Chương 17: The Trial.
Mission 2 – The Secret of the Clan – Start
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Dian stretched his arms and legs, feeling the comfort of the soft bed beneath him. He glanced around the room, taking in the luxurious furnishings that were a stark contrast to his previous living conditions. The sight of the dressing table and closet filled with clothes reminded him of the stark difference between his former life and the world he now found himself in.
As he lay there, Dian's mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. Sura's father, Talfen, had brought them to the Clan's temple where the healing process for Sura and Nina had taken longer than expected due to the potency of the poison. Dian had been grateful for their care, especially as they had also tended to his injuries from the battle against the Demon hare.
Talfen had advised him to rest since they had to postpone their original plans to attend Avery's trial, understanding the need for their recovery. Dian didn't really mind as Talfen brought him here in the Clan hall where he had to spend the night before being called as witness for the trial.
Dian rose from his comfortable bed, feeling a sense of anticipation in the air. As he stood before the mirror, he slowly removed his gray shirt, unveiling a chiseled physique adorned with toned pectoral muscles. His gaze fell upon his own reflection, observing the remarkable effects of the healing spells he had received in the temple. Not only were his injuries miraculously erased, but all the scars from his past battles had vanished as well.
Bone blade.
Dian thought in his mind, causing a bone blade to materialize out of thin air on his right arm. He marveled at its presence, studying its intricate design and texture. As he cautiously ran his other hand along the blade's edge, he noted its sharpness and durability. What fascinated Dian most, however, was the small gap between the blade and his hand. Two delicate bone joints connected them, allowing for a degree of flexibility and protection. This configuration pleased Dian greatly, for he recognized the potential dangers of having a fully fused blade. If he were to encounter a powerful strike and the blade were to shatter, a complete fusion would mean that his arm would suffer the same fate.
Once Dian finished wearing back his shirt, a faint knock on the door caught his attention. "Looks like it's time to get down to business," he mused, anticipating what lay ahead. The sound of the knock signaled the beginning of a pivotal moment for him.
Escorted by a maid, Dian descended the stairs and found himself entering a vast hall. The space was adorned with ornate decorations and lined with chairs occupied by numerous elders, their presence commanding respect. Dian noted that some seats remained unoccupied, suggesting that not all the esteemed elders had arrived yet. The hall appeared to be a venue for important gatherings, evident from the meticulously displayed paintings and the presence of armed guards.
As his gaze roamed the hall, Dian's eyes locked onto Avery. Her once-golden locks were now disheveled, and she knelt in the center of the hall, bound and silenced by a gag. The scene resembled a grim tableau, as though Dian was about to witness an impending execution. However, his arrival shifted the attention of everyone present toward him, their gazes fixated on his entrance.
Dian's discomfort grew as he realized he lacked the knowledge of proper etiquette in this unfamiliar world. He couldn't simply emulate someone else's behavior to navigate this sticky situation. The maid who had brought him to the hall had left without providing any guidance, leaving Dian feeling even more adrift.
Feeling the weight of all eyes upon him, Dian awkwardly raised his hand, his voice unsure as he spoke, "Um, was I summoned here?" His question hung in the air, awaiting a response that could shed light on the purpose of his presence.
Just then, the door behind Dian swung open, and three figures entered the hall. Startled, Dian swiftly turned around, relief washing over him as he recognized Sura, Nina, and Talfen. A glimmer of joy sparked within him, seeing both Sura and Nina looking healthy as half their bodies were no longer purple with poison. Only Sura was aware of Dian's true origins, and he instinctively sensed that revealing his secret to everyone present would not bode well, a conclusion he had drawn from observing Sura's discreet behavior.
Upon catching sight of Dian, a radiant smile illuminated little Nina's face. She eagerly waved at him, expressing her gratitude for saving her life. Sura, wearing a small smile, nodded respectfully and offered a slight bow before moving past Dian. Her voice carried to him in a hushed tone, "Walk with me." Dian acknowledged her with a subtle nod and fell into step beside her, joining their position next to Avery in the middle of the hall. Meanwhile, Talfen strode ahead of them, taking a seat in one of the vacant chairs situated at the hallway's periphery.
The silence was broken by a hoary, bald elder positioned across from them. His voice carried authority as he addressed the gathering, "This trial commences to investigate the attempted assassination of Talfen's daughter, Sura, and her student, Nina, as well as the acts of vandalism in the Elementary Forest. Avery Manava, you are now before the court, accused of these crimes. What do you have to say in your defense?"
A guard approached Avery and removed the gag from her mouth, though he prevented her from speaking. Talfen, too, rose from his seat and approached Avery. A magical circle materialized around his eye, the same one he had employed during his interrogation of Dian earlier, hinting at his intent to employ similar means here.
As the gag was removed, Avery's gaze fixated on the ground, her voice filled with hesitation. "I... I did it because my family forced me to," she began, but before she could continue, Talfen abruptly interrupted her.
"Do not lie, Avery," Talfen interjected sharply, a tone of authority lacing his words. "Remember, I have the ability to discern falsehoods."
Frustration welled up within Avery, and her voice rose in defiance. "Fine, then! It was pure hatred," she shouted, her words carrying an undercurrent of resentment. "Why does she always get the good things while the rest of us suffer and grovel for anything? I hate her so much. No matter what I did or what I got excited about, she would always beat me to the punch! And let's not forget..." Avery's voice trailed off as she continued to offer one excuse after another, her desperation evident. However, Sura's expression remained unchanged, devoid of any hint of sympathy. Dian could sense the frigid aura emanating from Sura, her coldness unmistakable as she refused to even spare a glance in Avery's direction.
"Enough!" Talfen thundered, his voice resounding through the hall. "You know that I can detect lies, don't you? So why do you try to conceal one lie with another? Tell me the truth, or we shall proceed with your execution right now."
Dian's keen observation didn't escape the fact that Avery had lost all will to resist. Was it fear that gripped her, or had she simply given up? Dian couldn't discern the exact reason, but one thing was clear—Avery's chances of leaving this ordeal alive were slim.
Finally, Avery mustered the courage to speak the truth, her voice carrying a resigned tone. "I did it for personal gain," she confessed, prompting a nod from Talfen, acknowledging her admission.
Curiosity sparked in Talfen's eyes as he probed further. "And what were these gains?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of intrigue and skepticism.
Avery didn't hesitate to respond. "Killing her would secure a better future for the Manava family."
"How would her death achieve that?"
"Because... Sura was not my primary target."
Talfen's eyes narrowed, a flicker of suspicion coloring his expression. "Then why did you attack her?"
"She was in the way."
"Who, then, was your intended target?"
"Sura's pupil, Nina."
A hushed commotion stirred among the elders as Avery's revelation hung in the air, causing whispers to fill the hall. The room seemed to be in silent uproar until Talfen broke the silence once more, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern. "And why was a harmless child the target of your assassination?" he inquired, pressing for an explanation.
Avery hesitated, her mind seemingly grappling for a way out of the predicament. However, before she could respond, Sura stepped forward, speaking on Avery's behalf. "Because she's the Child of Aravati," Sura stated, her voice steady and resolute. As Sura's words echoed through the hall, a profound stillness settled upon the room, each person processing the weight of what had just been revealed.
Nina, who stood there amidst the unfolding events, felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She was just an orphan taken in by Sura, her talents in the magical arts recognized and nurtured. How could she be connected to such significant and ominous origins as the Child of Aravati? The unexpected turn of events left her bewildered and uncertain.
After Sura's revelation and explanation, Dian became a witness to a detailed account of the events that had transpired. Sura relayed the information she had gleaned from Avery before she tried to kill her, shedding light on the motivations and circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt. To ensure the veracity of Sura's account, Talfen employed his lie detection spell on Avery, confirming the accuracy of the information presented.
Following a brief deliberation among the elders, a decision was reached. Avery was sentenced to death for her crimes, while the rest of the Manava family, faced exile. The absence of the Manava family's Eldar from the proceedings hinted at his desertion, prompting the elders to settle on exile as the appropriate course of action.
Unbeknownst to Dian, the elders had debated the options of a death sentence or exile for the remaining members of the Manava family. Ultimately, they reached a consensus on exile, suspecting that the Eldar had fled, leaving his family behind.
As Avery was escorted away by a guard, the same elder who had pronounced her fate turned his attention towards Dian. Sura's gaze narrowed, her determination evident as she prepared to intervene on behalf of her savior, fearing he too might face exile.
"Your name is Dian, I presume?" the elder addressed him.
"Yes, sir," Dian responded, assuming a respectful posture, his hands neatly clasped behind his back, reminiscent of his interactions with sergeants back in his own world.
The elder continued, "I have been informed that you were teleported into the Elementary Forest, which we utilize for teaching elementary classes. Now, tell me, what transpired after you arrived there?"
Dian nodded, acknowledging the question, and proceeded to provide a concise account of his actions. He demons he killed, how he helped Sura, as well as his endeavors in gathering fruits from the forest. However, he omitted any mention of his discovery regarding the demon system or anything that would indicate his origin from a different world.
Upon hearing the elder's accusation of vandalism, Dian subtly shook his head, recognizing the familiar pattern of selective listening and deductive reasoning. Sura and Nina were taken aback by the accusation, with Sura attempting to interject and defend Dian. However, the elder swiftly silenced her with a raised hand, signaling for them to remain quiet.
The elder then proceeded to acknowledge the dual nature of Dian's actions. "Your actions, on one hand, may be seen as vandalism of our property," he stated, causing a murmur of agreement among the gathered elders. Sensing the underlying schemes and intentions at play, Dian maintained his stoic demeanor, unfazed by their scrutiny.
However, the elder continued, shifting the focus to the positive outcomes of Dian's actions. "But," the elder added, his words hanging in the air, "your actions also saved us a valuable teacher, her important pupil, and thwarted the schemes of the Manava family." The room fell into a momentary silence as all eyes turned to observe Dian's reaction. Meanwhile, Dian astutely deduced that the elders might be plotting something, their scrutiny intensified by Talfen's presence and his active lie detection spell, ready to catch any falsehoods that Dian might utter.
They're testing me, Dian thought.
Their scrutinizing gaze bore into him, prompting him to gather his thoughts and formulate a response. "So, do you have anything to add before we conclude what shall happen to you?" the Elder's words hung in the air, but Dian understood the subtle message behind them— it was his turn to make a move.
Taking a measured breath, Dian began to speak, aware of the weight of his words and the expectations riding on them. Sura's mind raced with possible ways she could interject and assist Dian, but he took the reins of the conversation himself.
"If I may," Dian commenced, his voice steady yet filled with a touch of vulnerability. The perplexed expressions on the faces of the elders indicated their confusion, unsure of what he was about to say.
Dian briefly glanced at Talfen, confirming that his lie-detection magic was still active. With a calm resolve, he continued, "I must confess, I am a weak man." The statement hung in the air, causing a ripple of curiosity among the elders.
Seizing the moment, Dian offered further insight, carefully choosing his words. "I come from a distant land, a place where knowledge and education are scarce. The concept of systems or leveling up is foreign to my people." His words cast a sense of intrigue and mystique, capturing the attention of everyone present.
Talfen, taken aback by the revelation, was rendered speechless. All eyes turned to him, awaiting his assessment. His special oracle magic, designed to detect falsehoods, failed to pick up any indication of deceit from Dian's words. Talfen could only manage a bewildered expression as he relayed to the elders, "He's... telling the truth."
A ripple of commotion spread among the elders, their voices rising in a small uproar. However, the hall quickly fell silent again, each member of the assembly captivated by Dian's words. He continued to speak, carefully crafting a new backstory that he had devised overnight, drawing from the events he had experienced thus far. Dian's mind raced, his intentions to deceive the lie detection spells guiding his every word.
"We relied solely on our own body, mind, and spirit," Dian explained, his voice steady and filled with conviction. "My people were resourceful but ignorant. I am unaware of the continent where my people reside... even with Sura's descriptions, none of the known continents seem familiar."
A hush fell over the hall as all eyes remained fixed on Dian, hanging onto his every word. He had meticulously constructed his narrative, tailored to deceive even the most perceptive lie detection spells.
"Regardless of my origins, both I and my people are considerably weak compared to your levels," Dian continued, his tone filled with sincerity. "According to Miss Sura, even young boys here possess levels of five and above. Meanwhile, my level stands at a mere two. I am nothing but a weak man."
Dian allowed a moment of silence to permeate the room, letting his words sink in. He seized this opportunity to emphasize his point, artfully weaving the narrative of his struggle for survival. "When you accuse me of purposefully vandalizing your elementary forest, I must respectfully disagree. I was fighting with all my might just to survive. Each demon critter posed a lethal threat, and it was only through my cunning and the leveling up to level 2 that I was able to defeat the Demon Hare."
Dian's words hung in the air, waiting to be weighed and considered by the attentive elders. The hall remained shrouded in a purgatory of silence, the implications of his story resonating within the hearts of those who listened.
All eyes in the hall immediately shifted towards Talfen, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The Elder who had accused Dian of vandalism now found himself at the center of attention. A helpless smile played on Talfen's lips as he confirmed Dian's account. "Everything he has said up until now is true," Talfen declared, his voice carrying the weight of truth.
Dian couldn't help but smile as he turned his gaze back towards the Elder who had accused him. With confidence in his voice, he challenged the accusation directly, "Tell me, sir, did I truly vandalize your precious forest, or was I simply fighting for my own survival?"
A glimmer of intrigue sparked in the eyes of the Elder who held the power to determine Dian's fate. The room seemed to hold its breath as the Elder contemplated the unfolding events. After a moment of contemplation, a smile slowly formed on the Elder's face, a gesture that held promises of something more than a simple resolution.
"Interesting," the Elder finally spoke, his voice filled with a newfound curiosity.
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