Hunger of Justice

In front of us was a combination of colorful rice, fried fish (I was told it was a giant fish common in the river), and juicy fruits. I didn't know what most of those dishes were, but my stomach was rumbling for some of them.

According to Madego, it was a common custom to hold a trial while having a meal shared between prosecutors, defendants, and judges. For this case, since Dreadoxprime was the Hero with the highest rank in the city, he was in charge of administering justice.

The hooded Guild Master was sitting at the head of the rectangular table. At her right hand stood a little, bearded man who made the formal presentations:

“By the powers granted by the Court of Peace, under the blessing of Fisantemo and the Niaseris, hereby sits Dreadoxprime, Guild Master of Solid, Mage with the Ice Wizard specialization, level 100, graced by the Blood of the Wendigo, and one of the main heads of the Second Raid Army, who will impart first and final Justice.

“In the right sits Sellreed, Clerk of the Purse of Solid, Sharpshooter with the Arquebussier specialization, level 84, graced by the Blood of the Sídhe, as advisor of the Guild Master.

“Also in the right sits Chayfer, Loremaster, Priest with the Hierophant specialization, level 87, graced by the Blood of the Vrym, as advisor of the Guild Master.

“In the left sits Streager, Quartermaster, Warrior with the Cataphract specialization, level 80, graced by the Blood of the Drac, as advisor of the Guild Master.

“Also in the left sits Dabimen, Master of the Levies, Mage with the Counter Speller specialization, level 95, graced by the Blood of the Pict, as advisor of the Guild Master.

“And myself, Healytroll, senior member of Solid, Druid with no specialization, level 77, graced by the Blood of the Lika, as provisional relator of this Trial.”

Can we eat already, please? Was I transported to another world only to endure boring presentations?

Yet even in my boredom, the man called Dabimen attracted my attention. He was the closest in level to Dreadoxprime, but also the oldest one present. Maybe he was 60 or 70 years old?

The rest of the table was completed by other Solid members, the man called Renzhar among them, who, following Dreadoxprime's “advice,” wore lighter garments. Madego, Kalandra, and I sat on the right side of the table, while Artanas was tied to the seat exactly in front of the Guild Master.

“Madego, lieutenant, member of the guild Heirs of Othal, Warrior with the Esgrimidor specialization, level 60, graced by the Blood of the Sídhe, as the Hero with the highest rank to speak on behalf of Alicia, a Hero, and Kalandra, a native.

“That said, please enjoy the meal.”

With those words and the sound of a bell, my first Trial in the Land of the Four Corners began.

* * *

Madego made the full explanation: from our first encounter, my kidnapping by Artanas, to my battle and defeat of the great serpent, and later arrival at Matilda with Kalandra and the comatose women.

To be honest, I could have helped a little, but I was focused on such incredible foods. If anything, I wanted to ask for the names and origins of the delicacies.

I would end up messing everything up again. This is my way to help.

No, I haven’t forgotten Artanas. Simply put, I was starving.

Renzhar was the first one to talk after Madego. He was definitely better without the heavy armor.

“With all due respect, lieutenant,” he needed to be polite in front of his superiors, “anything you have said makes sense. We have been tracking the Priest for a while now, but do you seriously expect our GM to believe a noob like her defeated a monster in the jungle?”

“And that’s in the event we believe there’s a big mob out there? If such a description is true, our parties wouldn’t miss it. Hell, how many guilds and independent raids do you think are involved in this?” The man called Streager intervened with a potent voice that competed with that of his subordinate.

This time, Madego did not allow herself to be intimidated. An argument started between the three while Dreadoxprime was calmly eating his fried fish.

“Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves. No, don’t hide it. Let’s be frank, we don’t like people from the Heirs of Othal.” The old man called Dabimen responded to the men of his guild, who seemed to respect the geezer.

“Master Dabimen, please…” Healytroll was nervous for the first time.

“Let the man talk.”

Everyone turned around to the main seat. Dreadoxprime had spoken, and everyone would obey. Nonetheless, he continued enjoying dinner, this time with the green rice.

“Two people claimed to have been kidnapped by the Priest, that’s a fact. As Renzhar boy can confirm, this woman was reported for fishy activity, which matches these women's claims.”

Finally, someone who knows what he’s doing.

“Sadly, the Priest here is in a terrible state. I've seen that before: some old casters get traumatized after losing a precious scepter. It’s an aftereffect of being overdependent on a magical item. Yet, for someone so young…”

No, I won’t feel bad for that bitch. I would eat the entire stick right now.

“On the other hand, as it was stated during this dinner, we can’t prove the claim of such sacrifices and monsters going around the jungle.

“However, we can’t overlook the possibility of a Boss escaping a dungeon. Among the presents, I’m the only one who has been raised in Four Corners. Even more, I was raised in Laurelwood.”

The old man smiled to himself. I noticed that everyone from Solid held him in high regard.

“Laurelwood is the biggest region in extension of the Four Corners, and many of you know that myths and legends are still to be discovered. The Red Army can be involved, too. We don’t know how much they have deformed this country.”

He was in total control over the mood. Now everyone was serious, attentive to every word.

“First things first, we must confirm the blood of both girls, the noob and the native. The noob here has lost her Black Pass, but maybe there’s a reason for her vision that could be explained by an undiscovered Blood Boon.”

“I’m not a liar. I know what I saw. Some people out here are kidnapping women to sacrifice as food for a big, ugly worm. And I left him one-eyed. That is a fact.”

Oh man, I have done it again. When did I become so short-tempered?

Everyone was dumbfounded. Maybe they couldn’t believe some random girl could stand up and oppose their adored Dabimen and his sweet words.

But I’m not a liar.

The man simply smiled and prevented the presents from getting upset again.

“My dear, nobody is calling you a liar. In any case, we only need a small amount of blood from both of you. This is standard procedure for everyone, even for us, the leaders of this Guild.”

Madego confirmed with her eyes that what he said was true.

I couldn’t say anything, and Kalandra would follow whatever I did. He won this one.

Tooko appeared from behind and pricked Kalandra and me with a small needle.

“It doesn't hurt if it's a surprise.” She winked at us.

Don’t talk to me about surprises.

“Now, now. We just have to wait a few minutes while the Blood test is prepared. I don’t know about you, but this food reminds me of childhood.”

The atmosphere relaxed once again. Even Renzhar looked cheerful. Only Dreadoxprime kept his cool attitude.

But when I thought about just resuming my dinner by waiting for the test, I saw it.

Across the window, I could see it.

Yes, it was for sure.

The white rabbit, with its tiny clothes. And it was looking directly at me.

I stood there frozen for a few seconds.

Until I noticed something different about the white rabbit. He was…worried.

He is alerting me. My heart is telling me it, too. Danger is close.

Before Madego could react to my scared face, a woman clad in armor entered, running through the door.

“Master! The Red Army captives have escaped and taken control of the Plaza. And we are under attack from the border, not by persons but by monsters, and an army of monsters! We are under attack from both the inside and the outside!”

Dreadoxprime slowly stood up. He hadn't finished his meal. All eyes were on him.

“Healytroll, you are in charge of packing all the food. Nothing should be wasted.”

He pulled a dagger from under his tunic and threw it in front of my seat.

“I don’t care about your level, your Blood Boon, or even your crimes; prove yourselves useful and get some experience.”

I took the dagger and prepared for the worst.