Chapter 43: It’s Time to Settle the Score
Sharon briefly recounted the recent events.
“Apparently, the Hughes family was the mastermind behind the plot, and the nobles who were friendly with them tried to resist but were suppressed by the superior army.”
“My family was among them. My parents didn’t choose to resist, so they survived, but they now face severe consequences.”
“Hughes’ whereabouts are unknown right now; I have no idea where he is.”
But one thing is certain.
This time Hughes also suffered a big blow.
The false accusation of treason hung above his head, supported by some mysterious evidence that makes it almost impossible to prove his innocence.
Not only was his convenient noble status gone, but the massive network of contacts he had built up over a long period also vanished in the blink of an eye.
Hughes’ ideals became unattainable fantasies.
Night Lan’s face turned pale.
“How long have I slept?”
“For three days, after you fell asleep, Hughes contacted me to bring you back. He worried about your safety there and didn’t want to bother you while you rested.”
Sharon started recounting the beginning of everything.
“Once you were brought back, I got news that a War Merit Noble reported to the king about Hughes’ alleged treason, presenting evidence to substantiate it. The king ordered him to bring troops to arrest Hughes, leading to all this happening.”
Night Lan lowered her head, her hands trembling, fists clenched so tight.
Treason?
What kind of joke is this!
This is definitely slander!
Hughes would never plot treason.
Neither Night Lan nor Sharon could believe this confirmed crime.
That piece of evidence must be fabricated.
And the forged evidence not only brought disaster upon the Hughes family but also affected many nobles he was associated with.
This level of sophistication couldn’t be achieved by just any War Merit Noble.
Unless the king wanted an excuse to get Hughes, then any evidence would do.
But this seemed unlikely.
Hughes is one of the most famous nobles in recent times, known for his talents and capabilities far exceeding others, and significant contributions to society.
His family has always been fiercely loyal to the royal family; the thought of treason is preposterous.
The king should understand this.
Yet, he’s truly believed in Hughes’ family treason, due to the evidence.
Only the one who can make the impossible possible—a Super Specified Existence—could pull off something like this.
In other words, the Ballad Conductor!
He surpasses the Supernova in terms of scale.
Holding an obsession with tragedy, he effortlessly weaves tragic tales.
To crush someone’s beliefs, hitting their core faith in such a straightforward way is simple.
He didn’t outright k*ll Hughes but instead struck at his faith with some method, causing despair.
This too, is a tragedy.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” Night Lan whispered.
Sharon felt a bitter ache inside.
“Hughes instructed not to wake you up. No matter what happened, he didn’t want me to disturb you until you naturally woke up.”
“You idiot! Why did you listen to that? Wake people up when you’re supposed to!”
Even Night Lan couldn’t help feeling enraged.
She came to this timeline to save Ulysses and Hughes.
Ulysses died under her negligence.
She planned to help Hughes with everything she had left, to prevent him from falling into the grips of the Ballad Conductor.
And yet…
Why could she sleep for three whole days?
The aftermath of her wish wasn’t that intense.
Was it due to prolonged exhaustion and weakness, forcing her into resting?
No way would it coincide with this timing…
Wait, was it because the Ballad Conductor was keeping constant watch here?
Night Lan finally got a handle on the situation.
The Ballad Conductor was waiting to strike only after she couldn’t hold out anymore.
Now she got it.
“Fearful…”
Night Lan muttered through gritted teeth.
Sharon sighed.
“Involvement wouldn’t make much difference; it’s a high-level decision from the royal court, the king’s will. One person’s strength is nothing against a nation. Against the charges of treason, no force could prevail.”
She stared out the window with a complex expression.
“Nightingale, run away. You’re not a noble, and you owe no one’s allegiance; you don’t need to bear these charges. Just find a quiet and stable place to live. It’s fine that way.”
Night Lan started to speak but stopped herself, unsure of what to say.
Even a composed lady couldn’t remain so cool after such an experience.
Sharon wore a despondent look, as if hit harder than Hughes.
Losing noble status and being charged with treason, the social connections shattered, and the etiquette Hughes established crumbled.
It seemed all efforts were for naught.
She woke up to a different world.
Night Lan still felt unreal.
“I’ll go find Hughes…”
Night Lan left and split up with Night Star, each searching a different direction.
Soon.
Night Lan sensed Hughes, and swiftly approached him.
On an abandoned skyscraper, a young man sat by the edge, gazing into the distance—an aura of unspoken oppression.
Night Lan stood behind him, feeling equally disheartened, not knowing what to say.
“Hughes… I’m sorry…”
“There’s no need. It’s not your fault. Maybe I’m suited only to be an ordinary gentleman, imposing my standards on others doesn’t seem quite right.”
Hughes couldn’t help but sigh deeply, as if releasing all the pressure he had kept to himself.
“If this is the way of the Ballad Conductor, then I admit defeat. This unprecedented depression and despair, coupled with a future devoid of hope, is unbearable.”
“Mmm…”
Night Lan felt a lump in her throat.
“What will you do next?”
“I don’t know. Facing the charges, I think I should leave the country and live a mundane life, abandoning all pretense, or…”
Hughes let his silence hang.
He wasn’t fragile at heart, nor was he that low.
Recent events crushed his hope though.
Living on isn’t easy either; the notion lingers despite survival.
Now, even the Perfect Gentleman Hughes seems destitute and hopeless.
The Ballad Conductor once again succeeds.
Even with Night Lan’s descent, the outcome remains unchanged.
Tragedy still occurs.
With this intense sense of defeat, Night Lan experienced it for the first time.
Comforting Hughes seemed impossible now.
The verdict is set.
At this moment.
Night Lan suddenly sensed something strange—a lure.
Night Lan turned around, eyes cold.
“This is it, Ballad Conductor…”
“It’s time to settle the score…”
