Everyone's choices

Chapter 37

“Hisora Syl Revndal, also known as the Demon Lady Arisune. Former Archmage of Jaruna and Head Strategist of the Emerald Legion. You stand accused of the gravest crime of all: attempting to destroy the Kingdom of Valebryn.

“For the heinous crime you have committed against the kingdom and its citizens… how do you plead?”

Standing at the podium in the middle of the room, Hisora raised her head, looking around at every person currently seated in the hall.

Among countless nobles and civilians watching the trial, several important people were present in the hall, including her previous superior, the Sovereign of Jaruna, and the Aetheryn Order’s Prime Sentinel, Sir Langston Valiansteel.

She took a deep breath and responded.

“Guilty, your Honor.”

The audience was taken aback by her admission, but respected her honesty.

“Very well. Since we already have, well, overwhelming evidence of the accused’s crime, we shall now move on with her sentencing…

Hisora Syl Revndal, for the crime of terrorism against the Kingdom of Valebryn, this court finds you guilty of all charges laid against you. In accordance with Valebryn’s Justice Codex, your sentence shall be… execution by aether deprivation and complete soul disintegration.”

It was the first time that anyone heard of a sentence this severe, but for her crimes, it only felt fitting. Which is why everyone was shocked when the next person spoke up.

“Respectfully, your Honor, we object to such a sentence.”

The Archmage of Valebryn, along with a young Knight of the Aetheryn Order, stood up from amongst the crowd and walked to Hisora’s side.

“Archmage Solenne, and Shiranui Naoya. A Hero from the Hero Party… and the reincarnation of the Demon Lord you defeated.”

The judge scrutinized them. “Young Knight, you have my thanks for the voluntary work you and Miss Hisora have done in restoring the kingdom’s infrastructure. But I’ve already been lenient with delaying her trial until the kingdom is rebuilt. Don’t think that by reversing the damage she caused, you’ll be able to get your wife out of her sentence.”

The judge’s stern warning cut through the courtroom, but Naoya remained unfazed.

“You misunderstand, your Honor. We’re not aiming to reduce her sentence.”

Solenne nodded. “We are here to propose an alternative sentence that we believe will benefit everyone, including the world itself.”

The judge eyed them carefully. “Go on…”

…

Three days before the trial…

In a secret conference room within the Aetheryn Order’s headquarters, Naoya, Solenne, and Hisora shared their complicated history with a select few people who deserved to know the truth, including Ana’s father, King Kaelen.

By utilizing Solenne’s special memory ritual, they showed truthful recounts of their lives to everyone, which lasted almost the entire day. From Aurelia and Alcestrus’ childhood, the Demon Lord and Arisune’s first meeting, his defeat and the Hero Party’s choice, and finally, how Arisune reincarnated herself into a new body and created Noctis Vindex from their empire’s remains.

After everything was over, the witnesses were deep in contemplation, piecing together the answers to all the questions they’d had for so long.

“Question.” Astrea raised her hand. “Bring him back. Why?”

Solenne smiled. “I wanted to meet him again, but mainly because Hisora’s influence was spreading across the world, and I knew that if I didn’t stop her soon, she could overturn every kingdom in a single night.”

Hisora looked at her with a puzzled expression. “You’re right… but how did you all know that?”

“Because… just like how you infiltrated the world’s kingdoms, I’ve also infiltrated your organization.”

With a haze of light, Solenne’s form slowly changed into that of someone very familiar to them: a tall man wearing dark leather pants and suspenders, leaving his unnaturally large, swollen muscles exposed.

All of Cipher and Halo Unit, including Naoya, stood up in shock at Solenne’s appearance.

“You were the cloner?!” Lance shouted.

“Oh god! I crushed the Archmage with my wand!” Clara panicked at the realization.

At the same time, Hisora was also left in disbelief.

“You’re the kid who showed me Naoya’s picture…”

“That’s right,” Solenne replied with a smug smile, changing back into the child’s appearance. “I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop all of your plans by myself. So, I forced you to abandon all of them and focus on your husband’s sudden return. To do that, I had to bring him back somehow, which is why I had to borrow an old lady’s body for a while…”

Naoya’s mind was blown away by yet another revelation.

“And let me guess: you were the truck driver too?”

“Nope. But I did control his mind to turn back on us.”

He frowned at his best friend’s questionable actions.

“I don’t think that’s very Archmage of you.”

“The driver will be fine. I teleported him back to his house when he hit you, then made him think it was just a dream.”

“Hmm… I don’t think that’s enough.”

“This is all well and good,” King Kaelen interjected. “But my question now is: what will you do next? I sympathize with your stories, but Valebryn’s court will certainly issue the worst sentence on Hisora for her crimes. And that will most likely be complete execution.”

Naoya and Solenne, turning back to her original form, gave each other a knowing smile.

“That is why we gathered you all here today,” he said.

“We’ve created a plan that gives everyone an outcome they deserve, including the world itself, and one of my old friends…” the Archmage added.

Ana’s father leaned forward. “Go on. I’m listening.”

…

Back to the present trial…

Everyone waited with bated breath for their plan.

“Instead of the complete execution of the accused, we propose her sentence to be… complete memory erasure, and reincarnation into another world.”

The courtroom was filled with gasps and puzzled frowns.

“This was the same sentence that the Hero Party gave my previous incarnation, the Demon Lord, upon his defeat. And it gave me a second chance to live a proper, peaceful life, and taught me the importance of kindness and compassion.”

“And like we mentioned earlier, this will also benefit the entire world. Because after we deliver Hisora’s sentence, Naoya will use all of his power to return the seal on Merrowind’s Keep, forever removing the influence of the Demon Lord’s power on this world, as well as freeing the person who has been keeping it at bay for decades… Cassius Verelien Halverston. The Sword Hero.”

Solenne’s reveal sent the courtroom into even more uproar, causing the judge to slam his gavel and forcefully restore order.

“Very interesting proposition. But with the gravity of this sentence for the future of Valebryn and the world, I believe I will not be able to overturn this decision on my own, and I will need to consult with higher powers.”

“I second this proposition.”

King Kaelen’s voice, thick with his Jaruna accent, echoed from his seat.

“I’ll be supporting this decision as well,” Sir Valiansteel added.

“And may I ask why?” the judge turned to both men.

“Before she showed her true colors, Hisora had been nothing but one of the most trustworthy and brilliant minds my kingdom has seen. After learning her story, I have also come to sympathize with her reasons, even though her methods are unforgivable. So believe a second chance is what she needs. A second chance to live her life unshackled by her past.”

Hisora watched the king with tearful, thankful eyes, and he flashes a small wink towards her.

“And I think we ought to bring the Sword Hero back home. He’s sacrificed his freedom for this world, and now that a way has presented itself, he deserves to have his rest,” Sir Valiansteel said.

The courtroom was filled with murmurs from the crowd, discussing their own thoughts about the matter, while the three people in front of the judge anxiously waited for his verdict.

“Alright. I have come to a decision over the matter of Hisora’s sentence.”

Silence swept through the room, and everyone held their breath.

“Hisora Syl Revndal, for the crime of terrorism against the Kingdom of Valebryn, this court finds you guilty of all charges laid against you. In accordance with Valebryn’s Justice Codex, your sentence shall be execution by aether deprivation and complete soul disintegration…

“But after careful consideration of the alternative presented before the court, by my authority as Valebryn’s Chief Justice, this sentence shall be overturned, and changed to the following:

“The accused shall have their memories wiped clean, and their soul reincarnated into another world, forever banished from our own. But this shall only stand under these conditions: that its two proponents be the ones to deliver the sentence; that the individual previously known as the Demon Lord shall return the source of his power to its rightful place; and that the Sword Hero be returned to Valebryn after fulfilling the previous two conditions.

“If there are no other objections, then this shall be the court’s final judgment.”

The judge brought down his gavel, and Hisora’s fate was sealed.

Naoya turned to her and they both shared a tearful smile.

…

Later that day, in Aetheryn Order’s headquarters…

King Kaelen and his entourage stood before the emergency portal connecting Valebryn and Jaruna, preparing to leave as a number of people from the Order bid them farewell.

“Thank you for supporting our plan, your Highness,” Solenne said as she shook his hand.

“Of course, of course. I knew from the beginning that this would be the best outcome for everyone. And you, Hisora…”

He turned to the fox faunite woman standing behind Naoya.

“Good luck in your next life.”

All she could do was silently bow. Despite everything she had done, she was thankful for his compassion and forgiveness.

“We should do another one of those Joint Trainings again. Maybe good ol’ Valebryn can host it next time,” Sir Valiansteel said as he shook the man’s hand.

“That is true. At least next time we will not worry about secret plots from any Demon Lady,” he laughed as he looked around the building. “Have any of you seen my daughter? I would like to say goodbye before I leave.”

“DAAAAAAAAAD WAAAAAIIIIIT!”

Heavy footsteps thundered through the halls, and from the gate hub’s entrance, Anastacia appeared, along with her glowing spirit animals, each carrying luggage of different shapes and sizes.

“There you are, Ana. And what’s all this then?”

“I’m coming home with you, Dad.”

Everyone was taken aback by her announcement.

“I took a while to get ready because I had to say goodbye to everyone first, but I’m all set now.”

Her father was positively beaming.

“You will join us back home? But what about your Knight duties? You can’t just abandon your team, right? Can she?” he asked the Prime Sentinel.

“Well, if her Captain knows about it, I reckon it’ll be fine. I ain’t one to keep a family apart.”

“Yes!” Ana pumped her fist and embraced her father, but before they left, she said her farewells to three more people.

“Miss Archmage, it’s been an honor to meet you.” She shook Solenne’s hand.

“Hisora… good luck on the other side.” They embraced each other.

“And of course, Naoya. I won a bet with Clara that you weren’t evil, so be sure to stay that way, alright?”

“Of course, your Highness. I don’t want to think about how easily you could crush me with your fists if I don’t keep my promise.”

They embraced each other tightly, and Naoya was lifted off the ground, silently struggling to breathe but not wanting to make Ana uncomfortable.

The Jarunians waved goodbye, and the portal closed behind them.