AN: Sorry for the delay in getting this out. To make up for that, there'll be another chapter coming in no more than a few days.

A lot of characters are, by necessity, introduced in these two chapters. Most are one-offs for filling out the cast, but some of them are related to previously introduced characters or were foreshadowed in an earlier chapter.


It was early morning, yet the sun was entirely hidden by thick clouds. The roofs were slightly damp from some rain last night, though not enough to make Wilmarina slip as she ran across them.

It feels slightly lonely, going here without Luciana at my side. But with the task that lies ahead, it's better for me to go alone, at least until I meet up with Lucas.

...And it gives her more time with Bennett, as jealous as it makes me feel…

Wilmarina sighed. It was something she would normally never do in a public venue. The only reason she let down her guard down was because there were few people out and about in this weather, and because she was moving too fast for most people to read her expression.

My colleagues have been incredulous that I could ever have trouble being with the man I love. And yet… that's the truth. In the time I was separated from him, Elt somehow drew in three others, any one of whom would be a formidable rival. And then there's the high probability that Fran is involved as well…

That book… did prove more informative than I thought. But...

Wilmarina had hidden "An Idiot's Guide to Romance!" in the most secure place she could think of: behind a loose stone in a disused room of Salvarision. She'd already read the book from cover to cover, so she wouldn't need to consult it again for a while.

The book was… less focused on erotic content than she'd expected. The majority of its text was actually about relationships: entering a relationship, maintaining it, and even breaking it off amicably. There was also information about relationships that Wilmarina had only heard of second-hand… and some that she'd previously considered immoral.

Right now, I don't know how much of this is true… yet it certainly looks as if it was written with sincerity. There was no advice about using love potions and mind control, as is claimed in our own writings on monster relationships…

Wilmarina put that book out of her mind for now. It would take time to untangle that thorny mess that was Elt's love life, time none of them had just yet.

Eventually, Wilmarina dropped down to the ground in a street of the noble district. She walked towards the gates of the Noscrim Manor at a leisurely pace, ignoring the gazes she received from passers-by.

The two guards at the manor's gates looked surprised as she approached.

"My apologies for startling you," Wilmarina said. "Has anything of note happened while I was away?"

The guards looked at each other uneasily. One of them said, "M'lady… there's been stories going around. Not saying we believe them! ...But, well, it's something you should watch out for…"

"I can imagine what kinds of stories are being spread," Wilmarina murmured. In a louder tone, she said, "Has this caused any trouble for you, or anyone else in the household?"

The two guards frantically shook their heads. However, Wilmarina felt hints of deception from them. She didn't have any money on her at the moment—having no need of it for her upcoming business—but she decided she had to give the guards, and all of her other servants, a raise in salary for the trouble they'd endured lately.

But that's also for the future. Right now...

"You two, could you go around and help me tell everyone to leave this place, just for today?" Wilmarina asked. "They can return to their homes, stay with friends, stay at a tavern, anywhere other than here."

The guards gulped. Neither of them asked why Wilmarina wanted this, clearly having a good idea already.

"...It feels weird to leave when we're supposed to be House Noscrim's guards," the first guard said. "But if that's your order, m'lady, we'll follow it."

For the next few minutes, the Noscrim Manor and its immediate surroundings were a hive of activity. All of the servants were confused by the sudden order, but all of them dropped their work quickly and began filing out into the street.

A few servants paused to ask if Wilmarina was leaving as well. She gave non-committal answers implying she'd leave at some point.

The last servant to leave was an elderly butler in a grey suit. This was Lann, the head butler, who'd been grey-haired for as long as Wilmarina could remember, who'd been serving the family since her own father was a child.

"Lady Wilmarina," Lann said quietly. "Are you certain about this course of action?"

"I am certain," Wilmarina replied. "And this isn't self-sacrifice, as you might fear. This is something I've discussed with others, and planned very carefully."

Lann still looked troubled. "...I have served your family from when I was a boy, much like my forefathers. I knew your father when he was still an idealistic young man."

That gave Wilmarina pause. Lann had never talked about her father's past before, always keeping the family's secrets as an ideal servant should.

"...What changed him?" Wilmarina asked. "The death of my mother? It affected him to the extent he never married again—"

"Not that," Lann said. This was another uncharacteristic behaviour: interrupting a superior. "It happened earlier. In his youth, he was idealistic yet also not foolish, he was aware of the darkness within Lescatie. One day, he and his companions set out to defeat some monsters, hoping the prestige gained would help them change Lescatie."

Much like we, in the Holy Ice Flower, thought for a time… Wilmarina recalled sadly.

"He never revealed the full story to anyone else, as far as I am aware," Lann said. "He did confide some details to me… he was the only one to return. One of his companions was abducted by monsters—"

That made Wilmarina feel slightly awkward about her own plans. Still, the treaty acknowledge that some monsters would continue to be a threat to humans, and explicitly allowed Lescatie to punish them when necessary.

"—and others left, presumably ensnared by monster magic," Lann continued. "That is the main factor in why Master Warran became who he is today. I do not make excuses for what he has done, or ask you to forgive him… but whatever you have planned, please ensure that Lescatie remains safe from the monsters."

Wilmarina felt deeply conflicted. She didn't have the time to give a proper explanation now, but she had to give some kind of response to Lann, who was saying this purely out of loyalty.

"...I will do as I always have, and fight for the sake of Lescatie," Wilmarina said, placing a hand over her chest. "And, Lann, I must ask one more thing of you. While you are away from the manor, please pay attention to the mood in the capital. You may hear shocking things, but please pay attention to them."

"I will, Lady Wilmarina."

With that, the elderly butler left, and Wilmarina was alone in Noscrim Manor.

It's… a little too quiet now. I doubt this building has ever been so deserted from the moment it was built…

Wilmarina took a jug of water and two glasses from the kitchen, then made her way to the guest room. She sat down on a couch and waited.

I dearly wish I could explain the truth to Lann and the other servants… but there isn't the time for that. First, the remainder of Lescatie's corruption must be dealt with. Only after that…

Just a few minutes later, she sensed a powerful spirit energy signature approaching. It was like a blazing torch in comparison to the sparks of most humans.

Wilmarina didn't have to go to the door to the greet her visitor, since the door had been left ajar. She could have done so just out of good manners, but she was still thinking about how she'd explain everything to her servants.

Moments later, Lucas entered the room. He nodded in greeting at Wilmarina, then eyed the glass cabinets filled with wine.

"I'll say one good thing about your father, he had an impressive taste for fine beverages," Lucas said.

"If I had the time, I would give all of these bottles away and put this room to better use," Wilmarina said, pouring out two glasses of water. "You'll have to content yourself with water for now. We can't afford to do anything that dulls our minds."

Lucas accepted his glass and took a sip. "I see your point, though some find that a cup of alcohol makes them more focused. But let us get to more important matters. Did you have any trouble clearing out your household?"

"They all agreed to leave without much trouble," Wilmarina replied. "Though… it does make me wonder. In the noble district, even the servants have little reason to want what monsters can offer, and they've been relatively insulated from the gossip in the rest of the city. It won't be easy to make them accept peace with monsters."

"The same is arguably true for the people of Salvarision," Lucas pointed out. "Yet almost all of them did accept it, thanks to a recklessly open confession by a certain someone."

Out of embarrassment, Wilmarina threw her glass at Lucas, who snatched it out of the air while only letting a few drops spill.

"...It was the best option I could think of, at the time," Wilmarina said, red-faced. "But let me return your question: did you have any trouble with your household? More specifically, your family?"

"My brother is working behind the scenes to try and usurp my place as head of the family," Lucas said brazenly. "My father—well, he's still too spineless to do anything. Mother was always the more active member of the couple, and after her arrest, he's now doing his best to keep a low profile. He probably knows about my brother's plans, but is unwilling to support a younger brother over an elder. As for the servants, the greater part of them are continuing to work silently, they'll probably follow whichever of us wins this succession battle."

"And similar conflicts may be happening in other families…" Wilmarina groaned. Lucas passed her glass of water back, so she took a sip. "It's at times like this that I feel grateful for being an only child… even though that means being grateful that my mother died young, unable to give me a sibling."

"Are you about to ask if that makes you a terrible person?" Lucas said, raising an eyebrow. "Because if so, it might not be ideal to ask that of someone who's wished death on his mother multiple times."

Wilmarina should have felt shocked by this. Kinslaying was one of the greatest taboos in the Order—indeed, in most faiths, cultures and nations. But she knew just what had happened to Lucas' old friend, so she simply felt grateful that he hadn't gone beyond mere wishes.

"...On a different topic, I haven't had the chance to meet Mirri in person yet," Wilmarina said. "How is she doing now?"

"Surprisingly well," Lucas said. "I never thought monsters would be skilled in healing psychological wounds, and yet…" he sighed. "I suspect they're better at it than anyone in the Order. When I first reunited with her, I feared… I feared she'd be terrified just being in my presence, after what she'd gone through. But she talked to me, grasped my hand, and… just before we parted, she hugged me for a moment." Lucas laughed bitterly. "It sounds silly when I say it out loud—"

"Not at all, Lucas," Wilmarina said quietly, thinking back on her own memories. "Not at all."

Lucas finished off his glass in a few quick gulps. "Well, I can't be making myself depressed just before a major event," he said, his tone lightening. "Wilmarina, have you managed to lure your man away from the competition yet?"

"Elt isn't mine!" Wilmarina protested. "He… He has the right to be with whatever woman he… chooses… Not all romantic feelings are answered in the end."

"Perhaps not, but…" Lucas held up his empty glass to the light, looking lazily at its contents. "It would be deeply ironic if you were the only one who ended up unsatisfied, when it was you who started all this, at least for our group—"

At that moment, Lucas froze.

"They've come?" Wilmarina asked tersely.

"Yes," Lucas replied.

A few seconds later, Wilmarina sensed it as well: four spirit energy signatures, each vastly stronger than those of ordinary humans… yet still weaker than herself or Lucas.

"Their support among heroes has truly dwindled, if this is the best they can muster," Wilmarina said, raising an eyebrow.

"Like this, we could easily carry out a violent coup now," Lucas agreed. "But we may as well follow through with the plan, to gain further support."

The two heroes walked out of the guest room and then out of the manor. In the front garden, they met a group of four. Two of them were warriors in plate armour, one was a mage in a robe, and the fourth was also a warrior, but much older than the rest and standing slightly apart from them.

"It's just the two of you in here?" said Alesander, a red-haired man with a smirk on his face that gave Wilmarina the urge to punch him.

"You ought to be more cautious," said Lyora, a blonde woman with an similarly punchable face. She laughed mockingly, yet also elegantly. "People will talk if an unmarried man and woman are alone together…"

"...Why did you send everyone else away?" asked Firn, another woman, younger and shorter than the rest of the group. Her brows were creased with suspicion. "Just what are you planning?"

These first three were heroes of the Order of the Dawn, one of the knight orders of Lescatie. Just seeing them brought back unpleasant memories for Wilmarina, memories of an argument over who would get the glory of slaying a monster chieftain.

"This does not change our duty," said Eldrich, a grizzled man in his fifties. "Heroes Wilmarina Noscrim and Lucas Mayer… you are under arrest for suspicions of assassinating our king, and of aiding the escape of the monster Alameria Crescentria."

Wilmarina was mildly surprised by Eldrich's inclusion in this group. He was one of the more senior and respected heroes in Lescatie, even after his retirement. Though judging by the resigned expression on his face, he wasn't here of his own volition.

Have the vultures who currently hold the Senate blackmailed him? Wilmarina wondered. And, now that I think about it, there are few old heroes still active. We suffer less from the ravages of age, thanks to our divine blessings, so it isn't a matter of becoming too weak for the battlefield. Based on what I know now… is it because older heroes lose the will to fight monsters, after realising they are people just like us, most of them innocent?

But now was not the time to ask about such matters. Now was the time to carry out the final step of the plan.

"Please come with us without resisting," Eldrich said.

"There's no need for politeness when speaking to traitors!" Alesander exclaimed.

"Perhaps not, but… I do believe politeness is needed when speaking to one's seniors," Lucas said.

The red-haired hero stepped forward angrily, only to be blocked by Eldrich's outstretched arm.

"Please come with us quietly," Eldrich said. There was an undercurrent of curiosity in his voice, as if he were asking, "Just what are you two planning?"

"We'll do just that," Wilmarina said calmly. "There's no need to cause any disturbance."

-ooo-

In the highest courtroom of Lescatie, where the most crucial of matters were judged, a man named Gustav sat on a bench. It was his second time being here this year, and his fourth time in his life, yet he could never fully get used to it.

"Hope this trial doesn't last too long," said Peredur, Gustav's friend who was sitting next to him. "Last time, I was starting to get sore, especially in—"

"Shh!" Gustav said. "Did you forget who else is here!?"

The courtroom had rows of long benches around the perimeter, where Gustav and Peredur sat along with over a hundred others. In front of these benches were individual padded chairs, where about twenty nobles and priests sat. In the front and centre of the courtroom was a raised platform which held three ornate thrones carved from wood, each of which was occupied by an imperious-looking judge.

"They don't care about what us in the back say," Peredur said casually. "Especially when the criminals aren't even here yet."

"Technically, they're still defendants at this point," Gustav said. "And you should still keep your voice down."

"Those two're going to be found guilty in the end, anyway," Peredur pointed out.

"...Well, that's true."

In the trials of Lescatie, there could only ever be one outcome. Many arrangements were made to ensure that outcome. Gustav, Peredur and a few others in the crowd were one such arrangement. They were paid to gasp and jeer at opportune moments, wearing down at the defendants' psyche and also making the judges appear more correct in their rulings.

Gustav was also involved in an arrangement outside of the courtroom. He would spread gossip among his friends and acquaintances, worsening the reputations of people who'd become inconvenient to Lescatie.

My old man raised me to be honest, to stay away from the rot in noble society as much as possible, Gustav thought. I still admire him, but… honesty doesn't put food on the table, doesn't help you keep your home.

Gustav recalled one old friend of his, who'd been injured in an accident and temporarily unable to work. During that time, said friend's wife had had to pay the rent to their landlord with something other than money.

If it means keeping my family safe from all that… I'll say whatever the ones in charge want me to say.

Several minutes passed. Gustav continued thinking, while others in the courtroom coughed or yawned or chatted. Occasionally, the sound of chair legs scraping against floor could be heard, as someone adjusted their seating.

Finally, the defendants arrived. Everyone in the courtroom quietened down at once.

Gustav had only seen Wilmarina Noscrim and Lucas Mayer a few times, and from afar. This would be the closest view he'd ever get of them.

They're… weirdly casual for people who are in shackles, and are about to lose everything, Gustav thought. Has it just not sunken in for them yet?

But those two would realise in the end, like everyone else who passed through this court. There was no hope of an innocent verdict—if those who held true power wanted someone to go free, they would never go to a trial in the first place. That was presumably why they'd helped—in one way or another—their comrade escape her planned execution.

The two heroes, in addition to being unarmed and having metal shackles on their wrists, were escorted by a group of four heroes. Even so, they kept looking inexplicably confident as they were guided to their place: a spot on the central platform in front of the judges.

"With the arrival of the defendants, I call this trial to order," said Marquis Theodore Taeslin, the chief judge, in a booming voice. "Heroes Wilmarina and Lucas, you stand before the court today accused of the following charges. First, of attempted assassination of our beloved King Castor."

Nearby, Gustav noticed Peredur rolling his eyes. Such nonsense might sound plausible to most of Lescatie's people, but not to pawns of nobles like them.

"Second, of causing the escape of the monster infiltrator Alameria Crescentria, thus endangering all of Lescatie," Theodore continued. "What do you have to say to these charges?"

"The two of us are not guilty of either charge," Wilmarina said calmly.

The courtroom was filled with gasps at this firm denial. Gustav, Peredur and their ilk were merely acting, while others might have been genuine.

"You dare say this, despite such blatant evidence?" growled one of the other judges.

"Much like at Alameria's trial, the evidence you have is not worthy of the name," Wilmarina said. "But please, present your evidence, if you wish."

One of the loyalist heroes, Alesander, placed a hand on his sword's hilt. Yet the threat didn't make Wilmarina cower in the slightest, nor Lucas beside her.

Has she lost her mind, after being arrested and losing everything? Gustav wondered. She might be a hero, but right now she's outnumbered by other heroes.

"Very well," Theodore said gravely. "Then I call upon the first of many witnesses."

A middle-aged woman walked to a chair that was on the side of the central platform. This was the chair designated for witnesses. She sat down and all eyes focused on her.

"Kindly tell the court anything you know that is relevant to this case," Theodore commanded.

"Y-Yes, Your Honour," the woman said. "Two days ago, I woke up early to get started on the day's chores. I noticed some movement out the window. Not an unusual thing, even at that time of day, but then I noticed they weren't common folk like me, they were wearing fancy clothes. I looked closer, and I spotted short blue hair." She looked up at Wilmarina. "Looking at her now… she's definitely the one I saw."

Gustav had to admire the brazenness of it all. Even if Wilmarina had planned to rescue her imprisoned comrade, there was no reason she had to do so personally, and if she did, she would surely disguise herself, would surely act in the dead of night when it would be hard for non-heroes to see her.

Even so, he gasped as though this was compelling evidence. Then he loudly whispered to Peredur, "How could she do such a thing? To think I once respected her…"

Similar whispers filled the courtroom.

"I will have order," Theodore declared. He looked at the defendants. "Do you care to explain yourself, Hero Wilmarina?"

"I was not present in the capital at that time," Wilmarina replied, truthfully in Gustav's opinion. "Might I ask the witness one or two questions?"

"You have that right," Theodore conceded.

Wilmarina turned towards the witness. "On that morning, when you saw someone out the window…"

"Y-Y-Yes, m'lady?"

The witness started shaking and sobbing, like a little girl confronted with a ferocious beast. Some disapproving murmurs came from the audience.

"...If you feel uncomfortable, then you need not answer," Wilmarina said softly.

"The witness may depart," Theodore said. And even from a distance, Gustav noticed a triumphant gleam in his eye.

With that, the witness stood and ran back to where she'd been sitting previously. Gustav had to admire her acting skill—with a few fake tears, she'd removed even the possibility of her testimony being questioned.

"I call forth the next witness…"

-ooo-

An hour passed in this manner. Witnesses came forth one by one to talk about all the shady activities committed by the Order of the Holy Ice Flower. A couple of them brought documents—secret letters, records of illegal transactions—that ostensibly proved their words. And Gustav continued lending his voice in support of this face of a trial.

One of those witnesses was Lamont Mayer, younger brother to one of the defendants. He sat in the witness' chair and looked at Hero Lucas with a triumphant smirk. It took a second for him to cover it up with a nervous expression.

"There was a day… when my brother was home, and I went to his room," Lamont said. He was a man scarcely out of boyhood, and shared the silver hair and golden eyes of his brother. "He wasn't there at the moment, and when I turned to leave…" He swallowed exaggeratedly. "I saw the corner of a book underneath his pillow. Out of curiosity, I lifted up the pillow to see what the book was… and it was titled 'Monster Girl Encyclopedia'…"

"How shameless!"

"That forbidden book!"

"Was he trying to corrupt others!?"

Gustav was too amused by this lie to cry out in shock like others were doing. Even if Hero Lucas was actually a heretic interested in monster literature, he could probably do better than a five-year-old child at hiding it.

"What happened to this book?" Marquis Theodore asked.

"I immediately dropped the pillow and ran from the room," Lamont said. "That encyclopedia is cursed, after all, some say that even touching it is enough to corrupt a human. And… I wanted to reveal at once what my brother was doing, but… but… he's the hero, and my elder… I was just so afraid of what he might do…"

"You need not speak further," Theodore said, in the manner of a kindly grandfather. Then he looked at Lucas and his tone hardened. "Well? What do you have to say to this allegation?"

"Only that I've never been much of a reader," Lucas said, shrugging. "No such book exists in my possession."

Next to Gustav, Peredur whispered, "That's a shame. They say the Monster Girl Encyclopedia has some really nice pictures inside—"

"Quiet!" Gustav whispered back. "Now's not the time or place to say that! Where did you even hear something like that!?"

"Well, there's a lot of stories going around lately…"

"I'd like to ask a question of the witness," Wilmarina said, drawing Gustav's attention back to the trial. "This book you claim to have seen… what was on the cover, aside from the title?"

Now Lamont sweated a little. "It was… The front cover was entirely black aside from the title, which was in red text."

Lucas laughed. This caused all three of the Order of the Dawn to glare at him threateningly. On the other hand, veteran hero Eldrich just sighed with what sounded like… exasperation?

"Hero Lucas," Theodore said, "you will respect the sanctity of this court, or—"

"The Monster Girl Encyclopedia has brown as the background colour, foolish brother," Lucas said. "The title is golden, and… there is an illustration of six different kinds of monsters."

Lamont turned pale. He then stammered, "B-But, that just proves you have that book!"

"The basic appearance of the Monster Girl Encyclopedia is common information for heroes, military priests and others dedicated to fighting monsters," Wilmarina said coldly. "That is to help us to find any copies of them, so they can be confiscated and destroyed."

Lamont opened and closed his mouth, but no further words came out.

"…The witness may depart," Theodore said irritably. "Next!"

The next witness turned out to be a noblewoman with fair hair styled into ringlets.

"Your Honours, I have met both of the defendants before," the noblewoman said. She glared scornfully at Wilmarina. "I met Hero Wilmarina several times, yet she never spared me the time of day. And I overheard her, on one occasion, talking about how she'd gain control of House Noscrim soon… and that day could not arrive quickly enough."

If Gustav had been in Wilmarina's position, he certainly wouldn't want anything to do with the woman who now sat in the witness' chair.

Still, he had a job to do. He loudly whispered to Peredur, "So greedy… all that talk of fixing Lescatie must've just been a lie," and Peredur nodded.

Yet the noblewoman wasn't finished with her testimony. "And then there is Hero Lucas, though I shudder to give him that title," she said. "My sister and I once greeted him at a ball. He was purely formal with me… yet…" she held her shoulders, as if recalling a horrific memory. "The gaze he directed at my sister… it wasn't the sort of attention she should receive, at the age of eight…"

There were shocked cries of "Such perversion!" and "He must truly be corrupted by monsters!" Gustav and Peredur, on the other hand, were so surprised that they forgot their jobs.

"...They're actually going in this direction?" Gustav whispered.

"Guess it makes sense, in a way," Peredur said. "He and Hero Wilmarina aren't betrothed or married to anyone, even though that's how nobles make their alliances. So it makes sense to… use that to claim it's because he's not interested in women…"

Gustav watched the scion of House Mayer nervously. After a false accusation like that, it wouldn't be surprising if he burst into violence, despite the odds being against him.

Theodore slammed his palm onto the arm of his throne, bringing quiet back to the courtroom. "Silence! Now, Hero Lucas, what do you have to say in response to this allegation?"

Gustav noticed that even Wilmarina was watching her partner carefully now, as if she too was wary of what he'd do next.

"...I did attend that ball, and I met Lady Saera and her sister," Lucas said eventually. "I greeted them both with the formalities expected of me, and paid no particular attention to her sister."

"You dare call me a liar!?" Saera hissed.

"I call you someone consumed by spite, spite at my not returning your attentions," Lucas said firmly. "I turned you down because you, along with countless others in my social circle, are not worthy of my interest."

"You… You…!"

The courtroom was now in an uproar, with many letting out genuine gasps at Lucas' words.

"Hero Lucas!" Theodore said, standing from his throne. "Our witnesses are not the ones on trial! And this… topic has nothing to do with the charges laid against you!"

"Yet many of our audience seem quite interested in what I have to say," Lucas retorted. He gestured with one hand behind him.

Indeed, many of the audience had curious expressions, reflecting their insatiable thirst for gossip. Next to Gustav, Peredur was even nodding.

"Hero Lucas—" Theodore persisted.

"Many of you must be wondering why I remain unmarried, unbetrothed," Lucas said, in a forceful voice that denied any interruption. "The reason for that is simple. I love, and have only ever loved, one woman. Someone who doesn't fritter away money on balls and dresses worn only once, someone who doesn't sneer at the thought of hard work, someone who sees me for who I truly am."

There was a moment of stunned silence. Saera said nothing, her mouth simply gaping open. Even the judges seemed taken aback by this confession. Wilmarina looked at Lucas and… simply raised an eyebrow.

"That is all I have to say to the witness," Lucas added. "Your Honour, I apologise for any disturbance I have caused."

"That… That is…" Marquis Theodore stammered. "So long as you refrain from doing it again…"

However, three of the loyalist heroes chose that moment to lose their temper.

"Your Honour, I cannot accept this!" Alesander shouted, drawing his sword and causing several people to gasp sincerely. "These two traitors have made a mockery of the trial!"

It was already a mockery from the start… Gustav thought, and he was likely not the only one.

"I concur!" Lyora shouted, drawing twin daggers. "Allow us to chasten them so they cease this nonsense!"

"Don't do this, you idiots," Eldrich growled. "Stand down!"

"They're too riled up now to listen," Firn said, almost too quiet for Gustav to hear from this distance. She raised a wooden staff. "We may as well chasten those two fools—"

What happened next was too fast and chaotic for Gustav to follow. There was the sound of metal snapping, then of shouts and pained grunts.

Two people slammed into a wall, over ten paces away from the scene of the fight. Both were in armour—it was Alesander and Lyora, Gustav realised to his shock. They'd been thrown here by Hero Lucas, who'd taken their weapons as well.

"Gah!"

Hearing that yell, Gustav swivelled his head around to see Hero Wilmarina standing over the mage. She'd somehow disarmed Hero Firn of her staff and was now pressing it against the mage's throat.

"Her shackles… she broke them?" Gustav said, his eyes wide.

"Hero Lucas' too…" Peredur said weakly. "So that's why they were so confident from the start!?"

"Shackles like this aren't nearly strong enough," Lucas said in a loud voice, causing Peredur to jump. "Not for heroes like us. Did whoever ordered these shackles skim from the money?"

The courtroom was now filled with screams. The nobles in front, those who'd been so confident before, now realised that they were the closest to the two rebellious heroes, and they began backing away in their chairs.

"W-What are you doing, Hero Eldrich!?"

"Seize those two!"

"Kill them! They've already shown themselves to be traitors!"

As the terrified nobles called out orders, Gustav stood from his chair and beckoned for Peredur to do the same. One good thing about being seated in the back was that it meant they were close to an exit—

"SHUT UP!"

That command from Eldrich was emphasised by him striking the floor with his sheathed sword.

The audience froze. The defeated members of the Order of the Dawn, two of whom had been rising to their feet, froze. Even Gustav and Peredur froze on their way to the exit.

"You two," Eldrich said, sounding weary. "Will you cause trouble again?"

"We will not," Wilmarina said, stepping away from Hero Firn and putting down the staff. "And was it not the Order of the Dawn who attacked us?"

"That they did," Eldrich sighed. "But… I must ask both of you to drop your weapons."

"Of course, Hero Eldrich," Lucas said, sounding more respectful than he'd been thus far. He handed over a sword and a pair of daggers. "Perhaps you should keep these, for now, so there are no more incidents."

The three heroes from the Order of the Dawn were all back on their feet now. They hung their heads in shame, looking like they were the ones who'd been chastened.

"Wh-What are you doing?" one of the more daring, or perhaps foolish, priests asked. "It was those two who blatantly provoked the attack, they must be punished in some manner…"

"That would be a very foolish idea," Eldrich said. "First of all, the shockwaves from a fight between true heroes—" the Order of the Dawn flinched at these words, "—would be deadly to any non-heroes in the same room."

Now Gustav had an even greater desire to flee the courtroom. And yet… another part of him was transfixed, wanting to see how this trial will turn out."

"And second…" Eldrich said. "I might stand a chance against one of these two youngsters. But not both at once. So if they won't fight any further, neither will I."

"How… How can that be, Hero Eldrich…?" asked Theodore, whose voice no longer had any trace of his previous authority. "You are one of Lescatie's most experienced heroes, with decades spent fighting monsters…"

"And I've spent the last eleven years at home, leaving my skills to rust," Eldrich shot back. "I've spent the years sitting around, watching my children grow… and cleaning up after their messes."

That last part was delivered in a regretful voice. Gustav now had an inkling of why a respected hero like Eldrich was willing to take part in this parody of justice.

Even heroes have their problems… and speaking of heroes…

Gustav looked at the two defendants. They'd moved back to the same place as before, despite breaking their shackles and beating up three of their guards, and were simply looking at the judges again. Meanwhile, said judges appeared paralysed by fear.

"Do any more witnesses remain to be called upon, Your Honours?" Wilmarina asked calmly. "Or have you come to a decision regarding Hero Lucas and I?"

"We…" Theodore said hesitantly. "The witnesses… our decision, is…"

Meanwhile, in the very back of the courtroom, Gustav came to a realisation.

"This… all of this… was just a plan of theirs."

"They deliberately made the other heroes angry, angry enough to attack," Peredur said, having clearly realised the same thing. "All so they could beat them up, making their enemies look weak."

"Not just weak, but also unjust, corrupt," Gustav said. "They're still going along with this rigged trial, even when they're strong enough to leave whenever the hell they want, to show that they care about justice… with all of us as their witnesses."

Now Gustav wondered what the two rebels planned to do next. After turning this trial back on their political enemies, did they plan to bring in the rest of the Order of the Holy Ice Flower, and take control of Lescatie by force? And what would that mean for people like himself, who'd been supporting the corrupt nobles out of self-interest?

Before Gustav could make up his mind, he heard approaching footsteps from the nearby exit. He and Peredur hurried back to their bench, sitting down just as the doors opened.

All turned to face the new arrivals, then there was a fresh round of gasps.

"I-Impossible…"

"Your Majesty!"

"King Castor!?"

Striding in through the doors was none other than the king of Lescatie himself. Despite his creased face, he seemed to be bursting with energy. And he wasn't alone.

The ones holding the doors open were the king's two personal guards.

Walking beside him was a graceful middle-aged woman in a green gown—Queen Francia Reinel Lescatie.

Behind the royal couple were four young women. One had brown hair while the rest had purple hair of different styles. There was a priestess in a pure white habit, a mage in a robe of deep purple, and a lightly armoured warrior—princesses of Lescatie, Gustav knew at once. And the fourth… she was unfamiliar to Gustav, and she was walking unsteadily while supported by the warrior.

"The whole royal family's come…" Gustav whispered. "Every single one."