The Chief Justice announced the verdict in a silent courtroom. Opehajos was found not guilty, only required to demote some of his nobles. Giurmes was found guilty and sentenced to a fine and military detention.
Giurmes stood, his eyes burning with rage. "We are the strongest nation. Why should we obey? We are the ones in power. Why should we follow you?" He walked out, slamming the door behind him. "I will not follow your stupid rules. I am withdrawing from the Grand Court organization."
The Chief Justice halted the session, then spoke bitterly. "Bastard. Tyusue, I hereby authorize you to retaliate."
---
Yui set off for home. The route to Hisme was closed—the war between Tyusin and Tidtimus had blocked the border. She was forced to pass through Guirsa. There, she saw a crowd—not a protest, but citizens of Tyusin flocking to enlist in the war. Yui was awed by their nationalism, by how ordinary people were willing to sacrifice themselves for their country.
Four days later, she arrived in Vanpien.
Pikrus greeted her in the dining room. "Welcome back, my son." Yui was confused but played along. In her room, she muttered to herself. "I still clearly remember the day he beat my little brother to death. But why does he seem so different now? Is this the Pikrus I knew? He should have two emblems on his uniform—the duke's logo and the respected noble's crest. But why has his personality changed so drastically?"
The next day, Pikrus asked about her closeness to Disoa of Tyusin. Yui answered vaguely. Pikrus lifted her up. "I heard you're close to Disoa. Maybe I should have thought twice before doing what I did to my wife and Donsa. And could you introduce me to Disoa?"
Yui refused. "No. He's busy. You know, Father—when he's focused on war."
Pikrus smiled coldly. "Rare of you to call me 'Father.' But that's not a question you can dismiss." He lifted Yui higher. "You know why I called you here. Now, use your influence to help us carry out a coup against Opehajos."
Yui was shocked. "A coup?"
Pikrus threatened, "If you stay silent, you'll join Donsa."
Yui challenged him. "Go ahead and try." She reached for the pistol in her pants and aimed it at Pikrus. But Pikrus was faster. The pistol was snatched before she could pull the trigger. Yui pulled back, fell, then ran. Pikrus's guards fired at her back. Bullets tore through several parts of her body. A window shattered, and she leaped from a steep cliff.
Pikrus called down from above. "May you rest in peace, like Donsa."
Yui washed ashore. Still alive. She woke up, endured the pain, and ran into the forest. She had only 710 Pins left. She stopped at a small clinic, spending 300 Pins on emergency treatment. Her goal was simple: Ethecksia School, nine kilometers from Pikrus's estate. There, she would meet Irarun, her childhood best friend.
She ran along a dirt path. Her wounds throbbed. But she didn't stop.
---
Irarun was relaxing at school. His lesson that day was interesting. Suddenly, someone appeared behind him. Pikrus.
"What are you doing here, Duke Pikrus?" Irarun asked without turning around.
"Your good friend came looking for you at home earlier on her way back."
Irarun closed his book. "You're lying. It's obvious. Yui is someone I know well. There's no way she'd survive another encounter with you. I'm guessing you tried to kill her, didn't you?"
Pikrus didn't deny it. "And if I did?"
"That could be considered attempted murder." Irarun stood up. "And for your information, I'm not alone here."
From every corner, Vanpien soldiers appeared and aimed their weapons at Pikrus.
---
At the palace, Opehajos stood before Wilh. Cold. Firm. "So you're still trying to find that grimoire. You won't get it. It's just a myth."
Wilh smiled. "Not a myth. It's real, and I've already found one of them."
Opehajos showed him a blueprint. "And you sold that to Tidtimus. And I already know everything about BIT. I'm demoting you to Earl."
"You're wrong," said Wilh. "I'm rising to become the ruler."
Wilh's loyal soldiers appeared, aiming their weapons at Opehajos. "This is a coup. You will die."
Opehajos didn't flinch. He stomped on the wooden floor. The floor gave way, and Opehajos dropped to the floor below. Wilh, panicking, threw a grenade. But Opehajos batted the grenade away with his rifle like a baseball player. The wooden floor shattered. Wilh was hit by gunfire but managed to escape with his men's help.
Opehajos remembered Irarun. He ran in a panic, ordering a car to be prepared.
---
Outside the city, Pikrus chased Irarun. Irarun ran as fast as he could, through bushes and trees. Minutes later, he saw his father. Opehajos, who had just arrived by car, opened the door and ran toward him.
Irarun smiled. He was safe.
Bang.
A bullet pierced Irarun's head. His body fell. Blood splattered across Opehajos's face. Opehajos froze. He turned. In the distance, Pikrus still held the pistol.
Opehajos was confused. His son was close with Pikrus's child. Why? Why did Pikrus shoot him?
Rage consumed him. "A duel," he said. "Now."