The Royal Court representative stood, unrolling a scroll.

"The following decrees are hereby enacted, effective immediately," she read in a clipped, official tone. "First. The trial of Miss Ravenna Blackthorn is declared null and void due to procedural irregularities and outside interference. A new trial will be convened under proper royal oversight."

My stomach dropped. Fuck!

"Second. The organization known as 'The Obsidian Council' is hereby declared an unsanctioned militant group. All activities are suspended pending investigation into possible criminal conspiracy."

No. No, no, no. This wasn't supposed to happen like this! Haven't we already settled things yesterday? Would our victory be easily swept away? Just like that?

An hot coal settled inside him and slowly began to set my inside on flame.

"Third. Mr. Hadeon Ravana is to be placed under academy arrest for obstruction of justice, interference with legal proceedings, and conspiracy to harbor a known criminal. He will be held pending transfer to royal custody."

The guards moved, they were already surrounding the entire front section. Cutting off escape routes. My eyes hardened and the shadows around me trembled.

I narrowed my eyes as I remember something critical about myself....I'm also nobility! It's something I rarely use but the previous host shove it in everyone's face and use it to cheaply get his way.

"Fourth. Miss Ravenna Blackthorn is to be remanded into Church custody immediately for proper trial by ecclesiastical court."

Two guards moved toward Ravenna. She stood, purple-black magic crackling around her hands.

"Don't," I said quietly. "That's what they want, they want false Justification."

"I'm not going back in chains," she hissed.

Seraphina stepped between Ravenna and the guards, hand on her sword hilt. "These decrees violate academy sovereignty. Headmaster Aldric, do you consent to this?"

All eyes turned to the Headmaster. He looked old suddenly and far too tired.

"I..." he glanced at the Baron. At the Bishop. At the Royal Court representative. He sighed. "I defer to higher authority in matters of royal law."

"Coward," Seraphina muttered.

The guards reached for Ravenna....

A voice suddenly cracked the air like a whip.

"Stop."

My voice wasn't loud. But something in it made everyone pause, maybe it was the liquid darkness that seems to seep into it. I stood slowly, keeping my hands visible. "Baron Celestius. I have a question."

"Mr. Ravana, you are under arrest. You have no standing to.... "

"You said this was about justice. So let me ask. Where is the evidence?"

"Evidence was presented at trial...."

"Evidence that I proved was fabricated in detail. With expert testimony, financial records, and sworn statements." I looked at the crowd. "Does anyone here dispute those findings?"

Silence.

"So if the evidence was fabricated," I continued, "then there was no crime. And if there was no crime, there's no legal basis for these arrests."

"The new trial will determine....."

"The new trial will be conducted by people you control. In venues you choose. With judges you appoint." I met the Baron's eyes. "That's not justice, just a show trial."

"You dare question the Crown's authority?" The Bishop rose, face flushed. "You dare question the Church's judgment?"

"I dare question anyone who uses their authority to punish the innocent and protect the guilty."

The Baron's expression darkened. "Enough. Guards, take him."

Four guards moved forward. They are A-rank warriors, strong powerful and professionals. Their hands on weapons and the subtle aura of bloodlust on them intensifies.

I didn't move and didn't even resist.

Just spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Before you arrest me, you should know. Duke Victor Ravana is three hours away with two hundred soldiers. He will arrive to find his nephew in chains, arrested on false charges, with no proper legal proceedings. A Duke's heir, held by a Baron without ducal consent."

The Baron froze.

"Now, you have the legal authority to arrest me. Technically. But politically?" I smiled. "You're starting a war between noble houses. And the last time that happened, the kingdom bled for a decade. I don't think the King would appreciate that when the world is already facing the coming of domons."

"This is different," the Baron said, but his voice had lost certainty.

"Is it? You're using royal writs to circumvent ducal authority. That sets a precedent every noble house will notice. If a Baron can arrest a Duke's heir on fabricated charges, what's to stop them from coming for everyone else?" I smiled slowly.

Murmurs spread through the crowd. The professors were whispering urgently. Even some of the guards looked uncertain.

"The charges are legitimate....."

"The charges are bullshit and everyone here knows it." I gestured to Ravenna. "You want to arrest her for forbidden magic? Fine. Show us one shred of real evidence. One witness who isn't on your payroll. One piece of magicl forensic proof that wasn't planted."

"The ritual circle....."

"Was drawn by others, this was proven yesterday by multiple experts." I looked at the crowd. "Professor Helena, you reviewed the magical analysis. Was the ritual circle not formed by different signature that did not belong to the accused?"

Helena stood slowly. "It was indeed as you said."

"And the witness? Caldric " I pulled out a communication crystal. "Would you like to speak to him? He's available right now. Ready to testify again."

I resisted the urge to point out that the bastard was one of those involved. His account was linked. How dare the bastard start pretending now? It's an open secret at this point but even then, it's better to thread carefully.

The Baron's jaw tightened.

The Royal Court representative whispered urgently in his ear. The Bishop looked confused, glancing between the Baron and the crowd.

"This is not how this was supposed to go," the Baron said quietly. "I heard that this Hadeon is a fool that knows nothing, but why's it a different matter now?"

"No," I agreed. My ear picking up what he's saying with ease. "You expected to swoop in, arrest everyone, and declare victory before anyone could react. But see, the thing about truth? It's really inconvenient for people pushing lies."

"You think you've won?" The Baron's voice turned cold. "You think exposing my tactics changes anything? I have fifty A-rank guards. You have words."

"I have witnesses. I have evidence and have legal standing as a Duke's heir." I paused. "And I have something else."

"What?"

"Time."

The doors burst open.

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