Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 7.3

“Father….”

Deep down, a part of me had been wishing it wasn’t true. That my mother had truly loved him, and married Father because she had wanted to.

“Father… why would you do that to Mother!?”

Anger, grief, and shock—all of it tangled together until my thoughts were a chaotic mess.

“…What are you saying, Kuna? Your mother’s name is Elena, isn’t it!?”

“No, Father. You know the truth. The proof is right here—the scales tipped, did they not?”

“That I… that I was involved in human trafficking…?”

“I never once said the words ‘human trafficking,’ Father.”

“—!”

The more flustered he became, the more he exposed himself. I could feel Ingrid-san about to spring to her feet in fury, only for Leah, sitting beside her, to desperately hold her back. Flames of rage were blazing in Ingrid-san’s eyes. Please… just for now, endure! Leah soothed her frantically.

“What’s so special about a pair of scales? Just because the serpent’s plate tipped—”

“Oh, on that matter, I can personally vouch for it, as Guildmaster.”

Through the heavy tension, Simon’s relaxed voice drifted in.

“I am a certified appraiser, recognized by the kingdom. This artifact is an ancient magic item left behind by the great archmage Orkis. Its power is to see through lies. If I say so, there can be no mistake.”

“What nonsense…!”

“Kuna, that’s enough. We’ve got the proof. You can stand down now.”

The strength drained from my body as Simon and Gier stepped forward, shielding me.

“…Even if I did, what of it? Buying and selling demi-humans isn’t illegal in Aluda.”

“This is Gratania. Don’t you realize you’ve committed a grave crime here?”

Any crime committed in Gratania is judged under Gratanian law. And Mother was born here. This case would without a doubt be tried in this land.

“Hmph. So what of it?”

Father spat the words bitterly, still refusing to give in.

“Who will testify that the scales tipped? Your testimonies are worthless.”

“Guildmaster Simon and the Captain of the Staff Knights—that testimony alone is more than heavy enough,” Simon replied, before glancing at me. If it had come this far, then I had to see it through to the end.

“Father. I’ve called someone here today—someone tied to me by fate.”

“Tied… by fate?”

“There have been good ties, and bad ones… many kinds. But this one—I found it through my own strength. A treasure of mine.”

As I said that, Ares, who had been standing at the back of the hall, began walking forward.

Halfway down the steps, his form shifted—transforming into a phantom beast, a griffon.

“Wha—!? What is that!?”

Father recoiled in shock. Ares came to my side, rubbing his face affectionately against me.

“…I’m sorry, Ares. I had to use that feather so soon…”

“What, it was for a dear friend. I can always give you another feather.”

Then, turning his sharp gaze to Father, Ares spoke.

“It seems this man has done something quite outrageous.”

“—Hh!?”

Father stumbled back in fright.

“I understand your situation now. I, Aresor, will stand as witness.”

His warm feathers pressed against me, comforting and reassuring. But just as I was relieved, Father jabbed a finger at Ares and shouted.

“What is the worth of such a disgusting creature!?”

“…Father, please stop belittling Ares like that. He is my friend.”

“A witness!? That thing isn’t even human or demi-human—it’s a monster! Don’t make me laugh.”

The instant those words left his mouth, Lea shot to her feet, as though something inside her had snapped.

“Then in that case—we’ll stand as witnesses too!”

“—What?”

“…I, Ingrid Lucia, acting Duke of Lucia, will bear witness.”

“And I, Leah Lucia, shall do the same.”

Their voices rang clear, brimming with anger. Overwhelmed by their presence, Father sucked in a breath.

“Lucia… it can’t be…”

Ingrid-san was trembling, and Leah supported her firmly so she wouldn’t collapse.

“…We’ll hear your explanation in detail later.”

Grinding her teeth, Ingrid-san forced out the words.

“Everything will be settled—after Kuna-san’s battle is finished.”

Ingrid-san’s words hung in the air, and then her gaze shifted toward an elderly man seated at the back of the hall.

Every eye in the room turned to him.

The man gave a quiet nod before slowly rising to his feet. The click, click of polished leather shoes echoed through the hushed auditorium.

His unhurried stride toward us carried the composure of a lecturer about to begin a class.