Knight of Judgment

Back in the main room, Cassandra could barely speak. Tears were streaming down her face, and Kairo immediately embraced her.

"Cassandra! What happened? Did she say something to you?" Kairo asked.

Grinn sighed.

"I think she figured out who the queen is," Grinn replied.

— What do you mean? — he asked . Kairo , confused.

Cassandra wiped away her tears, taking a deep breath.

— Kairo ... the queen of Omeron ... is Merechal Melissa. — said Cassandra.

Silence fell over the hall after Cassandra's words.

Kairo stood motionless, his face pale. Then, suddenly, he began to tremble.

"I... I don't understand... Ros knew... he knew Melissa was a horrible person, who destroyed our lives... and yet he wanted us to find her?" he murmured , his voice breaking.

"Why, Ros ?! Why did you want us to talk to that wretch?!" Kairo suddenly shouted, his eyes welling up.

The sound echoed off the castle walls, breaking the calm air of the room.

Before anyone could react, King Grinn slashed his sword at the ground.

The impact was so strong that the floor shook for a moment, but remained intact.

— Calm down. I just caused the impact so you'll pay attention. — he said . Grinn , with authority.

The king sighed and rested his hands on the hilt of his sword.

"I understand your hatred. But I will not tolerate you raising your voices and insulting the queen in front of the throne," he continued . Grinn .

"If you want to tell me what she did, if you want me to hear your pain, I will listen like a king. But if it's just to curse her... I'll have to arrest you," he concluded . Grinn .

I looked at Kairo , who was breathing heavily, and took a step forward.

"We apologize, Your Majesty. It's not his fault," he said , trying to calm the tension.

Before the king could answer, a female voice echoed behind us.

— There is no need for punishment, Grinn .

The air in the room grew heavy.

Kairo turned pale.

— I know that voice... — said Kairo .

Everyone turned around at the same time.

There she was, Merechal Melissa, the queen of Omeron , with her almost angelic elegance.

The light passed through the stained glass and fell on her golden hair and serene eyes.

Kairo clenched his fists tightly.

— Melissa!!! — she shouted Kairo .

His gaze was pure hatred.

Meanwhile, I noticed something strange:

“She ’s… beautiful. The kind of beautiful that leaves you speechless.”

Koharu looked mesmerized.

Shana , on the other hand, looked at me discreetly.

And I understood what that look meant.

“Melissa… looks like Cassandra. Almost like a distorted reflection.”

Melissa approached slowly.

"It's been a while, Kairo . I… I'd like to apologize for everything I've caused you and Cassandra," Melissa said .

Kairo started laughing uncontrollably.

— Hahaha … you apologize? That's ridiculous! — he said Kairo laughing.

Grinn frowned.

— Kairo , get out. — sisse Grinn .

Melissa raised her hand.

"No need, dear. I expected that reaction. But I didn't come here to reopen wounds. I came to deliver some news." Melissa said calmly and serenely.

Grinn crossed his arms.

“So is it time to tell them?” he asked . Grinn .

— Yes. — Melissa replied .

We looked at each other, confused.

"Cassandra, Kairo … the Knight of Judgment has discovered you are in Omeron . He has demanded a fight against the strongest member of your group." Grinn then spoke.

I was silent for a moment… and then I started laughing.

" Heh ... so he thinks we're strong? He wants to measure our abilities, is that it?" I asked.

Cassandra turned pale.

—You don't understand, Fujimoto … we've seen him before. — Cassandra replied.

— Where? — I asked.

— In the city of Gorgozo . A group of criminals attacked the city. And the Knight of Judgment appeared... alone. — he said Kairo , tense.

“Did he kill them?” I asked .

— No. But… I think they would rather have died. — Cassandra replied , looking at the ground.

— Why? — I asked.

— Because he left some without arms, others without legs... and others without certain body parts that made it impossible for them to continue living as before, — Cassandra replied.

I was speechless. Koharu put her hand to her mouth in horror.

Shana looked away.

— In short… The bigger the crime, the worse the judgment. We were lucky he didn't notice us that day, — said Kairo .

I took a deep breath and looked at the king.

—And how will this confrontation work? — I asked.

— He asked you to choose the strongest member of the group. — he replied Grinn .

"Shit... Shana can't transform in front of everyone, or they'll discover her secret. Koharu has magic, but she's not a front-line fighter. Cassandra and Kairo are shaken... only one remains."

I turned to Max.

"Max, could you fight the Knight?" I asked him.

He crossed his arms and smiled arrogantly.

— Of course I can. Tomorrow, we will win. — Max replied.

Kairo frowned.

— You seem too confident. — he said . Kairo .

"Do you want to sleep at the palace, or do you already have a place in the city? " Melissa intervened, her voice calm.

"I'd rather sleep in a stinking tavern than under the same roof as you," Cassandra replied with contempt.

Melissa kept her smile, but her eyes revealed sadness.

— I understand. Do what you think is best. — Melissa said .

"And don't even show up tomorrow," Cassandra added , turning her back.

— Okay, — Melissa replied calmly.

We managed to find a simple hostel in the city center.

Kairo looked exhausted.

"There were only three rooms available. Each has two beds. We'll split up again," he explained . Kairo .

—To be fair, let's draw lots. — I suggested .

Everyone agreed.

— I took Max out, — I said.

— I took Cassandra. — he said Koharu .

— Then I'll stay with Kairo . — he concluded Shana .

Kairo yawned.

— Great. Let's go to sleep. It's been a rough day... and tomorrow will be worse. — he said . Kairo sleepy.

We entered the room. Max seemed restless, pacing back and forth.

— You 're nervous. This is already the second glass of water you've had. — I commented .

"Just hydrating. Want one too?" he said , smiling.

— Maybe. — I replied.

“Why do I sense something strange in his aura...? It’s heavy, dark. It must be nothing.”

— Thank you. — I took the glass and drank.

Soon after, I felt my body get heavy.

“I think… I’m going to sleep,” I murmured , lying down.

—Naive. — Max looked at me and said with a low laugh.

He left the room silently and went down the hallway. But as he turned the corner, he ran into Shana .

She looked at him suspiciously.

"Where are you going, Max?" Shana asked.

— To the bathroom. — he replied , disguising himself.

— What a coincidence. I need to go too. Let's go together. — he said . Shana .

They arrived at the door.

“Can I go first?” Max asked , feigning impatience.

— Of course, — she replied .

He came in, stayed for a while, and left.

— Ready. Your turn. — said Max.

Shana went in, washed her face, and came out. As they went up the stairs, she spoke softly:

— I can't sleep. I ended up waking Kairo . I'm... scared you'll get hurt tomorrow. — he said Shana .

Max frowned.

—Are you... serious? — Max asked.

Before he could react, Shana came closer and gave him a soft kiss.

“Good luck tomorrow,” she said , walking away.

Max stood there, not knowing what to feel.

Shana glanced discreetly back .

Each one returned to their room.

Meanwhile, I slept soundly, without imagining what was to come.

The morning sun reflected off the towers of Omeron as we approached the palace's main gate again.

I knocked three times, and soon Sebastian appeared with that same serene expression.

“Welcome back,” he said , opening the doors.

We entered the great hall. King Grinn was waiting for us, standing, leaning on his sword.

"I'm glad you came. It shows you have courage and determination. Few would have come this far knowing who awaits them," he said .

Cassandra stepped forward.

— Is Melissa here? — Cassandra asked.

Grinn shook his head.

"No. She wanted to respect your request. She's helping the palace maids tidy the rooms," Grinn said.

"Melissa helping maids? She looks nothing like the woman I met five years ago..." Cassandra said in surprise.

"Cassandra, you know... Melissa didn't seem like a bad person to me. I didn't sense anything dark in her aura." I looked at her and said.

"Maybe, Fujimoto . But that doesn't change what she did to me and Kairo ," she replied , her tone cold.

"People change. You've changed too. When we met, you were a thief who didn't trust anyone. Today, you're someone I'd trust with my life," I insisted .

She was silent for a moment.

—Okay... if I get out of this alive, maybe I'll listen to her, — Cassandra said more calmly.

Before I could respond, a guard rushed in.

— Your Majesty, the Knight of Judgment is already waiting in the dueling room.

Grinn nodded.

—The conversation is good, but the time for judgment has come. Let's go. — he said Grinn .

We followed the king down a long corridor until we reached a circular hall surrounded by pillars. In the center was a magical arena protected by a luminous barrier.

And there he was, the Knight of Judgment.

Tall, with black armor ornamented in silver and a helmet that hid his entire face.

His presence made the air heavy.

Cassandra clenched her fist.

Max crossed his arms and smiled.

Shana watched in silence.

Koharu looked tense.

“Maybe I should salute you... it seems like the bare minimum of respect.”

I took a step forward, but Grinn grabbed my arm.

— Don't do that. It's dangerous. — he said . Grinn .

— Dangerous? — I asked.

The Knight turned his head slightly, as if confirming the king's words.

— He doesn't like conversations. He just listens... and obeys. — he explained . Grinn .

I nodded.

— Understood. — I said.

Grinn looked at the group.

—Whoever is going to fight, come closer. — said Grinn .

Max stepped forward confidently.

— Knight of Judgment, this man will be the opponent who will decide the fate of Cassandra and Kairo . — said the king.

The knight nodded.

“Time to see who hides behind that mask...”

I activated the Hidden Observatory.

When the true name appeared before me, I held my breath.

“It can’t be...! ”

The king led us to a high gallery with magically protective windows.

—Watch from here. The barrier will prevent the blows from destroying the place. — he said Grinn .

We fell silent. Only Max and the Knight remained inside the arena.