Chapter 56: Only Detectives Talk About Evidence—I Rely on Instinct

“If that’s the case, things are getting a bit tricky!” Bourn stroked his chin, at a loss for words.

Perhaps even the jurist-priests know that Cook was framed. Although the cursed stone passed through Cook’s hands, that doesn’t prove he was involved—and even if he was, he’d never act so blatantly. But once someone files a complaint, the situation changes entirely. The law is sacred: if you can’t prove your innocence, then you are guilty!

It’s a truly wretched affair—everyone knows you’re innocent, but you have no way to clear your name. The fact that the Inspectorate only charged Cook with “endangering public safety” was already a great courtesy to the DuPont family.

Nothing could be done—the laws of Nather were set after the founding of the nation, and the same mechanisms have been followed ever since.

With the memories of his previous life, Bourn understood that all things change. As the world evolves, so too must its rules. Those who cling forever to the original laws or ancestral decrees are doomed to perish in the end.

The gods may appear lofty and unshakable, but in truth, they are bound by faith. The collective will of all beings subtly shapes the gods themselves. That’s why Amanna, who originally had no dominion over time, eventually took it on—because her servants and followers believed she did. Thus, “time” was added to her divine portfolio, and in the end, even she came to accept that she was the goddess of time!

Every devout priest climbs from humble beginnings, carving every word of the law into their very bones, revering it as the ultimate truth. If a god were suddenly to declare a law flawed or a regulation unsuitable, the consequences would be dire. There would be a mass crisis of faith, and the god would suffer as well. A fall from divinity would be the least of it—they might even perish and be dragged into the Astral, the so-called graveyard of the gods.

Divine laws cannot be amended at will, while arcane civilization is slowly rising. This sets the stage for future conflicts!

None of those present were fools; one does not become an arcanist by being dull. Guided by Bourn, they gradually pieced together the whole story.

Only then did they begin to realize that the “Lord of Order” they had always trusted was not as impartial as they believed.

“If Cook is convicted, aside from himself, who will be affected the most?” Bourn asked.

“The one most implicated would be the president,” Darlene replied with a puzzled look. “But the successor to the presidency is already decided—it’s someone from the Cecil family, and the academy has approved it. Even if the president is suspended, that won’t change!”

Cecil?

He recalled the “kind soul” who had sent him five thousand gold coins not long ago.

A warlock family…

Bourn couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. Setting aside the emotional effects of their bloodline, warlocks were the aristocrats of spellcasters—born mages! Their innate talents granted by bloodline, coupled with spells awakened naturally and rigorous study, gave them so many spell slots that they were like walking artillery!

If not for the rise of the arcanists, warlocks in Nather would surely have left a glorious mark in history.

“No, it’s not about competing for the next president—it’s about targeting the current presidency of the Arcane Society itself.”

Lispel’s expression darkened.

Bourn glanced at her in surprise. Was she about to turn to the dark side?

Ever since entering the Arcane Society, he’d heard plenty of whispers, most of them negative remarks about the president—especially with the chip’s help collecting them. If Bourn, on the sidelines, could hear so much, then the president, at the very heart of the storm, must be all too aware.

“That doesn’t add up. If they wanted the presidency, why not compete years ago?”

“It matters—the president’s graduation privilege!” Beron interjected.

“Court Mage?” Bourn asked.

“Court Mage!” Darlene and Jennifer exclaimed.

As the name suggests, a court mage serves the royal family. Graduates most aspire either to remain at the academy or become a court mage. The former needs no elaboration, but the latter’s allure lies in unrestricted access to the royal family’s magical research archives—a tempting prospect for many spellcasters.

But only a handful are admitted as court mages each year, and the president of the Arcane Society is guaranteed a place.

Bourn recalled that he happened to have a royal library pass and mused to himself, “It seems I should find time to copy all those resources into my chip!”

Now, without needing Bourn’s guidance, the members of the Arcane Society began speculating about the prime suspect. The strongest candidate to replace President Lispel was Anderson, especially given his recent abnormal behavior. He was the likeliest culprit!

Anderson would never have imagined that, despite his painstaking efforts to erase all traces, they would deduce his involvement so simply.

Bang!

“I’m going to settle this with him!” Beron slammed a fist on the table in anger and got up to leave.

“Beron, stop,” Lispel called out, blocking his way. “We have no evidence, and besides, he’s the captain of the Arcane Society’s enforcement team!”

“But…”

Beron was clearly unwilling, but with Darlene and Jennifer’s persuasion, he reluctantly sat back down.

Bourn shook his head in silence. With such a temperament—so impulsive! Not only arcanists, but all spellcasters should maintain their composure at all times.

“In truth, even if we do nothing, Cook won’t come to harm,” Bourn said.

The others looked at him in confusion.

“If we can deduce this, so can others. The DuPont family won’t sit by while their heir is convicted—that would be devastating to their reputation. Once this ‘corruption scandal’ passes, Cook will be bought back. In the end, everything has its price—if you pay enough, even the gods will make allowances!”

Finally, Bourn added calmly, “Of course, once Cook is redeemed, he’ll be stripped of his inheritance.”

“That would ruin his entire life! Is there really no other way?” Beron protested with dismay.

“There is a way to save Cook,” Bourn replied.

“What is it?” the others asked, hope rekindled.

“Find the person who traded with Cook and have him testify.”

Their initial joy faded into disappointment.

They’d thought of this at the start, but such private transactions were nearly impossible to trace. The value of magical materials meant strict confidentiality about personal information, and the actual trading parties were usually intermediaries.

Given the typical ways of the nobility, not only would the whistleblower’s identity be concealed, but even the intermediary might have vanished from the world altogether.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle that,” Bourn said. “For now, I need your cooperation.”

“How should we cooperate?”

“Act.”

“Act?”

“Yes.”

…

Sevendon, the Black Market.

“You’re not staying at the Arcane Society?” Bourn asked, glancing curiously at Lispel.

“No need—my absence will help Beron and the others cover things up more easily.” Lispel gazed straight at Bourn. “Besides, I’ve realized that, apart from magic, there’s still much I need to learn.”

Bourn suddenly pictured a scene in his mind.

Ding! Apprentice +1!

…