Airelina Frembell
After spending just a single day in the cold, desolate detention center, I find myself abruptly thrust into the intimidating realm of the courtroom. I am granted no time to prepare, no opportunity to seek legal counsel. This is the draconian law that governs the trials of individuals like me, known as dragonoids. Due to my status as a convicted murderer, destroyer, and terrorist, the prospect of finding a lawyer willing to represent me seems utterly impossible. It appears as though I am simply biding my time until the inevitable execution, scheduled for tomorrow. The odds of victory are stacked impossibly against me.
Yesterday came and went without a single visitor, not even Amphere Harrison, the one who betrayed me. I should have exacted revenge, but deep down, I know I cannot. Despite all the pain he caused me, I still hold a love for him that prevents me from inflicting harm. The memory of plunging the blade into his chest haunts me relentlessly, plaguing my nights with restlessness. Sleep has eluded me for the past two days, leaving me with dark circles under my pallid complexion. My face now resembles that of a panda, marred by the evidence of my tears. In fact, I have wept ceaselessly throughout the entire day, my damn eyes refusing to cease their sorrowful stream. Every ten minutes, I find myself wiping away fresh tears. I am nothing but a pitiful sight.
"The court is now in session for the trial of Airelina Frembell," proclaimed the judge, his voice resonating with authority as he tapped his gavel against the bench. His gaze then shifted to the vacant space where the defendant's counsel should have been seated. "It seems that no one will step forward to defend our captivating lady today."
"I WILL!!!" The resounding voice reverberated through every corner of the courtroom, causing a hush to fall over the assembled audience. As the main doors swung open, a figure stepped forward, casting a commanding shadow. It was him—the man who...
"I will defend the defendant," Amphere declared with unwavering conviction, his proclamation leaving the dukes, knights, and authorities in a state of astonishment. Every person present in that room, from Duchess Carousel to Eva, Rudolf, Kyrie, Reina, Richard, Kyle, Elumina, even Amphere Harrison's own father, Gaz, and the apple store vendor Lorelei... I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears. What was he playing at?
Amphere, the one who had betrayed me, orchestrated my arrest, and sold me out, now stood before the court, masquerading as my lawyer?
"Since there is no legal counsel for this trial, I appoint myself as the defense," Amphere announced, his tone respectful as he genuflected in front of the judge's desk. "I am the dragon knight of the accused dragonoid. Your honor, I seek permission to assume the role of the defense."
"Permission granted," the judge declared, hammering the gavel for emphasis. "Prosecutor, you may proceed with your opening statement."
"The defendant, Airelina Frembell, stands accused of heinous crimes including murder, homicide, and extensive property damage. She has been known to operate under numerous aliases, such as Aleria Turner, Aisha Frisk, Florisse Casterdyne, and others, earning her the infamous moniker of the Crimson Dragonfly. Additionally, she is alleged to be a member of the notorious terror group known as Arcadia, led by the enigmatic Estoff Wraith. The prosecution's sole substantial evidence rests upon the interrogation recording of the individual known as the Black Phantom."
As the tape played, presenting its undeniable facts to the room, my troubled mind fixated on the voice. Could it be... Alder's? It sounded hauntingly familiar, filled with echoes of pain and suffering. Questions consumed my thoughts. How did Alder Windstrafe possess such intimate knowledge about the Crimson Dragonfly?
When the tape finally concluded, Amphere shook his head, disappointment etched upon his features.
"Your honor, that evidence is gravely flawed," he arrogantly addressed the prosecutor. "Undoubtedly, the Black Phantom is a pivotal member of Arcadia, capable of shedding light on these mysteries. However, how am I expected to cross-examine a witness who, regrettably, is no longer with us?"
Amphere confidently presented a folder brimming with documents, containing the profile of Alder Windstrafe. "This compelling evidence establishes that the Black Phantom is none other than the deceased Alder Windstrafe," he asserted. "Contained within are the records documenting the Chevalier Unit's interrogation of this masked individual. Unfortunately, Alder chose to resist, leaving the Chevalier Unit with no alternative but to employ lethal force."
"We have a corroborating witness," the prosecutor announced with conviction.
Then, a peculiar figure—a lunatic general—took the stand. He was questioned about his identity and profession, and under oath, he pledged to speak the truth, the absolute truth, and nothing but the truth. In his testimony, he recounted everything he witnessed on that fateful day—the day when I suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of that knight within the power plant. But the revelations did not stop there.
"Furthermore," the deranged general continued, "I also witnessed the defense, Amphere Harrison, present at the scene. He shielded the defendant and made his escape from the premises." This twisted individual... Now he's exploiting every piece of information he possesses to incriminate Amphere!
Amphere maintained a nonchalant demeanor, clicking his tongue as if he had been anticipating this very moment. "I'm sorry, General Leviticus, but your baseless allegations require more substantial evidence," he retorted calmly.
"I don't need evidence. I saw you there," the general replied smugly.
"In a court of law, evidence is paramount!!!" Amphere slammed his desk, his gaze filled with fiery determination. "The fact that you are bringing forth this story at this particular juncture raises doubts about your credibility! Why reveal it now and not in the past, General?"
"You!" General Leviticus clenched his fist, finally succumbing to his bursting emotions. "This is my trump card to send both of you to prison! Amphere Harrison, you should know your place! So, this is your plan all along! You intend to wash your hands of this whole charade, using this courtroom as your stage! Fuck you! Fuck you and everything within this court! Fuck your farce, Amphere Harrison!!!"
Amphere turned to the judge, his expression cold and calculating. "Your honor, this witness lacks credibility. I possess his medical records, which indicate a documented mental disorder that renders him in an unstable state. Furthermore, it is evident that the general harbors personal grudges against me, implying that he is making a concerted effort to ensure my imprisonment."
The judge nodded, signaling a promising response. "General Kyle Leviticus, due to your use of inappropriate language and disrespect towards the court, you are held in contempt. Your credibility as a witness is now null and void." With another strike of his gavel, the bailiff and police officers surrounded the disgruntled general, escorting him out with suppressed rage seething through his every step.
"But that does not invalidate his testimony regarding the defendant," the prosecutor interjected, interrupting my lawyer. "While the evidence may be insufficient to prove Airelina Frembell's affiliation with Arcadia, it indisputably establishes that she is the Crimson Dragonfly—a malevolent force responsible for the loss of countless lives and the destruction of Vanilla City!"
"OBJECTION!!!" Amphere's voice thundered, reverberating through the courtroom. "Indeed, Airelina Frembell is the Crimson Dragonfly, guilty of extinguishing thousands of lives and laying waste to Vanilla City. However, there exists a fundamental flaw that renders Airelina Frembell a victim in these tragic events, just like those innocent souls."
A stunned silence fell over the courtroom as all eyes turned to Amphere, waiting for his next words. "According to the tape, the Crimson Dragonfly is the Dracaryx belonging to the defendant's late unofficial knight, Duke Zac Schneider," Amphere began, his voice steady and resolute. "However, under our current laws, dragonoids are not granted the same rights and protections as humans. They are treated as property—more accurately, as slaves. They do not possess the right to own property themselves, and are essentially regarded as mere pets."
Suddenly, without warning, Amphere strode towards me and seized a handful of my silky hair, causing searing pain to surge through my scalp. He was harassing me right here, in the midst of the court proceedings, while continuing his address. "A dog, too, is considered property, and if a dog were to cause havoc, the owner would be held accountable for any resulting damages," he continued, his grip tightening. "This exquisite dragonoid standing before you is my property, and mine alone. Whatever actions she may have taken, the responsibility ultimately falls upon me!"
Amphere took a deep breath, collected his final thoughts, and then spoke.
"As the evidence suggests, during the time of the Crimson Dragonfly Incident, Airelina Frembell was under the ownership of Duke Zac Schneider, making Duke Schneider fully responsible for the lives lost in Vanilla City!" Amphere concluded, his words hanging heavily in the air.
The courtroom buzzed with murmurs and whispers as the audience attempted to comprehend Amphere's unconventional argument. Finally, Amphere released his hold on me and composed himself. "I rest my case, your honor," he declared, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and determination.
This man... He fought for me with every ounce of his being. I observed sweat trickling down his chin as he let out a deep sigh. Then, in a soft whisper, he uttered, "I'm sorry."
"A-Amphere... you totally..." I stammered, overwhelmed by his unwavering support. I couldn't fathom what was going through his mind. He was utterly unpredictable, and yet, that was what made me love him even more.
"Order in the court!" the judge banged his gavel, demanding silence. With the final statements about to be made, he prepared to deliver his decision.
"I have reached a verdict regarding the defendant, Airelina Frembell..."