Everyone turned to the source of the voice. All eyes fell on the Sword Saint. A low muttering waved through the theatre. Albaric walked down the aisle to confront the minister.
"Sir Albaric? "The minister laid eyes on him with a mixture of annoyance and surprise. He glanced back at the Emperor for support. However, the Emperor was leaning back on one hand with an unreadable expression.
Nevertheless, the minister barred Albaric's way, his voice low and accusatory:
"What do you mean by this interruption?" He growled.
Albaric stepped past him and addressed the Emperor, "I cannot support this assertion. In my report, I found no evidence that Demon Lord Clover was responsible for the attacks in the North,"
The defence minister's composure wavered as he grew quiet. The mutters from the crowd grew louder. However, the wizard who had since been silent stepped forward with a malign smile. He extended his arm and gestured to the court, instantly capturing their attention.
"Ah, the Sword saint never fails to do his duty," he remarked with a barefaced condescension, "we should praise his commitment to justice even for one so undeserving,"
The apprehension of the court subsided as they hushed to listen intently to the Grand wizard's words.
"I too took part in the investigation," the wizard conceded, "And I can see why the sword saint is confused in this matter. The attacks were not conducted in a manner similar to the work of this demon. However, I would like to raise a few points, if you will allow it?"
The minister eyed the wizard suspiciously but nodded for him to go on.
"Firstly, the magic required to enter the human world is not natural to all demons. It can only be enacted by high ranking demons, mainly a demon lord."
"That proves nothing, "Albaric argued, "For all we know, there may be another demon Lord,"
"Our latest reports showed no evidence of that,"
"The reports only show what we have observed here. We have no way of knowing what happens in the demon world!"
" That may be, but there's an even more obvious clue. We all just heard this demon confess they had intimate knowledge of the items taken, otherwise, how can they claim that they were stolen?" The wizard chuckled.
"Knowledge and action are not the same thing,"
"True, then let us consider motivation. We have been trying to apprehend this demon for years. As such we have learned the unique signature of this demon's magic. Where Demon Lord Clover goes in the Empire, we can follow," the wizard smirked staring down at the demon lord, "the items taken carry a unique property. They can hide and interfere with our magic. Therefore I submit to you all, this demon stole and killed to attain the items not at random, but in order to hide themselves within the Empire,"
Albaric's jaw clenched, he turned to Clover who was still sitting back having not said a word in their own defence.
"Clover, "Albaric entreated, "Tell us the truth. Are there other demon Lords?"
Clover sniffed, seemingly more preoccupied with an examination of the theatre.
"Clover!"Albaric snapped.
Clover glanced towards Albaric and the wizard with an expression devoid of emotion, "I killed them, remember?"
The wizard laughed disparagingly. "Well, you heard from the culprit's own mouth," he concluded with a sarcastic bow.
The minister cleared his throat, "Well then, can we proceed now, Sword Saint?"
Albaric's fists shook as he composed himself. He was about to admit defeat when an idea struck him.
"One last thing," Albaric turned back.
The wizard raised an eyebrow but continued to carry an arrogant smile. Albaric turned to the court. Their eyes were burning into him. The subtle admiration was rescinding, giving way to suspicion and impatience. Albaric took a deep breath. One wrong word and it wouldn't just be Clover on trial. Nevertheless, he addressed the silent courtroom once more.
"I have one last question for the grand wizard," he said slowly.
"By all means," the wizard gestured for him to go on. Behind him, the Emperor was watching with a discerning, impregnable stare.
"If I understood you correctly, you said that the magical items stolen were not like the magic we have nowadays in the Empire. In fact, the items stolen actually disrupt our magic?"
"Correct"
"That is why if a demon lord possessed such items, they would be able to hide themselves from the Empires forces?"
"Yes, what of it?" the wizard answered impatiently.
"Well I am asking, were those items recovered when you captured the demon lord?" Albaric rejoined.
"No, but..." the wizard started.
"Well then, how did you capture the Demon Lord? Why would someone go to all the trouble of stealing these items to evade capture, only to then be captured?"
"Arrogance? I can't fathom the mind of a demon lord," the wizard dismissed.
"Arrogant, perhaps. But what you are describing isn't arrogance. It's stupidity. Let's look at the facts. You pursued this demon for years without success. Why would such an individual make a mistake like this? It doesn't make sense. IF this Demon Lord had the items, they surely would have used them!"
The crowd once more regained momentum, bursting into excited whispers. The wizard's jaw clenched. The minister glanced at him apprehensively. The energy of the court was shifting in the Sword Saint's favour.
Albaric, using the heat of the moment, went on, "You talk of services rendered. I want everyone to be clear about what that means. And I can tell you since I was there," He gestured to the demon lord, "Clover gave us the intel which shifted the tide of the war!"
For a moment there was silence. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. It appeared as if the statement had been taken in full. After all, the word of the sword saint was not to be easily dismissed. However, after a quiet moment, a whisper of a chuckle expelled from the wizard's lips. It grew to a tremorous laugh. Everyone stared up in confusion.
"Forgive me," the wizard abated, "It's just... the irony is too much. Yes, the demon Lord did help us win the war. I don't think anyone is denying that. However, do you thank the one who puts out a fire, if he himself is the one who started it? Minister of defence, if you will, please read the other charge,"
"Gladly," the minister consented, "Demon Lord Clover, you are also accused of instigating the last war between the Empire and the Demon World. I have here an account given by the late Empress. For those of the court who are not aware, the empress was kidnapped at that time and for a period was held hostage in the Demon world,"
These words brought a rapid change in the crowd's demeanour. Whatever sympathy the Sword Saint had garnered was immediately subdued by the sense of outrage that rattled the court.
Satisfied, the minister went on, "It was this act of tyranny in the first place which forced the Empire to cross into what would later become the Demon King's territory. And it was this act that precipitated the war; A war in which thousands would die and where the Empress herself would later be killed by the Demon King!"
For the first time, the Demon Lord's full attention fell on the speaker. Their eyes settled on the minister malevolently as though the words themselves were poison to them. Their whole body began rigidly stiff and all pretence at indifference waned. The minister inhaled sharply with apparent discomfort.
"I will read her private account, 'I asked why. Why was I taken? To what end? At last, Clover answered. The demon Lord told me they were in love with me.' These are the unimpeachable words of the Empress. A war, death and destruction - all induced by the selfish and conniving nature of this demon. Now, Demon Lord, what do you have to say in your defence?"
Clover tilted their head back, but instead of finding the minister, their eyes settled on the Emperor. A spark of anger darkened the demon Lord's features. Albaric tried to signal to Clover, but his petition went unmet. He knew the worse was to come.
"Love? I may have said something of the sort. But I often just tell people what they want to hear. Maybe the cold love of the Empire wasn't enough for her. But the truth is she was just like all the others. A means to an end. And as for the war... "Clover smirked unrepentantly, "Both the Empress and the Empire got what they deserved,"
A roar of indignation, shock and horror expelled from the crowd. Albaric turned from Clover bitterly as the wizard let out a sigh of gratification. However, the wild emotions of the crowd were contained by a sudden fiercely acute aura.
The Emperor whose expression had not changed was gripped with such ferocity that even without so much as a word, the pressure of his mana sent a shock wave through the room. The air trembled and though he remained seated, no one dared speak. Only Clover remained smiling defiantly.
"Enough," the Emperor said in a low voice, "You show no remorse. And even though the Sword Saint has gone to pains to try and paint you in a better light, you make no defence. You have no defence. I've heard enough. If anyone in the court is against my decision let them speak now. But I warn you not to waste any more of our time," his eyes fell sharply on the Sword Saint before he added,
"The verdict is clear."
A contented hum rang through the courtroom. Everyone knew what was coming and were already acceding to the verdict with a conceited exchange of nods. Ace's body went cold all over. His heart was going a mile a minute. He felt physically sick.
"I sentence the demon lord to death."