In the Hands of That Thief

When Miel first introduced Lupina and the Black Kodiak, a series of notifications rained down on Artie's mind. It seemed that she would be holding onto Lupina for quite a while.

[You have tapped into the bottomless well of a heart!]

[You have unlocked a steed: 'Lupina of the Freedom Lands'!]

[Years had passed since Lupina had seen the plains that raised her mother and the mothers before her. She longed to return home… but only after gaining an equine to rear just as her mother had. Her heart belonged to the dark, and yet she continued to glow like the moon.]

[Details of 'Lupina of the Freedom Lands' had been archived!]

[You have unlocked a steed's ability quest!]

[Steed ability quest: (Level 1) Win a race against the Black Kodiak.]

'What's with this? Am I supposed to solve a mare's love troubles now?' Artie's expression turned dark inwardly as her smile seemed to have frozen. 'It's quite obvious that this horse had been smitten by that strange one. I guess a race would help me see how I can help her with her mission.'

It's just that… when Artie Shen heard that the Black Kodiak could cross a place that would take a normal horse a week, she began to suspect that the Black Kodiak wasn't a horse at all. Then again, it did show up as a horse, and it was regarded as the archduke's horse.

"However, I did not ask of you just so we could speak about horses. I wish to speak with you about the city, Lady Shen." Miel cleared his throat and gestured towards Lupina. "Ride with me."

"Okay." Artie only nodded. If this Lupina were to be her steed in the future, then she should know how to ride her properly. A queenly horse like her would be hard to bond with.

The two got on their horses, and Miel led the path. Since the horses were just walking, it was easy to stay side by side. Miel then began talking, "Lady Shen, you saw that smoke earlier, didn't you? That was coming from the continuous demonstrations the people of Ellis Plains were holding.

"News from other duchies and the main territory came in not long ago, and it seemed that the demon emperors were raising taxes once again. Ellis Plains might have the lowest taxes in Kingdom Achlys, but it didn't mean that it was at its bare minimum. Any higher, and the people wouldn't break even.

"This had become a big problem in other duchies, but the people could only endure. The only treasure of those living in devildoms was the time in their hands. Even their lives could be forfeited at any time." Miel glanced in Artie's direction. "More when they were found withholding an angel."

Artie nodded again, taking it as a clear warning not to let other people in their secret. Right now, perhaps only the archduke and his three most-trusted knew of her identity. That only meant she was not to actively engage with the common folks lest they would be implicated if she was exposed.

She then listened to Miel's continuation.

"No one outside his court knew that the archduke himself wasn't willing to raise Ellis Plains's taxes. He knew his people and their resources all too well. Ellis Plains planned to turn in a higher collection to the crown, but… the raise would be shouldered by every noble house in the plains.

"Surely, none of the nobles felt it was painful as they were wealthy enough to live for generations. Only their servants would have to work hard. Moreover, the calmer the common folk were, the safer it was for them to roam the beautiful plains. Fewer troubles, less discomfort… as they regarded it.

"The only problem was that..." Miel sighed. "Lord Ellis didn't tell the people about it. That was why they were still holding demonstrations, and it was expected not to fade until the end of the collection week." He then looked at Artie. "Would you be able to help me convince Lord Ellis to just tell the people?"

Artie blinked her eyes. What a fool. Lord Ellis was a big fool. He's just causing trouble for himself…

She then sighed aloud. ���I could try. I mean, the demonstrations would probably make the city dangerous at this rate. We should at least do something about all of this. I can't believe such an airy grown man like him would be like an eccentric child."

"...indeed."

Artie twitched as she seemed to have heard an agreement from Miel, but the man had already changed their topic into the sights in the city. Perhaps it would be fine to travel as soon as the demonstrations blew over. Ellis Plains was the most scenic among the duchies after all.

…

When Miel and Artie returned to the stables, a soldier was already waiting for them. He gave a salute of pressing his palm against the archduchy insignia on his left shoulder. "Reporting to the seneschal! Captain Sinigar's company has returned from examining the hills. They… they found another body."

"Hills? The one from the trial earlier?" Artie was shocked, but she expected as much. So that was the crime Polieus was covering up when Adaram saw him. The Polieus actually had the audacity to lie about being a sorcerer that could summon people from the sky.

"Come with me, Lady Shen. The trial must have resumed by now." Miel urged Artie to follow him, and they proceeded to the Audience Hall with hurried steps.

Like what Miel imagined, the assistant seneschal had arranged for the trial's continuation. Dealing with the trials and hearings was one of the tasks given to him as the assistant seneschal after all. However, Lord Ellis wasn't present yet; only the marshal and the chancellor came after Miel.

Polieus was enraged. His cuffs were bigger than the last, and if he made a wrong move, he would be executed on the spot. However, if he wouldn't escape, he would be sent to the execution grounds and still be killed. Regardless of choices, he would die.

Perhaps the only answer would be taking a hostage.

The murderer eyed Artie as she stayed next to Miel and Barda. Seeing her again made Polieus's blood boil like bubbling lava. If only this woman didn't interfere, he could have left Ellis Plains freely. The archduke didn't care enough to set him free or not after all.

Soon, footsteps came from the side hall once more. The witnesses all turned to the source and watched as the archduke walked into the Audience Hall with an aura of flawless grace and unrivaled power. He sat on the throne and regarded everyone with his eyes… soon landing them on the assistant seneschal.

"Polieus Russal, a body of a young maiden was found in the hills where you have also killed Adaram Gailbrom. The woman is now identified as Meroka Linus, the woman you were pursuing. Do you admit to killing her first?"

The people were shocked and exploded into chatters. Polieus gritted his teeth and then eyed the angel. He then spoke up, "I admit to lying to the court about Adaram's murder. Adaram did accuse me of killing Meroka because he saw me burying the body. I was only doing that because…

"I saw her die in the hands..."—he then gritted his teeth—"of that thief!"

He pointed his fingers, and everything pointed to Artie Shen.