“I understand that tumultuous times lie ahead, and that many of you will likely think me a traitor, thanks to my affiliation. But I write to you now with a plea, that is to remain neutral. To abstain from the battles ahead. This is not because I wish to dismantle Traxia, as the rumors might have you believe. Nor am I here to advocate the superiority of others or any such nonsense. No, I genuinely believe that while the path to peace will be difficult, given the dark days ahead, it will be worth it. That is what I’m fighting for. For the friends we’ve made here and elsewhere, the people we’ve come to know and study with. Those moments, those experiences. That is what I fight for. That is what I believe can make our nation even stronger at the end of it.”


    - Princess Lucinia Trax, Academy of Arteria, “Letter to Traxian Students.”


    <hr><hr>


    Hanabi readied herself, sensing the brewing storm that was coming. She shifted ever so slightly so that it would be more convenient to immediately jump into battle. Should something happen the armoured warrior to the left was her first priority target. He was large and imposing enough to be menacing, but it also meant she could clearly visualize how to make her fist meet the gap between his helmet and neck.


    The moment Sophie stepped up to the podium, Hanabi saw a few of the city officials off to the side suddenly stiffen up. Looking back at the relaxed demeanor of the speaker, she suspected that he hadn’t been there when Sophie had been convicted and pulled the stunt at the Chamber that Mila had told her about. Poor guy. Watching the officials suddenly start whispering to each other in a panic however, did bring her a small, perverse amount of joy at the sight.


    “A thanks we offer to the brave heroes of Arteria. And a thanks to…” The speaker looked for Sophie to speak.


    “Sophie Kastiane.”


    “A thanks to Sophie Kastiane, a heroine of Arteria and…” He faltered, his mind catching up with his words, reports from the other officials likely lazily dismissed but now very much relevant, “champion against the darkness.” He managed to continue.


    Sophie stared him down, the man realizing that he had unintendedly dug himself into a mess of a situation.


    Even when Hanabi glanced towards the crowd around them, she could tell that the name of the ‘Kastiane’s’ had some level of infamy amongst the people. More than a few now joining the other city officials in trading hushed whispers and speculation amongst themselves. One whisper turned to two, which multiplied to four and began spreading from there.


    “We thank the adventurers who patrol our borders and keep us safe. It… it is through their efforts and sacrifice that we survive. For that, we thank them.” He carried on.


    The speaker quickly began clapping his hands in an attempt to inspire others to do the same and shoo Sophie off the stage. The other officials quickly followed suit alongside a few more clueless citizens. But a large majority were hesitant, those who were perhaps aware of the scandal that had overtaken the city in the past month thanks to Sophie and Elaria’s efforts.


    Sophie looked unsure. Her face spoke of a determination that couldn’t be shaken, but her body seemed ready to bolt, to follow instructions and carry on as she always did.


    Hanabi turned to Mila, the inquisitor gritting her teeth but refraining from acting. A traded glance told Hanabi what she needed to know. This is Sophie’s fight. We’re involved, but she’s the one who needs to take point on this.


    Hanabi balled her hands into fists. A part of her actively cheering on Sophie. C’mon, this is your chance to be heard. Now or never.


    But Sophie remained petrified, barely moving as she awkwardly bobbed her head alongside the speaker’s words.


    Hanabi felt her stomach twist in a knot as Sophie’s resolve grappled with her sensibilities. The struggle was clear to see in her eyes. She looked over to try and convey her support, but Sophie was too absorbed in the moment to notice.


    “And why not some inspiring words from you then.” Arnold’s voice boomed from across the stage, “She’s the one who put two of the demons out of commission herself. Throwing herself into danger without a care in the world. I can attest to that. Watch her tear her way out of one from the inside.”


    Arnold finished with a smug yet somehow innocent seeming grin on his face. His words made the speaker go pale as the citizenry now had their eyes trained back on Sophie. Whether or not they thought she would speak or not, they now looked at her expectantly. At someone who rose up to the occasion and fought for their safety.


    “She is a criminal!” One of the officials cried out from the sidelines, his voice cutting through the silence on stage left in Arnold’s wake.


    What claps there were stopped, the clinking of armor and boots as people turned to the voice. An official dressed with the insignia of one of the trading company’s stood tall, red in the face. House Mikantos, I think or is that Visprays? Never did pay enough attention in class.


    His words were true, in a sense. Sophie had been publicly sentenced to salvation through service for six months. To work as an adventurer solving the city’s problem, part of why Mila and herself were here as well. And yet, despite it being publicly known, judging by the citizenry’s reactions, his words had landed upon a touchy subject.


    Sophie almost let out a small growl, prompting one of the guards to slightly lean into battle positioning. Which then made Mila get ready to pounce.


    “That’s right.” Sophie admitted, “I am sentence to six months of service for crimes against the city.”


    The official did not seem pleased. Likely having just realized that he had given her all the incentive to speak and everyone’s attention all at once. Before he could protest, Sophie continued.


    “I was sentenced because I led an assault which saved over two hundred victims of assault and enslavement from the Braveskull Company. I was sentence because I decided that they needed help instead of being left to wither, die, and be used as breeding cattle.”


    Her sharp words made more than one person flinch. Sophie’s rage had surfaced and her meekness vanished in the face of it. Her posture stood taller as she walked directly up to the podium. The speaker had lost control and he wasn’t willing to insert himself into this situation quite yet.


    “I fought and bled for the people. For those in Carrador who fell to the undead. To Melisgrad where I fought monsters in the capital and ended the crisis there. Here, in Arteria. Where I fought to save those in the Braveskull kolonia. Where my sister was also assaulted by them. And now, where I quelled a demonic threat when it would’ve been so easy to just leave the city and let the church deal with them. So yeah, I was sentenced, and I plan to serve it in full. But if you want to besmirch my name, my family’s name. Then let that be the proof you need of my deeds.”


    Sophie’s voice was cold but clear, only the tiniest sliver of self control holding herself back from outright anger.


    “Now, now. I have no doubts that your deeds alone could absolve you of any sin a thousand times over. But we do have laws here, and we do have rules in order for the fair treatment of all. In order to ensure an accurate, successful, dispensing of justice.” The speaker tried to salvage the situation.


    Hanabi saw how Arnold chuckled to himself, the speaker had wandered into a trap of his own making. Much like the other official.


    “Justice… right…” Sophie pretended to falter as she clicked her tongue.


    The official looked relieved whilst the speaker just seemed a little less stressed. But the rope had already been pulled. There was no going back. Not if the fire in Sophie’s eye didn’t falter.


    “Justice! Like how the Braveskull Company is being invited back to the city? Back because a singular group of Traxian raiders crossed the border once or two?” Sophie paused for effect, her fiery fervor having drawn the crowd in, be it through temperament or the message she was trying to send, Hanabi did not know. Only that the city officials were less than pleased with this development.


    “Justice! Like how you sequestered all the victims of the Braveskull’s away in the arena. A place that was understaffed when disaster struck. Justice, when I had to put a girl I befriended down. She had been impregnated by an orc, forcefully. She was recovering, tired, but strong. A person with a future that still shone brightly. And now, she lays dead, absorbed by a demon. A demon summoned by some fool of a person somewhere in this city? What about his house? Whoever it might be. Will there be justice as they are decimated? Will there be compensation for the victims? Will their story be known? Is me speaking right now the only way that people would realize their loved ones have died. Is there justice in the fact that the mana bomb in the port exploded in the Braveskull company headquarters?”


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Sophie panted, her eyes now fully enraged. The sweat pouring from her brow as she glared at the speaker. The man looking calm if a little more shaken than he had expected to be.


    “It merely means that the company is also a victim of crime. They have already been punished by the state. Their properties confiscated and their funds seized to be distributed accordingly. Whatever your vision of mob justice is, know that Arteria functions with laws. With rules.” The official who had accused her shot back.


    “Right. Punished. So why was the bomb that detonated found in the basement? The basement which should''ve been locked as a reminder of their crimes. Conveniently wiping out any evidence of their wrongdoing. Could it be? Paving the way for their unjust return? So that we would have nothing to point to when they do come back?”


    “Those are pointed accusations you are making, lass.” The official growled, “These are accusations to be proven in a court of law. Not something to defame people over in the middle of a ceremony to honor the heroism of our people in the face of coming danger. Get her off the stage.”


    Two normal bluecloaks that were with the official moved towards Sophie.


    Mila looked at Hanabi and nodded. It was their turn to act. The two moved to intercept the two guards, getting in front of them much to their horror.


    Hanabi simply held her palm ahead of her, signaling for the guard to stop. The man scowled but did not advance, at least not without permission of the officials present.


    Sophie whispered a soft, “thank you.”


    “What is the meaning of this?”


    “She deserves the right to speak. She helped save the city after all.” Mila answered him.


    “Are you her party members in the guild? This is preposterous. Get them off the stage!” The official roared.


    As the citizens began booing him for the perceived injustice. The guards advance on the two.


    “Sorry.” Hanabi told her opponent.


    The guard sadistically grinned.


    She pulled her fist back and braced her legs. He took a step forward. She punched.


    A normal person might’ve bruised their hand on the armor. Been sent reeling or even be counterattacked. But she had been granted blessings by the Gods. To have been a former saintess. And her strength, as she had embraced over the past adventures. Was far above average.


    The guard’s eyes widened as he was sent flying for a few feet. The crumpling of armor and crash that came as he slammed into the cobbles of the square, nearly knocking another guard off his feet. He was alive, she assumed. She hadn’t put that much energy into the attack. But she still felt the rush, the excitement the moment her knuckles pressed against the armor.


    There was a silence as everyone tried to process what happened. As both citizens and guards alike froze, their minds momentarily overwhelmed as they watched a relatively small lady send the armored soldier flying. Meanwhile, Mila and her opponent both just stood in front of each other, scowling.


    “Sorry. Sophie deserves to talk and I’m a former saintess. Left the church cause it was too stuffy. Ain’t no way you’re making it past me.” Hanabi tried to sound as cocky as she could.


    She cracked her neck and pretended to stretch, winding up her fist some more.


    Hearing no real responses, she glanced at Sophie and held up a thumbs up, “Keep going.”


    “You assaulted a guard!” The official gawked.


    “The darkness that had clouded the people in the arena. Their last moments as they suffered. That was all because none of you had the wherewithal to properly care for them. You hid them in their own hells and now they paid for it. So I do want justice. I want justice for them. I want them to be honored, to see that those who had hurt them aren''t going to escape justice.” Sophie spoke once more, ignoring the official.


    “And they won’t.” The speaker talked before the official could retort, “It is true that the Braveskulls are being brought back. They have enough soldiers to help augment us in the face of a Traxian invasion, a very real possibility now that the Abenstatdians are sieged out.”


    “And you would invite them back. After everything they’ve done?” Sophie exclaimed.


    “Yes. Under intense scrutiny and guard. They are coming back. There is no reasonable way we can acquire the manpower to counter any true Traxian legion without them. At least no reasonable way we can do it anytime soon without taking the time to muster a larger mercenary host. For the safety of all Arteria, and all, Arterians. That is the only way forward.”


    Hanabi saw the frown making its way across Sophie’s face. The speaker’s words were reasonable, despite being distasteful even for her. To excuse the crimes that they’ve done given how heinous they had been seemed wrong.


    As the two sides seemed to lose their fervor, the spirit of rationality returned for but a moment. Sophie nodded to herself and sighed deeply. Hanabi cast a curious gaze at her and she shook her head. She had made her point, she had played her part.


    “Fine. I can accept that.” Sophie hissed.


    Her words provoked a flurry of whispers and debate amongst both the citizens and some of the officials. Though the one who had initially accused her still seemed to be fuming.


    “Good. I understand your concerns, truly. I did not let this decision be made lightly. They will be under close watch and closer monitoring.”


    “Then let me say this. So that you and all of Arteria can hear me.” Sophie spoke once more, “I, Sophie Kastiane. Vow here and now, with every fiber of my being under the Goddess’s benevolent light and the darkness in the stars beyond. I vow that should I hear of even a single instance of one of the Braveskulls hurting someone. I. Will. Kill. Them. All.” Sophie stared unblinkingly at the speaker and the crowd.


    A chill descended upon the square, a quietness that hinted at the firmness of the resolve. At the unshakeable demeanor in which her vow had been delivered. Even Hanabi felt slightly uncomfortable. It was almost as if it was more than Sophie who was just speaking, that there was something else within her that made this vow.


    Whatever the case, Sophie seemed to have finally reached the end of her speech. The girl turning away without being prompted, only to pause halfway.


    “I thank you for the honors. But I am no hero to the people of Arteria. I am just me. And that will be your reminder of me. Of the vow I’ve made. And should any of you get in the way. I’ll end you too. For those that have fallen, and the lives that have been disgraced because of your choices.”


    Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they watched her leave. The two heavily armored guards had their hands on their weapons every second that she had been in view. Yet, of all the people, it was Arnold who once again broke the silence.


    “If I might add, wise counsel and Sophie. I understand everyone’s frustrations and the hypocrisy it would seem should she accept any honors from you in this circumstance, but also the disregard of tradition in her ignoring of the honors being bestowed upon her. I recall that she was sentenced to service to the guild. If it helps, perhaps a pardon might be a suitably agreeable for both sides reward for her efforts?”


    The speaker seemed to give this some thought. Pensively rubbing his beard when he finally nodded and turned to face Sophie’s back.


    “If it’s any consolation. I applaud you for the service you have done for this city. And I thank you for the risks you’ve taken to help the commonfolk. While I cannot condone the violent threat your vow is, I will at least offer you this. You said you were sentenced to service? Consider yourself pardoned.” The speaker added.


    “Primus, you cannot surely-” The official let out an indignant squawk,


    “I have considered my options very well. I understand her frustrations. But I also want to ensure that the path to reintegration with the Braveskulls goes smoothly. I fear tension will run far too high with both operating within the city. This will also allow her to operate beyond our boundaries and conduct her own investigations. It would also mean that should our contract be found… wanting. Any action she takes would not be associated with the city.”


    With the ceremony disrupted and now in chaos as civilians gossiped amongst themselves. Arnold especially, looked too pleased with the outcome. I see. So he was after her pardon the whole time. I assume it’s for their planned visit to Gratia, hmm? The rest of the procession seemed lost.


    Hanabi nearly punched out of reflex as she jumped from Mila’s hand suddenly clasping her shoulders. Our turn to go I guess.


    “My name is Lyudmila, that’s all you need to know. I work alongside Sophie as part of her adventuring team. I will not apologize for her actions for I agree with her sentiment. Thus I humbly decline the honors offered and simply pray to the Goddess for the salvation of your souls and that of the fallen this dark day, thank you.” Mila announced herself.


    The mood in the square took another sharp dive thanks to her. The incensed official looked even more upset.


    Eyes however, had gradually started to descend upon the last and so far more actively violent member of the party. Even the guards seemed a bit wary of her given that she had already punched one and brought him to the ground.


    Seeing as it was her turn to speak, Hanabi awkwardly bumbled her way to the podium. None of the guards even bothered to try and stop her.


    “I’m their comrade and friend. Uhmm, all I’ll say is this. If it gets to the point where she has to kill. I’ll do it with her. For all the horrid shit that they put people through. The Church preaches forgiveness, but I don’t know if they deserve any.” Hanabi finished, but felt weird ending it there, “I didn’t pay too much attention so I don’t know if you were handing out medals or something. But if they didn’t want one, I don''t want one either. Better melt it into a memorial, or something.”


    Despite the blathering of words that left her mouth. She found some strange reactions from some of the soldiers who she had fought beside. Little looks of introspection as they considered the day’s events.


    Now too self conscious to await for a reply, Hanabi turned on her heel and started walking away. The whispers of the ex-saintess now floating in the air a little louder than before.


    Once she felt that the people around her weren’t paying that much attention to her. She let out a sigh of relief. God, what a mess that was. Now where did the other two run off to?