One And Done

“Let’s just sentence him to death by drowning, and then we can go drink the water he drowned in,” Luna said,

Idalec stood up. “We’re going on break for a few minutes to drink some water.”

“We will pause the session for a few minutes,” the speaker yelled to everyone. Iban looked up, almost not believing that Idalec was in front of him.

“Sato! Sato!” Carrot hopped on over to Sato and clung onto him,

“I have to get some water-” Sato stumbled around. “Guys, can you help me out!” Sato begged, extending out his hand as Luna and Idalec walked inside. “Guys-” Sato’s voice quickly dropped off as Idalec and Luna got out of earshot.

Luna slowed to stare right into Idalec’s eyes to try and read him. “What is your game?” Luna asked as Idalec stopped in a narrower hallway,

“Instead of killing Iban Tell, we’re going to exile him.”

“As-”

“This is not up for debate.” Idalec expressed disdain,

“At least can you tell me why~” Luna tried asking nicely,

“No.”

Luna dropped her cute act. “Do you know him? What do you do for the demons? I will expose you…” Idalec’s expression remained unchanged; his eyes looked almost lifeless to Luna.

“Do you understand?”

“Fine.” Luna spat, putting a paw in front of her mouth so that none of it accidentally hit Idalec.

“Now let’s grab a bottle of water.” Idalec strolled off. Luna’s eyes continued to bore into Idalec, searching.

‘Revrho will just keep prying until he rips something out.’ Idalec grabbed a bottle and three glass cups. “Do you want to know why we should spare him?”

“No.” Luna lied,

“Well, if we killed all the demons, then how will the demons know of us? This will strike fear into their hearts.” Idalec made it up on the spot. ‘A corrosive lie. I shouldn’t be acting like them, political snakes.’ Idalec snorted to himself, ‘It’s corrosive but yet so clever, a consequence as the motivation! HmHmHm.’

“I knew you had some kind of darkness in you, Idalec.” Luna smeared, pulling out her claws to scratch herself.

‘If only you remembered.’ Idalec sighed as they got closer to the impromptu court. ‘But perhaps you shouldn’t, Revrho. Perhaps it’s better if you never remember your past life; what good would it do for you?’

“Thanks, Idalec!” Sato thanked Idalec; he had mechanically climbed up and poured himself, Luna, and then Sato a glass of water. “Let’s continue the trial!” Sato toasted the crowd. A few moments passed as the cheers died down into silence,

“Are you going to give the verdict?” the speaker asked expectantly,

“Guilty-” Luna clapped, “-he will be exiled from Rome…” Luna started to shake with bloodlust, “Rest in hell, I better never see you again!” Luna threw her glass as hard as she could into Iban’s face.

“ACK!” Iban thrashed for a moment as the glass shattered, cutting up his face,

“BE GONE!” Luna turned up her nose.

“I support exile.” Idalec hit his gravel on his portion of the table; he didn’t so much as raise his voice.

“I-” Sato stammered,

“We don’t need your opinion, Sato.” Luna dismissed Iban. There was an air of confusion for a moment before booing started to come from the crowd,

“Justice!” “He should be hanged!” and the like came from the crowd, echoed by a thousand voices.

“We should leave,” Prix said tensely. The guards released Iban, who gave a quick salute to the three judges before breaking out into a sprint.

“WHY DID YOU LET HIM GO!” “GET HIS HEAD!”

“Sato, Luna, Idalec-” Prix motioned for them to go. “We have to meet up with the rest of the army before we march on Sigfire Castle.” Prix urged them instantly as they lazily got up. “Let’s go.” Prix grabbed Sato’s hand and started rushing him off the bench.

“Let’s go.” Idalec agreed as the now eight members of the hero party left the city in a hurry. ‘It’s almost as if we’re the ones being exiled.’ The crowd had grown angry and angry as they left. ‘But we shouldn’t have to worry about them now.’ Idalec thought to himself as they left Rome and were back on the road, surrounded by a birch forest.

“The embarrassment.” Prix was clenching her hands into fists.

“Sato was so cool!” Carrot started, “I’m hungry. Are we going to eat?”

“Uhhh-” Sato looked like he might have been suffering from sunburn, considering how red he constantly was,

“Carrot, go scout again and then come back,” Idalec ordered her,

“You're not master.” Carrot turned to Idalec, “I only listen to Sato!”

“Go, G, do what Idalec said,” Sato said in a shaky voice,

“Ok!” Carrot then unwrapped herself from him and sprinted on ahead,

“HUUU.” Sato breathed out, his face’s tone normalizing.

With Carrot gone, Prix took the chance to talk, “What were you even thinking back there, Sato? And Luna! You…” Prix was having trouble putting into words the anger and frustration that was so clearly visible on her face,

“Ahh hahaha,” Sato transitioned from realization to laughter. “Well, Prix, this was all part of my master plan.” Sato raised a devious eyebrow,

Sato maintained eye contact with Prix. It was the most blatant setup. “So what was your master plan?” Prix asked, deflated,

“Hehehe, of course you’d want to know.” Sato laughed as he adjusted an imaginary tie,

‘Sato didn’t give me the impression of someone who wears ties.’ Idalec thought,

“Now I guess I can reveal the prelude to my master plan- which is still ongoing, so I will not be telling you to reveal everything, of course- now, where was I at again?” Sato paused to think, his eyes fixed on the ground ahead of him,

“Master Sato, if I’m not mistaken, it seems like you haven't quite started revealing your master plan as of right now. In my humble opinion, Princess Maria would share the same opinion as me.” Garia said after she paused reading her book.

“Really?” Sato said, “I thought I already explained it all- wait, yeah, you're right, I haven't even started revealing my master plan yet!”

“You probably already did explain it all since there is no plan,” Luna said as a tired-looking Carrot came walking towards them,

“Well, this was also part of my plan.” Sato laughed, letting Carrot clutch onto him. “I want everyone to be present to hear my master plan. I manipulated you into wasting time!” Carrot was barely moving her feet, dragging on Sato,

“You definitely like to waste time, Master Sato.” Miki quipped, looking around to make sure Luna wasn’t looking at her.

“I’ve been cooking up this plan for the past three months.” Sato licked his lips,

“But this is only your eighth day after being summoned?” Prix commented,

“I planned for it to happen.” Sato coped, raising a finger, “So eight days ago I was already planning my harem strategy, which involved me becoming a judge.”

“That’s so smart~” Sunya nodded along enthusiastically,

“I know, I know.” Sato said with a smug smile on his face, “But you see, why would they have let me become a judge?” Sato asked rhetorically, “They wouldn’t have! So I- like Ayanokoji- had to manipulate them by first pretending to want to be king.” Sato paused. “Are you even able to follow my genius?”

‘No,’ Idalec wanted to say,