24 Chapter 24: Hero’s Chronicle, Verdict

"Tally" Glass said once she had calmed down and released Breton and returned to her normal expressionless face.

Tally walked in with a face full of relief.

"Is everything set?"

"Yes"

Deacon walked in next "Earl Atria and Earl Riley have been taken care off"

"My lady, the carriage to the royal place is ready" Mercer said

"Your Father is already on his way" Kevin said

Glass nodded, it was finally time for the inquiry for her excommunication. They are going to give her father an explanation. In other words, this meeting will decide if she gets excommunicated or not.

[Royal Palace]

"As a father who could not supervise his own daughter and prevent her foolishness, how where you even capable of properly managing the country?" Lady Angela said

"Can you imagine the shame our country bears having its own prime minister's daughter excommunicated as a sinner? Are you incapable of properly raising your daughter?" Said a noble.

"First, he is an incompetent prime minister, but now we see he's failed as a father as well… Haaaaa…" Said another

Many nobles came to mock her father while they could get a chance. The neutral faction and Henry's faction said nothing. It was only the third prince's faction that voiced anything at this moment

"I have never told my daughter what to do." Maxfield's voice was low.

"So, are you saying that because you were not the one who told her to demolish the church, you bear no responsibility? How pathetic." Lady Angela laughed haughtily and raised her voice. "Everyone, did you hear that? Listen here. Before you are the prime minister, you are a Duke of Ithacan. Any actions and operations that are carried out in your provinces become your responsibility and your sin. Do not fall under the illusion that you can escape."

"It is an interesting comment from one who's son is also making a fine example of himself" Glass commented, making most of the nobles laugh.

"Who gives you the right to…." Lady Angela said when she saw Glass walk in elegantly.

"Your Highness, If I may borrow your words. You are a Queen before anything else, and yet you do not bear any "responsibility" toward your son's action as of late. Do you not take on his sin, if not then it must be said as you so kindly put it "Pathetic"

All eyes turned to me, and, when they realized who I was, the nobles of third prince's faction went up in an uproar.

The only ones unaffected by her arrival was Maxfield, the Queen Dowager, the Neutral faction, Henry's faction, who knew I was coming, and the priest, Christopher.

"… Why are you here?" Lady Angela said coldly completely ignoring Glass earlier statement

"I felt it necessary for me to explain and report the actual details of the situation." Glass commented.

"There is nothing more for you to report or explain. The fact that you have destroyed the hallowed place of the Lord will not change. This meeting is not for you but instead for your father, who will take responsibility for your actions as the Duke of Ithacan." Said Silvester's father the Pope od Rosana. "Glass Hall, you are charged with the crime of destroying a sacred house of the Lord without consulting the Church. This is an insult to our Lord and the conduct of a nonbeliever. The Lord is deeply saddened by this action that was carried out by one of his children, let alone one holding the status of a noble."

"It is exactly as you have said: A sacred house of God was demolished. This act clearly signifies your refusal to speak with the Lord." Lady Angela said.

"Yes, I do agree with that sentiment. However, much more egregious is the story of how the sacred house of God was sold for profit. Would you like to hear it?"

"What are you trying to say, little girl?"

"Even if you ask me that, I meant exactly what I said."

"I am asking, because the meaning is unclear, little girl. Destruction of a sacred place is evil. Thus, transferring the grounds to others is better… There is no such thing as… Both acts should be considered an insult and treason against the Lord."

"Yes. I agree with Lady Angela. As it turns out, this did indeed happen. I have the contract of the sale of that land in my hands right here." Glass handed the parchment "I was shocked to see that the sacred land of the Lord was sold! It is as you say, Lady Angela, the sale or even the thought of selling the land of the Lord is outrageous. However, this transaction was conducted, and the land was sold after the original manager died. The priest who signed the receipt for the deed has his name written here. How do you intend to explain this?"

"What stupidity! There… There is no priest in the Rosana Church who would be so stupid as to sell the Lord's land. This is a felony and an affront to the title of 'priest'!"

"I am in full agreement, you highness… I also believe that no one in this country would conduct such an act. However, it is a fact that this buyer and seller combination had planned to attack the Sister, vandalize the chapel, and sell off the orphans living there."

"What nonsense do you speak of?! It is impossible for someone who serves the Lord to do such a thing… Has your family fallen so far as to stoop to deception? This is quite disappointing."

"What deception do you speak of, your highness. I would not have come all this way without proper evidence."

"…..Evidence"

"My family record's the state of properties of the land, of course, and I have visited all of the properties with a named owner. I have also visited the church to ensure that it rightfully belongs to the person on the deed. It was stipulated at the time that the land the chapel was on did not belong to the Church, meaning that the Church no longer owned that land anymore." Glass had handed the record to Lady Angela.

"I was astonished to find that the Rosana Church themselves said they did not own that land, even though a chapel stood there. I have, in hand, the letter with the correspondence as mentioned earlier as well." She raises the letter so that everyone could see the priest's name.

"As one of God's children, I was surprised that there was no chapel in my city. Thus, I decided to demolish the old one and build a new chapel to provide my people with a new place to worship the Lord. I had also informed the Church and kingdom officials of this decision and its subsequent transactions. I have with me the letter from those individuals, as well." She had brought them out as well.

"This case is with the officials of the kingdom then… But you still do not have evidence that the Church was informed as well. I will say this now: This work of selling God's land may be the work of a person who falsified the Church's name and signatures. It is entirely possible that someone conspired with you to create all these documents, is it not?" Lady Angela asked stiffly and demanded evidence of the Church's involvement.

"If what you say is true, then any transaction or deal with the royal palace or kingdom officials would also be meaningless. You are insinuating that any man, woman, or child can use the seal of the royal palace to commit fraud. Is that acceptable? If so, then all of the transactions and deals by the royal palace should be nonexistent, right, Your Highness?" Glass retorted back

"How amusing. However, I will not retract my previous suggestion… Unless you have evidence to prove that the Daryl Church did actually do this. Any further talk from you is meaningless unless you provide it. Stand do—". Lady Angela shut her fan loudly with displeasure and spoke.

"I already said I have evidence" Glass cut her off and brought out a book.

"—No… That is…!!!!" the pope suddenly said palely.

"All the priests of the Church know what this book is; it is a book that contains the names and signatures of all of the servants of the Lord. This book also contains the names of those who signed the contract, those who I made inquiries to, and those who I questioned regarding the matter of the chapel. I was surprised to find them in this book and to discover that they were such high-ranking members of the Church."

"…. Why?! You… Are… You…!" The Pope stared wide-eyed at the book, and his eyes seemed as though they would explode from their sockets.

"I have no idea how you obtained that, but, as Her Majesty indicated earlier, this may have been falsified unless you can show something that proves it to be a genuine article of the Church. If not, then continuing this discussion is pointless." Said Priest Christopher

"Priest Christopher's words are right. We must determine whether this document is real."

"If it needs to be proven as genuine, then may I ask Priest Christopher to determine its legitimacy?"

"… This is…" Then, as if surprised, he returned the book "Yes… This is without a doubt a document of the Church." As he handed the boom to and elderly sister "Here. You may verify it as well."

"Quickly tell us if this document is real or not."

"Yes, your Majesty… This book contains on the last page the seal of the Cardinal and the Pope. These are both special seals that cannot be made without special materials known only by the Church in order to prevent forgery of important documents like this one. This document is indeed genuine."

"It is as she said, Lady Angela. This document is real. Furthermore, I am not finished with providing my "evidence"." Glass looked at the door "I have two testimony"

The door opened as two former priests where revealed.

"… Hello. My name is Daniel. I was the administrator at the chapel in this city. I was the pope's hands and feet and worked as such for 20 years… Oh, yes. The sale of the chapel in Vulgare was in my name. I was ordered to do this by the pope and then, for some strange reason, after 20 years of service, I was expelled from the chapel."

"Hello, your Majesty. I am Wester. I worked in the same chapel with Daniel. My role was to inform the Vulgare territory of the sale of their chapel. I swear I did only what the Church asked of me, but… I was banished from the Church only a few days ago. I only did as they instructed, but, somehow, I was charged with the crime of falsehood. I still have a copy of the instructions and letter I sent to the Vulgare fief. If there are doubts about my identity, you can ask others here to vouch for me, as I am awfully familiar with many of these faces."

"I am sure many of the priests present in this room can vouch for their identities; some, I am sure, are even friends with them." Glass stated and then turned to Lady Angela and then to the Queen Dowager "I have presented evidence and witness testimonies. With this, I have fully presented my case, your Majesty. What is the verdict?"

"Well, I think this marks the end of this inquiry meeting. We have all reached a unanimous conclusion… Is that not right? Glass Hall the royal family of this kingdom at this moment declares you absolved of all crime in this matter and you are indeed a noble worthy of the name Hall, one of the leading families of aristocrats in our country."

"Thank you. Thank you very much for your words, Queen Dowager. However, I have one request: Would it be alright to proceed with this inquiry meeting?"

"Oh my… Is there still something to be addressed?"

"Yes. It is about who will take responsibility for conducting such a despicable act."

"The decision has already been made. There is no need to continue to pursue this matter. Isn't it pointless to continue this meeting any longer?" Lady Angela

"There is reason to pursue the matter further: we must find the true culprit who caused such an uproar and unrest for the citizens of this kingdom." Glass looked back at Lady Angela and then at the Pope

"Members of the Hall family have served as the prime ministers of this country for generations. We have been loyal and influential in our positions. I am proud of our house and its role. For someone to sow suspicion and distrust in our house… We must determine who has dared to do such a thing."

"Your Majesty. To leave such an incident unresolved in this way will encourage and open the window for other countries to belittle us and citizens who have been negatively affected by this heinous act will not have the justice they deserve; it will sully the face of the nobility. We must find the culprit and bring them to justice."