Fireworks left few traces in this splendid dreamscape.
The next morning, the sun rose at its usual time, and the doors of every household opened at their familiar hour.
Neighbors chatted and laughed, and passersby exchanged greetings on the road.
Only in their conversations could one find traces of the grand banquet held the previous night.
However, most people were discussing something else.
"Homu! (Have you heard? The Demon Lord is going to be judged today!)"
"Homu homu! (Mhm! Of course, I heard! Such a terrifying Demon Lord must have done many bad things!)"
"Homu? (But why can't I remember what bad things he did... Could there have been a mistake somewhere?)"
"Homu! (Impossible! He is the Demon Lord!)"
"Homu... (I heard this time the trial will be held inside the palace, and we can't attend. It feels a bit regretful.)"
"Homu (What's regrettable about it? The Demon Lord is so scary, I wouldn't dare go!)"
"Homu (That's true...)"
Discussions raged outside, every Homu wondering what terrible deeds the Demon Lord had committed.
However, at the trial scene, within the royal palace, all the Homus present, as well as Sirin seated on the highest throne, and Kiana Kaslana and the others seated below, all remained silent, staring in the same direction.
It was a dark doorway, wide open, with no trace of light within the pitch-black passage.
Homu guards stood in two neat rows outside the gate, on high alert.
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, Joyce had changed into her familiar cloak and hood, her figure hidden in the shadows.
This trial against the Demon Lord was about to begin. Everyone had arrived and taken their designated seats.
Sirin gazed at the dark passage, her expression calm and ordinary, as if nothing had happened the previous night.
The scene was so quietly solemn that everyone present couldn't help but feel nervous.
A Homu guard closest to the passage, seemingly unable to bear the肃然 (solemn and respectful) atmosphere, craned its neck to peek into the tunnel.
Da—
A foot suddenly stepped out, making the Homu guard instantly retract its head, its small, sack-like body trembling violently.
Shu, dressed in white, appeared at the trial scene, standing at the entrance of the passage.
He turned his head, glanced at Kiana and the others who were subtly waving at him from their seats, but didn't nod in response, calmly averting his gaze.
Next, Shu walked with steady steps, as if treading to a specific rhythm, towards the very center of the hall.
There was no wind in the palace, but Shu, with his pace and speed, still managed to make his windbreaker flutter.
The entire trial hall was circular, with rows of seats rising one above the other. Yet, even though everyone was looking down at Shu from a higher position, they all felt as if they were the ones situated lower.
"Homu... (Is this the Demon Lord? Such a strong sense of pressure...)" a Homu couldn't help but whisper.
Shu looked straight ahead, not at anyone in particular, nor did he glance around. He was focused on only one thing—reaching the center of the hall.
Only when he reached his designated spot did Shu look up, directly at Sirin seated on the main throne.
After a night apart, the two met each other's gaze again. This time, however, neither looked away.
Shu stared into those golden eyes, seeing the divine patterns and the dim light within.
Sirin, on the other hand, stared into those dark, profound black eyes, seeing within them a distant vastness and a brilliant color.
"Now," Sirin raised her hand, then swiftly brought it down before her.
"The trial begins!"
"Homu! (Demon Lord! You bring nightmares to children, eat their candy in dreams, break the little flowers they've nurtured, and let their pets escape! Do you admit to these crimes?!)"
The first to step forward was Homu-la, a fearsome scar on his face. His eyes were fierce, fixed intently on Shu in the center of the field, as he questioned sharply.
Shu didn't even turn his head, merely sweeping his eyes over Homu-la casually, then looking away with a hint of disinterest.
"I do not."
Just two short words. No deliberate raising of volume, no deliberate emphasis on pronunciation. Just these two plain words, yet they made every Homu present gasp.
Shu continued to meet Sirin's gaze, still using that same flat tone.
"I brought shelter to the children, brought them safety, created a haven where they could live securely. I allowed them to plant flowers, keep pets, and sleep soundly.
"Therefore, I do not admit."
At this moment, the entire hall erupted.
"Homu? (Is he lying? Would the Demon Lord actually do such things?)" a Homu noble said, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Homu! (If he really did those things, then haven't we wronged him?)" some Homus couldn't help but worry.
"That's definitely true..." Kiana muttered under her breath, dissatisfied. Mei gently patted her hand.
"Shu has always been a good person from the very beginning," Bronya Zaychik stated firmly and sincerely.
"Homu homu! (Your Majesty the King! Is what he says true?!)"
A Homu anxiously sought confirmation from Sirin. Shu, who had been watching Sirin intently, keenly noticed her eyes tremble for an instant.
What he said...
"It's true," Sirin's hands, resting on her lap, slowly clenched.
The entire hall suddenly fell into dead silence.
The Homus looked at each other. In that instant, none of them knew what to say. They could only turn their gazes collectively towards Sirin on the main throne.
Homu-la retreated. Hori stepped forward to take his place.
"Homu... (Demon Lord, you commanded the evil dragon Homusilla to kidnap the princess of the Great Homu Kingdom. Do you admit to this?)"
This time, Shu didn't even shift his gaze, maintaining eye contact with Sirin.
"I do not admit to that either."
"I am very clear whose orders Bella follows, and it certainly isn't mine." Shu's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of accusation creeping into his gaze.
"I have no ability to command Bella. If this is the crime of a Demon Lord, then I am not the Demon Lord."
Sirin's breathing suddenly became erratic. Hori also happened to turn and look at Sirin at that moment.
Sirin, flustered, quickly composed her breathing, pretending nothing had happened.
Feeling everyone's gaze refocus on her, Sirin remained silent for a moment, then nodded again.
"He's right."