The Devil's Rescue

The room was suffocating with tension as Cedric and Seraphina stood shoulder to shoulder, united against the accusations that hung in the air like a storm about to break. The court was still abuzz from Cedric's confession, the nobles whispering among themselves, unsure of how to react. But then, just as the trial seemed to reach its peak, the large double doors at the back of the hall creaked open.

Matilda entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. Dressed in her usual dark attire, her eyes gleamed with a quiet confidence. She was not a woman to be trifled with, and her very appearance seemed to shift the dynamic in the room. She carried a bundle of scrolls under one arm and a calm, knowing expression on her face. The moment she stepped into the hall, the murmurs ceased.

Cedric looked up, his heart skipping a beat. Matilda's presence was unexpected but not unwelcome. He had known she was digging into the deeper machinations of the court, but he hadn't expected her to reveal her findings so soon.

She strode to the front, directly addressing the gathered nobles and royalty. "I believe we are missing crucial pieces of the puzzle," Matilda began, her voice smooth but loud enough to carry through the room. "And I am here to present them."

Evelyn's face paled as Matilda's words cut through the silence. Sofia, too, stiffened, her expression darkening as she realized that whatever was about to be revealed would not be in her favor.

Matilda unraveled one of the scrolls and lifted it for all to see. "This," she declared, "is proof of the manipulations carried out by none other than Lady Evelyn and Lady Sofia. They sought to orchestrate this entire trial, falsifying evidence to frame both Cedric and Queen Seraphina."

Gasps echoed through the hall as Matilda unfurled the scroll completely, revealing detailed letters and correspondences between Evelyn and Sofia, outlining their plot in shocking detail. They had conspired to manipulate court officials, falsify witnesses, and fabricate the narrative that Cedric was guilty of far more than what had actually transpired.

Evelyn's face twisted in fury as she shot to her feet. "This is absurd! These are lies!"

Matilda gave her a cold, disdainful look. "No, Evelyn. This is the truth. You sought to destroy Cedric because he was an obstacle to your ambitions. But your lies were not as clever as you thought."

She turned toward the gathered court. "Evelyn did have a relationship," Matilda continued, her voice steely. "But not with Cedric in the way she claims. She pursued him, yes, but when Cedric rejected her advances, she grew spiteful. And in her anger, she sought to manipulate events to frame him as her wrongdoer, when in truth, the only one wronged was Cedric."

Seraphina's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Cedric had never mentioned Evelyn's earlier advances, but it made sense now, the bitterness that had driven Evelyn to this point.

The court broke into heated whispers, the tide of favor shifting in an instant. Cedric could see it in their faces—doubt in Evelyn, doubt in Sofia, and a slow realization that they had been deceived.

Evelyn, red with rage, pointed a shaking finger at Matilda. "And how do you know any of this? How do you know Cedric wasn't just playing you all along?"

Matilda's lips curled into a chilling smile. "Because, unlike you, I seek the truth, not power. I uncovered everything—your lies, your manipulations. You underestimated me, just as you underestimated Cedric."

Then, Matilda paused, her gaze falling on Cedric. "But there is something else we must discuss," she said, her tone growing serious. "There is still the question of how the Devils appeared in all of this. How they fit into your plans, Evelyn."

Evelyn's eyes widened in panic, the mention of the Devils striking fear into her. "I-I had nothing to do with them!" she stammered, trying to recover her composure. "I didn't summon them!"

Matilda raised an eyebrow. "Oh, but you did. Or at least, your actions opened the door for them. I brought several witnessess here who claim that tge devils have killed thier family for Lady Evelyn And Sofia. The new rulers of Arcadia. The Devils have wreceked an havoc aroun many kingdoms inckuding your own Queen Morgonna."

Queen Morganna hesitantly got and uo said in a low voice.

"Yes."

Cedric's mind raced. The Devils—the shadowy organization that had plagued this world from the background. He had read about them in the novel, but their sudden appearance in recent events had seemed premature, out of place. Now, it made sense. The chaos surrounding the court, the King's death, the power vacuum—it had all been a breeding ground for their interference. But it was the devils, it was me and The World Organisation even after the cover uo. I continued to kill criminals of well-known and well-hidden criminals but This openly infront if their families. I made sure they know who the leader of these people are and used in The Devils in the process.

Matilda nodded to herself as if confirming her own suspicions. "The Devils have always thrived on instability. Your schemes, Evelyn, created the perfect environment for them to step in. When the King died, and the court was thrown into disarray, they saw an opportunity to seize power."

Cedric clenched his fists. He knew how dangerous the Devils were. They weren't just criminals—they were a force, deeply embedded in the highest echelons of power across the world. But now, with their ties to Evelyn revealed, the court would have no choice but to see the truth.

"And as for Sofia," Matilda added, her gaze turning icy as it landed on her, "you thought you could align yourself with Evelyn and gain power, but all you've done is align yourself with a sinking ship."

Sofia remained silent, her face unreadable, but Cedric could see the tension in her jaw, the way her eyes darted, calculating her next move.

Matilda's voice rang out once more, sealing their fate. "The truth is now clear. The real manipulators were Evelyn and Sofia. The ones who conspired against this court, against the Queen, and against Cedric, are standing before you."

Cedric let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Matilda had done it—she had exposed the lies and turned the trial on its head. But as he looked out over the court, he knew this was just the beginning. The Devils were still out there, and Evelyn's desperation would only grow more dangerous now that her schemes were crumbling.

But for now, they had won this battle.

As Matilda stepped back, Cedric turned to Seraphina, their eyes meeting. She gave him a small, knowing nod, and for the first time in days, Cedric felt a sense of hope. The game was not yet over, but they had gained the upper hand.

And with Matilda by their side, they would make sure it stayed that way.

The courtroom was still buzzing with shock and disbelief from Matilda's revelations when, without warning, a thick, unnatural fog seeped through the cracks of the grand hall's stone walls. It carried a chilling silence with it, drowning out the whispers of the gathered nobles and royalty. The temperature dropped sharply, and a heavy presence settled over the room.

Cedric's eyes narrowed. He had been expecting this.

A low, unnatural hum filled the grand court as the doors swung open once again, this time with a force that made the gathered nobles flinch. The atmosphere turned cold, heavy with an unseen presence that crept along the skin like ice. All eyes turned toward the entrance, and there, stepping into the room with a sinister grace fog.

Out of the fog, figures cloaked in darkness appeared, their silhouettes taking shape as they stepped forward, their faces hidden behind twisted, demonic masks. Their presence was suffocating, as if the very air around them thickened with dread. The Devils have arrived. As soon as they had arrived they knocked down every guards in an instant.

Clad in dark cloaks, their faces concealed by masks that seemed to shift like shadows, their mere presence silenced the whispers of the nobles and royalty. Even Queen Seraphina stiffened at their arrival, her hand instinctively gripping the edge of her throne. These were not just men or women—they were something far more dangerous, an ancient power that had lingered in the shadows of the world for generations. And now, they had come for Cedric.

The leader of the Devils, his mask adorned with intricate dark runes, stepped forward. His voice was cold, filled with an unearthly echo as it reverberated through the court. "Cedric Valen," he intoned, "you dare reveal our existence before the masses?"

He was the tallest of the devils, his mask a grotesque blend of human and beast, stepped forward. His voice echoed in the chamber, low and filled with venom. "You dare meddle in our affairs, Cedric. You have exposed us—spoken our name before the world, drawn unnecessary attention. For that, you will pay."

Cedric, standing at the center of the room, remained still. His face betrayed no fear, no hesitation. He had read about this moment, about these mysterious figure's inevitable arrival, but in the novel, it had come much later. Their wrath, their twisted sense of vengeance—he knew them well.

But this was his story now. He had rewritten it, and he was prepared.

Cedric took a slow step forward, his hand resting casually on the armrest of his chair. His eyes met the lead Devil, unflinching. "You made a mistake coming here," he said, his voice steady. "You've already lost."

The Devil sneered behind his mask. "You think you've won just because you manipulated this little court? Because you managed to play a few of your pieces right? You have no idea the forces you're dealing with."

Cedric's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, I know exactly what I'm dealing with. And now so does everyone else."

Cedric remained calm, his eyes locked onto the masked figures. He had anticipated this. The Devils thrived in the shadows, pulling the strings of the world's most powerful. By exposing their existence, Cedric had forced them into the light, something they could not afford. And now, they were here to retaliate.

The Lead Devil snarled, stepping closer, his rage barely contained. "You have no idea what you've done. Do you think we'll let you walk away after what you've revealed? You're finished."

But Cedric didn't flinch. He knew the Devils were dangerous, but he had been preparing for this moment since the day they first appeared. Without warning, he stepped forward, his movements deliberate, his eyes gleaming with a dark confidence.

"And you," Cedric said, his voice low but filled with menace, "have underestimated me."

Before anyone could react, Cedric moved. With a flick of his wrist, he activated a hidden mechanism embedded in his sleeve, releasing a small but potent vial of magic-infused poison he had acquired from Matilda. The vial shattered on the floor, releasing an invisible force that sent the Devils reeling. It wasn't lethal, but it was enough to incapacitate their powers, weakening their defenses.

The masked Devils staggered, clutching their heads as invisible chains of agony began to bind them. They dropped to their knees, gasping for breath, as if their very souls were being torn apart. But Cedric hadn't even touched them.

"What—what is this?" one of the Devils rasped, his voice strained with pain.

The leader of the Devils growled. "What have you done?"

Cedric knelt in front of them, his face a mask of cold cruelty. "You thought you could intimidate me. That you could show up here and make me fear you." He leaned closer, his voice a deadly whisper. "But you made a mistake. You revealed yourselves. And Now I am going to use you."

The leader of the Devils gritted his teeth, trembling as he tried to resist the pain. "You… can't… defeat us… We… are everywhere…"

Cedric smirked. "Maybe. But you're not untouchable." His hand shot out, grabbing the lead Devil by the throat. He barely squeezed, but the Devil's body contorted in agony, a scream tearing from his lips. It was a magic Cedric had learned from Matilda—one that allowed him to manipulate pain without inflictin it from outside but rather inside. The pain from inside left many marks on outside.

The court watched in stunned silence as Cedric, with barely any effort, tortured the Devils before them. The masked figures writhed on the floor, their bodies convulsing with waves of excruciating pain, yet there were no visible marks, no signs of violence. It was as though Cedric was bending reality itself to his will.

Cedric unmask the leader and looked at Evelyn and Lady Sofia.

"Lady Evelyn and Lady Sofia. Would you swear on Alistair's And Reinhardt's name and tell us if you know him. Unless you want you don't care about stupid lover and Brother."

Sofia raged out.

"Shut up, I don't need to hear that from you I swear on Alistair and my brother's name I know him. He is Alistair's loyal ally like my brother not like you."

Evelyn looked at the devil's leader.

"You didn't had to cause the violence, even if the case is shifting the wrong way. We still would win." Her eyes flickered to Cedric

"Now release him, Cedric. He crossed the limits but."

Cedric started to laugh as the court was confusingly watching him.

Cedric looked at Matilda

"Matilda, Can you please Tell Lady Evelyn and Lady Sofia. Who is Alistair, Reinhardt and thier precious allies are."

Matilda got up with a laughter too as she calmed down.

"The Devils."

The court fell in shock. As Matilda presented the evidence and witnesses that confirmed them and thier descriptions.

Evelyn and Sofia stand shocked in horror. Aa Sofia tried to gasp air and said.

"B-B-But he said t-t-that."

So did Evelyn

"He given us proof that he was Alistair's ally too. You can't fabricate that..." Evelyn gasped as she saw Cedric devilish smile.

As she knew fabricating evidence is no hard task. As Cedric shifted his focus to the devils.

"I could kill you all right now," Cedric said, his tone cold. "But that's not enough. I want answers."

The lead Devil gasped for breath, his voice barely a whisper. "You… you'll regret this…"

Cedric's grip tightened, and the Devil screamed again. "I don't care about your threats. You're going to tell me everything. Starting with your leader."

The Devil hesitated, but another wave of agony from Cedric's hand forced him to speak. "Lady Evelyn… and Sofia… they… they were part of the plan…"

Gasps erupted from the nobles. Even Evelyn and Sofia, who had remained frozen in shock, couldn't hide their horror. The court, already suspicious of their actions, now had confirmation from the Devils themselves.

The court erupted in shocked whispers. Queen Seraphina's eyes flashed with fury, and even Princess Selene and Adriana looked stunned by the confession.

"Evelyn and Sofia manipulated everything," Cedric said, loud enough for the entire court to hear. "They orchestrated the chaos. They worked with the Devils to destabilize the court and frame me for their crimes."

Sofia, barely able to breathe from the pain, whimpered and raged at the same time.

"He is lying. They came to us. W-We thought… we could use them. But they… they used us."

This didn't helped but instead was looking as is she just confessed her crimes.

The nobles, the queens, and even the commoners in the gallery exchanged shocked glances. The tide had turned. Cedric had not only survived the trial—he had exposed the real traitors.

Matilda stepped forward, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "It's over, Evelyn. Your lies, your manipulations—they've all come to light."

Evelyn, pale and trembling, took a step back, her eyes wide with terror. "This… this can't be happening…"

Cedric released the Devil, who collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. "Oh, it's happening," Cedric said coldly. "And now, you're going to face justice."

The leader of the Devils put back his mask again, as he growled, stepping forward in fury, but Cedric raised his hand, a pulse of energy shooting from his fingers. The Devil froze, his body trembling as Cedric's magic coursed through him.

"You think you can intimidate me?" Cedric said quietly, his voice filled with deadly promise. "I know your every move. I know your secrets. And I will bring your entire organization to its knees."

The Devil hissed in pain, his mask cracking slightly under the pressure of Cedric's power. "You cannot… defeat us. We… are eternal…"

Cedric's smile was cold, deadly. "You're not eternal. You're just scared. Scared of losing control. Scared of the truth."

With a flick of his wrist, the energy around the Devils intensified. They screamed in pain, the sound reverberating through the chamber as their bodies crumpled to the floor. But to the onlookers, it appeared as if Cedric had barely moved.

As the last of the Devils fell, writhing in pain, Cedric stood tall, his eyes gleaming with triumph. He turned back to the court, his voice steady and unshaken.

"The Devils thought they could control everything. But they underestimated me. And now, I've shown you all the truth. The real threat wasn't me. It was them."

Queen Seraphina rose from her seat, her voice ringing out with authority. "The court has heard enough. Cedric is cleared of all charges. Evelyn and Sofia will be taken into custody, and we will dismantle every trace of the Devils' influence."

The nobles murmured in agreement, their fear of the Devils overshadowed by their growing respect for Cedric.

As the guards moved to take Evelyn and Sofia away, Cedric stepped back, his gaze never leaving the broken bodies of the Devils. He had won this battle, but he knew the war was far from over.

The room was silent as the weight of Cedric's words settled in. The Devils had been defeated, their influence shattered. Evelyn and Sofia's schemes had been exposed, and their downfall was imminent.

But Cedric knew this was only the beginning. The world was a dark place, filled with shadows and secrets. And while he had won this battle, the war was far from over.