Having shown the slave collar to the courtroom, Eichelbaum had made it plain for everyone to see where he was taking the trial.
In another flagrant abuse of the Edicts of Justice, Leonard was never called to the stand to defend himself. He didn’t protest, as he knew it would simply play into the farce.
At one point, after Leonard gestured to his lawyer to answer an accusation, the judge gave something resembling an answer as to why. “The accused will refrain from influencing the works. As you are not a citizen of the Kingdom of Haylich, even just receiving a trial is done out of courtesy and appreciation for your previous efforts. That privilege can be taken away very quickly if you try my patience again.”
That was the last time Leonard was directly addressed. Inexorably, the trial reached its end. Eichelbaum seemed somewhat disappointed he hadn’t been allowed to punish anyone, but there was also a dark satisfaction there.
He seems to think everything will go as he wants. Is he just that stupid, or is there another surprise waiting? The paladins are no concern, and the collar would be useless on me. My connection to the Light is not something that such a flimsy artifact can remove. I suppose it’s just that he has incorrect information. The Royal Court believes me to be just a more powerful paladin, so it would make sense for them to treat me as such.
The bang of the gravel brought Leonard back to reality. Judge Eichelbaum stood, his expression betraying a grotesque amusement as he prepared to deliver the final verdict.
“Having examined the evidence presented before this court," He began, his voice ringing out with cold, merciless clarity, "and in light of the accused's inability to provide a substantial defense, it is the judgment of this court that Leonard Weiss is guilty of the murder of Belinda Tholum.”
Silence filled the court as everyone craned their heads to see how he’d react.
Outside, the noise of protests had swelled to a crescendo, the voices of the people breaking through the courtroom's silencing enchantments in a defiant roar against the sham of justice unfolding within. Leonard stood stoically, his face a mask of resolve. He wouldn’t give them any satisfaction.
"Given the severity of the crime and the danger the accused poses to the kingdom," Eichelbaum continued, his voice laced with a venomous glee, "I hereby sentence Leonard Weiss to a lifetime of slavery, to be enforced with the use of this high-level collar." He gestured to the paladins, who stepped forward, the artifact in hand. Its dark surface seemed to absorb the light around it.
Despite having known the outcome since the collar was revealed, the spectators still exploded in shocked exclamations. Even those who had come to revel in Leonard’s downfall hadn’t expected such a harsh sentence for a man revered as the Hero by so many.
Vicar Damien looked at the proceedings darkly, and if Leonard knew him at all, he was already plotting a way to bring retribution to all those involved.
Gerard was expressionless, but the clenching and unclenching of his hands showed his emotions.
Amelia’s absence was felt keenly. She would have likely found a way to arrest the proceedings had she been present. But Leonard was well aware that his oldest friend in Haylich had written off the entire affair and decided to focus on preparing for what came next. She trusted him to handle himself.
As the paladins advanced, the collar in hand, a palpable tension filled the air. All eyes were on Leonard, watching for his reaction, wondering if this would be the moment he would break, unleash his fury, or somehow escape the fate that awaited him. Leonard's gaze, however, remained fixed on the first paladin, a silent challenge in his eyes.
The man seemed indifferent to the whole affair through his shiny mithril helm. He had to have completed the entire cursus honorum to reach such a position. From humble squire to knight, he was named Paladin after demonstrating sufficient ability with Holy Magic and talent on the battlefield. Leonard could feel his mana churning in preparation. He was an Expert, having received his third blessing.
It wasn’t a position one could reach simply because of privilege. Leonard had worked with many during the Incursion and found the majority to be well-learned men and women devoted to their cause of spreading the Light and enforcing the law. However, whether their understanding of the divine was correct, or the law was just, was not their concern.
The most common stereotype of those who wielded Holy Magic was that they were stuck in their ways. Holy Magic might have been a lesser use of the Light, but it was what was available to the vast majority. It required just a strong will and faith. Some study to channel mana was required, of course, but most Temples provided that to anyone who demonstrated talent for free. It had, however, the side effect of producing some very stubborn people.
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The paladins finally reached Leonard. The two shorter ones fanned out around him in a textbook maneuver to prevent any attempt to break out. The taller one reached out with the collar, opening its latch and moving to close it around his neck. Leonard remained motionless, his expression serene until the very last second.
The moment the collar made contact with Leonard's skin, it disintegrated in a blinding flash of light, overwhelmed before it could even activate.
image [https://i.postimg.cc/SNdBSTpF/persimmon0-Gigantic-pillar-of-light-extending-to-the-heavens-fr-da830869-c07a-44c5-bb96-3118be71f13f.png]
A column of pure Light erupted from Leonard, sending the three paladins flying back, breaking through the roof and reaching the sky. It filled the courtroom with its radiance. The intensity was overwhelming, driving everyone to shield their eyes and turning the orderly proceedings into chaos.
A low hum rumbled through the town of Alpar, silencing everyone, from the protesters outside the courtroom to the slaves toiling in the fields. From the merchants hawking their wares to the shady dealers in the slums. They all stopped as one to look at the glorious sight.
The pillar of light was the greatest example of divinity any of them had ever witnessed. Nothing could compare.
A beautiful woman stopped her preparations, a genuine smile blossoming on her lips as she beheld the Light. It was enough to drive a painter to madness in an attempt to recreate it.
Only rarely did the Holy Light manifest itself directly. It was usually a moment of great rejoicing for any community this happened to, as it meant one of their own had been blessed. They would significantly advance in their craft and know they had the approval of the heavens.
But those occurrences were limited to a soft glow that lasted a few seconds. It was perceptible by almost everyone, as the Light didn’t hide, but even the most extreme cases were not a fraction of what they were witnessing.
For a whole minute, the Holy Light descended from the heavens. Alpar, the Darkwood surrounding it, and the southern sea stopped to bow to it.
When it finally disappeared, everyone was left with a powerful feeling of righteousness. Whatever had happened to incite such a miracle, it had the wholehearted approval of the heavens. A procession began then, as everyone started walking towards the origin of the miracle.
Inside the courtroom, the scene was almost unrecognizable. The three paladins were bent down, their heads almost smashed against the floor. They were reciting prayers furiously, thanking the Light for showing them the way.
The spectators were barely starting to recover. They groaned, holding each other steady as they tried to process what they had witnessed. Vicar Damien had jumped over the railing and was on his knees, tears of happiness streaming down his cheeks. His smile was one of pure elation.
Judge Eichelbaum had hidden himself behind his chair and was weeping softly.
The 105th's soldiers, made of sterner stuff than the average man, had managed to retain their coherence. They still seemed entirely unsure as to what to do, looking at their Captain for direction. Gerard was too busy looking at the man who started it all to care.
Leonard finally moved. He ignored his foaming lawyer and the rapturous paladins and walked forward. His steps were assured and inevitable. He reached the raised bench and waited until Eichelbaum stopped crying.
“It would seem that not everyone agrees with you,” Leonard said.
His simple words were enough for the judge to focus. The man took a deep breath, steadying himself on his fallen chair as he stood up. Even from his raised position, he needed to look up at Leonard, a fact that seemed to give him no pleasure. “I don’t know what devilry you employed to fake the Light, Weiss, but it doesn’t change anything. You are a criminal in the whole kingdom, and that’s final.”
Leonard’s face finally showed emotion. A half smile graced his fine features as his eyes bore into the little man before him, “Nothing can shake a self-righteous man from their path. Not even the truth,” He said, repeating one of the more common sayings shared among the Temples, “It seems that you are simply incapable of understanding. Very well, I will employ different methods.”
Just as Leonard raised his right hand to reach for the judge, another grabbed his arm. Unsurprised, he looked at Gerard, who had been the one to stop him, “You would defend him even after all he has said and done?”
The Captain of the 105th evidently struggled with himself before answering, “My personal opinion on him does not influence that he’s still a judge in the rightful employment of his Majesty’s government. I cannot allow harm to befall upon him.” Gerard wore a conflicted expression. He was a just man, and being forced to defend a creature as foul as Eichelbaum from a friend didn’t sit well with him, but he still adhered to his duty.
Looking into his eyes, Leonard knew that he could push him. He could force the situation and make Gerard back down. But rather than doing that, he acquiesced with a smile, “The time when you’ll need to make a choice is coming soon, my friend. Lines are being redrawn, and things will change quickly. I will not begrudge your decision, but you must make one.”
With that, Leonard turned away. He was quickly joined by Damien, who walked a step behind him and left the courtroom without a second look for its occupants, who were still reeling from what had happened.
They walked through the courthouse’s corridors without talking, their steps echoing in the silent hallways. Leonard was unsurprised that Damien didn’t question him. Despite being full of curiosity, the man knew when to keep his silence.
The shouts and protestations from the outside had transformed into something much different. An anticipatory rumble filtered through the open window. The crowd had significantly swelled, and more people could be seen approaching.
“It seems like everyone is coming.” Damien finally broke the silence.
“I would be more surprised if they didn’t. I doubt any of them have ever seen anything like that.” Leonard answered, amused, as they finally reached the entrance.
“I doubt anyone in the kingdom has ever seen anything like that,” Damien muttered before straightening his shoulders in preparation to meet the people.
Leonard gave him a brief smile and turned towards the exit. His steps were steady and assured, his golden hair perfectly placed even after his stay in prison. His green eyes intensely directed ahead.
When he finally stepped outside, standing above the stairs that led into the courthouse, the people immediately noticed him. They stopped whatever they were doing, and a profound quiet settled over the plaza.
Leonard scanned the area and was pleased to see many familiar faces. From his squire Oliver to Margaret and many others, everyone had come to offer him their support.
Triumphantly, he lifted his right fist.
The crowd exploded in cheers.