to read, I don’t understand what you are talking about.

“Your claim regarding evidence of Avril Allingham’s misconduct surfacing has several suspicious points. I’m sure His Majesty the King surely must also be aware of them.”

“Huh?”

Alois’s expression, which had been full of composure, showed a hint of hesitation. Then, he turned his gaze toward Listeard.

Listeard raised just the corner of his mouth in a smile, and then nodded toward Dylan with a sharp gaze This was as good as granting Dylan permission to explain “yesterday’s incident.”

“Y-Your Majesty… the King?”

Alois’s earlier confident smile had transformed into an expression of bewilderment.  Dylan pressed him with a question.

“First of all, let us hear under what circumstances this so-called evidence of misconduct you speak of was found.”

“…According to the chambermaid assigned to her room, it had been left on her desk. It seems that it had been placed there in a concealed manner. Undoubtedly, she understood it being seeing would be bad.”

“I see. Are you referring to this?”

At that timely moment, a civil servant brought in a stack of documents. They appeared to have been prepared at Listeard’s instructions, but the natural flow of events resulted in Dylan thrusting them before Alois’ eyes.

Alois realized something was off, but he had no choice but to comply and gave a hesitant nod.

“Y-yes, there’s no mistaking them. The first question of these practice problems appeared when I took the examination thirty years ago, so it stuck in my memory. I can assert without doubt that this is the document the maid found and brought to show me.”

“Yesterday, after you were shown this so-called ‘evidence of misconduct’ by the maid, this document was carried to His Majesty the King. His Majesty, having thoroughly inspected this ‘evidence of misconduct,’ then decided to proceed with today’s appointment ceremony.”

“Wha—?!”

Not having been told anything, Alois’ eyes widened in shock. Dylan, however, was merciless.

“This evidence of misconduct contains a decisive flaw that prevents it from being evidence at all. And yet, to think such a condemnation was about to take place—this is nothing more than a scheme to entrap our nation’s talented young lady, Avril. Moreover, who it was that sought to entrap her was already made clear as of yesterday.”

“Huh…?!”

Avril felt the urge from within her heart to give a surprised retort at being called a “talented young lady,” but now wasn’t the time.

She recalled the previous day’s events as she watched the exchange before her.

As I thought, His Majesty the King never told Alois anything. He intends for him to admit his guilt here and now, all for the sake of the Kingdom of Claughton’s future.

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