It's been three days since the end of recapturing Fairdrift. Despite winning the battle unintentionally, the mission was cancelled out due to the number of soldiers we lost. Defending the city while having an enemy stronghold close by to our location could become a recipe for disaster. The rest of the survivors decided to retreat and agreed that the city was recorded as a total loss.
Among the survivors, Darren, Nyoko, and Ichijou are the ones that were critically injured from a cross fight against me. Although I should have been executed on sight due to treason. The charges against me were considered as unintentional friendly fire by Cicily. Don't get mistaken by her kind act. Even though she did that for me, the relationship between us has gotten too severe. She hated me for what I had done to her husband and will not forgive me for that.
I'll gladly accept it. That was all my fault. I didn't know that using the Sinner's System could lead to such a catastrophic event. As for Ellisa, she hasn't talked to me ever since. By the time I got back to my senses, Ellisa had spent all her time nursing and healing the other soldiers.
Things didn't get any better, though. I was told by the soldiers that as soon as we arrived at Croterin Empire. I will be standing for trials by the King himself due to being an Unmarked Sinner and possessing unidentified strength that could put the Empire at risk. I was considered a prisoner to them, which is why I'm behind bars in this convoy.
"I guess this is what I deserve..." I said to myself,
We finally reached the border safely now. All that left was to head towards Croterin immediately so that Darren, Nyoko and Ichijou could be treated for their injuries. I don't really care what will happen to me this time. As long the three of them survive in the end, that's all that matters to me.
My arms and legs were cuffed tightly onto the prison bar. They really lose their trust in me now.
A moment later, the night started to fall, and the sky had finally turned dark as the convoy stopped their expedition. I can see these people began to prepare a temporary camping site beside the forest. Then about a few minutes later, Ellisa came to me. She didn't say a word nor look me in the eye. What was in her hands were some food that I presumed to be given to me.
I tried to start a conversation with her by saying, "H-Hey, Ellisa. How was Darren, Nyoko and Ichijou been doing?" but I got shut down almost immediately. She just slid the food into my cell and left. I thought of having a feeling about regretting myself for using the Sinner's System, but I tried not to. If I didn't use that power at that time, no one would be able to get out of that city alive.
The power I used came with a hefty price to pay. But that doesn't matter. It was worth every single life that I saved. When nobody was looking around, I secretly whispered to myself,
"Release the Sin,"
An ominous black blob of fluid reemerged from thin air and floating itself towards me.
"So my Sinner's System is basically my darkest personality. I couldn't believe such a small entity as you could result in a calamitous event..." I gently poked the blob with my index finger, "This is it... That will be the first, and the last time I'm going to rely on you... I don't want to lose control and hurts my friends anymore,"
I ended up falling asleep soundly throughout the night. My exhaustion from the battle still hasn't gone completely yet. It's pretty inconsiderate of me to be able to rest like this while my friends are struggling with their lives. Deep down in my heart, I'm sure they will get better soon. Only time could tell for that,
"Prepare for departure!- We're only a few hours away from our homeland," Shouted Cicily,
The next day began in a glimpse. I was wide awake by the soldiers knocking on my cell to inform me that we were about to move,
"Oi, Sinner. Get up! Who do you think you are?! Sleeping when most of us have to walk our way and bring you back to see the King!"
Ah- I'm really being treated like a total prisoner right now. I have to not take this personally. He then began to pull onto the chains on my hand when I was waking up too slowly,
"I said get up!"
My head was slammed against the bars while I was looking straight at him,
"Relax, will you! I'm up already! There's no need to use such aggression towards me," I yelled while rubbing the pain away,
He didn't respond to what I just said and starts walking away from the area while having his eyes locked onto mine angrily. The next thing I knew, I was surprised to see Ichijou walked out from one of the tents over the distance,
"H-Hey, Ichijou! You- You're awake! Thank goodness,"
He heard me calling out to him. Ichijou swiftly turned around and approached me. His body was fully wrapped with bandages that were soaked with his blood. Then, he said to me in seriousness,
"What was all that back then, Kiseki..."
"I-" I think there's no point hiding anything from him. His expression to me was different at the moment; he lost his credence in me,
Ichijou suddenly slammed the prison cell and shouted, "What the fuck was it, Kiseki! You put everyone at risk with that power! You almost killed Darren and me as well! Worst of all, you're trying to take the life of Ellisa! The only person who trusted you the most!"
I get that- I know I did all of that. You don't have to remind me about my mistakes. I endangered everyone around me with that tainted power,
"Kiseki, please. No more lies between us. Tell me everything I needed to know. This will be your only chance to live," Ichijou said while he rested his head against the prison bar,
"Chance to live? What do you mean?" What is he talking about?-
"Even though Cicily agreed to look away from what you did to us back in Fairdrift, it wasn't the same for the other soldiers. Cicily isn't a high-ranking officer, to begin with. She can't stop them from making a tally among the members to decide what will happen to you. In the end, their result was to send news back to the King so you could be judge by your highness." Ichijou explained to me,
"What will happen during the trials..." I asked him,
He looked at me dead serious and replied, "If you're deemed by the King to be guilty, and a threat to the Empire, the worst it can get is that you'll be going to be executed immediately. However, if you could explain the truth to me, I may be able to help you out with an excuse to let you survive. I am your representative at the moment,"
Gradually my head pointed low to the ground, "Why helping me... I almost killed you and lied to you. Why show me mercy and not hating me,"
"Because you're still my friend... Yeah, you lied to me; you almost killed me too. But I know you have a reason for all of that. So please tell me, Kiseki. Ellisa couldn't bear to see you get executed too." He said to me,
"Ellisa didn't even want to look me in the eyes. She despised me," I responded,
"You, idiot! Yeah, she might despise you at the moment. She is probably scared of you! But, I can tell how worried sick she is about you! Once we handled the situation with King of Croterin. You need to apologise to her for everything that you've done. I'm sure she will forgive you if you explain yourself," He yelled,
He's right. I need to mend my relationship with Ellisa later. The last thing I wanted to see in her eyes was the looks of disappointment that she had towards me. I get it; this is the time for me to tell the truth to him. He trusted me in everything. I have to do the same too.
"Ichijou, do you know why did we come to Ruina in the first place...?" I asked him,
He was looking a bit confused with the question and said, "Well, as far as I'm concerned. Based on the prophecy, we are here to save Ruina from the disastrous war the Devil, Lucifer started."
"That may be true... But there's also another reason for it." I replied,
I spent hours during the trip explaining to him everything that I knew. About the power of Sinner's System, the Ancient Prophecy as to why we were brought here as well as the meeting I had with Lucifer.
"Y-You met Lucifer?!- Why the heck you didn't kill her the moment you see her the second time! You had one chance! And you blew it up!" He said shockingly,
"Hey, I told you already! The power of Karma didn't work when I was there with her in that chamber! What do you expect me to even do! Snap her neck when she can easily crush me with a flick of a finger?!-" I responded madly,
Ichijou seems to be unable to cope with anything I just told him. Of course, this will take time for him to believe me. But, he seeks for the truth, then I tell him the truth!
"Besides, I'm still sceptical over something, Ichijou. Lucifer has been helping me ever since I came here. Most of the thing she told me was right; about the Sinners true power, how to defeat Cyclops, and the reason as to why I shouldn't overuse my Sinner's System before I control it. But I still haven't learned what kind of game she's playing with me." I muttered,
The looked in Ichijou's face were filled with anguish and confusion. He then said to me, "She's a Devil, Kiseki! Lucifer is probably trying to play tricks on you! How can someone who befall such malevolence to this world wanted to help a person who could potentially be her biggest threat without any reason!-"
"That is why I wanted to search for the truth about Ruina, Kiseki. To learn everything that this world had to offer. To understand the meaning behind her games. I need to know it. Until then, we might be able to find a way to stop this war for good and get the reason why she did so in the first place!-" I yelled at him while gripping my hands around the prison bar,
He shook his head in distrust and sighed. I'm sorry, Ichijou. This might be selfish of me. But, I won't be able to stay calm until I find out everything I need to know. Before Ichijou was able to say something, he was interrupted,
"Soldiers! Feast your eyes. We're home," shouted Cicily,
It was really a sight to behold. I've never seen such a wonderful kingdom in my entire life. Compared to Fairdrift, this place is far intricate and magnificent. A city surrounded by mountains in between the valley and the sky above it is filled with floating rocks that contain astonishing architectural buildings sticking out from it. Right in the middle of the city was the place where the castle accommodates. It was floating above a crater with a bridge spanned in seven different directions that symbolised proper balance.
The streets were filled with the citizen of this Empire. Most of which is probably the family of the soldiers that wanted to welcome their children back from this battle. Sadly, the number of us walking across the path quickly showed to those people that some of their loved ones may have not survived this battle.
Despite the mood around the city filled with joy and happiness, in the beginning, it eventually changed into grief and sadness. I couldn't bear to witness their sorrow upon realisation, so I looked down and closed my eyes.
At last, we finally arrived at the castle. The gate behind us swiftly closed shut, and the soldiers lined up across the main entrance. The injured were brought quickly to a special treatment centre contained within the castle, and Ellisa followed them to assist whatever she could. I was brought out from my cell with my hands, and my feet were still cuffed by metal chains. Cicily came forth to me with a hatred look on her face. She then said to me,
"It's time for you to stand trials, Unmarked Sinner,"
This is it. This will be the beginning of my judgement by the King himself. I don't know what to expect from it. Part of me was scared if the choice for his judgement was to execute me if things didn't work out for me. But also, I'm well prepared myself to receive my punishment.
I was dragged by Cicily into the front door when she pulled the chains that locked onto me. Ichijou followed us from the side while some palace guard appeared from left to right and escorted us to the throne room. The hallway that we walked into was astounding. There were murals all over the ceiling, and pictures of their past King was spread along the wall.
We eventually stopped in front of a massive door. Ichijou came close to me and whispered,
"We're here. The King will be on the other side of the door. I want you to just sit tight and keep quiet. I'll do all the talk for you,"
I faintly nodded to him, and we began to let ourselves in the room as the door swung open. On both sides of the walkway, there is a group of people who probably the King's Senate and other high-ranking officers that going to witness the trials,
In the middle lies a royal yellow rug that splits the entire room in half, and huge braziers encircling each of the twelve limestone columns that light up the throne hall and bathe the aisle in a dancing glow of orange, while a square dag flag adorned the walls. Between each flag, none but a few have been lit and, in turn, illuminate the artistic depictions of late heroes below them.
Right towards me was a majestic throne of oak that sits in front of a large window radiating light onto the throne and is adjoined by two almost identical seats for the royal highness' trustees.
I can't feel my legs. I have never been in court back when I was on earth, let alone meeting with a King. I need to stay calm. Ichijou must know how to deal with this situation since he's a thug in his previous life.
"The King, Edwin Lucenfort, of the Croterin Empire will now make an entry. All shall bow and respect your highness!-" said one of the King's messenger,
Almost immediately, everyone in this room, including Ichijou, had their heads pointed to the floor while getting down on one knee. I quickly followed along and waited for the King to arrive. A few seconds later, a wise-looking old man with a full-grown white beard walking towards the throne. He's wearing a lovely crimson attire with a glorious crown resting above his head. That is him. That is King Edwin.
He had his hand waving up and down, indicating us to stand before him while he was sitting down. Everybody complied and raised their head, and looked towards him. He had such a powerful and respectable appeal that made my legs can't stop shaking. He's not a typical kind of King who some random people can mess with. How will all of this turn out for me?!-
"I heard the news from you soldiers about the mission in Fairdrift. But please, elaborate to me once again why have you come forth to me right now," said King Edwin,
One of the members began to explain to him from the beginning. About me being an Unmarked Sinner and how I put everyone in jeopardy when I lose control. The room suddenly turned quiet. The King has his eyes scorching against mine, but there are no words come from his mouth.
Ichijou briefly walked to the front and began to say, "I am here, your highness, to humbly seek for your forgiveness for my fellow acquaintance over there with everything that he had done. I know I had no place to beg for your kindness but please, your majesty,"
King Edwin looked at him while having his hand caressing against the throne's hand rest and said, "Tell me, why should I let this man be set free after what he did to my soldiers. He risks my troops' mission, and even he even dare to endanger my people."
Ichijou then replied to him, "My King, you may have not seen his fight. He may bring us hope to win this war with the power that he possessed. If you could reconsider the trials for his mistake, I am truly grateful for your generosity,"
The King then responded, "Truth to be told, I will not tolerate for what he had done, young man. If it's real that he possessed such power in him, that's one reason for me to end his life right here and now. I have enough on my plate to deal with the Devil's army. I do not seek another potential threat in my sight that could doom this glorious Empire that I had built,"
Things didn't seem to go to plan, Ichijou. The King disliked me. I don't think having a further conversation with him will change anything,
"My lord! I'm not trying to question your authority. But please, with the help we can get from his power, we can stop this useless war for good! All we need to do is give him some time to practice and control his ability to your desire!-" Ichijou countered the King. That's undoubtedly one bold move to help me, friend.
"For what belief you think he could control such power? How many more times do we need to allow him to practice? His power is beyond the humanity can hold, and he could betray us once more, anytime and any sooner the lives of our people will be diminished," said the King.
"I- I..." Ichijou stuttered, told everyone in the room that he also isn't very particular with the idea of keeping me alive with this power.
"It's true; the power he has is something that humans cannot own. But Your Majesty, no other humans can defeat the enemies without this power of his." Unfortunately, it isn't convincing enough.
"SILENCE!" the King's voice enraged the entire room. "Are you turning blind eyes towards the consequences of his power which the lives of my people have been lost? Will you be responsible for what has happened yesterday, tomorrow, and the future if we are letting him alive and-" he looked at me fiercely, "Take him into the dungeon now! Execute him where no sunlight could reach him, and no birds would sing a song for him."
This stupid King really didn't want to hear anything that Ichijou trying to say. I need to speak for myself here, or this will definitely spell the end of my journey. The soldiers began to grab onto the chains and tried to drag me away from this room.
Before I was about to drag even further down the walkway, I said to the King, "Oi, old man!..."