Chapter 37: Ally of Justice

Amphere Harrison

General Kyle Leviticus commanded a vast and formidable military apparatus, encompassing a multitude of military offices. This enigmatic figure not only wielded authority over Alterra's military foot soldiers, but also held command over a formidable arsenal of airplanes, tanks, and an intricate web of intelligence networks. However, the rarity of dragon knights in this era meant that this particular branch of the military was devoid of these legendary warriors. It seemed that General Kyle Leviticus's sole connection to the realm of dragon knights lay in his possession of the Chevalier Unit, a team of his own creation and designation.

As I found myself inside General Kyle Leviticus's office, a sense of unease settled upon me, accentuated by the uncomfortable seat that awaited me across the desk. Seated behind it was a striking lieutenant, whose duty entailed meticulously recording all the charges leveled against me. The truth had been revealed—I stood exposed as the notorious Black Phantom. The litany of accusations against me included the grave offenses of homicide, the murder of Alder Windstrafe, and my affiliation with a terrorist organization. Anxious tremors coursed through my toes, each passing moment intensifying the weight of the situation. In stark contrast, Airi, my steadfast companion, appeared serene, casually indulging in her fish pancakes from the corner of the room. We were both bound by handcuffs, the physical manifestation of our impending imprisonment. Yet, her composure suggested a calculated calmness, hinting at a hidden plan she might have already devised, her sharp intellect guiding her actions.

Beside the lieutenant stood Rudolf, my former best friend turned interrogator, assuming the role of a seasoned prosecutor. The irony did not escape me; he seemed oblivious to our shared history and the bond we once cherished. It appeared that our friendship had been irrevocably severed, forever tainted by his betrayal. To betray one's closest companion is an act of utmost treachery, and Rudolf had cemented his place in the depths of hell with such an unforgivable deed.

Rudolf's piercing gaze bore into me as he posed the question, "How long have you been with Arcadia?" The intensity of his stare ignited a fire within me, causing my fists to clench instinctively. In that moment, I envisioned unleashing a torrent of blows upon his jaw, reducing it to a toothless oblivion, once these confining handcuffs were finally removed.

Recalling Airi's words during our arrest, her voice echoed in my mind, "Deny all the charges and don't resist. Just trust me completely!" It was a simple instruction, and yet it carried an air of profound significance.

"No," I curtly replied, my response falling far short of a satisfactory answer to Rudolf's question. In truth, he had been bombarding me with a series of yes-or-no inquiries such as, "Did you kill Alder?" and "Is Estoff your leader?" as well as "Are you a member of Arcadia?" It seemed only fair that he should provide his own responses, considering he was the one who had apprehended me.

A sense of weariness emanated from Rudolf as the recording officer departed the room, leaving us alone. He positioned himself directly in front of me, his stare unwavering. In return, I met his gaze with an equally intense glare. Initially, the idea of ending his life had enticed me, but my resolve shifted when he abruptly brought his lips a mere two centimeters from my right ear.

"I'm doing this to clear your name. I'll weaken the prosecution's case to prove your innocence, but I'll fabricate evidence to ensure Airelina is imprisoned. You won't be able to do anything to save her," he whispered, his words seeping into my consciousness like venomous tendrils.

Whispering my retort, I confronted Rudolf with a renewed determination, my anger no longer simmering but transformed into a steadfast resolve to protect Airi at all costs. "So, after all this time, you truly want to harm Airi?" The words slipped through my lips, laced with a mix of defiance and a simmering fury. "I will shield her from any harm, even if it means treading upon your lifeless body!"

Rudolf abruptly pulled away, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and exasperation. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING!" he exclaimed vehemently. His finger pointed accusingly at Airi, who remained unperturbed, calmly enjoying her taiyaki. "That girl is merely manipulating you! Why are you so blind to see it?"

Within the confines of the office, a television screen broadcasted the ongoing Dragon Knight's Tournament. As the latest battle concluded, the arena was engulfed in chaos. Dust and smoke billowed, inciting panic among the spectators.

Gradually, the haze dissipated, revealing a scene that defied belief.

Estoff Wraith, divested of his dragon knight armor, stood at the center. To his right stood the enigmatic figure of the Black Phantom, accompanied by their crimson-haired, masked dragonoid. On his left was his loyal companion, Gilliard, the trusted dragonoid. They were encircled by approximately thirty Arcadians donning leather armor and steampunk-inspired skull masks. Though armed with assault rifles, they refrained from aiming their weapons at anyone.

Both Rudolf and I stood frozen, our eyes widening in disbelief as we witnessed Estoff's unexpected actions. The realization hit us like a thunderbolt. Estoff, the renowned leader of Arcadia, had made an astonishing appearance in the arena. The Black Phantom's presence alone left Rudolf dumbfounded, his prior doubts shattered. Our gazes swiftly shifted between each other and the television screen, silently acknowledging the reversal of roles in our perception.

"I am Estoff Wraith, the valiant leader of Arcadia's righteous movement," his voice resonated loudly, commanding the attention of the crowd. Merely the mention of Arcadia struck fear into the hearts of many dukes, prompting them to retreat in terror or seek refuge behind their dragon knights. Yet, Estoff managed to instill a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

"I stand here not to sow terror, but to sow hope," Estoff declared with conviction. "We are the champions of justice, protectors of the oppressed, and adversaries of the malevolent. Our cause is one that embraces righteousness wholeheartedly, representing the voice of every individual who harbors goodwill within their soul."

Rudolf muttered incredulously, his voice tinged with confusion and a building anger. He clenched his fist tightly, a clear display of his growing frustration and internal turmoil.

My gaze shifted to Airi, who met my eyes with a knowing smile. It was as if she were saying, "I told you we would find a way out of this, totally!" This was their plan all along. Finding a suitable substitute for the Black Phantom's appearance in the show, along with the masked red-haired dragonoid, must have been a straightforward task for Estoff and Airi. They had carefully orchestrated this masterstroke, ready to set it into motion as soon as both of us found ourselves under arrest.

With the unexpected presence of another Black Phantom in the arena, the assumption that I was the true culprit began to crumble. I realized that Rudolf's true intention was to frame Airi as a terrorist, but he lacked concrete evidence. If either Airi or I were to face a case tied to Arcadia without substantial proof, it would undermine the credibility of the Chevalier Unit and their contradictory statements. This realization seemed to have convinced Rudolf, at least from a logical standpoint, that I was not the real Black Phantom.

Following Estoff's impassioned speech, an onslaught of dragon knights activated their Vesryn Pulse and charged towards the supposed "allies of justice terrorists." A barrage of projectiles, ranging from missiles and bullets to fireballs, ice spikes, electric surges, and even flying boulders, hurtled in their direction. However, a radiant ring of light enveloped the Arcadians, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished, as if mere bubbles. It was undoubtedly the work of Richard in his formidable Portal Dragon form.

Rudolf trembled as he turned to me, concealing his expression behind his bangs. He unlocked our handcuffs and uttered a soft statement, "You're free to go."

"Now who's the one lacking intelligence?" I left him with a pointed remark as my dragonoid and I walked away. I sensed a wave of intense anger emanating from him. Estoff proved to be a formidable adversary, far surpassing Rudolf's capabilities.

By the time Airi and I arrived home, the night had cast its dark cloak upon the land. Home, in this case, was the hidden sanctuary of Arcadia known as the Guardian's Haven—an ancient ruined cathedral. Richard had uncovered an underground library within the cathedral, a secret known only to the Arcadians. Since they typically used the power of the Portal Dragon for their exits, we were confident that we couldn't be traced here.

With the allegations against us dropped, it seemed unlikely that anyone would continue to investigate our actions. Airi's sensors provided further assurance that our secrets remained secure, at least for the time being.

As we entered Estoff's office, it struck me that it had been remodeled to resemble his former Pentagram Knight Office at the Dragon Knight Academy. A glass of pint awaited him on the table, a familiar sight of his penchant for indulgence. Duke Dragunov, the aged white-haired man, sat beside him, opting for a sassy glass of purple wine.

"We've been expecting you," Estoff greeted us with a pristine smile. "How did the interrogation and the torture go?"

"No one was subjected to torture, thanks to our plan, totally!" Airi replied cheerfully. However, her expression turned grave, and she continued, "Now that the show has cleared Amphy's name, are we really going ahead with the second phase of the plan?"

Second phase? I found myself on the verge of asking for clarification when Estoff raised his hand, silencing me.

"Amphere... I hate to break it to you, but..." Estoff finished his beer, leaving behind frosty trails on the glass. "You have to consider the lunatic's offer... joining his Chevalier Unit, if they are still willing to give you a chance."

"Why?" I voiced my question, relieved to finally have an opportunity to express my thoughts in Estoff's office, where he had often interrupted me in the past.

"Apparently, Airi's life is still in jeopardy," Estoff replied, his tone serious. "If the reports about them targeting Airi are true, then you must do this to gain their trust. It seems they have an interest in harnessing the powers of the Crimson Dragonfly."

Being coerced into joining Arcadia in exchange for a scholarship at the Dragon Knights Academy had been burdensome. Being commanded to assume the role of the Black Phantom was equally taxing. However, this time it was different. I had a genuine reason to join the Chevalier Unit – to uncover their plans regarding Airi.

Why did Rudolf want to separate Airi from me? The question lingered in my mind. Could it be that they intended to exploit Airi for their own ulterior motives? I wouldn't allow that to happen. For Airi's sake, I would take every measure to thwart their plans.