Chapter 150: - Trial

༺ Trial ༻

[The Third Ordeal] [From this point forward, you will experience the truth that you have forgotten.] [Among the countless events that have occurred from the first timeline to the present, it is both the saddest and most regrettable.] [Upon the ordeal's conclusion, a choice will be presented to you.] [Your choice will be whether to forgive the people who tormented you or not.]

'...What?'

Whilst being bound and escorted by a group of soldiers, a system window suddenly materialized before my eyes.

'Countless events from the first timeline to the present? The saddest and most regrettable event?'

I mostly understood the message, but there was one part that didn’t make sense.

I was only on the second timeline, so what does it mean by countless?

[From now on, it will begin.]

Before I could even resolve my confusion, the system window vanished.

"Huh? What?"

At that moment, my entire body turned translucent, and I was ejected from my own body, landing on my butt.

"...What's going on?"

Rubbing my sore buttocks, I stared in disbelief at my now-transparent body.

"Young Master?"

"Frey!"

"...What happened?"

I suddenly discovered the other main heroines approaching me while in a similarly translucent state.

"We were taking care of the collapsed young master when suddenly a message for the third ordeal appeared..."

"M-Me too. And when I came to my senses, my body was translucent. And there was another me over there, glaring at you..."

"I'm in the same situation."

As I blankly stared at Kania, Clana, and Serena, who were all speaking with a flustered tone,

"Ferloche, you're returned."

"...I have."

I noticed Irina and Ferloche mumbling with serious expressions.

"Hey, guys? What's going on with all this..."

"Everyone, follow me."

Frey, who was trying to urgently ask them questions,

"Keep your eyes on everything that happens from now on."

".....Ferloche?"

I stared blankly as Ferloche gestured for the others to follow and led them toward my body, which was being pushed away by the guards and into a distant carriage.

"Hurry up."

""........""

For a moment, Frey and the other heroines stared at her and then cautiously followed behind Ferloche.

"...What is going on?"

Filled with a mountain of curiosity.

"From now on, I will announce the Academy's decision on Frey Raon Starlight's fate.

Still bound by ropes, Frey was approached by an official from the academy while being transported in an open carriage.

"The Sunrise Academy has decided to expel Frey Raon Starlight and impose a permanent ban."

"...Hmm."

"However, please understand that this decision may be changed depending on the outcome of the trial."

As the official glanced at Frey, he maintained a monotonous voice with various documents spread out in front of him.

Sighing, Frey raised his head.

"Haah..."

On the way to the courthouse, many people lined the streets, observing.

"...That scumbag is finally being arrested? What in the world has he done now?"

Naturally, the gazes of the people were cold.

There was no way anyone would look kindly at the sight of the empire's greatest scumbag, who had been committing atrocities for years, being dragged away in such a miserable state.

"Don't even say it aloud. He's accused of attempting to murder the hero."

"Crazy bastard."

And their gazes became even colder when people who knew about his crime began to inform the others amongst the crowd.

"...I can't believe it's really happening. I thought it was something that would only happen in novels or plays."

As word of Frey's crimes spread, all sorts of stones and garbage was hurled towards the carriage.

Since the carriage was intentionally left open on all sides, Frey, who was tied up, had no choice but to endure these attacks.

"..........."

However, contrary to people's expectations that he would scream or protest, Frey calmly closed his eyes and surrendered his body to the swaying carriage.

"...What's wrong with him? Why is he acting like that?"

"Maybe he's realizing he's about to die."

"Tsk tsk, if he had been like this from the start, he would have been alright."

Listening to the murmurs of the embarrassed crowd who ceased their attacks, Frey spoke.

Strangely, the judge felt a shiver down his spine as he began to read the prepared verdict, stuttering.

"The court hereby sentences the defendant, Frey Raon Starlight, to the highest punishment of the law, 'death penalty'..."

Everyone's eyes lit up at the sound of 'death penalty.'

"...It's my victory, Frey."

Ruby, whose ruby-colored eyes were shining, muttered to herself while receiving a shoulder massage from Rosewyn, who was seated behind her.

"In the end, you couldn't satisfy me either."

As she finished speaking, the judge raised his gavel, ready to seal his verdict.

"Wait."

".....?"

But at that very moment, Frey, who had not been wearing a despicable expression for a while, smiled and began heading somewhere.

"It won’t be the death penalty. Right, Clana?"

"...Get lost."

Soon, Frey arrived in front of Clana, who was seated in the audience.

"At that time, you rejected the covenant I had requested... correct?"

"You withdrew it yourself. Get lost. I don't want to see your face even for a moment..."

"So, I still have a chance to use the covenant?"

"...What?"

At those words, Clana frowned.

"I have a written copy of ancient imperial law."

Turning his back to Clana, Frey walked back to the center of the courtroom, pulling out an old book from his pocket, which he had clearly prepared in advance.

"It's a law that’s so old, only some of its contents have been recorded and passed down the royal family, but there is a loophole."

Sneering at the judge and audience, who were quietly staring at the ragged book, Frey spoke.

"According to Article 200, Section 7, if a member of the royal family accepts the request and withdraws the covenant, the user of the covenant shall be given another chance to use the covenant."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present began to harden.

"Therefore, I will use my covenant with the royal family once more."

Frey, who had been smiling tiredly at those people, spoke.

"Reduce my sentence."

".....What?"

"Using the authority of the royal family, minimize the sentence I will receive in this trial."

Turning back to look at Clana, he declared his desire.

"This is not a suggestion, but an order. The covenant is bound with ancient magic, so you can't refuse."

"W-Wait...!"

"Don't even think about offsetting it with another covenant. Both the Moonlight family and the Imperial family have already used their respective covenants."

As soon as Frey finished speaking, silence enveloped the courtroom.

"I-I'll do as... he says."

In that situation, Clana spoke with a humiliated expression.

"Then... I will deliver the verdict once again..."

In the silence, the judge, who had been gritting his teeth, announced the new verdict in a low voice.

"The criminal, Frey Raon Starlight... will be sentenced to indefinite house arrest..."

Having finished the verdict, the judge began to grind his teeth so hard that it made a creaking noise.

"That’s ridiculous!!!"

"This is a sham!!"

"Let go! Let me go!!"

A frenzy was brewing amongst the audience.

[System Notification for [Path of False Evil]!] [The awakening of the Hero's Armament has reached 100 percent!] [The Final Scenario is now open!]

"Phew..."

Frey, who was staring at the system window that had finally appeared, spoke.

"This is it."

He then glanced at the people surrounding him, all of which were either swearing at him or pulling out their weapons and charging at him.

Frey stared at the people whom he loved.

[Main Quest: The Final Battle]

- Defeat the Demon King and become the savior of the world

Reward: One wish from the Sun God, World Peace.

"Finally, I've made it."

He then turned his gaze to Ruby, who was slightly flustered.

"After giving everyone a happy ending..."

He then murmured quietly to himself in a soulless voice.

"...I can finally rest."

The sun that shone upon him was gradually setting.