Empire's Justice

<<WARNING! This chapter contains violence and mentions of abuse. If you're not comfortable please skip this chapter.>>

Theorim was a well-known town, still, there was not much happening in the town. It was quiet and the residents mostly kept to themselves.

They were near the Eden empire's capital, so hunters and knights frequently visited the area.

The news of the massacre shook the capital to its core, even reaching cities and kingdoms from far away;

A wealthy man had killed his entire family and the staff of his manor, in a completely merciless manner, that not even a single child was left alive.

Their bodies were torn apart to shreds as if they were mauled by wild beasts.

The man was named, Thomas Sephir, one of the baron's most trusted aides. He was found so distraught and tormented that the hunters couldn't even talk to him.

His eyes reflected all the horrors he had seen– and his body sustained injuries that should have already killed him a long time ago.

The hunters attempted to go near him, in the darkness of the blood-filled hallways but what they saw was a revelation so much worse.

Thomas cried as he wouldn't let go of a woman's corpse, her body had been cut into halves with her innards strewn on the ground.

His entire body looked different, on his skin were bumps and cracks that seemed like something was moving inside. Blood covered the man like a second skin, he turned to the hunters-

His mouth filled with blood and flesh as he consumed the woman's corpse "I-It's me~ I killed them. I killed my wife... I ate my child!" He cried as he continued to tear through the flesh.

"END ME! END ME!"

"It's a demon's work." one of the mages said in disgust, covering her nose with her robe.

The man grabbed one of the hunter's legs as he sobbed "Please! Just kill me!"

The hunter pointed his sword at him, this wasn't a survivor they were dealing with now. It was the culprit of a massacre; a person who admitted to killing his entire family and servants.

"Under the imperial rules, you will be brought to the empire for sentencing."

"Where are your accomplices?" the captain of the hunters asked Thomas.

A moment passed before the man answered in tears "Gone! They are gone! I'm the only one left alive by that demon! Please just end my torment!" he begged the hunter ferociously.

It was an unusual occurrence, why would the culprit admit to his crimes?

"You will have to face the empire for your sins. Judgment will be given."

"E-even if I did, the empire has no one to take away from me. I killed them all. Those vile creatures forced me to kill my entire family and eat them."

The captain's gaze was calculating, filled with disgust "Demons? Why did they leave you alive?"

"A- a punishment. They are punishing me for my sins." the man answered shakily "I- I cannot say who because they placed something in me and I can feel it… clawing painfully inside of my skin" He looked up at the captain with pleading eyes "P-please… just end my life."

Thomas let out a choked sob as he scratched his skin, before something came out of him causing the hunter to instantly distance themselves–

Dozens of small demonic beasts came out of his skin, blood covering them from being burrowed under the man's flesh.

"H-Help me! Help!"

The chittering and hissing of the demonic beasts filled the room as they immediately crawled to the corpses that littered the floor, ready to feast on them.

"Hunters! Prepare to kill these demons, and keep the man alive for interrogation."

Thomas lamented in pain "No! Please! Kill me now! Kill me!"

His pleas went unheard.

***

The silence was sharp inside the imperial courtroom as the accused man kneeled in front of the judge and the Saints. His entire figure was covered by a thick black cloak, his entire body trembling as armored knights surrounded him.

Thomas' body trembled at the sight of countless nobles and dignitaries bearing witness to his trial.

The Saints were draped with regal black robes, as a sign of mourning. Grief and anger have now permanently etched the judge's face as he stood on the pedestal.

Whispers filled with shock, and vindication filled the crowd; they knew what she had done. Her role in the gruesome death of countless people— his betrayal.

The judge spoke in a loud voice laced with sorrow that made the courtroom still "Thomas Sephir, you who ruined your own kin. You committed a crime that the Gods themselves will not forgive."

"You should face the consequences of your transgressions to me and the empire's people."

Thomas cried "Your Honor, this humble man will receive any punishment."

The Saintess, Ophelia, spoke in a soft voice "Justice is what the empire seeks." Her voice was icy but still lingering traces of compassion could be heard from each word.

"But how could you do this to them? Why did you do such a cruel thing?"

"Y-your Honor, I allowed myself to be tainted by ambition and let the darkness consume my heart."

Mercy could never bring anyone solace, for lives had been mercilessly taken away. The Eden empire who worship Gods will still think of this as treachery that would never be forgiven.

Thomas tried to reach out towards heaven but his actions were stopped by the knights.

"It is the empire's rule to destroy all your remaining bloodline. Your family and relatives would be executed but still, you had killed them all."

Silence came after a mage whispered something to the judge's ears.

The entire audience held their breath as sorrow filled the man's face. The mage faced the audience before speaking "Thomas Sephir, traces of demonic miasma were found in you. Who was the demon that did that to you?"

The audience gasped at the mention of demons, fear spread through everyone like wildfire.

Thomas blinked once, then twice "I-I cannot mention their name or anything about them."

The mage spoke in a loud voice "They were demonic beasts that control one's behaviors forcing the host to feel insatiable hunger, which leads to them consuming human flesh."

"It then multiplies itself by eating the host's inside and the humans that their host killed."

The look of surprise and fear was evident on the judge's face. Even Ophelia trembled beside Sorin who gave her a worried glance "I'm sorry, Saint Sorin... I was just surprised." she mumbled.

Sorin placed a gentle hand on her shoulder "Tell me if you feel unwell. The trial should be ending soon."

The judge turned to Sorin "Your Holiness, can you confirm the mage's words?"

Sorin nodded in response, eyes burning with determination as his divine magic filled the room. There was a moment of silence as those who were watching the trial prayed to the Gods.

"I-Its true, Your Honor."

"What transgression did you do to be targeted by demons?" The judge asked the trembling man.

Thomas slumped to the ground as if puppet strings were cut "I-It was all the baron's fault! He ordered me to do so! He was the cause! Kill me! Kill me!"

The judge took a step back from the sudden outburst of the man "That is enough! With deep regret, I announce that Thomas Sephir would be executed by nightfall. May this serve as the consequence of your sins."

The man's cries has finally been answered as his tears of relief flooded his eyes.

"The Baron of Theorim will be brought for investigation instantly. We need to confirm this man's words." The judge said with a hard voice, turning his back away from the audience.

Sorin gave the man a kind smile "Thank you, Sir Thomas." he mouthed. No one was able to see his expression as they all focused on the man celebrating his own death.