After the chanting had died down, Naofumi's gaze zeroed on the two mortals most responsible for making not only his but Raphtalia's life a living Hell. For all the torment inflicted on them, death would be too sweet for these two. If he had his way, he'd kill them as slowly and as painfully as he could before devouring their souls.
If he wasn't bound by a pact and his trauma of doing so once before...
Shaking his head quickly, he looked out around him at his people. Those two words carried so much weight that his mind almost quit there on the spot; his people. These were now his people. He would either raise them to a higher station or lead them down into destruction. It was all on his shoulders now and his own choices wouldn't impact just him alone. He knew he had to speak, he had to say something to them. So gathering his breath, he began simply.
"Gathered ones, I know I am not from your world but I am of your blood. We were born from the fires of the Sun, and as such we are one people regardless of where we come from. I stand before you and offer to you this word of life. Dying is not so hard for us, it's the living that's hard for us. When everything we hold dear is butchered for 'parts' and we are seen as nothing more but common monsters to be disposed of. But I say it does not have to be so, we can live together with these people. I have seen their capacity for cruelty, but I have also seen their equal capacity for compassion. They are young like we once were, perhaps they could be like us also one day if we are willing to set aside old grudges and help them learn from our mistakes. I do not promise anything special to any here, I am simply stating that thinking creatures can live together without killing the other when they open their mouths and speak the truth."
When he had finished he knew he had spoken well, when even those he knew to be against him were silent in contemplation. Glaring again at those two despicable fiends, Naofumi shouldered his cape back over his shoulders even as he felt the scales erupt all along his body. Those crowded around him made haste to back away as his shape dominated the arena. His stare bore straight into the souls of the two chained royals.
"All that remains is to decide what is to become of these things. They who abused their power and stature to not help their people in times of darkness and fear but would rather hinder my progress at every turn. I, who was summoned here to be a Hero. Stolen from my family, my world, and then finally robbed of my honor. I ask of my people what is to be their judgment?"
Unsurprisingly there was more than one voice screaming for their blood. A swift tail-flick silenced them.
"I could kill them, I surely could. But I won't. I give life to them who sought out my ruin."
More than half of the arena burst out into confusion before Naofumi's voice broke out over the din.
"But not a life worth looking forward to. What I propose is as follows: The former King Consort will be stripped of his power, his level reset and he is made to work among the people he has for so long ignored, maybe then he will remember what it was he once was. As for the former First Princess, I propose the same, but rather than have her work among the people here, she is to be made a sex slave and given to the males of my kin. Let her know what it feels like to be truly taken by dragons. Though I have little doubt she will repent, I will instruct that she be left alive and will be returned for further punishment by the Queen once a year has passed. And let this thought forever be etched into your minds; you were both spared by my mercy."
Turning to look up at the Queen, Naofumi spoke in a much calmer tone.
"Even though I do not need your permission, I ask you, do you accept this judgment as well young Queen?"
Not a sound could be heard as all turned to Mirella, she looked to the side and seemed to speak briefly with both Naofumi's Mother and the Elder dragon that had landed there. After a few minutes passed with the whole crowd holding their breath, their Queen turned and nodded once to Naofumi. Malty shrieked at the top of her lungs about the unjustness of this trial as her Father was quietly led away.
"HOW CAN YOU AGREE TO THIS MOMMA?! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS?!"
Malty froze as a firm grip was applied to her shoulders and she was forced onto her knees rather roughly. She barely registered the faint smell of rotten eggs, the telltale signs of a dragon's ignitable sulfur breath, before her hair was yanked back. She screamed at the discomfort, but that was the least of her concerns as she felt her breast piece being tugged and then give a small groan before it broke away. Her nipples stiffened as they were exposed to the open air. She was about to scream for the idiot Spear Hero to save her when she felt the soft tickle of a brush and the cold ink trail it left behind. Just like that, her fate was sealed as she was given her first order: Shut Up!
Then, just like that, the former First Princess Malty S. Melromarc was dragged away to spend a year in the Dragon lands, without so much as a word.
Naofumi resumed his more Human shape as he left his Kin to deal with the former Princess. He turned just in time to feel Raphtalia tackle him in a hug, followed by Draak. He glanced over Raphtalia's shoulder as an Elder approached just behind his Mother. After convincing everyone he was indeed alright, the Elder approached and bowed at the waist.
"Hail to you Young-Blood, my name is Tommas. I am the eldest among our people assembled here."
Naofumi returned the gesture.
"I am honored to meet with you Elder, I look forward to relying upon your wisdom and counsel today and in the future."
The Elder smiled approvingly of his new Emperor before signaling to those still attending to secure their slave for transport to their lands where she would be 'readied' and put to 'work' immediately. Many Young-Bloods were becoming rather rambunctious, and the Elder knew just how to calm them down. He began instructing his fellows about what to do as his Emperor spoke to his family.
"Master Naofumi, why did you do that?"
Naofumi had been mentally preparing for this discussion. He knew that the King's punishment wouldn't be met with any issue, the true issue lay with the Princess's punishment.
"Raphtalia, I'm now an Emperor, if I was to give her any other sentence my new people would revolt and kill her instead. This was the only way that would offer her life instead, and it was also why I stated that she be returned here alive as well. It was also rather fitting. She accused me of such a horrible crime when I know for a fact it wasn't her first time laying with another."
Once he said that, both Raphtalia and Melty quieted but still looked rather sickened by his choice of punishment. Melty hugged Draak tight, and he cooed to her soothingly as wings unfurled and carried away the one the Elder had chosen to carry the slave to their realm.
The Queen spoke again in a soft voice.
"Thank you Emperor Iwatani, for sparing both members of my family."
Naofumi looked at the Queen and gave her a small bow of his head.
"It is our Path. There is no greater crime than the thievery of one's family. I know of this pain and if I can, I will spare others of it."
Naofumi turned as his parents walked up, with soft smiles.
"You could've killed them Naofumi."
His Father spoke up after a moment, to which Naofumi nodded.
"I could have, but in the end what would it accomplish anyone here? More importantly, the words that I had spoken earlier would mean nothing. How can I speak of peace, then turn around and commit murder?"
Takeshi gave a nod, before gripping his son's shoulder in a fatherly fashion.
"Spoken well, my son. Don't ever forfeit that which makes you, you."
Naofumi couldn't put it to words, but in his soul, he knew that the theft of his honor had at last been resolved. The first crime they committed, now the last one to be undone. He had regained everything once again. He looked into his Father's eyes and smiled.
"I'll do my best not to let you down."
His Father lightly popped the back of his head and spoke.
"It's not I who should hear that, you need to say that to them."
He gestured behind him and Naofumi turned to see not just his Party but also several Humans, and Sun-Touched standing there and looking at him, not with judgment in their eyes but something lighter that he couldn't describe.
Naofumi did what he always did when he encountered a situation like this; he took a deep breath, rocked his head from side to side to pop his neck, then opened his eyes to stare back at everyone. He didn't know it at the time but those looking to him saw his eyes reflect their emotions perfectly; they were ablaze with a fiery passion they all felt within themselves. A passion to protect, to guard, and defend their families or die doing so.
