It wasn't very hard to find the church. I've been around before, and all I had to do was spot it from above in my spirit form.
("It stands out.") [Solace]
Tall, white, and flashy. That's how I would describe it. The church kind of looked like a long and skinny pyramid with a giant bell built into the top. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever heard it being rung.
("No useless thoughts, I've gotta find Wilharrow.") [Solace]
As I went near the church, I found that there was an opening where the bell was. I could see there was a platform for people to come and go, most likely for maintenance reasons.
("There's someone there?") [Solace]
I expected that random person to be a janitor or something, but I began to recognize them as I drew closer.
("...Wilharrow?") [Solace]
Leaning on the railing surrounding the bell, Wilharrow appeared to be lost in thought.
("Saves me the trouble of looking for him.") [Solace]
I levitated down to him, double checking if there was anyone else here before switching to human form.
"Wilharrow." [Solace]
My words fell on deaf ears as Wilharrow continued to be occupied within his mind. Instead of calling his name repeatedly, I just shook his shoulder.
"Huh? Sorry I was- eh?" [Wilharrow]
Staring at me eyes wide with shock, Wilharrow took a moment to register that I was standing before him.
"Alt…? Is that really you?" [Wilharrow]
"You look surprised.." [Solace]
"Of course I am! I-" [Wilharrow]
He glanced around nervously.
"I… I wanted to talk to you." [Wilharrow]
"What a coincidence. Me too." [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I let Wilharrow speak first. He recounted what happened after we parted ways at Lithik. Wilharrow described how he and the party left without needing a disguise since there was a great commotion over the castle collapsing. Then there was the broken bridge over the cursed river. He told me how it was still split from the Unseeing Blade's slash, which sounded really unrealistic.
("Too bad I didn't get to see it.") [Solace]
I didn't need to cross the bridge to get to Metus since I departed from the Misty Forest. It was far above the river, so I technically just went around it.
"The real problem was when we finally returned to Metus." [Wilharrow]
He spoke of how the people hated the party because we weren't the ones to claim the glory of slaying a demon lord. The final blow was dealt by Edwin, rendering all Wilharrow's efforts to nothing. This outrage led to government action, in which the party was punished. Leon's relationship with Jukhan also came to light, so she fled immediately.
"As expected, Leon was able to escape without a problem." [Wilharrow]
Her movements were like a thief, or an assassin. If she didn't want you to find her, you simply wouldn't.
"I met Leon outside and she didn't tell me any of this." [Solace]
"She probably didn't care." [Wilharrow]
"...That sounds oddly realistic." [Solace]
Wilharrow told me of Fina's, Raon's, and his own punishment. Raon was put under house arrest, which was a cover for his family to punish him. Last time Wilharrow met him, he noticed countless lash marks on Raon's back. Wilharrow had to go through several cleansing rites, some being the type where he had to fast for a week without food and two days without water. It would be shameful to have the hero be physically punished, so the church settled with psychological torture.
"The most difficult one to withstand was getting locked in a white room. I never thought I would struggle so much with it." [Wilharrow]
I raised a brow.
"They put you in a white room?" [Solace]
From my memories from Earth, I could've sworn that was one of the worst methods of torture. Did someone reincarnate from Earth and bring this technique over?
"I figured out how to deal with it though." [Wilharrow]
"How so?" [Solace]
"I just closed my eyes and rewatched old memories. The two weeks of getting locked up went by in a flash." [Wilharrow]
I was speechless.
("...As expected of a hero? Or is it just Wilharrow who's just different?") [Solace]
Putting that aside, Wilharrow shifted the topic to Fina. Turns out, she was originally going to take a lighter punishment. However, the people of Metus cried out "heresy" for my actions and demanded someone take the blame. So, the lord chose Fina to take that burden since she was a lower ranked noble compared to Wilharrow and Raon.
"In which case… I'm sorry, Alt. I couldn't keep my promise with you." [Wilharrow]
He lowered his head towards me.
"I… I tried everything. I tried speaking to the Lord of Metus, the overseers, Soloi's apostle, I even pleaded to the public. This… is the result." [Wilharrow]
Wilharrow seemed sincere in trying to keep his word. At first I felt angry with him for not doing anything, but my resentment seemed to slip away when hearing his story.
"...What matters now is trying to get Fina out of this situation." [Solace]
"Do you already have something in mind?" [Wilharrow]
"Somewhat." [Solace]
I explained my plan on getting him and Raon to act as witnesses. Unfortunately, there already appeared to be a problem.
"I don't even know if the church would let me attend the trial. Not to mention, Raon hasn't set foot out his manor in ages. We're both trapped like birds in a cage. Plus, originally it was me who was supposed to face Fina in the second trial." [Wilharrow]
"Originally?" [Solace]
"They wanted me to execute her. Of course I refused, but I heard they invited a rather powerful individual with great standing to do it instead." [Wilharrow]
Things just keep getting worse, huh.
"Don't look so glum, Alt. There's an upside to this." [Wilharrow]
I was puzzled.
"There is?" [Solace]
"Because they've invited a particularly important individual, the chances of them getting to the second trial is incredibly high. Honestly, the first trial is probably just for show. There's more meaning to having a great figure execute Fina after all." [Wilharrow]
I just stared at Wilharrow with mixed emotions.
"...You're oddly proficient in politics. You know that right?" [Solace]
I'm not sure how I feel about this because people who can delve into politics like this usually aren't good people.
"...Right. Anyway, the only thing you can probably do now is wait. If you want to, you can visit Raon. I don't think you'd be able to show yourself though." [Wilharrow]
"Because he'll have a lot of security?" [Solace]
"How'd you know?" [Wilharrow]
"Same thing with Fina. She's monitored from all angles, so I can't really have a conversation with her." [Solace]
"...Hm." [Wilharrow]
He gazed over the railing, watching the people and the patrolling knights go by.
"...Do you have a place to stay?" [Wilharrow]
I raised a brow.
"Are you offering me one?" [Solace]
"If you don't mind, we can share my quarters." [Wilharrow]
I gave him a look of suspicion.
"A nice offer, but… You know I'm not into men, right?" [Solace]
"I'm not either." [Wilharrow]
"Oh, then sure." [Solace]
To be honest, Wilharrow was eyeballing me a little too much when saying that.
"I'll come join you later. I want to go see if there's anything else I can do before the trial." [Solace]
"Got it. I live in this building, so just swing by when you need to rest." [Wilharrow]
"Will do." [Solace]