Chapter 14

  When Drakkel walked outside, the dozens of embroiders that followed them were already walking out with their families.

  Lior Gaunlet announced that they would be entering his custody and immediately heading out to the court to give their testimonies. Then he asked if any of them would like to speak up for the rest.

  Drakkel wasn’t surprised at who came running along.

  “I volunteer sir,” Mori said as he stood in front of the two. His hands were planted tightly to his side and his gaze was sturdy. The boy really wasn't scared at all. Meanwhile the rest of the embroiderers couldn't say the same.

  The fearful look that sat upon their faces, their eyes widened and their bodies slightly trembling were a tell tale sign.

  Lior Gaunlet nodded. “Then we’ll head towards the Judicial Court.”

  The Judicial Court was a place in every town and city where people could be tried in court by a presiding individual.

  There was a drum in the front that someone could hit if they wanted to make a case and individuals could also call upon representatives to protect them.

  The profile of the case that the Judicial Courts were allowed to handle varied by the town and city. Villages didn't have one, so their cases were usually tried locally by a court of their choosing and taken care of by different entities depending on the level of severity.

  Swords Clans were an exception to this as they operated independently. They had the power of a Judicial Court for matters concerning the Sword Fighting World and organized it in a pre-agreed upon manner. Just as with issues having to do with Sword Fighters and Demons, the Royal Court would only intervene if these matters also involved high level court officials, members of the royal family, or the capital.

  After hearing Lior Gaunlet’s command, the crowd lined up behind him and Drakkel and followed them out.

  Lior Gaunlet’s fellow officers fell into step surrounding them while Shia, Drion and Fargos walked next to Drakkel.

  The capital was large and the Judicial Court was far so they took a while to reach it.

  During this time, as they walked the streets, the crowds parted and whispers could be heard from all around.

  Even those who were in the midst of shopping or manning their businesses followed the conversation, some even abandoning their stalls to see what was going on.

  Lior Gaunlet created a lot of fanfare as he moved, not at all concerned about what might happen as a result. So it stood to reason that he must have been doing it on purpose.

  As they arrived, it felt as if nearly 1/10th of the city had followed them. Many of those who whispered on the streets were now also present at the Judicial Court.

  When they entered, they saw that atop the chair within the courthouse sat a handsome man with long black hair, a slender physique, a tall nose, and sharp eyes. Although he was likely in his upper 20s or lower 30s, he had a dashing appearance and young air. He must have stolen the hearts of many young maidens.

  Yet despite his frivolous features, his eyes held a deep edge and a cold demeanor more fitting for someone twice his age.

  Lior Gaunlet approached him and cupped his hands. “Ril Lita. I have an important case for you to review.”

  “Who is this in regards to, Chief Gaunlet?” Ril Lita asked.

  Lior Gaunlet nodded and gestured to the people behind him, “The people here and the owner of Hidden Treasures, Zilan Fort!”

  The embroiderers and their families who followed them bowed. They stated in unison, “Please! Help us seek justice!”

  “To bring a case against someone so powerful is risky without proof, Chief Gaunlet. What exactly has he done?!”

  “Sir!” Mori called out. “I can tell you!”

  “Who said that?” Ril Lita asked.

  Mori got up and stepped out from the crowd. “The embroiderers here were brought in with promises of riches for their skills, but were tricked into serving a malicious man! They were treated like slaves!”

  “Please explain.” Ril Lita said.

  Mori went into a thorough explanation of how he and the others were wronged. The people went along with his story, adding in personal accounts as well. Their families even said that they were unable to contact them and because they were poor and were trying to fight against a large merchant, no one would help.

  By the time they all finished, Ril Lita couldn’t hold in his anger.

  His face reddening, he quickly stood up and spat out, “How dare he?!”

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  Addressing the guards that stood with him in the Judicial Court, he shouted. “Bring Zilan Fort here!”

  The guards of the Judicial Court left and later returned with a man in custody. The man was wearing fancy robes with rare colors and fabrics and exquisite designs. These sorts of clothing and accessories were so rare and expensive, usually only the Emperor and nobles could be seen donning them.

  Zilan Fort struggled to get out of the guards’ grips.

  “Why have you brought me here? Unhand me!” He yelled.

  “Zilan Fort!” Ril Lita shouted.

  Hearing his name shouted by a member of the Lita Family, the man named Zilan Fort stopped speaking.

  “Bring him down!” Ril Lita ordered.

  The guards brought Zilan Fort closer and had him kneel.

  Ril Lita continued, “I have heard of all the atrocities you have committed! Have you any evidence to defend yourself?!”

  Zilan Fort's head swiveled around as he looked upon the crowd of people gathered behind him.

  After a moment, his eyes widened and he immediately returned his gaze to Ril Lita.

  “Ril Lita!” He yelled. “This is a clear abuse of power! This matter should be handled by the Investigation Bureau! Besides, how can you believe the words of a few insignificant people?!”

  Lior Gaunlet stepped forward. “The judges of the Investigation Bureau are currently unavailable due to the safety of the Bureau being compromised.”

  Drakkel smiled. So they really had taken advantage of him being there last night?

  Lior Gaunlet continued. “Now, Ril Lita is the only one here with the authority to judge this case!”

  He brought out some papers from his robe and handed them to Ril Lita.

  “These are the ledgers of payment to the embroiderers, purchase of goods and sales of items. Besides them there are accounts of taxes paid. If you look carefully, you will see that the amounts don’t add up! These ‘insignificant people’ as you called them, have also given their personal statements!”

  Zilan Fort started to sweat. “Those can’t be mine! I have all my account books safe in my office! I just chec…!” Realizing what he was about to admit, Zilan Fort quickly shut his mouth.

  Lior Gaunlet smirked. “We retrieved these files from your business partner, Marquis Kalen Cowell, around a day ago. He said that he had some concerns about your business and had someone look into them.”

  Whispers ensued from within the crowd as Zilan Fort’s eyes widened and his breath quickened.

  Watching him struggle, Drakkel smiled. Most likely, seeing that he was about to be found out, Kalen Cowell had abandoned Zilan Fort like a lizard cutting off its tail and struck first, handing over the evidence to Lior Gaunlet before he was implicated.

  Zilan Fort bowed his head as Ril Lita continued the trial with the new evidence and witnesses present.

  The evidence was so stacked against him that he couldn’t say a word. Even his own people were brought in and quickly ratted him out to avoid being dragged down with him.

  At the end of the trial, Ril Lita said, “After reviewing the evidence, Zilan Fort, owner of Fort’s business ventures, you have been found guilty of abuse of power, kidnapping, harassment, battery, and tax evasion. We will look through your home and businesses for further evidence and confiscate all your properties.”

  As Ril Lita spoke, Zilan Fort’s head was lowered, his face a shadow of despair.

  Once Ril Lita finished, he said, “Guards, take him to the cells!”

  Zilan Fort was taken away by the guards and the people who were bowing on the floor stood up.

  Ril Lita addressed them, “All victims of this unfortunate calamity will have reparations paid out through Zilan Fort’s own estate. Any other victims found will receive the same treatment. The rest will be confiscated by the Emperor and his punishment for his crimes will be decided within the week!”

  The embroiderers and their families praised him.

  “Thank you!”

  “The Emperor is wise!”

  “May His Majesty have grace for years to come!”

  Drakkel turned to them. “You all can stay at my inn until Zilan Fort’s punishment has been decided. Before then, I have a business proposition for you. I will have my assistant, Drion, handle it.”

  He turned to Drion. “Go settle a deal with Palta Stone.”

  Drion bowed his head. “Yes, young master.”

  Drakkel then glanced at Shia and Fargos. “You two, get them settled back into the inn.”

  The three bowed their heads and separated.

  The embroiderers and their families followed Shia and Fargos. After seeing that the matter was over, the crowd naturally dispersed as well. However, conversation about it still drifted out as they left.

  Once everything was settled, Ril Lita went up to Lior Gaunlet. While standing in front of him, his serious and cold expression melted into one of innocence and carefreeness. Placing his hands behind his back in a sort of adorable manner, like a child would when begging for something, he asked in a soft tone, “Did I do well?”

  Lior Gaunlet smiled and patted his head, “Very. And our plan was only made easier due to this fellow over here.”

  Lior Gaunlet gestured to Drakkel and Ril Lita looked in his direction.

  Drakkel was taken aback. This person who he thought to be wise and powerful was actually like this?

  Was he putting on an act?

  He put on a smile and walked closer to them. Then, he bowed to Ril Lita.

  By then, Lior Gaunlet had stopped patting his head and they both turned to face him.

  “Your display of confidence and bravery were truly impeccable, Young Lord Lita,” Drakkel said.

  Ril Lita gave him a short head bow.

  Lior Gaunlet continued, “You say this, but you were quite brave as well. You not only located the enemy camp, but invaded it, saved the prisoners, brought them here and gave them a safe place to stay. Your feats could be said to be comparable to or even better than Ril’s.”

  Lior Gaunlet seemed to have eyes everywhere. Drakkel was at the Sword Epiphany stage yet he could not glean how Lior Gaunlet knew of his exploits.

  Then again, the man was at the disposal of the Emperor. It was not odd for him to have some strong resources.

  Despite this, Drakkel wasn't worried. This news only meant that he had to tread more carefully.

  “You have amazing people working for you,” Drakkel replied. “Perhaps we can just say that we are all rare talents and leave it there.”

  Lior Gaunlet smiled. “Then the word will definitely spread about what has happened here. We will push the narrative that you are the hero who saved everyone. By then all the nobles will want to get to know you. You can use the opportunity as you wish for doing us a favor. Our forces were spread thin so even though we knew Zilan Fort was a growing threat, we didn’t have the manpower to take him down.”

  Drakkel bowed his head. “Then, as promised, I will honor my end of the deal. Let us hope that the next time we cross paths, it will not be in such a hostile setting.”

  Ril Lita stated, “I hope the same for us as well, umm…”

  “Sylas,” Drakkel answered. “It’s Sylas.”

  Ril Lita nodded.

  Drakkel waved goodbye before leaving the area and heading to his inn.

  His first large hurdle had been overcome. Yet still, many more awaited. And with this thought, his heart could only beat faster in anticipation.