kscans

CHAPTER 8 PATARAPOZA – Episode 2 The Imposter (Part 2)

6

“In the name of Yanero, the god of justice and truth, I declare! No lies or deception will be tolerated in this public trial. Those who break their oath shall be struck down by the thunder of Paul-Beau! Now then, let the trial commence in the presence of Lord Alder, the ruler of the Lumana domain. First witness, step forward!”

The one booming these words was none other than the acting lord himself.

“Yes. My name is Yahweh, and I serve as the butler in the lord’s manor. It happened four days ago. The lord and the acting lord were enjoying drinks late into the night. I happened to mention something I had heard from a visitor, that Lord Bard Rowen was visiting the Gantz tonight. The lord was overjoyed and ordered me to bring him over immediately. I tried to dissuade him, saying it was late and we would be disturbing him. However, the lord insisted, saying that Lord Bard might depart tomorrow, and so I went as a messenger and welcomed Lord Bard to the manor. I was then dismissed, but I woke to a loud commotion. I went to the lord’s room to check, and what did I find but the lord and Lord Bard, both collapsed with swords in their hands! The acting lord was also there and ordered me to summon a apothecary.”

At this point, the acting lord interrupted.

“Yes. Allow me to elaborate on the events that followed. The lord and Lord Bard continued their feast, and I retired to my chambers first. However, sensing a disturbance, I threw on my gown and rushed back. There, I found the lord collapsed, bleeding profusely. A sword, clutched in Lord Bard’s right hand, was drenched in blood. I understood the situation and struck Lord Bard from behind with a vase, knocking him unconscious. It was then that the butler arrived, and I instructed him to fetch a apothecary. As for what transpired afterward, let the apothecary testify.”

“Y-yes. My name is Eysis, the apothecary. When I rushed to the lord’s side, he had already expired. It appears he died from a single thrust to the heart. Lord Bard was unconscious, but his life was not in danger.”

“Apothecary Eysis.”

“Y-yes.”

“Was there a sword in the lord’s hand?”

“Y-yes, there was.”

“And was there blood on the sword?”

“No. There was no blood on it.”

“Apothecary Eysis.”

“Y-yes.”

“Was there a sword in Lord Bard’s hand?”

“Yes. He was clutching a sword.”

“And was there blood on the sword?”

“The tip of the sword was heavily stained with blood. However…”

“That’s enough. Based on the testimonies provided, it can be concluded that the man who calls himself Lord Bard Rowen is responsible for the murder of our lord. Now then, let us hear what the accused has to say. Remove the gag.”

“I… I didn’t… I didn’t kill him! I was talking with the lord, and then suddenly I was struck on the head. The next thing I knew, I was holding a sword, and the lord… he was dead…”

“That’s a lie! You see, it was I who struck you on the head, and the lord was already dead by then.”

“Y-you’re lying!”

“Lying, you say? It seems you are the one who is full of lies. Very well! Let us see, then. You, who call yourself Bard Rowen, tell me this. Who patroned your knighting ceremony? Before which god did you swear your oath? And to whom did you pledge your allegiance? Come now, if you are truly Bard Rowen, then answer me!”

“Th-that is…”

“You cannot answer. An imposter, just as I suspected. It seems you resorted to murder after your true identity was exposed. Now! Through this trial, the perpetrator behind the lord’s murder has been revealed! However, this public hearing serves a dual purpose. The matter of our next lord must be addressed. As many of you know, the former lord’s son is currently engaged in knightly training at Krausk. We cannot interrupt his training. Therefore, I believe it is only fitting that I, as the acting lord, assume the mantle of leadership! Of course, once the young lord returns as a knight and gains the necessary experience, the position shall be relinquished to him. In order to seek approval on this matter from the people of this town, as well as Lord Alder, the ruler of our neighboring domain, we have held this trial in public!”

7

I see. So, that’s his plan. That’s why he made it public. The premise of asking the people is very logical, at least on the surface. And since there are no influential knights in this town who could possibly challenge his claim, it makes sense that he called upon the neighboring lord.

What a farce of a trial this is. Why, the acting lord, who is essentially a party involved in the case, is presiding over the proceedings and even passing judgment! He could easily manipulate the trial to suit his own agenda. I bet most of the townspeople gathered here have their doubts about the proceedings.

But at the same time, they couldn’t definitively say that the acting lord is the culprit. Because they simply don’t have any evidence. Besides, anyone who dares to voice their dissent or criticize this sham of a trial would likely face dire consequences. The acting lord is on the verge of becoming the lord. As long as they want to continue living in this town, there’s no escaping his authority. So, naturally, no one can afford to oppose him here.

Ah, I get it. So, that’s why he combined the trial for the lord’s murder with the selection of the next lord. I see. What a cunning tactic.

It’s a forced and arbitrary trial, but this is par for the course when it comes to trials held by those in power in a remote, independent domain. Here, lawlessness and injustice at the hands of nobles reign supreme. Unlike the central continent, independent domains in the frontier are truly independent. Even in a small town like this, the lord holds absolute power, answerable to no one. After years of living under such circumstances, I suppose such a forceful trial might even seem normal.

However, employing such tactics will undoubtedly erode the people’s trust. And once that trust is lost, the domain is destined for decline. This man doesn’t seem to care about such long-term consequences. All that matters is that he gets through this current predicament. That’s how desperate he is.

8

“Lord Alder, do you have any objections?”

“…No. None at all.”

The neighboring lord replied with a hint of reluctance in his voice. Well, of course he has reservations. He must have sensed the absurdity of this whole situation. But he has no grounds to overturn the verdict. And so, to avoid jeopardizing the relationship between their domains, all he can do is accept it.

“Then I ask all those assembled here! If anyone objects to this verdict, speak now!”

A heavy silence fell upon the courtroom. No one dared to utter a single word.

“Very well. In that case…”

“I object!”

A piercing voice, tinged with anger, echoed through the room as the storyteller raised his hand, drawing everyone’s attention. With trembling legs, he stepped forward.

“And who might you be? You’re not from this town, are you? Then you have no right to interfere with this verdict.”

“Oh, I have every right! A public trial is meant to be a place where justice is sought for all, regardless of social standing. Even a traveler passing through, like myself, has the right to speak up for what’s right! By the name of the God of Truth, I say this trial is a sham!”

Oh my, what a way to start.

“What in the world are you talking about? I’ve been listening this whole time and it just doesn’t add up! You’re going on about patrons and oaths. Everyone knows Lady Elzera Tercia of Pakula sponsored Lord Bard. And the god he swore his oath to? That’d be Patarapoza, of course. And who did he pledge his allegiance to? Ha! Lord Bard Rowen is known as the ‘People’s Knight.’ His loyalty lies with the common folk! Even a child knows this. He was just caught off guard because he’d been gagged for so long and was suddenly bombarded with questions. Why would the fact that the other guy is an imposter automatically make Lord Bard the murderer? Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions a bit?”

He certainly seems like the type to get carried away once he starts talking. Why, even the trembling in his legs has stopped.

“Hey, everyone here! Don’t you think there’s something fishy about this whole trial? For starters, there’s a very important witness missing!”

“What? An important witness, you say? And who might that be?”

“Little lady, come on out!”

The young girl who had been hiding behind Bard emerged from the shadows. She stepped forward, her legs shaking. However, Bard’s presence behind her seemed to give her courage. The acting lord’s eyes widened as he noticed the girl. He opened his mouth as if to speak but the storyteller cut him off.

“This little lady is a maid who works at the manor. Four nights ago, she was assigned to attend to you, acting lord. Little lady, tell us, what happened that night?”

“Th-that… My name is Coril, and I work as a maid at the lord’s manor. That night, there was a big commotion, and the apothecary and others arrived. After the apothecary left, the acting lord returned to his room. He took off his gown, and the clothes underneath… they were covered in blood! He… He handed me the bloodstained clothes and told me to dispose of them discreetly. And that I must never breathe a word of this to anyone. He said he would… he would kill me if I did. And then… then the acting lord took out a dagger from his pocket and hid it in his desk drawer.”

“Good job speaking up, little lady. Now, there’s one more person we need to hear from. Apothecary Eysis!”

“What is it?”

“You were about to say something earlier, weren’t you? About Lord Bard’s sword. You said something about it not being…”

“Ah, yes. Lord Bard’s sword is far too large to have inflicted that wound. The injury appears to have been made by a much thinner blade.”

“Is that so? A blade perhaps about this thin?”

The storyteller declared as he produced a sheathed dagger from within his robes. It was a fine dagger, ornately decorated. He drew the dagger from its sheath. Up close, one could make out the dark, reddish-brown stains that marred its surface.

“Yes, that thickness seems about right.”

“Thank you, apothecary. Now, everyone, you’ve heard it all. Where do you suppose this dagger came from? And what do you think this fine embellishment represents? It’s the family crest of the lord’s lineage. And guess where we found it? That’s right, in the acting lord’s desk drawer!”

Now would be the time to question how you came to possess an item from the acting lord’s desk, Bard thought. However, it seemed that the people gathered here were no longer concerned with such trivial matters. Incidentally, it was Karz who had pilfered the dagger. This was the same man who had infiltrated the heavily guarded castle of Count Ryde without breaking a sweat. Breaking into a rural lord’s manor was child’s play in comparison.

“Y-you! Are you implying that I am the culprit? What possible reason would I have to kill the lord, my own brother-in-law?!”

“That’s a very good question. And to answer it, I believe it’s time to call our final witness to the stand. Ta-da!”

The storyteller clapped his hands together dramatically. Karz ripped the hood off the man he had been restraining, revealing his face. The man shuffled forward, seemingly compelled by Karz’s presence. Though concealed beneath his cloak, it was clear that his upper body was bound tightly with rope. Karz must have instilled a great deal of fear in him during his capture, for the man was surprisingly docile. The acting lord’s face turned deathly pale.

“Y-you…”

“This gentleman is none other than our esteemed tax collector. You see, it seems our dear acting lord had been embezzling tax funds. To cover his tracks, he colluded with the tax collector to illegally levy nonexistent taxes from the townspeople. But he knew his crimes would come to light once the lord’s son returned from Krausk, be knighted and ready to assume his rightful place as lord. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands and become the lord himself. What a devious plan! And that, my friends, is the truth behind this whole affair. How do you like them apples, you scoundrel?”

“A-acting Lord, it’s no use! They have the ledgers!”

“D-damn you! Guards! Seize these scoundrels! No…kill them! Kill them all!”

His sudden outburst was a blessing in disguise. The truth was, they would have been in quite a bind had he maintained his composure. About half of the twenty or so guards present obeyed the acting lord’s command, indicating the extent of his influence within the guard ranks. They drew their swords and charged. The storyteller, his earlier bravado is nowhere to be found. He let out a yelp and crouched down while covering his head with his arms.

But there was no need to worry. Karz Rowen was here. With speed that defied the eye, Karz struck down every sword wielded by the attacking guards. Or rather, he sliced through them. He effortlessly disarmed the ten guards in the blink of an eye. The sheer speed and the unprecedented feat of cutting through steel with such ease left everyone speechless. It was the voice of a veteran guard, likely the captain, that broke the silence.

“Restrain the acting lord!”

Two guards immediately moved to apprehend the acting lord as commanded. The acting lord struggled momentarily before resigning himself to his fate. For him, this was the ultimate gamble, one he had staked everything on. It was only natural that he was in a state of shock, now facing defeat. Seto, perhaps recognizing the captain as a trustworthy individual, approached him and presented him with a bundle of ledgers. The captain bowed respectfully to the neighboring lord.

“Lord Alder, my name is Gankuldo Yaban, captain of the guard. I apologize for the unseemly spectacle you have witnessed here today. We shall contact the Krausk domain immediately. It is highly likely that the young lord’s training will be expedited so that he may be knighted and formally instated as lord as soon as possible. As for this incident, a proper investigation and judgment will be carried out under the authority of the new lord once he assumes his position. Until that time, we humbly request your understanding and cooperation.”

“Very well, Captain Gankuldo. That will be acceptable. I’m satisfied with that.”

“Thank you, Lord Alder. Refreshments have been prepared in the next room. Please, allow me to escort you.”

At this, the storyteller interjected.

“E-excuse me! Just one moment, Lord Alder! There’s a small matter I’d like to request of you.”

“Ah, yes. You there! You were quite remarkable back there. Most impressive! Tell me, what is your request?”

“Yes, it’s about this young lady. She’s an orphan, you see, making her own way in the world. And because of what transpired here today, she’s made a powerful enemy of the acting lord. I’m certain there are still many of his sympathizers lurking within the manor walls. So, I was wondering… would it be possible for you to take her under your care for the time being?”

“Hmm… I see. Very well. That’s very thoughtful of you. What do you say, my dear? I’m sure you have friends and relatives in this town, but perhaps until the new lord arrives and this matter is fully resolved… would you care to stay with me?”

“Y-yes! P-please, I would be honored, your lordship!”

Bard and his companions quietly retreated as they listened to this exchange. It seemed the neighboring lord was asking the storyteller something, but they were too far away to hear what was said.

9

The three of them urged their horses onward, back toward Mageia. Bard was deep in thought. It had been a truly appalling trial. There was no evidence, no logic, no justice, nothing. But that’s how things worked in the independent domains of the frontier.

If it had been a city in a larger nation, there would have been outside pressure and oversight from the crown. Such blatant disregard for law wouldn’t have been tolerated. But did that mean large nations were free from injustice and tyranny? Not necessarily. As nations grow, so does corruption. Those with power often abuse it within their own domains.

Was a fair trial even possible? The people of Krausk seemed to have a system that came close. But even that was limited to powerful lords and officials judging the crimes of commoners. If a high-ranking official or a lord were to commit an act of malevolence and injustice, there was no recourse. Until now, Bard had thought this was just the way law and judgment worked. It all depended on the righteousness of those in power.

But was that really all there was to it? This recent farce had given him pause. When something was so obviously wrong, when even the most basic and necessary questions were silenced, did that mean there was no way to fight back against such injustice?

As if reading Bard’s thoughts, Seto quietly spoke, “Perhaps the foundation of a just system lies in establishing laws that govern everyone, high and low.”

“And then create a system to ensure those laws are upheld. It wouldn’t be easy, not now, but someday, in Fyuzarion, let’s establish laws and guardians to uphold them.”

Bard nodded silently. And so they continued their journey. All the while, that eerie voice drifted in and out of their ears.

“Bard Rowen… Bard Rowen…”