Quick Transmigration: Saving The Crazy Villainess

Chapter 351: Agatha (49)

The next day that dawned had been quite eventful.

Adam's knight companions were very alarmed upon learning that their leader didn't return. They tried to search for him, but their efforts were futile as their range of search was limited by their foreigner identities. Another thing that gave them headaches was Adam's carefulness which literally left no trace for them to follow.

How were they supposed to track him if there was nothing to trace?

Even if they wanted to just go on with the real purpose of their trip there, it had to be under the order of the leader. It was a rule amongst knights of Obson.

In the restaurant below the inn

"How the hell are we going to proceed with the mission now?" Garth, one of the senior knights, grumbled in annoyance, not pleased by the current development of things.

"Shall we wait for two or three days before seeking Mr. Benedict for help? Maybe Adam will return in just a few hours?"

Another senior knight, Brendan, thought for a moment and said, "If Adam didn't appear today or tomorrow, let's find that noble son in the palace and ask for his help to report Adam's disappearance to the Viscount and Viscountess."

"Hmm, I have no problem with that. Who should we send if the time comes?"

While the rest were nodding discussing, Garth reminded them, "Everyone, don't forget that our real mission in this nation is to rescue Lady Marian and escort her back home. Real side mission is to escort the criminal blasphemer to the  Church of Wisdom too."

A lot of them sported a troubled expression, feeling headache over the people mentioned.

"I propose we split up into three groups then. There is no need to wait. One group goes to the palace. One search for the Lady, and the other, for Adam. The earlier we get to hear our Lord's perspective about the matter, the better."

The men got assigned to groups under Brendan's lead.

None of them had an idea that the man they wanted to locate was in one of the places they would never dare venture in yet. Adam was even under the same roof as the real target of the mission.

However, while the former was in a pitiful condition inside the Duke's dungeon, the other was cowering in fear due to finding the whole ducal manor surrounded by thousands of armed men.

Right. Although Andre Grey managed to escape upon failing to take the royal consort as his hostage, sadly, his castle and people were. Agatha's prediction was also proven correct. The moment the king returned to the palace, one of General White's soldiers reported to him that somebody with the same face and built as Andre was in the ducal manor. 

Adam was in a dangerous state because he had been tortured all night, not given any food to eat, and was left to bleed. His wounds were frequently visited by fleas and flies. No one could care about him for now, not even Marian, because the woman was specially invited to the palace together with the 'double'.

The bad thing was how the woman cleverly managed to distinguish that the double was a fake. Right. It was a bad thing. Because she just confirmed outright to the military, the House of the Lords, and the Crown that the man who assaulted them last night was Andre Grey! The duke!

What outcome a household, whose head had committed treason against the king, would have?

It had to be remembered that apart from Agatha, the majority in the aristocratic circle of the kingdom quite disliked Duke Grey

"I heard in the Eastern Empire of the outside world, if one committed a large crime against the Emperor or any of the royal family, that person's whole family would be beheaded up to the ninth generation. Not even chickens or cows would be spared. Those luckily born after the ninth generation will be reduced to commoners and barred from stepping into officialdom..." In a hinting tone, one of the influential Marquises lightheartedly commented.

To this, a fat pompous-looking count replied, "Oh, that? Lord Aberdeen, I used to think that punishment is extreme but now I have no choice but admit that at times like this it's quite appropriate. We have to remember, one of those subjected to attempted assassination was even our king!"

"Yes. It's the highest level of treason one can commit, and the fact that the one who did it is one of own made it the more painful. How could a subject from a House with hundreds of years of do that? Where did his honor and integrity go?" Count Cornwell passionately said. He gave the kneeling Marian a contemptuous look. "With it testified by Her Highness Princess Margarette, Duke Grey has really disappointed His Majesty and the Kingdom!"

The female lead made a dumbfounded expression that immediately turned into a terrified one. She finally knew that the fake Andre was not the reason why the whole House was detained.

After looking around and taking in the disdainful smirks in the eyes of those present, her heart almost stop. Agatha's expression made her realize she had unknowingly jumped into their traps.

'Oh, my god. What did I just do? I-It's not that they mistook us for a clan harboring a criminal without us knowing. But our family head had tried to kill Francis IV and Agatha'

'In the eyes of everyone who knew about the matter, Andre's deed became more extreme because Francis IV is technically his father-in-law.' Marian's heart froze for a couple of moments.

"Your Majesty, I salute to the loyalty of Princess Margarette. With her testimony, we can now legally send our army after the traitorous Duke Grey!"

"I agree, my king. Please authorize the hunt for Andre Grey now to uphold the honor of the royalty, Your Majesty." The rest of Agatha's followers in the court chimed in, even emphasizing that the king's own eyes were enough to prove the male lead's crime.

The way Marian flinched visibly in the middle of the hall would usually evoke the pity of everyone. However, the ones inside the place only belonged to three kinds Agatha's supporters who were like hyenas unwilling to let go of the bitten prey, neutral factions who wanted to defend but did not dare to take on the majority who were against Duke Grey, and the ones who just didn't care. The king and queen belong to the latter. But the problem with the former was his unusual doting of the royal concubine. 

As expected, with just a batting of Agatha's beautiful eyes, the 'foolish' king nodded to the suggestions of her followers. The queen too, who was as dignified, quiet and low-key as always, did not object. She only watched as Francis IV ordered his generals to chase after Andre Grey. From the beginning and probably to the end, the most distinguished woman of the kingdom looked on as if everything was merely a show. 

"Our God of War despises traitors the most and hates warriors who use their prowess in dishonorable deeds. General White, I command you to lead this operation in the name of I, the king of Holon! Today, I want to see the traitor escorted to the Ministry of Justice!" Francis IV decreed authority.

"By Your will."

After the general bowed and led his soldiers out, Agatha gave her opinion in a melodious and calm voice, trying to strike while the iron was hot. She was really treating the court meeting as a trial.

"My king, with General White on the move, we can set our minds at ease. There's no doubt no man can go against a whole kingdom. It would just be a matter of time before the traitor is captured. Your Majesty, while it's imperative to exempt the Princess from the punishment due to her outstanding contribution, shouldn't we take this time now to decide how to deal with the rest of the Grey family members?"

Marian's face immediately lost color, realizing things were heading in a very bad direction. Her knees seemed to have softened and with all her limbs seemingly losing all their strength, she collapsed on the floor trembling. Her pathetic state was seen by everyone in the throne room.

However, with how things had been going, who would dare sympathize with her?

Upon the throne, Francis IV seemed to be thinking about it. Not long after, he swept his gaze around and said, "Well, I guess I have to take advantage of the fact that all my trusted subjects are here."