Chapter 5 : Injustice

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door and calling my name, "Jin! Jin!" Yes, I knew it was Nina. I opened the door and found her holding a basket in her hand. "Good morning! You look like you slept well."

I nodded.

"That's good, Yuna said we're going to buy some supplies from the village, and Ren will be coming with us this time."

I went with her and found Ren waiting in the front garden.

"Good morning, sorry to wake you up early, but we have to go. I have an important task to return before the party tonight."

I said, "Don't apologize, this is my job. I'm the one who should apologize for sleeping in like this, but didn't you say you were coming with us?"

"Yes, I'll be coming, but I won't be able to come back with you. I'm really sorry."

Nina said, "Don't worry, Jin is strong too. If you saw him last time, you would know."

"I didn't mean that, but you seem like an important person. Shouldn't you be in the royal palace or something like that?"

"I decided to help Lady Isabella in her goal, so I will also participate in the World Summit competition."

I said, "Competition?"

Nina quickly replied, "What? Didn't you hear about it? It's the competition that determines which kingdom will hold the Dragonlord's Sword, the most powerful magical weapon in existence."

"Wait, Nina, if he doesn't know, he won't understand what you're saying. For hundreds of years, the six warring kingdoms have been in a long-standing conflict that has exhausted everyone. There was no winner or loser, only victims on all sides. So, one day, some leaders woke up and realized the looming danger, and tried to save what was left. They disagreed on how to reach an agreement to stop this bloody war, so they created the World Summit competition. In this competition, three fighters representing their kingdom fight, and the winner has the right to lead the world and stop the war or start it."

"But what does all this have to do with the heroes summoned from another world?"

"Every five years, the six elemental masters gather to summon people from another world. Each elemental master gives a gift to a person who gives them the ability to use two elements. Here they are called heroes."

I asked, "So these heroes each represent a kingdom?"

"Not exactly. It's true that you take a gift from an elemental master, even if you're from another kingdom, but you're allowed to choose the side you want. There are those who try to tempt them with money and power in exchange for fighting for them. Even this kingdom has three heroes, and each of them is in one of the knight teams, like your sister."

I said, "Ah, so this is the sister you were talking about then."

"Yes, she is very wonderful and strong, and she always takes care of me. I wish I could be like her."

Sadness appeared on her face, and I realized then why she was talking about awakening her power. It seems that she always looks up to her sister.

I said, "So which kingdom won the previous competition?"

"This kingdom, Orasia. The representative of the kingdom, the hero Gerald, defeated the representative of the kingdom of Novara. Well, I won't say he won. He was disqualified from the fight because they found a manuscript of a forbidden spell with him. And because of the shame he caused, he was exiled by his kingdom to a distant land between the two kingdoms."

I asked, "Really! Who was his name?"

"Ah, we've arrived. Sorry, Jin and Nina, I'm going now for my mission. I wish I could continue the conversation and take you back on the way back, but I'll be late. Jin, take care of Nina well. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Ren!"

"Goodbye, Ren."

We said goodbye to Ren and he went on his way, and we went and bought what we came for, and then went back to the palace. But Nina was silent on the way back. I felt the length of the road for the first time. And when we arrived, Yuna came and said that the party would be held tonight and we should be well prepared, because important people would be attending. After hard work, we finished all the arrangements.

I sighed and said, "I never like this kind of work, but I'll endure it."

Nina was standing next to me and said, "Did you say something?"

"No, nothing."

"Well, if you're ready, let's go to the party."

I was surprised and said, "What? Will we be working at the party too?"

"No, we'll be attending it like everyone else."

"Are servants allowed to attend?"

"Yes, don't worry, go and get ready."

"In fact, even though I'm not going, I'm sorry."

"Why?!"

"I don't like gatherings, especially in the middle of people like them."

Nina was silent and left. I sat in the palace garden, leaning against the tree I used to sit next to. I was sitting, looking at the evening, and I could see many carriages coming to the palace, so I decided not to approach it, "What a nuisance."

While I was daydreaming, Nina came back again. She was wearing a blue dress, with some sparkling spots like the stars in the sky. She approached and said, "Well, what do you think? Does it look good on me?"

"Uh, it looks okay."

"Then let's go."

"I told you before that I'm not going, I don't like places like this."

"No, you'll go with me, I don't want to go alone, please."

I felt her hand pulling me by the arm, but after seeing her sad today, I didn't want to add to her sadness, so I reluctantly agreed.

I said, "Okay."

"Great, let's go."

Nina pulled me by the hand into the large hall in the palace where the party was being held. When we entered, I saw many people who looked wealthy from their clothes. It is the place I hate the most, these are the nobles of the rich and powerful classes. Nina went to see the others, while I stood in a corner holding half of my broken sword and cleaning it. As I was doing so, I saw a huge shadow approaching me. I raised my head and found a huge-bodied man, his nose was flat, and his eyes were filled with cunning and deception. He looked to be in his forties, with a large head, and he looked arrogant. He was holding two glasses of wine.

He said, "This sword looks interesting, but it's broken, unfortunately."

"No, it's an ordinary sword, I just don't have the money to buy another one."

"Hmm, so. Here is this cup to forget your sorrows."

"I'm sorry, I don't drink these things."

"Okay then." He said that and then I heard the sound of glass breaking. It was one of the glasses in his hand. He said sarcastically, "Come on, clean this up."

I was surprised and said, "What?! It's obvious that you dropped it on purpose."

The conversation in the whole hall stopped as if it was completely empty and everyone was looking, but I didn't show any expression on my face and kept my composure.

He said loudly, "Didn't you hear what I said? Don't make me repeat myself!"

Anger arose in me for the first time in a long time, and then I said, "I only take orders from the lady of the palace."

"What?! You dare to disobey my orders?! Don't you know who I am?! I am the Duke of the city of Sitel, Mr. Geoffrey Waverin, you vile commoner, I will make you regret your audacity, Miss Isabella, order him to do so!"

Isabella didn't say anything, as if she was hesitant in her decision. I couldn't believe that she would follow the orders of this man.

Nina broke the silence and said, "Lady Isabella, it's impossible that you would do this!"

Claudia whispered something in her ear for a moment, and then Isabella said hesitantly, "Do it."

At the time, I didn't hear what Claudia whispered to her, but no matter what she said, it didn't justify what she did. This injustice that I was subjected to reminded me why I always avoid people and walk alone.

Nina said with tears in her eyes, "Impossible! How can you ask Jin to do this?"

Claudia shouted at her, "Nina, be quiet and don't object to the orders of the lady of the palace."

"Did you hear me, you filthy commoner?! Now do as I say as your lady said!" He then started laughing, and the laughter of those vile nobles who enjoy hurting others could be heard. But I had no other choice, I didn't want to cause them any problems with this duke. Although it was difficult for me, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket, then bent down on the ground until I heard the sounds of everyone in the hall laughing louder and louder. But this was nothing compared to what I had been through before, so I endured it. And when I extended my hand, I found the drink pouring down on my head until I was completely soaked.

"Know your place when your masters order you something!"

I didn't say a word, then I stood up and walked out of the hall, listening to the sound of their loud laughter from outside. I felt worthless for agreeing to do this from the beginning, but I knew deep down that I was a bad person who deserved everything that was happening to me.

I went and washed my head and face, then I came out of the bathroom door. Suddenly, I found Nina in front of me. Her eyes were filled with tears and she was looking at me with a look that I thought was pity.

I said to myself, "No! Don't look at me like that! Why are you all trying to break me down!"

In that moment, I felt mixed feelings of weakness, sadness, and anger. These feelings had not visited me in years, not since I left that place.