Silent Witch

Book 16: Chapter 5: The Time to Break the Silence

In the venue of the Supreme Council, nobles of renowned status lined up, waiting for the council to begin in their respective seats.

Some seats were still unfilled, and those already seated exchanged opinions in hushed tones about this incident.

Their gazes fell upon Darius Knightley, the Duke Crockford.

No one could easily believe this horrific national crisisthat the Second Prince had been murdered and replaced by an impostor as they furtively watched for the Duke's reaction.

The Duke Crockford waited for the council to start with his usual demeanor.

Amid this, Raul Rosenberg the Thorn Witch seated among the Seven Sages, tugged at the robe of his neighbor, Ray Albright the Abyss Shaman.

"Seems like your curse has been triggered, Ray."

Saying this, Raul covered his right ear with his hand, mimicking concentration to catch something.

"Yeah, yeahLooks like it's been settled. Well, I guess we really did a number on that Barrier Magician, huh."

"Serves him right, that pretty boy Louis Miller All handsome men should be gobbled up by bugs"

The final trap set for restraining Louis Miller was the work of these two.

Ray had cast an insect-luring curse, while Raul had sneaked in special flowers that drained the mana of anyone who touched the flowerbed. Just being in that flowerbed would deplete one's mana.

That's why Glenn and Hubert provided support from outside the flowerbed. At this point, with the barrier preventing insect entry, Louis would simply run out of mana.

Furthermore, Raul had cast a sound-amplifying spell on the flowerbed's flowers to eavesdrop, but hearing only the incessant buzzing of insects and Louis' curses, he dispelled it.

"Barrier Magician won't be coming this way for a while. Just like Monica's plan!"

Muttering this, Raul glanced sidelong at the empty seat next to him.

With the death of Emanuel Darwin, the Jeweled Magician, one of the Seven Sages' seats was vacant, leaving six.

Of those, only the Thorn Witch, Abyss Shaman, and Artillery Magician were seated.

The seats of the Star Oracle Witch, Barrier Magician, and Silent Witch remained empty.

Raul knew Louis was restrained, and that Monica had preparations, but he wondered what the Star Oracle Witch was up to.

"She probably got caught up in star-gazing again and overslept."

As Raul muttered under his breath, the sharp-eared Artillery Magician interjected.

"If you're looking for Star Oracle, I saw her head to the Azure Heavenly Palace this morning."

The Azure Heavenly Palacethe very building where the King's private quarters were located.

The thought that crossed Raul's mind was correct.

Soon, the bell announcing the council's start rang out, and the hall doors opened to reveal Mary Harvey the Star Oracle Witcha beautiful woman with gently waving silver hair, supporting Ambrose Crydel Ridill, the golden-haired, crowned King of Ridill in his sixties.

The King's appearance from his sickbed caused a stir in the hall.

The King's face was pale, leaning on a cane, but he stood upright with a straight back.

With pale golden hair, azure eyes, and a slender frame, he may have lost his youthful vigor, but the gleam in his intellectual eyes remained undimmed.

The Star Oracle Witch supporting the King declared in a beautiful, tinkling voice,

"Please be silent. Unrefined voices will strain His Majesty's health."

At the words of the eldest of the Seven Sages, the Star Oracle Witch, the hall fell silent.

Still, everyone looked like they had something to saythe bedridden King had appeared in public for the first time in months.

"His Majesty has been deeply distressed by this recent upheaval and has graced us with his presence here. I ask for your understanding and consideration."

Saying this, the Star Oracle Witch guided the King to his seat.

The nobles in attendance could not hide their turmoil, but one person remained unfazed the Duke Crockford. One could only wonder what he was thinking.

Amidst the swirling undercurrents, the council president opened his mouth.

"Well then, though there seem to be a few empty seats let the Supreme Council commence."

From the back door, a young man flanked by soldiers in shackles was brought forth.

With honey-blonde hair and handsome features, the criminalwho had impersonated the late Prince Felix Ark Ridillstrangely had an unnaturally serene expression.

"Criminal, first declare your name."

Prompted by the senate, Isaac let a faint smile emerge.

Isaac Walker was a man who had died ten years ago. There was no need to give a dead man's name here.

"I do not have a name to declare in this place. Please, call me by a number or symbol, whichever you prefer."

His insolent attitude caused everyone to contort their faces in displeasure.

Isaac moved only his eyes, surveying the faces of those presentall familiar national leaders and in the very back, the King, Felix's father.

Beside him sat the First Prince Lionel and the Duke Crockford.

Shifting his gaze further, Isaac noticed two empty seats among the Seven Sages and narrowed his eyes slightly.

One was the seat of the Silent Witch. It was not unusual for her to be absent, as she rarely showed herself in public.

But if he could, he wished to meet her one last timeor rather, to see her true face.

Perhaps that wish was too extravagant for a criminal.

Mocking himself inwardly, Isaac raised his head and looked straight ahead.

With Felix's face, he wore the same smile as Felix.

This was Felix's face. So he did not wish to leave people with the memory of an unsightly, frantic visage.

Even if he was an impostor, he wanted people to remember Felix's beautiful appearance to the very end.

"Criminal. You killed and replaced the Second Prince Felix Ark Ridill on his way back to Serendia Academy after the New Year's Ceremony. Are there no inaccuracies in this statement of facts?"

"If you say it is the truth, then surely it must be so."

Isaac was prepared to be executed. But being too readily affirmative might raise suspicion.

However, he had no intention of making an unsightly scene denying it either. For Isaac was to be executed, so there was no reason to deny his crime.

When Isaac calmly responded, Duke Crockford's entourage stirred restlessly, deeming it insolentnot knowing who had created this impostor, directing their malice at the false Second Prince.

How ridiculous. Each and every one of them was being played by Duke Crockford.

Though the greatest jester is none other than myself.

When Isaac was executed, the entire nation's people would direct their hatred at the criminal who murdered the heroic prince who saved them from the Cursed Dragon.

And the heroic prince would be remembered tragically by the people.

Ah, but I wonder what face she will make.

Suddenly, the image of a girl hunched over a chessboard crossed his mind.

"I didn't know what to do when I learned that Dad died for someone else's wish."

Monica Norton no, her real name must be Monica Rayne.

The daughter whose father was killed conceals the truth about the fake prince.

I wish she'd hate me for this.

Kind-hearted as she was, she may not bring herself to hate anyone.

But rather than make that terribly sad face, he wished she would hate Isaac fully, and at the moment of his execution, feel some sense of her father's enemy being gone. She had that right.

"Criminal, do you admit to all the crimes listed here?"

The listed crimes alone were not enough, Isaac muttered inwardly.

For Isaac's crimes began the very moment the real Felix Ark Ridill was killed, ten years ago.

So Isaac answered,

"I admit to all crimes."

The crime of killing Felix. The crime of disposing of his body and impersonating him. The crime of deceiving many people The crime of causing Monica's father's death.

Isaac would shoulder them all and die here today.

He heard the sound of a door opening behind him. Soldiers must be coming to take him away, Isaac thought, but then a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Please, hold on the trial for a moment."

It was a voice he was familiar with, yet could not recognize.

Isaac knew that voice. But its owner did not usually speak in a way that would resound through a hall like this.

The sound of delicate heels. Click, click.

Turning slowly, he saw the Silent Witch wearing a hood, accompanied by her attendant.

The attendant behind the Silent Witch was a black dragon going by the name Bartholomew Alexander, grinning when his eyes met Isaac's.

Meanwhile, the Silent Witch wore a deep navy robe that hugged her slender figure. The robe had an elongated back hem that fluttered beautifully with each step.

Her decolletage was modestly open, a small jewel gleaming against her pale chest. The gem reflecting the crystal chandelier's sparkle was a peridot.

Isaac's gaze was transfixed by that necklace.

He had once gifted it to her. With the unreasonable thought that at least one person should remember a man named Isaac existed, he had given it to her.

"Peridot shines beautifully even in the faintest light of night. If you wear it, I'll be able to find you right away."

Those were the words he had said when presenting the necklace to a young girl long ago.

And that very necklace now glittered at the Silent Witch's bosom.

Standing before the motionless Isaac, the Silent Witch parted her rose-tinted lips.

"The one before you is the real Felix Ark Ridill."

Declaring so in a clarion voice, the Silent Witch removed her hood.

The revealed profile, though made up, was unmistakable.

"I, Monica Everett the Silent Witch of the Seven Sages, shall prove this to you."