Chapter 133: Let Me Ask You Again—Do You Know "Veya Selina"?

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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“Have you lost your mind?”

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First, you try to seize control of my estate—and now you want to haul a Duke to the Holy See’s tribunal for questioning?

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Until recently, I'd barely heard the name of this so-called Alchemist—someone utterly beneath my notice. Yet at this moment, Duke Ous finally saw it with chilling clarity: the man before him was a madman in every sense.

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To leverage the Cult of the Evil God as grounds to undermine me—that, at least, is a believable pretext. But you have not even a shred of evidence. Just because the Holy See sends a Secretary, you believe you can declare me guilty on the spot?

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Isn’t that the sort of trick nobles pull against lowborn commoners?

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And now, you dare to turn it upon a Duke? This isn’t audacity—it’s an insult to the order of the world.

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"I tolerated this farce only out of respect for the Holy See," Duke Ous spat icily. "But you continue to push—again and again—beyond all boundaries, even for a priest."

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"If you keep trampling my dignity, do not expect me to stand idly by."

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A violent pressure burst from him, warping the very air—a presence leagues beyond any ordinary cultivator. The power swelled and swelled, stretching to the limits of the flesh before threatening to burst free altogether.

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Crimson light blazed in his eyes, dazzling and fierce. In the corner of one’s gaze, vast phantasmal figures began to coalesce at his back—a towering, iron-willed form, gaze like sharpened steel.

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It stood proud, supporting the heavens; after countless years, its majesty and indomitability remained undiminished.

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“Oh?” Lin Wei’s lips curved into a slow, mocking smile. “So this is the famed noble bloodline inheritance?”

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While his opponent revealed ever-greater power, Lin Wei showed not the slightest trace of anxiety. If anything, a subtle flicker of anticipation glinted in his gaze.

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What a pity, he mused, quietly flexing his fingers in preparation—a single, lethal strike at the most turbulent instant.

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But then—

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"Enough!"

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A sudden voice cut through the gathering storm, drawing every eye.

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A moment before, Duke Ous’s fury had burned white-hot—but upon hearing the new arrival, it was as if he glimpsed salvation. He stilled at once, turning abruptly to look.

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Soldiers in masterfully worked armor marched into view, each step deliberate and steady.

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Their arms and bearing far outshone the regular palace guard; though few in number—just a few dozen—their elite status was unmistakable. Even Lin Wei found himself appraising this company more carefully than usual.

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It wasn’t because they posed a genuine threat—he recognized their standards from his own years on the battlefield.

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The Imperial Palace Guard: the royal family’s personal retinue.

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Tsk… What a shame.

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He had hoped Duke Ous would finally snap and clash with the Retribution Knights.

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He’d been poised to use that chaos from the shadows, erasing the Duke in one decisive moment.

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But so it ends? The duel dies before it even begins?

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"Montodon."

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At the head of the Guard strode a man in his early thirties, a cloak of steel-gray armor draped over his broad shoulders. On his breastplate gleamed an intricate crest: undeniable proof of his identity.

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As the noble’s company entered, Duke Ous—who, moments ago, had nearly lost all restraint—exhaled in relief, regaining his composure with astonishing speed. Instantly, he resumed the imperious bearing of the aristocracy, every movement dripping with innate hauteur.

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"So?" Duke Ous fixed his gaze on the new arrival. "News reached the Imperial Court so quickly? What does the Emperor—or rather, what is Duke Meyer's opinion? Will they truly permit the Holy See to trample us nobles underfoot?"

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It was no secret: the great houses of the Empire harbored rivalries and private feuds, but outwardly, they always shielded the collective dignity of nobility.

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To see a scion of House Leonard himself leading the Imperial Guard—even as their houses were rivals—made it clear to Duke Ous: pride must be set aside. For now, one had to seek help even from an adversary.

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"Duke Meyer has been briefed." The officer, Montodon, radiated a steadiness beyond his years.

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His answer to Ous’s probing was disarmingly calm. Then his gaze swept toward the young man who still hovered, cool and contemptuous, in the air.

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Brash, flamboyant, defiant—the interloper was measured at a glance.

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"I am Montodon, liaison to the affairs office. At the Supreme Council’s behest, I have come to mediate the dispute between the Holy See and Duke Ous."

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Lin Wei regarded him with mild, deliberate interest.

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"And you are... Mr. Lin Wei, I presume? Representing the Holy See?"

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“Montodon,” Lin Wei repeated thoughtfully, the name and face both stirring recognition.

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He studied the official briefly, then nodded with casual acceptance. "That’s correct. I am acting on behalf of the Holy See."

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A faint narrowing of his eyes signaled a sudden recollection. "But your name—is there any relation between you and Viscount Montoya?"

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Right. At the Academy, when the cultists struck, he had happened to deal with a noble named Montoya.

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Another member of the same family—what luck.

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“Viscount Montoya was my cousin,” Montodon replied without hesitation. He met Lin Wei’s gaze openly.

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“Please, set aside your concerns. My cousin’s misdeeds have brought shame enough to our family. If you think I would allow kinship to cloud my duty…” Montodon allowed himself a minuscule smile. “Then you misjudge the impartiality of the royal bureaucracy.”

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No sooner had he finished than he produced a letter, its seal shimmering with magical sigils.

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With practiced care, he dispelled the protective script, ensuring all present could see its authenticity.

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Only then did Montodon begin to read, his voice ringing out for all to hear.

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“This document was composed scarcely an hour past, at an emergency session of the Supreme Council presided by Duke Meyer.”

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To all clergy of the Holy See and all assembled here:

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Today’s incident at the estate of Duke Ous has come to the Supreme Council’s full attention, and emergency proceedings are now underway.

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The Council is gravely disturbed by rumors that a Duke of the Empire would collude with the Evil God’s cult in opposition to the Holy See. Such charges are both appalling and—one hopes—unthinkable. Could a noble of the Empire truly descend to such depravity, as if possessed by the Dark God himself?

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At this, Duke Ous released a cold, dismissive laugh—almost as if he already knew what would follow.

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How predictable: they’d claim the evidence was insufficient, demand more proof from the Holy See, and initiate their own “thorough” investigation. In other words, the whole affair would be quietly shelved.

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"Did you hear that?" He scanned the room, satisfaction creeping into his words. "You—"

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Before he could finish savoring victory, the next line was read out, and he froze—face drained of blood.

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Nonetheless, the authority to investigate the Cult of the Evil God—and to scrutinize suspects—rests with the Holy See.

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Though the Council cannot accept, without proof, that a Duke has been so corrupted, it likewise acknowledges the Holy See’s right to fulfill its sacred responsibilities. Accordingly, the Supreme Council issues these instructions:

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The Holy See is granted provisional custody of the estate; however, an inventory of assets must be conducted by representatives of the Empire, the Holy See, and Duke Ous together, each monitoring the others.

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Additionally, the Council authorizes the Holy See to launch an inquiry into Duke Ous. This investigation must respect his dignity as a noble, and he is to cooperate in the spirit of the ancient friendship between Empire and Holy See.

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“Furthermore, Mr. Lin Wei…” Montodon fixed Lin Wei with a sharp, meaningful look. “Do you still intend to bring Duke Ous to the Holy See’s Tribunal for further questioning?”

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Lin Wei couldn’t help but blink in surprise. He hadn’t expected the Empire to react with such… restraint.

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He’d thought the Empire would do everything to shield Duke Ous and was ready to upend the table and storm out.

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But now, with the Supreme Council greenlighting the Holy See’s investigation, it was as if they were serving up Duke Ous themselves.

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“Yes. That was my intention.”

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There was no use denying it.

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He nodded, meeting Montodon’s eyes. That was when he caught a flicker of hesitation in the administrator’s expression.

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Montodon asked, carefully: “While the Holy See indeed has the jurisdiction to investigate heretical cults anywhere, to apply such power against one of the highest nobles... That is unprecedented for centuries. Even if the Supreme Council allows the Holy See to investigate Duke Ous…”

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He broke off, toying with the edges of his sleeve. “He is, after all, a duke. Might it not be better—in light of appearances—to place him under the Supreme Council’s authority for investigation? I assure you: our probe will be thorough.”

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Letting the Empire investigate its own nobility?

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Lin Wei didn’t even need a moment to consider—he shook his head at once.

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Letting someone judge his own case? Only an idiot would agree.

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“If it truly concerns the Evil God cult, then for the Duke’s safety and to protect the Empire’s reputation, it is most proper to remand him to the Holy See’s Tribunal—for short-term custody and questioning,” Lin Wei replied calmly. “The Tribunal has the experience in rooting out such evildoers. Handing the case to the Supreme Council would change nothing.”

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“…Understood.”

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The answer was crisp and irrefutable.

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Montodon nodded, becoming all business.

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“In that event, the Supreme Council has agreed to let the Holy See place Duke Ous in the Tribunal’s temporary custody.”

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“What… what did you just say?!”

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The search of his estate, the subsequent investigation—those Duke Ous could force himself to endure, even if it meant swallowing bitterness to escape disaster. But this final pronouncement stripped away all composure.

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His face went waxen, his eyes wide as if about to burst.

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If he didn’t know Montodon was authentic, he might have accused him of being a Church agent in disguise.

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“Montodon, do you realize what you’re saying?”

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“You mean to tell me the Supreme Council is letting the Church arrest me? I am a Duke! Has Meyer, or the Supreme Council, lost all sense? How could they possibly approve something so outrageous?”

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The purpose of the Supreme Council had always been to safeguard noble privileges—from the Empire’s founding through to its modern dominance.

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Were they now betraying their very reason for being?

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Was the Empire itself beginning to crumble?

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But Montodon’s tone remained even. “That was Lord Meyer’s direct order before his departure.”

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Ous’s rising fury abruptly stalled. Montodon’s honest bearing was free from any trace of subterfuge or doubt. Though a lowly official by noble standards, when he delivered those words, it was as if another will stood behind his eyes—that of power itself.

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"The Holy See’s clergy have not abused their authority—not under Pope Selina's rule."

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"If, after all these centuries, they choose to openly investigate someone as influential as the Duke of Ous—it must mean, surely, that they have uncovered something real."

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"Whether to repudiate a false charge or to uphold the Empire’s honor, a brief stay at the Tribunal need not be so terrible. Might even treat it as a vacation, after years of work.”

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Exactly the sort of thing Duke Meyer would say.

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If the Supreme Council bends this far—even Duke Meyer declining to shield the nobility completely—then what, precisely, are they playing at?

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"Of course," the envoy continued, "we acknowledge that the Duke’s stay at the Inquisition should be temporary."

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"But as nobles, we cannot allow His Grace to be held indefinitely by the Church. There are countless affairs in the Empire awaiting his hand."

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"Therefore, Lord Mel has some further stipulations. May I present them now?"

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He certainly played at moderation, but no one in the Empire was naïve about how many backroom bargains nobles had struck over the years. Accept a few smooth words, and before you knew it, you’d been outmaneuvered.

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“You may propose your conditions,” came the response. “The Holy See will give them fair consideration.”

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It was not the moment to bluster, “If you refuse, we will take him by force.”

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The Holy See’s own footing was uncertain; none present could see to the bottom of the Supreme Council’s game.

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The only goal was to get Duke Ous into the Tribunal. As for whether he’d ever emerge again… that was another matter.

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“To begin: unless or until guilt is proven, Duke Ous remains a noble of the highest rank.”

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“The Holy See must arrange accommodations within the Tribunal fitting for such a person—at the very least, worthy of his station.”

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“The Supreme Council will allow a maximum of five days. If, after five days, there is still no conclusive evidence, then the Duke must be released, no further obstacles allowed. I trust the Holy See can comply?”

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There was hardly any issue there.

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After all, Duke Ous was an ultimate-level powerhouse; housing him in a common cell would be an utter disaster.

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As for the time limit—five days was more than enough. The real point of this exercise was to assert the Holy See’s authority and teach the opposition a humiliating lesson.

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Of course, Lin Wei couldn’t afford to let down his guard; if the chance arose to dispose of Duke Ous, so much the better.

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“Give him the finest suite in the Tribunal,” Lin Wei ordered coolly.

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Montodon pressed on, “The Empire will appoint a joint oversight team to supervise all procedures.”

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“If the Holy See must question the Duke in private, you need only file a request for Supreme Council approval. Will that suffice?”

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Lin Wei couldn’t help but acknowledge the Empire’s wariness.

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Compared to Montoya, this Montodon was the model of professionalism—people truly weren’t lying when they called Montoya the family’s “wayward cousin.”

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After weighing for a moment, Lin Wei gave a measured nod.

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Both terms were uncontroversial—any protest would only appear as petulant troublemaking.

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His real aim was to make Duke Ous pay—for the attempted assassination, for all those past betrayals.

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But to drag the Holy See into direct conflict with the Empire? That was never his intention.

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Letting others do the dirty work? Perfectly acceptable. After all, if those two sides tore each other apart, he—the former Demon Lord—would have the best seat in the house.

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But getting involved personally? Absolutely pointless.

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“Of course, there’s no issue with that.”

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“In that case… we’ll entrust Duke Ous to you,” he said, handing off the matter without another thought.

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A joint investigation, suitably extravagant accommodations—

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The entire ordeal was scheduled to last no more than five days. Was this truly the will of the Supreme Council?

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Duke Ous clenched his teeth, hesitating for a moment under Montodon’s unwavering gaze.

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Fury simmered beneath his composed exterior, but right now, he had no real options left.

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Even the Supreme Council—the living symbol of noble authority—had passed this judgment. If he truly exerted his full power, escaping from here would be trivial.

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But that would only cast him as a criminal on the run.

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Five days.

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Other than the scribe suddenly appearing at his estate, what could possibly happen? There’s no way the Holy See can tie me to the Cult of the Evil God.

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He was a duke of the Empire. If he ever did anything questionable, he would never leave behind the slightest trace.

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“Hmph… You’d better prepare a suitably lavish suite for me, Holy See.”

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“Retributions Knights, lead the way.”

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If defeat were inevitable, then pride was a last refuge a noble could not surrender.

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With that thought, Duke Ous straightened his spine and strode toward the delegation of the Holy See. His gait was steady, his chin held high.

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There was not a trace of defeat or humiliation in his manner—only the effortless arrogance of an old-blooded aristocrat.

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Nobles—truly masters of maintaining dignity, even in disgrace.

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“I shall take my leave as well, Mr. Lin Wei.”

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“Thank you for coming all this way, Magistrate Montodon.”

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Lin Wei regarded him for a moment, eyes weighing and searching.

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Sensing the exchange had reached its end, Magistrate Montodon nodded and withdrew as quietly as he had come.

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The Retributions Knights, moved out, resuming their responsibilities. The watchers that had melted into the gloom now quietly receded, drifting back into the shadows of the city.

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But Lin Wei paid all this no mind.

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He turned to Yalis at his side. Before she could launch into another impassioned speech about eradicating evil—

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He couldn’t hold back any longer. The question—crushing, insistent—finally burst from his chest.

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“I need to ask you something, Miss Yalis.”

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“Do you know anyone named ‘Veya Selena’?”