Professors and lecturers stood beneath the gatehouse. Seluvis, back already, watched with a cold gaze, as if mocking the fool's stupidity. Sellen was there, too, and she immediately approached. "You foolish apprentice, what kind of madness has possessed you? Why meddle in others' business?"
Thorne stepped forward and lowered his voice. "Teacher, as for that scum, the Cuckoo, I killed them with great satisfaction."
Sellen froze, as if realizing this apprentice was somewhat different from what she had imagined.
Yet, recalling the events of that night, she seemed to understand that a mad soul resided within this usually rational student. She didn't answer, but as they brushed past each other, she heard a low, steady voice. "Rest assured, I didn't come back here to die."
In that moment, Thorne had laid his cards on the table for Sellen, a final word between master and apprentice. He then walked, head held high, toward the gate, where all five professors had gathered; clearly, this matter was not trivial. Oritis wore a grim expression, clearly displeased that the news had spread.
If it had been handled internally, he could have completely suppressed the matter. After all, the Cuckoo were becoming increasingly outrageous; they dared to act recklessly even when the Haligtree Army was passing through, and they did it at the Church of Marika, no less. Wasn't that just asking for trouble for him?
But Matthews had already sent men to demand an explanation. For the sake of the cooperative relationship between the two sides, he had to go against his conscience. "Roland Heinberg, I am very disappointed."
Thorne looked stunned and retorted, "What did I do wrong?"
"You have violated the principles of a sorcerer. We should focus on our studies, not get ourselves entangled in disputes."
"Then the Haima Classroom has no reason to exist."
Ahem. Professor Leon, standing beside them, gave a light cough, clearly displeased by Oritis's remarks regarding the principles of sorcerers. The latter's mouth twitched; he hadn't expected this model student to have such a sharp tongue. Everyone present knew the truth. Thorne undoubtedly occupied the moral high ground, but often, morality cannot be used to put food on the table.
Since the expulsion of the royal family, the Raya Lucaria Academy had been the de facto lord of Liurnia. It was effectively plundering its own subjects. But if they didn't allow the Cuckoo to plunder, they would have to cut academy expenses. Rather than let the sorcerers be dissatisfied, they could only let the commoners endure it.
"Take him away. The Academic Committee will decide within three days whether you are guilty." This was preparing to consolidate the opinions of the various classrooms.
Theoretically, with Sellen and the group of wandering sorcerers backing Thorne, even if he were found guilty, the punishment wouldn't be severe. A few years of forced labor would be enough to appease the Cuckoo Knights.
But ever since Thorne learned that Seluvis was targeting him, he felt the crisis expanding at every moment. Besides, how could he possibly spend a few years mining in the academy?
"I request a public trial tomorrow!" Thorne suddenly said loudly.
"What?" The professors were all shocked. A public trial would allow the Cuckoo to participate directly. That bunch of bastards were experts at framing people; by then, this apprentice wouldn't be able to clear his name no matter how much he argued.
"Have you thought this through?"
"I request a public trial!" Thorne repeated. Too naive, too stupid. Oritis shook his head, completely disappointed in this apprentice. On second thought, that was fine; it would serve as a lesson for the others, letting them understand that without the academy's protection, it was hard for a bookworm to survive in the cruel Lands Between.
"Fine, I agree."
Just a few short words, but Thorne's face, hidden beneath his mask, lacked any naive resignation; instead, there was the pleasure of a plan coming together. Sorcerers buried in deep study would never notice the commoners around them, and the Cuckoo Knights, focused only on slaughter, had forgotten how much resentment their over-exploitation had caused. There was something that outweighed military strategy. And as a spy for Caria, he was going to help Ranni seize back this thing called 'public sentiment'! Chapter 39: Yours Truly, the Elden Actor.
The Raya Lucaria Academy didn't have prisons in the traditional sense. Thorne was confined in a spare classroom on the first floor. Aside from having good food and drink, there were books around to pass the time, and beyond a thin wooden door, there were elite guards drawn from five classrooms. Too close, too lax. I could stab one through the door panel, then take advantage of their shock to kill two more in succession, and finally finish off with Glintstone Arc. Thorne sat by the door, fiddling with the spirit-calling ring while simulating.
Those people outside had already died dozens of times in his simulations, but unfortunately, he couldn't actually do it. Once he made a move, he would immediately be blasted to smithereens by dozens of humanoid turrets, not to mention Seluvis watching from the shadows. But so what? Did these people think he was just some hot-headed rookie?
"Tina should have already begun her operation. Strike while the iron is hot and let the resentment of the people of Liurnia erupt."
"Caria is cornered and at a distinct disadvantage; relying solely on swords is a dead end."
"We must find a way to narrow the gap in hard power between the two sides." Thorne gazed at the full moon outside the window, pondering. Blaidd wouldn't understand this kind of strategic thinking. He suspected only War Counselor Iji could grasp it.
Currently, the Raya Lucaria Academy and the Cuckoo Knights occupied ninety percent of the land in Liurnia. They had an overwhelming advantage in population. They could exhaust the Carian Army by trading five for one.
But these people hadn't utilized this advantage. They only used brute force to suppress, like an increasingly bloated powder keg.
"And I am going to be the fuse." Thorne chuckled. Commoners were useless, but sometimes they were very useful. Not to mention reserve troops. Once everyone had fled, could the sorcerers go down to the lake and catch crabs to eat themselves? To say nothing else, without the taxes from the towns, would the academy still be able to support the current number of sorcerers? How would the Cuckoo Knights maintain their massive numbers?
"This is called subduing the enemy without fighting." Thorne clapped his hands softly and lay back on the bed. Truth be told, he had seen this loophole long ago, but he had never had the opportunity to implement it because the Cuckoo Knights could use even more powerful slaughter for suppression. But now—The Valkyrie Malenia was right outside. The people of Liurnia were, first and foremost, the Golden people. You try committing a massacre right under someone else's nose and see what happens? Reviewing the plan again, aside from Seluvis's movements, Thorne couldn't find any flaws. The reason he chose tomorrow was that the vanguard of the Haligtree Army would pass across the lake. Even if there were an accident, he could escape in the chaos.
"This should be fine." Thorne closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, with one last regret in his mind: he hadn't had a chance to say goodbye to Sellen.
In fact, Sellen was just on the other side of the door. She looked at the several vigilant sorcerers and ultimately did not step forward. It wasn't to avoid suspicion, but because she believed that foolish apprentice must have some backup plan, or perhaps even intended to cause a big sensation.
"Forget it. This apprentice is a bit foolish, but he wouldn't joke with his own life." She turned and left. Even if she were sentenced to ten years of hard labor, she could just ask the old hag Kale for help. Once the heat died down, it wouldn't be too late to come back. Besides, going to the Crystal Cave is hard labor, but isn't helping her move things hard work too?
Walking back through the corridor, Sellen's feet suddenly paused as she passed an empty classroom.
"What is it you want with me?"
A figure slowly emerged from the shadows. It was Seluvis. He sized up the witch in the moonlight and said with a sinister tone, "You should go in and have a word with him, hmm, as an eternal farewell."
"Seluvis, do not test my patience." As a probationary lecturer, Sellen wasn't the least bit intimidated by him. She tilted her head. "Those Cuckoos deserved to die. Even for the sake of the academy's unity, Oritis and the others won't impose any severe punishment."
"Mmm, mmm, mmm. I already know you've colluded with a few fools from the Karolos Conspectus, preparing to pressure us when the time comes."
"I don't mind telling you: the Academic Committee has already discussed it. With that idiot Leon endorsing it, at most five years of hard labor, plus some tactical support, will be enough to shut the Cuckoo's mouths."
"Matthews never intended to demand any real explanation; he was just using the opportunity to extort benefits." Sellen said nothing, her eyes merely cold. She didn't recall Seluvis being so kind-hearted.
"So that matter wasn't big to begin with, but another matter is different." Seluvis smiled and pulled a piece of paper from his bosom. It was a portrait, and it was stamped with the crest of Castle Morne. "A letter I just received. Take a good look."
Sellen glanced over, her pupils shrinking when she saw the name 'Roland Heinberg' written there. A cold, murderous intent radiated from her.
"Oh? It seems you already knew his identity was problematic. Don't be in such a hurry to act; I have no interest in a barbarian's true identity, and I don't even care if he's the killer from that night." The man swallowed hard, a twisted sense of possessiveness blooming in his eyes as he shoved the portrait directly into Sellen's hand. "Sellen, you wouldn't want that barbarian to be investigated too deeply, and you certainly wouldn't want to be implicated yourself."
"What do you want?" the witch asked. Her tone was calm, devoid of any emotion.
"Come to my laboratory before noon tomorrow. We can engage in a... deeper cooperation."
Seluvis tried to pat her shoulder, but Sellen took a half-step back. His hand froze in mid-air, and he withdrew it with a hint of irritation. "Think carefully before you decide!" The man seemed to melt into the shadows. Sellen stood where she was, looking at the square-faced youth in the portrait. She showed no fear or hesitation after being threatened. "Bah. If you're going to use a fake identity, at least find one that looks somewhat like you. What an idiot." After cursing him, she crumpled the portrait into a ball. Without a second thought, Sellen made her decision.
The slight curl of her lips flattened completely, becoming as cold as midwinter. "I'm sorry, but I do not take threats from anyone!"
The sun rose as usual. A large crowd had already gathered in the South Gate Square of Raya Lucaria Academy.
The trial was originally supposed to be held on the third floor, but the Academy refused to let the Cuckoo Knights inside under any circumstances, since their witnesses were coming today. What a waste of time. Oritis and several other magic professors sat on high-backed chairs, looking around with boredom.
To the left stood Thorne, his hood removed, with two Battlemages of Haima standing behind him. To the right, a Cuckoo Knight tearfully recounted the distinguished military service of the victim, Pohl. A fence cordoned off an open area, and behind the railings stood sorcerers, watching the spectacle. As it turned out, even the most outstanding students would slack off; most didn't take this trial seriously, viewing it merely as entertainment amidst their tedious research. The Raya Lucaria Academy was, after all, a place that valued procedural justice.
No matter how dissatisfied they were, the professors could only listen with patience. Looking outward, one could see numerous ships crossing the lake. The ships flew the Haligtree flag, marking them as Malenia's vanguard. Hundreds of Cuckoo Soldiers stood guard at the town's ferry, the only viable landing point. Today was truly not a good day for a trial, but Oritis feared that a long delay would lead to complications, so he insisted on holding it while the Academy was still discussing the matter. Sorcerers should focus on their studies.
Ending this farce quickly would prevent the apprentices from being distracted. "Knight Pohl was a brave and compassionate man. For the sake of our covenant, he was willing to face the blades of the Carians. But to die at the hands of a noble sorcerer... the entire Cuckoo Knights cannot accept this!" The long-winded narration finally ended. Only one knight had entered, but the hundreds of soldiers outside provided silent support, as if telling the Academy that without them, the Haligtree Army could easily seize this place in passing.
Oritis massaged his temples, thinking to himself that it was no wonder the Cuckoos demanded the trial be held today. They were clearly using the Valkyrie to exert pressure. His gaze toward Thorne grew even more irritated. "You brought this on yourself!"
"Roland Heinberg, what do you have to say regarding these allegations?"
"Objection! Their evidence is insufficient. Can a child of a few years fight for Caria? Can a pregnant woman take up a sword against a knight?" Thorne spoke immediately, nearly transforming into a defense attorney from Phoenix Wright. Such a naive greenhorn.
The knight glanced at him and replied slowly, "Perhaps you are unaware, but 'accidental injuries' often occur in war."
"And what about the property? Does 'accidental injury' involve taking away all the grain and sending elderly women to the gallows?"
"Nonsense. You must be hallucinating. No one has ever done such a thing."
"Pohl's blood was no hallucination."
"How dare you!"
Thump. Leon struck the gavel, stopping the meaningless argument. He announced loudly, "Bring in the witnesses."
A group of people dressed in rags like refugees were brought forward.
They first stated their identities and then, under the gaze of the sorcerers, tremblingly recounted the 'facts'. They claimed Knight Pohl never touched a single blade of grass, that the Cuckoos fought hard to drive away bandits, and that while hiding in their homes, they saw Thorne suddenly go mad and start killing his own people.
Then, sorcerers selected from several conspectuses presented written reports, stating that no gallows were found and that the property in each house remained untouched.
Buzz... The sound of discussion suddenly grew louder.
Sorcerers whispered to one another; some believed the story, but most did not. The Cuckoos were clearly providing false testimony, otherwise, what reason would this Roland Heinberg have to slaughter Cuckoo Knights?
But despite the discussion, no one spoke up for justice. Since they were here for entertainment, they naturally wanted to see twists and turns.
'Fortunately, sorcerer apprentices aren't qualified to attend, otherwise that idiot Thops would definitely jump out.'
Thorne looked around coldly, quietly touching his ring.
"Quiet, quiet!"
Leon struck the gavel again and said to Thorne, "Now, what do you have to say?"
Thorne just stood there. He hadn't screamed frantically that they were lying; instead, his silence emphasized a sense of grief and indignation—as if he had done a good deed only to have the truth inverted by various colluding parties. Grief, helplessness, and a hint of panic—all these emotions were portrayed vividly, causing even the entertainment-seeking sorcerers to fall silent.
"I have nothing to say.
I only want to ask one thing—" Thorne raised his hand, pointing toward the high platform and then toward the people around him. "You, and you... were you born sorcerers?" His voice wasn't loud, but no one could answer. Sorcery requires talent, and except for demigods, talent appears randomly. Some came from the Royal Capital, Leyndell, some from small towns in Caelid, and some simply walked out of remote villages. "We were not born as such, but after swearing the Vow of Austerity and entering the halls of knowledge, everything was divided."
Oritis, seeing things taking a bad turn, spoke up immediately. "Correct. We gained power and knowledge, and we have long stood above ordinary people. But even so, we are still 'human.' Those commoners who provide taxes and food are also human, not brainless puppets."
Thorne lightly thumped his chest, his voice growing louder. "We can avoid the chaos of war and enjoy a luxurious life in the Academy in peace. Where do these things come from? Could it be that the Olivinus Conspectus's 'Theory of Recycled Food' has made a breakthrough?"
"No, it comes from the support of these people. Even if it is a transaction, shouldn't the Academy provide basic security? Should we eat the things others offer while letting them be slaughtered like livestock? When everyone is gone, are we going to catch crabs in the lake ourselves?"
Oritis was stunned. He hadn't expected this apprentice's argument to be so cunning. He didn't talk about grand righteousness but instead spoke of the personal interests of all the sorcerers. Right, good food and meat aren't conjured by magic. There's a reason why the Academy faces resistance every time it closes its gates; who would want to gnaw on stale bread when they're used to goat meat? Hearing the whispers grow louder, he grabbed the gavel from Leon's hand and struck it repeatedly. "No one cares about what you're saying!"
"No, I care." Thorne pointed to himself, then pointed outside. "And they care too!" The professors were confused, but then they suddenly heard a noisy commotion from outside. At first, it was unclear, but it gradually became distinct. "Mr. Roland is innocent!" "Please, lords of the Academy, release him!" The sorcerers instinctively looked behind them. Through the Academy gates, they saw a dark tide of people coming along the bridge, stepping into a forbidden zone they were never supposed to enter in their lives.