Trial of Alameria I
Deep inside dungeons of Lescatie an unusual figure was locked in solitary confinement. She is a young, slender woman in her early twenties. She has shoulder length blonde hair, which is all frizzled and messed up from sweat and grime. Her brown eyes are downcast, and red from crying.
The figure, of course, is Alameria Crescentoria. The hero was arrested on suspicion for being a monster and locked up without trial. Apparently, she is going to be executed at a later time.
The hero sighed. How did this happen to her? Was she not a hero who protected the people and supported the Order? Did she not act in accordance to Order law and etiquette? Then was she being detained in preparation for execution?
Of course, she knew she was a monster. A monster who destroys happiness. Of monster/human couples, that is. She has been on many expeditions and has seen that the monsters aren't like what the Order claimed they are. Alameria has doubted the teachings of the Chief God as Sasha has, though obviously she didn't tell anyone else. Alameria didn't know that Sasha also doubted the Chief God's teachings, nor did it ever occur to her that another hero is already doing extra heretical things.
Thus, she accepted that she deserved to die, and was willing to accept that fate. Best attempts by the Order of the Holy Ice Flower (to be abbreviated to the HIF) and even the priests of Noscrim's faction could not prevent it. It seemed as if no power in this world could save her.
However, she heard footsteps and an argument of familiar voices.
"Release Alameria now," said a voice, "we demand it."
Noscrim? Alameria wondered, He is freeing me?
"You have no authority here," the warden said in a condescending voice, "I don't care if your faction of priests is powerful enough to disregard the king or that your heroes are the most powerful. Alameria is a monster, and by divine law, she is to be executed."
The warden suddenly made a gagging sound before a female voice said sharply, "You will move out of our way, or be moved out of our way after I pulverize your entire spine. Make your choice."
"You can't do this, Olivier," the warden said, "you can't go against divine law."
The voices drew closer.
"Ah, here we are," Noscrim said, "greeting Alameria. Forgive us for our delay, but we didn't acquire the necessary assistance until now."
Alameria looked up. Indeed, Noscrim, Olivier and Paula were outside the cell she was locked in. Olivier was dragging a man by his throat too.
"Paula?" Alameria said, "Noscrim? I am dreaming?"
"No," Paula said, "we're breaking you out."
"But what about-"
"What High Priest Lorenin's faction did was wrong," Noscrim sighed, "they cannot just lock up a hero without trial and sentence them to execution. Thus, we are getting you out of here."
Olivier yanked the keys from the warden's belt and proceeded to unlock Alameria's cell. The hero then entered the cell and unlocked Alameria's shackles.
"Olivier," Alameria said, "how are you doing this? Lorenin…"
"We've got help from…an unexpected ally," Olivier smiled kindly as she supported Alameria, "and we are confident that we can save you."
"Unexpected ally?" Alameria said weakly, "What manner of entity is he, for his support to be so powerful that you are risking incurring the wrath of the Order?"
"He is…" Olivier struggled to find the right words, "otherworldly."
The trio then began to walk out of the dungeons.
"Otherworldly?" asked Alameria.
"He is as beyond our understanding as much as he is beyond yours," Noscrim added, "but enough talk. You should get something to eat. Take a nice bath and sleep. Tomorrow midday, we are putting you on trial. Maybe he might save you."
Alameria turned to Paula, "Is such a mysterious creature trustworthy?"
Paula smiled, "He is soulless, but not heartless. He will aid us."
Alameria's eyes widened. What soulless creature was powerful enough to elicit such behaviour from Noscrim's faction or the royal princesses?
Meanwhile in the Lescatie castle, Astramille and the king were in conversation. Also present were Gali, Eristia and Yuriy. The king was informed by Paula about Alameria's execution. Later Astramille was brought to him.
"So that is how the situation unfolded," King Castor sighed, "I knew the Order clergy were eroding my power, but to act this blatantly…"
"Can you explain?" Astramille asked.
After all, while he expected political struggles, he wasn't expecting the Order to literally overshadow the sovereign of Lescatie.
"Indeed," Castor said, "the clergy of Lescatie have basically taken over the high-level government functions, getting a lot of power and wealth in the process. They then lured knights and soldiers into their warrior orders, gaining even more power. The order practically controls the flow of money in this country. The nobles of this nation also largely back the Order, if only out of fear."
Astramille nodded, but on the inside, he was pissed off. Was this knowledge canon? He never read any of this in any book or wiki. It also explained why Lescatie was so shitty. The king may have wanted to do something about all the slums, but the order has all the money. And with political power, military strength and supposed divine intervention on their side, the royal family could do jack shit. Noscrim mentioned that he feared Aeris, but bit thinking back, this could have just been a ploy. The aim was to trick Astramille into thinking that the clergy dared not stand up to the royal family, thus Astramille must do something equally risky. Removing Elt from Wilmarina's life.
I underestimated Noscrim, Astramille thought, and by extension the Lescatie order. Those old sacks of shit are smarter than I expected. To make matters worse, I have already exposed myself to them as a scheming son of a bitch. They will certainly be on guard now.
"Well I must say," Astramille rubbed his chin, "I am shocked. So this is another problem to take care of."
Yuriy seemed excited at the prospect of watching Astramille hand the asses of corrupt clergy dickheads right back at them, "You are going to do something about it?"
Astramille nodded and grinned.
Noon rolled around at the same place where Astramille faced off against Aeris. And once again, many people were gathered around the square. Rumours were that a hero is actually a monster and is meant to be executed. The people are curious as to what the monster is.
Indeed, an executioner with a nasty looking axe stood on the square. A couple of priests of various ranks were also present. They are the priests of Lorenin's faction. In fact, High Priest Lorenin himself was there. The man was talking to his douchebag lackeys, evidently confident that they will have Alameria executed.
Noscrim arrived, along with Wilmarina and several priests of his faction. Olivier Amaltia and Paula Tronmail followed.
"Hey," Olivier whispered to Paula, "are you sure this is going to work?"
Paula smiled, "Totally."
Olivier smiled grimly before turning to glare at Lorenin's flunkies, "Well, you better be right."
King Castor arrived, flanked by two knights who remained loyal to the crown. The personal guards of the Lescatie royal family are perhaps the last of the soldiers who are loyal to the king. Noscrim immediately walked over to the king and began talking to him. Other prominent heroes include Sasha Fullmoon and Primera Concerto. Mimil was also a little distance away. Looking around, Wilmarina saw Yuriy, Eristia and another man approach. The man was dressed in a plague doctor outfit, but instead of the beaked head dress, he wore a hood and a masquerade mask. As he walked closer, Wilmarina could feel that he gave off weird vibes.
"Astramille," Wilmarina whispered, "he is here. Now I understand why father seemed so confident."
"Is that him?" Olivier asked, "Looks pretty suspicious to me."
"He is suspicious," Wilmarina replied, "but if he is on our side, then me might just win this."
Olivier rubbed her chin, "So that's the soulless guy who beat Aeris."
Finally, Alameria arrived. She was in a white dress that made her look absolutely divine. Alameria was often regarded as the most beautiful hero, and her outfit today made her prettier. Yet she was handcuffed, pulled along by a rope. Wilmarina wondered whether Astramillle's plan of making Alameria look beautiful and vulnerable will work on others, but it definitely worked on her. It strengthened her resolve to save her comrade.
Astramille stood by King Castor and High Priest Noscrim and discussed their next moves.
"So," Astramille said, glancing at Lorenin, "that Goge Vandire looking motherfucker is Lorenin?"
"Indeed," Noscrim said, "my long-time rival. He is the one behind the drive to have Alameria executed. You think you can beat him?"
"We'll see," Astramille mused, "but I-"
Just then, he felt someone grab him from behind. Turning around, Astramille sees Mimil grabbing him by his cloak and grinning, "Well, well, well. I've got you now."
Astramille raised an eyebrow under his mask and asked, "Meaning?"
"I paid through my nose to have Aeris use her prophetic powers to find you," Mimil said, "but here you are. I am not letting you get away."
"Aww," Astramille mocked, "is this a love confession? To go to such lengths to find me?"
Mimil laughed, "Oh no, I will have you work as my servant. Once I have you doing all the politics for me, I will be able to focus on doing magic."
"Not interested," Astramille said, "besides, I am serving the king right now."
"Quite an upgrade, huh?" Primera said as she approached, "So now you are sweet talking the royal family?"
"Astramille," Sasha said as she hurriedly walked up to him, "oh, I am so glad you are alive. Are you well?"
"I am," Astramille said respectfully, "good to see that there are indeed people in this world who care about me."
"Will you save Alameria?" asked Primera.
"I'll do what I can," Astramille said, "I am risking much, but the payoff will be remembered as the mother of all payoffs in history."
"Pssht," Primera turned away, "you are talking shit."
"Not this time," Castor intervened, "just watch the trial."
Primera turned to face the king, genuinely surprised. Has Astramille gotten his trust as well?
Finally, the trial began.
Lorenin wasted no time and launched his attack, "People of Lescatie, today we are going to witness the execution of Alameria Crescentoria. This foul enchantress of a monster had lived among us for years, pretending to serve the Chief God. Today, her trickery ends! We shall lop off her head!"
Nobody cheered, making it an awkward moment.
"You will not," Noscrim rose up to the challenge, "and we will ensure that."
Lorenin grinned, "So, you are really doing this, Noscrim. Defying the word of the Chief God. Tell me, High Priest, are the Three Musketeers so important to you that you could commit heresy?"
"Heresy implies I did something against the will of the Chief God," Noscrim smirked confidently, "and to determine that you must prove me guilty."
"Ha, ha," Lorenin laughed crazily, "prove you guilty? You are preventing a monster from being killed! What greater sin is there? Not just against the Chief God, but against humanity! Have you forgotten how the monsters have slain men throughout history? Are you going to spare a killer of human from the holy blade?"
"There are order nations who tolerate monsters," Noscrim said sharply, "based on their relationship with humanity. Surely you know of holstaurs and weresheep. Are you going to call nations that tolerate them heretical? And is Alameria a killer? Has she harmed any human? Far from it, her records show she is an excellent hero who is responsible for killing many monsters who would otherwise harm humanity. Alameria is also a devout follower of the Chief God."
"You must be fooled by her pretty face and honeyed words," Lorenin bared his teeth, "a monster is a monster. What other fate are they worthy of other than death?"
Noscrim turned to face Astramille, "Well then, it is up to you. I've made all the arguments I could."
Astramille then faced Alameria, who looked at him pleadingly.
"Don't worry," Astramille reassured her, "I've got this."
"Oh?" Lorenin sneered, "And who is this little whelp that DARES to challenge the Chief Gods word?"
"None of your concern," Astramille replied, "because you should be more worried for yourself. I will ensure that Alameria walks free today."
Lorenin and his followers laughed, "Then come, prove it to us."
"So your claim is that Alameria is not human," Astramille began, "thus she is harmful to humanity and deserves only death."
"See?" Lorenin pointed at Astramille, "Your own assistant believe what I said."
Astramille leaned forward slightly before saying, "Wrong. I merely listed your arguments. Arguments that you need to prove. Because what you can assert without evidence, I can dismiss without evidence. So you have three things to prove beyond reasonable doubt. That Alameria is a monster, that she is harmful and that she deserves only death."
Mutters ran through the crowd, even through Lorenin's faction, but Lorenin silenced his group with a raised hand.
"Well then," Astramille said, "first of all, you must prove to us that Alameria is a monster. I find that absurd. For a monster to live amongst Lescatie, with all its heroes, saints and mages for this long, it must be some serious negligence on the part of all military and security forces. Furthermore, Alameria can enter churches and pray to the Chief God, all without divine punishment. Is this not a sign that she is not a monster?"
The crowd seemed to agree with Astramille, based on their words and nods of approval. Astramille paused for effect before continuing,
"In fact, she is a powerful hero. That means the Chief God actively blessed her with her own divine power. Do you think that the Chief God will make such a mistake? To bless a monster? Or are you suggesting that a monster could deceive the Chief God?"
Lorenin clenched his teeth, "I do not know how she managed to do so, but the point remains that she is a monster. I have proof to back up my assertions. In a fight with monsters a while back, soldiers reported that she took solid hits from a demon blade. Yet the hits merely slowed her down briefly. When the monster was finally slain, she demanded to know why Alameria, a monster, was helping humans."
"So let me get this straight," Astramille interrupted, "you believe Alameria is a monster solely because another monster told you. Are you suggesting that Alameria being a monster is something that another monster would know, but the Chief God wouldn't? You seem to be implying that the Chief God doesn't know what another monster does."
"We did tests afterward," Lorenin grinned, "and the results are conclusive."
The High Priest pointed at Alameria and snarled, "Alameria Crescentoria is a monster who has the blood of vampires running through her! She is an abomination of man and monster. We should never have rescued her from her burning town all those years ago!"
Olivier clenched her fist while Paula placed her hands over her heart. The other heroes glanced at Astramille. What could the man pull off now?
Yet Astramille merely grinned under his mask.
Thanks for saying my chapters are awesome, Imperial Warlord.
Rst64tlc, of course Astramille makes another round of crazy happen. Because unpredictable, bullshit-tier madness is his only weapon. For now, at least. As for the sleep spell, can you tell me where you read it? I don't recall seeing that bit anywhere in canon.
As for Guest56, sorry to disappoint, but the weapons you described are difficult to implement. There is a reason even modern militaries haven't deployed them. Railguns need energy that even modern warships have trouble generating and have massive recoil. Also, when you send that much energy into a system, you get lots of heat. Parts of the barrel literally vaporise with every shot. Modern railguns can only fire a few times before the barrels need to be replaced. Particle beams and monomolecular blades are a whole new level of impossible. The only remotely plausible weapon is the laser, which may be replicated by directing light (magical or otherwise) through crystal and energy lens (magical or otherwise).
Anyway guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review to tell me what you liked and didn't like.
The next chapter won't be far.
