Chapter 159: Imperial Duke? Tonight, You Will Not Leave the Holy See Alive!

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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Tribunal.

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The carpet beneath his feet was as soft as a bed of clouds.

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From the polished mahogany desk to the walls lined with bookshelves, every detail of the suite’s decor—right down to the tastefully appointed bedroom—bore not the slightest hint of a prison’s chill. If anything, it resembled a private suite reserved for the Empire’s highest nobles within the Holy See.

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Through the window, past the shimmering wards encircling the Tribunal, one could glimpse half the Holy See’s grandeur. Sacred Chants drifted through the air, their solemn resonance cleansing even the deepest corners of Duke Ous’s soul.

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“Hmph… I suppose the Holy See’s little investigation ends here.”

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It was his third day as a “guest” of the Tribunal.

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By the terms set between the Holy See and the Empire, unless irrefutable evidence surfaced within five days, he—as an Imperial Duke—would be released without charge. Afterward, he could use this farce as a weapon to strike at the Holy See’s credibility, turning public opinion against them.

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Of course, the humiliation of being arrested so publicly would not fade overnight. But as long as he kept the pressure on Pope Selena, the Empire’s hold on the Holy See would only tighten.

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A little more time, a little more gold—nothing he couldn’t handle.

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So why, of all nights, did sleep evade him?

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“Have I simply forgotten how to be idle?”

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Duke Ous tapped his fingers against the armrest, gaze drifting to the moonlit window.

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This place was peaceful—almost tranquil. Yet a gnawing unease had crept into his chest, as if some unseen disaster was about to break loose.

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“Or… did the Holy See actually dig up something on me?”

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“No. Impossible. Every asset I left at the manor is spotless; every transaction accounted for. The accounts are airtight, and my steward handled the day-to-day. He would never betray me… So what is it?”

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With every tap of his fingers, his anxiety only deepened.

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How was the tax collection proceeding? By now the operation should be nearly complete—just a few more days and all the gold coins would be in hand. Then he could settle his debts with the Cult of the Evil God, and keep his demon partners satisfied.

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“I’ll ask the steward for a full report during his next visit.”

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“Perhaps I was too hasty with this round of taxation… Could things really have gone awry?”

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“Oh, splendid, Duke Ous. Who would have imagined you’d realize your tax operation was falling apart—even while locked up in the Tribunal?”

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A sudden burst of applause and a voice heavy with mockery echoed from the hallway.

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A heartbeat later—

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The door, sealed tight with holy energy, was torn from its hinges as if it were paper.

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“Who’s there?!”

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Duke Ous shot to his feet, brow furrowed, eyes fixed on the threshold.

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A figure stepped through—smirking, still clapping, strolling into the sitting room as if he owned the place.

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That face, usually so expressionless, now twisted with a fury he made no effort to hide. In those narrow eyes, a fire blazed.

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“You!!”

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Unforgettable.

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That face—he would never forget it for as long as he lived.

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A face he loathed, belonging to a man he’d encountered only twice, yet whose meddling had upended his life.

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First, at the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy—a mere staffer, daring to challenge Montoya and derail the plot to sabotage the Holy See’s logistics. That single act had brought his entire scheme crashing down.

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Then, the second time, this nobody had suddenly become a Clergy Member of the Holy See, leading the Knights of Retributions to arrest him.

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Every humiliation since—every setback—he owed to this wretch!

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And now, here he was again, audacious as ever.

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“To think the Holy See treats its guests like this… So much for the dignity of an Imperial Duke.”

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Lin Wei clicked his tongue, dragged a chair over, and sat down with an ease that bordered on insolence. His grin was that of a cat toying with a cornered mouse—as if Duke Ous were already dead.

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“You filthy peasant—how dare you speak to me that way?!”

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“Guest? You, some Probationary Resident who clawed his way into the Holy See, dare to call yourself my equal?”

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“What do you want this time? Trying to wring secrets out of me?”

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Duke Ous’s contempt was absolute. This upstart had once been beneath his notice—an insect beneath his boot. Now, in a matter of weeks, he’d become a thorn in his side.

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Especially now, with that dazzling Holy Light radiating from him. No ordinary Clergy Member could wield such power.

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If it weren’t for Lin Wei’s constant interference, the Holy See would have collapsed into chaos. The Randalls would have reclaimed their seat on the High Council, and his own plans would be complete!

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But now? Now, everything was unraveling—all because of this mongrel!

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“Secrets? You misunderstand, Duke Ous.”

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“I just thought, since you’ve caused so much trouble for Pope Selena—and even sent Fred to assassinate me—I’d come see you one last time. Call it a courtesy. After all, as a noble who clawed his way up by crawling into the right beds, you’re getting a sendoff most people could only dream of! Hahaha!”

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Lin Wei didn’t hesitate to lay bare the Randalls’ filthiest secret, cutting right to the bone.

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Duke Ous’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The urge to kill this upstart was plain on his face.

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“You… Are you seeking death?!”

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That was the Randalls’ greatest shame—his shame! For this nobody to throw it in his face so casually was a deliberate, public humiliation.

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“It’s not me who’s courting death, Duke. It’s you.”

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“You were the one behind the massacres and the campaign of terror to collect taxes, weren’t you?”

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The words landed like a hammer, crushing the fury in Duke Ous’s chest.

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Lin Wei’s eyes, a moment ago brimming with mockery, now gleamed cold as winter—terrifying in their calm.

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Duke Ous replayed the words in his mind, only now realizing the threat.

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“What… what are you saying?”

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“Randy and Carlos, the ones you sent to slaughter those villages—they’re both dead.”

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Lin Wei’s voice was sharp as a blade. “And it wasn’t just the massacres. We’ve uncovered everything: how you ordered them to plunder the logistics supplies, how you laundered the gold through the banks of the City-State of Brook. Every sordid detail.”

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“These crimes alone are enough to warrant your execution. Do you really think you’ll be walking out of here alive?”

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A few simple sentences, but every word painted a nightmare in blood.

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Duke Ous stared at him, dumbstruck. Even for someone as composed as he, panic crept into his voice.

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“You… you have proof?”

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He’d given Randy and Carlos secret orders—no one else knew. Who would ever suspect two Ultimate-level powerhouses would stoop to something so low?

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And as an Imperial Duke, the Holy See wouldn’t dare execute him on mere suspicion. The High Council would never permit the death of a noble of his rank!

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There’s no way… No way he could actually be convicted!

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How could this bastard possibly have evidence?

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“Proof?”

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Lin Wei didn’t bother to answer. The answer was already manifest.

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A radiant golden light erupted from Lin Wei’s body, flooding the room with the brilliance of Holy Light.

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In his palm, sacred power gathered—a killing blow, crackling with righteous fury.

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Duke Ous stared, aghast, as Lin Wei calmly raised his hand, the swirling energy promising nothing but death.

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“Once you’re dead, I can conjure a thousand pieces of evidence for the world to see.”

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“Your crimes? I’ve already spread every detail through the Newspapers.”

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“Don’t bother struggling, Duke Ous. Before the Empire’s envoys arrive at the Holy See, you’ll already be dead in the Tribunal… Now disappear!”