The conference chamber prepared for the meeting was elegant, formal, and utterly devoid of warmth.
A long polished table stretched through the center of the room.
Documents were stacked neatly at each seat.
Guards stood motionless near the walls.
And at the head of the chamber sat Testarossa.
To her right sat Cien, Minister of Finance.
The Primordial White rested one hand against her cheek while reviewing a thin folder.
Her expression was calm.
Pleasant, even.
Which only made the nobles more nervous.
One by one, the invited aristocrats entered.
Count Aldred Vespont.
Baron Theodor Marn.
Countess Elise Dervain.
Viscount Roland Estier.
Baroness Celina Harcourt.
And Count Gerard Valmont.
All of them had once held significant influence under the previous regime.
All of them were implicated in the kingdom's financial audit.
As they took their seats, each offered increasingly elaborate compliments.
Count Valmont bowed deeply.
"Lady Testarossa, your wisdom and elegance continue to inspire us."
Baroness Harcourt smiled nervously.
"Indeed. Coleus has never looked more prosperous."
Viscount Estier added quickly.
"The kingdom is fortunate beyond measure to benefit from your extraordinary administration."
Countess Dervain placed one hand over her heart.
"Your leadership is already being praised throughout the capital."
Testarossa did not respond.
Not even a nod.
Not even a glance.
The nobles slowly fell silent.
Once everyone was seated, Testarossa closed her folder.
The soft sound echoed like a judge's gavel.
"Good morning."
Her voice was smooth and courteous.
The nobles answered in unison.
"Good morning, Lady Testarossa."
Testarossa folded her hands.
"The purpose of today's meeting is straightforward."
Her eyes moved across the table.
"A financial review has revealed substantial irregularities in the administration of the kingdom under the previous government."
Several nobles shifted in their seats.
"Rather than rely upon assumptions," she continued calmly, "I have asked our Minister of Finance to present the findings in detail."
She turned slightly.
"Lord Cien."
Cien rose smoothly from his seat.
He adjusted his glasses.
Then opened a large ledger.
"Thank you, Lady Testarossa."
The atmosphere in the room tightened instantly.
Cien's tone remained perfectly measured.
"Over the past week, the Ministry of Finance conducted a full review of treasury records from the last seven fiscal years."
He turned the first page.
"The results indicate systematic embezzlement, fraudulent contracts, and unauthorized diversions of public funds."
No one spoke.
Cien looked to the first noble.
"Count Gerard Valmont."
The count stiffened.
"As former Minister of Public Works, you authorized twelve major road restoration projects between Years 1 485 and 1 495."
Cien slid several documents onto the table.
"Inspection confirms that eight of these projects were either incomplete or never initiated."
He adjusted his glasses.
"A total of 41,800 Dwargon Gold ($27,170,000) was allocated."
He turned another page.
"Of this amount, 29,450 Gold ($19,142,500) was transferred to shell companies controlled by your family."
Count Valmont went pale.
"I… there must be some misunderstanding."
Cien continued without acknowledging him.
"Additionally, your estate in South Coleus underwent renovations valued at approximately 8,700 Gold ($5,655,000) during the same period."
The count lowered his eyes.
Cien moved to the next name.
"Baron Theodor Marn."
The baron swallowed hard.
"As Deputy Quartermaster of the Royal Army, you approved procurement contracts for 3,200 suits of desert armor."
He turned a page.
"Only 1,050 suits were ever delivered."
A pause.
"The missing funds total 18,900 Gold ($12,285,000)."
The baron's hands began to shake.
Cien continued.
"Furthermore, treasury records show 4,200 Gold ($2,730,000) used to purchase racehorses, exotic wines, and imported furnishings for your private residence."
Theodor Marn looked as though he might faint.
"Countess Elise Dervain."
The countess straightened rigidly.
"As former Director of Commerce, you imposed unauthorized 'administrative fees' upon merchant guilds."
Cien's voice remained cool.
"These revenues, totaling 12,640 Gold ($8,216,000), were diverted into accounts under your direct control."
He turned another page.
"An additional 6,300 Gold ($4,095,000) was used to acquire a private estate in the Kingdom of Ingrassia."
The countess's lips trembled.
Cien continued methodically.
"Viscount Roland Estier."
"As Provincial Tax Commissioner, you underreported agricultural revenues by 9,870 Gold ($6,415,500)."
"Baroness Celina Harcourt."
"As Keeper of the Royal Granaries, you diverted grain subsidies and sold state reserves for personal gain totaling 15,260 Gold ($9,919,000)."
"Count Aldred Vespont."
"As Senior Advisor to the Crown, you received undisclosed 'consultation stipends' and redirected emergency relief funds amounting to 22,480 Gold ($14,612,000)."
The room had become deathly silent.
Only the turning of pages could be heard.
Then Cien reached the final summary.
He placed a consolidated report before Testarossa.
"The total amount of confirmed misappropriated state funds is 114,900 Dwargon Gold ($74, 685, 000)."
Several nobles visibly paled.
Cien adjusted his glasses one final time.
"These figures reflect only the amounts substantiated through available records."
He looked around the table.
"Further investigation may reveal additional losses."
He closed the ledger.
The sharp sound seemed to reverberate through the chamber.
"That concludes my report."
Cien sat down calmly.
The nobles stared at the documents before them.
Detailed.
Precise.
Irrefutable.
Every transaction.
Every forged signature.
Every hidden transfer.
Every stolen coin.
Laid bare.
At the head of the table, Testarossa folded her hands and smiled.
---
For several long seconds after Cien finished his report, no one in the room spoke.
The nobles sat frozen.
The ledgers before them might as well have been execution orders.
Every theft.
Every forged transaction.
Every diverted treasury allocation.
All documented in meticulous detail.
There was no room for denial.
How they gathered all this information in such a short time was staggering.
And yet—
Humans were remarkably persistent when cornered.
Count Gerard Valmont was the first to recover.
He forced a brittle smile.
"Lady Testarossa…"
He spread his hands in a conciliatory gesture.
"I believe this matter is being interpreted too harshly."
Testarossa regarded him calmly.
"Too harshly?"
Valmont nodded eagerly.
"Large government projects often involve accounting irregularities."
"Delays."
"Unexpected expenses."
"Surely these discrepancies can be explained."
Cien adjusted his glasses.
"Then by all means, explain why state funds were used to construct a private bathhouse featuring imported dwarven marble."
Valmont's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Baron Theodor Marn jumped in immediately.
"The military contracts were issued during a difficult period."
"Supplies were limited."
"Prices fluctuated."
Cien turned one page.
"The 'supply fluctuations' in question include twelve crates of imported wine and a stable of six racing horses."
The baron wilted visibly.
'How does he know all this?'
As to how they had all this information. Well that was thanks to the handy work of Moss.
Countess Elise Dervain attempted a different strategy.
"This is all ancient history."
"The kingdom has moved on."
"Surely there is no need to dwell on past administrative misunderstandings."
Testarossa's smile sharpened.
"Misunderstandings?"
Dervain swallowed.
"Perhaps… a poor choice of words."
Viscount Roland Estier leaned forward desperately.
"These actions were common practice under the previous administration."
"There was an established culture."
Baroness Celina Harcourt nodded frantically.
"Yes!"
"We were merely following precedent."
Testarossa tilted her head.
"So your defense is that corruption was routine."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances.
Count Aldred Vespont cleared his throat.
"What my colleagues mean to say is that the old government encouraged certain… flexible financial practices."
Cien wrote something in the margin of his notes.
Vespont stared.
"What are you writing?"
Cien did not look up.
"Additional admissions."
The count went pale.
At this point, the nobles finally understood.
There was no escape through argument.
No loophole.
No negotiation.
The evidence was overwhelming.
And the woman seated before them was entirely unmoved.
The resistance broke all at once.
Countess Dervain fell to her knees.
"Please!"
Baron Marn followed immediately.
"Mercy, Lady Testarossa!"
Valmont's voice shook.
"We can repay the funds!"
Vespont bowed so deeply his forehead struck the floor.
"Please spare our families!"
Soon every noble in the room was kneeling.
Pleading.
Sweating.
Begging.
The sight might have been pitiable.
If not for the scale of what they had stolen.
Testarossa waited until their desperate voices subsided.
Then she spoke.
Her tone remained calm.
Professional.
Almost gentle.
"You will be formally arrested."
The nobles froze.
"Your cases will be presented before the kingdom's judiciary."
Her eyes gleamed.
"The Chief Prosecutor, Lady Ultima, will oversee the charges."
Several nobles turned visibly white.
Even those unfamiliar with Ultima had heard enough rumors to know that appearing before her was not an encouraging prospect.
Testarossa continued.
"You will be tried according to the laws of Coleus."
"If convicted, you will face penalties appropriate to your crimes."
She folded her hands.
"In addition, all personal and family assets connected to the embezzled funds will be seized."
Gasps filled the room.
Valmont looked up in horror.
"Our estates?"
"Yes."
"Our accounts?"
"Yes."
"Our businesses?"
"Yes."
Testarossa smiled pleasantly.
"The stolen wealth belongs to the people of Coleus."
"It will be returned to them."
At that precise moment, the conference room doors opened.
Agera stepped inside.
The ancient swordsman's presence filled the room with disciplined authority.
Behind him marched several heavily armed soldiers.
Each moved with silent precision.
Agera bowed respectfully to Testarossa.
"Lady Testarossa."
She inclined her head.
"Please proceed."
Agera turned toward the nobles.
His expression was stern.
"You will come with us."
There was no room for argument.
The soldiers moved immediately.
Count Valmont was lifted to his feet.
Baron Marn began sobbing openly.
Countess Dervain clutched at the table until two soldiers gently but firmly removed her hands.
One by one, the disgraced aristocrats were escorted from the chamber.
Their protests echoed faintly down the corridor.
Promises.
Excuses.
Desperate pleas.
None of it mattered.
At last, the room fell silent.
Only Testarossa, Cien, and Agera remained.
Agera bowed once more.
"The detainees will be secured."
"Excellent," Testarossa replied.
Agera departed with his soldiers.
Cien closed the final ledger.
"The treasury will recover substantially from these seizures."
Testarossa nodded.
"An excellent beginning."
She rose from her chair and walked toward the window.
Below, the capital bustled with life.
Merchants opened their shops.
Children played in the streets.
Workers rebuilt roads and storefronts.
The kingdom was already changing.
And for once—
The money stolen from the people would return to the people.
Testarossa exhaled softly.
Then sighed.
"Now…"
She turned back toward Cien.
"…I have to visit the Guild Master."
For the first time that morning, genuine fatigue entered her voice.
Cien adjusted his glasses.
"A far more troublesome task than arresting corrupt nobles."
Testarossa smiled faintly.
"Without question."
---
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