CHAPTER 111: CH 111: PIN THE BLAME - PART 3

Kana stood in the middle of the shop, completely frozen, her wide eyes darting from one thrashing guard to the next as the vines continued to tighten around them.

The plants hissed softly, their movements eerily alive, spreading across the floor and walls like creeping shadows.

The guards grunted, shouted, and cursed her name, struggling helplessly against the endless tangle of greenery.

Her chest rose and fell in short, shaky breaths.

She had no idea what to do — no idea how to stop this. More than that... she wasn’t even sure she wanted to help them.

These men weren’t here to protect her. They weren’t here to listen.

They were here to arrest her, drag her off to the temple, and probably throw her into a cell without letting her explain.

"Damn brat! You’re in big trouble for this! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?!"

One of the guards shouted, his face turning red as the vines dug into his wrists.

Kana flinched, biting down on her lower lip. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, but she couldn’t force herself to respond.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess. She didn’t even understand why the plants were reacting like this. It wasn’t like she told them to attack.

The chaos rattled the entire shop, shelves tipping over and pots crashing onto the floor. And then—

The door slammed open.

Penelope stood in the doorway, her apron still half-tied, her expression sharp and unreadable.

Her gaze swept over the scene — the toppled pots, the destroyed shelves, the struggling guards tangled in vines — before she let out a slow, deep sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"...I leave for a day, and you manage to start a war in my shop."

She muttered flatly.

"P-Penelope—!"

Kana stammered, but her voice cracked.

Penelope ignored her, stepping inside calmly.

She reached into her apron pocket, pulled out a small silver bottle, and without a word, sprayed the liquid directly at the plants.

Almost instantly, the vines recoiled, hissing softly like wounded animals before retreating back into their pots and along the cracks of the floorboards.

Within seconds, the shop was quiet again — though thoroughly wrecked — and the three guards stumbled free, panting heavily and glaring at Kana as though they’d like nothing more than to drag her out by force.

"You little—"

The lead guard began, stepping forward threateningly.

"Stop. Before you say something you’ll regret."

Penelope’s voice cut through the room like a blade, cold and final.

The guard froze mid-step but scowled deeply.

"Do you even understand why we’re here? That little brat sold someone a poisonous plant yesterday, and now High Priestess Lumine’s personal attendant has been poisoned! We’re here to arrest her for attempted murder!"

Kana’s breath caught.

"W-What?!"

Penelope’s expression didn’t change. She tilted her head slightly, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the counter.

"Attempted murder? From a sale? ...Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?"

The lead guard stiffened.

"The plant came from this shop."

"And? So what if it did? If someone buys a knife and stabs themselves, do you arrest the blacksmith too? Someone mishandling a poisonous plant is not Kana’s fault."

Penelope’s tone sharpened, her gaze cold enough to freeze the air.

The guards exchanged uncertain looks, their earlier confidence faltering. The second guard rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, muttering.

"...Well, when you put it like that—"

The lead guard quickly cut him off with a sharp glare.

"Shut it. Orders are orders. If you keep causing trouble, we’ll arrest you for obstruction."

He turned back to Penelope, his jaw set stubbornly.

Penelope stared at him silently for a long moment before... smiling. It wasn’t a pleasant smile.

"Go ahead. Try."

She said calmly, adjusting her sleeves.

The tension in the air thickened instantly, but before the guards could respond, Penelope spoke again, this time with a bored sigh.

"Or..."We could handle this properly. If you’re so sure Kana committed a crime, we’ll go to the judge. You present your ’evidence.’ I’ll present mine. Let the law decide."

Her tone softened, though her gaze remained sharp.

The guards hesitated, clearly annoyed but not willing to openly defy her confidence. Finally, the lead guard gritted his teeth and spat.

"Fine. But you’re wasting everyone’s time."

Penelope didn’t answer. Instead, she grabbed Kana by the wrist and marched her out of the shop, dragging the three guards along behind them.

The judge’s office was a small, high-ceilinged chamber lined with wooden shelves and stacks of scrolls. Sitting behind the desk was an older man with stern features and an air of weary authority.

Penelope stepped forward confidently, producing a small crystal device from her pocket.

"Before you make accusations, let’s look at what actually happened."

She said flatly.

The crystal glowed faintly before projecting a translucent image into the air — a recording from the shop’s surveillance system.

The judge leaned forward, watching intently as the scene played out: Kana handing the plant over to a cloaked figure dressed entirely in white, explaining its effects carefully, warning them about its dangers, and even instructing them on safe handling.

At no point did Kana encourage misuse.

When the projection faded, the room fell silent.

The judge looked at the guards.

"...You claim this girl attempted murder?"

The lead guard shifted uncomfortably.

"...She sold the plant—"

"And gave every warning required. Your argument has no foundation."

The judge interrupted sharply.

The guards stiffened but couldn’t refute it.

"As for this wasted time, you’ll compensate the shopkeeper and her assistant. Consider it a lesson in gathering proper evidence before dragging people out of their workplaces."

The judge continued, leaning back in his chair.

The guards’ faces darkened, but they reluctantly handed over a small pouch of gold coins before leaving, muttering curses under their breath.

Kana stood frozen, barely able to process what just happened. Penelope, on the other hand, calmly pocketed the gold and turned to Kana with an expression that was... oddly cheerful.

"Well, that went better than expected. I told you, Kana. Money makes the world go round."

She said.

Kana blinked, still in shock.

"...Y-You helped me because you knew we’d get compensation, didn’t you?"

Penelope smirked, resting a hand on Kana’s shoulder.

"Of course. Remember this, Kana — money doesn’t betray you. People do. Start saving up."

Kana stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or cry.