I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree-Chapter 81 - How Can I Win Against an Actor? (2/3)

Back at the trial, Tyril stepped onto the stage with firm resolve and took his seat in the witness box.

“Wait a minute, Tyril! Weren’t you expelled from the academy? How are you here?!” Donny shouted, pointing at him.

For a moment, Donny’s composure, which he had struggled to maintain in the Emperor’s presence, shattered.

“His Majesty granted him permission to enter,” Luca explained.

Before Odysseus entered the academy, Virgil had already brought Tyril to the gate. Tyril had personally approached the Emperor to request permission.

Despite Giovanni’s attempts to stop Odysseus, arguing that allowing Tyril back would break the rules, the Emperor, eager for a spectacle, had readily agreed.

With the Emperor’s permission, Tyril had accompanied the group to the hall, making his entrance at the perfect moment to shatter Donny’s psychological defenses.

“Tyril! How dare you betray me?!” Donny couldn’t hold back, resorting to threats before Tyril could speak.

“Donny, please refrain from threatening the witness. You are already in serious violation of trial protocol. Consider this your first warning,” Olivia said sternly, maintaining her composure despite the presence of high-ranking figures, including Giovanni.

Odysseus nodded approvingly.

“Duke William, your eldest daughter takes after you,” he remarked.

“Haha, Your Majesty flatters me. Compared to Princess Elsa, Olivia is still a fledgling compared to a phoenix,” William replied humbly.

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Giovanni couldn’t bring himself to smile.

He had mocked Lucius’ child earlier, only for his own child to now be in trouble. Giovanni wanted nothing more than to march onto the stage and slap Donny awake.

Threatening someone in the Emperor’s presence—was Donny trying to ruin their family’s reputation?

On stage, Tyril took a deep breath, meeting Donny’s furious glare before turning to address the audience.

“I, Tyril, am currently in a clear state of mind and body, and I have not been subjected to any coercive or manipulative magic. Everything I am about to say is entirely true and can be used as testimony.”

With that, Tyril began to reveal all the details of what Donny had instructed him to do.

He laid out everything, step by step, including how Donny and he had planned each scheme, how Donny had provided him with money and manpower, and how these resources had been used. Nothing was left out.

“Tyril!” Donny couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted, attempting to interrupt Tyril. But Tyril, as if deaf to Donny’s outburst, continued speaking without faltering.

Instead, it was Donny who was scolded by his father, Giovanni.

“Donny, how many times have I taught you? Maintain the dignity of a noble!” Giovanni reprimanded sharply.

Under his father’s stern scolding, Donny managed to regain some composure.

He began to reflect on his current situation.

He was completely cornered. Orson had orchestrated an elaborate trap and even brought Emperor Odysseus into the mix. In such circumstances, even if his father wanted to protect him, it seemed unlikely that he could do so.

Thinking this, a wave of sorrow swept over Donny’s heart.

As Tyril finished recounting everything, coupled with the ledger detailing the money Donny had given him, there was no doubt—Donny was utterly trapped.

“Your Majesty…” At this moment, Giovanni, as a father, could no longer sit still. He wanted to plead with Odysseus on Donny’s behalf.

But Odysseus simply shook his head and then turned to Luca.

“Headmaster Luca, you know that the royal family has always strongly supported the Imperial Academy’s independence. We will not interfere—just handle this matter according to the rules.”

Odysseus’ words were not only directed at Luca but also at Giovanni, completely extinguishing any hope Giovanni had left.

The royal family’s unwavering support for the academy’s autonomy sent a clear message: anyone attempting to pressure the academy would be directly opposing the royal family.

While the dukes wielded greater influence in their own territories, this was Saint Roland City—the crown jewel of the Emperor’s domain, where every resident’s loyalty lay firmly with the royal family.

“I understand,” Luca said, standing up and walking toward the stage.

He then turned to Donny.

“Student Donny, do you have anything you wish to refute regarding Tyril’s accusations?”

Donny said nothing, merely shaking his head in defeat.

“Very well.” Luca nodded and then looked toward Orson in the audience, pointing at him.

“Then, let’s have Student Council President Orson explain how, according to the academy’s regulations, Student Donny should be dealt with.”

Orson was slightly surprised when Luca called on him, but he nodded and stepped onto the stage amidst the cheers of his classmates.

Luca’s decision was, in fact, quite shrewd. If he were the one to announce Donny’s punishment, he would undoubtedly incur the resentment of the Florence family.

However, by having Orson deliver the verdict, the resulting animosity would remain confined to the Stranik and Florence families.

As Orson stood on the stage, tall and composed, with his strikingly handsome appearance, even Odysseus nodded in satisfaction.

“Duke Lucius, your son is quite impressive as well,” Odysseus remarked.

Eighteen years ago, Odysseus had personally granted Lucius the title of Duke of Antica, a clear sign of their close relationship.

The Empire had not created a new duke in centuries, as granting a dukedom required land, which could not be taken from the existing dukes. Thus, creating a new duke inevitably meant weakening the royal family’s directly controlled territories.

Since then, Lucius had consistently aligned himself with the royal faction in all matters of imperial governance, a gesture of loyalty to repay Odysseus for his trust.

“You flatter me, Your Majesty,” Lucius nodded in acknowledgment, though his expression remained subdued.

After all, Orson wasn’t Lucius’ biological son.

Lucius’ true son, Litte, was the one who had been framed in this incident.

“According to the Imperial Academy’s regulations, bribing Student Council officials, when deemed severe, warrants expulsion. Orchestrating harm against fellow students, or inciting others to do so, and damaging their reputation, warrants expulsion. Assaulting a fellow student and causing injury, when deemed severe, also warrants expulsion.”

Each of Orson’s words landed like a heavy hammer on Donny’s heart.

“In conclusion, with multiple violations combined, Donny is hereby expelled from the Imperial Academy effective immediately and is permanently banned from reapplying.”

“In addition, Young Master Donny is required to apologize to the victim, Junior Litte.” By this point, Orson had already changed the way he addressed Donny—Donny no longer deserved to be considered Orson’s classmate.

Then, Orson motioned for Litte to come up to the stage.

Litte slowly walked up and stood in front of Donny.

“Classmate Donny, please apologize,” Orson said, standing beside Litte.

Donny was visibly displeased. In his mind, Litte had done absolutely nothing throughout this entire ordeal. It had been the Student Council trio who had schemed against him from start to finish, yet now he was being forced to lower his head and apologize to Litte.

Donny couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He felt that he had only lost to Orson, not to Litte.

“Classmate Donny,” Orson’s tone grew firmer. “If you refuse to apologize, the nature of this incident will become even more severe. I suggest you face reality.”

“...” Donny remained silent for a long time. Finally, he bowed deeply to Litte. “I’m sorry, Junior Litte. I was wrong in this matter.”

He spoke loudly, his words echoing across the hall. Then, leaning closer to Litte, he whispered in a voice only they could hear, “But I do envy you. Having such a capable brother, you don’t need to do anything yourself, and all the rewards just fall into your lap. That must feel pretty nice, huh?”

And then, he sat back down.

Just as everyone thought the trial was about to conclude, Virgil walked forward.

Orson saw Virgil, exchanged a glance with him, and smiled.

“Classmate Virgil, is there something else you’d like to address?” Olivia looked at Virgil, sensing that things were not yet over, and directly asked.

Looking at Virgil, for some reason, an ominous feeling surged in Tyril’s heart.

“It’s like this,” Virgil began. “I have another matter to report. Since the trial hasn’t ended yet and His Majesty is still present, this is the perfect opportunity.”

“This is against protocol,” Luca interjected at this moment. “Student Virgil, the trial is not a forum for complaints. If you wish to report something, please follow the proper channels.”

“Of course, I understand, but the person I wish to report is present at this trial.” Virgil smiled, his gaze sweeping over Tyril and Donny before finally settling on Odysseus. “Your Majesty, I would like to ask, if someone uses forbidden magic to endanger another’s physical safety and coerces them into doing something, wouldn’t that already exceed the scope of what the academy is capable of adjudicating?”

Hearing the term “forbidden magic,” everyone present felt a chill in their hearts.

“Student Virgil, this is no trivial matter. By uttering those words, you must take full responsibility for them,” Luca said sternly.

Forbidden magic was officially banned by the Empire. It included spells that defied natural order, such as resurrection. The defining characteristic of forbidden magic was its inherent danger—danger not only to the target but also to the caster, who could lose their sanity and sense of self when using such magic.

“Yes.” Virgil nodded. “I wish to report that Student Tyril used forbidden magic to coerce Anya. Specifically, he catalyzed the illness affecting Anya’s mother, turning what was a manageable condition into a critical one. This forced Anya, under immense financial pressure, to assist Tyril in framing Student Litte.”

“We have also detected traces of forbidden magic on Anya’s mother,” Virgil said, taking out a recording crystal. “If you don’t believe me, here is the evidence.”

At the same time, Virgil handed a parchment scroll to Luca.

As a high-ranking mage, Luca naturally recognized what the scroll was at a glance.

“This is a scroll I found in Student Tyril’s room. It carries residual magic energy from being used and can be tested to determine if it was cast by Student Tyril,” Virgil explained.

“Virgil... no, Orson!” Tyril exclaimed, turning to Orson in desperation. “Didn’t you say you’d help clear my name?!”

“I did.” Orson shrugged innocently. “I said I’d help clear your name.”

As he spoke, he walked up to Tyril.

“Now, everyone knows it was Donny who instructed you to do these things. Isn’t your name already cleared?”

As he spoke, Orson patted Tyril on the shoulder.

“I’m simply treating things as they should be. Yes, you were coerced, and that is indeed pitiable. But haven’t you committed your own share of wrongs?”

“You could have chosen not to use the forbidden scroll, but you did. You could have destroyed it after using it, but you kept it, thinking it might be useful later. Isn’t all of this the result of your own greed?”

“You reap the consequences of your own actions.”

As he said this, Orson smiled, then left Tyril.

Looking at Tyril, who stood frozen in place, Donny also revealed a rare smile.

“Hahaha, Tyril, see what happens when you betray me? This is your fate!” Donny said, mocking Tyril without restraint.

In the Empire, the use of forbidden magic was a grave crime, and the private possession of magical scrolls carried significant penalties as well. Both offenses were enough to result in several years of imprisonment.

While nobles could sometimes claim the excuse of “temporarily safeguarding” forbidden magical scrolls in their households to avoid punishment, the moment such scrolls were used, it ceased to be a matter of “safeguarding.”

Although Donny didn’t know the origin of Tyril’s forbidden magical scroll, as long as he remained uninvolved, he didn’t care about its source.

“Tyril!” At this point, Luca, having inspected the magical scroll and confirmed its residual energy, turned to Tyril with a sharp and severe gaze. “Tell me, where did you obtain this magical scroll?”

Tyril froze for a moment, then turned to Luca and said:

“Headmaster Luca, I... I don’t know... I found this scroll while organizing my dormitory’s storage room. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. You have to believe me!”

As he spoke, Tyril knelt to the floor, tears streaming down his face.

Forbidden magic was not a trivial matter. Other offenses might allow for some leniency, but using forbidden magic, especially to harm others, was a crime of the highest order.

It was a charge that could very well see him spend the rest of his life in prison.

“Still trying to lie!” Luca’s anger flared at Tyril’s words.

By now, no one present was willing to believe Tyril.

“Headmaster Luca,” at this moment, Odysseus suddenly spoke up. “Since this case involves the use of forbidden magic, it goes beyond the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy. If possible, please hand him over to us.”

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“Understood.” Luca nodded.

Following Odysseus’ directive, the soldiers surged forward and escorted Tyril away.

“Hahaha, see? This is the price of betraying me!” Donny continued to jeer at Tyril from the stage.

Odysseus raised his hand again, signaling the soldiers to take Donny away as well.

Donny was still laughing when the soldiers approached him. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that he too would be led away. His initial reaction was one of vehement refusal.

“What are you doing?! Didn’t you hear Tyril? That scroll wasn’t given to him by me!” Donny shouted, even turning to beg his father for help.

“Father, help me! Please help me! I’m innocent!”

Giovanni rose from his seat and approached Donny, his expression heavy with anger.

“Donny, I am very disappointed in you,” he said coldly, signaling the soldiers to proceed. He made no move to plead with the Emperor on Donny’s behalf.

And so, the soldiers dragged Donny away, his cries growing fainter as he was taken further from the hall.

“What an entertaining drama this has been,” William said, glancing at Lucius with a smile.

“Haha, indeed, it wasn’t a wasted trip,” Lucius replied, chuckling.

“To think Orson would act so decisively,” William remarked, standing up. “It seems he paid no heed to maintaining any semblance of goodwill between the two families. With things as they are, Lucius, it looks like I’m the only one left for you to rely on.”

Lucius merely looked at Orson on the stage and said nothing.

With both suspects taken away, the trial officially came to an end.

Considering the sudden discovery of forbidden magic and the need to investigate further, Odysseus also canceled the evening banquet, leaving the dukes to make their own arrangements.

Those with children at the academy naturally chose to have dinner with them within the campus, while the others departed the academy grounds.