(CHAPTER 24: JUDGEMENT)

A cold splash on his face awaken him, pulling him out of the darkness.

Hero let out a huge gasp, but the world is still pitch black. When he is wondering whether the content within the syringe is actually some lethal drug and he is already dead by now. The imagination was disrupt when the sack above his head is removed, and he could finally see where he is right now.

He is tied against a pillar in the middle of a court like area. A crowd of people were surrounding him, seated on the wooden bench that was placed alongside the sphere marble wall of the room. Beside him are two statue, one holding a dagger and one holding a balance, signaling justice and punishment. And in front of Hero was a group of 15 seated on a pyramid like manner, with a bearded old man seated at the highest amongst them. He also recognize one of the member was the boy he met earlier on, and beside the old man was the girl he saved earlier on.

Upon seeing his awaking, the crowd immediately began booing, chanting and cursing. Calling him a "murderer", "spy", "lowlife" and a lot of rude words that were sharper than needle. Hero was dumbfounded, he has no idea what had happened. It was then that he remember the words spoken by the boy, he is currently in quite a sticky situation.

Will he be beheaded?

Will the people trust him?

Will his act be forgiven?

A lot similar questions like these spiraled in his head, he has no idea about the answers and chances too.

"I have words from my knights." The old man spoken, his voice was rougher than the bark of an old oak tree. Silencing the crowd and cutting off Hero's thoughts. "That you are one of the illager responsible for the plotting of raid at the west wall, do you have any words for that accusation?" "I believe there is some misunderstanding here I can say." Hero explained. "All records and proof are pointed towards you, and you still have words to speak?" One of man suddenly stood up from his seat, his mustache trembled with anger as he spoke. "You just enter the kingdom with three illagers, and two of them is the member of the Big Three! Thousands were killed and even more were hurt, you dare spoke those nonsense in front of the holy court?"

"I really don't know they are illagers, or whatever the Big Three was." Hero talk back. "And the another illager was my friend, there is a parasite controlling the illagers, and I just wanted to help him and his friends!" "Helping an illager huh." The boy who was seated beside the man scoffed. "What an unlikely relationship I would assume. Papa, I suspect that he is a spy, sent to scout the area before the raid!" Hero glared at the boy, the boy glare back with the same proud, cold eyes before. "The chances were high about my boy, Luke's prediction." The man pat the boy's back before turning his head towards the old man and concluded. "I suggest immediate execution, to avoid further problems."

The crowd cheered, and Hero's heart sank. With all those proof, there is no idea he could leave this place alive, not even the slightest chance, he is doomed. Just when desperation was crawling up his nerves and flooding his mind, he remembered something. "Sir Luis and Luke is both right." The old man heard his words and nodded. "Any words in defense?" The old man asked, his eyes stared right into his. "I've saved this girl last night during the raid from two illagers, if I am an illager I should've kidnap her for ransom, but I didn't." Hero lift his head up and spoke. "That should proof my innocent."

The crowd gasped, even the old man's expression changed, everyone of them stare at the girl, waiting for her answer. Hero glance at her, his eyes is filled with trust, his fate is sealed with every word she spoke. "I…I mean, I…." She seems puzzled. "He really did save me last night from two illagers." Another gasp from the crowd, this time mixed with whispers and questions.

"But that doesn't prove his innocent, my majesty, I think we should play safe and gave him the execution, if not there are risk-"Sir Luis' words were cut short by the old man. "There are royal rules, he saved my granddaughter, the future heir of my kingdom, I have to treat the boy better. About this I will discuss with Sir Arthur later on." He stood up from his chair and commanded. "This boy has save Princess Ann, the princess of the Plains, the rightful heir of this land! He shall be rewarded! Mans, freed the boy! And bring him to the palace at once!" With that he turn around and walked back along with the rest of the council.

A few guards immediately approached and free the chains, he nodded at Princess Ann slightly as a "thank you". She blushed and turn her head around, following her grandpa, the King of the Plains and headed back to the palace. "Scum." Hero heard the boy cursing beneath his breath, he choose to ignored those words and followed the guards who guided him to the palace, and where he will met the king personally.