I did as the king commanded, standing, raising my head, and keeping my hands where all could see.
I wasted no time in analyzing the members of the court and, based on their appearances and attire, identified their races and positions, just as Buldrokkas'tee had taught me.
I was met with curiosity, interest, and suspicion, at least by those whose eyes were visible. Those who hid their faces were proficient at concealing their intentions.
And at the center of it all was the king, Baruch III; however, the crown on his head was what most caught my attention. If he was aware of the power that such an artifact emanated, then he should already be accustomed to wearing it without showing discomfort or difficulty.
"I am pleased that you have accepted our invitation, merchant, or would you prefer that I call you by your name?"
His tone was not demanding or arrogant, but there was amusement in his voice, like someone discovering something new.
"Whatever Your Majesty desires will suffice."
I spoke in a restrained, low voice, nodding slightly.
"Alden then. We've heard interesting stories about you, and we'd like them clarified, so be truthful, for lying will serve you no purpose here."
He seemed strangely confident in his ability to find the truth, and I had no intention of lying, not before such powerful people, who, though I wasn't sure could defeat me in combat, could certainly make my life very inconvenient.
"Yes, it's all true. My mysterious arrival, the enemies I slew, the damage I repaired, the people I healed and freed, the artifacts I sold—the tales may have been exaggerated by the population, but in the end, it's true."
The king nodded, smiling slightly. Simultaneously, whispers echoed through the court, and at that instant, I perceived peculiar reactions.
The Banshee was about to leap from her throne, shifting in her seat.
The Cluster rested its head in its palm and stared intently at me.
The Djall seemed confused about something, probably related to the tingling I felt in my head.
The Cyclops was writing something down quickly.
The Vampire seemed undecided between drinking my blood or holding back.
And the Gargoyle, despite its hidden face, was trying to pierce my head with its gaze.
However, this soon ceased when the next question was asked by the Nachzehrer.
"They say you appeared in our lands speaking Leithanian, as you must know, this nation is our enemy known for infiltrating spies into our territory. What guarantees that you are not one?"
"Your Majesty King Nachzehrer, if I am a spy, then I am the most incompetent one in existence. What kind of spy would speak the language of his homeland and attract so much attention? My appearance already draws eyes even when I am being discreet. Besides, I have been helping the local population wherever I can; what kind of spy would do that?"
"The kind who wants to win the people's trust before a great betrayal. No one suspects the fool because they are busy laughing at them. What guarantees that your supposed incompetence as a spy is not merely an act to get closer to important figures? You are already close to a vampire princess and the son of a general and member of the court, not to mention, of course, the population of distant villages calling you a hero. From my point of view, we should get rid of the risk as quickly as possible."
Immediate execution, those were the unspoken words, however, the Sarkaz King raised his hand, causing him to stop.
"Are you a Leithanian spy, Alden?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, I felt the power of the crown increasing and a new tingling in my head. Was my mind being read? If so, there was nothing to do without invoking the wrath of the court.
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then you are an Aslan or an Archosauria merchant of Sargon?"
"I cannot say, Your Majesty."
"Elaborate."
So far my answers seemed to please him, except for the last one. The king frowned and narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"My story may seem convenient, but I'm not lying when I say I've lost the memories of my past. Me being a merchant and my race is a past imposed upon me by the assumptions of others, something I embraced for lack of a better option. Why I speak the language of your enemies is unknown even to me."
Baruch grumbled in disapproval, and the tingling in my head intensified, just like the first one that had started since I entered the room.
Suddenly, the King and Djall recoiled on their thrones, rubbing their eyes, and I heard a distant voice whispering in my ears.
"May chaos take the world…"
My eyes burned and my fingers twitched; I clenched my teeth, keeping the Frenzied Flame under control.
Several exclamations and questions about their condition echoed through the chamber, but in the end, they recovered, addressing the concerns and continuing the trial.
"I understand, you have my condolences. I can't imagine how terrible it must be to forget your past. I hope you recover your memories."
"Your kind words gladden my heart, Your Majesty."
"I admit your story is unusual, but so far, I have no reason to declare you an enemy and punish you accordingly, but that may change depending on your answers to the following questions. What is your relationship with Princess Darya and Buldrokkas'tee? Despite your words, I need to know if there is any ulterior motive behind your closeness, since they are related to influential people."
Buldrokkas'tee's mother and the Sanguinarch shifted in their thrones, staring at me curiously.
"I don't know what story reached the Court, but first of all, I would like to clarify that my relationship with Darya is that of friends and business partners. Our first meeting was pure chance, and I didn't know about her true identity, something she hid from me for a long time. I needed a guide and teacher, and she needed a protector. Together we traveled to the capital where we established our business, nothing more, nothing less. Buldrokkas'tee was in a similar situation; he visited our pharmacy looking for medicine, and as a good merchant, I took the opportunity to demonstrate my products. I didn't know he was the son of such powerful Wendigos, and that doesn't change anything in our friendship, although the popularity my shop gained with his presence was welcome."
"I'm happy to see my son making new friends."
"And the young princess has certainly grown as a person. I can't wait to witness her potential."
The Wendigo and the Vampire responded, approving my answer.
"I would love to continue this sweet conversation, but we have more important things at hand, such as rekindling the Eternal Flame!"
"And the deaths of several Gargoyles caused by your hands."
The Lich King and the Master Architect of the Gargoyles spoke respectively. The former with longing in his or hers eyes, leaning forward on the throne, and the latter with barely contained anger in his or hers voice, almost cracking the armrests in his or hers grip.
"Master Architect, I understand you are furious about the deaths of your tribe members, but I implore you, understand the situation I was in. Darya and I were invited to a ball at her clan's castle, only for the celebrations to be interrupted by the kidnapping of some of the family's children by a notorious mercenary band led by gargoyles. As if that weren't terrible enough, they demanded an absurd amount of gold in a very short time, an impossible demand to meet. With no other options, we organized a rescue operation, and what kind of man would I be if I didn't help? I admit, the situation got out of control and I had to defend myself, but what other option did I have? To allow the death of everyone, including the children? Do you approve of this kind of action? Or do you know something this court doesn't?"
The grip on the throne intensified, but the Master Architect silently retreated upon receiving an intense look from the other members of the court. There will certainly be questioning when this is over.
Then I turned to the Lich King, hesitating to answer the question, something he or she noticed.
"Is there a problem?"
The Lich asked, raising a questioning eyebrow as his or hers tail wagged in anticipation.
"I don't know if I should answer how I rekindled the Eternal Flame; it might be a sensitive matter that will enrage the court."
We looked towards the king, who now shared the Lich's sentiments.
"Go ahead."
I took a deep breath and did as ordered.
"During the combat against the mercenaries, I set one of them ablaze with my arts and knocked him through a hole to the lower levels of the ruins, right into the flame's brazier. His death was instantaneous, but it caused the flame to burn again. My theory is that the Eternal Flames demand a sacrifice, preferably of a Sarkaz and through fire."
As expected, the reaction was anything but pleasant.
"How dare you?!"
"To sacrifice one of our own in such a way?!"
"You're lying!"
However, people like the Lich, the Banshee, and the Sarkaz King seemed the least bothered. The latter banged his fist on the throne, making a rumble reverberate through the chamber and silence the court.
"I suppose this happened by pure accident."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I was unaware of the Eternal Flames and their importance in Sarkaz culture. I was merely fighting to aid my allies when this occurred, and from my words alone, I may be wrong, and the flames may require something different to burn again. I beg forgiveness from the entire court for the offense."
Something I doubt, considering what the First Flame needs to continue burning.
"Hm… This is not something we can ignore. I will have to consult my scholars. Now, I have one last question before your verdict is given. Which side are you on?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I do not understand."
"You are not a Sarkaz, so your loyalty is even more questionable. If the capital is attacked, will you fight to defend it? Or will you betray everyone and join the enemy? A powerful warlord? A minor nobleman who promised you the world? Or enemy nations granting you asylum? Perhaps you will flee like a coward or die like a fool? So, what will you do?"
I am not a person who gets angry easily, but these questions were the ones that brought me closest to saying something I would regret. I did my best to control my anger, weighing my words, and then I spoke.
"I was asked a similar question in the past, and I will answer honestly: I have no interest in being recruited or joining any force. I wish to remain free and unencumbered to make my own choices. I suppose that being part of the capital also means guaranteeing a constant supply of my products for the army; however, I do not have the time or resources for that. I suppose everyone here has offers ready for me, but that would go against what I initially said—I do not want ties. However, I am willing to do small commissions for a fair price. If the members of this court wish to strengthen a small elite force or have some improved weapons and equipment, I will not be against it, but it will be a simple seller-buyer relationship. If that is not enough, then I will leave the capital if ordered to, after all, I am not a Sarkaz and have not gone through the existing legal procedures to be considered a citizen of Kazdel. However, if I am allowed to stay, I will fight for the capital for as long as I am here, not out of loyalty to the court, but for the people I consider my friends."
The atmosphere was oppressive, and everyone's gaze was intense. I remained submissive long enough, then returned the gestures in kind.
"Very well..."
The king's tone was slow and deliberate.
"...Leave the Court Hall and await your verdict."
"As Your Majesty wishes."
I bowed politely, and the doors opened, bringing light to the darkness. A pair of guards escorted me out, and I waited for the outcome in the corridor, observing the capital's landscape through an upper-floor window, letting out a tired sigh.
"What a mess, killing dragons is easier than dealing with the nobility. At least the winged beings are straightforward with their intentions."
The capital didn't seem so bad when viewed from afar. People suffering in the streets seemed distant from up here. I owe nothing to these people, but I haven't forgotten the king's words. Which side am I on?
I remembered the Lands Between and Drangleic, where the common individual suffers due to the actions of kings, gods, and demigods.
In Drangleic and neighboring kingdoms, there was a history of monarchs treating the undead with extreme cruelty, like the Old Iron King and his various torture machines, and when that wasn't the case, there were deranged nobles and their experiments, like the Duke of Tseldora and Aldia.
Marika's oppression of anything that went against her order, Godrick's grafts and hunts, Malenia's rot in Caelid, Ranni's machinations, and more, is what I've seen recently.
Despite being strong, technically I'm an ordinary person. I have titles, but they bring me nothing; my power was earned with my own hands, I kept my feet on the ground and my head on straight.
I'm not the most attentive person to the feelings and suffering of others. I only started to change when I arrived in the Lands Between, however, that doesn't change the fact that I witnessed the horrors caused by those in power.
It was revolting, these so-called kings and nobles, demigods and gods, powerful individuals at the top or hiding in the shadows, always scheming, always wanting more. They were disconnected from the world, observing from their towers and fortresses; they may have suffered in the past, but now, they were the cause of suffering.
Whose side am I on? The people's.
I think it's time to do more.
"Time to return."
One of the guards spoke, pulling me from my thoughts. Nodding, I found myself in the center of the chamber again, facing the court.
"I admit, it wasn't easy to reach an agreement; half of this court desires your end while the other wants to transform you into something useful. However, we have reached a compromise to decide whether you are a danger or not. You will participate in expeditions to the ancient ruins scattered throughout our land and collaborate with our scholars, either as a protector or researcher, and depending on the results, you will be declared a citizen of Kazdel and suspicions against you will be lifted."
Hm… As expected, although I thought I would only explore the ruins I initially entered.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. When will the expedition take place?"
"You will be notified in advance, more than enough time to prepare. Until then, continue what you are doing; I would like to hear what people will say about you in a few days."
My laughter couldn't have been more forced; however, the smiling trio maintained their attempt at humor. With that done, my exit from the chamber was ordered, and the eyes burning into my back only disappeared when the door closed.
"Very well, the king wants to hear some tales? Then let's see what I can do."
END OF CHAPTER