Airelina Frembell
Not Guilty. That's the judge's decision.
To no great surprise, the verdict didn't catch me off guard. Months prior, Amphere had been diligently preparing for his bar examinations after completing his assignment on Duchess Carousel. What caught me off guard, however, was discovering that the opposing prosecutor happened to be his senior from high school, while the judge presiding over the case was his former law school instructor. With such connections, the chances of me facing execution were practically nonexistent.
Amphere had faithfully upheld his promise to protect me, and for the past two days, I've been living a semblance of a normal life by his side. Well, "normal" might not be the most accurate word to describe it. The animosity directed towards me from both humans and dragonoids was inevitable. I had become a pariah, attracting the instructors' attention for all the wrong reasons. Most of my friends at the academy now despised me, and I found myself without a place to belong—whether it be Arcadia, the Chevalier Unit, or the Dragon Knights Academy. I was now seen as a hostile entity.
"Death is not your punishment. The true penalty for your malevolent actions is to keep living, enduring the relentless humiliation and ceaseless criticisms from every person you once knew," Amphere said to me. And he was right. Death would have been the easier path, an escape from the weight of my sins. But instead, I found myself trapped in a living hell.
Amphere and I strolled along the road leading to the Pentagram Knight Office, perhaps intending to pay a visit to Rudolf and Kyrie. Countless unanswered questions swirled within my mind, questions I lacked the bravery to voice to my partner. Why? Because Amphere acted as though he harbored no hatred towards me whatsoever. Despite discovering the dark secrets of my past, he continued treating me as a regular person.
Summoning every ounce of courage residing within my heart, I finally mustered the strength to confront him directly. "Amphy-"
"Yes?" he promptly replied, surprising me with his responsiveness. I had believed that the nickname "Amphy" was off-limits, yet it appeared as though he had forgotten about such restrictions.
"N-Nothing... It's nothing," I stammered, my resolution ultimately proving insufficient to pose even a single one of the many questions lingering in my mind.
As we finally entered Rudolf's office, an unusual guest greeted our arrival. Clad in a tattered brown leather coat and a hijab concealing their face, the individual stood awkwardly before the relaxed Rudolf and the apprehensive Kyrie, who sat behind the desk.
There was something strangely familiar about this mysterious figure. Their green eyes and long, unkempt blonde hair peeking out from beneath the face cover provided me with a subtle hint.
"I never thought you would show up, Estoff," Amphere remarked with a hint of arrogance in his tone.
It became clear that the disheveled homeless man was none other than Estoff Wraith in disguise. "I know you're planning to have me arrested. That's why you've summoned me here, you scumbag. Fine. I'm at your mercy now." Estoff bared his arms, seemingly prepared to be handcuffed.
"Unfortunately, Amphere has summoned you for a mere conversation," Rudolf interjected brusquely, displaying little politeness.
"Don't act so smug just because you took over this office from me," Estoff retorted, his smile tinged with pain, before turning his attention to Amphere. "So, what now?"
"Estoff... Airelina..." Amphere's voice trembled as he bowed his head, his hands clenching tightly. "What you both did was unforgivable, but I've known you for three years. In that time, you never harmed a soul. I understand why you concealed those secrets from me—to prevent me from trusting either of you. But now, I can't trust you at all."
His words shattered my heart once again, filling me with guilt, sorrow, and anger towards my past self. I was a truly despicable person... I could sense that Estoff felt the same, as he bowed his head in response. There were countless explanations lingering on his lips, but he couldn't utter a word.
"I... We totally accept our guilt in what has transpired," I confessed. "That's precisely why I chose you to be my knight. We hoped to change this world peacefully, by ensuring the passage of the Dragonoid Rights Bill. We needed you more than anyone else, Amphy..."
Amphy's glistening eyes met Estoff's and then turned towards me, silently conveying his thoughts.
"I will no longer be associated with Arcadia, but I promise to fulfill all of your wishes. I will win the tournament and ensure the passage of the Dragonoid Rights Bill," Amphy declared with determination.
Understanding Estoff's perspective, Rudolf interjected himself into the discussion. "I fully comprehend your reasoning, Sir Estoff Wraith," he acknowledged, aligning himself with this gathering of individuals often labeled as terrorists. "Amphere has informed me about it. If anything were to happen to my Kyrie, similar to what occurred with Elumina, I would undoubtedly make the same choices. We are all responsible for taking lives. As the successor of your power in the Alterran Empire, I wholeheartedly pledge my support for the Dragonoid Rights Bill, advocating for a peaceful resolution."
Amphere knelt before me, extending his hand slowly. Within his grasp was a dark crimson ribbon—the very handkerchief I often used as a hair ornament. "Airelina... Airi... Though I still don't recall your true identity, I do remember the three years we've spent together. Because of me, you will carry the weight of your sins for the rest of your life. I'm sorry... Please, become my dragonoid once again and help me win the tournament."
"Idiot!" Tears streamed down my face. "Y-You're an absolute idiot! Totally! You... sniff... You saved me countless times from my... sniff... tormented existence. I can't return to Arcadia now that both humans and dragonoids despise me... but... sniff... you... You're the only home I have left... That's why I'll do everything in my power to help you!"
I reached for the handkerchief, carefully retying it into butterfly wings behind my head. With a determined smile replacing my tears, I resembled the same bright, cheerful girl Amphy had known during our childhood. "TOTALLY!"
Just then, the wooden door creaked open, and a pair of ruby eyes peered through the gap. It was Elumina. Estoff stood in astonishment, his jaw dropping at the sight. Witnessing this, Rudolf requested Kyrie to escort them to a separate room for a private conversation. Luckily, Kyle was absent for three days, dealing with his contempt of court case.
Now, only the three of us remained in Rudolf's office. He pressed a remote in his hand, causing the entire room to be enveloped in absolute darkness.
"Enough with the sentimental moments," Amphy finally stood up, his tone resolute. "It's time for me to explain my perspective to Rudolf."
Amphy requested that I present a hologram projection, utilizing my high-tech platinum wing to display the evidence. The young Pentagram Knight gazed in awe as a series of videos played, showcasing the horrifying and repulsive conditions of dragonoid "batteries" and the use of test subjects in the government-owned power plants and war factories. At this point, Rudolf seemed thoroughly convinced by Amphere's arguments.
After thirty minutes of intense presentation, Rudolf finally reached his conclusion. "Amphere, I can't fault you for your actions. If I were in your shoes, I would also support Arcadia. Airelina and Estoff, despite their involvement in the Crimson Dragonfly Incident, appear to be good-hearted individuals."
"I told you," Amphy responded with a smile. "But I believe your general, Kyle Leviticus, is far worse than Estoff and Airi combined. Rumors suggest that he has killed ten thousand dragonoids and subjected them to torture during the previous dragonoid war."
"I became aware of that just before I joined his unit. My primary motive for joining the Chevalier Unit was to ensure your safety, but it seems that wasn't necessary," Rudolf replied. "Your perfect plan is already in motion. The only obstacle standing in your way is Duke Yuri Dragunov. Reina and Richard may choose to align themselves with him."
"Yes, and also... the tournament is tomorrow. I've heard that I'll be facing an opponent who possesses a Dracaryx this time," Amphy added, his voice tinged with anticipation.