The trial proceeded quickly. There was no one to defend me, nor did I have any intention of putting up a proper defense.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"..."
"In that case, I will confirm the verdict."
Thud.
Seeing the judge's gavel strike once, I steeled my heart. Still, I had to show a little resistance. Red Lotus would be monitoring the nobles' movements in one way or another.
If I accepted the situation too easily, they might become suspicious. That was the most crucial part of this whole plan. Making sure they didn't suspect a thing.
I had to make them believe I had truly been abandoned and was reaching out to them in desperation. I had to make them think that.
"I have something to say."
As I spoke, the judge, who was just about to strike the wooden gavel a second time, frowned.
"Something to say? Do you mean you wish to make a defense?"
"It's not a defense. No matter what I say, the outcome of this trial is already decided, is it not?"
I quietly looked behind me. Sharmia wasn't there, but a Divine Punishment Knight in full armor stood at the back door. It was Karos.
Her small eyes, visible through the helmet's visor, held an emotion that was hard to describe. If I had to put it into words, it was a feeling of, 'You're not really going to do it, are you?' For the record, I was.
"Because the proud Princess is behind it all."
"... If your remarks are unrelated to the trial, refrain from speaking."
When I spoke, my acquaintances reacted in various ways. Dersia lowered her head and clutched it. Ciel looked at me with a faint smile before letting out a sigh.
Aletus shut his eyes as if he couldn't bear to watch. It was all part of the plan. But I guess witnessing it happen for real was a different experience.
"It is related. Isn't it all thanks to her that I'm standing here?"
"Enough, I declare this trial concluded—" "How truly magnificent. Is putting a child like me on trial the kind of Empire she wishes to create? Does the Imperial law exist for only one person?"
I hurriedly continued before the judge could bring his gavel down and close the court.
"At this rate, one can hardly tell who is His Majesty."
The moment I spat out those sarcastic words. The noisy courtroom fell deathly silent.
"..."
Hiccup.
Even the judge froze, gavel in hand. In a place where even the sound of breathing had become noise, a voice echoed clearly in my mind.
[... Jern. Couldn't you have toned it down a little?]
I was about to write on Dersia's back with the currents, but on second thought, it seemed inappropriate to touch my Master's back so carelessly, so I replied on the back of her hand instead.
[Why? Look how quiet it's gotten. It's effective, isn't it?]
[Didn't even the princess tell you to water down this line as much as possible, or just hint at the nuance? Saying it so bluntly is too much of a shock for these nobles.]
[Are these words really that harsh?]
I was actually worried it was too mild of an insult and would look like a staged act. We didn't have time to discuss such minor details, so I hadn't heard the full meaning behind it. Dersia sighed as if she had expected this and replied.
[Princess Sharmia is in a very peculiar situation right now. She wields powers that should belong to the Emperor, which would normally be treason, but the Emperor himself has permitted it... so the situation has become very complicated.]
[I don't see the problem. She's borrowing power under the Emperor's permission, right? She's not some random noble, she's a princess. Is there anything to nitpick about?]
[It gets complicated if I go into detail, so I'll explain it simply. The Emperor's permission was, in effect, a complete transfer of all authority, which means the princess can do the same.]
[... What?]
[It means the current princess can transfer the Imperial Family's power to someone who is not her child, not of her bloodline.]
[Can't the current Emperor do that too?]
[No. The Emperor can only pass his power to his own blood relatives. But Sharmia, who inherited the Emperor's power, is not the Emperor, so she is free from that restriction. In other words, she can pass her power on to others.]
[Hmm... it's a bit complicated. I still don't see what the problem is.]
[Let me explain it more simply. If Sharmia were to marry and transfer that power to her spouse, for the first time in the Empire's history, someone not of the Imperial Family's bloodline would stand above all others.]
Someone who wasn't the Emperor's child becoming the Emperor of the Empire. The weight of those words was so heavy that even Dersia was reluctant to say them outright.
[... Would she do something like that?]
[Never, not even in death. However, the problem is that it's possible. The fact that she holds the hilt of a sword that can commit such an unthinkable act is something the nobles whisper about but never dare to mention. You have just torn that taboo wide open for all to see.]
[Hmm...]
After thinking for a moment, I shrugged.
[That's even better.]
[What?]
[With this, the nobles will surely be talking. Red Lotus will probably conclude before the day is out that I've crossed a river of no return with the princess.]
[You have also crossed a river of no return. To return to the Empire now, you'll not only need an envoy but also a proper title, and you'll have to spend a certain period of time with the princess to show all the nobles you've reconciled. Can you handle that?]
[I'm prepared for it. But because of this, Aletus won't face any disadvantages, will he?]
[... We've made it seem like Aletus reported you, so he should be fine.]
Then there's nothing to worry about. Despite my long conversation with Dersia, the judge, who had been frozen for a while, finally came to his senses and slammed the gavel repeatedly.
"L-life imprisonment! I sentence him to life imprisonment and declare this court adjourned! Lock that traitor up at once!"
His movements were quite rushed and clumsy, but no one said a word. The soldiers, seeming eager to get me out of there as quickly as possible, moved me hastily, and I was escorted away again without even a chance to say goodbye to the others. Watching my back, Dersia uttered her final words.
[Jern, I'm sure you know this, but whatever situation arises, remember this: nothing is more important than your life.]
I didn't give her a particular answer. It was a fact I fully agreed with.
The day the verdict was handed down. At dawn, when the moon hung highest in the sky. I looked around the much more dreadful cell.
A cramped solitary cell where even a small eleven-year-old child like me would hit the wall after two steps. It was a deep underground prison, with a small barred window several meters above that let in a faint glimmer of torchlight, and so deep that not even footsteps could be heard.
If I had to make an analogy, it felt like I'd been locked in a roadside sewer. I suppose they think I'm not even worth basic treatment anymore. With even my key taken away and only my robe left, I looked up at the ceiling, the only entrance, and took out the red necklace from my pocket.
It's invisible to others. Dersia said she had cast a top-tier recognition-interference spell on it. A recognition-interference spell from a 9-Star mage.
"Hmm."
But how do I use this thing? Dersia had also observed it and commented that it seemed more like biological tissue than a magical tool, concluding that it was outside her area of expertise. Since it was a necklace, I tried putting it on.
I wondered if they could hear me if I spoke with it on. And then. -Fssss...
"?"
The necklace turned to ash and vanished. For a moment, I stood there dumbfounded, wondering if this was some kind of mockery from Red Lotus, when the ashes rose into the air as if they were alive. I guess this is how it works.
Signaling them like this, and they'll come to rescue me. Then all that's left is to wait. Leaning against the nearby prison wall, I once again thought about the question that had intrigued me most since I started this plan.
'How will they come?' First of all, Suirak would not miss this opportunity. That much was certain.
If they went to the trouble of coming to me, giving me a necklace like this, and trying to scout me, they would definitely exploit the opening created by my conflict with the princess. The question was this. What method would they use?
This is the heart of the capital, in the most heavily guarded prison of all. A frontal assault is out of the question as long as Dersia is around. They would have to contact me somehow to get me out—and I was extremely curious about how they'd do it.
Seeing how Suirak came to the library last time, they clearly aren't without means. As I leaned against the wall, lost in my imagination, I heard the sound of clicking footsteps.
"... Wow, that was incredibly fast."
The necklace had just turned to ash, and not even three minutes later, footsteps echoed. It wasn't time for the guards' patrol yet. What terrifying people, I thought, astonished by Red Lotus's speed and precision.
I looked up and saw something completely unexpected. It was red hair.
"Hoh, so you really are locked up."
"... Princess Lumia?"
A crouching face, someone I knew. Princess Lumia was part of Red Lotus? No, that can't be right.
I was dumbfounded and asked Lumia, who was looking down at me curiously.
"What brings you here?"
"I heard you were imprisoned, so I came to see you for myself."
"You did?"
Came to see me? I tilted my head, not having had much contact with Princess Lumia. She added, slightly defensively.
"I had to see what becomes of those who don't heed my warnings."
"Warnings?"
"Didn't I tell you that getting involved with my sister... would get you into deep trouble?"
"Ah."
She hadn't actually said those words, but she had often shown that she wasn't fond of Sharmia. Though Sharmia, for her part, seemed to cherish Lumia. I let it go back then, but thinking about it now, it seems less like a simple lust for power and more like she, as a sister, sensed the prophet's unique mysteriousness.
Lumia crossed her arms triumphantly and continued.
"Look at you now. Sentenced to life imprisonment, your entire future stolen. That is the fate of those who get involved with the First Princess, Sharmia. It's just how things are."
"Yes. As expected, Princess Lumia is the one truly suited for the throne."
"...! Don't you dare say such things!"
It seemed like she wanted to be praised, so I offered some flattery, but she was horrified and looked around to see if anyone had heard. Why did she really come here? As I wondered, Lumia sighed and said something unexpected.
"Haa... talking to you gives me a headache. I'll get to the point. If you wish, I shall get you out of here."
"You will?"
"I won't say it twice. I mean I'll reverse your life sentence. My authority may be as light as a feather compared to my sister's, but I can at least manage to get one prisoner out."
"No, I understand what you're saying."
And she said she wouldn't say it twice, but she did.
"It's good for me, of course, but why the sudden change? I don't understand your true intentions in showing me such mercy, Princess Lumia."
"Hmph, I am simply repaying a favor."
Lumia replied coyly, summoning a fire in her hand. -Fwoosh! It was a flame strong enough to instantly turn the dark cell as bright as midday.
"I heard you lent me your Master. I don't know how you managed to loan out that Dersia, but thanks to her, I've achieved much growth."
"My congratulations."
"Helping me means you must receive something of equal value in return. And the slight growth I've achieved is equivalent in value to your life, so I can at least save you."
I scanned the insolent Lumia with my Tide Sense. Her slightly fast-beating heart told me she wasn't lying. And at her waist, she wore the dagger I'd given her—or more accurately, the one Aletus had given me.
Seeing as she wore no other accessories, she must have liked it quite a lot. In other words, there was no other reason. This insolent princess had really come to save me.
While feeling a warmth spread through my heart, a lightning bolt struck my mind. The thought that I could use this.
"... Princess Lumia."
"What is it? Ah, but I can't get you out right now. Your statements were too radical—though I quite enjoyed hearing them, and they were true."
"It will take time to get things under control. You'll just have to stay there for about two weeks."
"Could I perhaps receive a different reward for that lesson?"
Forging a hidden dagger for an unforeseen situation.
"... What?"
Lumia looked at me, bewildered, and tilted her head.
"Something different? If you don't accept this offer now, you'll be in that place for the rest of your life. What use would you have for anything else?"
"I beg you. There is something I truly wish to receive from you, Princess Lumia."
"What is it?"
"From now on, whenever you see me, please ask me a question from time to time. Just ask, 'Is this better than before?'"
"...??"
Lumia still didn't understand. Neither did I, really. This was just a preventive measure for a truly unbelievable possibility.
To the extent that even I, who was setting it up, wondered if it was really necessary.
"Why something like that?"
"It's because I wish to speak with you, Princess, for even a moment longer."
That's why the reason had to be so flimsy and absurd.
"What...!"
Lumia's face flushed and her body trembled as if in anger, but she soon nodded slowly.
"Th-that much, I can do. In addition to getting you out of that place, I will do it specially for you."
"I am grateful for your boundless grace. As expected, Princess Lumia, you are truly dignified."
"Gh... You..."
"Yes?"
"... It's nothing. I shall be going."
"Take care."
As she backed away and left the cell, I was alone again. For about ten minutes, I mulled over the silence. I prayed that what I had just done would prove to be useless.
As I swallowed dryly and touched my neck. -Squeak, squeak. A housemate even more unwelcome than Lumia appeared at my feet. It was a plump-looking sewer rat.
I grimaced and moved aside, but it wasn't just one sewer rat. Then three, then six. Their numbers swelled to ten.
In the blink of an eye.
"Ugh."
The rats, which had begun to swarm disgustingly, leaving no room to step, suddenly started biting each other. -Squeak! -Squeak squeak, squeeeak!
Blood splattered.
The rats, covered head to toe in blood, squirmed toward the cell wall and carved letters. It wasn't very long. It was only one word.
[DOWN.]
"..."
I ducked before the last letter was even carved. -Squeak, squeeak, squeeeeeak...! -Boom! The rats that carved the letters exploded with a small sound. -Sizzzle... Beyond the melted wall, a small doggy door appeared.
A slimy, unpleasant doggy door, full of rat blood, just big enough for an eleven-year-old kid to barely squeeze through. I silently grabbed the rat remains with the currents and wrote different words on the adjacent wall.
[CAN'T YOU MAKE IT WIDER?]
Unfortunately, no answer came back.