22 22. I'm Outta Here
"B-Baby skeletons?"
Hunter's words hung heavy in the air, causing Judge Reginald, Elder Karl, and Captain Arthur to exchange uneasy glances.
Hunter turned around, his expression dead serious. "Have there been any reports of missing babies in the town?"
"It does not conce—"
"Yes," the Judge affirmed, cutting off Captain Arthur's words. The miracle had happened; there was no reason to doubt Hunter anymore. "Why did you ask that? Did the heavens tell you something?"
Hunter nodded, but he chose not to produce the skeletons there since the book would become visible. "Thirteen babies?"
Captain Arthur's typically composed and smiling face contorted with concern. "How do you know the number? It's been kept a secret."
"Because I sensed thirteen baby skeletons down in that pit when cleansing it. Each one cursed to the bone." Hunter didn't beat around the bush, "What's the timeframe between the first report of a missin' baby and the last one?"
"A month," Elder Karl interjected solemnly, gloom in his expression. "The grief-stricken parents have sought solace in me, seeking the blessings of the Hero Gods. How can I bear to inform them of their children's tragic fate? This is the most horrible tragedy… the most..."
Hunter's eyebrows lifted, his detective instincts kicking in. "Thirteen babies gone missin' in a month? That's... too dang many! You still out lookin' for them? That's just plain stupid. Them first three hours are crucial, and after twenty-four, the odds of findin' them drop to near nothin'. And with them being babies… That cuts down the chances even more... Ah, I'm… just rambling."
Captain Arthur stared at Hunter with amusement. What Hunter said made some sense since the more time passed, the bigger the area of search became, reducing the chances significantly. "What were you before being an Akrused?"
"Ah, I don't know. I lost my memory." Hunter averted his gaze and glanced at the Judge. "The skeletons were cursed. Even though my blessing purified 'em, I reckon I might be able to fetch 'em for you after sayin' a few prayers."
The old Judge nodded with gratitude, "I fear we're dealing with a Dark Wizard. Only that could possibly account for the presence of cursed skeletons."
"I'll inform the Colonel and ask for backup," Captain Arthur suggested.
"Which Colonel? Summerster?" Judge Reginald shook his head. "No, I'll talk with the Magistrate and summon the Lieutenant General from Leopol City. The most effective approach to confronting this Dark Wizard is to overpower them with unmatched strength. Until then, maintain a façade of ignorance regarding everything you've heard today."
'What about my trial?' Hunter wanted to ask.
"Let's return to court." Judge Reginald didn't wait for anyone and left first.
Hunter was also shoved into his metal cage carriage soon after as if he were still the accused, which he was technically. But it was a blessing in disguise, as he quickly summoned the magical book to see what he had processed this time.
[Trash Sorting Completed]
[...
Revroth Currency Coins - 301
High-quality iron - 209 Kilograms
Silk - 307 Kilogram
High-Quality Diamond - 3(2 Carat)
High-Quality Gold - 1.3 Kilograms
Medium-Quality Gold - 3.09 Kilograms
High-Quality Silver - 8 Kilograms
Medium-Quality Silver - 29 Kilograms
Leather - 87 Kilograms
Empty Aura Stones - 30
Antimatter - 2 grams(Title Reward)
...]
Hunter finished reading the list of new items, and he felt pretty satisfied with the fine stash. But the last item on the list took him by surprise. "Antimatter? Ain't that some nerd stuff?"
The last time he had heard about it, it was on the news. "A gram goin' for some trillion gazillion bazillion dollars or somethin'?"
Bang! Bang!
He hurriedly put away the book before the carriage doors could open. Without making any fuss, he got off and walked back into the courtroom. Everyone had taken their places, and the witnesses had been allowed to sit inside now.
Once Hunter arrived at the accused box, Judge Reginald swiftly resumed the hearing. "Captain Arthur, is there anything left that you wish to add?"
"No, Your Lordship," Arthur sat down.
"And you?" The Judge looked at Hunter.
Hunter nodded somberly, his gaze sweeping the room before he spoke. "I ain't lyin' when I say I can't recall why I ended up becoming an Akursed. Ever since I realized what I'd become, all I've felt is regret and a yearnin' to turn back time, back to when life was normal.
"Who would wanna live a life where your face can get you accused of a murder you didn't commit? Where every man, woman, and child walking by spits at you as you walk by. When you are refused entry into any eatery or shop; doors slammed on your face. People gift you ropes so you can hang yourself with it and die."
This was the first time that anyone there heard an Akursed speak, as their existence was more rare than dragons, usually living in secrecy, or killed on sight. With a status like that, how could living be easy for one who bore the mark of the curse right on their face?
Hunter fixed his gaze on the Judge. "All I'm askin' from this court is freedom from these accusations, the bounty on my head, and compensation for the unjust attack by Captain Arthur, who tried to kill me without even botherin' to investigate."
'Look at y'all's faces. You thought I'd let you all off for free? I wasted so much of my time and energy on this nonsense.' Hunter thought, his heart filled with nothing but bitterness. He at least wanted some money in return.
The Judge nodded and wrote down his final verdict before reading it out loud. However, the first person he addressed was Mrs. Demil. "Mrs. Demil, my utmost condolences on what happened to you. But this is the court of law, and by law, everyone is equal here and subjected to the same rules.
"Through the miracle shown, there is no doubt remaining that Hunter Hendrik and his friend Kavius did not commit the murder or robbery. They merely happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
"The court also observes without a doubt that the Redcapes did not conduct a proper investigation under Captain Arthur's leadership. A man's life is priceless, and in this case, it was a man who was blessed by the Hero Gods. Based on clear prejudice of the accused's Akursed status, the Redcapes pursued him and unjustly arrested and prosecuted him. For this, this court will recommend the Redcapes to withhold one month's salary of Captain Arthur Brooks and Second Lieutenant Mei Varnog.
"All accusations pressed upon Hunter Hendrik, his friend, and his donkey are now withdrawn. Furthermore, Hunter Hendrik shall be awarded a compensation of one thousand Revroth Credits, and if he wishes to settle in this very town, a free house."
Bam!
Judge Reginald finished reading his ruling and slammed the gravel on the table.
"Court is now adjourned."
Seeing the Judge leave his seat and go to his office room in the back, Hunter heaved a sigh of relief. He sat down on the wooden floor of the accused box itself, finally freed from the darn wanted status. 'A thousand Revs? It's better than nothing.'
There was also the free house, but Hunter didn't even think about it. He knew Edge Town was going to become a physical and political battleground soon with the Dark Wizard and Colonel Summerster. The best thing to do was vanish from the North.
'Wait a sec, he didn't order Kavius and Brownie to be freed.'
"Hunter…"
Hunter looked up. It was Captain Arthur, still without his hat. He looked humbled now, not as proud as before. Being rebuked by the Judge wasn't a big deal, but it was damaging to his pride.
"I was wrong about you, that much I acknowledge," Arthur conceded. "But your kind remains vile, and history is its witness. The commoners don't know, but I do—we have files upon files of records concerning the Akursed in the training academies. The Judge knows, and so does the Magistrate."
Arthur said so and raised his hand to shake his. "Perhaps you're an anomaly among your kind. But that curse mark on your face will never let you forget who you are… a man who betrayed humanity, and sold himself to the demons."
Hunter sighed and shook hands with him. He honestly had no words to refute him since the cursed mark was a reality, and his rising Soul Corruption was proof. "I hope we never cross paths again, Captain."
Arthur retreated, smiled faintly, and left with his adjutant without any farewells.
"Young man, you must get a house in town and pledge yourself to the service of the temple. I shall be your backer, and we shall prove to the world that an Akursed can be reformed." Elder Karl came up to him, his bald head shining as bright as his toothy smile.
'In your dreams, old boy.' Hunter smiled and shook hands with him.
"Thank you for your support, Elder Karl. But first, I gotta return to the Divefall Village and report to my commander," He gave an excuse, "Once that's sorted, I reckon I can start thinkin' about buildin' a future for myself."
"Divefall?" Elder Karl looked at him strangely. "Why would you go there? You ought to make your way to Leopol City immediately and officially register as an Akursed. Otherwise, you'll constantly face accusations and random arrests by the Redcapes."
'That's new..'
"Register? How?"
"I can write you a recommendation letter, and I think the Judge can make one, too. You can then register as a state-protected Akursed. That will make your life a little less troublesome." Elder Karl explained, "That will be the first step for you to join the service of the temple."
Hunter knew it right away. This was just a religious fanatic trying to lure him in to join. But the idea of registration struck him.
"Where else can I register myself?" Hunter inquired.
"At any capital city of the Empire."
"Even Lameen?" He asked further.
"Of course, it's a capital cit—"
Bam!
"Hunter!"
"Hee-haw!"
'And here comes my magnificently useless lawyers.'
Bam!
"I'm sorry, Hunter." Kavius jumped and hugged Hunter, shoving Elder Karl away with a purpose. "I thought you were going to die."
"Hee-haw!" Brownie also came over and rubbed his head against Hunter's arm.
'Well, I reckon I got at least two boys who give a darn about me.'
Seeing Elder Karl gone to the Judge's chamber, Hunter grabbed the two by their necks and pulled them closer.
"Get ready, we gettin' outta this town tonight."
