Skybelle spoke. "Besides the Chief of Police, there were two other officers at the scene who witnessed the scar on the Skygod's hand."
"Alright then. They can verify it. Bring them here." Skymender said.
Skybelle turned around and looked at the Imperial Guards, who moved out of the house.
Skymender waited patiently. He was in no hurry. After around an hour, they brought news. Not only had the Chief of Police been killed, but so had the two officers at the scene. They also brought with them further news. All of the information on the scar had gone missing or been destroyed. This included written descriptions and drawings.
Everyone who had seen them was also dead.
This was the work of Third Moon. Skymender had made sure that he would destroy any records on him while Violet killed the Chief of Police's family and Skymender attacked the police department.
He had made a mistake in ever showing his scar. He simply had never assumed that his identity would be found out. After all, how crazy would one have to be to suspect a child?
Skybelle received the news and looked at Skymender.
Her emotions were clearly chaotic.
"Skymender. Tell me honestly. Are you the Skygod?" She asked.
Skymender shook his head. "The fact that you are even asking me that is ridiculous. You can believe what you want to believe, such as the fact that a child could create an assassination organization. In addition, at the time that Skygod first appeared, I was around 11 years old. But sure, it all makes sense because we both have a scar on our hand, and I was out minding my own business while an attack took place."
Hearing Skymender's words made everyone feel as though it was indeed ridiculous. But the scene of Skymender killing the detective made everyone feel as though it was indeed a possibility that a child had created an assassination organization.
Regardless of what they believed, they had no proof. If Skymender was a commoner, then even on suspicion they could arrest him. But like this, all they could do was let him go.
The Imperial Guards seemed to internally admit defeat in this endeavor.
Skybelle spoke again. "Come to the Imperial Capital so that you can formally use the pardon badge in front of the Emperor. Don't do anything stupid, or you may get yourself killed."
Her last sentence wasn't a threat, but a warning because she still cared about Skymender.
Skymender shook his head. "They wouldn't kill me even if I was the Skygod."
Skybelle did not understand, but she did not need to. In the entire Sky Barony, including his mother, father, Baron Sky, and his sister, he was the one that the Imperial Scholar valued the most. As such, it was unlikely he would be killed unless he truly committed treason against the Empire.
Killing a detective was nothing near treason. Neither was being an assassin. He would be fine.
Skymender made his way to the Imperial Capital, the Imperial Guards following him the entire way. The pardon badge had not been officially used, as only the Emperor could approve its use. But upon unofficially using it, the person was temporarily cleared from any sort of punishment for anything they had done.
The usual ten day trip passed by quickly.
It was in complete silence that they arrived at the Imperial Capital.
Without a single word, he was taken to the Imperial Palace. He was brought before the throne room.
The doors opened, and Skymender, along with Skybelle, entered the room. The Imperial Guards dispersed elsewhere.
As they entered, the door closed.
Inside the room was the Emperor, the Imperial Scholar, Sword Master Shang, Skymender's sister, and Skymender.
Skybelle began to speak.
She explained everything that had happened, before explaining how Skymender used his pardon badge.
The Emperor nodded at the end. "I see."
"So, your Imperial Majesty, what say you?" Skybelle asked.
The Emperor tilted his head for a moment. "Oh right. Of course Skymender's pardon badge can take effect. You are hereby pardoned."
"Thank you." Skymender said with a slight bow.
His sister looked at him. "You must kneel before the Emperor."
Skymender had nearly forgotten that it was customary to kneel. After all, he had been here a lot and had often forgotten to.
Just as he was about to, the Emperor waved his hand. "Skymender doesn't have to kneel. It's fine."
Skybelle was confused. Not only was Skymender not punished for his crimes, and had gotten away with most likely being Skygod, but now the Emperor was saying he didn't have to kneel.
She suddenly realized that she didn't understand her brother at all.
"Skybelle." Sword Master Shang said.
Skybelle's head turned, instantly paying attention.
"Try not to be such a stickler for the law. He's your brother. You can give him some favor."
Skybelle was even more shocked. She knew her master well. He wouldn't say that normally.
It seemed that Skymender was even in her master's good graces.
She looked at the Imperial Scholar, wondering if he would also say anything.
The Imperial Scholar, who had his pinky finger in his ear, saw her looking at him out of the corner of his eye.
"Huh? What's happening?"
Skybelle felt as if the upper echelon of the Empire had to be a joke.
She turned around and left the room.
The Imperial Scholar awkwardly looked around, wondering what he had done.
He was definitely more relaxed than when Skymender first met him. Perhaps it was age, and the possibility of finding a successor.
"So." The Emperor said.
Skymender paid attention.
"Are you really that Skygod guy?"
The Imperial Scholar paid attention to this, as did Sword Master Shang.
"Of course." Skymender said.
The Imperial Scholar nodded. "I had guessed so. Who else would be so proficient in poison?"
There was no need to hide anything from these bunch of old fellows. Skymender felt a sort of warmth from them, as if they viewed him as a future member of the Empire, a true member.
It was as if they knew that he would be the one to carry their legacy, the legacy of the Empire.