Chapter 44

"I am taking over of this hearing!" Viktor Lewis Grand exclaimed with the Elk insignia representing House Grant raised in his hand. As a member of the noble house of Grant, he didn't want to step in and let the dregs handle the dirty work for him. For nobles, what separates them from the riffraff are not their riches or fame, it is their dignity, their pride as a noble, and having to step forward to clean up for the mess of their lesser puts shame to their prestigious name. Thus, normally, a noble like him wouldn't lift a finger to help these imbeciles of pawns that let themselves get cornered like rats, and those simpletons would think twice before trying to reveal his involvement in this debacle if they want to keep their heads on their shoulder, which Viktor would cut off anyway to assure their silence and keep his dignity flawless.

So why is he stepping forward now and dirtying his own hands?

Because a little hit on his prestige as a noble is a little price to pay to take revenge on that hateful little red-haired bitch who dare trample on not only Viktor's pride as a noble but most of all, scar the face of his beloved little sister. Viktor wanted to strangle that whore with his own two hands and watch as the light in her eyes fade for her transgressions, but alas, Lucian stopped him from doing so in fear of the man backing her up. The White Wolf.

Far from the Central and the protection of their family guards, Viktor agreed that it would be dangerous to get back at the bitch with the White Wolf around, so they have no choice but to back down, swallow their pride, and become adventurers on an even more backwater village than Mukala as they lick their wounds and wait for an opportune moment to strike when the whore's guardian isn't around to protect her.

Like the gods taking pity on them for the transgression done upon them, the opportunity to strike back arrived sooner than later as both The White Wolf and the Black Flame Witch went away for some job or the other, leaving the red-haired bitch with just their new G-rank companion. It's like she was given to them on a golden platter. But that bastard Lucian was reluctant to strike, even telling him that it was their own fault that they were humiliated in the first place when it was him who first provoked the White Wolves. He even has the gall to ignore his little sister, Christine's, pleas to avenge her.

That coward. They came here to these godforsaken lands to become adventurers and obtain fame and prestige so that they could earn the recognition of their families in hopes that their accomplishments would afford them a higher spot within the hierarchy of their respected families. Such is the fate of children that couldn't become the heirs and have become spares of spares. Lucian suggested that they focus on climbing the ranks of the adventurer's guild, but for Viktor, that would be useless unless they get revenge for the humiliation that the ginger whore cost them because, for the Great Families, insult and shame thrown upon them far outweighs the prestige and fame one could earn.

Thus, without Lucian's knowledge, Viktor took matters into his own hands.

With the help of an associate, he was able to gather pawns to work under him to find the weakness and an opportune time to strike back at the one who wronged him and his little sister, and yesterday, the time for revenge has come. With one of his pawns, the hick guard named Negan, they learned that a murder has occurred around the time the low-rank trash of adventurers had finished with their pissing contest. Hearing how the red-haired whore got trashed by mere C-rank adventurers put a smile on Victor's face, but that was not enough to sate his thirst for revenge. No. He wants her to feel more despair and regret of ever crossing a noble like him and his sister. That's why he and his associate formed a plan of pinning the crime to the bitch's friend and let her watch him hanged by the neck on a tree.

Then, when she's all alone, she's next.

At least that was the plan if not for the bungling idiots assigned to him by his associate and that bastard Anderson and his trinket.

That bastard Guild Master, not only did he disregard the complaints Viktor raised against the White Wolves, now he is also getting in the way of his revenge? Add to the mix the incompetent mayor of this ramshackle town. He knew that Viktor and his sister had a grudge against these adventurers, still, he dares side with them?

If these useless peasants will not give him the revenge he wants, then it is up to Viktor himself to do it.

"Count Viktor Lewis Grant. It's been a long time since we saw each other. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit here on our humble town of Mukala?" Mayor Longley greeted him. His father, Jameson Kurtis Grant, is a man of few words and fewer praises. That's why for the life of Viktor, why a lowly mayor of a border town in the middle of nowhere is praised by his father numerous times during dinner was a puzzle to him.

"As the son of Count Jameson Kurtis Grant, your lord and the owner of these lands, I deem you are not fit to preside this case. By siding with the adventurers even when you, as the mayor, is a separate entity and must not be swayed by such, I, acting upon the authority of one of house Grant signified by this sigil upon my hand, am replacing you as adjudicator." Viktor proclaimed with a smile on his face. As a member of house Grant, he has every right to do what he wants within their land, as long as it doesn't bring shame to their family, and with him as the judge, the humiliation that they suffered would be repaid in blood. Vengeance is as good as his.

Mayor Adam Longley fixed his gaze upon him. The calm and composed look on the old man's face somewhat irritates Viktor. How dare a lowly peasant look at him like that when he should bow his head to him, his lord? "I see. I am sad to hear that the son of the great Count Jameson Kurtis Grant is unsatisfied with how I handled the case at hand, thinking that me announcing the defendant innocent was because the Adventurer's Guild has somehow influenced my judgment because of some malicious ploy. But know this, Viktor, son of Jameson, I was nothing but impartial throughout the case." Then looking at him with a steely look on his eyes like his father's he continued. "For you to think I am nothing but, is an insult to me, one who has been entrusted by your father, as overseer of these lands."

"How dare a lowly peasant talk to me like that? Are you blind? Can't you see this insignia in my hand? This means that I am speaking with my father's voice! My word is his!" Viktor angrily moved forward to slam the insignia right in the insufferable mayor's face, but before he could even take a step forward, two men swiftly grabbed him. "What are you fools doing? Unhand me! I will have your heads for this."

"Hans, Captain Dan, let him go." The mayor ordered them.

The men quickly let him go, but not before one of them squeezed his arm hard that Viktor flinched in pain. What's wrong with these people? They are not even afraid of hurting a noble like him? Don't they know the consequences of their actions? Viktor thought to himself. But he quickly shook those thoughts away. He shouldn't be surprised. He's in the boondocks after all. These uncultured swine don't even know how to keep their hygiene, much else how to treat nobilities. But no worries, soon he will teach them who they messed with. But for the meantime, he could not act rashly, or else these savages might kill him if he aggravated them more.

Is this why Lucian didn't want to do anything with this village? Viktor thought as he massages his bruised arm. No matter, he only needs to go home and report these rebellious peasants who dared harm him. His father would see to the rest. Viktor will watch this backwater village burnt to the ground and watch these men hanging from trees.

But first, he would claim his revenge. "I see. It's good that you know your place. Mayor Longley. Now. I will replace you as judge on this matter."

"Hold on, young man. For the sake of your father, I am asking you to stop with this foolishness."

"Foolishness? Do you think what I'm doing is foolish? Isn't it you who have been influenced by these adventurers?"

"You've seen the idol of Justice. What their witness was saying is the truth. The reluctance of the witness against him is also giving me a reason to think that they are not speaking the truth."

"You use a trinket to decide who's right or wrong? That is why you're an imbecile and I'm going to handle this myself."

The savage who bruised his arm glared at him. A cold murderous glare that made Viktor fear for his life, thankfully, the mayor raised his hand to stop the brute. "If the Paladins of the Order of the Blazing Sun hear you call a sacred idol mere trinket, I'm afraid you will not get out unscathed even if you're a noble. And another thing." No longer a stern look like a father disciplining his son, the mayor shoot Viktor a glance that was cold as ice that he could feel it climbing up his spine. "I bought this untamed land from your father with the agreement that I would develop this land into a prosperous one before turning it back to him after twenty years. In exchange, we would pay no taxes for that duration, and most importantly, that I would have autonomy over these lands, and unless he breaks the contract that we signed, no one, with the exception of the King, could tell me what to do, much less a whelp who is so far down the hierarchy of their family that he has to be an adventurer to be someone."

Before Vitor could retort, the Guild Master whose smiling face remains cordial, but for Viktor, was a hidden slight, chimed in. "Not to rub salt to the wound, young adventurer. But since you took a shot at me, I, as the Guild Master of this branch of the adventurer's guild, have to defend my honor. You flash that emblem, announcing that you have the power to preside over a local business, saying that I, as the leader of the adventurer's guild should not meddle with matters of the local government if not to defend one of my own according to the law of the land. But mind I remind you, that you, yourself is a part of the adventurer's guild now, and one of the rules of the guild is that when you enter, whether you are a commoner, a merchant, or a noble, none of that matters for we leave it all behind and become just adventurers, a separate entity to the local governing body. " His smile ever-present, Guild Master Anderson continued. "That means, you, as an adventurer, also doesn't have the right to meddle in this town's business, much less be the one to decide who's right or wrong."

Viktor gnashed his teeth. Why is everyone working against him? Why couldn't they just be obedient peasants and obey those who are above them? The odds may be against him, but he can't back down. If he let them win, this will bring shame to their family, and if his father hears of this, his goal of earning a high place within their family would just remain a dream.

This is no longer just a fight to reclaim their honor and avenge his little sister. This is now a fight for their future.

"I may be an adventurer, but I am still the son of the Head of the Grant family. The owner of these lands. My father may have leased it to you, but he's still the rightful owner, and as his son, I have the rights, and the duty, to uphold the law that you are blatantly disregarding to side with this murderer. Why do you side with them? Huh? Does Guild Master Anderson have something on you? Or is it because you have ties with the White Wolves that you want to protect their member?" The crowd gasps at hearing his accusation. "That's right. I know you met their leader multiple times. Is he your acquaintance? Or maybe... He's something more?" Viktor insinuates. He knew from the reports that the mayor never had a wife, not even a single story of him having a female lover. This is something strange for Viktor who had many affairs even when he's still in his teens. For a man of his stature not having a single woman in his life, Viktor could only think of him as a homosexual.

Viktor quickly regretted saying those words, for as soon as those words left his mouth, the room was filled with murderous intent, that it was almost suffocating that strength left his legs and he was forced to lean against the table just to keep himself from falling to the ground. Is this Aura that is surprising him? No, if it's Aura, then the Mana that he is now using to cover his body would've already blocked its effect. No. This is raw killing intent. A crippling feeling of fear that a prey feels when he's stared down by a predator. Tracing back where the murderous intent is coming from, he found out that it was from the brute beside the mayor.

Viktor tried to resist but as soon as he The murderous intent got even stronger. At this rate, Viktor fears that he's going to get killed. He must do something. Well, if threats and blackmail wouldn't work. Then maybe...

Putting a brave face, he gathered his strength and stood up straight. Knowing that the Mana he's using to protect himself from Aura attacks was useless, Viktor chose to disable the skill, weathering the murderous intent through sheer will of not embarrassing himself. "You think this will scare me? I am a noble. The son of the owner of these lands, and as a noble, it is my duty to protect my people from harm!" As the crowd heard his words, they begin to murmur. Not even a minute passed, he could hear the people yell support for him. Good. At least the men he hired as plants among the crowds are doing their work to get the filthy mob to his side. They may be stupid peasants, but they have their uses. With the people on his side, these savages would think twice about harming Viktor, unless they incur the wrath of the people. As the chants started to gain momentum, the murderous intent also vanished. Now able to breathe normally, Viktor took the initiative while the momentum is on his side. "As the son of the ruler of these lands, I will protect my people from the bloodthirsty savage that you want to unleash upon them. If you're not willing to take the safety of the people as your priority, then you failed as the mayor and overseer of this land. Thus, I, Viktor Lewis Grant, will take it upon myself to save these people from the beast you wish to unleash." The roars of the crowd were almost deafening as they look like animals frothing in the mouth, and were liable to run amok if either the Mayor or the Guild Master say a word that is against what Viktor proclaimed.

As expected, none of the two leaders was able to make a move. A sight that put a smile on Viktor's face.

Yes. Know your place, Trash. Viktor thought triumphantly.

"This is tiring." A voice suddenly said.

It was a normal voice. Not loud, not soft. But something about the way it was spoken, puzzled Viktor. Then he noticed something. The crowd was silent. Their loud cries and yells were extinguished like a bucket of cold water was splashed against the fire of their fervor. Viktor's eyes then landed upon the origin of that voice. It was the man who was with that red-haired bitch before. The man they wanted to frame to cause agony upon the woman who dares embarrass him and hurt his sister.

There was no hint of fear or worry on his face as he could possibly face death if he was found guilty. Instead, there was a weary look on his face. The same world-weary as the one Viktor saw from his grandfather whenever he goes home while they were at war against the Elves.

How could someone so young, not even in his thirties have that look on his face? Viktor thought.

As the man continued, Viktor shook those bitter memories off his mind as he listened. The man then stood up and put his hand over the idol of justice. "I am innocent." He stated, the idol of justice shining upon his statement. "I did not murder those men. That is why I came here without protest. To prove my innocence and clear my name. I didn't fight, I didn't make a scene. I followed every rule they set upon me. Why? Because I believe in the law of justice." His voice was captivating like it was filled with a strange power that keeps everyone's attention focused on him. "Because of that belief, I sat there silently as false witnesses disparage me and call me a savage and a murderer. Spinning their webs of lies to pin to a crime I didn't commit. I watched silently as they declare their words as the truth as they disregard any evidence that proves their words to be lies as the hypocrites that they are. And now, when I am about to receive absolution, an arrogant noble deign to barge in and interfere, spouting more nonsense just because he didn't want an innocent man go free? It tires me." He sighed. Everyone in the room, even the crowd outside could feel that he's tired like they were the ones experiencing emotional exhaustion. Then, suddenly, they could feel a warm feeling emanating from him, his heart filled with resolve. "Thus. If you choose to use your standing and power to prosecute me, an innocent man, at all cost, it's just that I resort in kind."

Standing straight, the man seems to shine bright, power oozing from every pore of his body. "I DEMAND TRIAL BY COMBAT!"