CLAIRE’S POV
“Let this trial by the people begin!” Like a performer on a stage, Salas loudly announced the trial’s start.
My father and I had both been dressed in formalwear, our hands tied behind our back. The fact they hadn’t had us come out in rags was likely meant to elicit further animosity from the commoners.
“Dole François and Claire François stand before you, charged with the crime of using their status as nobility to exploit the people!” Salas proclaimed. He acted as though he hadn’t exploited the people himself. I had already fully accepted the fact that I was dying to help usher in a new era, but I didn’t quite like that this man was the one who would be standing at the top of said new era. “What’s more, they’ve attempted to seize power for themselves while the royal family was recovering! A heinous act!”
Angry shouts came from the crowd of commoners. I did not blame them for despising us. We nobility have done awful things, things well worth their ire.
The trial continued. Salas listed off our crimes and deemed us guilty on all counts. After finishing, he asked my father if he had anything to say for himself.
“I have nothing to say. I dedicated myself to the kingdom. If the kingdom is to fall, then I shall fall with it.” My father was intent on playing the fool until the very end. He was certain to go down in history as a villain of sorts. He loved his kingdom dearly, yet he would be remembered in infamy. The thought tore at my heart.
“He admits to the crime! There will be an execution!” On Salas’s signal, a few soldiers entered. It was time.
My life had been a well-lived one, neither too short nor too long. It had both bad and good in it, and I could remember it all. But right now, only the happiness-filled days flitted through my mind.
The executioner who would bring the sword down on my neck asked, “Do you have any last words?”
“I do not. I lived a life of no regrets. Do what you shall.”
“…Very well.”
Without looking, I sensed the executioner lift his sword. I closed my eyes and, in my heart, said farewell one last time. Goodbye, Rae.
“I object to this trial!”
I heard a voice from someone I never thought I would hear again. Especially not here. With a start, I looked over to see a small-statured girl desperately trying to get past the soldiers.
“Guards, throw her out,” Salas ordered.
“Wait,” a man said. “That woman has been an invaluable contributor to the revolutionary government. You will not force her out.”
“But, Lambert…” Salas said hesitantly.
I hadn’t noticed at all, but the man who spoke up was Lambert, who should have been exiled from the kingdom. He had changed greatly. His appearance was roughly the same, but he seemed more unshakable now, like a firmly rooted tree. I was still left wondering why he was here when things kept moving along.
“I object to this trial. The true villain who exploited the people and put our nation into such a crisis is someone else!” Rae’s voice rang as loud and clear as a bell. I never thought I would hear that voice of hers again. My chest tightened.
“What is this idiocy? Who would you accuse of such crimes besides Duke François?”
“I will show you now. Lene!”
“Right here, Rae.” Lene appeared beside Rae. What was going on? First Rae arrived, then Lambert, and now Lene—all three of them shouldn’t be here. “Dole François is no traitor to his country. In fact, he is nothing less than a true patriot.”
She began to list all of my father’s actions, including his support for the revolutionary government.
“When Miss Claire, Rae Taylor, and Cardinal Lilly brought corrupt aristocrats to justice, Master Dole was secretly supporting and guiding them.” She spoke boldly, acting nothing like the Lene I knew. She had changed greatly in the months we’ve been apart. “He has also donated funds to the Resistance under the name ‘XX’ since its founding.” Wait, no, at this moment, her change wasn’t what was important. What was she doing here? My mind still hadn’t comprehended what was going on. “For those reasons, I say Dole François is a true patriot who would do anything for this country.”
“Ridiculous! He still formed the provisional government, taking advantage of our lack of a king!”
“Are you in a place to make such accusations, Salas?” a cool alto voice interrupted.
“Lady Yu? But what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. After all, you’re the real criminal here.” Yu’s proclamation made the crowd stir.
“Salas is the criminal?”
“Maybe Yu really did go insane.”
“But she doesn’t look insane…”
Everyone seemed bewildered. Yu’s voice cut through all their murmurings, however. I was willing to bet Misha’s magic was to thank for that.
“This man before you, Salas Lilium, is the true traitor to Bauer. He has been working with the Nur Empire, trying to seize control of the country for himself.” Yu’s accusation was biting. A commotion swept through the crowd.
“What are you talking about, Lady Yu?” Salas said. “You still seem to be suffering from some manner of hysteria. You ought to return to the convent, where you can find some peace.”
“Our investigation is already complete. Will you do the honors, Rae?”
“Of course.” Rae took something shaped like a card out of her pocket. “This magical tool holds proof of all of Salas’s dealings with the empire. Everyone, do not be deceived by him!”
With Misha’s wind magic, the voice recorded in the magic tool was replayed at full volume for all to hear. Salas’s guilt was now exposed.
“…You all leave me no choice.” Salas took a whistle out from his pocket and blew into it hard. Its sharp sound pierced through the uproar of the crowd. Moments later, a group appeared—likely Salas’s personal soldiers. “Take control of the situation.”
The moment Salas gave the order, an explosion stopped the soldiers in their tracks.
“Not so fast!” an awe-inspiring voice said. “Sorry I’m late. But the hero has to make a dramatic entrance, right?”
It was Rod, laughing after being missing for all this time. His right arm was gone, but his old overbearing personality was still very much there.
“Just give it up, Salas. Most of your soldiers have already submitted to me. Just call it a difference in charisma.”
“Ngh… You couldn’t just stay dead, could you? You just had to get in my way…” Salas glared bitterly at Rod, who scoffed back. “But it’s not over for me yet! Lilly!”
“Ah jeez. It ended up like this after all, eh?” Alter stepped out of the shadows with a dagger on his hip. He wore black leather armor paired with a black cloak.
“Kill Dole, Claire, and the royal children! With them gone, we can spin whatever story we like!”
“You make it sound so easy. I mean, I’ll try, but…” With an annoyed look, Alter drew his dagger. The gray blade was wet with what looked to be poison.
Alter was strong. With how chaotic things had turned, he might be able to fatally wound someone. Just as I thought that, however, Manaria gallantly appeared before Alter. “Shame on you, Salas, for turning a girl into this! Spellbreaker!”
“Stop it! Stay inside! This body is mine, I tell you! Mine!” Alter screeched, as though fighting for control of his body with Lilly.
“Miss Lilly, come back to us!” Rae yelled.
“R-Rae—shut uuuuup!” Alter brandished his dagger and charged toward Rae.
I worried for a moment Rae would be harmed, but she surprised me by stepping forward and hugging Lilly. After a big twitch, Lilly went limp like a puppet with its strings cut.
“I…did it, Rae…” After saying that, she fell unconscious in Rae’s arms.
“Now even Lilly has deserted you. This is the end, Salas!”
“Argh… Damn it all!” Salas spat.
Rae pointed her magic wand toward him.
“Rae Taylor!” he snapped. “Open your eyes!”
He still wouldn’t give up. He cast his suggestion magic on Rae, trying to take control of her like he did with Lilly.
“Ha ha ha!” he cackled. “You will be my second Lilly—”
“You think I’d let that happen?” Manaria said. I looked to see Rae was herself again. “Once I learn how to counter a spell, I never forget. Pitiful.” She aimed the tip of her magic wand at Salas. “This time it’s truly the end, Salas Lilium.”
It was time Salas paid the price for his actions. He was arrested by the government soldiers who had served him before.
“What’s going on?”
“So, who’s the bad guy here?”
“Who are we supposed to execute?”
Confusion rippled through the crowd. It started small, then gained momentum, building until the chatter was like rumbling thunder.
“Silence!” A voice drowned out all the noise. All at once, everything became quiet. “So Salas was a villain, then. So what?” The voice belonged to Arla Manuel, the woman who stood at the helm of the revolution. “You think we’re just going to call the revolution off because of that?”