Punishment for a Former Hero

The grand hall was quiet, filled with a tense anticipation. Eldrin, still weakened but conscious, was brought before the gathered leaders—Emperor Solja, Heero, Uriko, and Terran. The verdict was to be decided, but before the sentence was announced, Eldrin’s voice broke the silence.

The authorities came and talked to me, they urgently mentioned. Eldrin only said one thing. That one thing was to speak to me. My brow furrowed, sensing something unusual. Enuma, observing from the shadows, had already predicted Eldrin’s next move. 

The demon king's voice echoed in my mind "He will ask to become your follower. Congrats, you finally earned your very own subordinate." 

My stomach clenched. The nerves flared as I looked at Eldrin, then quickly shot a glance at the others. “No jokes, please,” I begged, a hint of nervousness in my voice. 

I went over to Eldrin who was not locked or subdued but was surrounded by guards. I hestiated and asked, “Just… tell me what you want.”

Eldrin’s eyes locked onto me, a calm, almost calculating expression. With deliberate clarity, he spoke, exactly as Enuma predicted.

“Terran,” the elf said softly, “I request to serve you personally—as your advisor and bodyguard. I believe I can be of great help to you. Trust me, I can guide you, protect you, and help you achieve what you need to lead the empire.”

My jaw tightened. The idea was startling. Eldrin, a former puppeteer, now offering himself as an ally. My mind raced, trying to process whether this was genuine or some ploy.

Enuma’s voice echoed again in his thoughts "Use him. He can be a powerful asset, just keep a close eye on him. He can be weapon against hidden enemies."

Without hesitation, I looked at Eldrin again, then nodded slowly. “I’ll consider it,” I said carefully, “but I need my father’s permission first.”

I turned to Heero, whispered what I had heard from the elf. Which made my father look worried. Then together they made their way to Solja’s private chambers. The emperor listened intently as they explained Eldrin’s request, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded.

“Very well,” Solja declared. “Eldrin will be watched closely, but if he truly offers his service, it may serve the empire well. We will decide his fate after the sentencing—no matter the outcome, he will remain under scrutiny.”

With the approval given, the three men returned to the hall, where Eldrin awaited, his expression unreadable. The decision had been made; now, the future of the elf—and perhaps of their entire realm—hung in the balance.

Terran, feeling the weight of responsibility, prepared himself for what was to come, knowing that even in moments of victory, caution and wisdom would be his greatest weapons.

Emperor Solja’s voice resonated loudly through the grand hall, commanding attention from all present. His expression was stern, embodying the weight of justice and the gravity of the crimes committed.

“Eldrin,” he announced, “the accusations against you are severe—espionage, deceit, and conspiracy against the realm. Your actions have endangered the stability of our empire and betrayed the trust bestowed upon you as a hero of the people.”

He paused, his gaze piercing as he continued. “For your crimes, you shall be punished—not by exile or execution, but by a sentence that reflects both the severity of your treachery and the need for reform. You will serve as a personal servant, advisor, and bodyguard to Terran, the Son of The Hero. It is a punishment—and a chance for redemption.”

The hall was silent for a moment, the weight of the decree settling over everyone. Eldrin’s eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and begrudging acceptance, knowing that this was a different kind of sentence—one that could either be a path to salvation or a further test of his loyalty.

Terran’s expression was guarded but resolute. He understood the implications—Eldrin’s knowledge, skills, and influence could be dangerous, but they also held potential if managed carefully.

The decree was final. Eldrin would remain in the palace, under watchful eyes, bound by his new role—servant, advisor, and protector. Enuma said, "You will be the protector of the future Empress, and now you will have a protector for yourself. Use Eldrin to fight in the darkness in his web of secrets. Flush out hidden enemies like Gehanna working in the shadows."

I nodded in confirmation "We can investigate any connections Gehanna had with Raifanto." and Enuma held his words and said "Hmm..." 

The fate of the former hero was sealed, as the authorities made the announcements.

Weeks drifted by in a flurry of preparations and quiet moments of adjustment. The grand palace buzzed with activity as the royal court finalized plans for the upcoming wedding. I found myself increasingly immersed in the new responsibilities and expectations of my new role, still trying to get used to the idea of being engaged to Uriko. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, and the plans for their wedding—dates, ceremonies, and how they would live together began to take shape, filling the palace with a sense of hopeful anticipation.

One morning, as the palace’s halls echoed with the sounds of courtiers and advisors, a familiar figure appeared at the gates—Sadie, returning from her latest investigation. Her expression was serious but determined, and she carried with her the latest updates on her task force’s findings.

“Lil Man,” she greeted warmly, a hint of relief in her voice. “I’ve got news. The investigation has uncovered some new leads. We’re closer than ever to pinpointing the source behind the recent unrest and the dark forces operating behind the scenes.” 

I nodded, a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. “That’s good to hear, Sadie. I am glad that you returned safely with more intel.” 

That made Sadie blush, "Your older sis is supposed to be worried about you." She said with delight of a maiden, not the commander of a military force.

They happily caught up and talked about the small things that impressed them while they been away from each other. I was surprised by how amazing it feels to express something so small yet rememberable. "The first time I saw the Eldrin's laboratory. It was so green, full of life. Nothing like I would imagine a workshop would be like." 
WIth Sadie replying, "Ohh! I would have loved to see it operating myself. Next time, invite me. I wear something cute." leaving myself blushing but great at just talking. 

Meanwhile, Vin, ever so sneaky and unexpectedly affectionate, continued to surprise everyone—including myself. She often found ways to subtly show her admiration, whether through playful gestures or lingering glances. Today was no different. As I walked through the palace gardens, Vin sidled up beside me, flashing her characteristic mischievous smile.

“Hey, Terran,” she said softly but with a teasing tone. “You know, if you ever need someone to keep you on your toes… I’m just saying, I’m pretty good at that.” She winked, her expression playful but with an obvious sign of genuine affection that left me bewildered and slightly flustered.

I blinked, unsure how to respond, caught between the surprise of her boldness and the mounting chaos of responsibilities. “Uh… thanks, Vin,” I managed, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sadie watched from a distance, amused by the scene, while Uriko’s gentle smile hinted she trusted me to handle the myriad of feelings and responsibilities swirling around.

As the days drew closer to the wedding, and Sadie’s investigation edged toward its conclusion, the palace was alive with hope, uncertainty, and the quiet stirrings of new bonds forming beneath the shining banners of the empire.