Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 696: The Trial ()

A trial was a sensitive occurrence in the stronghold. Depending on the severity of the trial, it could even require the convention of a unified council, especially if the crime to be tried directly impacted the fate of the entire stronghold and not just a single race.

This was the case in the trial of the Dwarf King for the trade of magical ability to which innocent children of many species had fallen victim.

It was also the case in the pending trial of Lord River, for failing his duties as Lord of a Light hall, and protector of the barrier which ensured the safety of the stronghold at large.

There were other trials which only affected the dragon race and was convened by the rider council, one of such was Neveah’s trial for the attempt on Lady Kaliana’s life, it had not been an affair for the unified council.

The trial of Celeste was not either one of such trials, a dark fairy who had infiltrated Dragon Keep and made an attempt on a life such as Neveah’s was already doomed for one ultimate fate...death, it was not a result to be decided on.

A unified council and the rider council were luxuries the dark fairy was not deserving of.

There was no fair hearing, there was only one result, the truth she could possibly reveal and her death which would follow.

A trial like this did not need to be delayed, or widely announced, it was swiftly executed and reported back to the rider council.

In the place of the unified council and the rider council, a different council had been convened to oversee this trial.

A council led by Lord Menarx of Ruby Scales, on this same council were respected figures like the elders of the Riders Academy,

A few Lord Dragons of the rider council and their riders were also present, making up the entirety of the small council.

There were less than a dozen people present in the courtroom, other than the dark fairy. It was meant to be a brief and decisive affair.

Lord Menarx had decided the trial of a dark fairy was a taint to Dragon Keep, the abode of the Keep Dragons and so it was to be held at the Rider’s Academy, after which the execution of the dark fairy would be decided.

The circular courtroom of the academy was adorned with banners that depicted the great and noble feats of academy riders and their dragons, along with preceding elders of the academy since its founding.

The courtroom of the rider academy was a location that was not often used. Its purpose was specifically to try academy riders who had been convicted with guilt or crimes against the dragon dynasty.

However with the intensity of the bond shared between dragons and their riders, and the depth of loyalty to their kin which was characteristic of dragons, such an occurrence was few and far between.

Lady Celeste stood in the center of the court, her delicate obsidian wings were bound together by iron shackles, engraved with mage runes meant to suppress her magic.

Her eyes surveyed the room with a mix of amusement and contempt. Her dress was somehow completely intact despite the scene and her prior capture, the dark fabric shimmering and shifting like shadows caught in the wind.

Her black hair cascaded down her back, framing her sharp yet dainty features.

The courtroom had long remained in pin drop silence as Menarx tapped the arm of his chair lightly.

His expression was cold and unreadable as he spoke.

"The shackles on your wings were especially crafted by the academy of smiths in collaboration with the academy of magic, based on my specifications. They possess distinct abilities you may find interesting..."

"I am certain you can already sense that they are capable of doing a whole lot more than binding." Menarx began.

"So when I ask the questions, you need only answer with the truth and this will not take any longer than it has to." Menarx informed.

Lady Celeste passed a glance over to the figure by Menarx’s side, his rider Adrienne who maintained silence since the trial had begun.

Her lips stretched into a smile, one that indicated a familiarity of some sorts.

"I will only speak to Lady Adrienne, alone too." Lady Celeste replied simply.

Adrienne looked to be caught off guard and she passed a cautious look to Menarx.

Menarx sensed the gaze of his rider, and he could guess what the look in her eyes was without glancing over.

’Anxiety...’

Menarx could not tell if it was because she feared he would question her loyalty at some point or if it was because her loyalty was truly questionable.

Menarx’s brows furrowed slightly, but it was only for a moment before his expression became unreadable once again.

"That will not happen." Menarx made it clear.

"If you wish to hear the answers to your question, the least you can do is make me an offer of some sorts. Say...my life in exchange for the truth?" Lady Celeste related her stance.

Menarx’s brows twitched slightly, he had not expected the dark fairy would give in that easily and as much as Menarx had many ways to break her in, Neveah had ordered the judgement to be passed on this very day.

The King’s guard shared the same opinion. The dark fairy’s identity was not fully understood and sensitive, keeping her alive would be more trouble than beneficial.

Her death would also sound a clear warning to any who might have ideas. The trial had been set to decide on her execution, Neveah had asked for nothing more than that.

It was only that Menarx had questions he wanted answers to.

Neveah was more realistic than Menarx, Menarx knew this. Even if the dark sorcerer knew something about Jian, she would die before she revealed anything.

And even if Menarx could get anything out of her using his methods, would it be worth harbouring a powerful dark fairy on Keep grounds for the duration of time his interrogation would take? At such a critical time too.

"Very well. There is nothing left to be said but to determine her fate. The king’s guard propose immediate execution by dragon fire." Menarx announced getting up to his feet.