Atlas Battle Song

Sure enough, Yi Ge's grandfather was also unwilling to meet an unknown boy from the West Plateau.Trand wasted no time in front of the closed gate.

"I have another way. I must make my grandfather stand up and speak for Yi Ge."

After reporting the situation to Kaloyalo, Trand rushed to Duke Swalders' territory at full speed.The duchy was not far from the emperor, and Trander finally arrived after two days of non-stop driving.He came to the castle, half persuaded and half bribed the guards, and entered.

Trand was received by a tall Sybyl woman, Swalders' housekeeper.She had accompanied the Duke and Duchess to Egg's 12th birthday party, so remembers Trand, the bronzed West Highlands boy.

"You are Master Egg's follower."

"Yes ma'am, my name is Trande Muawia... You must have heard that Earl Gorgon was executed for treason, and Igor is also arrested now. Young master, he has not participated in it from the beginning to the end, and has not betrayed Your Majesty, if you are exiled to the ice field, the young master will surely die."

The housekeeper wanted to say something, but held back.

Trander took out the young master's former toy puppet and a letter from the package, and handed them to the housekeeper:

"I just ask you to pass this on to the honorable Duchess of Swalds, who is Egg's grandmother and who loves that child."

Looking at the puppet lion cub in the boy's arms, the butler showed a sad expression.

"Ah... I remember, Master Egg had been hugging this little doll before, and loved it very much."

After handing over the puppet and the letter, Trand left.Since the grandfather didn't want to see him, then the grandmother would definitely convince her husband because she felt sorry for Egg.

The boy was restless and sleepless, and rushed back to the imperial capital overnight.

When he saw the prince, he was too sleepy to speak, but he heard him say in a daze:

"Your Majesty asked me in private before: When will the trial be? I'm sorry to procrastinate, so I said three days later... So it's tomorrow! How is it, has the grandfather settled it?"

Trander fell headlong on the sofa, weakly gestured for "success", and fell asleep in a second.

That night, Trand had a rare peaceful sleep.He dreamed of a little lion puppet, being warmly embraced by Master Egg.

Early the next morning, Trand woke up and found himself sleeping in the Duke's study, covered with a thick blanket.

"Is it tonight..."

Trand looked at his hands.He thought it over.

"Master, if they exile you, then I will go with you."

****

The bells of dusk struck.

Gold descended on the spike-shaped golden roof of the Night Palace again, and the imperial city built in the late Ibane style stood up in the winter snow, like the reflection of the Hades in this world.

The nobles entered the "Great Dome" courtroom, where Count Gorgon had been executed a few days earlier.Just like last time, the judges sat in the circular darkness, the emperor sat high on the throne, and the center of the venue was a bright trial seat.

The Duke smeared and found his seat, and pulled the embroidered flag of "Empire Flame" on the back of the chair, but no matter how he did it, it was crooked.

"You should sit down, Your Excellency the Duke." Trand, who was accompanying him, sighed and straightened the embroidered flag.

"Is this your first visit to the court?"

"Ah."

Trander was not in the mood to chat, and looked around anxiously, then stared at the interrogation seat below.The Duke was also very nervous, and was interrupted when he was about to say something.

"Shh, it's starting."

Just like last time, the emperor came in person.

But this time the Empress does not seem to intend to intervene, leaving the full power to the justice.Some politically sensitive nobles felt a little strange, secretly guessing the emperor's intentions, guessing whether this trial was a "performance" that had been arranged long ago.

The unusually burly judge, wearing a red and black robe and holding a spear symbolizing the authority of Nushen, announced the start of the trial with great arrogance:

"Call the sinner."

In the darkness and silence, the nobles watched from the sidelines, and Trand clenched his trembling fists tightly.

The knights lined up on the left and right, the carved armor shining with dazzling silver light, the interlaced spears and sharp swords made way for a path——

Sinners are called upon.

The sound of heavy chains dragging in the darkness, slowly and with difficulty, came from a place without light.But when the sinner in shackles really appeared in the field of vision, a strong sense of unease hit the hearts of the nobles.

It was just a young boy in a white robe, with black hair hanging down and half covering his delicate face.If it weren't for the huge chains, he would have looked like just a teenager in a lacy nightgown.The nobles had mixed feelings, they all knew the boy's name, and they had given presents to the young master at the grand birthday party.

But now, that proud child in shackles, with dull eyes, staggered to the center of the field, looking like he was about to lose his hold.

"Egg..."

Trand was dying too, and this scene hurt him greatly.At that moment, the boy deeply felt that some pain does not need to happen to him, it is enough to crush the soul.

Some nobles who had secretly participated in the rebellion fell into deep guilt and anxiety. A few days ago, they had seen Earl Gorgon's all charges and committed suicide here.See the boy again now, kneeling in disgrace, right where his father died.

The nobles understood what the emperor meant:

The innocent boy was a symbol of their unaccounted for crimes.Just like a pure empty cup, containing the poisonous blood of others.

"The sinner—Egg Swalds Gorgon."

The Grand Inquisitor held out his holy spear.

"it's me……"

The boy knelt obediently, but with difficulty, as was the protocol for audience with the Spear of the Nu God.

"By the power of God Nu and the gods, by the glory of His Majesty the Emperor of the Holy Simenaru Empire, you swear that your words will not be sophistry, falsehood, or blasphemy."

"I swear……"

Egg answered in a false voice, his face pale.

The justice said sharply:

"Then begin the inquiry—were you in any way involved in Count Gorgon's rebellion?"

"I do not have……"

"Have you ever assisted the rebels?"

"I do not have……"

"Did you know in advance that your father was about to rebel? Was there a warning?"

"Yes, my lord..."

"Since you knew it in advance, why didn't you report your father's crime?"

"..."

"Then this is your first charge. Next, before your father rebelled, did you hold a secret meeting with other accomplices?"

"I don't know, my mother passed away, and I..."

The boy's back trembled, and the pupils of his eyes were dull.He didn't hear the next question asked by the justice, and he still repeated what he had just said dully.

"...Mom, be happy."

Egg said.

He saw something black wriggling in the shadow not far away, like a small piece of meat.

The judge knocked on the scepter in dissatisfaction, and asked again:

"As the eldest son of the Gorgon family, you knew in advance that your father was about to rebel. Have you told others about it?"

"I do not have……"

"You used to study in the Emerald Academy, did you know that Earl Gorgon was about to rebel?"

"I do not know."

The questioning was long and torturous, and the justice spoke very slowly, words like red-hot nails hammering down the boy's shame on the ground.

"Why did you drop out of Jade Academy?"

"..."

Egg was silent.

All eyes were on the kneeling boy like spikes.The same is true of the light, which scorched the chained neck.

The Chancellor didn't let go of the question: "Why did you drop out of Emerald?"

"because……"

Egg's breathing was so messed up that he wouldn't say it.

Trand had a premonition that something was wrong.

"Reply!"

The justice slammed his stick on the ground, and the angry sound rang harshly, and people held their breaths.

The boy lowered his head, resisted, and said the thorny words word by word:

"Because... the teacher wants to rape me."

Silence fell over the Inquisition.

Trander looked at Egg in a daze, pain and remorse were like pouring hot molten iron.If there was another invisible trial at this moment, it would be Trand himself.He kept asking himself: Why didn't he protect Egg?Why do you only know now?The fire burned in the young man's heart. He tortured himself, even if he tore his self-esteem and soul to pieces, he still wanted an answer.

The judge pondered for a moment, gave up this worthless question, and continued the interrogation:

"During your stay in the Emerald Academy, did you confuse other children and let their families participate in the rebellion?"

Egg's spirit became weaker and weaker, and his harsh inquiry turned into a whirling hum. He seemed to be submerged in water, and he couldn't hear or see clearly.He saw the little black mass, wriggling, getting closer and closer, and finally slipped cautiously into his own shadow.

"No……"

The boy's voice was hoarse, and he smiled hard, like a broken vessel.

This kind of inquiry continued for a long time, until the boy was so exhausted that he could almost kneel on the ground and gasp for breath, unable to speak a complete sentence.The judge glanced at the notebook carried by the servant with satisfaction, then turned around and bowed to the high throne:

"Your Majesty, the questioning is over. Although the sinner, Igor Swards Gorgon, did not directly participate in the conspiracy, it is still a felony not to report it. According to the laws of the empire and the will of God Nu..."

Everyone nervously waited for the judge's decision.

"Should be sentenced to exile to the Great Ice Fields as a convict," said the Lord Chancellor.

There was an uproar during the banquet, and it became quiet in an instant, waiting for the emperor's decision.The Duke folded his hands nervously.Trander felt that it didn't matter anymore, he looked at Egg wearily and tenderly.

Egg had no expression on his face, as if everything didn't matter anymore.He sniffed, then looked up into the darkness—Trander's direction.

The two children looked at each other, as before.

"If this is your destiny, then it is mine." Trander smiled bitterly.

Everyone is waiting.

"..."

But the emperor said nothing, still in deep thought, tapping his fingertips on the throne.

What signal is this?

guilty?The nobles who had participated in the rebellion were sitting on pins and needles.Some nobles sympathized with Egg, but dared not speak.A vast silence surrounds the darkness, and all eyes are on the one Lord.

The emperor sighed helplessly: "It makes sense, then..."

"Wait a moment, Your Majesty—!"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted the empress.

People looked over in amazement and saw that the impertinent speaker was the Duke of Vulkan, the red-eyed Mr. Kaloyalo.

"Your Majesty, please listen to my advice: Although this child is not completely innocent, the severe punishment of exile on the ice sheet is equivalent to killing him, and slowly torturing a frail and sick child to death. You are the core of the empire, Nu God's incarnation in the world, our supreme and only master, I beg you to bring down your crimes and at the same time grant mercy - deprive this Gorgon family of its title and territory, demote this boy to a commoner, but don't exile him!"

The duke finished trembling.

The emperor was noncommittal, and turned to ask the chief judge: "What do you think?"

The justice was a staunch man, but at this moment he felt that his authority had been blatantly offended by a jester, and he unabashedly rebuked: "Duke Vulkan, that's unreasonable! Are you going to make the decision on behalf of your majesty? This boy is the eldest son of a traitor. Sin as the same father. You said to save his life now... Will he not seek revenge when he grows up in the future? Egg Swards Gorgon must die!"

The Duke did not hesitate to argue with the Chancellor:

"Your Excellency, do you want to deprive His Majesty of the sacred right to convict? We have heard from the inquiry just now that this child has not participated in the conspiracy at all. He is kind and loyal."

"Then I want to ask you, Your Excellency, why did you stand up and protect this boy? One can't help but doubt your position and motives. Do you have any shady relationship or transaction with this boy?"

This question made the Duke a little confused, and he couldn't give a childish answer like "Because we are friends".The Duke thought for a while, and had no choice but to bite the bullet and say nonsense:

"There is no transaction or relationship between us. I defend Igor Swards Gorgon only because he is a minor child!"

This nonsense still made many people laugh.

The justice also laughed and said: "It's nonsense, law and justice never differ because of age!"

The emperor waved his hand and personally rescued Kaloyalo:

"Forget it, don't worry about this issue. Duke Vulkan is kind and kind by nature, and always dislikes the suffering of children and the elderly."

The laughter stopped.

The courtroom fell into dead silence again.Trand stood on a high place, overlooking.Egg knelt, as if nothing else mattered anymore.

At this moment, the high-profile attendee—Egg's grandfather, the old Duke of Swards spoke:

"Your Majesty...whether it is the previous rebellion or today's trial, it can be regarded as an absurd family affair of the Swades family. The mastermind is my son-in-law, and the person on trial is my young grandson. I have always felt deeply guilty for this, I tried my best to atone for my sins in the battle against the traitor... I could kill the traitor Gorgon with my own hands, but... Ego, after all, he is the child of my youngest daughter, my poor dead daughter, the one I loved the most... Irwyn. Your Majesty, if you have compassion for the faithful old Swaders, then I also beg you... to spare the life of this child and demote him to the rank of a commoner."

The old duke's words were like a heavy weight, weighing heavily on one end of the balance.Seeing that the Duke of Swades supported Kaloyalo, many nobles silently favored a lighter sentence.

The judge was still not reconciled, and recited a section of the great epic "Sybil's Battle Song" on the spot, trying to ask the emperor for help:

"Your Majesty! We are Sibyls born by the sword. In the great epic, we never give unnecessary sympathy to the defeated and the sons of the enemy. If you let go of a young beast today, you may be hunted by leopards in the future."

Kaloyalo was angry and funny, thinking how could this person start reciting poems if he couldn't make sense?But the Great Epic is a sacred book, and the Sibyls will believe it.Incessantly, Kaloyalo also recited a passage with great emotion. The great hero Carlamon mercifully let his opponent go because he admired the talents of the enemy general Farhad in the Golden City.

"Your Majesty, Igor Swards Gorgon is a rare talent. In time, this kid's martial arts and loyalty will become a model for Sybil warriors. Save his life and he will serve the Empire."

The emperor rubbed his temples with a headache:

"That's enough, don't memorize poems, stop here. Duke Vulkan is right, this child is indeed not guilty of death, so who of you will guarantee him, in case his father repeats the same mistakes?"

has hope……!Trand gripped the back of the chair firmly.

"Please let me guarantee it!"

Mr. Kaloyalo said without hesitation:

"Your Majesty, please allow this boy to become my squire and my blood alliance. From now on, I will keep him by my side and supervise him strictly. If he does anything wrong, I will bear all the consequences and responsibilities."

At that moment, Trander was filled with indescribable gratitude.The nobles looked at Kaloyalo foolishly wanting to take the coals into his arms in an unreasonable way.But people with a discerning eye can see through: the emperor knows Kaloyalo very well, and has long expected such a result, or in other words, this is what she planned from the beginning.The empress wants to regain stability in the empire that was nearly split during the rebellion, appease the pure-blood nobles who hold power, and at the same time emphasize her unshakable authority.

"Well," the emperor thought for a moment, "it might as well."

With everyone looking up, the empress stood up, and with the power of the moon god, the god of war, and the god of judgment—Nu, she announced to the ministers:

"The courtiers I love, trust, and rely on, Sybil's glorious emperor sword. Today, because of your earnest advice, I am willing to show mercy to the young..."

The Duke happily took out his handkerchief and wiped his tears.

The judge was extremely disappointed, but he could only accept it.Old Swaders sighed with a blank face, and then whispered to the messenger.

This result appeased the nobles who had lingering fears.They feel sorry for the boy of the Gorgon family, and at the same time understand the intention of the empress to perform this "performance":

She forgives them.If you are loyal, forget the past.

So far, the restless imperial power and the ancient noble blood have re-established an alliance, the two ends of the balance have returned to balance, and the empire has stabilized.

Egg knelt on the spot, staring down at his own shadow, his thoughts had already drifted away, and he didn't care about the judgment and the white light hanging high.

In the boy's shadow, the thin, black hands loomed.Egg touched it.

"..."

Soft and fluffy.It's a cat.thought Egg.

"...Deprived of titles, demoted to commoners." Said the emperor's divine voice.

Trander closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and let the sentence be branded in his mind like a red-hot iron.That feeling came back.The three giant snake marks on his chest were painful, as if bleeding.The boy opened his eyes again, staring at those born superiors with fiery eyes.

Today's shame and pain will always be remembered by Trand.