The noble families set out and boarded their carriages, and Shion Lan did the same. He steadied his breathing as the Royal Court gradually came into view before him.
Waiting there were members of the Light Gazette, a branch of the Shine Family responsible for shaping public opinion and spreading important information and news throughout the kingdom. If the Shadow Forces dealt with secrets, then the Light Gazette dealt with what was visible, guiding public perception. Both organizations operated under the authority of King Jord Joul.
The nobles stepped out of their carriages, and the reporters quickly approached them, asking for their opinions regarding the case. However, everyone's attention was focused on Shion's carriage. As Shion stepped out alongside his entourage, a flood of reporters rushed toward him, but the two Level Six guards blocked their path, clearing a way for him. Even so, the questions continued without pause as they tried to pry any information from him.
"Did the Ranus Family really commit such an act?!"
"Did the Ranus Family cooperate with the Razor Family because of your father's wife?!"
"Did you refuse the arrangement from the beginning, leading to your expulsion from the family in the first place?!"
The questions poured in endlessly until Shion finally said,
"All of you came here seeking the truth, and that truth will be revealed behind the doors of this great hall. Be patient, and you shall obtain the answers you seek. If any questions remain unanswered afterward, I will gladly cooperate with you."
Leaving behind a blaze of anticipation and excitement, he entered the hall.
The moment he stepped inside, the noise gradually died down due to the solemnity of the place. Shion looked around and saw private booths extending along both sides of the chamber. Each family moved to its designated booth until Shion found one engraved with the words:
'Lan Family.'
He entered alongside his guards and the two girls, sat upon the large seat, and looked ahead. Every noble was taking their place. The press had no private booths and instead stood on the floor in the center of the hall until servants brought seats for them.
Everyone waited briefly before King Jord Joul arrived, accompanied by his daughter, the Crown Princess Jina Joul. Unexpectedly, Director Tim Ayr was also present for the trial.
Everyone stood to greet the King, Her Highness, and the Director.
Shion noticed a gaze falling upon him, but he did not dare look up. Only after the King permitted everyone to sit did he raise his head. When he looked forward, he found Jina staring at him with a complicated expression. Their eyes met for a second before she withdrew her gaze and regained her usual calm demeanor.
The King then noticed Solan Neumann among the audience and exclaimed in surprise,
"The Pure Spirit?!"
Everyone turned toward Solan. Only then did they realize she was a spirit. Since she had concealed her face, no one had paid her much attention.
"Your Majesty," Solan said as she bowed.
The King replied with genuine regret,
"I sincerely apologize for what happened before due to my haste."
However, Solan answered,
"There is little point in apologizing to a soul that has already died. I merely wished to witness this trial... though I wish we had been given the chance."
Her words pained everyone present.
After regaining his composure, King Jord spoke:
"Today, a royal trial shall be held for several Third-Rank Noble Families who cooperated with the Ranus and Razor Families under the leadership of members of the Shine Family and the First Prince. Not only did he allow them to do as they pleased, but he also collaborated with them and made a deal with the Kingdom of Amoritchi, the same kingdom that previously attacked our eastern border through the Dark Crow Army. They were also involved in the Neumann Family Providence incident."
After finishing his introduction, he declared,
"Bring forth the accused!"
The chamberlain escorted in the family heads, the members of the Shine Family involved, and Jayden. All of them were shackled in chains.
Suddenly, the sound of a body collapsing echoed through the hall.
The King looked over and saw his First Queen, who had fainted upon seeing her son.
"Take her back to the palace and do not allow her to leave," the King ordered.
The maids carried the First Queen away and left the hall.
The King then looked at his son and saw that Jayden's expression was utterly broken. He had not even realized his mother was present.
The King exhaled coldly and said,
"Counselor, state the charges."
The Counselor stepped forward to the platform and announced in a clear voice:
"The first charge is treason against the kingdom through cooperation with the Kingdom of Amoritchi.
The second charge is the distribution of prohibited artifacts designed to rapidly increase strength through a contract with their creators—the Kingdom of Amorichi.
Examining the contents engraved within these artifacts, we found promises of power and elevated status in exchange for assistance in invading the kingdom. Those who cooperated would be treated favorably."
Angry gazes immediately descended upon the accused.
The Counselor continued:
"As for the families that participated, this was the arrangement. However, the Ranus and Razor Families were offered even greater rewards. They were promised relocation to the Kingdom of Amoritchi and complete royal patronage."
The stares directed at the two family heads became as sharp as blades.
"As for the members of the Shine Family," the Counselor went on, "they were promised Eighth-Level Techniques and unique weapons. According to the reports, they believed the Shine Family had neglected them. However, after reviewing their records, it became clear that their talents were mediocre, and their affinity was Darkness, which conflicted with the family's Light Element. Despite that, they chose betrayal."
The accused felt waves of contempt, mockery, and disdain directed toward them. None could raise their heads.
The Counselor spoke again:
"And now we come to Jayden, the former First Prince. During interrogation, it was revealed that his agreement promised him power and military support to suppress the Six Great Families in exchange for allowing him to rule the kingdom's territory under Amorichi's authority for ten years.
Additionally, he arranged for Her Highness Princess Jina Joul to be sent into a political marriage as part of the deal."
The moment those words were spoken, outrage swept through the hall.
The heads of the Six Great Families had remained indifferent to the previous agreements, but Jayden's arrangement had crossed a line.
Even Jina rose in fury and attempted to draw her sword, only for her father to stop her and force her back into her seat.
The King said:
"We shall begin with the lesser families. Present the evidence and explain the basis for their judgment."
The Counselor nodded, brought forward another report, and ordered several pieces of evidence to be presented.
"There are approximately ten families, excluding Ranos and Rizor, who allied themselves with them and distributed the prohibited artifacts. Upon investigation, we discovered that half of them acted under threats from the Ranus and Razor Families. Evidence was found that could strip them of noble status, such as secret cooperation with thieves, various scandals that would damage their reputation, or weaknesses among their members that could cause their downfall.
The other half entered the agreement willingly, driven by an overwhelming desire for power and status.
I should also note the contribution of the Head of the Louie Family. He gathered this information, did not distribute the prohibited artifacts, and although his son used one of them, he did not participate in any of their activities."
Everyone looked at him with admiration.
The King asked:
"The ten families—do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Some begged for mercy, while others remained silent, understanding that no plea would save them.
With a cold expression, the King declared:
"The families who pursued power willingly shall be executed. Anyone who used the prohibited artifacts shall also be executed. The remaining members shall be stripped of their noble status and reduced to commoners, with all assets confiscated."
Some screamed.
Some collapsed.
Others remained silent.
The King continued:
"As for the families who acted under threats, their power shall be sealed. They shall also be reduced to commoners, and their assets confiscated."
The family heads paled, yet they were grateful that their lives had been spared.
The King then announced:
"As for the Head of the Louie Family, he shall receive treatment for the side effects of the prohibited artifact. Furthermore, the family shall be promoted to Second-Rank Nobility, granted lands and estates, and awarded a medal during the annual celebration."
The family head thanked the King and bowed deeply.
As these matters concluded, Shion's gaze sharpened.
'Their turn is next,' he thought.
Some people glanced toward him. He was gripping the armrest of his seat tightly with one hand while resting his head upon the other.
The King declared:
"Now we shall proceed to the Ranus and Razor Families, who bear responsibility for these other families."
The Counselor nodded, produced another report, and ordered more evidence to be brought forth.
"I shall begin with the Razor Family.
Three generations ago, they were originally foreigners from the Kingdom of Amoritchi. The previous King granted them a place to live within our kingdom, and thirty years ago they were elevated into the nobility.
What is unusual is the enormous influence they wielded among Third-Rank Noble Families. Through the blackmail documents previously presented—and many more seized during their arrest—we now understand how they accumulated power so quickly and established their network of connections.
Returning to the case, they served as the primary intermediaries for receiving the prohibited artifacts. These artifacts were transported through merchant caravans and smuggled in by the families under their coercion. They then distributed the artifacts among their own descendants.
Therefore, I declare that every member of the Razor Family stands accused of treason."
The King looked toward the Razor Family Head.
"Do you wish to explain yourself?"
The family head replied proudly,
"The heroes of one kingdom are enemies of another. It matters little what accusations you throw at me. The Razor Family belongs to the Kingdom of Amoritchi, and it shall remain so until the last member of the family draws breath!"
Director Tim suddenly spoke,
"Such noble resolve from trash like you? I didn't expect that. Truly, the shameless and thick-skinned can never be predicted."
The Razor Family Head glared at him with contempt, but Tim remained unfazed.
"If we look back through history," Tim continued, "I recall that the Razor Family was humiliated by the Kingdom of Amoritchi. Back then, you possessed none of the pride you now display. You arrived here barefoot, clothed only enough to preserve your dignity. After everything this kingdom provided, you returned to the very nation that cast you out.
Well, some dogs are trained with a stick and bite the hand that feeds them."
The family head exploded with rage and attempted to curse and attack him.
Yet, in an instant, it felt as though decades had passed.
When he moved, he noticed that his body had become thinner, his skin more fragile, and his bones more prominent.
He stared at Tim in shock.
"This is Time Magic, (The First Origin)," Tim said calmly. "I have recreated the state of your grandfather when he first arrived in this kingdom."
"T-This... this is impossible!" Razor shouted. "You're lying to me!"
Tim merely smiled without speaking.
The Razor Family Head froze as countless scenes flooded his mind without end.
Seeing his state, Tim explained,
"These are your ancestor's memories from the time he entered our kingdom. You are witnessing everything he experienced.
And of course, you cannot dismiss them as illusions. The magic of (The First Origin) allows you to feel them as part of yourself because they come from the same source. Deep down, you know they are your truth."
The man's knees hit the floor.
Tim looked down at him and said,
"Your kingdom betrayed you.
Yet you repaid our kingdom's kindness with betrayal born of ignorance and foolishness."
Then Tim turned toward Shion with a smile before asking,
"Have you ever read the epic War Without End?"