The first hall of the Rose Windmill Cabaret was filled with angry voices.
Just half an hour ago, people had been dancing, singing, and shoulder to shoulder, but now they were quarrelling, raising their voices, making insulting gestures.
The police operation this ti had not been notified in advance, not even to the manager, Bouvalle, let alone the sponsor, Viscount Mustung.
To enter a building owned by nobles, it was a principle to obtain prior consent.
Even if it was an urgent matter and they couldnt give advance notice, at least giving a warning before entering was the minimum courtesy.
However, the police did not follow this protocol.
They stord in like a gang of robbers, smashing doors and wielding batons.
Viscount Mustung upon realizing the situation, turned almost ashen with embarrassnt.
Arrogant police officers were dragging away the guests invited by him.
As a noble, there was no greater disgrace than this.
His angry eyes scanned the party guests.
The young cavalryn from the circus Grand Prix, who was enjoying the attention focused on him, was ignored.
Such an operation was definitely not sothing a re sergeant could carry out.
There must be high-ranking nobles looking out for them.
Indeed, there was a group huddled in the corner, peering at them and whispering among themselves.
So avoided eye contact when they t Mustangs gaze, while others smiled triumphantly and t his gaze head-on.
Viscount Mustung carefully examined their faces.
The anti-market faction that ridiculed him for running a theatre dedicated to the nobility from a young age. The owners of other theatres who resented the Rose Windmill Cabaret becoming the representative theatre of Charlotia. Shareholders of the Vergsong Company in competition with the market. And the high-ranking bureaucrats of the Luz supported by them. This incident was their collaboration.
Viscount Mustung was furious.
Perhaps it was because of his sense of entitlent.
He was extrely sensitive to his honour and detested rumours about him.
But they really crossed the line this ti.
A cold tension hung between the group that had hatched this plot and Viscount Mustung.
Nobles and socialites were quick to perceive such situations, more so than anyone else.
Those who understood how things were going quickly made their choices.
So criticized this incident, so defended it, and so remained neutral.
We never used such cowardly tactics in our ti! Its a disgrace! Nobles have their own etiquette!
Cowardly, you say? Isnt he a dangerous suspect? I think the police did a good job.
To do this with foreign guests present. Isnt that embarrassing?
Actually, I find the theaters behaviour, covering up such cris, more embarrassing.
To arrest a re itinerant magician! The Viscount was just an eyewitness. No problem according to the regulations.
The neutral ones were foreign dignitaries or those with good relations with both sides.
They carefully chose their words and observed the situation.
In the midst of the confusion, Viscount Mustung approached Baron Vergsong.
The two of them had no prior connection.
It was also distant, and their fields of activity were different.
But this ti, they both boarded the sa ship.
In the face of a common enemy, they had to cooperate.
Mrs. Vergsong, as the owner of the theater I apologize for not being able to prevent this.
We are equally regretful. We are sorry for causing trouble instead of celebrating such an occasion.
Lord Mustang appreciated her calm deanour. She was known for her reputation as a prominent lady of the upper class, but at just 20 years old, she was still a young woman. He had worried that she might panic, but her eyes and her voice were composed, and she had the deanour of a soldier preparing for battle.
Do you have any idea what happened?
I havent heard the details, but I am certain that the gentleman is innocent.
Lord Mustang noticed a montary softening in her gaze as she looked at the young blonde man among the police officers.
Indeed, there seed to be sothing between the two of them, as the rumours had suggested. Lord Mustang had been involved in philanthropic activities in the performing arts for a long ti, and it was understandable that there could be a connection between sponsors and artists. The problem was that it wouldnt help resolve the current situation.
Rushing to defend him recklessly could only make matters worse.
Dont jump to conclusions. There will be nothing unusual today. We should hire a competent lawyer, gather favourable testimonies, and we can win in court.
Anais nodded after considering Lord Mustangs advice.
She understood as well.
The wisest choice here was to step back, quietly observe the situation, and strategize. Shouting that the man was innocent here would bring no benefit.
It was not the behaviour befitting the president of the Grand Council. Displaying a loss of control would only strengthen peoples confidence in the rumours.
Stay calm.
Think.
Youre an aristocrat who calculates profits and losses, not a lovesick woman.
Dont worry about that man.
Dont show such an expression.
Anais reminded herself.
She couldnt afford to beco an infatuated woman right now.
She needed to be rational.
There would be no trouble.
All they had to do was wait for the trial.
The head of the circus troupe, sponsored by the council, being accused of murder was a significant matter. With the councils honour on the line, the board of directors would actively support the legal team. Right now, it was best to exercise restraint.
If they waited, everything would work out.
However, their adversaries were more cunning than they had anticipated.
***
I felt relieved as I saw Anais wearing a chilly expression and distancing herself from .
Luckily.
It seed like she had also calmly assessed the situation.
Her approaching here was an opportunity for both and her to make ands.
Sub-Quest: Trial
You have been charged with the cri of being the Ghost of the Cabaret. Clear your na and restore the Circuss honor.
Conditions for success:
Prove your innocence before the Circuss reputation reaches 0. (Current Circus reputation: 21)
Reward for success:
[Circuss reputation 50]
Penalty for failure:
[Temporary suspension of Circus Grand Prix activities]
When Sabo accused of being the Ghost of the Cabaret, I was taken aback.
I was about to respond in bewildernt when a quest popped up.
Reading its contents helped understand the situation.
I was being mistaken for the Ghost of the Cabaret. How did things get so twisted?
The penalty for failing the quest worried as well.
A temporary suspension of Circus Grand Prix activities? Did that an Id be held in custody until my innocence was proven?
With no better alternative at the mont, I followed the instructions of the police officers and headed downstairs.
[Circuss reputation has decreased by 1.]
[Circuss reputation has decreased by 2.]
[Circuss reputation has decreased by 2.]
As I entered the hall, our reputation started plumting rapidly.
The Cabarets patrons were murmuring about my arrest for murder. The news had already spread far and wide.
Our Circuss reputation had dropped by 5 in the blink of an eye.
At this rate, reaching 0 was just a matter of ti.
I hoped that Anais would defend here.
If the chairwoman of the board publicly supported , the rumours of controlling her would spread even further.
Fortunately, she obediently complied with my wishes.
But that only served to slightly extend the quests deadline.
Prove your innocence before the Circuss reputation reaches 0.
While the quest was titled Trial, it was still a kind of ga.
Here, the Circuss reputation could be considered my health.
If my health reached 0, the quest would fail.
The problem was ti.
Right now, the halls entrance was blocked by the police officers.
In two hours, the patrons would be allowed to leave the hall.
If I didnt prove my complete innocence by then, the quest would fail.
Having even the slightest suspicion would lead to my na appearing in newspapers and magazines all over.
If that happens, my reputation will be ruined.
It will plumt straight to 0.
A ti limit of 2 hours.
If my reputation reaches 0 within that ti, its obviously a failure. And even if I manage to defend my reputation, it will still drop to 0 if I dont prove my innocence.
Of course, if I go through a formal trial, Im not the criminal, and Ill be acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The problem is that I didnt know how long it would take until then, maybe months or years.
The main quest was also likely to fail.
It will work out. I will hire the best legal team for you, Anais said, trying to appear supportive, despite her deliberate look of anger.
People might see her teaching as sothing to criticize.
You will definitely be acquitted. So please trust and wait.
Although her efforts may seem virtual, they didnt provide much comfort to .
Whats the point of being acquitted at that ti?
The main quest would already have failed.
At that mont, Viscount Dosville approached us with a smug expression.
Oh dear, my lady. Are you consoling your lover?
Anaiss expression turned icy as she looked at him.
Today, sothing seed off, and it seems you had a hand in it too, Lord Dosville.
I do have quite a bit of knowledge, dont I? Being a lowly lord without any territory makes it easy for to be useful. Thanks to that, I was chosen as the prosecutor for this trial.
At his words, Anais snorted.
Hmph. Do you really think you can win against our esteed legal team with your ager knowledge?
Legal team? Huh? I dont see any here.
Of course, theyll be here for the formal trial.
At her words, Lord Dosville looked surprised.
Formal trial? What formal trial? Todays trial is a summary judgnt, isnt it?
What?
Behind Lord Dosville, a distinguished elderly man with a bald head and a long white beard erged.
From what I heard, he seed to be the judge in charge of the Luz region.
Lord Dosville is correct, my lord. A summary judgnt will be held here.
Absurd! Isnt that sothing that can only be done by soldiers in warti?
Lord Dosville flicked his finger and clicked his tongue.
Article 13. Summary judgnt can be carried out for nobles accused of heinous cris and vagabonds.
What?
Shall I add another one? Article 4. Summary judgnt results in a single verdict. Sa law, Article 14. Summary judgnt allows for imdiate execution.
Unbelievable
Anais turned to , her face filled with fear and worry.
But I smiled.
It wasnt because of the man who made laugh.
Lady Vergsong, whatever happens, please do not intervene.
Certainly, the system wouldnt throw a quest that had no way to be conquered.
There was a way to survive.
W-What are you talking about,?
She looked at with a frightened expression.
When people saw her actions, they started murmuring again.
[The Circus Troupes reputation has decreased by 1.]
Look at this.
She should be worried that shell be misunderstood if she acts this way towards .
For each others sake. Porche Grape, please take care of Lady Vergsong.
Porche Grape nodded solemnly as he looked at .
Anaiss complexion turned pale as she stepped back, supported by Porche Grape.
I put aside my worries about her for now.
What mattered now was the trial about to take place.
Those who planned this surprise show didnt seem to have any intention of waiting for a formal trial.
Of course, it was a chance for to turn things /CircusTL
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