Another World Witch Training Manual

111. Standoff

"Your Majesty knows you want to see me," Simeon straightened up, his gaze calmly meeting Bermelt's. "For it is for this very reason that I have come. Marquis Tanstin is dead."

When he said this, there was no shock or anger like Xin Lai's performance, no deliberate tension.

He said it so casually, as if it were a matter of course, as if he had known it would happen all along.

Bermelt's fingers stopped on the table.

"Your Majesty, I just learned of this," Simien said, "so I came immediately to report to you. I didn't expect my third brother to be here before me."

He turned to Xinlai, his gaze carrying just the right amount of approval, "My third brother's diligence in state affairs is truly admirable."

The sentence sounded like a compliment, but Sinlai sensed the sarcasm hidden within it.

Simeon is implying to Sinlai that he has crossed the line.

Simeon was in charge of the Marquis of Tanstin's case. Although Sinley, as the judge, could inquire about it, she should not report directly to her father, the King, bypassing Simeon.

Xinlai raised her head and met Simien's gaze.

"Your Majesty flatters me. Marquis Tanstin died in the church dungeon, and as the judge, it was my duty to report this to Father immediately. It was my duty, not something to be overly diligent about."

His response was equally impeccable.

Since Simeon used "diligence" to subtly criticize him for overstepping his bounds, he used "it's my duty" to emphasize the legitimacy of his actions.

The admiration in Simien's eyes deepened.

Bermelt watched his two sons clash before him, his face expressionless.

He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of his abdomen, a posture befitting a judge.

"Now that you're both here," Bermelt said, "let's get this straight. Simeon, you go first. How did the Marquis Tanstin die?"

Simien nodded slightly.

"Father, regarding the cause of Marquis Tanstin's death, my information is not yet complete. However, I can confirm that Marquis Tanstin died sometime between early this morning and dawn, from exhaustion caused by multiple injuries. As for how these injuries were caused—"

"How did this happen?" Bermelt interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising. "Your man, Simondo, tortured the Marquis of Tanstin in the dungeon. Were you aware of this?"

Simeon was silent for a moment.

Xinlai knelt to the side, her heart pounding.

He stared intently at Simien's profile, trying to read any flaw in his expression, but Simien's face was like a smooth marble, revealing nothing.

"Your subject understands," Simien said.

Sinlai's breathing almost stopped.

He admitted it?

So you're just admitting it like that?

"You know," Bermelt's voice turned cold, "do you know the methods Simondo used during interrogations?"

"Your subject does not know."

Simeon's answer was crisp and decisive, without any hesitation. "Father, I did indeed sign the interrogation warrant, authorizing Simon to enter the dungeon to interrogate Marquis Tanstin."

But Simondo never reported the specific methods and means of the interrogation to me. My orders to Simondo were…” He paused, looking directly at Bermelt,

"Obtain evidence of the Marquis of Tanstin's keeping of a witch and a list of his accomplices, before the trial."

Xinlai couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

Simeon's response was flawless. He first admitted that he knew Simondo had entered the dungeon, which made him appear honest and without any concealment.

He then separated the "interrogation method" from the "interrogation authorization," clearly stating that he was only responsible for issuing tasks, not for the specific execution methods.

Finally, he revealed the detail of "the deadline before trial," implying that he was not in a hurry and did not need to use extreme measures.

Every word he uttered was an attempt to excuse himself, yet every word sounded perfectly reasonable.

"So you admit that Simondo was acting on your orders, but you don't admit that you are responsible for his interrogation methods."

There was a hint of sarcasm in Bermilt's voice.

"Father, you are wise. As the Crown Prince, I bear leadership responsibility for the conduct of my subordinates, a responsibility I will never shirk. However, there is a difference between leadership responsibility and direct responsibility."

Simeon's tone remained calm. "If Simondo did indeed use improper methods during the interrogation that led to the death of Marquis Tanstin, then as his superior, I am willing to take responsibility for the oversight. But—"

He turned to Xinlai, his gaze now carrying a scrutinizing quality.

"However, I also have something I would like to ask you, younger brother."

The Marquis of Tansten's body was discovered this afternoon.

During this time, neither the guards of the church dungeon nor the clergy in charge of it noticed that the Marquis of Tansteen was being subjected to improper interrogation, nor did anyone report it to their superiors.

Is this a dereliction of duty by the Church, or by Lady Alaya? Or is there something else going on?

Simeon's counterattack was swift and precise.

He did not deny the potential problems with Simondo, but instead shifted the focus to the church.

If the dungeon was properly managed, why was Simondo able to continue inflicting tortures without being detected during this period?

This series of questions was like a series of flying knives, each one precisely aimed at Xinlai's most vulnerable spot.

Simeon threw those questions back at him.

Was the church's dereliction of duty intentional or negligent?

Xinlai felt a fine layer of cold sweat seeping out of her back.

He couldn't defend the church too vehemently, or it would appear that he was protecting Alaya.

However, he could not admit that the church had failed in its duties, because that would undermine his earlier argument that he had shifted the blame to Simondo.

This is a dilemma.

"Brother Wang is right," Xin Lai said, her voice more steady than he had expected.

"The Church does indeed have problems with the management of the dungeon. The Church clearly did not pay enough attention to his case. Lady Alaya focused her main energy on several other heretical trials and neglected the case of Marquis Tanstin. This is a fact, and I do not deny it."

First, acknowledge it. Acknowledge what cannot be denied.

"However," Sinley changed the subject, "the core issue is not whether the church discovered Simondo's behavior in time."

The crux of the matter is, why did Simondo do that? Brother Wang just said that your orders to Simondo were to obtain evidence and a list, with a deadline before the trial.

With less than a day until the trial, why would Simondo resort to such extreme measures under these circumstances? Is he impatient for quick results, or...?

Xinlai paused for a moment, then met Simien's gaze.

"Or does he simply not want anything from the Marquis of Tanstin?"

The air in the study suddenly froze.

This statement is like a dagger, piercing the core contradiction of the entire incident.

If Simondo's goal was to obtain a confession, he shouldn't have killed the person. If he used torture capable of causing death, it means his goal wasn't to obtain a confession, but to silence the person.

There can only be one reason to shut someone up.

There were things the Marquis Tansteen knew that someone didn't want him to reveal.

Who is that person?

Xinlai did not give a direct answer, but his gaze never left Simien.