Reincarnation of the Strongest Healer

Chapter 1442: Royal Court Part 2

"W-What did you just say??!" The soldier exclaimed in a baffled tone. "Are you trying to disrespect the royal guards of the Aetheria Empire?"

As soon as he finished his words, his subordinates began drawing their weapons, seemingly ready to detain Xu Feng on the spot.

"Please wait a second—" Jessica realized things were escalating too fast. She wanted to stop the farce, but Xu Feng simply placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

"Disrespect, you say, huh?" Xu Feng snickered as he stepped forward and glared at the soldier.

"What rank are you as the so-called Royal Guard?" He questioned.

"I’m a Captain of the Royal Guard!" The soldier argued.

"A captain of the Royal Guard?" Xu Feng laughed aloud. "If my memory serves me right, a captain is on a similar rank as a Baron. But I am a Viscount! For someone who talked about disrespect, you sure know how to treat a noble with a higher rank than you."

"You–" The soldier was rendered speechless by Xu Feng’s defense. Indeed, his rank might sound impressive to the commoners, but in front of actual nobles, he was just a bit above the Baron noble rank.

After all, the Royal Guard served the Aetheria Empire’s royalty.

So in a sense, they represented them and their reputations. But even then, there were many different factions amongst the royal guards, and they were considered the lowest.

"What ’you’?" Xu Feng didn’t back down and continued to advance, forcing the soldier to retreat in steps. "A mere Captain of the Royal Guard dared to speak to me with his head up. Are you trying to claim that you’re above the Viscount rank or that you’re planning on treason from this time of crisis?"

"Nonsense!" Instantly, the soldier roared in fury. "How dare you try to accuse me of treason when I was merely doing my job?"

"Haha, now ain’t that funny?"

"What’s so funny?"

"I, a noble Viscount, was accused by others of treason and was treated in such a manner without any evidence being shown. The exact same thing I just did to you, and your reaction was like you had swallowed a mouthful of flies. If you cannot accept such an accusation, what makes you think I can accept it?"

The soldier was silent after hearing his claim. He wanted to refute, but found no possible way to do so. Anyone would be in a foul mood if they were accused of treason, especially during this sensitive time.

"I-I apologize for my rude remarks, Viscount Lin Feng." In the end, the soldier chose to apologize for his behavior. After all, he couldn’t possibly have a debate with Xu Feng here when there was still the Court hearing.

He wasn’t lying when the judges and juries were already seated, alongside many audiences—reputed people in the crowd.

"At least you learned to admit your mistake." Xu Feng nodded his head and gestured for him to lead the way.

The soldier agreed and no longer held a contemptuous expression on his face. It wasn’t that he was submitting to Xu Feng, but more so that he knew going against him at this juncture was disadvantageous.

On the off-chance Xu Feng was really proven innocent, then his role as the captain of the Royal Guard would be in jeopardy.

He would rather play it safe than be sorry later by being hostile to Xu Feng.

Sometime later, as the soldier led the way, the commotion could be heard rising exponentially.

"Why is the Royal Court opening to the public?" A nearby passerby who overheard the loud commotion inquired in confusion.

"You haven’t heard? It was said that a recently promoted Viscount has been accused of treason by many nobles."

"Treason from a recently promoted Viscount? It can’t be real, right? Why would they throw away their future to side with those ugly Colossuses?"

"Well, the majority of the nobles said they betrayed us."

"Hmph, you’re saying those nobles who hide behind their luxurious mansion built with protective formations, while the commoners and nobodies were forced to enlist to fight the Colossuses? I’ll be damned if I believe a single word from them!"

"I understand that, but some of the participants are renowned nobles such as Duke Marvin."

Sure enough, when the crowd realized one of the accusers was Duke Marvin, their faces turned pale.

While the crowd was muttering, the soldier led them through the secret passage. The regular people could only enter the Royal Court through the front entrance if they wished to spectate, but for others with high influence or authority, they could simply access the secret passage.

"Halt, state your identity." Right when they were close to exiting the secret passage, a guard raised their hand to stop their advance.

"I’m the Royal Guard Captain Jace, and this person is Receptionist Jessica from the Star Falls City Adventure Guild." The soldier, identified as Jace, introduced himself and Jessica.

When he shifted his sight to Xu Feng, he paused for a brief moment. "As for this person, he’s the accused Viscount, Lin Feng."

"The accused??!" The guard raised an eyebrow and nearly lost his composure.

Without hesitation, the guard grabbed Jace by the arm and pulled him closer. He then whispered, "What is wrong with you in bringing him through the secret passage? Haven’t you received the memo?"

"Memo? What memo?" Jace was visibly confused by the guard’s words.

The guard scrutinized Jace’s reaction, and when he saw the genuine confusion, he couldn’t help but suck in a deep breath.

’Damn it, Duke Marvin’s plan was to have the accused get hounded at the front entrance. But this damn Royal Guard ruined everything.’ The guard could already imagine the consequences if he were to permit them through.

After much struggle, the guard ultimately made a decision.

"Apologies, but the secret passage is only meant for Count and above noble ranks. You will have to turn around and return to where you came from. I don’t know why the Captain Royal Guard brought you here, but it’s against protocol."