SENTINEL LICHEN'S TRIAL

Two figures wrapped in pale-toned cloaks trudged through the woods, nearing the silver city. The Chastity Tower was glinting in the distance, its spire poking at the sky like a righteous finger.

As they entered the city, Cheimon was whisked from its sheath. Supplying it with spiritual energy, Wyn slashed through the air, and a cloud of frost engulfed them like a humid escort.

"I can't see anything," Marshall commented, squinting through the thick fog. Even the snow deity's figure next to him was shrouded in the snow fog.

A hand extended in front of him. "Stay close. I will lead the way."

"You can see through it?" the disciple questioned, taking the hand.

"Naturally," Wyn responded, casting an amused glance at the disciple. "It would have been a pointless skill if both the enemy and I were blinded."

"Right," Marshall chuckled at the thought. "Then it shows up only as spiritual energy to you?"

"Correct."

They reached the Chastity Tower with ease. Not a single demon hindered their journey, and there was no sight of the Stygian Overlord either. Only the mentioned presence of demonic energy lingered in the vicinity of the tower. 

Unconsciously, he mumbled under his breath, "It's too easy."

"Indeed," Wyn agreed, looking around for any clues. But everything seemed clean.

As soon as they reached the tall doors, the snow deity sheathed Cheimon and the cloud of frost vanished. He placed his palm on the doors and the calla lily engravings glowed, the seal resonating with Wyn's spiritual energy.

Entering the tower was easy as well. No one was around, which meant the trial must have been about to start.

They quietly walked up marble stairs, slipping into Decorum Hall and seamlessly blending into the crowd of officials and spectators. Not a single glance of suspicion was cast their way.

From where Marshall was standing, he could see a platform with a statue standing in the middle of it. The sculpture was looking over the hall with a virtuous expression etched in its stiff face, her stiff hands grasping balanced scales.

In front of the statue stood the Arbiter of Justice, just as stony-faced as the lady with the scales. A woman was kneeling below the eight steps that separated the platform from the rest of the hall. Long, ashy hair stretched over the ground around her.

The trial began with the upright voice of the Arbiter of Justice. "Sentinel Lichen, are you aware of the reasons for this trial?"

The woman hesitated. "I... am."

"You have misused your position to trespass into the archives, tampering with the conditions of the sacred scrolls. Two hundred and seventeen divine manuscripts have perished due to your negligence. Is that correct?" the Arbiter of Justice laid out the claims.

She bowed her head, trembling in front of the marble steps. "I-It is."

"Your past records have been overflowing with achievement, it is truly a shame..."

The sentencing faded into the background as Marshall's attention was shifted away from the platform. His gaze trailed over Decorum Hall, searching for Lord Chioni. And there he was—standing by the platform, the burly demonic official hovering behind his back.

The disciple couldn't help the faint smirk crossing his face as he prepared. He subtly tapped Wyn's arm and shot a glance at his friends across the hall, signaling that the plan was setting in action.

Marshall cautiously moved towards the Rime Herald, bringing out his own anger to summon demonic energy. Once close enough, he extended the dark power to seize control. A shiver ran down his spine as the demonic energy wrapped around Rime Herald like an invisible chain, compelling him to act.

Rime Herald's eyes glazed over, his body jerking as he turned towards the crowd. The disciple tightened his grip on the energy, forcing the demon to step forward and reveal his true nature.

Gasps and whispers spread through the hall as the demonic aura became palpable to everyone present. The Arbiter of Justice paused, staring into the crowd with a perplexed frown.

The disciple whispered a command into the energy he sent out, "Tell them who you really are."

The demonic official's eyes fixed on Marshall, his gaze sharpening. The look of pure rage bursting through the man's eyes unsettled him. Something was not right. But before he could consider withdrawing the energy, Rime Herald lashed out. In a brutal action, he struck down a nearby official, knocking him out.

"Eh?" Marshall's mouth opened as he flinched. He quickly sent out more demonic energy, trying to regain control over the situation. "Stop, stop, stop," he muttered.

The officials and guards were launching attacks, but they were knocked down one after another. One of the guard's throat was seized and he was lifted up in the air.

Officials and spectators screamed, scrambling to distance themselves from the raging demon. Marshall stood frozen, gaping at the scene in front of him as his commands were ignored. He hadn't grasped what had happened. 

After throwing the choked official away, Rime Herald turned his gaze to the disciple, stomping right at him. Sun Hayden and Lai Rylan charged at the demonic man, trying to stop him from reaching Marshall, but it was noticeable that Rime Herald was targeting someone specific.

As all eyes turned to Marshall. Outraged shouts echoed through the chaos.

"It's Shei Marshall!" fingers were pointed at him. "The fugitive!"

Shrieks filled the hall. "He brought a demon into the Chastity Tower! He came to kill us all!"

Cold sweat broke out on Marshall's back as he slipped far away from Wyn's side to leave him out of it. 

"I didn't bring the demon!" he raised his hands in surrender. "Don't you recognize him? It's Rime Herald! He's an official working under Lord Chioni!"

Lord Chioni smirked at him from the distance. Not once had he moved since the chaos broke out. And no one even glimpsed the winter deity now that Marshall's presence was exposed.

Wyn had been right—the moment Marshall's presence was exposed, no one cared about Rime Herald.

"Seize him!"