Chapter 38

Entering the throne room, Nephis saw hundreds of Sleepers lined up along its walls, waiting to meet them. It seemed as though the entire population of the Bright Castle had gathered. Guards, Hunters, Artisans, and the quiet Handmaidens were all present. Even those who paid tribute to remain in the Castle were there.

Nephis recognized a few faces. Stev, the large man in charge of the Memory Market, stood uneasily near the members of the Host. Aiko, the owner of the gambling den, was also present, along with others she remembered from her time in the Castle.

The air was tense and heavy. Not everyone appeared to be there voluntarily. Many had troubled, frightened expressions, while others were relaxed and joyful, anticipating an entertaining spectacle with dark fascination in their eyes.

What disturbed her most were the several figures of Nightmare Creatures among the humans—Echoes belonging to the Castle's inhabitants, each one more terrifying than the last.

On the raised dais at the far end of the hall, illuminated by the false stars carved into the wall of the dark alcove, stood the four lieutenants of the Bright Lord. Gemma, the leader of the Hunters; Kido, the chief Artisan; Seishan, in charge of the Handmaidens; and Kiyotaka, who appeared from the shadows behind Gemma, standing as Vice Captain. Although she knew Kiyotaka was on their side, she didn't know when he planned to act.

There was also Harus, the Executioner, whose abilities were a mystery to many. However, due to Kiyotaka's [Darkness Veil] and exceptional spying abilities, they knew what to expect. Harus could blind his opponents, making him feared for his unpredictable attacks. Kiyotaka had witnessed Harus in action when he killed deserters within the Castle. Sunny volunteered to fight Harus if necessary, confident in his Shadow Sense and shared vision from his shadow.

Nephis assessed the room and analyzed the situation. About 200 Sleepers supported her, most clad in poor armor except those who served directly under her. Opposite them, with their backs to the throne, were the Castle inhabitants. Many seemed reluctant to be there, but others, mainly the Host members, showed contempt and indignation. The Host, over 200 strong, were clad in sturdy Memory armor and wielded enchanted weapons. They were strong, well-fed, and experienced in combat. If a fight broke out, it was evident which side would win, so Nephis knew she had to excel in the upcoming "negotiations."

As she was lost in thought, the Bright Lord appeared in the room. She sensed his arrival from the sudden change in the people around her. An invisible pressure seemed to crash into the crowd, making them groan and bend, nearly buckling to the ground. Their legs trembled, faces paled, and drops of sweat appeared on their skin, accompanied by fear and panic in their eyes. The mastermind behind this ghoulish spectacle had arrived.

---

Gunlaug appeared just as Kiyotaka remembered—like a golden demon from some harrowing hell. The Bright Lord was tall, with broad, powerful shoulders, clad in strange armor that seemed made of molten gold, both solid and liquid, flowing over his muscles and covering him entirely. Even his eyes were hidden. Where his face should have been, there was only a smooth expanse of polished gold, reflecting the great hall and the people gathered there. Many averted their eyes, not daring to look at their reflections.

Kiyotaka stood confidently, untroubled by the mental assault. His mental resilience was at its peak, having been exposed to many mentally straining actions. As Gunlaug walked out of the darkness of the alcove like a golden apparition, he glanced at the mass of people below him and sat on the throne. His pose was relaxed and casual, as though resolving a trivial matter rather than deciding someone's fate—hundreds of fates, perhaps.

Despite his laid-back attitude, everyone in the hall swayed under the incredible force of his presence. The Bright Lord lingered for a moment, then spoke, his serpentine voice full of mirth:

"Ah, what a sight. All my precious wards gathered here, united in the desire to see justice prevail. This dedication, this fervor for the rule of law... oh, it just makes my blood boil with appreciation. Don't you think it's wonderful?"

He laughed and turned his head slightly, peering directly at Nephis. She lowered her head a bit, an almost imperceptible tremor running through her body. To Kiyotaka, though, it seemed as though the plates of marble beneath her feet were about to crack from the terrifying pressure of Gunlaug's gaze.

The Bright Lord paused and then echoed his words, a note of some dark emotion finding its way into his voice:

"Don't you think it's wonderful, Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan?"

Nephis gritted her teeth, struggling to remain steady under the psychic onslaught of the golden armor. When she finally answered, her voice sounded suppressed:

"...Indeed."

Gunlaug remained silent for a bit. Although his face was hidden behind the golden mask, Sunny had a feeling that he was smiling.

Finally, he spoke:

"How nice. Somehow, I was under the impression that you would disagree. I've been told by my most loyal aids that you are a disagreeable person. I guess you just can't trust anyone these days."

With that, he glanced at his lieutenants and others, making them pale and shiver.

Kiyotaka wasn't troubled and analyzed Gunlaug's words. The hidden message was clear: Gunlaug knew she had a spy among his highest ranks all along and didn't care. Maybe even silently allowed it to happen.

Kiyotaka could feel a worried glance from the shadows of the hall, but he remained stoic.

Finally, Gunlaug looked at Effie.

"Effie, it's a pity you didn't join my side when I asked you in the past. Although, I guess that's for the better as I don't want someone who kills the innocent."

Effie scoffed and said two clear words.

"Fuck off."

Gunlaug laughed and raised his hands in a helpless gesture.

"I rest my case. You all see how unrepentant this vile murderer is. There's not a drop of remorse left in her corrupted, rotten soul. That is why, with a heavy heart, I have to sentence this once-promising young woman to death. She has to answer for her crimes, and leaving her alive would put you, my wards, in danger. I am left with no choice."

A hum of voices rose from the crowd. Supporters of Nephis or an inhabitant of the Castle, everyone was affected by his last words:

"Don't you dare, bastard!"

"Kill that murderer!"

"Effie! We're here!"

"Make her pay!"

"Lady Nephis! You can't let them!"

"Kill her!"

"Kill all of them!"

Unaffected by this outburst of boiling emotions, Nephis put a hand on Effie's shoulder and looked at the Bright Lord with a cold expression. Staring directly at the golden mask, she frowned and said, her voice clear and loud:

"I object."

The storm of voices suddenly grew quiet. Everyone turned to her, two kinds of expectation hiding in their eyes. One was full of hope. The other full of vicious glee.

Gunlaug tilted his head.

"Object? What do you mean? Her guilt has been proven without any room left for doubt. There is nothing you can do to change the outcome."

He paused for a moment and then suddenly leaned forward, his insidious voice washing over the great hall like a wave:

"Well. Unless, of course..."

Changing Star looked at him with dark resolve and lowered her chin stubbornly.

Then, she said:

"I demand trial by combat"