Chapter 19 - The Culprit

A/N: Hello dear readers. It's been some time now. I had to deal with a couple problems including a particular version of writer's block. I apologize for the waiting. Let's hope I get back to my old groove which while not exactly fast wasn't this slow. I'd also like to thank Progman for betaing this chapter and giving his invaluable input.

"Why is it that each time political disaster is brewing somewhere, you happen to be close by, Sara Valestein?" Tungstos said. After their instructor's tactless disturbance, the judge had called for a court recess with the prosecution, defense and investigation team withdrawing to the antechamber. And behind closed doors and with his mood clearly aggravated, Jusis noticed how the man's speech reverted to a more informal tone.

"You know how it is with little old me," Valestein drawled. "A girl always has to go where the action is."

The judge looked between their wayward instructor and all members of Class VII, understanding dawning on his face. Once again it astounded Jusis how a high placed member of the judiciary knew Sara Valestein of all people.

"I heard rumors from certain... sources that you started to teach at Thors," Tungstos said with clear exasperation, "but please, don't tell me some higher-up allowed you to train a new generation of pseudo bracers under the guise of officer cadets."

Jusis huffed. "Your honor, I won't stand for the notion of being molded into some kind of bracer."

"Me too," Fie added.

"It's heartening to hear this, special counsel Albarea," the judge said, "though it also confirms my suspicion that both the defense and prosecution happen to be her students."

"Is this a bad thing, your honor?" Regnitz asked almost timidly.

The judge shielded his eyes as if to ward off a particularly unpleasant memory. "Where this woman goes, chaos tends to follow. And call me superstitious, but I believe her tendency to attract chaos is contagious."

Jusis suppressed a snort. This would explain so much.

"Thanks to all the trouble following Sara around like lonely puppies," Freising said, "I've never been short on high profile scandals to prosecute."

Tungstos sighed. "You just made my point, Helena."

"Yeah, yeah, just go and take a dump on the bracer with zero legal authority in the Empire, why won't you? Real classy of you legal folks here."

"So if anything else goes wrong in the future, we consider it Instructor Valestein's fault?" Jusis asked.

Fie glanced at him. "Sounds about right." They both nodded in unison, though it still surprised him how natural it felt to agree with the ex-jaeger.

Alisa looked at them aghast. "Okay, this is a combination I never saw coming."

Laura just furrowed her brows.

"I think they make a good team," Gaius said with a smile on his face.

Jusis gave the Nordian a nod of acknowledgment. "She makes for a passable judicial assistant."

Fie rolled her eyes. "Right. Me, a judicial assistant."

"Heeello! You cart me all the way here from Parm and now you ignore me? What's wrong with all of you?"

Jusis turned to the one unknown in this formidable group of people. Their instructor claimed this child was the material witness except she looked nothing like what was shown on the photo - save perhaps for the color of whatever travesty she wore. Some kind of skintight contraption with circular protrusions on her wrists. It was almost a mercy she looked not a day older than twelve, but her attire was still beyond scandalous.

"How is this child supposed to be the key witness?" Regnitz said. "Wasn't it some strange white object?"

"Hey, four-eyes! Lammy isn't some strange white object! He's the best!" She raised her arm. "Come out, LAMMY!"

It appeared as if by magic. A being, a floating puppet that defied easy description. It was indeed white, though with strips of anthracite gray marking where its joints were supposed to be. And the joints themselves - free floating spheres of the darkest blue interspersed with glowing lines. Lines the exact hue of Epstein-Kowalski radiation, an indication that despite the object's outlandish exterior it was powered through orbal energy.

"The heck!?" Regnitz cried out.

The judge stumbled back. "By Aidios! What manner of malarkey is this?"

"I can't believe my eyes," Alisa murmured.

"At least now, there is no doubt this child is the person we need," Jusis spoke up, trying to steer the discussion back on track. "We have your falcon companion to thank for this boon, Gaius?"

"Indeed. Zeo did all the work."

The child gave Gaius the stink eye, a big pout on her face. "I'm totally watching you, big guy. Someone with such a badass birdie on speed dial is dangerous."

Jusis looked at the girl, trying to gauge her personality and the baffling amount of confidence she exuded. How should he talk to her? Hunkering down to eye-level? No, unnecessary. She lacked any and all wariness children usually expressed when surrounded by strangers much taller than them. Then again, with a big puppet at her beck and call, she might have ample reasons to be so fearless. The direct approach was probably best.

"Girl, what is your name?" Jusis asked.

"Me? I'm Millium Orion. And this is Airgetlam. Or Lammy for short. And you're?"

"Jusis Albarea." He then gave a polite nod toward the puppet. "Pleased."

The girl, Millium, started to preen. Interesting. It seemed treating her strange puppet with respect was a good way to earn her favor. What was its name? Airgetlam. Jusis committed this to memory. He had a hunch that this child would make for a troublesome witness, so any means to ensure her cooperation needed to be considered.

"Now, Millium, you're probably aware, but there is a court case right now and I'm the prosecutor. Looking at the testimony and evidence we have, we believe that you're a material witness to a... crime. Would you like to testify?"

"So that's why you took me here," the girl drawled. She turned to Rean, Laura and the others. "You bunch could've told me earlier."

Rean smiled apologetically. "To be honest, we're still confused about who you are." He glanced at Valestein. "It seems only our instructor is aware of your true identity, but well, she keeps mum about it."

Jusis raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then is now the right occasion for you to regale us with your knowledge, instructor Valestein?"

"Before that, I'd like to air my reservations," Judge Tungstos spoke up. "There are regulations regarding child witnesses and I'm frankly leery on letting someone so young testify on a crime of such severity without good reason."

Jusis suppressed a sigh. The man had a point. He remembered Hibelle Wagner's warning about Judicial Inspector Katerine Fugger, whom he saw watching the proceedings like a hawk. No doubt the mere attempt of calling a child witness would give her an opening to run interference.

As if the situation wasn't already complicated enough.

"Then revealing this child's identity is exactly the thing to sway your opinion, Werner, " Sara Valestein interjected. At once, everybody in the room including the vaunted Aurier Vander looked expectantly at their wayward instructor.

"Let's get this over with. Hey kiddo, you carry a badge, don't you?"

"Well, duh."

Instructor Valestein rolled her eyes. "Then show it."

"Okie-dokie!" The girl took out an object from her fanny pack and presented it to everybody in an exaggerated motion.

It was indeed a badge. Round, with an ultramarine fringe and a center colored in Nortia green. Two crescents of different sizes were arranged vertically to each other with a stylized cross dominating the middle. The style was unmistakably Imperial Army, though Jusis didn't recognize the branch this badge denoted.

He looked around but none of his fellow cadets recognized it either. The older persons on the other hand were another matter entirely.

"This is some sick joke, right?" Prosecutor Freising was the first to speak up.

"Afraid not, Helena. She's the real deal. A proper agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency. In fact, the bracer guild has been collecting info on this kid for some time now, considering she's also an Ironblood."

Jusis didn't believe his ears as everybody in the room turned to their instructor in horror.

"I expected something along these lines," Oberstleutnant Dularis muttered, "but this is still hard to swallow. The guild's information network is as impressive as the rumors say though."

The absurdly cheerful child put her hands behind her head while balancing on her heels. "I'm surprised, too, that the bracers have their eyes on little old me. How come?"

Valestein shrugged. "You can thank Scarecrow for that. He kinda caught the attention of a certain Liberlian Princess who has very close ties to the bracer guild. Following that we started to scope out your private little club."

"Lechter and the Liberlian Princess? He never told me anything about that. Wait... did he score himself a girlfriend while I wasn't looking?"

"Stop, STOP!" Laura stepped forward, her gaze furious. "Am I to understand that Erebonia's military intelligence branch deliberately uses...children?" She looked between Fie and the cheery girl. "This... this is wrong!"

"It makes a twisted amount of sense," Oberstleutnant Dularis said. "Who would suspect a child spy?"

"This has to be some mistake," Regnitz stammered. "How is this legal?"

Prosecutor Freising shielded her eyes. "As we've already discussed at the beginning of the field study, Machias, Imperial Intelligence has the unfortunate tendency to operate in extrajudicial space."

Jusis scoffed, unable to hide his distaste. "Which is just a diplomatic way to say that they are above the law." He glared at Regnitz. "Just goes on to show that the Blood and Iron Chancellor disregards the rules if it so pleases him."

The door to the antechamber opened with Marquis Linquist entering, followed by Celestin the butler.

"Rodias!" Tungstos hollered. "When I got your missive yesterday about some small favor, you never told me said favor would involve a case with foreign diplomatic complications, officer cadets posing as legal representatives and an Imperial Intelligence agent as a child witnesses. What is this? A madhouse? I shudder to think what you'd consider a big favor."

Marquis Linquist stroked his thin beard, a calm, almost patronizing smile on his face. "Now that you mention it, Werner, I might need a big favor in the near future. A neutral judge with impeccable integrity, neither associated with the Reformists nor the Noble Alliance, to render judgment on the trial of the century."

"Tell me you're joking, Rodias. What kind of case could be worse than this?"

The Council Chancellor walked up to the judge and whispered something into his ear. A moment later the man's face turned ashen, his features constricting into an expression of pure horror, if only for a second.

Jusis narrowed his eyes. What in Aidios' name was this man's game? First, Linquist presented him with documentary evidence that his lord father was neck-deep involved in war-profiteering, which he, as a son of Albarea, could only perceive as blackmail directed at his house. Now it was shown the man also possessed information he held over the Heimdallr judge's head to make him do his bidding.

So this was the level of political maneuvering played at the very top. It was daunting to say the least.

"But where are my manners?" Linquist faced their group as if nothing had happened. "Let me extend my greetings, Lady Vander, for gracing us with your presence. And a job well done, Oberstleutnant Dularis, young bracer, cadet's of Class VII."

"Still the same old charmer," Viscountess Vander mused. She then straightened herself. "Sara Valestein gave me an overview of the current situation. Consider the Vander School at your disposal. I've brought ten disciples to stiffen the Aulic Council's security detail."

"Very good. Please coordinate with Major Neithardt who is leading a contingent of officer cadets. Like the Vander School, the Thors members are an irregular outfit outside the provincial army's chain of command. But I trust you to work out a plan of action without much issue."

"Understood. Then I'll get to work immediately." With those words, the Vander matron left the antechamber. The council chancellor then directed his attention to the child member of Imperial Intelligence. "Now, who might you be, little lady?"

She smiled broadly. "Name's Millium Orion. And this is Airgetlam." There was a smug expression on her face. "And you're Marquis Rodias Hubertus Linquist, the head of the Aulic Council, right?"

The man chuckled. "Aren't you well informed. So I take it you are the child spy?"

She put her arms akimbo. "You bet'cha!" To Jusis' astonishment, the floating puppet mimicked her gesture.

"You have probably been asked already, but would you like to testify in court, little lady?"

She put her hands behind her head. "Nah, I'd rather not."

"And why is that?" Jusis asked, intent on pressing the issue.

"Because I'd have to tell the truth, duh. Lechter always warns me that the worst place for a spy to be is on the witness stand. People are put behind bars for lying while standing there, right?"

"Very correct, little lady. Lying under oath is called perjury. It's a very serious crime. Maximum sentence are five years in prison."

Millium nodded. "Right. You totally get it, old-timer. And because I'm a good girl who doesn't want to end up in jail, you can't put me on the witness stand. Easy peasy logic."

"Why is it, that what she says makes sense despite some nagging voice at the back of my head telling me it really shouldn't?" Rean murmured.

Machias massaged his eyebrows. "Maybe because she practically admitted that she's a habitual liar?"

"But doesn't this fit the stereotype of spies?" Emma asked. "Isn't their job to misdirect and obfuscate the flow of information?"

"Hey, you. Miss with the big boobies. No ratting out the trade secrets!"

"Excuse me?" Emma held her arm in front of her chest, looking at that rude child in alarm.

Rean stepped forward. "Millium right? When Jusis and his honor mentioned a crime, you immediately realized what it was about." He swallowed and continued, "Have you seen a murder being committed?"

There were some gasps, but all Millium did was stare back at Rean, her demeanor as carefree as a child out on a Sunday stroll, seemingly ignorant about the sheer seriousness of the matter being discussed. "I might. Or might have not."

Icy silence descended on the room. Jusis thought the black haired swordsman had asked the far less problematic question. But with this Iron..., no Jusis refused to accept this child to be a direct agent of the Chancellor. Still, she should be considered a proven member of Erebonian Intelligence. And it wouldn't behoove to think her above suspicion just due to age. After all, wasn't he under the protection of a person who likely bloodied her hands when she was about as old as Millium?

It seemed Laura had the right of it when she considered both Fie and this strange child in the same vein.

"Hey kiddo!" Instructor Valestein walked up to Millium. "Let's make a deal."

"Aren't we just wasting our time here?" Regnitz said.

"We are, until we stop treating her like a child. Despite her behavior, she's acting in her role as an intelligence agent right now."

"So what's this deal you want to make, Miss A-Rank bracer?"

"Simple really," their Instructor drawled. "I offer a glimpse of guild intelligence. I have an inkling or two why Mr Blood and Iron send you here. It's either about looking for terrorist cells or about cleaning out your... predecessors, right? The guild can help."

Jusis blinked. What by the seven layers of gehenna did she mean by predecessors?

Millium on the other hand seemed shaken for the first time. "Oh boy. I didn't expect you to be aware of that."

Valestein folded her arms. "It's the guild's job to know about such things. Probably one of the reasons your boss kicked us out of the Empire."

"Yeah, Gramps can be reeeally ruthless if he wants to."

Did this foolish child just call High Chancellor Giliath Osborne 'gramps'? Jusis looked around and found to his relief that most onlookers were as baffled as he was. Valestein remained completely unfazed though.

"In exchange for guild intelligence I want you to testify. Do we have a deal?"

Millium sighed. "No can do. I totally want to take you up on the offer, I really do. Anything to make my totally sucky mission easier. But I don't have the clearance to agree to such deals."

This was a surprisingly mature and rational reply. Not something Jusis expected to come out of this child's mouth. Perhaps their Instructor was correct in treating her like a professional.

"You know, Millium," Valestein said, "I don't think you quite grasp the position you're in. You're a spy who has been exposed. Mission wise, this is already a failure. By offering you info, I also offer you the opportunity to salvage whatever is left of it."

"Instructor!" Laura exclaimed. "How can you strong arm a child like this?"

Millium on the other hand appeared completely non-chalant. "Well, I guess this doesn't look too good on my track record." She then smiled broadly. "But I'm sure Gramps will overlook this."

"Sorry to say, but I doubt it," Valestein said. "From what I heard, failed spies are grounded inside an office and drowned in paper work. You look like an active kid, so I don't think you want to spend the rest of your days filling out forms."

This time the child actually grimaced. "Ugh, so all those analysts were failed field agents? This explains sooo much." She shrugged. "Whatever, you don't understand just how valuable Lammy makes me as an agent. Besides, Gramps totally likes me."

Valestein's expression turned incredulous. "A man like him uses people until they cease to be useful. Then he throws them away. Sympathy doesn't even enter the equation. That's just the way ruthless people in power act."

"Pffft, seems you don't know anything about Gramps." Millium stretched out her arm and pointed at Valestein. "You don't believe he likes and treasures people? Then what about the fluffy teddy bear he gave me as a present?"

Jusis blinked again. The Blood and Iron Chancellor did what? The silence in the antechamber was deafening. Nobody said a word as each person tried to process the absurdity the girl just disclosed. Even Instructor Valestein appeared stumped, barely able to string a coherent sentence together.

"What? I mean, that guy gave you... really? A teddy bear? A fluffy teddy bear?"

Millium put her arms akimbo, her expression smug. "Hah! Didn't expect that, did you now, Purple Lightning? Trying to drive a wedge between Millium Orion, Lammy and Gramps can only end in failure. How about you give up?"

Their instructor shook her head as if to clear cobwebs. "Don't underestimate adults, kiddo. We can be surprisingly stubborn." She pointed back at Millium. "So how about this? If you refuse to play ball, then I will leak information about the IIA in general and the Ironbloods in particular to the legal folks here. Last time I checked, you intelligence types aren't on best terms with Erebonia's judicative."

"Booo. You're using carrot and stick now?"

Valestein smiled a broad smile with closed eyes and flashed teeth. "My experience at Thors has shown me how effective it is. And believe me, the guild has collected enough dirt on you guys to allow me to make the stick as big as necessary."

"Hey, this is cheating." Millium complained. "Doesn't this violate article three of the Bracer Code, non-interference in governmental matters?"

Their Instructor wagged her index finger. "Nu-uh. Not so fast. All I'm doing is fulfill my duty as a concerned Erebonian citizen by supporting a properly established and vetted government entity called the justice department. What they do with the information provided by little old me is wholly under their purview - meaning that when it comes to accountability the IIA can take it up directly with the Aulic Council or the Heimdallr Chamber Court."

Marquis Linquist cleared his throat. "Young bracer, be aware that it is also under our purview to ignore any information provided by concerned citizens."

"Aww, don't be like that Rodias. The guild has some juicy bits of intelligence that you simply can't not act on. Would be a total dereliction of duty on your part."

"Oh my!" Linquist stroked his beard. "If you put it as strongly as that, young bracer, then this does make me curious."

Prosecutor Freising poked Valestein in the arm. "Hey Sara, have you been holding out on me?"

"Don't think I'll fall for this easily," Millium exclaimed. "I say you're bluffing, Ms Bracer. Lechter taught me everything about poker and I know a bluff when I see one."

Their instructor folded her arms. "Bluffing now, am I? Then there shouldn't be any problem for me to tell the people here about the cozy arrangement between Revache and the IIA and the shell companies making it possible? Gintech & Partners, Joycek Medical, Eisenbach Insurance...

Millium's eyes became bigger with each company name dropped until she finally relented. "Wait. Stop, STOP. Time out. You win, Purple Lightning, you win. I'll testify." She exhaled loudly. "Oh boy, how did the guild come across this info? This is super classified. The intelligence reports don't do you guys justice - like at all."

It felt like the entire room caught its breath again.

"Remarkable." Judge Tungstos wiped the sweat from his forehead. "You bracers are rumored to be good negotiators, but this isn't the kind of negotiation I'd ever imagined to witness."

"Yeah, like, what have we just watched?" Alisa started to ramble. "An officer school instructor slash bracer blackmailing a twelve year old child spy controlling a floating machine whose functionality doesn't make any sense and nobody's complaining because said child has the weight of one of our nation's top institutions behind her. Please call me up when the world starts to make sense again."

Jusis had to admit that Alisa made a good point. How very ironic really, watching Erebonian intelligence being pressured, no blackmailed, through the intelligence of a rival organization. Perhaps their wayward instructor was correct in her assumption on why Chancellor Osborne neutered the bracers. He didn't like the competition.

"There is no reason to throw up arms, Miss Reinford," Prosecutor Freising said. "So far, this trial hasn't even made it to the top five of cases I prosecuted when it comes to strangeness."

Regnitz looked at his idol all flabbergasted. "Ma'am, how can any case be stranger than this... madhouse?"

The prosecutor put her hand on his opponent's shoulder. "Ah, it's nice to be young. Believe me Machias, there is still so much life will throw at you. Utter strangeness included."

Jusis stepped forward. "Moving along. Now that we have secured the consent of the witness I suggest it's time for a... wardrobe change."

"Excellent point, special counsel Albarea," Judge Tungstos said. "No witness, all the more a child, will testify in my court dressed like this."

"Hey, what's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Everything," Jusis said in his most desiccated voice.

Celestin inserted himself into the conversation like a ghostly fencer, as if his sudden presence was the most natural thing in the world. "If I may, lords and ladies, I have already prepared appropriate clothes for Lady Orion."

"That's quick, Celestin. Even for you," Freising praised.

Hyarms' head butler bowed gracefully. "You know my motto. I live to serve." He turned to Millium. "Please follow me."

"And who're you?"

"Celestin. I work under Marquis Hyarms."

She leaned forward and scrutinized him, her facial expression contorted in a comical imitation of a thinker's. "Hmmm, that makes you totally important, doesn't it?"

"Hardly, young lady. I'm nothing but a humble servant."

Millium spun on one leg. "Oh well. But before that, shouldn't another girl come along? I mean, come on, a middle aged dude and a child go to the dressing room together? That's totally suspicious!"

Nearly everybody in the room looked askance at the rude child. Jusis palmed his face. "I don't know whether I should despair at your lack of manners or feel grateful that you do have some awareness about female propriety. Emma, you and Celestin have already worked together. Could you accompany them?"

"Oh yes, gladly." His classmate walked toward the child who immediately latched on her hand with a wide grin on her face.

So absurdly cheerful and trusting. "And no rude remarks towards her anymore, Millium," Jusis chided. "Mind your manners."

She saluted him. "Okie-dokie, pretty boy." They left the antechamber.

"Wha..." Jusis needed every bit of his formidable control to prevent himself from sputtering. This little...

"My, somebody's getting flustered," Valestein teased.

He adjusted his cravat. "I don't know what you're talking about, Instructor."

Regnitz sighed as deeply as the bottom of the ocean. "Aidios help us. We seriously have to cross-examine her?"

Seemed like his opponent didn't have much experience dealing with rambunctious children. A surprise really. If Jusis assumed right, the suburb where Regnitz came from had to be teeming with such. Though he would be the first to admit that the little spy was a handful even for him.

"I'm just glad this whole mess will soon be over," Laura said gustily. "While I consider the circumstances surrounding this child abhorrent, we will at least reach the truth of this case."

Jusis crossed his arms. "I don't think this will be quite es easy as you picture it to be, Laura."

"He's right," Instructor Valestein said. "We shouldn't believe for even one second that our little spy doesn't have another card to play." She turned to Prosecutor Freising. "Helena?"

"Yes, Sara?"

"What legal wiggle room does the IIA have to prevent their agents from appearing and testifying in court?" She gestured to Jusis. "Can they bypass or ignore a subpoena with a special counsel's authority behind it?"

"Without going into details, yes, they could. Right now, the power of subpoena granted by Lord Hyarms and executed through Lord Jusis Albarea most likely holds, because we can declare this child, Millium, to be a mere civilian. She might carry the badge, but if she can't conclusively argue that she's right here, right now on a mission to further Erebonian national security, she cannot countermand our claim of her civilian status. After all, she isn't in uniform."

"Can't she simply say that she's undercover?" Machias asked.

Freising folded her arms. "She could. But she'd have to prove it to the court then. Something intelligence agents are almost never willing or allowed to do, because this inevitably leads to the leakage of either classified information, operational procedures or both. So in practical terms, her undercover status is just that: a claim, which the Aulic Council can ignore."

"What's the problem then?" Instructor Valestein asked.

"The problem," Chancellor Linquist continued, "is that a sufficiently high placed member of Imperial Intelligence has the authority to declare her activities to fall under national security interests. And as long as said declaration is backed by a signature of the Central Government, even the Aulic Council has no choice but to obey. Of course with Imperial Intelligence having direct access to Chancellor Osborne and this particular child spy being under his direct oversight, a document granting her legal immunity will arrive sooner rather than later."

Jusis pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wonderful. In other words, there is a deadline to how long we can even hold this child here."

"Shit." Instructor Valestein started to pace. "So that's why she was fiddling with her ARCUS."

"She has an ARCUS?" Machias cried out. "What in Aidios' name is she?"

"Don't get your panties in a twist because of the model," Valestein said. "The point is that she could've used her combat orbment to send out a distress signal. I'm sure Imperial Intelligence have their agents carry models with such extra functions. Chances are that we could get some pesky visitor to bail her out very, very soon."

"We don't even have until the end of the day to cross-examine her, Instructor? Jusis asked.

"I fear that's the assumption we have to work with."

"Bu-but trials take time!" Machias was holding his head. "A child witness, any child witness, needs to be prepared. We can't simply call her to the stand immediately and start interrogating her without undermining the integrity of the court. Evidence and witness statements have to be arranged to set the stage beforehand."

"As much as it pains me to admit, but Regnitz is right." Jusis adjusted his cravat. "Additionally, Judicial Inspector Fugger is among the observers. Ensuring that this trial is conducted with due diligence falls under her purview. Calling Millium to the stand needs to be done by the book."

"I'm not a legal person," Rean began, "but this sounds like an impossible situation."

"It is an impossible situation, Cadet Schwarzer," Prosecutor Freising said with feeling. "And I only see one way to set up a cross-examination for such a problematic witness in the timeframe we have: the prosecution and defense need to act in harmony."

"Wait, is that even allowed?" Alisa asked.

Regnitz swallowed. "Technically, a discovery is supposed to facilitate this, where each side obtains evidence from the other party through regulated procedures."

"Of course, we didn't have time to even attempt this," Jusis added dryly.

As one, the rest of his classmates all turned their eyes toward him and Regnitz. Jusis could feel Fie's stare drilling into the back of his head and he had no doubt Emma would act similar were she here. But it was Elliot Craig of all people who spoke out loud the solution to this conundrum obvious only to members of Class VII.

"Why don't you two use the ARCUS links?"

Regnitz uttered something unintelligible, clearly holding himself back from rejecting the suggestion outright while wishing nothing more than being able to do so. For once Jusis sought eye contact with the one person in Class VII who irritated him. Regnitz returned the gaze, his expression troubled.

He shared his opponent's concerns. Could an ARCUS link form between them in the first place?

"Just do it." It was Fie who had an exasperated expression on her usually apathetic face. "This isn't combat. You don't need to keep up the link constantly. Use the connection to exchange information, then sever it."

"What are you..." the judge spoke up, but a raised hand by Marquis Linquist silenced him. Again, the tension in the antechamber could be cut with a knife as he and Regnitz continued their staredown.

Fie was right. A short link to exchange court strategies was far easier than maintaining it through the fluid dynamics of battle. In theory at least.

But the antipathy between them couldn't be overlooked, the distaste they felt for the other. Then again, Jusis grew up putting emotions aside to do the things that needed to be done, no matter how disagreeable. He kept his eyes fixed on his counterpart. Would Regnitz be able to do the same?

"Damn it. Fine" Regnitz took out his ARCUS. "I won't be the one holding everything back."

"Commendable." Jusis tried his hardest to keep any bite out of his voice while taking out his orbment, too. He felt the subtle threads of mirage intertwining with his mind, the hum of consciousness brimming with energy, intent on leaping out.

The connection snapped shut between them like a steel padlock. But instead of a simple exchange it became an interchange. Mind and body swapped for a second lasting an eternity. The sureness of identity dissolved as Jusis became Machias and vice versa. As he became commoner and the other noble. Defense being swapped by prosecution.

Someone grabbed his arm as his knee buckled, preventing him from collapsing. It took him several seconds until the disorientation dissipated, until he felt like Jusis Albarea again.

"You okay, Jusis?" Both Gaius and Fie were supporting him, their concern touching and unexpected, but also welcome. How odd that the two members of Class VII outside the system were the ones he got along with the best. Perhaps there was some deeper reason to be found here?

Rean and Laura helped Machias stay on his feet. It took another few seconds until both of them could stand on their own power again.

"That was a pretty big reaction," Alisa said. "Did it work?"

Jusis looked at Machias without knowing what to think of his new insight. But he could at least say with certainty that being inside his counterpart's skin wasn't as repugnant as he feared it to be. Far from it.

And judging by the confusion written all over Machias' face, the feeling was mutual.

"It worked on my side." Jusis straightened himself while trying to sort the flood of new information in his mind. "What about you, Machias?"

"Did you really prepare this much... I mean, yeah, it worked."

"I read about the capabilities of the ARCUS, but this is just mind blowing," Prosecutor Freising said. "I dare not imagine the possibilities of this technology once the testing phase is over."

"Let me assure you that the combat link usually doesn't work this well," Valestein interjected. She then gave Fie and Laura a once over. "Seems ARCUS compability has a sense of humor. Or irony. Or both."

Laura furrowed her brows. "This isn't a joking matter, Instructor."

It was then that Millium returned with Emma and Celestin in tow. To Jusis' relief, she now wore a proper blouse and a wide skirt of modest length. Nothing fancy of course. As a child, she didn't need to dress to impress. Being presentable was more than enough.

"Heya, Millium Orion is back. So, what's the next step? Courtroom battle of the century?"

Jusis glanced to his counterpart who glanced back. There was still a smidgen of trepidation on his face, but Machias mostly beckoned him to deal with the exuberant girl in front of them.

Ah, right. He would be aware of his experience with children now, wouldn't he?

How strange. Machias Regnitz, the son of a powerful Reformist, his political opposite in every regard asking him to have his back. Until today, Jusis thought poms would rather fly out his mouth.

He folded his arms and looked Millium straight in the eye. "Before engaging in any court battles, we need to discuss exactly how and when you appear on the witness stand. As an intelligence agent, you clearly know how to follow complex instructions. Can I trust you to do the same here?"

She gave him another mock salute. "You bet'cha."

"Good, then listen closely..."


Jusis could feel the pointed stares directed at him from the balustrade. The impatience was palpable inside the whole court, but it was the nobles in particular who hated to be stood up, who hated to have their time wasted. If he were to guess, it was only through the sobering presence of Marquis Hyarms that some of the more entitled counts and ladies weren't already venting their displeasure.

Patrick Hyarms, who stood at his fathers side, gave him a nod of acknowledgment. It seemed to Jusis like he was telling him not to sully the pride of Thors or the name of Albarea. Perhaps both.

He was glad the Hyarms scion deferred to him during any social gathering at Thors. They were the only members of the Four Great Houses in their year and it was easy for him to picture somebody of base character challenging his top position in the noble student hierarchy. Hyarms was of lesser rank than Albarea, but the fact of his commoner heritage tainting his pedigree was an ever present blade hanging over his head.

Jusis dropped the idle thought and focused his mind on what really mattered in this moment: the trial.

Machias was shuffling through documents while discussing something with Emma who most likely supported him with her considerable trove of knowledge. Fie stood at his side, vigilant as ever as she swept the room for any suspicious activity. Jusis doubted whatever forces they were working against would be so brazen to interfere directly inside the court, but he did feel more secure with someone like her watching his back.

He looked briefly at Millium from the corner of his eye. She sat in the back with Rean and Laura flanking her. Both nobles did their best to calm the hyperactive girl who refused to sit still. She caught him watching and showed him a double thumbs up, her face lighting up like a candle and becoming even more cheerful.

What a preposterous child.

"In the name of his Majesty. Emperor Eugent III, I hereby declare this court to be in session again," Judge Tungstos spoke out. "I trust both the defense and the prosecution are ready to continue?"

"Yes, your honor," they said in unison.

Jusis locked eyes with his counterpart. Acting in harmony was all nice and well on paper, but the defense and prosecution couldn't be seen to be too cooperative. Even though their interest aligned, namely putting that troublesome child on the witness stand, the appearance of antagonism needed to be maintained. There was an imperceptible nod from Machias and even though the ARCUS link had been severed, Jusis was oddly assured that his counterpart understood the role he needed to play. Being the son of one of the most prominent politicians in Empire history should have taught him his fair share.

"Counsel for the defense," Judge Tungstos voice rang out like a steel bell, "it was your side who issued an insanity plea. The court wishes to see you substantiate it."

"Before that, the prosecution would like something clarified," Jusis said with a touch of condescension. "At one point, the counsel for the defense claimed, and I quote 'that I judge my defendant to be the picture of sanity'." He performed a mocking and elegant shrug. "So what is it? Is Helena Freising sane or insane or are we to be told some tall tale how she is both at the same time?"

Machias crossed his arms. "If the prosecution wasn't so selective in its hearing, it could've answered its own question. The insanity defense issued is obviously a class II instead of a class I, something his honor has no doubt realized." He raised his eyebrows. "But considering the prosecution's languid uptake, I'm glad to elaborate: a class II insanity defense includes the manipulation, control or erasure of human will through either orbal arts, monster abilities or artifacts. Due to the rarity of artifacts and the fact the crime scene is in the middle of Saint-Arkh, mind manipulation through orbal arts casting is the most likely explanation for my defendants behavior."

Jusis pretended to study his fingers. "How quaint. Then what about evidence? Surely, your defendant has something to say about this if she was indeed the recipient of a hostile art? One that supposedly affected her mind no less."

His counterpart took out a document. "This affidavit contains the statement of my defendant who claims to have a gap in her memory between 2 pm until 2:40 pm on the day of the crime."

Jusis slammed his hand on the desk. "And the court is supposed to just accept this? A memory blackout exactly when the crime occurred? How very, very convenient."

"Then why don't we ask the experts?" Machias countered. "I hereby call both Heribert Swift and Julia don Gilfaeth to the witness stand again."

After both witnesses arrived, he continued: "Due to the prosecution's invaluable work in establishing the lady and gentleman here as expert witnesses, the defense asks the court to proceed immediately to questioning."

"Granted," the judge said.

Machias straightened his tie. "Dr Swift, as a researcher and orbal arts instructor, can you list the known arts which causes loss of human will?"

"Certainly. They are Ascension, Chaos Brand and," he grimaced, "well, Silver Thorn of course. Oh and if we count the newest ENIGMA model, also Lunar Craze. But ENIGMAs aren't used in the Empire."

Dr Gilfaeth raised her hand. "If I may interject, Mr Swift. In legal terms, only Chaos Brand, Silver Thorn and Lunar Craze fall under the category of a class II insanity defense. While the Ascension art indeed robs the victim of their will in the most technical sense, it also saps all motivation and initiative. Therefore, an Ascension art is a sealing or paralyzing action in contrast to the others which are specifically used to sow confusion and blur the victim's perception of friend and foe. The combat strength is left intact so that all the more havoc can be wrecked by the confused among their allies."

"Oh my," the instructor from Forsetis Military Academy scratched his head with a slight blush on his face. "Learning something new every day. Thank you very much, Lady Gilfaeth."

She smiled. "You're welcome."

Machias cleared his throat. "Moving along, Dr Swift, what are the differences between Chaos Brand and Silver Thorn?"

"Well, both arts are notorious for turning allies on each other. But yes, they do have notable differences. Chaos Brand is akin to a very strong form of hypnosis and makes the victim susceptible to every manner of suggestion imaginable. It's one of the few arts which needs extensive practice to cast successfully, because the caster needs to build a direct mental link to their victim to exploit their state of confusion."

"And what about Silver Thorn?"

"It's a horrible art. While Chaos Brand lulls the mind into a state of easy manipulation, Silver Thorn hyperstimulates fear and aggression. What's more, it induces pain which feeds into the fear and aggression until the affected start hurting and more often than not killing each other." Dr Swift shuddered. "As awe inspiring as fourth generation orbments are, this is one spell I wish wasn't included."

"Counsel for the defense," Jusis said, "are your questions going somewhere?"

Machias took out a folder. "The defense would like to enter this medical examination into evidence."

The judge read it. A moment later, his eyebrows shot up. "Oh, this is performed by Dr Gilfaeth on the defendant, one Helena Freising."

Jusis leaned forward, though he knew the contents already. "What's written inside?"

Tungstos cleared his throat. "The patient exhibits clear signs of nerve inflammation and nerve over-sensitivity in the extremities. Combined with retrograde amnesia, it leads to the conclusion that the patient was recently subjected to the Silver Thorn art."

Jusis narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, doctor, what other causes are there which can result in the same symptoms just mentioned?"

The Remiferian doctor met his gaze with a stoic expression akin to an impenetrable fortress. "There are none."

What? This wasn't something the ARCUS link showed him. Jusis had assumed there were more reasons for this set of symptoms. This meant the medical examination was far more decisive a piece of evidence than he imagined, vindicating Machias' theory in full.

"So the defense's version of the crime is hereby confirmed," Judge Tungstos murmured with wide eyes.

Jusis clenched his hands. Even if the judge were to accept Machias' evidence in full and consider a hostile third party the most likely scenario, he still had a card to play. Something his opponent was more than aware of. But using it now would be too early.

"If I may ask," Jusis said while keeping the shakiness out of his voice. "Why do these symptoms narrow everything down to this degree?"

"It's mainly the retrograde amnesia," Dr Gilfaeth answered.

"The memory loss?" Jusis folded his arms. No. Getting into a medical discussion with the witness would amount to nothing but embarrassment. Then how about this? "Dr Gilfaeth, what if the suspect is lying about it?"

A brief smile hushed over her lips. "Determining the truthfulness of the defendant's statements is outside my expertise."

"This is the only argument the prosecution can field? Really?" Machias pointed at him. "My defendant is supposedly lying? If she did, that's a very elaborate lie with hardly a chance to benefit her in most circumstances. Or is the prosecution suggesting she foresaw the possibility and details of a medical examination to this degree? And then hurt herself to display the nerve damage reported?"

Jusis pointed back at his opponent. "Let's not pretend otherwise, counsel for the defense - Helena Freising is the one person who could craft such a lie to maximum effect. Prosecuting crimes committed by tactical orbment users is one of her main specialties. Something you, his honor and everybody of note in the legal world is aware of."

"Enough," Judge Tungstos cut in. "The prosecution has a point: the viability of this medical examination does depend on the defendant's honesty - therefore this isn't a basis for the court to accept the defense's theory in full. Counsel, do you have further evidence to present?"

"Yes, your honor." Machias nodded sharply. "In fact, both the prosecution and the defense found out during recess that we have a direct eye witness to the crime."

An angry murmur spread through the court room, rising to a crescendo at the upper balustrade.

What kind of sham trial is this?

They had a proper witness the whole time?

What were they doing discussing superfluous dribble?

Here it was. Noble entitlement at its best.

Machias raised his arm to silence the crowd which didn't work of course. It was only when the judge slammed down his gavel that the volume finally went down.

"Order in the court! I will have order. Please continue, counsel."

"Thank you." Machias pushed up his glasses and inhaled deeply. "The reason why the defense," and here he looked over at Jusis, "has held itself back from presenting the witness is because she's a child."

Another wave of murmurs and another slam of the gavel.

"The janitor of the warehouse where the crime happened, one Gustav Denver, witnessed a mysterious floating... object, which he mistook for a ghost. His testimony pointed the investigation team to a photograph taken by a reporter. The defense would like to enter the affidavit and the photograph into evidence."

"The court accepts."

After the judge made a show of looking over the evidence which he already knew, Jusis continued. "Following those clues, a manhunt was conducted which ultimately proved successful. This was also the reason for the court disturbance."

"Am I right to assume that the prosecution and defense are in agreement to let this child take the witness stand?" Judge Tungstos asked.

"Yes, your honor!" They said in unison.

"Hold it right there!"

Jusis suppressed a sigh. And here it came, just as predicted.

"I've watched this mess of a trial long enough," Judicial Inspector Fugger spoke out, "but this needs to stop. Judge Tungstos, need I remind you that taking a child witness to the stand requires proper procedures? Especially if said child is not the wronged party? Where are the parents? The consent forms? And did it occur to the prosecution or the defense to let this child's guardian testify in their stead? This is an utter disgrace!"

"Inspector Fugger," Tungstos said, "I'd ask you not to get ahead of yourself. The issue of this child's guardianship has been raised, but in this particular instance the court is of the opinion that the usual restrictions can be lowered."

The red haired woman flared her nostrils. "I hope the justification for your decision is a good one, Werner Tungstos. Even judges are not immune to the review process of the Government Accountability Inspectorate."

"This child's guardian on record is one Giliath Osborne," Jusis cut in. "And she isn't just any child but a spy and registered agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency. Tell me, Inspector. You just suggested to the court to let this girl's guardian take her stead - do you expect us to drag Erebonia's High Chancellor from Valflame Palace onto the witness stand here?"

The courtroom exploded into chatter. This time the judge didn't even try to keep the silence. So overwhelming was the noise as the conversations turned into a cacophony.

A child spy? This is a scandal!

There has to be some mistake.

What is our proud Empire coming to?

I always knew that Chancellor acted low like the commoner he is, but this is a new level of depravity.

Jusis cast a forte art. As power infused his muscles, he performed a desk slam with all his enhanced strength. The boom reverberated through the courtroom, finally jolting the crowd into silence.

"As you see, Inspector Fugger," he enunciated every syllable, "there is a high degree of public interest in seeing this trial proceed. Do you disagree?"

"Wha..., this i-is, the Chancellor, but..."

Machias cleared his throat. "Well, now that the Inspectorate's concern has been properly addressed, the defense asks Millium Orion to take the witness stand."

"Boy, I was wondering when you'd finally call me. Let's go, go, GO!"

And just like that, the dignity of the court was obliterated in one fell swoop as the girl skipped and hopped to the one location which can even make a spy tell the truth. In theory.

Jusis just resigned himself to his fate and proceeded with his duty. "Witness. State your name and occupation please."

Millium performed this newfangled v-sign. "I'm Millium Orion. How are you all?"

He cleared his throat. Loudly. "Occupation, please."

"Pfft. Didn't four-eyes already told everybody?"

"It's protocol. We talked about this, you silly child."

"Fiiine. I work for the Imperial Intelligence Agency as a field agent." She put her arms akimbo. "There. Satisfied?"

"Perfectly," Jusis said. "Now, witness, I'd like you tell the court..."

"Objection!"

Jusis sighed. "What else, Inspector Fugger?"

"Don't think you can walk over the integrity of judicial procedure like that. An intelligence agent? Chancellor Osborne, her guardian? And you found her through some kind of dubious ghost story told by a janitor? This is the most ludicrous claim I've ever heard. Fit for the trash novels Heimdallr is flooded with." She slammed her hand on the wooden blockade separating the inner court from the spectators. "Where's the evidence for your claims, special counsel? And what about the defense and judge? Instead of putting a stop to this insanity, you let everything proceed like normal, making a ridicule of our proud country's adversarial system."

"Let me remind you that there are only two parties inside this room with the power to issue objections, Inspector Fugger," Jusis said while lacing his voice with ice. "The prosecution and the defense. But I'll be a good sport and humor you: we know this child's affiliation because she carries an authentic badge seen and verified by Judge Tungstos and Council Chancellor Linquist during recess. As for the 'dubious' ghost story..." Jusis nodded at Millium.

The child smiled a smile as bright as an overloaded orbal lamp. "Come out, LAMMY!"

That mysterious puppet materialized into existence just like before. Millium jumped on its arm and floated up until she was at the same height as Judge Tungstos on his elevated seat. She waved at him which he returned after some hesitation.

Even more chatter, which became less heated but more confused. It died out soon, probably because the people couldn't make head nor tails of what was happening in front of them. Jusis couldn't fault them. This trial had sunk neck deep into absurdity.

"If the witness would grace us with her attention again?" He called out.

Millium made her puppet disappear and landed on the witness stand with a thud. "I'm all ears!"

Jusis exchanged a look of suffering with Machias who shrugged. "Then please tell the court what you were doing on the 24th of April between 2 and 3 pm."

"I was on a reconnaissance mission with Lammy. I mean Airgetlam. Scouting the location from the air and all. That's when I saw Miss Prosecutor over there and another guy walking near the streets of the Remiferian Embassy. I then decided to follow them."

"Hold it," Machias spoke out. "Why did you decide to follow the defendant?"

She put her hands behind her head. "Sorry, that's classified. But it's not relevant to the murder case, I promise."

"I doubt this very much," Jusis said dryly, "but it's something we can revisit later. Please proceed, witness."

"Okie-dokie! So I watched her and her companion go into that totally shady building. My first impulse was to follow them inside, but the place gave me a bad vibe. So I circled around it to look for any suspicious persons. Checking the perimeter, you see?"

"Why would you do that?" Machias asked.

"Because it smelled like a trap, duh? Have you been there? No emergency exit, chokepoints and cover everywhere. In case somebody was gunning for Miss Prosecutor, I didn't want to get caught in the middle."

"Considering what ultimately happened, you were prudent to do so. But your choice of words implies that you assumed someone was threatening the suspect, correct?"

The child shrugged. "It's easy to guess. Miss Prosecutor has made lots of enemies."

Jusis narrowed his eyes. This child really was more devious than her appearance suggested. This was a competent deflection. He leaned forward. "What happened after your perimeter check?"

"Didn't found anybody outside, so next step was slipping inside. That's when it happened: a bright silver light from one of the upper floor windows. Lammy and I floated to where the action was and that's when we saw it: Miss Prosecutor shooting her companion."

"Goddess gracious," the judge cried. "You really saw the moment of the murder, child?"

"Sure did. The man fell on his back while holding his own pistol. Head shot."

A choking cry could be heard. Jusis saw the victim's family sitting at the far end of the court room, mother and daughter holding each other. He looked away quickly.

"Wait." Machias held out his hand. "Witness, are you saying there were two pistols at the crime scene? One belonging to the victim and one belonging to the defendant?"

"Yep. Why? Is that important?"

"Considering the only pistol found until now is that of my defendant, it seems the victim's weapon was disposed." Machias also leaned forward, a burning curiosity bordering on hunger pouring out of his eyes. "Have you seen a third person in the room?"

"About that..."

"Wooh, wooh, how about holding the horses right here?" Somebody interrupted.

Jusis turned to the strange voice which seemed to exhibit both focused cunning and lackadaisical whimsy. What he saw though nearly made him cry out in despair. Why in Aidios' name did he even for a second entertain the idea things couldn't become more absurd? That the limit of this sick puppet show had already reached its peak?

The man who walked toward the center of the court seemed to be about his age, perhaps a little older with a shock of spiky red hair that protruded in all directions, as if straw had been carelessly inserted into a scalp. But the messiness of his hairstyle was a mere afterthought when pitted against the travesty of his attire; short trousers which laid bare his haired shins, a wrinkled shirt in violet with another over-shirt of eye watering magenta worn slovenly above. Flower print on the magenta over-shirt and cheap sandals completed this picture of utter, complete disrespect, no, a mocking of proper public decorum.

"Heyo Lechter," Millium said while waving with both arms, "nice duds."

Jusis palmed his face. Of course these two knew each other. If anything, they were a match made in heaven - or in gehenna.

"Forget the nice duds, kiddo. I took the express flight from Crossbell State and hurried here like a lunatic because one of our agents is about to testify in a murder trial. Imagine my surprise." He sighed theatrically and then wagged his finger. "Seriously Millium, you being on the witness stand is bad news. Real bad news."

"It's not my fault, Lechter. You never told me there were badass birdies who could go toe to toe with Lammy." She pointed at Gaius. "It was because he sicced his falcon on us that we were caught."

The man called Lechter stared at Gaius with a strange glint in his eyes. "Another bird master, huh? Just our luck."

Judge Tungstos slammed down his gavel. "Order in the court. I will have order. And you, boy," he said, "be aware I'm about one millirege away from throwing you out. This is no way to appear in court. Don't you have any shame?"

"I apologize for that, your honor. The emergency distress call didn't leave me any time for a change." He performed a bow which Jusis admitted had adequate form, though that only put his abysmal attire into starker focus. "Captain Lechter Arundel, Imperial Intelligence Agency, Special Affairs. That hyperactive girl with cyan hair is under my jurisdiction."

Machias pushed up his glasses. "We'll see about that, Mr Arundel. Do you carry any identification on you?"

"A stickler for formalities?" Arundel eyed Jusis' counterpart for a few seconds. "And even glasses and the same hair color... you don't happen to have a relative in Crossbell, do you? CPD, First Division?"

"No, I don't," Machias sputtered. He balled his fists. "And stop sidetracking. Show your identification or I'll ask the court to remove you."

"Believe me, counsel for the defense," Tungstos added, "I don't need any prompting."

Arundel pulled out a playing card, the ace of spades, from seemingly nowhere and flipped it. He then walked toward the judge and laid it before the man except it had turned into a badge. Tungstos hesitated for a few seconds before picking it up, inspecting every nook and cranny of the object. But his irritable manner made it clear he didn't find anything wrong with it.

A hyperactive kid and now a clown? If these two were demonstrative of the IIA, Jusis wondered what it said about the Noble Alliance for being put on the back foot by such an organization.

"It seems Mr Arundel is who he claims to be," the judge said. "So, what business does the IIA have with the Aulic Council?"

"Shouldn't need to spell it out, do I? Let me take that little troublemaker back to HQ and I'm happy to get out of you gentlemen's faces."

Jusis narrowed his eyes. "While I agree with you that this witness is indeed a troublemaker extraordinaire, we haven't yet finished our questioning." He pointed to the gallery. "Now if you'd be so kind to take a seat like everybody else, Captain, while we do our jobs?"

"You just have to make this difficult. Oh well..." Arundel made another object appear out of thin air. It was a folder from which he took out a document decorated with two stamps: the seal of the Imperial Stallion as well as the Vermilion Phoenix, denoting it as a document issued out of Valflame Palace - or the Imperial Cabinet to be exact.

Chancellor Giliath Osborne's office.

He ground his teeth. Instructor Valestein's concerns proved to be painfully correct and considering the sheer speed of the paperwork, this most likely made Arundel another Ironblood. He needed to focus. The man in front of him was an enemy not to be underestimated. Ignore the silly attire. It could be a calculated distraction. Concentrate on the man's actions instead.

Jusis looked over to Machias, whose worry was written all over his face, and raised his ARCUS for him to see. He knew from their exchange of information that his counterpart had picked Prosecutor Freising's brain on the legal circumstances of the IIA and their extrajudicial privileges. But while the defense could express their objection, it was his title as special counsel which carried the most amount of authority, even surpassing that of the judge if viewed from certain angles.

There was no way in gehenna he would let a lackey of Blood and Iron walk over the dignity of one of Sutherland's seats of power.

"...vested by the office of the High Chancellor, Millium Orion's mission is hereby declared vital for national security and therefore, judicial immunity is granted to her."

They activated the ARCUS link with Jusis hoping for the best. Fainting in this situation would be more than unseemly, but the information flow was both smooth and gentle this time. He leaned forward and then issued a short prayer to Aidios for what he was about to do.

"I'm sorry to say, Captain," Jusis whipped out the emblem of the Imperial Stallion, "but with the vested power of Marquis Hyarms and in my office as special counsel of Erebonia's Supreme Court, I hereby revoke Millium Orion's judicial immunity. She is as of now under obligation to remain in custody and continue her testimony, for I consider her a potential suspect in the murder of one Joseph Sagittarius."

Millium pointed at him. "Hey, what are you talking about? I didn't kill him!"

Judge Tungstos eyes widened like saucers. The entire court room exploded with chatter and shouting. "Special Counsel Albarea, what are you doing?"

"Pursuing the truth; something Imperial Intelligence seems intent on burying, your honor."

Arundel turned towards him, his gaze cool and piercing as if he was seeing Jusis for the first time. "This is an Imperial decree. You can't just overturn it at your whim."

"On the contrary, I very much can, Captain Arundel. With one of your operatives being suspected of murder, she becomes subject to High Justice which I, as a member of the Four Great Houses and vested with the power of another, have the right to dispense. It is after all contested in legal circles whether Chancellor Osborne's National Emergencies Act, from which the IIA derives its legal impunity, can overturn High Justice."

To his surprise, the upper balustrade broke out in cheers and applause.

Down with Chancellor Osborne!

Down with Blood and Iron!

Show him the power of the nobility.

"Are you sure this is the way you want to play it, Jusis Albarea?" Arundel said, his posture displaying taut relaxation. The posture of a practiced fencer. "This is a dangerous game."

"Your concern is touching but unneeded. Your honor, the prosecution asks for the trial to continue where it left off."

Judge Tungstos was wiping sweat from his forehead. His breathing was labored. "You, you're going against the authority of the High Chancellor..."

Jusis slammed down his hand. "Your honor," he bellowed, "each time a trial is initiated, whose name is invoked as the true arbiter of the rule of law? Giliath Osborne or his majesty Emperor Eugent III? We may go against an Imperial Decree by continuing this trial, but as you've seen for yourself, the document isn't issued by his majesty himself. It's high time for this nation to realize it's the Imperial Family we have all sworn allegiance to!"

Tungstos raised his gavel with shaking hands and finally, after an eternal second, slammed it down. "ORDER! Order in the court! The trial continues. I ask the prosecution and the defense to continue with their cross-examination."

He balled his fists. Finally, the real truth of the case was within reach. And by chasing it, they were bound to catch up to his father's trail. Blackmail by Marquis Linquist or not, the financial data compromising House Albarea was targeted by jaegers, most likely Northern Jaegers, before he ever met the marquis. All the irregularities Class VII encountered, the Hundred Days War, the Blood and Iron Chancellor's claws reaching into this very courtroom - everything was connected. While Jusis couldn't yet perceive the logic connecting the pieces, his intuition was screaming. If his lord father was dirty, he wanted to know exactly why.

Machias straightened his tie. "Now that the interruptions have finally been dealt with, let us return to the last question. Witness. Did you see a third person beside the defendant and the victim at the crime scene?"

Jusis saw Millium and Arundel exchange a short nod. The child then turned to Machias, her demeanor for once shockingly serious. "Yeah, there was a third person holding a tactical orbment. After Miss Prosecutor shot her companion, I saw him cast two arts in succession - Chaos Brand and then a translocation art which made both her and the dead man vanish."

Under any other circumstances, Prosecutor Freising would be declared not guilty right here right now. Millium's testimony was more than enough to raise reasonable doubt. But this was not a normal situation, for his counterpart had invoked a class II insanity plea.

And in such a case, presumption of innocence was rescinded.

"Did you see the face of the third person?" Machias shouted, clearly overwhelmed by excitement. "Did you see the face of the true culprit?"

"I did."

"T-then, please, can you describe..."

"No need. The third person is inside this room."

Jusis eye widened. What did she say? But before either he or his counterpart found it in them to ask further, Millium stretched her arm and pointed straight at the upper balustrade. Straight at where none other than Marquis Hyarms and his entourage were seated.

"The person I saw, the person who committed the acts, was Butler Celestin."

It was as if Millium had cast a spell instead of uttering an accusation. When her words left her lips, before the surprise inside the courtroom had any chance to discharge, a blue light engulfed Marquis Hyarm's most trusted servant. It looked like Epstein-Kowalski radiation, but the hue was off.

Jusis narrowed his eyes. Orbment resonance exhibited a lighter color than this. This was the blue of deep lakes. The boundary where sunlight barely illuminated the watery darkness...

It was azure. An azure aura of hypnotic beauty surrounded Celestin which sucked in gaze, sense and attention. He heard something at the edge of consciousness. Something unpleasant, but who cared as long as he could look at something so preternaturally beautiful?

He felt somebody grab his head. A small, but rough hand, turning his gaze away from the rapturous phenomenon. "Get a grip on yourself, Jusis!"

It was like waking from a dream. And it was only now he finally realized what his ears were perceiving the whole time: a scream of pain and anguish. Of despair. Crying for help. For relief.

Celestin was screaming.

Jusis saw Patrick trying to cast a healing art, but before he finished, the azure aura disappeared and Celestin collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

The courtroom became pandemonium. Screams and recriminations were shouted. The spectators tried to flee, but Thors cadets and the bailiffs formed a cordon and blocked the exits. Fie had her orbment out, covering Jusis' back.

It took several minutes until the panic ran dry and a semblance of order was restored, though it took Vander disciples and soldiers of the Sutherland Army to intervene. It was then Marquis Hyarms spoke out, his face a mask of barely concealed rage.

"Bailiffs! Soldiers of Sutherland! Apprehend these two members of Imperial Intelligence under my authority. I want them locked up in the Aulic Council's detainment chamber for further questioning. As for the legal representatives of this trial as well as the members of Class VII Special Operations - to my office. Now."


More author notes: For all readers who like Trails longfics similar to Officer School with intricate worldbuilding, arguably better character writing and supremely witty dialogue, I'd like to recommend Thunderstruck by Progman as well as its sequel High Voltage. Both stories can be found on Ao3.