CHAPTER 29: JUDGMENT (2)

"Huff…Huff…Fufu…Fuahahaha !! Yes!! Let me see you make fun of me again!! Just try to open your mouth and see what will happen!!"

Only five minutes and my guy is already tired. His whip has left some traces but there is no blood. It hurts but as I thought, not to the point it is unbearable. Though, with this heat of his, those scratches hurt more; or more like they sting.

"Are you done?" Before I can ask him, Warren does me the honor. While David turns to look at him, I notice that his bars are almost broken as well. And he looks angry as well. But I am sure it is because of the heat. Standing needlessly in this heat is irritating. It makes me sweat for nothing.

"What?! So there was ano-" Unlike me, though, Warren loves like a bolt and manages to grab David's throat and chokes him. "Ack!"

"You puny little thing who doesn't know his place. I would advise you to leave this place before you get hurt."

With that, he releases him, and David falls on his butt.

"Cough!! Cough!! Y-you!!" He tries to stand up but his knees have turned weak. They are trembling. His skill stops alone, and the place turns back to the darker one.

David points his finger at Warren, but he is trembling so much it's like he is going to cry instead. Warren's menacing face doesn't help as well.

"if you are done, then leave." With those last words from him, David stands up and walks away as fast as his trembling legs can. I really thought you were more than that at some point. The guy who was considered one of god's favorites along with Sarah. I wonder, what did I find interesting about you?

***

After David's visit, nobody else I know come. Only the same soldier who came with him the first time made two other apparitions, each time to bring us food. Warren has been really quiet. He is really the type of person that I can enjoy staying with. The scratches from David's tantrum have all healed up. But the clothes they left me with are all tattered and torn up now.

I have managed to close my status window, but it seems the remaining time before my supposed judgment is near. I only have three hours left.

"And the sun is rising..."

The door to our cells opens and a bunch of new people comes in. There is an old man wearing a huge hat like those of the church back on earth, the head priest is here as well. Her head is bandaged. Knights that are wearing stylish armors are all with them.

"It would seem those heretics received the visit of one particularly thirsty for justice."

The old man speaks with a rather young voice. His voice doesn't quite match with his face or age. And unlike the head priest, there is no aura coming from him like the head priest. But I can see it from two knights as well.

"Yeah, you could say that." If you guys believe so, then it must be it, right? Plus, it would seem you knew about it.

"I see. And yet, you aren't ready to repent?"

"Just do your thing already."

"We will." The old man turns to Warren and sighs. "What about you? A man who gave his soul to the demons. There is no salvation for you but we may give you a mer-"

"Stop it. I have long lost my trust for you guys; way before the corrupt man you seem to be was even born."

"Ohh…Then you both will face the judgment of the one true God."

He then turns and leaves with the head priest. Three knights come and push through the torn bars of my cell using their aura. That's one needlessly demonstration of strength. After that, they pin me down and chain me. They raise me and one of them carries me like a bag, placing me on his shoulder. While he passes through, I see Warren receiving the same treatment.

We are both carried through corridors and hallways, then into the sun. The knights step into a courtyard and while they are walking with us, I see soldiers and people who are looking at me with disgust. All the people here are wearing fancy clothes though. I wonder where we are.

"Warren, do you know this place?" I ask him since the knight carrying him is right behind me. I could say it is weird since it's like I am talking to his butt.

"It is most likely the capital of the principality of Olstar: Dirkaf."

"Hm-mhm." Well, that doesn't tell me more but it is already good to know that.

After the courtyard, we enter another building and then the sound of a gigantic hall being opened fills my ears.

"To the assembly! Here are the heretics who have caused the downfall of the kingdom of Falden and the death of its people!"

While we enter, a voice announces us and I hear people standing up. The knights tie me to a wooden pole and Warren to four hooks placed on the ground. Looking around, I can see them all. The heroes, Sarah, Emilia, Telestal…the head priest, and the old man from earlier are sitting on a chair before us, together with four other people. None of the four emits that aura like her. But there is something weird. There are girls standing on Emilia's side, five girls. And one of them has one particularly green aura around her. Can other people see it or am I the only one to see this as well?

When she notices I am staring at her, the girl in question taps Emilia's shoulder and they start talking. In the meantime, the old man who seems to be the guy in charge here stands up. As everyone looks at him,

"People. Believers of our truly merciful, the god of law and balance. A few days ago, the invasion of the demons upon our lands started once again. Heroes had been summoned beforehand as per command of our god through divination. But little did we know, that among those summoned to protect us, was a spy already corrupted by the king of those wretched creatures. Deceived as we were, our god couldn't accept such a tragedy to occur and send his purifying light to purge the demons and slay the devil at the origin of all this. But in his overfond mercifulness, he still decided to let him live and make us the judge of his actions, so that we may decide what would be the appropriate punishment for this sinner."

After his way too long speech, he finally sits down and so does the assembly. Can you guys hurry up? There are only two hours left?

The head priest now stands and looks at all the people present.

"Believers. Before any judgment is passed down on these men, it is required so that no one, even them, would complain about it being unfair, that any testimony that may clear or aggravate the charges against them is made by those voluntary. Therefore, we ask of you to be sincere and honest when we give you the opportunity to speak; should have anything to say."

She then sits down as if she is isn't going to say anything and the very next moment, Sarah has already raised her hand. Everybody looks at her like she is a new curiosity, but she doesn't seem to hesitate at all.

"Hero Sarah Campbell. You may speak." The head priest allows her to speak, and she stands up rapidly.

"I have known Will Otun for a long time; a very long time. Ever since my parents decided to move to his country, we have been neighbors. And I swear, I could swear on my very soul, that this guy never hurt anything or anyone." That's wrong so you would probably lose your soul if you had sworn but anyway. "He never cried when he was getting bullied. He never told anyone about it. He always relied on himself alone, never expecting help, never asking for it. And most importantly, I saw him cutting through demons and I can assure you that he is not guilty of anything you are accusing him."

Her voice is so full of emotions. So full of them I am sure people thought she would cry. Once again, why are trying to involve yourself in something that won't bring you anything?

"Thank you, hero. However, your story bears no real arguments. And the fact that you have known him for too long is proof that your judgment is affected and cannot be considered valid." And just like that, the head priest sweeps her testimony.

"What?! But I-"

"Enough. Next person." She gets cut off brutally but when she stands up; soldiers pop up in front of her and she is forced to calm down.

"What are you getting all excited for, seriously…"

"It would seem she bears feelings for you." Warren speaks to me and when I look, he is smiling.

"So you can smile, huh."

"When something can bring my happiness, yes."

"I see. She doesn't bear any feelings like those you are thinking of. She is mistaking what she truly feels for something else."

"Oh…you must have observed her a lot if you can say that."

"Quiet!" A soldier comes to Warren and smacks the back of his head with his spear. At the same time, I feel a sudden pain at the back of my head as well. And there is still more than an hour to go.