SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

The Royal Court became dead silent as three hovering figures appeared in the sky. Each wore the unmistakable black robes of the Royal Judges, their heads adorned with silver conical hats that glowed in the morning light. In their hands, they held golden scepters, symbols of their ultimate authority.

They descended slowly, their presence commanding the respect of all who looked upon them. The spectators, who had just moments before been noisy and restless, fell into an uneasy silence. Even the rowdy crowd from the Doom nation quieted as the judges took their places on the three massive stone thrones at the head of the Royal Court.

The middle judge, an elder with narrowed eyesl, raised his scepter. His voice, though calm, echoed across the enormous stadium like a thunderclap.

"The Doom family has filed a Justice Call against the Frost nation. A person related to the Frost family has been accused of threatening the life of Princess Chuli of the Doom family," the judge announced, his words carrying with them an air of finality.

"As per the Royal Decree, harming or threatening any member of a crest family is a punishable offense. The King of the accused family, along with the culprit, will face the consequences if found guilty. King Ragnar, If your family be found guilty, you will be required to kneel before the Doom nation's people in the Capital City.

However, if the accusation is proven false, King Hoon Doom must apologize to you and pay compensation decided by this court."

The judge's gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on the Doom nation's side, which erupted in whispers and murmurs. His expression hardened, and he brought his scepter down onto the stone throne, silencing the stadium once again.

"We will now begin the proceedings as set by Royal Law. Princess Chuli, please step forward and present your case."

Princess Chuli stepped forward, Her face was composed, but her eyes shimmered with a mix of pride and barely concealed anger. She raised her head high, her voice soft but clear, immediately capturing the attention of the entire court.

"Honored Judges, noble spectators, and members of the crest families," Chuli began, her voice quivering slightly, as if reliving a traumatic event. "I stand before you today, not out of pride or revenge, but as a victim. A victim of a masked stranger who threatened my life and brutally KILLED my loyal wizards."

She paused, glancing toward the crowd. Her words were measured, but there was a vulnerability in her tone that made her seem sympathetic, even pitiful. The audience listened intently, leaning in to catch every word.

"I was traveling at City Wall when I encountered this masked individual who is attacking my family wizards with strange fire. At first, I thought he was a victim, just another innocent traveler. But as I neared, I realized something was wrong. He had been causing trouble, intimidating my soldiers, demanding entry through my personal passage.

When my guards, brave and loyal as they were, refused his entry, he grew violent."

Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she sniffed lightly for effect. The spectators shifted, some already frowning at Kent, whose masked face gave no reaction.

"I approached the masked man myself, believing I could reason with him, perhaps even help him," she continued, her voice laced with false humility. "I asked him to surrender peacefully, but he refused. Instead, he turned his wrath on my family's wizards. When I gave the order to apprehend him, he attacked viciously! One by one, he killed my soldiers, striking them down without mercy."

The audience gasped loudly at her words, the weight of her accusation hanging heavy in the air. Even from the Frost nation's side, there were uneasy murmurs. Lily's face darkened with concern, and she shot a quick glance at Kent, whose posture remained calm.

Chuli pressed a hand to her throat dramatically. "He placed a magical sharp disc against my neck, threatening my life. If not for a stroke of good fortune, I wouldn't be standing here today. He could've killed me, and if it weren't for the quick intervention of my other guards, I would have died!"

Her words hung in the air, drawing sympathetic nods from the crowd. Loud murmurs spread like wildfire, and some spectators began booing toward the Frost family. King Hoon Doom smirked, satisfied with the growing hostility.

The middle judge raised his hand to quiet the crowd. "Silence!" His voice boomed once more, and the crowd immediately fell silent under his command. His gaze shifted toward Kent, still shrouded under his mask. "Kent of the Frost family, you are accused of threatening the life of Princess Chuli and attacking her guards. You will now have your opportunity to speak. Step forward."

Kent took a deep breath before stepping to the front of the court. The weight of a million eyes bore down on him, but his voice was steady as he began.

"Honored Judges, noble families, I stand here today not as a criminal but as someone who was wrongly accused," Kent said calmly in a normal tone. "When I arrived at the Doom family's gate along with Lily Frost and the disciples of Royal Academy, we requested entry peacefully. But because I did not bear a crest or family symbol, I was denied entry."

He paused, letting his words settle. The crowd listened, some nodding in understanding, while others remained skeptical.

"So, I was left alone, outside. When I'm minding my own business and checking local stores at the city wall, some crest wizards came to mess with me. I recognized the guards from earlier—they had seen me with Lady Lily of the Frost family—but despite that, they chose to play tricks on me. They demanded that I hand over my dragon as payment for not having any family mark."

The crowd began to stir with shock. Dragons, For the Doom family's guards to ask for one was an outrage.

"When I refused, they grew hostile. They used force, attacking me and attempting to steal what was not theirs."

One of the judges, the one seated to the right, narrowed his eyes and interrupted. "You claim to possess a true dragon, Kent? Is it a dwarf dragon, or are you telling us it's the real thing?"

Just as the words left the judge's lips, a small roar erupted from Kent's side. The crowd gasped as a tiny but fierce baby dragon made a loud cry beside him, its eyes gleaming with golden fire. It opened its mouth and breathed a small, but incredibly hot stream of fire onto the rocky ground, turning the stone into molten soil in an instant.

The crowd erupted in gasps and cries of disbelief. A true dragon! Even the judges, known for their impartiality, exchanged looks of astonishment. None had seen a true dragon in centuries. Until now, everyone thought it's a dwarf dragon.

After a moment, the middle judge slammed his golden scepter down, restoring order. "Enough! The dragon is real, but we are here to discuss the charges, not to marvel at beasts."

Once the crowd had settled, the judge gestured for Kent to continue.

"After the guards attacked me, I had no choice but to defend myself. Yes, I fought back, but it was in self-defense. I never intended to harm the princess."

He turned slightly, looking at Princess Chuli, who was glaring at him with thinly veiled contempt.

"She knew I was with Lily Frost," Kent said, his voice now taking on a more serious tone. "Yet she ordered her wizards to beat me, knowing full well who I was with. I only held her to delay until Lady Lily arrived, never to kill her."

The crowd fell into uneasy murmurs, many now considering Kent's words with more seriousness. Even some of the Doom nation supporters grew quieter, sensing there might be more to the story than they initially thought.

Kent finished with a final, composed statement. "This is only my second day in the Seventh Realm. I was unaware of your laws and customs. But I have never, and will never, threaten the life of an innocent, least of all a member of a crest family."

The crowd erupted once more, this time in divided support. Some shouted accusations, while others began calling for justice for Kent and the Frost family.

The middle judge once again silenced the crowd with a single motion of his scepter. His gaze was piercing as he looked from Kent to Chuli, weighing their words.

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