The Trap Springs

The following day, the general left his house with precise steps and began walking toward the bank.

During the journey, there were heads turning and eyes counting every step he took, but he pretended not to notice and went ahead.

At the bank, he withdrew money worth about 150 million DRAVS. Obviously, the general didn't possess such an amount, but he asked for a loan.

Here, the general used his reputation to cover his actions and intentions, making people blind to his true motives. No one asked him why he needed such a large sum—everyone trusted his honesty.

The money was loaded onto a cart, which began its journey toward a specific destination.

Fifteen minutes later

The cart stood in front of a very luxurious building.

For now, the general's task was complete, and he withdrew to his house.

That day ended for the general, but not for Hiroshi.

He was inside that building making very important and decisive deals. The meeting lasted all day. All the parties present were happy with the agreements made by the end of the day, and the cart full of money was completely emptied.

Now there was only one night and one day left before the general's execution, but the things that needed to be done had been done.

The following day

A mailman with legs as fast as a machine arrived in front of the general's door and knocked with gentle hands.

The general opened the door.

"Mr. Wilhelm, a letter has arrived for you."

Wilhelm took the letter from the mailman's hands, who immediately disappeared afterward.

The envelope weighed like a feather. As soon as the general opened it, there was something shocking written inside—perhaps even surreal.

He sat down in the armchair. Total silence, only the sound of breathing around.

The letter read:

"Mr. Wilhelm von Falkenhorst, you have been accused of money fraud by Mr. Alistair Vassair at the Oughter tribunal. The tribunal requires your immediate presence today, at this moment. From the moment you receive this letter, you have 15 minutes available: if you do not appear within this time, the tribunal will declare Mr. Vassair the winner of the case, and you will have to pay all the damage you have caused plus court expenses."

Finally, it begins now 

The general prepared quickly and left the house.

Outside, the regional cart was already ready, waiting to take him away.

He climbed in comfortably with a peaceful expression, adjusted his collar, and ordered them to proceed.

The tribunal wasn't very far, so it took only about six minutes.

Despite being in the most royal and wealthy city of the kingdom, even there levels existed like everywhere else.

The general had been called by the T3 level tribunal—the T stood for "treasure," meaning treasure number 3. Then there was T2, which was for nobles or aristocrats, then T1, which was exclusively for royal managers and very important people. T1 was usually also called the ROYAL TRIBUNAL.

Once they arrived

The general got down from the cart and saw no one outside the tribunal. Everything was peaceful and serene. ONLY FOR NOW.

So he calmly entered the tribunal.

At the entrance, there was already a guard waiting for him.

"Good morning, Mr. Falkenhorst. How are you?"

"Good morning, dear. I'm quite well."

"Glad to hear it. Now come behind me, I'll take you inside."

With decisive steps, both began to walk.

Inside, there was the judge waiting for him, a small journalist, the judge's assistant, and the man who had accused him: Mr. Alistair Vassair, none other than Hiroshi himself.

He was dressed in an elegant brown suit, held a cane in his hand, and wore a hat on his head. He was well-groomed, clean, and perfumed.

"Mr. Wilhelm Von Falkenhorst, since you're here, you know well what has happened," said the judge, looking at the general.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Good, please take a seat, and I'll explain the reason for your immediate summons in detail."

So the general sat down.

The judge continued: "As you can see, Mr. Vassair has accused you of money fraud worth over 278 million DRAVS, as reported in this contract. This was an investment in your business to create orphanages, monasteries, and many other buildings to help people. But the conditions of this contract were that if the company didn't grow within the established deadline of three years, you would have to repay all the invested money plus 3.8% interest. And now more than six months have passed since the deadline. So, calculating everything, you have been accused of a total of 310 million DRAVS."

The general listened to everything and, with a calm smile on his face, said: "Your Honor, this accusation is false. I don't know where it came from, but Mr. Vassair is lying. I never made this association. You can see all my past actions that I've performed until now: the royal palace has the complete chronology of every member, and I am a person who has given everything to my homeland."

Saying this, the general sat down again.

"Mr. Vassair, would you like to say something?"

It was Hiroshi's moment to stand up.

"Yes, Your Honor. I wanted to say that I'm not here for nothing—I also have proof."

So Hiroshi gave a file to the judge.

The judge read it carefully.

"Mr. Wilhelm, it's clearly written here that you, exactly three years and six months ago in the city of Zyndra, took this money from Mr. Vassair."

"Your Honor, those documents are fake, and I can prove this. But I need time to go get the evidence."

"Very well, Mr. Wilhelm. I give you three days: bring us your proof with which we can declare you innocent."

Now came Wilhelm's strategic move.

"Thank you, Your Honor, but I have one condition."

"What do you want?"

"I am the general of this majestic city. Even if I'm a small general, I am still a general. Therefore, I cannot bear that someone accuses me in this way. I, who have given my life to my homeland, desire to be locked in prison, so I will have peace in my heart and tell everyone that Wilhelm Von Falkenhorst has never betrayed his homeland and never will."

"Mr. Wilhelm, do you know what you're asking for? You won't be able to do anything to defend yourself: your affairs will be managed by a public entity."

"Yes, I know, Your Honor. But this way no one will dare say I was corrupt. Besides, I have nothing to hide: all the things I've done are only for my homeland. Every citizen will say this."

The judge began to think, but was interrupted by Hiroshi: "People who are too emotional die first, Your Honor. This person is trying to manipulate all of us—he's pretending everything. Even this imprisonment is just an illusion."

"At least I have the courage to do this, unlike you who does false things!" Wilhelm retorted.

Hiroshi pretended to smile and said, looking into his eyes: "Dear Mr. Wilhelm, let me remind you that the courage you're talking about is nothing but your way to deny things as they are. And I will prove this right here in exactly three days."

Saying this, Mr. Vassair—that is, Hiroshi—stood up, stomping his foot on the ground, and while putting his hat back on, he left the tribunal.

Meanwhile, the general continued to go with the guard toward a custody cell.

They didn't put him in a real cell—they simply locked him in a hotel room, with a guard to watch over him.