Free Web NovelChapter 52: Chapter 52: Confrontation
The young female’s clear, choked voice reached the ears of every beastman present.
Guard Captain Jieao’s expression shifted slightly as he glanced sideways at Yu Zhizhi.
The "honored guest" from the Rabbit Clan. Although everyone knew she was the Duke’s new "pet," in Jieao’s mind, she was a guest of the Duke Mansion who had to be treated well and protected at all costs.
Faced with Yu Zhizhi’s accusation, Count Gray’s expression betrayed not a hint of panic.
A hint of apology appeared in his amber, vertical pupils. "It seems I truly frightened Ms. Zhi Zhi."
Every beastman’s attention was focused on them.
The Duke gazed at the small female sitting on the ground. "How exactly did he lie?"
This was the first time Yu Zhizhi had ever experienced something like this.
Confronting someone face-to-face...
Her heart pounded with anxiety, but she lifted her pale little face, her tear-filled eyes defiant. "I didn’t send him a letter."
Hearing this, a flicker of amusement seemed to flash through the Duke’s eyes, gone in an instant.
"Mm," he nodded, encouraging her. "What else?"
"And the Dog Clan male in the storage room—he wasn’t trying to hurt me. In fact, he saved me!"
"He saved you?"
"Yes! The person who truly wanted to harm me—"
Yu Zhizhi looked toward Count Gray, who stood nearby in his white uniform.
His amber, vertical pupils were full of apology, and his aura was gentle and humble. To all the beastmen of the Valoran Empire, he was the model of a noble male, a prime candidate for a Beast Husband that many females would prioritize.
He was an Imperial noble with a hereditary title, exceptionally talented, and with the full backing of the Snake Clan, his future was limitless.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yu Zhizhi spoke his name.
"The person who truly wanted to harm me is Count Gray!"
’It’s him!’
’This wolf in sheep’s clothing standing right in front of me!’
Her accusation sent shockwaves through the crowd.
The crowd of beastmen erupted in an uproar.
Nicole, who was standing closest to Count Gray, widened her amber, serpentine eyes. "Impossible! My brother would absolutely never try to harm you!"
’Ms. Zhi Zhi is a newly advanced S-Class female.’
’On the Beast World Planet, harming an S-Class female is a grave crime!’
"My brother has always been courteous and law-abiding. There must be a misunderstanding."
A bitter smile touched Count Gray’s lips as he patted Nicole’s shoulder reassuringly.
"It’s all right."
"I can understand Ms. Zhi Zhi’s feelings."
"No matter what, tonight was my fault. I ask for the Duke’s punishment."
Count Gray’s attitude was incredibly sincere, and the fleeting, bitter smile on his face did not escape the notice of the watching beastmen.
It was as if...
He had suffered a monumental injustice.
But for the sake of the greater good, he was swallowing it all down.
"It must be... a misunderstanding, right?"
The beastmen nearby couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
"How could Count Gray do something like that? He must have offended that S-Class female from the Rabbit Clan at some point."
"Exactly. Why would Count Gray want to harm her for no reason?"
The Duke’s expression was calm as he delivered the final verdict.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, how do you wish to punish him?"
Indignation flooded Nicole’s face.
"Duke! My brother is certainly being wrongly accused!"
Duke Bolan’s golden, vertical pupils swept over her coolly, and the young Snake Clan female immediately fell silent.
’Is he really going to be punished?’
Mumu, who was standing to the side, was also taken aback.
’Count Gray is a brilliant talent of the Snake Clan. The Duke values talent so much, shouldn’t he be protecting him?’
’But judging by Lord Bo Lan’s intentions, it seems this matter is entirely up to Yu Zhizhi to decide.’
’If she says to punish him, he will be punished.’
’However she says to punish him, that is how it will be done!’
"According to the laws of the Empire, displeasing an S-Class female is punishable by ten to thirty days of confinement, depending on the severity of the offense. In extremely severe cases, the term can exceed thirty days, up to a maximum of six months in solitary."
The Duke was providing a quick legal primer.
It was primarily for the small female’s benefit.
The beastmen all wore varied expressions.
’That’s right.’
’Because S-Class females are exceptionally Rare, they are heavily protected by the law. No beastman may harm them or even displease them.’
’They can have someone locked up for just about any reason.’
’Six months...’
’If the Rabbit Clan female really chooses six months, it will be an utter catastrophe for Count Gray!’ freёwebnovel.com
As Yu Zhizhi listened to the Duke, tears gradually welled up in her eyes.
’I want Count Gray punished not because he made me unhappy, but because he has to pay the price for what he’s done!’
She clutched the hem of her dress, her small, delicate frame trembling helplessly in the night wind.
The Duke watched her quietly.
The gazes of the onlooking nobles grew strange. To them, for this S-Class female to want an even harsher punishment was truly...
’Pushing her advantage too far.’
’But the Empire’s S-Class females were all pampered and willful. They were used to it.’
’After watching the live broadcast earlier, they had thought she was different.’
’But now it seemed she was just like all the rest.’
"Poor Count Gray for offending her," some of the watching beastmen muttered, unable to stand it.
’No...’
’That’s not it...’
Yu Zhizhi pressed her lips together, desperately holding back her tears, refusing to cry again.
’Count Gray is the one who’s lying!’
’He’s the one putting on an act!’
’He’s the hypocrite!’
But no beastman believed Count Gray would ever do something so heinous.
The power to decide the punishment was in Yu Zhizhi’s hands.
But she was unwilling to pass judgment on him just like that.
In the eyes of the beastmen, Count Gray was being bullied by an S-Class female. How pitiful.
Seeing the small female desperately holding back tears, something finally stirred within the Duke.
He prompted her, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, do you need to provide any evidence?"
’Evidence...?’
Yu Zhizhi lifted her gaze and stared blankly at the Duke.
’Ah!’
’She suddenly remembered!’
A flicker of excitement crossed Yu Zhizhi’s face. She reached out and tugged on the Duke’s sleeve. "I... I have it... I’ll tell you."
The Duke slowly crouched down.
All the beastmen watched as the Rabbit Clan female leaned in and whispered something in Duke Bolan’s ear.
She spoke only for the Duke to hear.
’Evidence? Does the S-Class female actually have evidence? Is this a reversal?!’
Every beastman held their breath, their eyes glued to the pair, afraid of missing a single detail.
Yu Zhizhi finished speaking.
She whispered, "...That’s it."
In truth, Yu Zhizhi was extremely nervous. Her evidence was what she had overheard while using the Heart Listening Card.
Count Gray had killed many females.
The bodies were hidden in the icehouse.
A cold glint hidden in his golden, vertical pupils, the Duke rose to his feet. He slowly opened his right hand, and a plume of smoke appeared in his palm, gradually rising into the air.
The plume of smoke gradually coalesced into the shape of a Ghost Lotus.
Before everyone’s eyes, it transformed into a blue lotus flower, slowly blooming. A crystalline light pulsed from it, and the Ghost Lotus was so exquisitely beautiful it was breathtaking.
A message sent across a thousand miles.
The Duke’s command had been given.
’So there really is evidence?’
The beastmen exchanged glances. Many of the noble females, their voluminous skirts rustling, drew nearer. They all wanted to get closer to the Ghost Lotus to learn the truth.
