CHAPTER 90: CH 90: THE TRIAL - PART 2

The courtroom was deathly silent.

High Priest Rudy’s eyes were wide, his lips parted but no words came out. The accusation had hit him like a physical blow.

The artefact’s golden glow still lingered in the air, its divine light an irrefutable proclamation of truth.

He tried to speak, to conjure up a rebuttal, but the silence stretched, and in those precious moments, the mood of the room shifted entirely.

Whispers swelled like a rising tide. People leaned toward each other, their voices trembling with outrage and realization.

The once-revered High Priest was now the embodiment of betrayal. By the time Rudy found his voice, the jury and the public alike were already convinced.

The judge shifted uncomfortably on his seat, fingers drumming the armrest.

This was dangerous—arresting a High Priest could shake the very foundations of their faith.

Yet, leaving him free was even more dangerous. With a tight breath, he stood.

"Soldiers, seize him before it is too late."

The judge said, his voice heavy with authority.

Armored boots rang against the marble as the guards moved in. But Rudy’s eyes sharpened, his calm replaced by a predatory glare.

"You think you can lay hands on me?"

His voice was low, dangerous.

A surge of magic exploded from his body, sending the nearest soldiers sprawling across the floor.

He moved like a storm, weaving destruction with every motion. Just as he was about to cut through their formation, the air thickened with overwhelming pressure.

It was the dragon’s magic.

The youngest daughter of the Dragon King had not moved from her seat, but her presence was like a mountain pressing down.

The oppressive weight forced Rudy to exert even more power, his aura flaring dangerously in response.

The clash of magical forces strained the very air. Rudy’s breathing grew ragged, his hand clutching at his throat.

Then, with a strangled gasp, his body began to convulse. The power within him, unchecked and unstable, tore through his frame.

Magic poured from him like a violent flood, twisting and warping his form.

His skin cracked with light, his bones distorted, his features stretching into something no longer human. The once-commanding High Priest was becoming an abomination.

The spectators recoiled in horror.

"Everyone, evacuate! The High Priest is unfit for judgment—capture or eliminate him at once!"

The judge roared, his voice shaking for the first time.

The soldiers hesitated only for a heartbeat before retreating to herd the civilians away. Rudy’s monstrous form snarled, his eyes now glowing with a feral, mindless rage.

His gaze locked onto one person—Kana.

He lunged.

Before Kana could move, High Priestess Jenna stepped forward, her robes flaring as she grabbed Kana’s wrist and yanked her back. Her grip was strong, urgent.

"Run!"

She commanded, voice sharp.

Kana stumbled after her.

"But—"

"I’ll handle him."

Jenna’s tone was unwavering, but her eyes betrayed the weight of the decision. She was confident in front of others, yet Kana saw the flicker of uncertainty there.

Kana’s instinct was to protest, to offer her aid, but before she could speak, another hand seized her arm.

Irielle.

Without a word, Irielle pulled her away, her steps quick and deliberate. Kana looked over her shoulder, catching one last glimpse of Jenna’s back as she strode toward the monster Rudy had become.

The image etched itself into Kana’s mind—flowing robes, a straight spine, and the shadow of danger looming ahead.

They ran through the shattered corridors until the roar of battle faded behind them. Only then did Kana speak.

"We’re not going to help her?"

Irielle didn’t slow down.

"No. This is her mess to clean up. She caused all of this for you—now she has to finish it herself."

Her tone was flat, but her words carried the weight of finality.

"We have our own problems to deal with."

Before Kana could ask what she meant, a crushing force descended from behind them. It pressed into her chest, heavy and suffocating, like the air had solidified.

Both Kana and Irielle turned toward the ruined courtroom.

Through the haze of dust and rubble, a figure emerged, walking steadily toward them. The oppressive pressure rolled off them in waves, each step making the ground tremble.

And whoever it was... they were coming straight for them.

Kana’s breath was still uneven from the chaos in the courtroom, the distant roar of collapsing stone ringing in her ears.

Her gaze remained fixed on the lone figure striding toward them through the dust and broken rubble, the oppressive pressure in the air making her heart pound harder with each step the figure took.

Irielle’s grip tightened on Kana’s arm.

"Stay sharp. We don’t know if they’re here to help us or to finish the job."

She murmured, eyes never leaving the silhouette.

The shadow drew closer, the outlines of a slender form becoming visible through the haze. A low, annoyed click of the tongue echoed in the ruined corridor.

"Tsk. If it weren’t for my elder sister, I wouldn’t have set foot in this mess. And to make matters worse, she decided to ditch me. Just like that."

The figure grumbled, their voice sharp with irritation.

The complaint felt oddly casual given the tension, but Irielle’s stance didn’t ease.

Her body remained angled slightly forward, ready to pull Kana back or attack at the slightest provocation.

The pressure radiating from the figure wasn’t hostile—yet—but it carried the weight of something ancient and immensely powerful.

Finally, as the dust settled, Irielle’s expression shifted. Her shoulders relaxed a fraction, though her guard remained halfway up.

She released Kana’s arm and stepped forward.

"This is Serin. The youngest daughter of the Dragon King."

She said, her voice carrying the weight of formality,

Kana’s eyes widened. The title alone was enough to silence her.

She remembered the overwhelming magic that had forced the entire court into stillness earlier—dragon magic, the kind that made even seasoned warriors tremble.

And now, the source of that power was standing only a few steps away, looking more annoyed than anything else.

Serin crossed her arms, her sharp gaze flicking between the two of them.

"Well, since my sister abandoned me, I suppose I’ll just have to see for myself what’s going on here."

She said with a sigh.

The oppressive pressure lingered, but beneath it, Kana could feel a different tension—one that hinted Serin’s arrival might change everything.