IHDOE Ch 107

Baron Galle contacted Grand Duchess Duskel immediately.

Initially, she ignored his message. Assuming Satina possessed the original promissory note, she believed no issues remained for her. Yet upon receiving Baron Galle's subsequent message, her face turned deathly pale.

The two held a secret meeting at a restaurant on the outskirts of the capital.

Pulling a black cloak low over her face to prevent anyone from recognizing her, the Grand Duchess headed to the restaurant.

Lately, the hottest topic in the capital was Baron Galle and Satina. Various illegal activities he conducted covertly while operating The Dark Grasp came to light, and Satina's family history was brought back into the spotlight.

While pitying Satina for having grown up under such a father, people commended her efforts to assist those he harmed. As public interest surged, officials launched an investigation into Baron Galle with heightened fervor.

Encountering Baron Galle after some time, his former respectable appearance had vanished entirely, leaving him utterly haggard. Though fewer than three days had passed since the scandal erupted, he had clearly suffered immense distress.

The Grand Duchess berated him in a hushed tone, fearful someone might overhear.

[Dc. Duskel] "What do you mean?! That the promissory note Satina possesses is a fake?!"

[B. Galle] "Just as I told you. The promissory note she took was one I provided. That wench seemingly rushed to you, believing it was genuine."

Just then, a new visitor appeared at the restaurant. Turning her head in surprise, she spotted a furious Coraline standing there.

Striding quickly, Coraline slammed her hand roughly against the table where Baron Galle sat. Clutched in her hand was a crumpled letter.

[Coraline] "What is the meaning of this?! Why am I your accomplice?!"

Under normal circumstances, Coraline would have greeted the Grand Duchess first, yet consumed by rage, she seemed completely oblivious to the Grand Duchess' presence.

Baron Galle answered in a nonchalant tone.

[B. Galle] "Exactly as written in the letter. Should you leave the officials to investigate me as things stand, it means you shall enter prison alongside me, Lady Coraline."

[Coraline] "Why should I?!"

[B. Galle] "Are you not the one managing the Diamant Merchant Guild that participated in the Nerich Plains, Lady Coraline?"

[Coraline] "So what?! Strictly speaking, I am a victim of your investment fraud! How does that make me an accomplice?!"

[B. Galle] "Ah, naive children ignorant of the world."

[Coraline] "What?!"

[B. Galle] "Had you read the contract meticulously and grasped even a fraction of our syndicate's structure, you would have realized the funds invested by Diamant could serve as operating capital for The Dark Grasp."

Coraline scoffed.

[Coraline] "Are you not underestimating the officials too greatly? Once they investigate thoroughly, your lie will be exposed anyway!"

[B. Galle] "That is assuming good fortune. Even so, will you not remain entangled in scandal regardless?"

He spoke in a voice filled with venom.

[B. Galle] "Shall I inform the officials that the Grand Duchess ran up gambling debts with me and created this mess? With a bit of fabricated evidence, claiming you turned a blind eye to cover my back is simple. Do you think either of you will remain unscathed then?"

[Dc. Duskel] "Calm yourself first..."

[B. Galle] "Why? Do you think I am incapable?! I stand at a crossroads between rotting in prison for life or not! Do you think I shall enter prison alone?! No, I will drag both of you down with me by any means! So if you wish to avoid going to prison with me, find a way out of this situation!"

Speechless, Coraline glared at the Grand Duchess beside her.

This was all her fault. Had the Grand Duchess not coaxed Coraline by claiming it was an investment her husband was eyeing, she would never have become entangled with Baron Galle and faced his blackmail.

Already displeased at watching Satina gain fame by denouncing her biological father's crimes lately, Coraline snapped in a sharp voice.

[Coraline] "This is all because of you, Aunt!"

[Dc. Duskel] "What?!"

[Coraline] "Had you not told me to invest there initially, I would never have stamped the contract or gotten involved with a fellow like this!"

[Dc. Duskel] "How is that my fault?! You were the one who stamped it!"

[Coraline] "You told me to stamp it!"

[Dc. Duskel] "Since when did you listen to me so well?!"

An argument erupted between the two women.

[Coraline] "Right, no wonder it felt suspicious! You colluded with this man from the start to make me stamp that contract, didn't you?!"

[Dc. Duskel] "What?!"

[Coraline] "You sold me out in exchange for having your debt forgiven!"

[Dc. Duskel] "Had you lent me money from the start, none of this would have happened! If you had lent me the money, I wouldn't have borrowed from a place like this!"

[Coraline] "Why blame me for your gambling addiction?! You should consider yourself fortunate I didn't tell your husband!"

On edge, the two viciously tore into each other. Watching the spectacle for a moment, Baron Galle slammed the table violently.

[B. Galle] "Is now the time to fight?! I asked what you intend to do about this problem!"

Silence hovered briefly at his growling threat.

Just then, someone knocked on the restaurant door. All three stopped speaking simultaneously, looking toward the entrance.

The Grand Duchess asked in a voice filled with tension.

[Dc. Duskel] "...Was anyone else supposed to come?"

[B. Galle] "No. Nobody."

Knock, knock. The knocking sounded once more.

Holding their breath, the three strained to hear the visitor outside.

A clicking sound echoed, as if someone was forcing the door open. Shortly, armed knights and officials appeared beyond the thrown-open door.

[Dc. Duskel] "H-How did you..."

As she spoke, her face was pale with horror. The official leading the group addressed the three.

[Official] "An anonymous report arrived concerning Baron Galle. We came to verify it..."

Scanning the Grand Duchess and Coraline slowly, the official spoke.

[Official] "It appears the report claiming you two support Baron Galle was accurate."

---

The three's predicament originated from the official investigation progressing far swifter than anticipated. The nobles Baron Galle manipulated using gambling debts contributed greatly to that speed.

Their relationship possessed no loyalty or trust from the start. After all, they obeyed Baron Galle out of fear because he held their weakness—their debt.

With the imperial investigation underway, every deed Baron Galle committed came to light. At this rate, his downfall seemed imminent.

Afterward, those nobles realized something: if Baron Galle went to prison and The Dark Grasp collapsed, they had no need to settle their debts.

Then wouldn't his going to prison benefit us instead?

Thus, the nobles under Baron Galle's influence actively assisted the officials' investigation.

[Noble] "I know all too well how he ensnares people in gambling debt! That is a law-abiding contract, whereas the real one is kept separate!"

[Noble] "They say anyone resisting and refusing to pay to the end gets buried in the mountains over there! That work is mostly done by the guild's laborers..."

Thus, the officials' investigation gained momentum. Just then, Viscount Seilum subtly raised a topic with the officials.

[V. Seilum] "Come to think of it, Baron Galle seemed quite intimate with Grand Duchess Duskel and Lady Radius as well..."

He also dropped hints regarding the Grand Duchess' gambling debts.

Naturally, Viscount Seilum raised these details for the gold coins promised by Satina. Eager to distinguish themselves and earn the Emperor's favor, imperial officials were hardly ones to miss such bait.

Delighted, they launched an investigation, turning Baron Galle's study and warehouse upside down.

Thus, they caught the three at the scene at last. Officials confined the three in separate rooms for interrogation.

The first to betray was Coraline. In her view, she was a wronged victim in this affair. Though she had intended to give Satina a hard time, she achieved nothing and instead fell victim to Baron Galle's investment fraud.

Thus, when meeting the official, she spoke in an unashamed voice.

[Coraline] "I am wronged! I am actually the one being blackmailed by Baron Galle! I invested because Her Grace recommended the business. Is that a crime?!"

[Official] "Baron Galle stated that you actively participated in the business, My Lady."

[Coraline] "All lies! Those two clearly colluded to deceive me!"

Already resentful toward the Grand Duchess, she snapped sharply at the official's words.

[Official] "Her Grace? Why would she do that?"

Believing expressing her grievance actively was necessary to escape this predicament, Coraline blurted out.

[Coraline] "Because Her Grace ran up colossal debts to Baron Galle through gambling!"

---

Meanwhile, at that hour, Grand Duchess Duskel was meeting a visitor. She viewed the woman seated opposite her with fearful eyes.

[Satina] "Why do you tremble so, Your Grace? Anyone would think I am tormenting you."

Trembling violently, the Grand Duchess averted her eyes from Satina.

[Dc. Duskel] "W-Why did you wish to see me?"

[Satina] "I came to deliver good news to you."

[Dc. Duskel] "Nothing good ever comes from you requesting a meeting."

[Satina] "This time it is genuine."

Satina produced the promissory note bearing the Grand Duchess' name.

Using the location obtained from Viscount Seilum, Satina dispatched Katan swiftly to retrieve it while The Dark Grasp fell into chaos as officials launched their investigation.

[Satina] "He claimed the promissory note I possessed was fake, but this one is unmistakable. Check for yourself."

Snatching the promissory note from Satina's hand hastily, the Grand Duchess inspected it thoroughly.

It was indeed the original she had signed.

The moment she attempted to tear it to shreds, the dark-haired attendant beside Satina snatched the note back from her hand.

[Dc. Duskel] "Ah...!"

She reached out with a desperate expression.

If only she had it, if only she held that single document, she could escape this quagmire...!

[Satina] "Now that you confirmed its authenticity, you know what I shall request without me speaking, correct?"

She whispered with sparkling eyes.

[Satina] "Inform the officials of everything Coraline attempted to do to me. Then this time, I shall burn this right before your eyes."

The Grand Duchess possessed but a single path to choose, past or present.

Thus, the fact that Coraline attempted to destroy Satina's reputation using her father echoed throughout the entire Empire.

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