Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 173: Accusations against Zora

Meanwhile, a faint light bloomed in Prince Kael’s eyes at Zora’s words. Neither Zora called him out nor said anything against. She defended him instead.

Those eyes of his, dark as the deepest night, softened instantly. The stormy chill vanished, replaced by a gentle smile, like clouds parting to reveal sunlight.

His hand around Zora’s shoulder unconsciously tightened. His heart was filled with quiet joy.

She had affirmed him, openly, in front of everyone.

More importantly, she had shown that in her heart, he mattered more than Raphael.

With that knowledge, how could he still feel even a trace of displeasure?

Seeing Prince Kael’s expression change from gloomy to radiant in an instant, Zora felt both amused and helpless.

She had always thought he was a calculating, black-bellied fox. She never expected him to have such an unexpectedly childish side.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Zora spoke again, her voice calm as she tried to break the ice. "Shall we go out and take a look?"

Reesa immediately echoed her. "Yes, let’s go see what Clarissa is stirring up now."

Alaric Von Seraph nodded slightly. Together with Raphael and Sylvandria, he turned and walked out of the dormitory.

Zora and Prince Kael followed. Today’s matter was bound to be settled.

*

Morning Assembly Square;

Clarissa, Silvan, and the others stood atop the high platform, their faces full of sorrow and indignation, recounting their grievances with tears and dramatic flair.

Every sentence was an accusation. Every word painted Zora as heartless and deceitful, leaving her no room for defense, turning her into a villain beyond redemption.

"We paid such a huge price!" Clarissa cried. "Yet the medicine we received turned out to be fake Elixir of Tranquility! Even if there were some minor conflicts between us before, how could she go so far?

Those cultivation resources were everything I had. Now they’ve been deceived away by Zora. Everyone, you must seek justice for me and help me recover my losses!"

The moment Zora and the others arrived at the square, they heard Clarissa’s impassioned performance.

Reesa could not help but sneer.

Clarissa was truly shameless.

Such blatant distortion of truth, spoken so smoothly, without the slightest hint of guilt.

What a pity.

This so-called performance was destined not to disgrace Zora, but to become a slap to Clarissa’s own face.

"I really didn’t expect the Elixir of Tranquility from yesterday’s auction to be fake. Could it be that this Elixir was fabricated from beginning to end?"

"I knew it. How could someone like Zora possess three Elixirs of Tranquility when not even the Alchemist Association possessed them?

"Good thing we didn’t win the bid yesterday, or we’d have suffered a huge loss."

"But Clarissa’s words can’t be taken at face value. After all, we didn’t see it with our own eyes. I really don’t think Miss Zora would do something like this."

Hearing murmurs of doubt rise from the crowd, Clarissa’s expression stiffened. She immediately raised her voice, as if a hint of righteous indignation in her tone.

"What I said is the absolute truth! You all say we have conflicts with Zora, so our words can’t be trusted. Fine. Then wait until Morgana Frost comes forward. When she speaks up, will you still doubt it?"

As soon as Morgana’s name was mentioned, the crowd exchanged looks.

If Morgana confirmed it, then this matter would almost certainly be real.

Seeing the wavering expressions around them, Clarissa, Silvan, and the others shared subtle glances. Satisfaction gleamed in their eyes.

Their plan was working.

Adrian caught Clarissa’s look and quietly slipped away from the crowd.

Morgana had long been prepared to cooperate, but Clarissa insisted that her appearance would be most effective at the critical moment. Thus, she had been waiting at a distance, watching silently.

The moment Adrian came to notify her, Morgana immediately put on an indignant expression and strode into the academy grounds.

After listening to Clarissa and the others’ tearful accusations, she stepped forward, her voice filled with righteous anger.

"They’re right! The Elixir of Tranquility auctioned by Zora has no effect at all!"

Clarissa’s eyes lit up. "Morgana, you finally came! Didn’t the Elixir of Tranquility you took have any effect either?"

Morgana nodded heavily, her face filled with resentment.

"That’s right. I paid such a high price to get that Elixir of Tranquility, and yet it didn’t even produce the slightest effect. Zora has gone too far!"

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

Morgana was an alchemist. If even she said so, then the matter seemed unquestionable.

"So even I trusted Zora, but she turned out to be a fraud?"

"This is too shameful. I said long ago that she wasn’t a real alchemist. How could her medicine possibly be reliable?"

"How could the academy tolerate such a black sheep? No wonder she only dared to auction inside the school. If this were outside, she’d be ruined already!"

Just as the discussion reached its peak, a calm and unhurried group appeared at the edge of the crowd.

Zora had arrived.

The moment she appeared, countless gazes snapped toward her, excitement flickering in many eyes.

A good show was clearly about to begin.

Clarissa saw her and immediately put on a look of forced grievance, a trace of smugness flashing deep in her eyes.

"Zora, you’ve really gone too far! Even if there was bad blood between us, how could you sell fake medicine to me?"

Zora curled her lips into a faint, mocking smile. Folding her arms, she looked at Clarissa as if watching a performance.

"Go on," she said lightly. "Keep acting."

Those simple words made Clarissa’s expression instantly turn ugly.

She didn’t understand why. No matter the situation, Zora always seemed calm, as though victory was already in her grasp.

Clearly, Zora was the one standing at a disadvantage now. One misstep and her reputation would be shattered.

So why did she still look so relaxed... almost amused?

It was the first time Gabriel had seen Zora in person.

The moment his gaze fell on her, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

Before today, he had only heard rumors. He never imagined that Zora would be so breathtakingly beautiful. Even standing beside the acknowledged first beauty, Sylvandria, she was not inferior in the slightest.

On the contrary, the confidence shining in her eyes was dazzling, like the brilliance of an era itself. Even Sylvandria’s gentle elegance seemed faint by comparison.

Clarissa felt a surge of unease at Zora’s calm, unhurried demeanor. Once that feeling registered, her expression immediately darkened.

"Zora, make it clear! What exactly do you mean by this?" Clarissa demanded loudly.

Zora’s red lips curved into a smile that was neither warm nor cold. Her narrow, beautiful eyes carried undisguised disdain.

"What do I mean?" she asked lightly. "Aren’t you the one who knows best what you’ve done?"

Clarissa’s face stiffened. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about. All I know is that your medicine has no effect! You must return the cultivation resources, and you must be punished!"

"Clarissa, don’t smear people with baseless accusations!" Reesa snapped, unable to hold back any longer as she strode forward.

Seeing Clarissa’s arrogance made her blood boil.

"Reesa, I’m talking about Zora’s matter. What business is it of yours?" Clarissa frowned, already wary. She knew Reesa’s mouth was sharp, and arguing with her would only end badly.