Chapter 10: Judgement

The doors open and reveal a well lit and spacious room. Massive windows showing the full view of the city below and a glaring blue carpet runs to the throne, appearing to be both too bright and dim for my eyes to look at. There sits an intimidating woman at the throne, commanding authority and respect simply with her stare. She has beautiful features yet maturity adds appeal to her beauty. Her sight finds itself to our group, calm and analyzing while we approach her closer.

"I've come back, your majesty. It is as you say, the demons initiated an attack to our territory."

Robin reported, kneeling to the ground and Chart then soon followed. Unsure of what to act, I simply imitated them and kneeled.

"Good work, Captain Wyrmweiss. And that person is...?"

The Queen spoke, to my surprise her voice was gentle. I expected her to sound strong, one that matches the feeling she exudes.

"A holder of a Necronomicon. We've restrained him for precaution, but this man has been compliant so far. In addition, he showed no signs of insanity nor desperation."

"Oh? You could have simply called him a Necromancer! Captain, you do remember that such investigations are for the Divine Order to handle, no?"

As if being released from enchantment, I noticed a young adult woman beside the Queen. She is dressed heavily in white vestments and carries herself in a composed and calm manner.

"Bishop Serena...It is because this man have not used the Necronomicon to raise the dead. Thus I believe it would be a lack of fairness if I were to call him one."

"Well then, it is an unusual case you have brought to us here. My advisors, please come forward.", the Queen ordered her advisors, a man dressed in a formal uniform moved and the Bishop did the same.

"Lloyd Bankins, Military Advisor."

"Serena, a simple Bishop from the Divine Order, acting as an advisor."

"While it is am improper location for a trial, I, Queen Rehalia shall make it official. Consider my judgement to be absolute."

The knights surrounding the room then stomped their feet on the ground, creating a loud sound that echoed the room. The Bishop, eyeing her sisters, called them near her presence.

"Captain Wyrmweiss, while I usually would let the Divine Order to handle heretics. You've brought us an exception. Is it safe to assume that this person...?"

"Thane, your majesty."

"Thane— received the book recently?"

"Indeed, however the book was not given to him, but was forced onto him.", Robin said, showing the book that was on Chart's hands. The Queen curiously stood up and approached us.

"Your majesty, be careful--!"

"Hush now Bishop Serena, I trust that you can stop any intangible threats?"

"Yes, your majesty..."

Queen Rehalia opens the book and analyzes each page. It did not take long for her to look through each page, as it was empty and there was nothing to take a note of.

"I really can't understand...Captain Wyrmweiss, what do you suggest we do?"

Queen Rehalia added after her inspection of the Necronomicon. She gives the book back to the hands of Robin.

"Your majesty, I suggest we take him in and make him an asset of the army. We could monitor his progress and see--"

"Pardon me, Captain but a necromancer is still a user of dark arts, whether he raises the dead or not. I believe the military has no authority in that field and should be left to the Divine Order.", Bishop Serena interrupted to which irritated Robin, hearing a quiet "tsk" under the armor.

"Captain Wyrmweiss, while the military respects your strength and leadership, I apologize but that is truly the case. The military holds no power to educate a dark magic user due to its rarity and our vague understanding with its abilities.", Advisor Lloyd then added.

"Even so, the Divine Order could send someone to monitor Thane. In addition, it is as you say, we have little to no knowledge about dark magic, which is why I will strongly suggest to take him in and gain a deeper understanding about dark magic!", growing impatient, Robin rebukes the opinion of the two advisors.

"Cease your impatience, Captain Wyrmweiss. You are clearly in no condition to defend this man. Vice Captain Chart, what do you think of this matter?"

"I believe in Thane, your majesty. When we met him he is a honest and good man. He helped the knights without any consideration for a reward and left after his job was done. However, I am aware that such a statement has no substance, therefore I would like to add a piece of information that would prove that Thane only recently got the book and had not used it for evil."

"Oh? What would that be?", the Queen asks in curiosity.

"Before we departed, we took a day to check the safety of the town. With cooperation from the guards we saw nothing that resembled an abyssal kind, nor an undead. We asked the guards for anything unusual during the past months, and they said nothing peculiar happened till the day the demons attacked."

Chart answered.

"Hmm...", deep in thought, the Queen went back to the throne.

"Yes, we would have received reports and hearsays from merchants. That is true, indeed.", she adds after thinking it through.

"I beg your pardon your majesty, but dark magic is still too dangerous to be allowed to roam freely.", Bishop Serena tried to persuade, but the Queen seems to have let it pass through her ears.

"Thane, I'll ask you. Do you trust yourself to strong enough to hold onto your sanity?"

Suddenly, her attention is on me. The Bishop, the military advisor and the other people present in the room all have their eyes on me.

"I...I don't exactly know, that's why I went with them to make sure no one gets hurt if I do become obsessed, your majesty."

"That's right! Thane is aware of the danger, but that is precisely why we can rest assured that he would restrain himself, your majesty.", Robin added. Somehow, I feel a sense of desperation in his words. Like something he is fighting against. Different from the usual calm and taciturn Robin.

Why...? We've barely just met, why is he going so far for this? Is this simply his sense of justice?

Queen Rehalia looks around, finding the expressions of her advisors. Bishop Serena only smiled in response and Sir Lloyd only nodded.

"That is true, but be aware that you are still suggesting him to be a weapon. It is not different further down the line of a rogue necromancer."

"That is true your majesty. If you would please allow us to handle the necromancer...?"

"Do as you please. I apologize, Captain Wyrmweiss and Vice Captain Chart but I can't hand your friend to the military."

The Queen gave permission and the Bishop smiled gleefully before ordering the sisters to take me away. The group of nuns approach us with the Bishop leading them, and seeing them approach, I quietly resign myself.

Suddenly, Robin stood up with his halberd in hand and noticing his action, I turn my attention to the knight standing tall beside me. A wall that would protect those who hide, I feel a sense of assurance by his stance alone. He swings the halberd heavily that a wind current was created from the cut in the air, breaking a sharp but powerful sound. Under his breath, he mutters--

"...never again."