Irony

The journey back had no more disturbances. Unsurprisingly, the carriage was silent; nobody spoke.

They are all seniors, so I think they have the relaying information spell that my instructor had; they can all talk without speaking a word. It makes sense now. When I was a kid, they never talked to anyone but just stood in silence.

Upon seeing the city walls, the carriage pulled into the same magical gate that they crossed before; however, this time only one carriage remained. The city guards didn't even speak but still opened the gate for them. efficiently allowed them to pass through.

The people on the streets flooded out of their cottages with cheers, “The hero returned!” More and more people flocked to the carriage as it passed through towards the bridge hub, “Everyone cheer for the hero!”

They all chanted. “Welcome back, great hero."

This is making me sick; these people will find out I'm being judged for betrayal, and they will realize that chanting for me was wrong. They will hate that they chanted for me for nearly two decades to grow up and save them. It's sickening me. There is no justice; they deserve my innocence more than I myself do.

“Get off." The old bearded man got out with his team before waving towards Keldric and Sorin to follow them. Upon exiting, they stood at the bottom bridge hub as the old man pushed them up to the higher floors where the mages resided, and the ordinary couldn't see.

Taking a look to his left and right, Sorin saw the team of escorts take a circle formation around them. “Keldric, just try to tell the truth, as it happened. Our stories will not be altered.”

A hint of doubt crossed his mind; each step they started going up the bridge made him feel heavier. He looked back at the crowd chanting below him; a single person ran up at him, falling on top of him, grabbing his robe in desperation. "Don't go, hero; please help me!" Dark purple hair flowing over her shoulders, she clawed around at his dark grey robe, almost desperate-looking.

She's not even a mage; how did she even manage to jump this high? Commoners can't even use these bridges without a staff…

In an instant, the escort threw her back onto the ground, away from the bridge, swiftly moving higher. “Damn insanity of these commoners nowadays, begging to be saved by a traitor. Ridiculous jump power, I will admit, but a ridiculous jump from an insignificant animal is rare,” the old bearded man looked down in contempt.

Keldric seemed to be pretty slumped at this entire situation. He already seemed broken to Sorin.

He knew everyone in the class. I don't really care too much on a personal level, but they didn't deserve to die like that. Just put down without a chance to fight back.

Going up the magic bridge, they traverse higher and higher around different bridge hubs. These towers were perfect for stopping the east, who had no magic to go up without even trying, and they prevented any bad actors from the streets.

Reaching the top of the city took them a minute of slow walking; they made their final uphill climb to the largest tower, which spread across at least two hundred meters.

This is way bigger than I thought it would be. This is where the highest ranks live, also where they store every prisoner, and where the council resides and administration is done. But I'm not here for good reasons like promotion or a medal.

There were multiple buildings in a triangle shape; there was a whole building for communications, reports, and information, and where the council resided. The archives, anything to do with information. that's where someone went. On the left was where the mage officers would go, the military of West Acluraria. The building on the right was for general affairs, including trials and imprisonment. Their final destination for today.

So much in this city is so secretive; I wonder how deep all of this really goes. Even as a hero, I have no access to this place, but I understand their caution for someone with so much influence.

The old bearded man spoke up as they turned right on the platform's path. “Once we enter, you will be told to hand over your staff. I expect you to comply this time.”

“Yes, sir!” Keldric instantly butted in without giving Sorin a chance to negotiate.

Sorin sighed out, his amber eyes lowering. “Just let me talk. Just relax while I handle this. If anything, I will clear your name. Keldric, we're in this together; I wouldn't abandon my closest friend. What type of 'great hero’ would do that?”

Walking into the general affairs building, both of them are greeted by pale white antique furnishings as receptionists were running around. Both originate from Aclurarias Forestry, where the war ravaged. Impossible to find nowadays.

A young elf ran towards them, dressed in a business-like suit, her skin as pale as snow with short blonde hair around her pointed ears. Her stare was warm and affectionate; bright yellow eyes gave her a sunlike feeling. “Put your staff here.”

This is the first elf I have met in person; they usually perform logistics roles, and their mages are very high-ranking, so maybe they are all just huddled here for the sake of keeping their safety. I have heard they are dying out, but I'm not sure if that's true.

As Sorin went to put down his staff, he saw a guard clad in pure black robes and a white mask, only having two spots for seeing, pointing at a nearby basket.

I'm going to be defenseless now; I need to explain my way out. I've never seen these figures in black robes before either. Perhaps defenders of this floor.

Keldric put his staff down first, followed by Sorin.

“Keldric, as I said, just let me handle this. Trust in me." Sorin saw the panic around Keldric; they were being changed as criminals; it only made sense. But it was rather undesirable to be this panicked when you're about to go into court. It was better for Sorin to do all the talking.

He got a nod back.

The masked man didn’t speak further as the old bearded man was sent off; they were then escorted by the mysterious figure away from the main lobby, as the elf followed behind them into a corridor behind a huge Elaroth brown double door.

The elf lightened her voice. “This is going to be the real trial; all information has already been relayed since this is the highest priority case. I apologize for the inability to grant rest, but your hero status complicates things very dearly.” She took a deeper breath. “I will try to represent both of you if things go off track as dictated in mage regulations. Just consider me background noise until there is too much prying or insulting past what's necessary."

Sorin gave a small warm smile, staring at the elves with happiness amidst the situation. “Thank you, ma’am. I will trust in your judgment to save us from any unnecessary trouble."

This actually works to our benefit. Mage regulations were a topic we had in class, but the instructor just started teaching us extra spell classes instead, hoping none of us would be here; yet it seems that choice only backfired for me at the end of the day.

“Enter now!” A loud shout behind the door erupted; it was low-toned yet immense and dangerous. Like a force of pressure that overwhelmed them in an instant, they knew it was time to begin.