A few days later, the verdict for Irina Zi was finally delivered.
With Liyakade and the others’ testimonies, Irina Zi’s false mask was completely torn off.
Bullying classmates in secret, monitoring the movements of the royal family at will, damaging royal interests, and even harming the Princess—these actions pushed the Chancellor and their entire family into the spotlight.
The Academy expelled Irina Zi without hesitation.
When the King learned of this, he was furious.
Someone had dared to harm the Princess within the Kingdom.
The King’s original intent was to execute Irina Zi on the spot.
However, after the Chancellor’s desperate pleas, the King relented, sentencing Irina Zi to life imprisonment, to spend the rest of her days in prison.
At the same time, the Chancellor was punished, most of their rights and property revoked, and they were forbidden from participating in state affairs for a year.
Meanwhile, the King scolded Field for not informing him of the matter sooner.
In response, Field simply said she didn’t want to involve adults in this, but in truth, she was worried Irina Zi might go down with a fight and kill Liyakade before being captured.
However, on the day they broke into Irina Zi’s Mansion, Irina Zi recognized the power as belonging to the Demon Race.
She tried to use this as a counterattack, but the Exorcist found no trace of the Demon Race’s presence on Liyakade or the others, and a thorough search yielded no evidence.
Irina Zi’s final hope was utterly shattered.
In the end, Irina Zi was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Liyakade’s ownership was awarded to Field.
Although the process was full of twists and turns, the matter was resolved satisfactorily.
“Congratulations, Miss Liakade.”
Alice clapped her hands, genuinely happy for Liyakade.
“I’m happy, really, but what the hell is this ownership thing!”
The three of them walked toward the classroom.
Liyakade had never felt so at ease on the Academy streets.
The stares that once followed her had finally faded.
She could finally walk under the sun, free from Irina Zi’s control and restraints.
She no longer had to worry about pretending to bully Alice without Irina Zi noticing, didn’t have to watch Irina Zi’s mood, nor be subjected to senseless abuse.
She could greet peaceful nights and restful sleep every day.
“Ownership is just ownership. It’s a whole thirty million, so you’d better behave, Liyakade.”
Field looked at Liyakade smugly, clearly pleased with the court’s decision.
“How does this feel any different from just switching masters…”
Liyakade complained helplessly.
“Hehe, it’s already a huge improvement, isn’t it? I won’t make you sign any contracts or disturb you in the middle of the night… but if you want, I won’t say no.”
Field showed a mischievous smile, obviously thinking something wicked.
“Uh, I’ll pass.”
Liyakade stretched lazily and walked ahead of the two.
By now, Liyakade had carved out a new worldline beyond the original story.
Though there were still many things she didn’t fully understand, they no longer seemed to matter.
The distance from the original bad ending seemed to grow ever farther.
Her relationship with the Protagonist Party was good, and she had eliminated Irina Zi, the villainess who had controlled her.
Without her blood sacrifice and instigation, the Demon King’s resurrection would be delayed.
The Demon Race and the Kingdom probably wouldn’t start a war.
There was nothing left to threaten Liyakade’s survival.
The only lingering danger was her hidden Demon Bloodline, but Liyakade couldn’t think of any situation where it might come into play.
However…
In the shadows where the three could not sense, a secret gaze still watched them.
“They couldn’t even be killed by a Dark Treant, and even toppled the Chancellor’s Daughter.”
“Forget it. Irina Zi was always an unexpected variable. With or without her, nothing changes. I can’t let the Light Woman develop further. It seems… I must take action myself. The Demon King’s Blood Sacrifice… you all will be the offerings…”
The figure in the darkness hunched slightly, turned, and melted into the shadows.