Passed the interview. Hooray~ Also, hope you guys like the cover picture. Bonus points if you can find out where it's from.
Third Person
"What do you have to say for yourselves, HUH!? I should have you hung for what you did to the poor girl!" Yells the judge, intimidating both the kidnappers. After their capture a few days earlier, the kidnappers were brought to prison and confined until their trial. They were found to be Billy and Danny Satcher, run-of-the-mill smallI time adventurers who have made no name for themselves. Billy was the younger brother and a muscle head whilst the older brother, Danny, acted as the brains to their team. Curious as to how violators of the law were punished, I asked Sandra how this Country's justice system worked, to which she promptly gave me a short explanation believing that I thought was different to the way Demons resolved crime. She explained that criminals were brought before a judge with evidence; the judge will then decide whether they were innocent and the punishment they incur if they weren't; this could range from fines to Guild Service to death.
We are sitting in the courthouse, which is a small hall with a large podium on one end that faces two smaller podiums and rows of benches. Sitting behind the large podium was the judge, facing Emma and the kidnappers behind separate podiums; Sandra, Melissa and I sat on one of the benches.The kidnappers tremble before the overwhelming man bearing down on them from his pedestal. The judge looked to be in his 60s but despite his age, is heavily muscular and bulky; an intimidating individual. There is nothing but heavy breaths and guttural stutters as the two kidnappers try to form words to speak, sweat dripping from the pores of their skin. A small female voice speaks up in the room causing the two brothers to jolt and turn to the speaker. "May I speak?" Emma says to the judge from below his podium, looking up with her soft, round eyes. The judge turns to her and his angry visage seems to melt away leaving a kind, though very muscular, grandfather image.
"Of course you can dear." -Judge
"Thank you. I know that what Billy and Danny did were wrong and they should be punished and taught a lesson." -Emma
"Indeed." -Judge
"However, I think they deserve a second chance." -Emma
The judge cocks an eyebrow at what Emma says and continues to look at her waiting for an explanation. Desilla however, slams her hands on the bench and yells at Emma.
"What are you saying Emma!? They kidnapped you! Why would you defend them after what they put you through an-an-and "tortured" you!?" -Desi
"Torture? I didn't read about this in the report..." -Judge
"Torture is a relative term in this case sir. As the victim, I can tell you it isn't aww extreme as it may sound and that it's better off ignored." -Emma
"Very well then..." -Judge
"Anyways, Desi, I know they kidnapped me and that they should be punished but I also know they aren't bad people. When I was scared on the first night and didn't want to eat, they bought me a very pretty dress to cheer me up. When I didn't want to eat the food they bought, they went out and bought me better food too. They always did what I asked as long as I didn't take it too far. Even after the trouble I put them through, they didn't harm me at all. Kind of." -Emma
"Really..." -Desi
"Yes. I know they aren't the best people, but everyone makes mistakes. I think if they were given a chance, they will become great adventurers that will work to better improve our kingdom." -Emma
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"Miss Emma..." -Kidnappers
The two kidnappers tear up as they listen to what Emma has to say about their time together. The judge seems sceptical as he watches the events unfold. Turning back to Emma, he asks her whether she is truly sure about the kidnappers and if she truly believed in their potential to become upstanding citizens; to which she nodded vehemently.
"Very well then. Danny and Billy Satcher, in accordance to Miss Gressel's wishes, you will receive a lenient punishment for your crimes this time. You will work for the Adventurer's Guild for the next 6 months, receiving a very minimum wage instead of rewards for your quests." -Judge
"Thank you. Thank you so much" -Kidnappers
"However! If you two are caught so much as leering a girl, I'll make sure to personally assign the worst punishment for you two."
The judge looks sinisterly at the two brothers before dismissing them from the courthouse. A group of knights gather the two, who willingly proceed to the Adventurers guild; not before stopping by Emma for an exchange of words.
"Thank you Miss Emma." -Danny
"Thank you little miss." -Billy
"It's alright. Thanks for taking care of me, even as a kidnapper. I hope you two can have a bright future as law abiding adventurers." -Emma
Billy's and Danny's faces are painted a scarlet red as they see the sincere and caring smile that Emma gives them.
"W-we didn't do it for you. We just... uhhh" -Billy
"We just wanted to make sure we got the money." -Danny
"Yea!" -Billy
"Whatever you say." -Emma
The knights nudge the kidnappers forward, ushering them to keep moving; Emma smiles kindly at the two as they leave the courthouse in chains. Since all formal procedures were done, I decided to invite the Gressel family to a restaurant in celebration for ending this odd chapter in their lives. Despite their appearances, Emma and Desi are voracious eater who appear to endlessly devour their food; at least Emma displays some table manners compared to her sister's barbaric actions. I enjoy the rowdy atmosphere of the sisters, how it greatly contrasts the formal meals I've had; whether in the God's Realm or the Palace.
Parting ways with the Gressel family, Sandra and I made our way back to the Palace; the sun has set over the horizon and the streets were alight with magical street lamps. The origin of Mana is the Soul Sphere that lies at the core of the earth and the streams that flow to it; a creation I made as a convenient method to collect souls. The dense streams of souls imbued mystical energy into the atmosphere which were absorbed into the living things of the planet. I never thought of the impact it would have on the people that inhabited these worlds and I never would of known the extent to which they could adapt to this newfound source of energy. I'm amazed in the way the usage of Mana has evolved since the creation of the Soul Spheres.
Entering the Palace, I part ways with Sandra in the foyer and shuffle my way to my room. Feeling the genuine fatigue in my body, I fall into my bed; eyes staring at the ceiling before I hear a knock on my door. Contemplating whether I should simply ignore the knock or not, I decided it'd be best to answer the door. I open the white wooden door to Christina. She is wearing a silky purple nightgown that flows from her shoulders in an extremely alluring manner. She looks up at me with her red demon eyes before speaking.
"I want you..." -Christina