Ymir was just like me. Because his model personality and features were based on me. Although more defined, the base was my personality.
And there was one thing common between him and me. We both hated it when we were told to do something. Even if we were going to do it without being told in the first place. We'd drop the idea completely.
"Alright, this is… weird," I whispered.
'Now I know why he was hated by the Saintes so much…' I thought, looking at the letter in my hands.
Violet of Lunar, a commoner turned Saintes, and betrothed to the youngest prince of the Lunar Kingdom.
She didn't see Ymir after their engagement, and he quite hated her, because the decision was made against his will. Additionally, she was a commoner. Although he wasn't so dumb as to act like that just for this simple reason, it's just that his personality was shaped to do so.
You can't steer the plot forward without adding baseless details, more so if it's a game.
The reason I was thinking a lot about her was because of the letter in my hands. Something which was sent by the Golden Order itself.
There was going to be a hearing today, and the accused here was none other than Violet.
It wasn't announced publicly, and there was no mention of it anywhere. And from the looks of it, Bart didn't know anything about it when I asked him.
This was suspicious. First, even if it's not public, I, for one, should've been informed. But I didn't receive a single message.
I looked ahead at Bart; he was still nervous from the last event and just sat in the corner of the moving carriage.
Original Ymir wouldn't have visited receiving this letter. He would've ignored it. I'm different, though. Information… is something which is really crucial to survive in this world. And I lacked that.
I just hoped that Orochi would heed my words and come to my side.
Right now, I was just like a sheep in a wolf's clothing, heading into a den of wolves.
Moments later, the carriage slowed down to a halt in front of golden grilled gates.
One of the two guards approached the carriage doors. Wearing white uniforms, with intricate silver lines of threads and a silver badge of Goddess Luna holding the flute.
Bart opened the door slightly and whispered something as the knight nodded and the gates opened up.
I stared outside the window as the carriage paved its path on the long, white, marbled road. Guards with silver spears and shields stood still across the corners of the road.
The carriage came to a halt again as the doors were opened by a Knight. Wearing a long white coat with golden threads and a long sword hung at the waist.
He had that classy blonde hair. Fine-toned body and blonde beard with grey eyes.
"Welcome to the holy halls, My Lord." He bowed.
I stepped out of the carriage, gesturing Bart to stay and wait outside.
"You are?" I glanced at the knight and started looking around.
This world was… more beautiful than I thought. The model building for the church was based on St. Peter's Basilica, a more refined and shiny structure with glistening white marble.
The whole church was enormous and elegant.
"I am a Knight of the Covenant of Moon. My designation is Ser Caelum Vire." The knight replied.
Covenant of Moon was the name of this church.
I nodded and kept walking towards the doors above the staircase.
Caelum followed me without any words.
"Tell me, Ser Vire, how high is your standing?" I asked, climbing the stairs.
Caelum, without a thought, answered, "We all are children of Luna, My Lord. I don't believe my standing holds any value in her presence."
"I'm not asking this because I'm judging you. A knight of your calibre bowed down to me, welcomed me with his presence, and I think you wouldn't have done that if I were a commoner. I fear that I wouldn't even be able to walk in through the back doors of the church, so it's clear that our positions, our political ties…matter." I said, and arrived at the silver doors.
Two guards opened the doors for us, and I looked back at Caelum to know his answer.
"I've been a Knight for thirty-five years, My Lord. I'm a high-ranking knight. I say that I think I'm qualified enough to be in your presence." He replied.
"A high-ranking Knight?" I muttered. Knights were divided into ranks. Well, being a knight in itself was a dream for many. But a high-ranked individual was receiving me. I was impressed.
"Then…" I faced Caelum and stood an inch's breath away from him. Stared in his eyes and said, "Lead the way to the hearing, Ser Caelum."
His face faltered. His eyes showed clear signs of disbelief; I guess even a knight knew of it, and I didn't. I was pissed.
"What might you be re-"
"I won't ask twice, Caelum. If I walk out of the church right now, I swear not even the grace of our Goddess would be enough to save you from the ordeals I'll bestow upon your life, so lead the way." I spoke.
My tone wasn't threatening, it was just …' Reassuring'.
He pondered for a moment, eyes darting on the ground and then nodded. "This way, My Lord."
I smirked and nodded. "You're a good Knight, Ser Caelum."
He didn't reply. Just kept walking.
As we walked, I observed the corridors. Those elegant crimson carpets, scriptures of Luna's fake stories etched on the beautiful white walls.
This was absolutely aesthetic in its own way. The sisters and priests who encountered us on the way would bow once, and Caelum would give a good nod every time.
And then once again, we came to stop at tall silver gothic gates. I could see my reflection clearly in them. A long black coat, a black shirt with top buttons undone, and it wasn't even a complete set, because I hated ties. I've been wearing them to work for God knows how long.
My red eyes were quite different in the reflection, not to mention the moon-shaped earrings dangling with every movement.
Caelum placed his hands on the doors and pushed them with pressure. They opened up without a sound with a cold breeze of air.
Caelum stood in the centre, catching the attention of all the people in the room.
"The youngest of all Princes, Pride of the Lunar, and the child graced by the will of Goddess Luna, Ymir Celestie of Luna, is making his presence." He shouted and moved to the side, bowing his head.
'Ooh~' I was genuinely impressed. Maybe because it was my first time getting this level of attention.
But… this whole room was designed as an auditorium rather than a courtroom. With seats set on each level of the descending staircase.
A circular podium at the centre of the room, and there stood a single woman in a flowing white gown, with an outer layer in faint moon-silver translucence and an inner layer completely white. Loose violet hair flowing down to the floor.
Dark purple irises that I could spot even from a distance.
The moment her eyes met mine, she held her breath.
'Am I…scary?' I thought.
In front of her were three royal seats behind a table, each occupied by a person. Two men and a woman.
Ignoring her stare, I descended the stairs one by one, looking around at the number of people present in the room.
They were…dazed. What's this?
Suddenly, a few in the corner of the room stood up, followed by them were the masses of all the people who were now standing by the time I arrived at the desk of judges. Even they stood up.
"My Lord…I- we didn't expect you'd grace us with your presence," I looked at the guy who said that. One of the judges here.
White hair, black eyes, a long beard and wrinkles, clear signs of the aged. He was wearing a dark woody brown coat, and gold chains hung from the pocket to the buttons of the coat. His back was hunched.
He stood up with the help of his cane with a golden handle and approached me.
"I was informed about certain events that might've slipped out of my notice, so I thought I'd pay a visit, and you are?"
"I see, I see." He whispered. His expressions seemed genuine.
"I'm Winifred, a subject of the Queen's direct advisor. It's an honour to be in your presence, My Lord." He said as he tried to bow down with the support of his cane.
"There's- there's no need for that," I supported him.
'This guy might just die from the greeting.' I thought.
"I apologise, my lord, it seems the age has gotten me quite good," He muttered.
'Yeah, I can see that.' I thought.
I looked at the remaining judges, and another guy spoke up as he moved towards my side, "I am of the Covenant of Moon. My designation is Ferrey."
He was a priest, wearing a long white inner robe, a silver mantle and embroidery.
"With the grace of her holline-"
"Why don't you sit, advisor? You don't have to force yourself," I cut the priest's words and looked at the elder I was supporting.
I guided him back, leaving the Priest's expression hanging in confusion.
If I were to be honest. I was a little nervous. I wasn't even aware of the contents of the case, yet here I was, trying to grasp the situation.
Was there any progress in understanding it? I guess.
The one we're accusing here is the saintess. We've got an advisor here, which means the Kingdom is involved. This is not an internal feud.
Church not defending the saintess means that the one who's accusing her holds quite some power.
The case isn't taken public because that would create extreme backlash for the one accusing the saintess, a being devoted to the goddess.
Silence would preserve the dignity of the accuser, control the damage for the church, and contain the situation for the Kingdom.
That means, they're already prepared for her to take the fall.
'Alright, I guess I know a bit of politics,' I thought, and sat in the chair of the priest.
I raised my hand and casually gestured for the audience to sit, and then glanced at the priest, who remained standing.
Guy was staring at me like he'd empty a magazine in my head if guns really existed here.
"We're getting late for the hearing," I spoke and gestured at the corner. "I don't think we can proceed with the judge standing…please arrange a seat."