"W-Why do you have this?! H-How..." Duke Rant asked in astonishment as words got stuck in his throat. Record Crystals grew naturally in mountains that had an extreme density of magic in the air. They are mined which is why each Record Crystal has a peculiar shape.

The reason Duke Rant was shaken so much was because it was his Record Crystal. Since it was his most prized possession, he had the habit of simply staring at it for hours at a time before it was broken. Every small detail of the Crystal was deeply embedded inside his head. As soon as Selena took it out, he immediately recognized it.

However, what had left him very excited that the Crystal reflected the colors of the Rainbow when it refracted light. It was a sign that it was working again. When the Record Crystal was broken, he had compared it to the Bishop's, and only then had he realized that Record Crystals filled with Magic gave off Rainbow colored reflected light. Since he only saw the crystal in the Carriage when the Baron handed it to him, he did not have the chance to observe it closely before so he was not aware back then that the rainbow reflections were gone then. He wanted to grab it right away, but Selena pulled her hand away and looked at the Duke with a calm face and said.

"This Crystal was loaned to me by a friend before the Baron visited. I am not comfortable saying that friend's name for their safety."

"You...!!" Duke Rant was furious. He started to think that Selena wanted to keep the crystal. But her next words stopped him from yelling it out loud.

"I will definitely return it to my friend after this case is over..." Selena said as she passed a gaze at the Duke and then continued.

"I didn't think I needed to bring it out now anymore but I have to now otherwise Duke Rant won't get the compensation he deserves."

Duke Rant jolted in shock. 'Could it be? Does she...' Duke Rant felt excited.

'Does she intend to return my Crystal and have the accused duo pay for it too?' He stared meaningfully at Selena and in response Selena simply said.

"You still want to be compensated for your 'Broken' Record Crystal, right, Duke Rant?"

"I-I... Of Course...!!" Duke Rant snapped out of it and turned to the King.

"Your Majesty, I hope you won't mind Lady Selena's interjection and allow her to present her 'friend's' Record Crystal so that I can be compensated for my 'broken' Record Crystal."

"Y-You... had one too?!" Marquis Johnson and Baron Turner felt their head spin. No wonder the girl dared to attack Baron Turner back then. She must have already recorded Baron Turner's provocations. That explained why she was calm despite everything. While the Marquis was laying a trap for her, Selena had already prepared one for him. She had been patiently waiting for the Royal Court Case to bring it out as key evidence.

"Hmm... I will allow it." King Valentinus replied as he kept wishing he had something to eat while enjoying this show. Actually, he can but his stomach problems didn't allow him to.

"Bring up the Record Crystal Pedestal...!!" Prime Minister Bernard ordered and a tile near the throne shifted and a Record Crystal Pedestal emerged from it. Since Royal Court Cases usually deal with Record Crystals, it was not a surprise to have its pedestal in the room.

Prime Minister Bernard took the Crystal from Selena and placed it on the Pedestal.

*Click*... Whrrr......!!

Duke Rant almost jumped in glee to see the Record Crystal functioning normally. The Crystal spun in place and green light particles emanated from it gathering at an empty space before the King which materialized into the Drawing Room of the Booker Manor with Baron Turner, Selena, and Nicholas inside of it.

["How can I help you today, Baron Turner?"] Selena's voice sounded out from the Record Crystal.

The Baron almost banged his head at the sight. The recording started from the point when Selena entered the room. Which means she definitely recorded everything.

["I came to speak to you about... the incident."]

...

...

["Of course, the Baron manor is willing to compensate, and I have talked with Marquis Johnson too. He is also willing to compensate for the matter to the Marquis manor."] Baron Turner replied confidently.

["Is this deal acceptable to you?"]

There was a crease forming on the King's forehead. He had not expected the Baron, who was favored by Marquis Booker before this incident to turn on his benefactor to this degree.

He glanced at the accused duo and they both had their head down. What else could they do? It was over for them.

"When do we get to the Cup throwing?" The Bishop asked impatiently.

"Almost there... Just after this one thing." Selena replied and then talked to Prime Minister Bernard.

"Esteemed Prime Minister Bernard, I have heard that the Record Crystal also records Magic signature. Could I trouble you to check the Record Crystal's magic in the Baron's pocket as to know when it will dissipate and break to prove that I was not the one to break it."

"This... Of Course...!!" PM Bernard agreed after contemplating. He focused his senses on the Crystal's aura in the pocket and so did everyone except the Bishop who was busy waiting for the fun part.

["I have thought about what you said."]

...

...

["Compensate me properly?"]

["Are you worthy of that?"]

"Ho-oh...!! Snap...!!" The Bishop commented as if he was watching a TV show.

["You...!!"]

"Ah...!! There it is...!!" Duke Rant screamed.

At this point, the record showed Baron Turner sending a sliver of his energy at the Crystal. However, something happened in the recording that made the Baron jump in fright.

The Sliver of energy he sent was actually too much...!! It forcefully tried to enter the Crystal and it broke with a crisp sharp noise which was only audible if one was sensing the item.

"Th-That's impossible...!! I did not send in that much energy...!!" Baron Turner tried to defend himself. He really did not send in too much energy. It was something that Selena had edited with the help of a special someone.

"Still trying to defend yourself...?!" The Duke harrumphed in anger. "Record Crystal's recordings can't be edited, which is why there is no better proof than it in many cases."

"SSHH...!!" A loud shushing noise sounded and everyone turned to look at the Bishop who made the sound.

"Shut up...!! It's here...!!" He shouted and stared at the recording. Everyone also looked at the recording out of instinct.

["So, I will ask again, are you worthy of compensating me?"]

[Flick... Swish... Crash...!!!]

["Gaaahh....!!!"]

["What the hell...!!"]

"Bua Ha Ha Ha Ha...!!!" The Bishop laughed out loud as he slapped his thigh. He wasn't disappointed with the result. He made a mental note to ask Selena later for a copy of the recording.

Meanwhile, The King had an incredibly dark face and the Accused duo were shivering out of fear and panic.

"Marquis Johnson..." The King asked him in a stern voice, "Do you have any more stories to tell after seeing this?"

"That... N-No... Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare..." Marquis Johnson could feel his heart thumping loudly.

There was no way around it anymore. If they dare lie again, it will only worsen it. The only thing left was to admit everything and hope that the Soup Kitchen's food was edible enough. It was still better than ending up in a prison for lying to the King.

"Good..." The King replied as he turned his attention to the Accuser party.

"I hereby declare that it was indeed Marquis Johnson who rented the Record Crystal and it was Baron Turner who broke it. According to this Country's Law, I pronounce both of them guilty for destruction of private property of Duke Rant and they should repay the amount at which Duke Rant bought the Record Crystal."

"Thank you... Your Majesty." Duke Rant bowed respectfully.

"I also find..." the King continued, "...that Marquis Johnson and Baron Turner used their position to attempt to force Lady Selena to accept an agreement which would have soiled her reputation. This is blatantly disrespectful behavior unbecoming of nobility. So, I intend to make an example of you both so that it will serve a warning to those who try to approach Nobility Children with bad intentions."

"Your Majesty...!!" They both cried out in pleadings as they kneeled on all fours in front of the King.

But the King ignored their pleadings and continued.

"Marquis Johnson, you will immediately resign and hand over your Marquis Title to your son, Grant. I deem you unworthy of holding such an esteemed title."

"This..." Johnson trembled as he felt his energy leave the body. He regretted bringing Selena into the Crystal debate. If he had not done so, he would still have to compensate but at least he could have left his Title intact. He was too confident and careless in front of the 16-year-old girl and now he paid the price for underestimating her. Now, he was no different than a common man. He could almost hear his peers laughing at him. It almost made him vomit blood out of grief.

"Baron Turner, your son hasn't taken the Aristocrat exam yet, right? So you will relinquish your Title to me for the time being. I will pass it to your son once he passes the Aristocrat Exam. Till then, you are allowed to remain in control of your land but you cannot use the title of Baron. Also, if your son fails the exam, everything must be returned to the Kingdom."

"I-I..." Turner started crying on the spot. Even though he was the lowest rank in the nobility, it was still an extreme honor. His Grandfather had earned this title by stopping unrest in his lands and worked hard to unite them and turn barren land into a thriving community. They still needed to import some things but due to his Grandfather's reputation, the Manor would enjoy discounts from others as a sign of respect towards him. If his son fails the exam and the title gets taken back, how was he suppose to face his ancestor? He realized now how foolish he was. He inherited the Title and not earned it himself. Being the only son, it was natural for him to inherit it. However, it gave him a false sense of superiority which is often normal in people who inherit their ancestors' hard worked gains. He now realized that without the title, he is nothing. If he was not such a coward, he might have taken his own life.

The King ignored them both and stared in front of him as he was addressing everyone present.

"Do you people think I am being extreme?"

"No..." Marquis Booker replied.

"We wouldn't dare question..." Duke Rant also replied.

"Frankly, I think it is not enough." Selena said.

Everyone present turned to look at her with surprise. Johnson and Turner felt like finding a bridge just to jump off it.

'We are already at the bottom of the ladder of the aristocracy. Do you even know the meaning of the word 'mercy'? Even the North Pole is not as cold as you.'

To Selena's response, the King slightly chuckled before explaining.

"Lady Selena, I can understand your anger, and trust me, if I wasn't a King, I would have let their fates to you, but unfortunately we live in a society. The Aristocrats like yourself are bound by more Societal rules than normal people, so we must punish them without being too excessive." The King felt his mind sway as he soothed Selena. 'I am really giving them the harshest punishment out there for an Aristocrat who didn't commit murder, why am I soothing a little girl by telling her why I can't be excessive enough.'

"Then... can you arrange for a duel?" Selena asked after thinking about it for a bit.

"Duel...? With who?"

"Them and my Father?"

"What the hell...!! No...!!" The Accused Duo jumped in fright. Selena's Father was a War Veteran, so even if he is older now, he is definitely stronger than the two of them combined.

"Alright... Duels are fine... Go ahead...!!" The King replied without even a pause. There were often clashes between the nobles and they could request a duel to work things out. So, it was normal to ask for one as long as it was not a life and death battle.

"Thank you, your majesty..." Selena and her Father bowed.

*Crack... Crack...*

The sounds of knuckles cracking sounded in the room as Marquis Booker prepared himself to pummel his 'opponents'.

"Hieeee...!! Y-You can't attack us here...!! We are still in the Royal Court...!!" Johnson and Turner tried to resist.

However, contrary to their expectations the King did not stop him and the Bishop replied.

"Lady Selena, if I give you a cup, would you be willing to throw it at Turner's face?"

"Sure... but I didn't bring any."

"King... may we borrow your cups?"

"How can you call it borrowing when you are planning to break them on Turner's face? Besides, I already agreed to the duel, I can't allow anyone else to hurt both of them here."

"King...!!!" Johnson and Turner cried out in despair once more before being jumped on by Marquis Booker.

*Wham... Crash...!! Boom...!! BOOM...!! CRACK...!!*

The sounds of flesh being beaten into paste and bones cracking into tiny pieces could be heard in the Royal Court as the Marquis released his long-held anger and grudge on the scheming duo. Since it was a duel given to him by the King, it would be an insult to His Majesty if he held back which is why he went full throttle from the beginning.

To add insult to injury, Selena didn't even seem to pay attention even when she was the one who came up with the idea. She was busy teaching the Bishop how to throw teacups accurately at someone's face.

-15 minutes later-

A very satisfied looking Marquis stood by the side of two swollen human beings. Even their own wives won't be able to recognize them if they went home in this position. But the good news was the wailings finally stopped as Johnson's face was too swollen to even cry out and Turner was knocked out a long time ago.

"There's no point in beating someone who doesn't cry in pain..." The Marquis stated as he made his way back to the Duke and Selena's side.

"You... are... Vicious..." Johnson managed to squeeze out the words from his swollen and stiff mouth.

"I am the Vicious one?" Selena asked as she seemed surprised by Johnson's remark.

She then turned and walked towards him. Johnson could feel the air around him go colder with every step she took. His senses kept warning him that danger was approaching.

"When I almost killed myself, what did you do?" Selena asked and continued.

"Instead of trying to settle the situation, and admitting your son was in the wrong, you went out of your way to destroy the victim."

"Maybe I am fine now, but if your plan had succeeded, I would have been deemed as a psycho and my Life would have been ruined. To protect the Dignity of your Manor, you would have ruined my life knowingly. You knew that I almost took my life once. Did you not even think that all of this may tempt me to do it again? Did you not think how badly it would have affected the Booker manor, who were once your friends?" Selena kept reminding Johnson of the harsh truths as she stood one step away from him.

"You chose a temporary rise of dignity over the victim's life..."

Selena then bowed slightly to look at the kneeling Johnson straight in his eyes.

"I wonder... Who is truly the vicious one here?"

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