The Freak Show Foreman

"Indeed, but what’s the use? Her paramour is a wandering murder suspect," another replied.

"She’s completely lost her mind, tsk tsk. It looks like Lady Vergson’s social standing is now ruined."

As time passed, the chaotic atmosphere showed no signs of calming down.

Her declaration as the defense attorney was that shocking.

A judge banged his gavel forcefully.

Thunk.

The clear resonance of the ebony wood pierced through the crowd sharply.

"Order! Maintain order!" he shouted several times, eventually calming the commotion with great difficulty.

The presiding judge had also been taken aback by Lady Vergson’s choice of defense, but as a seasoned jurist, he calmly managed the situation.

The accuser, the accused, and the attorney – all the elements of the trial were now in place.

As he was about to open the proceedings, the Viscount Dosville raised his hand and interjected, wearing his characteristic smug smile.

"This is unexpected. Lady Anais herself as the defense attorney. It seems your concerns for your beloved have driven you to this extreme. Worried that your paramour’s head might roll?"

The outcome of the trial no longer mattered. This case was not about catching the criminal; it was about tarnishing the opponent’s honor. Depending on how she responded, the game could be decided in an instant.

All eyes were fixed on Anais, even the judge had forgotten what he was about to say and was staring at her.

Anais took a calm breath and then turned to the audience, displaying a serene smile.

"Heh, it seems such rumors have spread in society. That I am infatuated with my lord."

She tilted her head as if she found it preposterous.

"I originally planned to announce this after the opening ceremony, but given the circumstances, I think I should reveal it now," she said in a calm and composed voice.

"All the rumors are based on misunderstandings. There is nothing between me and Ringmaster Wonderstein."

Here, Anais glanced briefly at the defendant’s seat.

Wonderstein forced a bitter smile.

Viscount Dosville extended his arms as if to express his astonishment.

"So, you climbed into the courtroom for someone with whom you have no connection? For a wandering suspect in a murder case? Impressive! How can you make such a judgment…?"

Anais seemed to ignore his words as if there was no point in responding and continued with her prepared statement.

"You must have heard about my incurable disease."

When she mentioned her illness, many members of the audience nodded. Some whispered explanations to those who didn’t know.

She waited for people to settle down and then continued speaking.

"Dr. Frank Wonderstein cured my illness. Even medical doctors said it was incurable. I decided to support the circus out of gratitude."

Her declaration caused a commotion in the courtroom.

"He cured an incurable disease?"

"By a mere magician?"

"She supported an unknown circus for that reason?"

The courtroom became as chaotic as it was earlier.

However, this time, the judge didn’t need to wield the gavel. As Anais continued speaking, everyone began to focus on her words.

"That’s why I became the defense attorney. When someone’s life is at stake, how can I just stand by? It’s for the sake of the noble’s honor."

After her words, Lord Mustang clenched his fist secretly.

Her becoming the defense attorney was originally a move that would tarnish the noble’s honors. But it had suddenly turned into a noble act.

People nodded in agreement with her words.

"Well, if a benefactor’s life is in danger…"

"It’s more dishonorable to haggle over one’s pride."

If Viscount Dosville had not thrown the "immediate execution" clause to shake her earlier, people might have wondered why she even had to step forward. However, his strong threat had actually given her a legitimate reason to do so.

He realized he had played into her hands when the realization hit that this was her way of counterattacking. He had not expected this kind of response.

Nevertheless, he did not stay silent. He tried to find flaws in her statement in his own way.

"Was traveling together for a month also a part of repaying that favour?"

It was a decent attack, given the circumstances, but Anais responded with a shrug, as if to say, "Why ask such a thing?"

"It was for follow-up treatment. Can a severe illness like that just be cured overnight?"

"Ugh."

Viscount Dosville swallowed his frustrated groan.

Despite his anger, he had no more grounds to attack her with the "rumor."

The audience members were now well aware of who the victor was in this preliminary trial.

It seemed like there was more to this all along.

Come to think of it, it coincided perfectly with the announcement of the sponsor’s support and the sudden improvement in Lady Anais’s health.

I’ve seen Lady Anais’s machines before. Living with such a condition for a lifetime must be incredibly challenging. If someone could cure that illness, then…

That magician is quite remarkable as well. What kind of talent does he possess to heal illnesses that even doctors have given up on?

Travelers and gypsies often possess strange knowledge.

[The Circus Troupe’s Reputation has increased by 10.]

Wonderstein breathed a sigh of relief as he read the message that had just appeared.

Initially, it had seemed like everything was coming to an end, but Lady Anais had turned the situation around with her eloquent speech. Experience more tales on m v|l e’m,p| y- r

With this, the rumor was effectively neutralized, and they could focus entirely on the case at hand.

However, the trap she had set was not yet over.

As public opinion began to turn in their favour, she shouted a barb in the direction of the prosecuting side.

"Let’s make sure that all the other despicable traps you’ve prepared are completely exposed today."

The Viscount Dosville swallowed hard.

The choice of the words "other despicable traps" was quite subtle.

Originally, the rumor and the trial were separate matters.

However, she had cleverly linked the rumor and the trial as traps prepared by the other side.

In other words, she subtly implied that just as the rumor had been baseless, the trial was going to turn out the same way.

This was another instance of using the opponent’s moves against them.

They had originally tried to attack by associating the trial with political conspiracy, and now, they were facing a counterattack that framed this trial as their opponent’s political conspiracy.

The previously demoralized audience members from the defendant’s side cheered loudly.

They had gained both credibility and moral high ground.

[The Circus Troupe’s Reputation has increased by 3.]

With a series of logical arguments that lacked strong profanity or dramatic reversals, she had masterfully turned the situation around.

Wonderstein honestly admired her skills.

Among the games he had played, there were many that required intricate strategic battles and cunning maneuvers.

But those were games played from the perspective of an all-knowing observer, stacking clues and playing the game from behind a monitor.

He lacked the ability to eloquently and convincingly speak in a face-to-face setting where mistakes and retries were not allowed. Her achievement and the confident smile she wore afterward were truly impressive and beautiful.

They locked eyes, both wearing hesitant smiles. It was as if the memories of hurting each other came flooding back when they started to like each other.

Just as she was about to say something to him, a loud shout echoed through the hall.

"Woohoo! Go, Wonderstein!"

The voice was familiar, and everyone in the hall knew its owner. The man with rooster feather ornaments on his back, a rooster comb-like beard, and a mohawk hairstyle rose from his seat, shouting words of encouragement towards Wonderstein.

From the moment the trial began, there had been a group with a somewhat positive view of Wonderstein. When it became clear that Wonderstein was framed, their sympathy for him grew. They even expressed anger when mockery was directed at him from the audience.

These people were from another circus group. While it was becoming common for noble and even lower aristocracy to be part of circus groups nowadays, performers like clowns and acrobats were still looked down upon. Many acrobats were orphaned or commoners, and there were a significant number of wanderers among them.

Originally, the circus itself had its roots in the artistic activities of the wandering Romani people, and they had an inseparable relationship with it. In fact, among the circus troupes, there were usually one or two wanderers among the performers, and there were even troupe leaders who were themselves wanderers.

Even those who weren’t wanderers had experienced unfair treatment because of their status as traveling entertainers. Especially, people who had been leaders of circus groups for over fifteen years had experienced much worse times than today.

That’s why what happened to Wonderstein felt different from the usual.

"Go, Wonderstein!"

Clang, clang.

"Silence! Maintain order!"

The cheers from Minoeva, coupled with the sudden rise in fame, had a positive effect on the audience, which quickly translated into increased reputation for the circus.

Wonderstein looked at the man who had stood up with a determined expression. Minoeva was not a character you would befriend in the game. He had often clashed with other acrobats, was always complaining, and was quite jealous. Many players used him for the sole purpose of sending him off to die.

However, the current Minoeva seemed different from the one in the game. After all, it was a time when he was at the height of his frustration, having been eliminated from the Circus Grand Prix preliminary round two and a half years later.

So, it was only natural that he would harbor resentment and complaints and be envious of others’ success.

It was a case of time changing people, just like Allen and Jo.

Thinking back, Wonderstein realized that Minoeva had every reason to grumble about having his interview stolen.

Watching Minoeva, he felt a strange sense of admiration. It was like the feeling of discovering the good side of an ugly friend.

The atmosphere in the hall had changed dramatically, and Lord Dosville wore an annoyed expression. He felt the piercing gazes of several high-ranking individuals from the prosecution’s side.

"Damn, who would have thought it would turn out like this?"

He glanced at the woman standing at the defense lawyer’s podium.

Anais Vergsong.

The entire twist had started with her appearance.

The fact that she was personally representing the defense was a massive surprise.

It certainly had him at a loss for words.

The judge, only now realizing his intentions, quickly struck the gavel.

Bang, bang.

"Well, then, we will now convene a provisional trial for the Ghost Incident at the Rose Windmill Cabaret."

The real battle was about to begin.