November 15th, the day of Valtor Gallard's judgment had arrived, the trial was being held at the supreme court, where for that case Hecuba Hecatrix had been appointed as judge, the place was majestic, crafted in the noblest conjured woods and details in chrome and metal, there was the spectators area, the prosecution table area, the defense, the jury bench was empty as it would not be a case involving a jury. In the northern part of the chamber there was the judge's bench, on the left side of the observer there was the official clerk and on the other side the lower bench for hearing the witnesses.
The trial site was large enough to accommodate 600 spectators with various magical mechanisms to preserve the spectators' vision and audio in the background. All those who had fought in the battle of Belladona were present there, in addition of course to all matriarchs and patriarchs of the noble clans, it was a case that involved a whole balance of the status quo. In the front rows Gale was accompanied by Sandy, Adam, Nathan, Artemisia, Apollodro, Alana, Megara and Keith, her closest friends, she was in a very fragile state; the master mages were present in the front row along with Emma, Aria, Artorius, Helena, and Daedalus. Everyone was dressed in formal clothes and fit for a trial, so Hecuba entered the room wearing her judge's robe and taking her seat; Valtor was sitting in the same room as the defendant wearing a black and white striped outfit, with magical handcuffs around his wrists and ankles. As responsible for the prosecution was Otrera who had such prerogatives as the Grand Mistress of the Royal Guard and Libra's master who was always responsible for justice; Valtor opted for self-representation as he was well versed in celestian Law.
– All standing to receive the most excellent lady Hecuba Hecatrix, judge of the supreme court of Celestia and magistrate responsible for case 7839/2021. – Announced the guard mage responsible for the security of the place, it was a black mage with her hair tied in a tight bun, wore a cap and her uniform of the policewoman of the city of Belladona.
– You can sit down. – Hecuba said, continuing with the formalities. – The present case is of Celestia v. Valtor Gallard... The crimes against her majesty law 003/1645 fall on the defendant; active corruption law 1.219/1899; high treason law 001/1645; attempted matricide and parricide law 010/1645; terrorism law 3548/2001; Destruction of Crown Properties Law 004/1645... How does the defendant plead? –
– Guilty, your honor, there is no need for a trial, everyone knows that the accusations are well founded, there is no way for me to escape. – Valtor said, he was sorry, far from Helloise's influence, his psychosis that rested in the subconscious seemed to return to its secondary state.
– Accusation, any reservation or request on the part of the crown? – Asked the judge who was being impartial, even the prosecuting attorney being her younger sister.
– As a representative of the crown and knowing that matricide, harm to the majesty and high treason is punishable by death, the Royal Guard and the crown require reversal of the sentence to life imprisonment in solitary confinement in Sephiro prison under the custody of the Royal Guard due to its dangerousness and the seriousness of his actions... We claim full custody of him. – demanded Otrera, who sincerely was holding herself back so as not to fly in the defendant's neck. – This request is based on law 708/1683 which provides for the priority of the Royal Guard over the custody of criminals who committed direct crimes against the crown. –
– Without further objections, I consider it well founded, Valtor Gallard, you are henceforth sentenced to life in prison in Sephiro prison under the custody of the Royal Guard; You are officially being removed from your royal prince status; his goods and possessions not directly linked to the crown will be transferred to the name of Gale Hatchfield Tallon Gallard; I also determine the opening of an investigation to find out which State, common army and Royal Guard officials helped you in this absurdity; and from now on he is officially removed from his post as prime minister, with the queen nominating a replacement for his post to finish his term. – Hecuba pronounced himself that he struck the hammer and made the sentence official.
The situation was tense, Gale was crying a lot, Aria was very sad, but tried to hide the best she could, after the sentence people were leaving, they knew now what would be the prisoner's fate. Valtor was taken to a waiting room from where he would be taken to Sephiro, although Gale had gone to see his father before he was taken away, they were allowed this last conversation before his actual arrest. The room was small and decorated with a minimum, two chairs and a table. Gale at first hugs his father tightly and starts to cry.
– Dad, why, why did you do this? – Gale said, she was devastated, seeing her father in such a situation was something devastating, she had a deep love and respect for him, but that image of a perfect hero ended up eroding.
– My daughter I let my ego, my ambition control me, I let my yearning to become everything, I wanted more and more power, I wanted something I thought should be mine, I'm sorry I let you down my princess, I begged so much for Stroika to spare you, I only saw revenge, I'm sorry, I should have been a better father. – Valtor said that he was devastated to see his daughter like that.
– All those deaths, I saw several of my friends die, giving their lives to protect that place, and knowing you helped with that, I don't recognize you anymore father, what have you become? – cried Gale.
– My little princess, I swear that hurting you was the last thing I wanted, you and your mother were always my greatest treasures... I remember when you decided to transition, at first I felt strange, but later I saw it was the only way for you to be who you really were, and I always loved you, I remember being there throughout your post-op recovery, believe me, the last thing I wanted was to hurt you, and for you I promise that I will do what is right, pay for my crimes and turn over everything I know about Stroika's plans. – Valtor promised that, he could not continue with his obsessive mentality, more than power, he loved his dear daughter.
– Dad, I appreciate it, but you know it won't be easy to redeem yourself… I promise I won't leave you, I'll visit you, I promise I won't leave you, you were there for me in my most delicate moment , and I promise to be at your most delicate moment... I refuse to believe that you have lost your way for good, I know how kind and generous you can be, but you will have to pay for what you did. – Gale said sadly.
– My little princess, I promise, for you I will seek redemption, for you! – Valtor said, he hugged his daughter. – And you, how are you dealing with all this? –
– I'm trying to deal with it, I left the palace for a while, I moved in with the Storms, Sandy has been like a sister, I need this time to put things in place, and I wanted to get away from all the pressure. of this situation. – Said Gale.
– I understand, and seeing this I feel even more guilty, seeing how much you are suffering I see what Mom wanted to spare me and I understood it as negligence... I know you can do it, you are strong, you have a stronger moral and personality than mine, he always had. – Valtor smiled.
So father and daughter say goodbye, it was the moment of farewell by the hour, in another room were Aria, Emma and Hecuba, it was Hecuba's private room, it was large, well decorated, had her work table, a coffee table, sleek chairs, shelves of law books, a small bar, there the three of them seemed to be discussing something of prime importance.
– And now who will be the new prime minister? The "O" is holding the ends, but it's not her job, and she already has a lot to worry about. – Emma said worried.
– Well I think you are the most sensible choice Emma, you are extremely knowledgeable in politics, very well connected, understand management and public administration, you could be an incredible premier, and then you could run for office. – Said analytic Hecuba.
– But I couldn't do that, I don't think I'm ready, manage the entire nation even though I was raised to be queen one day, like it or not, Valtor was a political genius, the prime minister depends a lot on political skills, the crown is something more monocratic, easier to handle. – Emma said.
– Don't be silly darling, you've solved so many diplomatic issues for me on the international stage, you're an excellent speaker, I know public bureaucracy is complicated, but let's get it out of the way... Besides, let's be honest, we need to keep control, we need a nobleman at the top of the executive, we don't need social revolts in this moment of crisis when the Stroika is back on the radar, if some commoner comes to power they will want to focus on social reforms that won't do any good when the Stroika marches through Celestia with its full army... We need to maintain control, do what has to be done, and only then can we let them waste their time with democratic sluggishness for social advancement. After the buffer term ends, you will run for the crown party and we will ensure that you are elected for as long as this crisis lasts, no matter what the means. – Queen Aria said, she was extremely political and cold sense in her decision.
– But the situation of the people is very good, we have the best health system on the planet, cutting-edge education, the best per capita income on the planet, we still have a very high concentration of income, but we are dealing with this, I don't think there is much for them to be distracted with social reforms, but if you want me in the position I will do as you wish. – Emma said.
– I understand your point of view Emma, but the truth is that they will never get tired of conquering rights, and in fact they are not totally wrong, Celestia is a capitalist nation with parliamentarism and monarchy functioning simultaneously in a balance of status quo of an aristocratic and oligarchic society, the noble clans have advantages, subsidies and tax exemptions that leave us at a somewhat unfair advantage, but this is a reflection of centuries of society in the same sense of noble privilege, commoners can have excellent living conditions , but there is not much to compare with the noble families, we have a lot to work for a greater social equality, apart from some scandals of intolerance at both poles, of commoners against nobles and nobles against commoners, we have been fighting for decades for a greater insertion of commoners in the Royal Guard... We need someone who can keep things going without deviating from the greater danger, we need to focus on that, but also m not worry the population, you would be perfect, friend. – Said Hecuba straight and punctual.
– Exactly, and so we can undo the leaks in public coffers and the corruption that your brother caused in low-profile without being exposed, because if a commoner arrived in office the first thing he would do would be to expose the prince of Celestia embezzled 245 billion celesios to fund a Stroika paramilitary army, for official purposes, Helloise T'chebova was manipulating Valtor's "fragile and feeble" mind to force him to collaborate, but let's not go into details, we need to keep everything under control, no matter the cost. – Reinforced Queen Aria.
– I understand, so I'll take over, Mom, I'll take care of the nation alongside you within the executive, the legislature is still 70% ours and the judiciary has 75% of heads of courts and instances being of the nobility as well. – Emma said.
– I'm glad you understand dear, we need to keep up appearances, we can't lose respect from other nations, we are the most powerful country in the world, we can't show weakness. – Aria said directly. – Then I have to talk to Otrera, I need Scorpio to interrogate Valtor's asshole until he says everything he knows, I need him alive, not whole. –
– Mom, I know what he did was abominable, but he is still your son. – Emma said, even after all she still had some affection for her brother.
– My son died the moment he tried to kill me and his father, he is now only alive because we need the information he holds. – Emma said trying to stand firm and irreducible, even though inside she wanted to forgive her son, but she couldn't think like a mother at that moment, she needed to act like a queen.
***
Gale met up with Sandy and Adam, the three were on one of the balconies of the judiciary building, they were seeing the beautiful view from the top of Belladona, but even that beautiful sight couldn't transpose the sadness in the princess's heart.
– Gale, how was it with your father? – Sandy asked who was very worried about her friend.
– Sad, difficult, despairing, but there is nothing I can do, I promised that I will not miss visiting him. – Said Gale.
– Know that you have a family here with us, you will not stay alone, we will always support you, we know you are loyal, strong and determined. – Said Adam.
– Yes, that attack was something very sudden, we had to prove ourselves, we lost a lot of friends, but we have to continue, your father may have helped, but whoever attacked us wanted to do it one way or another, let's go with you to the end. – Sandy smiled.
– Friends, I don't know what I would do without you two, and also the others, but you two, it has been very important to me… And Sandy thank you so much for letting me stay at your house. – Gale said, she hugs her friends.
– Let's become the best team we can be, together, you are part of the Emiliana team and we will always be a team! Let's make whoever attacked us pay for this affront and for corrupting your father. – Said Adam.
– Yes, let's move forward together and when the time comes we will give our all for this nation, more than ever I feel that I must serve my country, for myself and for my father. – Gale said with a look still half-lost.
***
Alana, Megara and Keith were in the cafeteria on the fifth floor of the Judiciary Building in Celestia's Core where the trial had taken place, all three were thoughtful and still absorbing everything that had taken place.
– The Academy destroyed, Gale's father manipulated, colleagues dead, I will not accept this, I will become stronger and I swear not to let the people I love die like this again... I worked hard so that when I arrive at the gym a madwoman invades and destroys everything, let's not let it go. – Megara said clenching her fists in anger.
– Calm down friend, I understand your feeling of frustration, we also wanted to have prevented that attack and all the deaths, but we did what we could, we have a long way, but we will become stronger... I will not accept the weakness, no I will accept being powerless again. – Alana said, she hated weakness and had ambitions to reach the top.
– We have to train more, more and more, we can't allow what happened to repeat itself, as soon as Yan and I hit it off, he died, he died to save me, I won't let it be in vain. – Keith said, he was still touched by the sacrifice.
– That's a promise so, let's get stronger until we can keep everyone we love safe… We have to prove ourselves more than others, we have to show that even though we're not royalty, we can be as good as any of them, in addition to protecting our nation, let's prove that strength comes from "Spirit Of Celestia" and not from her social status, let's become great Royal Guard mages and make this Madame Stroika person pay for what she's done. – Megara said, she was inspired.
– Yes, this attack showed how weak we still are, we will overcome them all, we will be at the top of the elite. – Alana said she craved power and glory.
– Let's prove we're as good as anyone over there, let's change things, let's make way for others like us to get into BA, just like your grandfather Ivy. – Keith said, he was more determined than ever.
***
Artemisia, Apollodro and Nathan were on the roof of the building, they were sitting by the terrace patio, Apollodro was leaning with his head in Nathan's lap. All three were still thinking a lot about the invasion and also about what Otrera told them afterwards.
– We have to become stronger, this fight at BA, just showed how much we have to train, those summons, that power, I want to be like them one day, even though I know it can be deadly, but I don't want to look later and see that I didn't reach my potential. – Artemisia said, she felt encouraged by the battle she saw of the legendary mages.
– I don't want to be just a burden on the team, I have to try harder, I end up being a burden for you in combat. – Apollodro said, he felt he could not give his best in that battle.
– Love you are not a burden, you are amazing and very strong, you are a member of the team like any of us, even more vital. –Nathan smiled.
– But it's not you who are the most targeted, which always ends up passing out. – Apollodro said.
– You are a medical mage and had to take care of many mages, you ran out, you were a hero who saved lives, lives of our friends as much as you can... You are important to the team, and you can become even more strong. – Artemisia said, she didn't like to see her brother belittled.
– Sister, Nate... Well, thanks for being so supportive, it's just that sometimes I wanted to do more, I didn't want to be just depending on you, I have to train a lot more my combat skills and better control my strength, I know that I can do more, I don't want to have to be rescued by Nathan all the time. – Apollodro said.
– In part this is more of an action addiction of mine, but I understand, and we'll help you refine your skills love, we'll all strengthen together, we can't disappoint Lady Astarte, nor the legendary mages, after all we're heading their legacy, or at least trying to. – Nathan laughed.
– Yes… And you love, how are you being in the palace after everything that happened? – Apollodro asked.
– Grandpa is still recovering, the damage Uncle Valtor caused was very deep emotionally and also because of the impact, Mom and Grandma are dealing with everything, trying to cover up his shit, trying to make it look like he was manipulated, But we know the truth, he acted because he wanted to, and I will give my all to protect my family, my friends and you too, knowing that a royal betrayed his own country, it disgusts me, and I was also very worried. with Gale, but she's fine with Sandy. – Nathan said, he was dealing with what happened more intensely, and that it really affected his family more than the others.
– We're all in this friend together, let's become powerful enough to protect everyone, I also know that Gale will come out of this stronger than she entered. – Artemisia said, she was very fond of Gale.
– Yes, Gale is very strong, she will overcome this, and we will be by her side... I will do my best to be an example, I will dedicate myself to Celestia more than ever, I hope to be a worthy king a day, and until that day comes I'll be fighting for her in the Royal Guard. – Nathan said, demonstrating his objectivity, he could be very obsessive and direct, irreducible in his ambitions.
– My love, you really are quite a prince, I know you will be a great king one day... This battle in Belladona was a warning, a warning that the time to prove us is coming, after all we will have to prove that everything what we talk about is not just lip service. – Apollodro said, he wanted to become stronger and stronger, but not out of ego, but in order to keep those he loves alive, if not as a warrior, at least as a master of healing.
– One thing is certain, we have a lot to strive for, and face many dangers, but we're not just going to sit back, we're going to fight for our home. – Artemisia said, sure of what she was saying, besides thinking a lot about what Otrera said after the battle of Belladona, she knew that the stakes were high, but she also felt that that was her destiny. – Stroika was just playing with us, and even Astarte had problems, let's not give up until we reach our goals. –
– And to think that at the beginning of the year Polo and I didn't even speak, you and Gale didn't know each other very well, Keith was a recluse, Alana and Megara were bullies and I didn't know Adam and Sandy who are amazing, really with all these disasters now, in the end, it's been an amazing year, i don't want to lose you ever again. – Nathan smiled as he stroked his boyfriend.
– The years at the Academy are for that, not only train us, but develop these bonds, I can't imagine my life without any of you eight, especially you two. – Apollodro said, he was happy to be able to relax, let down his guard and stay in the arms of his beloved.
– Yeah… By the way, I still have to see how I'm going to explain to Dad and Mom that I'm dating two people at once. – Artemisia said blushed.
– Believe me, after everything that's happened, this is going to be the least of it, and I don't even think it's something that unusual. – Apollodro laughed.
– This is important, even in these difficult times, we cannot forget to smile, and have fun with each other, remember why we are working so hard. – Nathan said, he felt at peace with his teammates and cared for Apollodro.
***
The three legendary mages had left the justice building, they had gone back to the Royal Guard building, the three were in Otrera's room sitting around the coffee table, Otrera was smoking, the three were drinking gin.
– Finally, Valtor is stuck, one less problem. – Said Otrera.
– Yes, imprisoned, but if it were a jester, no one would have been killed, in fact that's what I think will happen to all his collaborators who will be discovered who are not of the nobility, we know how these things work. – Morrigan said.
– Mor doesn't need to stress so much, justice will be done, and Valtor is only alive because we need to extract his information, I already told you, things are changing... Have I or "O" ever abused you for not being born into the nobility? – Edward said. – I know what you think, and in part there is a lot of impunity, but that is not the case, none of us would let an attack on BA go unpunished. –
– We have to look at this situation from a macro point of view... She has an extremely advanced and powerful network of allies infiltrated across the globe financed by Valtor's embezzlement, meaning she hasn't used even a tenth of her troops, she has many more allies and generals out there, and if they have the same level as Aron and Fernanda, we could be in trouble... We need to prepare, a new cold war is coming. – Said Otrera thoughtfully.
– That's true, she wouldn't risk that much in an attack like that if it wasn't part of a bigger plan, she has plans, she has Ohana and she has powerful mages at her service... I know it's hard for us to admit, but we will need to ask for help... Around the world there are some mages with extraordinary power levels that come almost close to ours, exceptional SSX mages that we have come across over the years and many of them nowadays are at the top of the military elites of various countries. – Edward said. – Perhaps it is a war that not even the legendary mages can handle alone. –
– Eddy is right, in my years of seclusion in Bricttany I met some mage lords with absurd powers and their Grand Master reaches the level of Astaroth, at least the base Astaroth. – Morrigan said. – And you "O" spent years in Nihondo and Graekus, I know you met powerful mages there, apart from our old wartime friends. –
– Yes it's true, there are very powerful mages that are almost at our level, but that's it "almost", the three of us do things none of them could, not to mention that we're comparing their maximum capacity with our base form of mere 70 %, at most 80% with a lot of cost... You know I know how to be humble, but we are not the three greatest mages on the planet for nothing, at our most nobody verges on our power, or at least not verging on, that Helloise possessed by Ohana was able to be as powerful as us by letting go, and that's because she's still weak, only we can face Ohana, these mages can help yes, but let's not forget what this fight is truly about. – Otrera said, she knew that things could get very intense.
– I know that, believe me, if you are humble, I'm not ashamed to brag, we are more powerful than any of them, than any of the mages of any Royal Guard on the planet, but we also can't deny that it would help welcome, with the other nations helping we can put the Stroika aside and that way we're done with it... She's been off the radar for ten years, she's good at hiding, we don't need to make this a public issue, but we could set it up a network to fight Stroika's plans among royal guards around the world. – Morrigan said. – That way we don't sacrifice so many of our people, you know that many will die, from all sides, better than ours. –
– It's morbid, but the Morrigan is right, things are going to get pretty ugly, she invaded BA that was never invaded, not even in the six previous World Wars they didn't even dare, do you doubt she won't try to conquer other nations? The more allies the better, and that preserves our mages more. – Edward said, he was taking it seriously, he could be fun and playful, but he knew when to be centered.
– I understand, I will do this… There are great Grand Masters around the world like Naomi in Nihondo; Jacob in Bricttany; Craig in Zambi; Heraklia in Graekus; Bruno in Kalaria; Al'Hamad in Kora'q, all mages at the top of the SS+ and considerably SSX in their own merits, none of them are as powerful as Astaroth, but they all come close to his power, some 85%, up to 90% on average. – Pondered Otrera.
– How to ensure that they will collaborate? I know Naomi and Heraklia are your friends, and Jacob is an old friend, but Bruno, Craig and Al'Hamad, we can't be sure, at least I haven't seen them since the end of the war. – Morrigan said.
– With Bruno and Craig, leave it to me. – Edward laughed.
– Let me guess, have you ever had affairs with them? – Morrigan laughed.
– Touché! I just don't have any contact with Al'Hamad. – Edward said.
– I see, but I also think that none of them will want to pick a fight with 3GLWM, our names impose respect wherever we go, I spent ten years trying to remain unnoticed and even then they ended up recognizing me and offering gifts, it was difficult to spend long periods without being recognized and flattered, Astarte and I spent 1 year in Graekus, hidden by Heraklia, then when several admirers found out we went to Nihondo, spent two years with Naomi and then I wandered around the world in low-profile. – Told Otrera. – I ran away from my title and what I represent for a long time, but if it's for the good of my nation I'll make everyone understand that whoever is in charge here is the most powerful mage in the world and that the other two are with me too, if not for good, they'll help hunt Helloise for bad, they won't want to pick a fight with us. –
– This is more necessary than you think... Regardless of whether I had sex with Craig and Bruno, Morrigan being friends with Jacob and you being friends with Heraklia and Naomi, Stroika could very well corrupt them, she managed to seduce the Prince/Prime Minister who was already at the top of the noble hierarchy of the most powerful country in the world, imagine the leaders of other nations who feel some kind of rancor or envy towards Celestia? Many countries at the first opportunity to end Celestia will act, remember this is all politics in the end, countries are allies as far as they are concerned, imagine if a war veteran supported by an alien goddess with a paramilitary army that was powerful enough to invade a place that has never been invaded before to offer that opportunity? They will show their claws, especially countries in the Middle East where several governments are controlled by terrorist groups who hate Celestia more than anything, Al'Hamad is the least trusting of them all, but maybe none of them are really trustworthy, we'll need to show strength, show that if they betray Celestia, they will be drawing the fury of the most powerful mages in the world to them. – Edward said, he was in a very analytical moment, it was rare, but he managed to get as serious as his teammates.
– Thinking this way… That bitch never really wanted to destroy the Academy necessarily, for her plan itself to be successful. – Morrigan said as if she had had an epiphany of Helloise's plan.
– She wanted to destroy our credibility, expose Valtor and consequently put Celestia's credibility in check, show that we would be weak and corrupted, she wanted to demonstrate that Celestia is not invincible, and thus get allies... That bitch. – Otrera said, she was pissed off and broke his whiskey glass.
– Otrera, you'll have to play hardball, we'll have to keep them showing that our side is stronger and that we'll exemplarily punish anyone who betrays us, and that it won't be a former general of the Stroiko empire who will defend them from us. – Morrigan said.
– Yes, and don't worry, I'll try to be friendly, but if it doesn't work or they dare betray us I'll show them who they're dealing with... Each of us individually has already destroyed a country by ourselves, that's in low-profile , but the governments we eradicated know what we've done, I bet this will serve as a reminder... I won't allow Celestia to be harmed, not after all we've sacrificed for her, this cycle of blood, hate and aggression is endless , unless we break the cycle, let us be the last generation to nurture this cycle so that the next one emerges in a world of true peace, once and for all. – Otrera said, she really wanted world peace, even though he knew it was difficult and that he would probably have to feed the cycle of war and violence one last time before breaking the system and passing on this legacy of peace.
Otrera took another glass and filled it with whiskey.
– May we be the last to feed this cycle so that the next generation can live in a time of true peace. – Toasted the three mages, they would do everything in their power to protect Celestia and somehow bring peace to the world, even if for that they have to resort to questionable methods behind the scenes.
A new war began, like a phoenix the ideological conflict that ravaged the world during World War VI was reborn, with Celestia and Madame Stroika being the opposite poles of this conflict, no one would be spared, the entire globe would be dragged into this conflict, neutrality was not a choice and choosing the right side had never been more vital. Will the three legendary mages, standing at the head of Celestia's Royal Guard, be able to stop Madame Stroika and Ohana definitively, or not even these living legends can against the complex trans-universal planes of Pelupdus Eliandra?