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Averlion Palace: Imperial Court Hall
The bird chirps on the branch outside of the courtyard. It flaps its wings to fly high above the cloud. The sky is as clear as the ocean surface. Many people had gathered to enter the Imperial Court Hall and respectively takes their place in any available seat.
Luciel had also came to represent his family house, Marquess Phenorr in this trial. He wore a dark green coat pair with white inner shirt and a dark brown pants embellishment of gold around his attire. He take a seat at the front row on the left side.
Sat beside him is the second prince of the Imperial family, Deon Volenix. Another side is occupant with a representative of the Ryuichi family as they only had one offspring which would be a headache to let him go back and forth.
On the right side front row sat two familiar figure that he had not seen for quite a while. One is a female representing the Duke Relianor and another is a male representing the Duke Yoo. One seat is left vacant for a member of Marquess Xue that has yet to arrive.
Aside from the seats in the Imperial Court, there are also Light-Holo System that had been set up for the use of the Elite Noble Lord usage. However, excluding the Marquess Xue there should only ever be four LH System. Yet there's an extra one that had no name and had yet to open the camera.
Speak of the devil he soon arrive with a cold and unrelenting face. When Luciel saw this he was quite puzzled. Surely he had not receive any news from that girl. After all, she had only ever wrote to Devian.
Marquess Xue takes his seat and set his eyes on the unopen LH System. His eyebrows furrowed deeper and his expression becomes more complicated. He then face his glare towards the house of his rivalry. Marquess Ryuichi is simply taking a sip from his cup of tea. He had notice the glare from the old companion and gave a small smirk.
Just then the sound of the Imperial trumpet played across the Imperial Court Hall. All attendance stands in their seat aside from Marquess Xue and the people inside of the LH System. This is not as a sign of protest but it is a request long made by the emperor in their early youth.
"All hail the Everlasting Star of the Empire, Your Majesty! All hail the Glaring Sun of the Empire, Your Highness!"
Everyone said in unison. All but one. The LH System has yet to open the camera. All is waiting for the face behind that arrogant black screen. Soon enough, the anticipation is break free and what await them is quite the surprise.
Behind that black screen sat a girl with a sky blue hair just like the horizon is paired with a dazzling silver eyes. She slowly place her palms on her chest before slightly bowing her head and proclaimed.
"All hail the Everlasting Star of the Empire, Your Majesty. All hail the Glaring Sun of the Empire, Your Highness. The Glistening Moon of the Empire is here to greet all members of society."
The small smile on her lips can't be mistaken. That sly crescent moon like eyes are perfect. The girl who had went missing for the past 4 months had returned or rather appeared before their eyes. All the attendees are left speechless.
The emperor who had long sat in his throne let out a chuckle before bursting into a huge laugh. Devian Leon who sat on his left side just give a slight smile before wiping it off. "Ah~ it has been a while isn't it, Licia. Ah how you can never fail to surprise the whole empire. Really slick aren't you."
Yanyi — "I am bound to return to my duty eventually, your majesty. Forgive me for not inquiring your prior request before this trial."
Emperor — "Ouh its okay. In fact, I had suspected that you might have your hand in this matter in some way."
Yanyi — "Why so, your majesty?"
Emperor — "Only a girl so cunning like you can ever drop the bomb of bringing such travesty and criminals to this trial. Considering that it is related to a world wide enemy only one person has all the possible knowledge to conduct such trial. It is you, my god daughter Licia."
Yanyi — "You flatter me, your majesty. I had merely done my work to protect the people of Volenix from further harm. It is only right for my position as the Holy Maiden."
Before they got hung up with the atmosphere, Yanyi said with a straight face, getting permission from the emperor for what is about to happened. "Your Majesty, if I may, the previous state level criminal court of a suspect related to Count Berlion was handled by me. Therefore, I would like to continue my duty and finishing this overdue punishment once and for all."
The emperor said nothing but nodded to Yanyi before the girl turn to Devian who is also looking at her with confidence. He gave a simple nod before giving himself the seat on his personal throne. As soon as the Crown Prince is seated the others in the hall followed suit.
"Bring in the convict!" Yanyi shout of command is loud and clear in the hall, making all the eyes focus and afraid to bend away from the scene. Soon, the side door of the court is open and came in two male with a rather haggard looking attire, tattered from left to right, up and down. One is shackled and another is being held on a wheelchair due to his missing hands and feet.
The one in shackled was brought over to the center of the room right before the emperor. This is Count Berlion. To call him as a 'Count' is no longer needed as his action does not befit such name.
Yanyi proclaimed about all that had occurred during the incident and the last state level case to the hall. This time however, Yanyi brought over the proof that she had worked on for the past week to bring Count Berlion down.
All the documents from the blackmail victims testimonies, their secret dealing contract with a clear Anderil embassy logo, the testimonies from guardian, the hidden documents and contracts from Count Berlion office and many more. She had even pulled out further proof from the hostage held in Anderil boarder with the help of Marquess Ryuichi.
Her fluency, voice intonation, and charisma is perfect for a lady of her position. She had even go to such length of getting a bunch of copies for all the documents to be sent over to Ashrin for all the audiences and to all the Elite Noble Lord houses. This way they will have on hand evidence copies.
She had even go so far as to pull out a copy of a peace treaty between Anderil and Volenix from 20 years ago as well as the international peace treaty between Dunisia and all nations. She held out specific clause on both treaties which had been violated by Count Berlion.
During the self pleading session, Count Berlion counter with the words "There has been no evidence that shows me as the primary dealer with these hooligans. Just because I am the current ambassador of Anderil the lady put the blame on me. The dealing may had happened long before I was appointed."
Yanyi — "Any more?"
C.Berlion — "You can't blame escape and entry route of the Dunisian on me. Have you had any proof that the area is supposed to be guarded? If it was not guarded then the blame is on the Kingdom of Anderil."
Yanyi — "Other things?"
C.Berlion — "... None..."
"Count Berlion, first of all I have to thank you for bringing this to my attention. And second, yes I had indeed done my research and on the entry and escaped route." Yanyi pulled out a map on the LH System and use her mouse to point at the area of entry and escape route.
"This is the route used by the Dunisia. As all audience can see, it is at the corner of the boarder of Anderil and Dunisia. If all can refer to the international peace treaty, clause 3.35."
"Clause 3.35. All nations bordering Dunisia ( Anderil, Volenix, Tyovel ) shall have all its boarder be strictly guarded.
Clause 3.35.1. All nations bordering Dunisia ( Anderil, Volenix, Tyovel ) are allowed to ask for compensation for the defense consumption use with an inspection and receipts of the consumption.
Clause 3.35.2. If it was found that a nation ( Anderil, Volenix, Tyovel ) had failed to prevent or had allowed the entrance of Dunisia to any nations in this international peace treaty, they shall be held hundred percent accountable for the failure of prevention or breach.
Clause 3.35.2.1. If it was found with solid evidence of a person had intentionally caused the failure of prevention or breach of Dunisia into other nations or its own, then the individuals shall be held accountable and the blame shall not be pushed towards the Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, the clause of 3.35.2.1. had explicitly stated how if an individual was found with solid evidence to had caused the failure or breach, they will be held accountable." Yanyi then pulled out a photo that had been taken by Irene. She had ask for a favor from Irene to take pictures and interview some of the guards on that specific boarder. Kazuto had come with her to make things easier.
"This photo shows the current situation and guard power on the specific boarder. An interview had also been conducted towards the leader of the boarder patrol as well as some guards."
Yanyi proceed to play the video that Irene had taken and it shows that the leader had thoroughly explain how the patrol schedule and area works. Needless to say, they had done the utmost best that a reasonable man would do to prevent any breach of Dunisia. He had also explained that since their boarder patrol is practically controlling of two boarder simultaneously that is between Volenix and Dunisia, further reinforcements was made to uphold to the utmost standard.
Yanyi then pull out the previous documents found in Count Berlion office. She emphasis on the wording used in the documents. Apparently, it was found that Count Berlion had made a deal with a low patrol guard to allow his people to roam to Dunisia. This patrol guard name was stated by Yanyi and further wish had been made for his capture.
The name had been written with Count Berlion full name, signature and even his family crest logo to further solidify the documents. Count Berlion is left speechless. He had loss on one of his counter. "Don't worry I have another one..." He thought internally with sweat pouring his forehead.
C. Berlion — "W-What about the contract you spoke of? What evidence did it shows my involvement. As far as you had said it had only has the Anderil embassy crest."
Yanyi — "Are you speaking of the blackmailing letter or the contract between you and Dunisia?"
C. Berlion — "...B-Both..."
Yanyi gave a slick smile before placing her chin atop the back of her hand, tilting her head slightly. "Sure!" Yanyi pulled out the mention documents and pointed towards the dates available. She then turned to Count Berlion and ask, "Count Berlion, your promotion to head ambassador of Anderil is on the summer two years ago right?"
"Yes..."
"It is true that all the contracts that the Anderil embassy have to receive your specific signature to continue?"
"...Yes..."
"Is it true that only after that, the embassy crest shall be stamp on the contracts or documents?"
"...Yes..."
"Count Berlion, could you please write down your specific signature?" Yanyi look over at Devian who immediately called for a guard to unshackle Count Berlion and hand over a pen and paper. The Count had internally thought to lie about his signature before Yanyi spoke. "Never dare to lie, Count Berlion. There are many contracts and signature that you had personally signed with that special signature in the archive. I can pull it out if I wish to."
Hearing this true threat, he dare not lie anymore and wrote down his special signature. The guards then take away the items and shackle him back. The paper is then given to the Crown Prince who open up a small LH System to show the special signature.
"Count Berlion, I'm afraid that you have no where to run." Yanyi showed the documents and zoom into the date and the special signature. The document is date to happen during Count Berlion's works as the leader of the Anderil embassy. The signature is none other than the special signature that Count Berlion had wrote down.
The man is now shaking in his shoes. Both of his defense had been clean out by Yanyi in less than 10 minutes. He had nothing to say and was left to stand in the center in fear. Although he is ambassador of Anderil, his involvement with Dunisia leave him no way out for negotiations.
"Your Majesty, I have no further arguments. I leave it to the court to see whether he is guilty or not." The emperor nodded with proud and thanks Yanyi for her contributions.
The next session came which is the voting session. In this session, all the attendance are required to give their vote via a ballet in front of them. The results will then be showed on the LH System and a verdict will be concluded. It takes about 5 minutes to settle and they had come to a conclusion.
Yanyi see the results and proclaimed in a loud voice. "The Imperial Court has come to a conclusion that Count Berlion, ambassador of the Kingdom of Anderil is found guilty for collusion with Dunisia!"
The emperor then call for a discussion for the punishment for both convict but before he can continue Yanyi ask to speak. "Your Majesty, I will use my position as the Holy Maiden for this case. I believe all attendance can understand what that means." Everyone is stunned for a second.
By using her position, Yanyi had risked the entire empire's safety. How the rule in using the position of Holy Guardian and Maiden works is that the punishment must be deemed worst than death. However, this doesn not mean that they can willingly use them. The counter to this that, the accused will be set free if it was found that he is not guilty on the said charges no matter how many evidence is piled up.
The emperor understand and let out a sigh. It can't be clear whether it is a sigh of relief or disappointment. With that out of the way, the discussion continues. Each Elite Noble Lord will be given 15 to 30 minutes to discuss the punishment together with all the nobles representative from their state. At the end, the Elite Lord will give out the most suitable punishment to the emperor. The emperor will then have a public discussion alongside the Holy Guardian and Maiden about which is the most suitable.
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The time has come and each Elite Lord are to give their punishment.
Duke Relianor — "The state of Ikravel propose a punishment of blood. Each day, the dungeon guardian shall be given a permission to pull out either a teeth or a nail forcefully. The wound shall not be treated and they shall be served their meals immediately after said action."
Duke Yoo — "The state of Kerinil propose a punishment of durability. Both shall be a live practice lesson for the archer of the empire. They shall be allowed for full rion defense potential. The end of this punishment is only when their defense fall and an arrow had hit them."
Marquess Ryuichi — "The state of Anderil propose a punishment of strength. They shall be hung upside down for 3 hours and be put upward for 3 hours. This shall continue for 3 rounds or until they are brain dead."
Marquess Phenorr — "The state of Iholes propose a punishment of compensation not towards the accused but towards the Kingdom of Anderil. This is due to their negligence in choosing a competent members of their ranks to serve well as an ambassador of Anderil. They shall a higher taxes for the item they wish to export into Volenix. This will continue until Count Berlion give his last breath."
Marquess Xue — "The state of Ashrin propose a punishment of endurance. They shall be strapped on a chair where no slight movements is allowed at midnight. A bucker of water shall be place upon their head with a small hole enough for a drop of water at a time. They will endure for 30 minutes."
With all the punishment said it is time for the emperor to have a discussion with the Rion Siblings. Not on track but the accused men are currently shivering in fear. Might have wonder why such cruel punishment? You get what you sow.
At last the verdict has come for the punishment. Since Yanyi had done most of the job, Devian shall read out the schedule of punishment.
"All the punishment made all the Elite Lords shall be taken with slight adjustment to each one. With the exception of Marquess Phenorr suggestion all the other punishment shall be put in a schedule for the accused."
"The economic fine proposed by Marquess Phenorr towards the Anderil shall be taken with a slight adjustment. We shall held the tax fine for a year. However, all the resources shall receive this tax fine."
"The morning dawn shall be the state of Ikravel punishment. In between two days, either a tooth or a nail shall be forcefully taken out and leaving the wound open. The meal shall be given 30 minutes after the process to ensure survivability."
"In the afternoon, during the archer training session, the accused shall endure the punishment of the state of Kerinil. They shall endure the archers' arrows until their defense rion ran out. However, to ensure the steady marksmanship of our archer, this shall happen once every week for each accused."
"In the evening, punishment of the state of Kinsel shall take place. However, to save time and effort, the accused shall be punish in such way for 30 minutes intervals with 3 rounds."
"At midnight, the state of Ashrin punishment will be applied. The whole statement made by Marquess Xue shall be taken into full consideration. However, it will happen in between two days to ensure that the accused are mentally sane for the remainder of the punishment time."
"Count Berlion shall endure the punishment for 3 years or until the last breathe depending on the situation. The Dunisian shall endure this until his last breathe."
The emperor stand up and said out loud in a commanding voice. "The Imperial Court if dismissed!" Before anyone could move from their seat. Count Berlion laugh out loud. It has come to a conclusion that he is insane by collective internal agreement.
He stare directly towards the LH System of where the sky blue maiden sat. "What makes you think you have an authority towards humans? Using your power to screw the whole world?! Why would we listen to you, a devil hiding behind the mask of justice!!" He knew that this is being broadcasted across all of Volenix. If he can't ran away from his punishment then he shall drag one's reputation to the ground.
"A monster situated at the top from silver spoon feeding!! The world has no need of people who abuse their power for charity!!" Devian was about to retaliate before the emperor place an arm in front of him. His dark grey eyes tell him to stay put and let the situation flow. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Who would ever stand alone when seeing their own sister being wrongly accused.
Yanyi listen and keep silent for a good 3 minutes before taking a deep breath. She flow out the following respond in a reassured facade.
Yanyi — "If you proclaim that I have no power to punish humans, then what power do you have to torture other humans that did not belong to your nations?..."
C. Berlion — "..."
Yanyi — " It was unanimously agreed by all the nations in Yucoria that Dunisia is the enemy. Even a child before his teen years can understand why. And you, a grown man had deliberately colluded with the greatest enemy."
C. Berlion — "...I-!"
Yanyi — "Colluding with the international enemy had not only put the people of Volenix in danger, you had put a way for Dunisia to harm the whole Yucoria!"
C. Berlion — "... Ugh..."
Yanyi — "Humans are naturally greedy, envious and jealous of others and they would use all the possible way to get their way. But what happened when that way is no longer abiding the human normal way? Do you propose to let the rogue be a rogue and continue scheming?!"
C. Berlion — "...The Court-!"
Yanyi — "The decision made by the courts in all over Volenix is made unanimously by all members of society! If you want to blame the 99.9% of the world population of judging the 0.1% of humans like you, then you are can never be considered a human. Your are in the true nature, a rabid animal!"
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The accused was dragged out and all the attendance made their way out of the hall the moment the emperor left. Yanyi had long close her LH System and lean back against the chair. She rested for a while and take a deep long breathe. "Have I said something over the line just now?"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Jiejie, are you finished?" The voice from that new sibling of her carve a small smile to her lips. The door slowly open and the small grey hair ran down to hug Yanyi from the side. His eyes is beaming in admiration.
"Jiejie look so cool just now!!" He must be talking about the trial. Yanyi brought the little figure up to her lap and slowly let the boy lean against her chest while creasing his grey locks. This somehow helps to calm her down from all the stress she had to go through for the past few weeks.
The LH System then open up by itself and stand before her on the screen is a shocked face of her rion sibling. "Hey Leon." The man said a small hello before pointing towards the small figure and made a gesture for sleeping. Yanyi shakes her head before nudging the little bean in her lap.
Yanyi — "Say hello to brother Devian, Eker."
Eker — "Hello, brother Devian!"
Devian — "Hello little guy. Who is he?"
The last sentence is directed to Yanyi which she nod in affirmation. Never had he thought that his rion sister has the time to get another chaos inducer. Devian clear his throat which Yanyi gets the message for. "Eker, can you do jiejie a favor and call sister Irene to come up here?"
"Can I learn fighting then?"
"Know how to bargain huh? Alright, but we'll discuss this further at another time, okay?"
"Okay!" The little feet got down from her lap and ran out of the door. Yanyi takes a quick 5 minutes rest before Irene enter the room and lock it. "Ready?" Irene nods and takes a sit on Yanyi's arm rest.
Luciel had made his presence and with two words he nods to Yanyi. "Good job." Yanyi give out a snort before provoking him more. "Never had I ever imagined to receive a praise from Lulu. The world is ending right?"
Irene — "You are ending. Not the world."
Devian — "If Yanyi died it would be because of you, Irene."
Irene — "Hello?! I have kick my own but working for both of you! Give some credit."
Yanyi — "Credit is due to be given. Not to you though."
Luciel — "Idiocracy is not our strong suit. Ignore them, Irene. We don't speak stupidity."
Dev & Yi — "Hey!"
The four had a long awaited quarrel during their first meet after months of being separated. Ah~ The beauty of being childhood friends aren't they. You see each other as sibling. Even choking each other is normal. No killing though.
Luciel brought back the train to its track and said in a stern and serious voice. "What do you want to say? For even Irene and I have to be here, something big must be happening."
"Harp."
"What?" Both of them question at the same time. Yanyi then explain what she had encountered during the previous two cases.
Yanyi — "I have wrote it to Leon before. I said to him to be careful for a harp melody. Have you encountered any?"
Devian — "Aside from the music room which Deon use, none."
Luciel — "What about this Harp melody."
Yanyi — "During our encounter with Choffard, I heard a faint sound of harp. Suddenly he act so viciously, lounging himself to me. He only stopped after my boss punch him unconscious."
Irene — "It appeared again? During your ambush?"
Yanyi — "Not during the ambush. At the state court."
Irene — "You mean... when Eker got..."
Yanyi — "Yes."
Devian — "Is it visible like previously?"
Yanyi — "No. It was very faint."
Luciel — "It is impossible to have a harp sound in the court hall. No outside sound is allowed in to protect privacy. How can it pierce through?"
Yanyi — "That is why I want you to investigate it. Any way where a melody is related to dark rion."
Irene — "Dark Rion?! You're joking right?"
Yanyi — "Sadly, no. The good news is. These people good or bad, allies or enemies of ours is only on our side. None is attacking outside of Kinsel... yet at least."
Irene — "That's not good news to us?!"
Luciel — "Dev, what do you propose?"
Devian — "..."
Yanyi — "..."
Devian — "Yanyi come-!"
Yanyi — "No."
Devian — "..."
Irene — "Dev, Yanyi is a strong woman. If she can fend of men from Dunisia, then she can surely deal with the threat in Kinsel. Worry not, I'm here for her!"
Luciel — "You being there is what worries him."
Irene — "Hey!"
Devian — "Then... continue to investigate. Any small lead about our enemies or allies, you both have to send it over. That is an order."
Yanyi & Irene — "Yes, Your Highness!"
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The slender figure with a white cloak that had been sitting on the secluded rooftop of the Marquess Ryuichi manor bites into the apple on their palm. Throwing the finished apple off the roof they raise the hood of the cloak ready to leave. "We'll leave sign for you, but not enough for you to discover yet, lads."
A gush of wind so strong came with a grey cloud. The figure look up into the sky before leaving something on the roof and leaping off to the outskirts of the manor.
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