บท 12: Chapter 12 - Gathering Testimonies and Evidence
The next day after Noble Estifon's conversation with the King, he wasted no time and immediately set off to find the seer, Derum.
Accompanied by his bodyguard, a paladin, to ensure his safety as a noble, they ventured to the foot of a mountain in a town where a renowned painter lived.
This painter, named Isolde, was well-known for his exceptional skills in painting, drawing, and the arts. Isolde did not expect the arrival of a noble guest like Estifon.
He quickly extinguished his tobacco and respectfully greeted the noble, bowing before him.
"It is an honor to see you in my humble abode of art, my lord." Isolde the painter said respectfully.
Estifon looked around the painter's house, made of wood, with canvases, paints, and various art materials scattered on the bamboo floor.
"I want you to draw an Aruha as I describe it, and I want you to capture its true appearance based on my description. Can you do that?" Noble Estifon asked.
"My lord, your command and desire will be fulfilled. Please wait a moment while I prepare my drawing tools. Please take a seat." Isolde replied.
He gestured for the noble Estifon and his paladin to sit on the bamboo floor, laying down a piece of cloth for them. They immediately took their seats while Isolde hurriedly prepared his drawing tools.
After setting up, he placed a small table in front of Noble Estifon and his paladin, and then he also sat on the floor, placing his drawing tools on the table.
Estifon then began to describe the appearance of Derum to Isolde. It took over an hour for Isolde to finish the drawing.
Estifon was amazed and pleased when Isolde finished the drawing, capturing the exact likeness of the seer. The drawing perfectly matched the appearance of the old man whom Estifon and his siblings had seen at the palace gate, begging to deliver his letter to the King.
Estifon immediately paid Isolde a large sum of money after receiving the paper with the drawing.
The painter was shocked by the payment, as it was the first time in his decades-long career that he had received such a large amount of money, silver, and gold, enough to buy a piece of land.
"My lord, it is an honor for you to come to my humble abode of art and trust in my talent and abilities." Isolde said joyfully, bowing once more. Estifon nodded in acknowledgment.
As they were about to leave, Isolde hurried after them as if he had something to say.
"My lord, the Aruha you asked me to draw is a seer known for his visions. He was famous in the town where I used to live. In fact, he predicted my fate, saying that my entire life would revolve around drawing and being a painter. He said this when I was just a child, and he foretold that I would live alone with my works of art. And everything he said came true, for now, that is indeed how my life is." Isolde explained.
"I need to gather proof that the old man is truly a seer. Can you write your testimony on a paper and sign it with your blood?" Noble Estifon asked Isolde.
"It would be an honor to be one of those who can prove the old man's visions are real. So I will do as you wish without hesitation, my lord."
Isolde then wrote his testimony on a piece of paper, affirming that the old man truly had visions. After writing, he cut his palm with a knife, and his blood flowed.
He used his blood as ink and signed his testimony, then pressed his blood-covered palm onto the paper, leaving his handprint as a mark.
"Thank you for providing your testimony." Estifon said to Isolde.
"It is an honor, my lord." Isolde replied.
After leaving the painter's house, Noble Estifon and his Paladin headed to the town where the old seer was said to reside.
The painter couldn't recall the exact location since it had been many years since he left that town to live at the mountain foothills where he currently resided.
They journeyed to the town where the painter had once lived, a place known for its simple Aruha inhabitants, many of whom were impoverished due to ongoing conflicts at the eastern and southern borders.
During recent Ronoru raids, many had lost their livelihoods, properties, and lands, prompting some Aruha to migrate to other towns in the east.
The Paladin questioned the Aruha residents about the old man depicted in the drawing.
"My Lord, I've gathered information that the old seer lives in a temple in this town." the Paladin reported to Estifon.
This information was gathered from the Aruha townsfolk. When Estifon was spotted by some vendors, they greeted him warmly and showed respect to the noble.
That day, many Aruha townsfolk testified that the old man, Derum, truly had the gift of sight. They also agreed to testify and provide testimony that validated Derum's abilities.
They followed the same process as Isolde the painter, writing letters containing their testimonies, personal experiences affirming Derum's abilities, and using their blood to sign and leave their handprints on the paper.
Hundreds of citizens provided testimonies, which pleased Noble Estifon greatly. He promised the town's people that he would return in the coming days to offer aid:
providing jobs to those who lost livelihoods, establishing farmlands for displaced Aruha, and distributing small plots of land. The Aruha townsfolk welcomed this news joyfully.
Noble Estifon wasted no time and immediately returned with his Paladin to the kingdom's palace.
Carrying the testimonies of the Aruha citizens, they were quickly ushered into the palace gates and escorted to the throne room.
Accompanied by two Chamberlains, they knocked on the door of the King's chamber, which was opened by one of the King's Valets.
Estifon felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation as he walked on the red carpet towards the throne, bowing respectfully with his right hand over his heart.
"Great King, here are all the testimonies and proofs that affirm the old man truly possesses the gift of sight. May it please you to examine them and spare a moment." Estifon respectfully requested.
King Amon instructed one of his Valets to retrieve the box carried by Estifon, containing the testimonies and proofs. The Valet promptly approached Estifon, took the box, and presented it to King Amon.
"Here it is, Great King." the Valet said, handing it to King Amon, who proceeded to open the box cautiously.
Estifon anxiously watched as King Amon carefully examined the testimonies. With each reading and unfolding, Estifon felt his breath halt, nervously awaiting the King's judgment on the evidence.
"Let me decide. It would be best for you to leave my chamber for now. Attend to my daughter instead; join her for supper." King Amon instructed Estifon, which relieved Estifon slightly but also left him anxious about the impending decision.
King Amon called over one of the Chamberlains present in his chamber, instructing him firmly.
"Notify the Palace chefs to prepare and serve a sumptuous meal for our noble guest tonight." King Amon ordered authoritatively.
"Your command will be carried out, Great King." replied the Chamberlain before leaving the room to inform the Palace chefs.
The Chamberlains escorted Estifon and his Paladin to a guest room where they would await Princess Hasi. Meanwhile, the Palace chefs were still preparing dinner.
Shortly after they reached the guest room, the door opened, and Princess Hasi entered.
"How are you, Noble Estifon? Did you gather the evidence?" Princess Hasi asked eagerly.
"Yes, Princess. I have, and I am nervous about the King's judgment. He will call me shortly to reveal his decision." Estifon replied nervously to the Princess.
"Don't worry. My father enjoys giving challenges, but he isn't as strict or harsh as you may think. I believe your efforts and determination to prove something to my father are sufficient. In that aspect, I am sure you have already passed the challenge my father gave." Princess Hasi reassured him.
Upon hearing these comforting words from Princess Hasi, Estifon regained hope, and a smile graced his lips. His worries seemed to fade away, especially seeing the Princess smile at him. That smile made his day and eased his fatigue.
Noble Estifon tried to forget and ignore his secret admiration and feelings for the Princess, convincing himself that he felt nothing romantic for her.
However, on moments like this, his feelings for the Princess would resurface. Nonetheless, he was resolute that he would never confess his feelings to Princess Hasi; being her friend was enough. He would not dream of anything more.
Especially since Princess Hasi was set to ascend to the throne upon her late mother's passing.
Once the throne passed to Princess Hasi, he would have no hope, as he believed there were many nobles more suitable for Princess Hasi and of higher rank than himself.
They conversed at length while awaiting the Chamberlain's announcement that dinner was ready. A short while later, a Chamberlain arrived to inform them that dinner was served.
Princess Hasi and Noble Estifon immediately proceeded to the Royal Dining Room. There, special and delicious dishes were laid out.
They dined together while his Paladin and palace staff ate in the Servant's Hall, where they gathered for meals.
After the dinner, Noble Estifon was once again summoned to the throne room. Again, he felt nervous but was bolstered by Princess Hasi's encouragement, which eased his worries.
Upon arriving in the Great King's throne room, he bowed respectfully.
"I wish to inform you, Noble Estifon, that you have passed the challenge I gave you." said the King. Estifon's heart leaped with joy upon hearing the King's verdict.
"Thank you very much, Great King, for your favorable judgment." Estifon said gratefully.
"Tomorrow, I will send a messenger to the old man's whereabouts to invite him here to the palace. I have read his letter and wish to speak with him personally." King Amon added.
Estifon's joy knew no bounds upon hearing these words from the King. Finally, he had accomplished another mission.
The next day, the King promptly sent a messenger to the temple of the old man Derum.
The message contained his response to the old man's letter and an invitation to the palace for them to meet and talk.
The elderly Derum was praying at the temple altar when a messenger suddenly arrived. He momentarily left the altar to approach the messenger.
"A letter from the beloved King Amon for you." said the messenger.
The old man felt his heart pounding with great excitement, a sign of his joy that the beloved King had finally received his message. Derum gladly accepted the letter brought by the messenger from the beloved King.
After the messenger handed the letter to Derum, he immediately left to return to the palace of the kingdom. Derum promptly opened the letter from the beloved King addressed to him.
Hope and joy blossomed deep within his heart. For at last, he would be able to speak with the beloved King, and for him, it seemed that it was not too late to prevent the dreadful vision he foresaw.
He believed that all his efforts and prayers had paid off for the King to read his letter.
After praying at the temple altar, he immediately prepared himself and headed to the kingdom to speak with the King.
He would do everything to convince the King that they needed to find a way to prevent the impending dreadful fate that would befall the Aruha, as well as the humans, with the opening of the portal to the human world due to the greed and selfish ambitions of the Ronoru's King Merif.
He prayed to the deity for nothing but peace in the world of dreams. To him, his power to see visions was a gift from the deity to provide warnings and take action on how to prevent the ominous visions.
He would never disappoint the deity who granted him this power; he would do everything to use it rightly, for good, and for the welfare of the Aruha and the people outside the world of dreams.
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