He chose a relatively compliant path, submitting the carefully collected evidence to the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.
Then, he formally accused Yennefer of her crimes, demanding that the Brotherhood conduct a trial and impose punishment.
As for whether this sorceress would flee at the first sign of trouble during this period of procedural justice, that remained an unknown.
The bloody purge came to a temporary halt at dawn on the third day.
The lingering scent of blood in the air was replaced by a new, tense, and expectant atmosphere... Foltest held a grand Royal Council within the palace.
Almost all the influential nobles, counts, generals, priests, and Mayor Velerad from Vizima were present.
Everyone knew that this was both a celebration of victory.
It was also a declaration of the new power structure and a warning to all potential troublemakers.
Inside the council hall, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
Foltest sat on the throne, his face still showing signs of fatigue.
But his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, scanning the silent nobles below.
He did not dwell on the bloodshed of the past two days but directly steered the conversation towards the hero who saved the princess.
Geralt was the first to be honored; he, in the king's name, praised the Witcher's professional skill and his important role in the operation.
As a reward, he increased the promised five hundred oren to eight hundred oren.
This gesture was both an affirmation of Geralt's merits and an implicit compensation for the previous misunderstanding and his detention.
On the attendant's tray rested a heavy pouch of oren, the golden coins shimmering under the light from the dome.
Geralt stepped forward expressionlessly, bowed briefly, and accepted the money pouch.
His demeanor remained calm and detached, as if the immense wealth and the envious gazes around him had nothing to do with him.
He knew very well that he was not the true protagonist of the day.
Immediately after, the focus of the entire assembly shifted to Karl El.
Foltest's voice became noticeably more solemn and emotional: "And next, we shall honor the greatest contributor to this operation."
"The true hero who, with unparalleled courage, wisdom, and strength, reclaimed my daughter's life from the abyss of the curse—Karl El!"
Under everyone's gaze, two strong attendants carried a child-sized oak chest to the center of the hall and publicly opened its lid.
Instantly, the entire hall seemed to be illuminated by a golden glow; the chest was filled with brand new oren.
They shimmered brilliantly in the light, exuding a suffocating allure.
A chorus of uncontrollable gasps and sharp intakes of breath rose from the crowd.
Many nobles' eyes revealed undisguised longing and envy.
Foltest said in a deep voice: "This chest contains the double reward for your successful lifting of the curse and for providing crucial clues to track down the true culprit, totaling four thousand oren."
Upon hearing this, the nobles discreetly swallowed their saliva.
This enormous sum of four thousand oren was enough to allow any moderately wealthy noble family to live comfortably for many years.
This generosity undoubtedly proclaimed Karl El's almost irreplaceable position in the King's heart to everyone.
However, this astonishing wealth was not the climax of the day.
Foltest slowly rose from the throne, signaling an attendant to present a parchment document tied with a purple ribbon and sealed with a large royal wax seal.
Holding the document, he walked step by step towards Karl El, and the entire hall fell silent.
"Karl El."
"Your bravery not only saved my family but also upheld the dignity of the Temeria Royal Family."
"However, a hero should not be bound by his birth."
"After royal verification and confirmation, you... Karl El, are the son of the loyal Baron Raymond El!"
Foltest's voice was loud and clear, echoing in the silent hall.
As soon as these words were uttered, a wave of suppressed murmurs of surprise immediately broke out below the dais.
The dignitaries exchanged glances; they had guessed that Karl El's background might not be high, but they never expected him to be the illegitimate son of an undistinguished baron.
But the surprise was quickly replaced by greater anticipation, for they knew the main event was coming.
Foltest continued, his tone incredibly solemn: "Today, I, Foltest, in the name and power of the King, solemnly declare here..."
"That I pardon you from all past... legal and societal obstacles endured due to your birth!"
"I recognize the union between your father, Raymond El, and your mother, Elisa El, as a legitimate and sacred marriage!"
Immediately, he personally handed the weighty pardon document to Karl El.
The document not only explicitly declared the legitimization of Karl El's identity.
It also detailed his full inheritance rights to all of his father Raymond's titles, honors, and fiefdoms.
At the end of the document were the clear effective date, place, and the striking crimson lily crest seal, symbolizing the highest authority of Temeria.
"From this moment on, Karl El shall no longer be a bastard, but the legitimate and noble heir to a barony of the Kingdom of Temeria!"
"His honor and rights are protected by the laws of the Kingdom and by my sword!"
Foltest's gaze swept across all the dignitaries in the hall, his voice imbued with unquestionable authority.
The hall was first silent, then erupted into enthusiastic applause and congratulations, perhaps mixed with various complex emotions.
The dignitaries whispered amongst themselves, all marveling at the King's extreme regard for this new noble.
Such public recognition and the granting of full inheritance rights had been extremely rare in recent years.
This meant that a brand new noble family, deeply favored by the King, had officially stepped onto Temeria's political stage.
Karl El took the document; he could feel the weight of the parchment and the slight warmth of the wax seal, and he bowed deeply to Foltest.
To him, this document was inconsequential.
But to Raymond, this was more than just a legal paper.
It meant that the Erl Family finally had a formal heir, and his relationship with Elisa was also recognized.
As of this point, Karl El's purpose in coming to Vizima for the Martial Arts Tournament had been successfully achieved.
Next, he needed to consider when to go to the Temple of Melitele in Erlend to obtain the pardon document from Nenneke.
And... the curriculum at Ban Ard Academy should also be put on the agenda.
The clamor of the Royal Council finally faded, and the magnificent hall gradually emptied.
Karl El carefully put away the pardon document and walked out of the palace with Geralt.
The afternoon sun shone on his face, bringing a hint of warmth, but it could not dispel the tension of the past few days, nor the complex emotions swirling in his heart at this moment.
The corridor was relatively quiet, Geralt stopped, his cat-like eyes, unusually, held a hint of almost imperceptible teasing as he looked at Karl El: "Your Excellency, Baron Heir, how do you feel?"
For more chapters
patreon.com/Robertt45