Inside the Mathers mansion, a tense calm hung in the air following the revelations. Frederica, her hands still trembling, stroked Rem and Ram's hair while processing Roswaal's monstrosity.
—I am so sorry —she repeated for the third time, her green eyes clouded—. And I thought that he... had given us a home.
Ram, always the most stoic, shook her head seriously.
—Sister Frederica, you had no way of knowing. That individual lied to you as well.
—But you two... —Frederica looked at Kaito, who watched the scene with a compassionate expression—. How could you carry this alone all this time?
Kaito leaned forward slightly.
—They didn't know about this either. But now they can begin to heal —he looked at Emilia, who remained quiet beside him—. Emilia, will you be alright here with them?
She nodded, her silver hair swaying with the movement.
—Yes. I will protect them —her violet eyes showed a determination that surprised even Kaito—. Besides, Puck is with me.
The feline spirit poked his head out from Emilia's collar.
—That's right! Although I'd prefer if you didn't risk going to the capital alone, Kaito.
—It's necessary —Kaito replied, standing up—. If I don't clarify what happened, only problematic things would follow later —he addressed Frederica—. There is another resident here, right? Her name is Beatrice, isn't it?
Frederica looked surprised.
—How...? Yes, it is Lady Beatrice. She remains in the Forbidden Library. Her contract was with Roswaal, but... —her voice trailed off.
—Take care of her as well. When I return, I will speak with her —Kaito walked toward the lounge door—. Don't worry, I'll be back before nightfall.
—Kaito —Emilia's voice stopped him.
When he turned around, she was looking at him with concern.
—Be careful. Puck has told me what those nobles are like.
Kaito simply smiled slightly, while tousling Emilia's hair with one hand.
—Don't worry, Emilia. I'll be fine —smiling, he headed to the room's door—. I'll be back soon.
With that said, Kaito disappeared, leaving behind a trail of blue energy.
Capital of the Kingdom of Lugunica.
The teleportation was as instantaneous as always: a blue flash, a sensation of shifting from one place to another. Kaito appeared in a discreet alleyway of the capital. After looking left and right, he chose the right to exit the alley.
Upon exiting, he could see the city; it was a spectacle of simultaneous grandeur and decadence. Imposing towers rose alongside modest neighborhoods, golden noble carriages shared streets with street vendors, and the royal family flag flew on every building that appeared to belong to the nobility.
Kaito blended into the crowd, observing everything with curiosity. It is truly different to see things through a screen than to see them in person, especially when seeing all this even if it looks like an animation it looked so real and so alive.
After orienting himself with the directions provided by his perception, Kaito headed toward the palace district. The architecture became more opulent with every block, with that wall covering hundreds of meters of the palace and the enormous road leading to it. Thus, Kaito walked for a time, until finally, he reached the main gates of the royal complex.
The guards here were different from those on the periphery: more polished armor, more rigid postures, more scrutinizing gazes.
—Halt. Civilians are not permitted entry; turn around immediately —one ordered without kindness.
—I have come to report the death of Marquis Roswaal L. Mathers —Kaito declared, maintaining his neutral tone.
The guards exchanged broken glances.
—Marquis Mathers? Is this a joke? If you've come to play a joke, retreat immediately.
—No. I am not joking about that. It is the truth.
The second guard, an older man with scars on his face, studied Kaito with clear distaste.
—Boy, you'd better stop playing around. Do you want to be imprisoned for lying about the death of a noble?
—I am telling the truth... I was a witness to his death.
—All deaths of nobles must be reported through the appropriate channels, not by a mere civilian —the first guard said, also somewhat irritated.
—This transcends the appropriate channels —Kaito insisted, beginning to lose his patience—. Roswaal was conspiring with the Witch Cult.
Those words had an effect. Both guards visibly tensed. Although they still believed that Kaito was simply playing a joke on them.
—Those are grave accusations. Are you looking for trouble on purpose!? —the younger guard replied immediately, more irritated than before.
—Whether you believe it or not is your business. I need to speak with the King about this.
The older guard sighed, losing his patience.
—The council is in session with His Majesty. They do not receive just anyone who shows up at the gate. Go back home and stop saying nonsensical things.
Kaito realized he was only speaking in vain. He closed his eyes for a moment and released an infinitesimal fraction of his aura.
It wasn't an attack. It wasn't even a show of force. It was barely a heartbeat of power that expanded like a cosmic sigh across the entire capital.
For less than a second, every living being within a radius of kilometers felt a primordial chill, as if a terrifying being had breathed upon them while squeezing their necks. The birds went silent. The carriages stopped. Citizens clutched their chests and necks without understanding why.
Kaito retracted his aura immediately, but he had already obtained what he wanted.
The two guards in front of him turned pale, setting aside their irritated and conceited appearance, instinctively backing away. The younger one stumbled, leaning against the gate.
Before they could recover or sound the alarm to call for reinforcements, a red-haired figure coming quickly from afar appeared between them.
Hair red as stoked flames, blue eyes reflecting a clear sky, and a presence that filled the space around him even though he looked barely like a young man: Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint, Divine Champion, and the strongest man in the kingdom of Lugunica.
—It seems you have caught our attention quite effectively —Reinhard said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
—I was only looking to be seen, since these guys apparently didn't want to collaborate —Kaito responded, maintaining his relaxed composure before Reinhard.
Reinhard studied Kaito with an almost palpable intensity. His eyes scanned every detail, analyzing, calculating, as he gripped the hilt of his sword. Finally, he nodded.
—The council is in session with His Majesty. They will hear you, but you must understand: your previous action, even if you wanted an audience, will have consequences... they are inevitable.
—I will face them when they come. First, can the Sword Saint lead the way?
Reinhard looked at Kaito briefly, then led Kaito through the long path toward the palace. After passing the palace gate inspection, he entered with Kaito.
Once inside, walking through the palace hallways, every step of the two resonated on the polished marble, and the gazes of servants, courtiers, and Royal guards followed the stranger accompanied by the Sword Saint.
—Roswaal's death —Reinhard said as they walked—. Was it in combat?
—Yes. Let's say we had a conflict after discovering his evil plans.
Reinhard frowned slightly.
—Roswaal was the Court Mage. Killing him... Without conclusive evidence, it would simply be an assassination against a noble of the Kingdom.
—A noble who colluded with the Witch Cult to carry out a massacre —Kaito retorted—. And I have proof of his crimes.
—I hope they are convincing —Reinhard said as they stopped in front of imposing double doors—. Because the men inside are not easily convinced.
Inside the Royal Hall.
The throne room was a majestic chamber that reflected the still-current power of the Lugunican monarchy, with Royal Guards in their white uniforms and swords at their waists stationed on both sides of the hall. On the elevated throne sat King Randohal Lugunica, a middle-aged man with golden hair and red eyes, whose gaze maintained the clarity of an experienced ruler.
On his right side was his brother Ford Lugunica, a man with blond hair and red eyes, with a well-groomed beard and a firm look.
On his left was his son, the crown prince Zabinel Lugunica, a young man with blond hair and red eyes who looked a bit like his uncle to his left. Fourier Lugunica was observing him attentively, his posture relaxed but not careless.
Flanking the throne, in slightly less elevated seats, were the members of the Council of Sages: Miklotov McMahon, with his white beard and shrewd gaze; Bordeaux Zellgef, the fierce-looking general; and Marcus Gildark, captain of the Royal Knights. In a place of honor, but clearly as a guest rather than a formal part of the council, was the young Crusch Karsten, whose presence near Prince Fourier did not go unnoticed.
All eyes were fixed on Kaito when he entered.
—A messenger who comes with news of death —King Randohal began, his voice echoing with natural authority—. Reinhard has informed us briefly. Now, speak clearly.
The King slightly signaled to Reinhard, who had already stepped down from the high platform after informing the King, to then stand beside Gildark.
Kaito watched all this calmly, simply bowing his head slightly in a gesture of respect toward royalty.
—Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, honorable members of the council —his gaze spanned everyone present—. My name is Kaito. This morning, in the Elior Forest, Marquis Roswaal L. Mathers was defeated in combat and passed away.
The statement fell like a stone in still waters.
—Defeated? —Bordeaux asked, his voice containing a growl—. By whom?
—Well, it was by me... I was the one who killed Marquis Roswaal.
—Inadmissible! —exclaimed one of the minor councilors—. It is a blatant assassination of a noble!
—Allow me to show you why I killed the Marquis —Kaito said before chaos broke out completely.
He extended his right hand, and a three-dimensional hologram emerged from the air. The images showed Roswaal meeting with hooded figures bearing the open hand symbol of the Witch Cult, discussing plans to "cleanse" an Oni village.
—Magical illusions! —Bordeaux accused, standing up—. Any competent mage could fabricate this!
—Before you continue saying those things, I had already anticipated your accusation —Kaito admitted—. That is why I also captured this.
The hologram shifted, showing scenes from the palace itself: Miklotov receiving a report on Cult activity on the southern border and ordering it to be ignored for "political priorities"; Bordeaux looking at some papers, showing his normal workday.
Even images were seen of Prince Fourier, in what was clearly a private moment, speaking relaxedly with Crusch about some things.
After these images were shown, the hall erupted.
—This is espionage!
—How dare he!
—Arrest this insolent man immediately! Reinhard, immediately arrest this insolent commoner!
King Randohal raised a hand, and silence returned immediately.
—How did you obtain these images? —the monarch asked, his voice calm but laden with authority.
—My magic allows me to interact with the spiritual flow of the world —Kaito explained, choosing his words carefully—. The first images were extracted from Roswaal's soul before his complete disappearance. The second... are a demonstration that my method is truthful, not illusory.
Crusch Karsten spoke for the first time, her voice clear while the slight embarrassment from the previous images vanished from her face.
—If your images are authentic, then Roswaal was a traitor to the kingdom. But the law is clear: only the crown can judge and sentence a noble of his rank. You took justice into your own hands.
—Justice was coming too late, especially for a noble —Kaito retorted—. Roswaal had already massacred a village. Did you know about that? Of course not.
Fourier, the prince, interrupted with genuine curiosity.
—Is that why you took justice into your own hands?
Kaito looked at the young prince. There was innocence in his eyes, but also an intelligence that many underestimated.
—I did what I had to do. I wouldn't let a plague like that continue to exist.
Prince Zabinel frowned slightly at Kaito's statement, then also spoke.
—Does a mere civilian dare to act in such a way against a noble? Even if Marquis Roswaal was related to the Witch Cult, there are processes that must be followed.
—I wouldn't have such knowledge, but even if I did, I would do the same a thousand times over if necessary —Kaito seized the moment—. I seek no reward. I only inform. And I offer a solution: I will take charge of Roswaal's territory. I will maintain order, protect its inhabitants, and I can serve as the new Court Mage if Your Majesty considers it appropriate.
The protests were immediate, but this time less unanimous.
—Absurd!
—A stranger in the court!
—Out of the question!
King Randohal observed the debate, his fingers drumming lightly on the arm of the throne. Finally, he raised his hand again.
—Silence. Kaito, your actions, although possibly justified, violate royal law. You must collaborate with our investigation. You will remain in custody in the capital until all this is clar-...
—I refuse —Kaito interrupted softly.
A frozen silence fell over the room. Even Reinhard seemed surprised by the bluntness.
—You refuse a royal order? —the King asked, his eyes narrowing.
—With all due respect, Your Majesty —Kaito replied, maintaining his composure—. I will return to the Mathers mansion. I will be available there for any needs required. But I will not be a prisoner for killing trash.
Ford, who had been quiet most of the time, spoke.
—Young man, do you know what you are doing? No matter how much goodwill you had, it is not a civilian's duty to deal with a noble in that manner.
Kaito nodded; he was already getting annoyed dealing with these people.
—Yes, I know that would affect you as nobles, but I wouldn't leave a noble of that type loose... If you permit me, I shall take my leave.
Captain Marcus Gildark took a step forward with a frown.
—It is not your decision. You have killed a Marquis. Under royal law, you must be detained immediately.
Reinhard moved then, placing himself between Kaito and the advancing knights. Not in a defensive posture toward Kaito, but as a mediator.
—Kaito, please. Come peacefully. I give you my word as a knight that you will be treated with justice and that protection will be sent to the Mathers mansion; then you may return once the investigation has ended.
Kaito studied Reinhard, then the King whose expression showed a mix of irritation and curiosity, then Prince Fourier whose face reflected conflict, and finally Crusch whose analytical gaze seemed to be calculating the situation.
—I'm sorry, Reinhard —Kaito said finally—. But I cannot trust my freedom and the safety of those who depend on me to a system that allowed Roswaal to operate with impunity for years, in full view of the council and the crown.
Reinhard nodded slowly, as if he had expected that response.
—Then I must insist.
The Sword Saint did not make a sudden move. He did not adopt a combat stance. He simply advanced toward Kaito's front while holding the hilt of his sword.
Kaito smiled, a small but genuine gesture, upon seeing Reinhard approach.
—I'm sorry, Reinhard —he repeated—. But I'm not going with anyone.
And then it happened.
The air between them densified, becoming visible like heat over asphalt in summer. The floor tiles cracked. The stained glass windows vibrated, emitting a sharp hum. Every person in the room felt an immense pressure in their chest, as if gravity had suddenly tripled.
Young Reinhard van Astrea, the most powerful knight in the Kingdom, frowned for the first time. Not with concern, but with calculated surprise. His blue eyes scrutinized Kaito as if seeing him truly for the first time, evaluating not only his power but the very nature of his existence; he even felt he could draw his sword... which signified a great threat from Kaito.
Kaito, for his part, maintained his smile, his feet firmly planted on the ground, while around them space itself seemed to bend under the weight of two forces that the kingdom of Lugunica was not prepared to understand, in front of an audience... that did not believe what they saw... the clash of two unstoppable forces, about to collide.