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“I see some familiar faces…” (Yuri)

I walked over near Jura Lakramanus among the group. The once cheeky expression on his face had vanished, replaced now by teeth chattering with fear and apprehension. Approaching Jura’s seat, I gently touched her thin neck from behind.

“Hiii—!” (Jura)

She jerked violently, startled. There was an old grudge between us. I had heard she had become the head of her household, so it made sense for her to be here.

“…Didn’t expect to see you here, Luīda Gudanvier.” (Yuri)

I turned my gaze to Gyudanvīer, the old woman sitting opposite me at the table.

“Oh, I’m here.” (Luīda)

Luida replied, looking back at me with an expression that lacked any amusement.

“So, were you cooperating too…? That changes things.” (Yuri)

“Nah, just thought something interesting might happen today. Just came to see.” (Luida)

‘Hmm, okay.’

“…There’s no chairs.” (Yuri)

I remarked, to which Myaro, who was standing near the entrance, added…

“I believe they’re in the adjacent room.” (Myaro)

I circled around the table and opened the door to the next room. It was dark inside since there was no light. As I moved to fetch a light, Enrique, who had followed along with Tillet, ostentatiously knelt down and offered a lamp. Without expressing thanks, I took it silently and illuminated the room.

There, shelves and display cases were neatly lined up, creating an odd room. Perhaps one could call it a Room of Marvels (Vundākammār). Inside the glass display cases were various items of indeterminate nature. There were brooches encrusted with large gemstones placed next to grimy necklaces made of thin iron sheets. They must have been recognized for their historical value.

Inside the room, perhaps for sitting and admiring, there was a single chair placed. I grabbed it with one hand and returned to the room. I directed myself towards the seat at the head of the table opposite the entrance.

“Move.” (Yuri)

I said to Keagel Carsefit whom I had met during the day. Either right or left would have been fine, but the seat on the left was occupied by the very elderly Sharne Charleville and waiting for her to move seemed troublesome.

“Hey, move over.” (Yuri)

I addressed Vivila Marmasset, who was sitting conspicuously at the head of the table.

“You, ordering me—” (Vivila)

I grabbed the back of Vivila’s head and forcefully slammed it into the table. The sensation that followed through my arm was like crushing an overripe fruit.

“Do Witches have that kind of belief…? Believing you won’t be harmed by Knights…? Certainly, that was true. Up until ten days ago…” (Yuri)

I continued gripping Vivila’s hair, pulling her away from the table.

“The reason we didn’t do this was because of Her Majesty the Queen. Maybe you weren’t aware, but you’ve been under the protection of Queen Simone all along. That’s gone now. Don’t expect any mercy.” (Yuri)

‘The Hou Household had always pledged their spears, loyalty, and obedience to the royal family. So even if there were people in the royal capital they didn’t like, they didn’t invade and eliminate them. Even if their precious second sons became useless due to baseless accusations, they didn’t complain to anyone. But now, there is no royal family. There is no law to protect these people anymore.’

“Guh…” (Vivila)

Vivila sat in the chair, her nose bleeding.

“If you’re going to kill, do it quickly.” (Vivila)

“Before that, there’s something to discuss, isn’t that why we’re here like this? Quickly grab a chair and move, old woman.” (Yuri)

I released Vivira’s head dismissively, and with an uncooperative attitude, she moved herself along with a chair. I placed the chair where Vivira had been sitting and settled down.

“Hey, Tillet. Tie up everyone except Gyudanvier’s old woman. Just bind their stomachs to the chair backs, that’s enough.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Tillet)

Tillet responded and began tying Kiki Enphile’s stomach with the rope.

“…Please stop. There’s no need for this. I won’t try to escape.” (Kiki)

“I’m truly infuriated. If you want a less painful way to die, then stay silent.” (Yuri)

“…Fine.” (Kiki)

Kiki Enphile seemed relatively compliant and stopped arguing further.

“Before we get to the main point, I have one question. Who desecrated my parents’ bodies?” (Yuri)

As I spoke, my emotions surged uncontrollably, and a sharp sensation pricked my nose.

‘I didn’t want to expose my vulnerability in front of these people. I tried to calm my emotions, but tears and mucus began to blur my vision. Pathetic. But when I thought of Luke and Suzuya, I couldn’t hold back.’

“I heard that someone, some powerful Witch, used their authority to enter the morgue…” (Yuri)

As I said this, the eyes of three out of the five Witches flickered towards Jula.

‘I see… It was her after all. Well, no one else would go to such lengths.’

I stood up from the chair.

“No! It wasn’t me!!” (Jura)

“Silence.” (Yuri)

Jura, who hadn’t been tied up yet, fell from her chair as I approached.

“Stop! Don’t come any closer!!” (Jura)

“Don’t crawl on the ground. Stand up.” (Yuri)

I grabbed her collar and forcibly made Jura stand. I picked up the fallen chair and placed it behind Jula.

“Sit down. Relax… I’m not going to kill you yet.” (Yuri)

“Ah… ah…” (Jura)

Jura trembled violently while standing. Her eyes seemed unfocused, staring somewhere distant. Her hands in front of her face, as if protecting herself, were shaking noticeably.

‘Is she trying to escape reality? I won’t let her. Even if she faints, I’ll wake her up.’

“Sit.” (Yuri)

I put my hand on Jura’s shoulder and pushed down with force until she sat down on the chair quietly.

“Ah… please stop… don’t kill me!” (Jura)

“I told you I’m not going to kill you…” (Jura)

‘This is like a special service. It would be troublesome if the main dish became inedible.’

“It might hurt a bit, but here we go!” (Yuri)

I thrust the short sword I had at my waist into Jura’s thigh. The cheap dagger deliberately blunted pierced through Jura’s thigh and into the chair, pinning her.

“Aaaahhhhh!!” (Jura)

Jura screamed, clutching her wound and hunching over in pain.

“Put it against the table. It’s strange to sit like that.” (Yuri)

I lifted Jura, along with the chair she was sewn onto, and placed her back where she originally sat.

“Ow… it hurts…!” (Jura)

“Tillet, tie her up and put a gag on her.” (Yuri)

Upon my command, Tillet skipped the order and started binding Jura. Tears streamed down Jura’s eyes. She looked as if she was mourning herself as the most unfortunate person in the world. I returned to my original seat and sat down.

“Now that the formalities are over… let’s get to the point. I’ll say this upfront. Never interrupt. I might do something unpredictable.” (Yuri)

After making this clear, I began to speak.

“I’m thinking about the future rule. I’ve been with you all for a long time… Unfortunately, I never imagined you would go that far… but I’ve realized something. Your weapon is your network, your weeds.” (Yuri)

I surveyed the witches. No one spoke, listening solemnly to my words.

” Witches are like persistent weeds, no matter how many times you cut them down, they’ll sprout back as long as there are weeds. They’re like poisonous weeds parasitizing the country, troublesome poisonous plants… If I were to release you into the wild, it would be irreparable. If left unchecked for a year, your roots would grow back… and then, like Her Majesty the Queen Simone, it would become difficult for me to intervene.” (Yuri)

‘Queen Simone didn’t refrain from dealing with Witches simply because she was incompetent. Various customs, rituals, and practicalities… Witches had infiltrated various aspects, and once removed, the mechanisms stopped functioning. It’s not that the Queen considered Witches essential for running the country. Probably, Queen Simone didn’t think they were essential and likely considered them more harmful than beneficial. Witches were not essential, but they were necessary. Temporarily, it was established that the country couldn’t function without Witches, so they were used whenever needed. This became a routine, and bad habits turned into customs. Once it became a habit, it led to acceptance.

This acceptance existed long before Queen Simone began her rule. Queen Simone, at least, questioned this acceptance and tried to stop it. However, she faced obstacles when trying to improve or replace the system. It must have been like an incurable dependency. Looking back now, I think Queen Simone must have suffered greatly in a dilemma.’

I continued.

“Expelling you all is the only chance to overturn the country and dig up the roots. If we were to hold trivial trials, you would sprout again. That’s why today, I will kill all of you. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t let you meet your daughters or granddaughters first. Today, from now on, you will die in this cabin. Prepare yourselves. Even if you’re not ready, I will still kill you…

Perhaps you have been wondering why I am speaking at length like this. You may think I want to declare the reasons for killing you…

No. If that were the case, I would torture and kill you without saying a word. I would avenge my parents’ deaths, subdue my wife, and clear away my anxieties, then leave. I wouldn’t be having this conversation.” (Yuri)

While surveying the Witches, I continued.

“…I’m talking about this because I’m thinking about what comes after killing. I considered what to do with the other Witches. If I only kill you, they will sprout again. Even if I don’t grant power in the royal castle, second and third heads will be born, and the same situation may arise. That’s why I intend to be labeled a demon or a beast in future generations and kill all the captured Witches, wiping them out completely. Do you understand? Imagine it. Killing everyone. Digging holes in the outskirts of the capital, or having the Witches dig them themselves, and burying them after killing them, good or bad.

This is not fantasy. Tomorrow morning, I will issue the orders and carry them out. I will use the army to sweep the capital while hunting down remnants of the Second Army. The remnants of the Second Army will be sent to the Hou territory’s garrison, and the Witches will be sent to their graves. In any case, I planned to hunt down the remnants of the Second Army. Might as well do it together. If I was pushed to commit this atrocity because I went too far, then what pushes me to this heinous act is because you all went too far. You executed that conspiracy without Myaro or the Queen’s Sword noticing.

I highly value your skill in this. That’s why I want to dispel any lingering doubts. If you don’t respond now, I will definitely carry out the massacre. I’m addressing you like this to avoid that.” (Yuri)

The main point started here.

“I am almost certain that you Witches are traitors who have colluded with the Crusaders. I don’t know the exact terms, but…” (Yuri)

As I said this, the Witches showed various reactions.

While Sharne Charleville barely raised an eyebrow, Jura Lakramanus looked surprised as if wondering how I knew. As for Luida Gudanvier, it seemed like news to her, as she glanced around, searching for reactions. I doubted inwardly, but it appeared that Luida truly wasn’t involved.

“Hand over the evidence. Provide me with proof that your Witch households sold the country to the Crusaders, and I will stop the massacre.” (Yuri)

‘That’s why I came here today. Among the Witches are minor families like Lilica Kucriricson’s, whose crimes don’t warrant death. It wasn’t appealing to lump them all together and kill them.’

“I believe this evidence will act like salt to kill off the parasitic plant that is Witches. Of course, I will spread this. Then the Witch households will be persecuted as traitors. They won’t be able to take root in cities.” (Yuri)

‘Traitors who sold the country just to save themselves in this situation. They enslaved other citizens, who they didn’t even consider human. Traitors who hindered those trying to protect the country and sold it off. Associating with the already disliked bunch would be the worst kind of infamy.’

“It’s not a bad deal for you either. I won’t spread unnecessary infamy or waste effort… Think carefully and choose. That’s the end of the discussion.” (Yuri)

I closed the conversation with that.

“I don’t acknowledge it. I don’t know anything about the Crusaders.” (Gula)

The first to speak up was Gula Temper, a woman in her prime with short hair. She must have been quite popular among her peers during her time at the educational institution.

“You must be thinking carefully about what you’re saying. I’m making a proposal for your sake. Isn’t that enough?” (Yuri)

“…Uh, yeah.” (Gula)

‘Idiot.’

“Absolutely not. That’s just the head of us talking. Please forgive me.” (Sharne)

That came from Sharne Charleville, seated immediately to my left. While Marmasset, whom I had struck, might technically hold a higher position, it seemed this individual held the elder status.

“Yuri-san, let me ask you something. If we provide what you’re asking for, will you spare everyone here except the six of us?” (Sharne)

She was starting to talk nonsense.

‘As if there could be such an arrangement.’

“You’re suggesting we kill only the six here and let the rest go scot-free? Don’t be ridiculous.” (Yuri)

‘I may have emboldened Keagel a bit too much, leading her to take an overly optimistic view of the situation. To them, it must seem normal that they can get away with whatever dirty tricks they pull without any repercussions, as long as the Queen’s privileges were intact. But after killing the Queen themselves, they mustn’t believe anyone else would protect them. They likely had a weak sense of relying on anyone.

Parasites don’t want to acknowledge themselves as parasites. They want to believe they’ve accomplished things on their own merit. Misunderstanding that they had been holding their own against the General households with their own talent and abilities, they’ve now succumbed to violence and ended up in this predicament.’

“Take, for instance, Carsefit over there. The Second Army were the ones who stormed the castle, weren’t they? That’s high treason, committed en masse by the military. Old lady, don’t you have legal qualifications? High treason carries the death penalty. Do you try to defend yourself by saying that everyone there except Keagle was just trying to help the Queen? What impeccable timing they had to attack the castle.

It’s not just Carsefit. Your whole family seems to have dabbled in murder, incitement to murder, and aiding murder. You can swap out murder for robbery or extortion, but these are charges that warrant prosecution. Of course, we’d need an entirely new set of judges, ones with functioning brains. Don’t expect any more of those idiotic trials like before.” (Yuri)

‘I’m not sure if they’re aware of their crimes, but likely, most of their close family members would end up with the death penalty.’

“We’ll subject the Gudanvier family to the same trial. There will be no exceptions.” (Myaro)

That was added by Myaro. I thought Luida Gudanvier might have something to say, but she remained silent.