With the dawn sun pouring golden light over Amande's noble district, Liselotte Cretia stood tall before the Council of Regional Lords. Dressed in a regal sapphire gown with silver trim that matched her eyes, she looked every bit the noblewoman—but those who knew her saw the steel beneath her calm demeanor.
The hall echoed as she raised her voice.
Liselotte:
"I present to this council undeniable proof of treason, spirit trafficking, and dark sorcery—conducted beneath your very estates, funded by your vaults."
Murmurs erupted. The assembled lords shifted uncomfortably. Some scoffed. Others narrowed their eyes.
From the back of the hall, Sam stood with a heavy tome in hand—one of the decrypted ledgers he had risked much to obtain. His illusion charm still held, making him appear human.
Sam (firmly):
"These are records pulled directly from the secret archives beneath House Belthrone's estate. They document spirit beast extractions, illegal enchantments, and shipments of arcane residue. All signed by members of the Obsidian Council."
He dropped the book onto the marble floor with a dramatic thud. Some nobles paled at the sound.
Lord Remen (coldly):
"This is slander. Who is this… outsider?"
Liselotte (icy calm):
"He is my advisor. And the documents are not forged. If you doubt them, you're welcome to challenge me with a public audit."
Gasps followed. Public audits were rare, humiliating, and dangerous for corrupt lords.
The room fell silent.
Then from a side door, Jon walked in—slowly, leaning on a cane, the right side of his face bandaged where his eye had been. Despite the injury, his presence commanded the room. His spiritual pressure, even subdued, made more than one lesser noble instinctively flinch.
Jon (quiet but firm):
"You've ignored your duties long enough. We're not here to beg for justice. We're here to restore it."
The crowd trembled. And Liselotte took the cue.
Liselotte:
"Effective immediately, I will begin a formal purge of noble estates suspected of involvement with the Obsidian Council. Any who refuse inspection will be tried as traitors to the crown and enemies of the people."
Her declaration was met with fury, resistance, and ultimately—fear.
The Lady of Amande had declared war on corruption.