As the two reached the border between Myriad Country and Whiteford Kingdom, they were stopped by a stern-faced guard.
"Stop! By decree of the Myriad Courts, no one shall enter Myriad territory until further notice," the guard announced, blocking their path.
Katheryne dismounted her steed with practiced grace and approached the guard. "I am the 18th Justiciar of the Spear of Justice, Whiteford Branch. I am requesting a meeting with the Loyal Sword Paladin Southwest Branch," she stated firmly, her voice calm yet authoritative.
The guard hesitated, recognizing the significance of her rank. "Oh, a Justiciar," he said with a slight bow. "I apologize, but I still can't allow anyone to pass. The court is currently in conflict, and I'm afraid allowing entry might lead to something worse. However, we cannot disobey our orders."
Katheryne folded her arms and took a deep breath. "I understand it is your duty," she began, her tone measured, "but with the internal political instability in Myriad Country, it falls within my authority as a Justiciar Paladin to declare martial law to protect allied citizens when necessary."
The guard's brows furrowed in concern, but Katheryne continued, her voice steady. "A cultist has been hiding in the border villages, and last week, one was spotted near this very area. Even the Night Raven Mercenaries are hunting them. Has Myriad Country taken no action? Has the Southwest Branch of the Loyal Sword Paladin sent no one to investigate this threat?"
"Let me think... wait here, let me ask my superior. He might know more about this," the guard said, stepping away.
After a brief wait, a superior officer arrived, his presence commanding attention.
"Greetings, Justiciar. My subordinate informed me about your search for a cultist," the officer said, addressing Katheryne.
"That's correct. A massive attack struck Amrid Village just a week ago, and I'm trying to trace the source of the problem. I could notify the Whiteford authorities, but it would be too much of a hassle in this situation," Katheryne explained.
"You're right," the officer nodded. "Bringing Whiteford soldiers into this would only escalate tensions amidst the current political climate. However, ten days ago, the Mercenary Guild already initiated a search for the cultists. Unfortunately, they found nothing. It seems the cultists have a remarkable ability to evade pursuit."
"That's my sister," Robinson whispered to Katheryne, a faint trace of pride in his voice.
The officer continued, "With Myriad preparing for a full lockdown in two days, the mercenaries decided to fall back. I heard some of them crossed into Whiteford and are heading to Arnis City. As for the cultist issue, a week ago, the Loyal Swords sent three Paladin Knights and five squires to investigate. But..."
He paused, hesitation evident in his demeanor.
"They disappeared, didn't they?" Katheryne interjected, her tone sharp.
"Yes," the officer admitted gravely. "We haven't heard from them since. Our field commander has raised the issue with the court and the branch leader, but given the current turmoil, most resources are focused on safeguarding the capital and surrounding cities."
"How bad is it?" Katheryne asked, her gaze piercing.
The officer sighed, his expression heavy. "Bad. The nobles are openly opposing the court's recent policies on imports and exports. The court wants to rely more on trade with nomadic merchants to stabilize the economy, but the nobles argue it's killing local industries. They accuse the court of depleting their treasuries while monopolizing prices, which in turn has caused inflation.
"The conflict escalated to the point where some noble factions even attempted a coup against the court. Thankfully, the Spear of Justice intervened and stopped it without bloodshed. But the nobles' influence continues to grow, while the court struggles to hold the country together."
"And now the cultist problem arises. If the court falls, it won't be good either," Katheryne said, her voice steady but concerned. "The nobles would undoubtedly fight for leadership. As bad and incompetent as the court might be, they're the only thing holding this country together right now. I can understand the frustration, though."
The officer nodded grimly. "Yes, pardon me, Justiciar, but I feel the cultists are definitely trying to pull strings behind the scenes—provoking Whiteford by attacking nearby villages.
"At the same time, with no reinforcements available, I simply can't afford to send my men."
Katheryne's expression hardened as an idea began to form in her mind.
"Tell you what," she said, determination flickering in her eyes. "Wait here for a moment."
She mounted her steed swiftly and rode back toward Amrid Village, her mind set on a new course of action.
"Uh, is there something we could do to pass the border?" Robinson asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
As they arrived at the village's official building, Katheryne turned to Robinson with a mischievous smirk. Without a word, she strode inside and revealed her work desk, neatly organized but showing signs of frequent use.
"Well, there is one thing we could do," Katheryne said, pulling out a sheet of parchment and beginning to write with precise, deliberate strokes.
Robinson watched, puzzled. "What is that?"
Katheryne glanced up, the glint of mischief still in her eyes. "With the political instability in Myriad, the conflict between the court and the nobles has left certain laws in flux. In situations like this, the Spear of Justice acts as both judge and jury, maintaining order until the conflict is resolved—one way or another.
That means, as long as the Spear of Justice oversees this fractured nation, their authority overrides Myriad's internal laws, whether those come from the nobles or the court.
In practical terms, even if the court orders the border closed, a Justiciar from the Spear of Justice can technically open it. Of course, it's usually up to the Iudex to enforce such authority, but Justiciars have some jurisdiction—especially in urgent matters involving Paladins."
Katheryne leaned back with a sly grin. "And guess who happens to be a Justiciar?"
Robinson stared at her, realization dawning as he saw the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh... I get it. But isn't that supposed to be authorized by the Spear of Justice from the corresponding branch, not someone from another branch?" Robinson asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Katheryne smiled confidently. "Technically, yes. But I can draft an official letter addressed to the Southwest Branch personally, as a fellow Justiciar. That way, the letter I carry will have to be delivered to them. Once they receive it, the jurisdictional lines blur enough for me to justify my passage."
She leaned back in her chair, her smile growing. "And the best part? I don't even need to focus on high-priority topics. Since I'm still a new Justiciar, I can simply request a copy of Myriad Country's legal code for educational purposes. That makes the request completely valid, and I'll be granted passage regardless."
Robinson blinked, his amazement evident. "Wait… is that even legal? Like, it doesn't sound like it's breaking the law, but it feels… sneaky."
Katheryne chuckled softly. "Breaking the law? Absolutely not. Legal? Completely. A bit of an abuse of power? Hmm... maybe a tiny bit, but barely. After all, it's standard protocol for Justiciars to familiarize themselves with the laws of any nation where they might be stationed. This just speeds up the process a little."
After finishing her letter and marking it with the official Spear of Justice seal, Katheryne and Robinson rode back to the border.
Upon arrival, Katheryne handed the letter to the guard. Moments later, an inspector appeared, took the letter, and carefully read it. After a moment of contemplation, the inspector nodded and signaled for Katheryne and Robinson to be allowed passage into Myriad Country.
As the officer returned the letter to Katheryne, he gave a faint smile and leaned in slightly. "Clever," he whispered.
"Thanks," Katheryne whispered back with a small smirk.
The two continued their journey, crossing the border and venturing into Myriad Country.
Eventually, they stopped at a bustling tavern in a nearby town. The noise of lively chatter filled the air as the pair stepped inside. Choosing a table in the farthest corner, they sat down, the din of the tavern providing some privacy for their discussion.
"We still need to find a lead," Robinson said, taking a sip of his drink.
As the two sat at their table, Robinson scanned the busy tavern, observing the patrons and listening for any useful bits of information. Meanwhile, Katheryne flipped through her journal and studied a map, trying to determine where the cultists might be hiding.
After finishing their drinks, they left the tavern, stepping into the cool evening air. However, they were quickly stopped by the sight of people running down the street in a state of panic.
"Excuse me, what's happening?" Robinson asked, stopping one of the fleeing villagers.
"A body was found on the riverbank!" the villager replied breathlessly before hurrying off.
Katheryne and Robinson exchanged a quick glance before rushing toward the riverbank. Upon arrival, they saw a crowd gathered around the lifeless body of a young paladin lying near the water's edge.
Katheryne pushed through the onlookers and knelt beside the body. She placed two fingers on the paladin's neck, checking for a pulse, but her expression turned grim.
"He's dead," she confirmed, her tone heavy. "Judging by his condition, he probably died just a few hours ago."
Wasting no time, Katheryne stood and mounted her steed. "We're following the river upstream," she said to Robinson, who quickly followed suit.
The two riders galloped along the riverbank, the urgency of their mission driving them forward.
As they followed the river upstream, Katheryne noticed signs of a struggle—a few broken branches, disturbed dirt, and a trail of footsteps leading further along the bank.
"This way," she said, her voice tense.
As they pressed on, Katheryne suddenly stopped, her eyes widening in shock. In the distance, a young squire's body lay impaled against a jagged rock, a magical spear piercing straight through him.
Katheryne dismounted and rushed over to the grisly scene. Robinson followed, his voice tight with urgency. "This is fresh," he said. "We have to hurry—the cultists might still be close."
But Katheryne didn't move. She stood frozen for a moment, staring at the lifeless squire. Slowly, with trembling hands, she grasped the spear embedded in his body and began to pull it free. The weapon resisted at first, but she managed to dislodge it with a sickening sound.
Setting the spear aside, Katheryne knelt down and gently removed the young squire's helmet, revealing the pale face of a boy—barely old enough to be called a man.
Katheryne knelt beside the lifeless boy, her expression softened by sorrow. She leaned down, kissed his forehead gently, and whispered, "May you find peace in the afterlife." With steady hands, she ripped her own cape from her armor and carefully wrapped it around the boy's body. Once covered, she placed a sacred seal upon him, whispering a quiet prayer before rising to her feet.
Her face was resolute, and her grip on her spear tightened. She turned to Robinson, determination burning in her eyes. "Let's find whoever did this," she said coldly, her voice steeled with purpose.
The two ventured deeper into the forest, moving cautiously but with purpose. Suddenly, the same type of monsters that had attacked Amrid Village emerged from the shadows, their grotesque forms writhing with unnatural energy.
Without hesitation, Katheryne lunged forward, her spear sparking with brilliant blue energy. She thrust it into the first monster, and instead of merely wounding it, the creature disintegrated entirely as the crackling energy surged through its form. A single precise strike was enough to obliterate it.
Another monster appeared, this one grotesquely larger, its maw dripping with a foul, viscous liquid. It spit a stream of oily vomit, which ignited on contact with the ground, setting the forest alight in a blazing inferno.
But Katheryne was unfazed. Her enchanted armor—crafted from the finest materials and imbued with powerful protections—shimmered in the heat of the flames. From the gleaming helm atop her head to the reinforced greaves on her feet, her Justiciar-standard armor was no ordinary equipment. It was designed for champions of justice, and the weight of it would crush an ordinary person.
Yet, Katheryne wore it as if it were an extension of her own body. She stared down the flaming inferno without flinching, her face cold and emotionless.
As the monster roared, Katheryne charged.
The monster's instincts kicked in as it sensed the overwhelming danger. It turned to flee, but Katheryne would not allow it. With a single, precise motion, she tore the creature apart with her spear, its remnants dissolving into ash.
Then, with a fluid motion, she swiped her spear through the air, unleashing a massive gust of wind. The force of it was so powerful that it knocked over trees in the surrounding forest, exposing the monsters that had been hiding in the shadows.
Robinson staggered, struggling to keep his footing against the sheer strength of the gust. His eyes widened in shock, and a thought crossed his mind: "Was she always this powerful? She might even rival Blanchette..." He braced himself, gripping his bow tightly, careful not to be swept away by the force Katheryne unleashed.
Dozens of monsters, now revealed without their cover of trees, screeched in panic. But Katheryne showed no mercy. With relentless precision, she charged into the exposed horde, slaying them one by one. Her spear moved like a blur, striking down each foe with devastating power.
From a distance, Robinson provided support. His arrows, crackling with thunder and lightning, struck down monsters attempting to escape or flank Katheryne. Each shot was calculated, complementing her ruthless assault.
As the final creature fell, silence briefly returned to the forest—until a piercing scream shattered the calm.
Without hesitation, Katheryne and Robinson sprinted toward the source of the scream. They soon arrived at the entrance to a cave, where they found a group of chained, injured figures. Among them were a paladin and three squires, their bodies bruised and bloodied from torture.
Without wasting any time, Katheryne rushed forward and cut through the chains binding them. As the last of the restraints fell away, the survivors collapsed into her arms, overwhelmed with relief and fear. Tears streamed down their faces as they clung to her, their pain evident.
"It's okay, you're safe now," Katheryne soothed, her voice calm and reassuring as she helped them to their feet.
She and Robinson carefully escorted them back to a nearby outpost, agreeing to postpone their search for the cultists. Once there, Katheryne ensured the survivors were properly tended to, and she recovered the body from their previous encounter with the monsters.
Once the injured paladin had received some rest, Katheryne sat with him to hear his story. As he removed his helmet, Katheryne saw that he was no older than a young man, his face streaked with dirt and blood. His voice trembled as he spoke of the ambush that had befallen his party.
"We were attacked in the middle of the night," the paladin explained, his eyes heavy with grief. "Three knights, five squires, . We fought as best we could, but... we weren't prepared. One squire and one paladin died that night. The rest of us were captured and tortured."
His eyes flickered to the remaining squire who had survived alongside him. "This morning, one of the squires managed to break free from his chains
but when he freed my Friends, they were caught. they fled as quickly as they could, making they way to the nearest settlement. they promised they would bring reinforcements back.
due to Katheryne Presence
The young paladin's voice wavered as he spoke, his tone filled with hope. "I'm sure my companions managed to escape. When they reach the headquarters, they'll send reinforcements, won't they? That's why you're here—our reinforcements."
Katheryne stood silently, her expression unreadable. She hadn't yet revealed the tragic truth—that the paladin's missing companions had already perished. The weight of the knowledge bore down on her, but she decided it wasn't the right time to shatter his hope.
Clearing her throat, she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "For now, you must return to your headquarters and inform them of the situation. Request reinforcements to fortify the nearby city and protect the surrounding villages. The cultists won't stop here."
The young paladin hesitated, but eventually nodded, his resolve strengthening. "Understood, Justiciar. We'll ensure the message is delivered."
That night, without pausing to rest, Katheryne and Robinson rode together back into the forest. The moon cast a pale glow over their path, their breaths visible in the cool night air.
"You were amazing back there," Robinson said, breaking the silence.
"Thanks," Katheryne replied, her tone even. "I was more prepared this time. And far from the villagers, I didn't have to hold back my mana. It's much more efficient when I can fully unleash it. You did well too—most people wouldn't survive being around when I use that much power."
"That's not surprising," Robinson chuckled softly, but his tone shifted to seriousness. "But that's not what I meant. You were incredible calming those kids. Usually, it takes a lot longer for someone to recover from that kind of trauma, but somehow, you managed to inspire them."
Katheryne didn't reply immediately, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"A squire or a knight is a position meant for initiates—a way for them to gain field experience under the guidance of senior paladins. But those kids…" Her voice trembled slightly, but her resolve remained strong. "They were between twelve and fifteen years old, just children. Sending them on such a dangerous mission without a seasoned knight or paladin to protect them—it's beyond irresponsible. It's reckless. What in the world was the Southwest Branch thinking?!"
Robinson nodded, agreeing with Katheryne. The monsters they had faced earlier were formidable, even for someone as experienced as her. He shuddered at the thought of those kids, barely more than children, forced to face such horrors—monsters and cultists alike—without adequate guidance or protection.
As they returned to the cave where they had found the captured paladins, Katheryne broke the silence. "Judging by the monsters we've encountered, the cultist is likely very strong," she said, her voice steady but laced with caution.
"What do you suggest?" Robinson asked, glancing at her with concern.
Katheryne hesitated for a moment before speaking. "If... something bad happens to me..."
Robinson cut her off firmly. "No. I won't let that happen. You still have your sister to help, remember?"
A faint smile crossed Katheryne's face. "Yeah, I know. But if the cultist turns out to be more than we can handle, I need you to blow the cave and trap him inside. Even if it means—"
Robinson interrupted again, his tone resolute. "Alright. But only if we're both outside and safe. I'm not leaving you in there."
She gave him a grateful nod. "Deal."
The two stood at the mouth of the tunnel, the air thick with tension