Trial of Alameria II

Alameria tried to hold back her tears but could not stop them from welling up. If what Lorenin said was true, then there was basically no way Astramille could win. It was one thing if she was a harmless monster like a holstaur or kikimora. But she is part vampire, a race of vicious powerful, blood sucking monsters. It is unlikely that Astramille could convince the people to release her.

Evidently Noscrim thought the same, because he whispered to Astramille, "Hey, if she really is part vampire, then that's going to cause lots of panic. Still think you've got this?"

Astramille nodded before challenging Lorenin, "Part vampire and part human? Where I come from, such creatures exist in mythology as dhampirs. Is that what Alameria is? Because if that is the case, then she poses no threat to humans. Hasn't that been proven over the years? Has she harmed anyone?"

"Irrelevant," one of Lorenin's followers interjected, "we have proven she is a monster. Therefore, she must die."

"Oh really?" Astramille smirked, "Just because she is only part human? Then why aren't you screaming to execute Primera? I mean, judging by the fact that Alameria managed to convince the entire nation and maybe all of heaven that she is a not monster, I dare say she is more human than Primera."

"Shut it, asshole!" Primera screamed, "I will turn your head into a pin cushion of arrows!"

"Primera is half-elf," Lorenin countered, "and we have no problems with elves or dwarfs. Was that your best argument?"

"No," Astramille continued, "my best argument is that dhampirs do not drink blood, that they do not attack people and that they are perhaps the best defense against vampires."

He paused before suddenly saying, "Of course! I understand now! It was no accident that the Chief God allowed a dhampir to be blessed with her divine power! It is a part of her will!"

"You HERETIC!" Lorenin screamed, as he charged up a magic attack, "You dare blaspheme against the Chief God? You shall BURN in HER LIGHT!"

He casts a bolt of holy energy, but a magic sprung up and blocked the attack. As the attack dissipated, Mimil could be seen standing in front of Astramille, her wand still glowing.

"Listen up, you old prune," she hissed, "I paid a huge sum of money to get my hands on this man. There will be consequences for anyone who harms him."

"Are you incapable of thinking outside the box?" Astramille said, apparently unshaken that a High Priest just tried to obliterate him, "I believe Alameria is a hero by the Chief God's will, a hero made solely to combat vampires."

"That could true," said a new voice, "I can support that."

All the people present turned to face the speaker. It was Maximillian, followed by Charlotte and her two elementals.

"You," Lorenin narrowed his eyes, "you are Maximillian. So, the runaway returns at last! What makes you think you have the right to speak?"

"Simple," Maximillian shrugged, "I have fought alongside dhampirs before and there is nothing more powerful against vampires. In their presence, even vampires that can decimate squads of holy knights lose all of their powers, becoming no more than a regular girl."

He paused for effect, "Dhampir's are very rare and are highly valued as mercenaries in Gothian lands. A dhampir blessed by the Chief God would be one of a kind. Alameria fills a niche of a dedicated anti-vampire hero, and that is not counting whatever other capabilities she has."

"Besides," Astramille added, "Apsara's are monsters who serve the goddess Eros. I don't see any of you advocating for their murder. Even though they literally dance through the streets to seduce men. The king told of a case where a young apsara waved at a man, turning him into a lolicon/pedophile with a fetish for armpits. And somehow a monster slaying dhampir who prays to the Chief God and acts in accordance with her laws is the bigger moral threat? The Chief God trusted Alameria and bestowed her own divine mana upon her."

Noscrim's faction started speaking out in agreement amongst themselves.

Astramille raised his voice, "I demand that Alameria be released! Or we will risk the Chief God's will and her punishment for killing her chosen warrior."

Cheers erupted from the crowd while Lorenin's faction looked around, shocked. Even the king nodded in approval.

"He really did it," Sasha said placing her hands on her chest.

"Wow," Olivier smiled with relief, "I was not expecting all of this."

Even Alameria looked hopeful, despite being cuffed.

"Damn it," Lorenin hissed, "we are losing."

"I'll do this," said an inquisitor from his group, "the heresy of that group shall not be tolerated."

The inquisitor stepped forward and glanced at Astramille, "I am impressed, stranger. You are very good at making arguments that appeal to the heart. But such arguments have no place here. The law demands that monsters be killed."

"Then why not apsaras?" Astramille demanded, "Is it because they are servants of Eros? But by that logic, Alameria is a servant of the Chief God. The divine power she wields is proof of that."

"I have the backing of countless scriptures," the inquisitor said, "word of the Chief God."

"Scriptures that you appear to selectively enforce," Astramille countered, "and not to mention I have the backing of the Chief God's actions."

"Prove it!" the inquisitor demanded.

Astramille sighed and rubbed his face, "For the love of all that is sacred, I know that clergy are typically conservatives who resist change, but I never expected they would literally ignore signs from the Chief God. Alameria is a HERO! That means when she was young, the Chief God chose her to carry her divine power and Valkyries raised her to utilize that power. Is there are more powerful sign that the Chief God ordained her for a divine purpose?"

The inquisitor drew his sword.

"What are you doing?" demanded the king, "You are not authorized to execute Alameria."

"Oh, not much," the inquisitor grinned, "I am merely going to try and behead the foul creature before me. As an inquisitor, I have the right to do so. If the Chief God wants to stop me, then she should send an angel."

Castor raised his left hand. The personal guards of the royal family drew their blades.

"I have had it with your abuse of authority," Castor said sharply, "stand down."

"Oh?" Lorenin taunted, "What are you going to do?"

"A lot, really," Castor said, "I have been thinking of your actions during the recent years, and their consequences. And I believe some major changes are needed."

Castor looks around, "It hasn't escaped my attention that my nation is falling apart. The decay began long ago. But it accelerated in the decade after the plague. Our wars and campaigns have cost us much, and the price is not being paid by those incurring them."

"And your point is?" Noscrim inquired.

"I am going limit your lawmaking powers, clergymen," Castor replied, "and strip you of your powers to collect tax and allocate budgets."

"What?" Noscrim demanded, "Is this some kind of joke? You can't do that!"

"It hasn't escaped my attention that the Order has taken powers from the monarchy," Castor replied, "I know you took over government functions, then funneled wealth into your own militant orders, increasing your powers further. All this at the expense of the Lescatie citizenry. I tolerated your power grabbing in the past due to the heroes and their successful campaigns in monster extermination."

Castor glared at the priests, "But recent campaigns have been failures! Wahnor was blatantly attacked, and reports of widespread monster attacks are coming in. I am starting to believe that your failures come from losing the grace of the Chief God, doubtlessly due to your corruption and incompetence. Now you are hypocritically trying to execute a hero? Even though you have spared monsters that posed far greater moral threats to Lescatie?"

Astramille turned to face Lorenin, "I don't believe that Loreinn is doing this out of concern for Lescatie. Noscrim told me that he is a long-time rival. I suspect he is trying to eliminate Alameria to weaken Noscrim's faction."

"Nonsense," Lorenin snarled, "you heretic."

Astramille grinned. By now, those familiar with him knew he was going to come up with something unexpected.

"Nullum crimen sine lege," Astramille said airily, "nulla poena sine lege."

"No crime without law," Noscrim whispered, "no punishment without law."

Everyone was surprised, but none more than Sasha and Primera. Astramille certainly didn't look like he could speak the language in which the earliest surviving scriptures were written.

"Ah," Astramille said, "I knew you clergy would understand the language. Afterall, Sasha Fullmoon gave me a name in that language."

"You think parroting a few fancy words in Luxopolan will make you more legitimate?" Lorenin seemed furious, "you and the king are defending a monster. That violates so many laws and commandments that I can have both of you put to death."

"Ah," Astramille waved in finger, "insurrection, eh? That makes you enemies of the state. Do you see now, your Highness? They do not have the best interests of this nation in mind."

"You cannot remove us from power!" Noscrim bellowed, "We are the Chief God's servants."

"There is no law saying you cannot be stripped of your political powers," Castor said, "especially since your conduct demands it. I will consider returning the powers to you when you prove worthy."

"I have decided," Castor said, "Alameria shall be released, on the condition that she is loyal to the monarchy. I shall expand the royal guard and make it into a proper militant order. They, and not the hero militias under the church, shall form the nation's permanent standing army."

"Do you accept?" asked Astramille.

Alameria looks at the king, "If the king can save my life, then his family shall have my loyalty."

"Then welcome," Castor said, "to the Lescatie royal guard. I shall think of a better name later. Captain Rene, release her."

One of the kings, guard walked up to Alameria. The man who cuffed her released the dhampir, who then rubbed her wrists. Rene brings Alameria to Castor before returning to the king's side. The surrounding crowd cheered at the sight.

"No," Noscrim hissed, "you cannot do this, you are committing heresy! And you Astramille, you promised that you would help me save Alameria!"

"Have I not?" asked Astramille, "Did I not spare her from the executioner's blade?"

"You won't get away with this," Lorenin bared his teeth, "do you think you have the power to stop us? Who will join your new order?"

The king smirked before turning to Mimil, "Mimil Miltie, Astramille has recommended you to me, on the account of your intelligence and magical abilities. He also said that your talent is wasted in the hands of the clergy, whose minds are closed tighter than their wallets."

Mimil couldn't help but suppress a giggle, before saying, "Well, your Highness, Astramille is certainly right about that. Can you guarantee to me that I will be listened to?"

Castor nodded, "If you contribute, you shall have a voice."

"Then count me in," Mimil grinned, "you have my allegiance."

Astramille turned to Eristia, "Hero Eristia, I have heard from your squire that the hero orders of Lescatie generally looked down at you. You are seen as less powerful, and less worthy. Will you join the kings new militant order?"

Eristia shrugged, "Well, if the king is less judgmental and condescending about my status as an illegitimate child and, then sure."

Astramille glanced at Sasha and Primera, who looked back at him, "Well, I suppose you could join too? Perhaps if the king offered to have your orphanage church rebuilt, or relocated closer to the central castle…"

Sasha looked surprised, while Primera rolled her eyes. The king pondered for a while before saying, "I may have to negotiate with my daughters, but I believe I should be able to move your orphans closer to the palace."

"I would be honored to," Sasha bowed her head before continuing, "your offer is most kind."

"Bah," Primera crossed her arms and muttered, "I'd rather live in the slums, close to the forest than with all those stuck up humans near the center of Lescatie."

"Primera," Sasha frowned, "don't be like that."

"Please don't be offended," Astramille quickly said to the king, "Primera has suffered at the hands from humans and elves alike due to her status."

Castor nodded, "I understand."

Paula suddenly put her hand up, "Your highness, I am willing to join. Nothing would make me happier than fighting by Alameria once again."

Noscrim looked shocked while Astramille grinned.

"Very well," Castor said, "I accept. I will also be accepting further applications and recommendations later."

Both Noscrim and Lorenin glanced at each other. This has gone far beyond their wildest imagination. In one fell swoop, Astramille not only saved Alameria, but also convinced her to join the king's new order. Then, he rallied several powerful and prominent heroes to the king's faction, and that is before taking the three elder princesses of Lescatie (especially Aeris) into account. As if that wasn't bad enough, the king also stripped them of their government power.

However, Noscrim's faction was dealt the hardest blow. Aside from losing their political powers and income, the Knights of the Holy Ice Flower just lost two key members, who also made up two of the Three Musketeers of Lescatie. The move doubtlessly reduced their military power and prestige, and lower ranked nobles may take this opportunity to return to the king's faction. There was no doubt that Lorenin's faction, who was unable to eliminate Alameria, will use this to their advantage too.

Noscrim clenched his teeth and fists. Why did Astramille do this? What did he have to gain? Was he not attempting to leave Lescatie? Has he changed his mind, or did the king ask him to stay? Either way, Astramille has just demonstrated that he is far more devious than Noscrim had predicted. But there remained one question that bugged him. What was there to gain? Astramille sounded to be the type of personal who was logical, especially with his talk about rational choice theory. What did the king offer him? Wealth? Power? Nobility? A princess for marriage? No, it was unlikely that Astramille would even contemplate marrying Aeris or Francisca. What motivated Astramille to pull off something like this?

Meanwhile, Lorenin's faction also talked amongst themselves.

"High priest," the inquisitor said, "what do you make of this circumstance?"

The old priest frowned, "We were unable to weaken the Noscrim's faction by eliminating Alameria, but Astramille dealt them a much harder blow than we ever could. Instead of merely losing Alameria, Noscrim's order also lost Paula Tronnmail, and that is before we take into account that Olivier may switch side to the king. The Amaltia family only served the Noscrim because they believed that the king would be usurped by Noscrim's faction."

Another priest also asked, "So it is likely that the Three Musketeers may now be under the control of the royal family?"

Lorenin glared at the priest, "Did you not attempt to bring Sasha to our faction? Why have you failed when the king and that outsider succeded?"

"Sasha always demanded that she take the orphans with her," the priest said helplessly, "and I always refused."

"You fool," Lorenin hissed, "feeding, sheltering and clothing those orphans is inconsequential against the benefits of having Sasha on our side. Now we have lost her to the royal family too. Not to mention Mimil."

"What about Erisitia?" asked the inquisitor.

"She isn't worth it," Lorenin shook his head, "an illegitimate child born to a mistress who isn't super powerful like Mimil won't be much of an advantage."

"The biggest mystery is that man," the inquisitor said, "wasn't he the same person that proved Aeris wrong in that gamble of theirs? Their voice is the same. As is size and stature."

"This is very confusing," Lorenin closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, "he was brought here by Noscrim as a supporter, yet he knifed him so hard that even I got nervous. He defied Aeris yet aided the royal family today. Who is he? What is his identity? Is he serving anyone, or only himself? If we are to avoid dangerous paths in the coming days, then we need to understand him. After all, the king removed our powers as well, doubtlessly due to his counsel. We must keep a close watch on him."