As Loys had learned, Jarle of Mornet had known about the crystals for about a year. At the time, he had stumbled upon the information by accident and had kept what was happening in their district secret - even from his mother. The Duchess of Mornet was extremely distraught after learning what her husband had been doing all these years. Loys had not been able to overhear the exact conversation, but according to Julius, she had cried and cursed her husband, whom she truly loved.
It was a miracle that they made any progress at all, given the sheer number of people questioned.
However, the highlight of the questioning came when Jonat Paseru from Frignez was summoned. The swordmaster stood on the podium in fresh clothes and with his arms bandaged as he described the events in Mornet from his point of view. As expected, he denied any guilt, claiming that he had been kept in the dark and would otherwise have intervened.
Out of the corner of his eye, Loys observed the reaction of King Leonhardt, who did not contradict him or ask any further questions. Confident as ever, Leonhardt listened to the stories, which toldLoys everything.
Unintentionally, his gaze fell on Zod Adenia - the swordmaster of Karekama who worked for him. Just like Jonat Paseru, he was in the middle of the room, in proximity to Jonat Paseru himself. He, too, appeared to be the epitome of calm, which Loys had come to expect from his newest appendage. However, the relieved smile when King Leonhardt thanked him for the information did not escape Loys' notice.
"In summary, it can be said that you were not informed of what was happening in Mornet", the king finally concluded.
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"Well, that puts your statement against the evidence", King Leonhardt replied, tapping his right finger discreetly on the table - a signal to Loys and Julius. "Is there anything you are hiding from me regarding the children, the Levione, or your brother Inar?"
"Nothing of the sort, Your Majesty."
The signal appeared again, which did not make Loys happy. A quick glance at his colleague Julius Venlan confirmed that they must be thinking the same thing. Jonat Paseru was innocent, and Zod had known that from the very beginning.
"If you'll allow me, Your Majesty", Jonat said, causing Loys to turn back to him. "I would like to apologize for my actions in Mornet. For my ignorance toward my brother and... my actions upon Sir Venlan's arrival."
King Leonhardt signaled with a brief hand gesture that he was free to speak.
"I humbly ask for forgiveness", Jonat Paseru began, bowing his head. "My stubbornness cost many lives, and I realize that no words in the world can ever make up for that. I am truly sorry for what happened in Mornet."
Leonhardt gave the same signal again while Jonat Paseru continued speaking.
"I owe you an apology as well, Sir Venlan. I should have let you speak and not... attacked you for no reason. Please... forgive my foolishness."
There was a brief silence before Julius sat up and spoke.
"I forgive you, Sir Paseru", Julius finally announced, and Jonat Paseru sat up with relief. His gaze then shifted to King Leonhardt, who was sitting between Loys and him. "Your Majesty. If you'll allow me, I'd like to ask a few questions."
"Go ahead", King Leonhardt announced, and Julius thanked him.
"Sir Paseru. Do you know Zod Adenia?"
At these words, Loys immediately got goose bumps. Just recently, Loys had talked to Julius, specifically about the fight between Jonat Paseru and Zod. They had come to discuss the topic because Loys was now also convinced that Zod was actively trying to help the swordmaster from Frignez. This was one of the reasons why Zod was only assigned to guard duty these days and did not have access to the documents.
Neither of them was really sure if they had trusted Zod too soon.
"I met him for the first time in Mornet. I haven't heared of him and in particular, about the whereabouts of Karekama..."
As always, King Leonhardt responded with his signal.
"I am aware that he looks like a Frignezer", Jonat continued. "But I had never met him until that evening and... to my knowledge, you are from Altona, Sir Adenia."
Zod merely nodded, while King Leonhardt tapped his right finger.
"Excuse me... Zod. But I have to ask the question. What is your relationship to Sir Paseru?"
"Not a particularly close one, if that's what you mean", Zod lied, which King Leonhardt immediately recognized. "Until a few days ago, I only knew his name."
Dozens of questions immediately raced through Loy's mind, while Julius fell silent in surprise. Neither of them had expected this. Zod knew Jonat Paseru much better than he was willing to admit, but Jonat knew nothing about it. How was that possible? Was Zod a secret stalker or...
Then Loys remembered what Zod had mentioned some time ago. His master was also a Paseru, which meant he was a member of Jonat Paseru's family.
"Do you still have any family, Sir Paseru, apart from your brother?", Loys asked, whereupon Julius sat down again.
"Unfortunately not. Inar is my only brother, and my parents passed away decades ago."
"What about an uncle or something?"
"Not that I know of. Since Karekama's disappearance, my family has been very... cautious with offspring, so I know my family tree very well. I am the last Paseru, I can assure you."
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A quick glance at King Leonhardt confirmed that this was true.
"And you have no blood relation to Sir Paseru, Zod?"
"Not at all. As I said, I'm not from Frignez", Zod confirmed, which pretty much turned all of Loys' assumptions upside down. Nevertheless, he was sure that Zod was hiding something from him, otherwise he couldn't explain it all.
"I have one last question for both of you, if I may", King Leonhardt interjected, well aware of what was going through Loys and Julius' minds. "How exactly did Karekama go missing, and from whom did you receive the sword, Sir Adenia?"
Jonat Paseru and Zod Adenia exchanged hesitant glances before the latter took the floor.
"Karekama has a... not so pleasant past. As far as I know, the last owner of Karekama was killed by her envious brother, who took the sword and removed it from the Paseru family. If that hadn't happened, both swords would have been passed down to descendants of the Paseru family, as in the past. This is a tradition that Sir Paseru is well aware of and intends to continue," Zod explained calmly, glancing briefly at his old swordmaster from Frignez. "Please correct me if I'm wrong."
"No, what you said is correct", Jonat Paseru confirmed.
"And how did it come into your possession, Sir Adenia?", King Leonhardt repeated the question. "I remember that when we first met, you mentioned that a friend from Altona had bequeathed it to you."
"The name of the friend I spoke of is Raphael Marion."
King Leonhardt suddenly froze in his usual movement to give the signal. Surprised, Loys turned to his superior, who looked astonished.
"You are a friend of Raphael Marion?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"Are we talking about... the Raphael Marion?", Leonhardt emphasized. "The magician Raphael Marion?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I can understand that you do not trust my statement without reason, but I can assure you that Raphael would confirm my story. He entrusted Karekama to me."
"Well, that can easily be clarified if Raphael is in Bellator", King Leonhardt announced, after taking a moment to compose himself - and confirming Zod's statement as true. "Let's get back to the matter at hand. As I see it, there are no indications or even evidence to show that Sir Paseru profited from the production of the Levione. And judging by the events in Mornet, you, Sir Paseru, are not the type of person who can be easily threatened. Which is why I assume that you were taken advantage of for your... good nature."
Even though Jonat Paseru showed no reaction, Loys was aware that he also felt uncomfortable with the situation. From the very beginning, he had been aware of his guilt, which is why he had never disobeyed the royal house's orders - at least not from the moment Zod had arrested him.
But the other ministers, who also attended every hearing, felt quite differently. One after another, they asked King Leonhardt to reopen the investigation into Jonat Paseru - unaware of what Julius, Loys, and King Leonhardt knew.
As the discussion grew louder, King Leonhardt raised his hand and abruptly called for silence. All eyes were fixed on the King of Sylve, whose opinion had long been made up.
"Jonat Paseru. I, King Leonhardt of Sylve, hereby acquit you of all charges", King Leonhardt began, much to the dissatisfaction of the ministers. "However, since you have raised your hand against one of my advisors, against all warnings, I hereby revoke your right to remain in the Kingdom of Sylve. Should you ever set foot on my land again, you will face the executioner's blade."
"Your Majesty", Jonat Paseru replied calmly and bowed quietly.
No one objected to the announcement. Neither Jonat Paseru nor Zod Adenia nor the ministers. Even Julius seemed satisfied with the agreement, so Loys saw no reason to resist.
When King Leonhardt rose, everyone else followed his example. In a movement studied over many years, all the ministers bowed simultaneously while King Leonhardt officially declared Jonat Paseru's hearing closed.
However, that did not mean that the day was over.
The 16 strangers who had attacked the camp in Mornet were also still on the agenda for today. Therefore, Leonhardt announced a one-hour break, which Loys gratefully took advantage of.
The ministers left the room whispering, while Zod approached the acquitted swordmaster and removed his handcuffs. Loys watched him silently for a few moments before the two blond-haired men also left the room. Afterwards Loys turned his attention back to the king and Julius, who were also clearing their tables.
"Loys", King Leonhardt spoke up. "Keep an eye on Sir Adenia. Even if he doesn't want to harm Sylve, he's hiding something important from all of us."
"I know", Loys confirmed, turning his attention to the documents on the table. "Perhaps it really is necessary to confront him."
"Let's do that after Raphael and the High-Magicians have been here. I'm slowly starting to wonder if he's working for the Magistrat."
"Who is Raphael, by the way?", Loys asked the group.
"Raphael Marion is the Eldest's alias", King Leonhardt explained, whereupon Loys looked up to him in surprise. He had expected Raphael to be merely a well-known magician, not the unofficial head of Altona.
"Wait, what?", was all he could say. "The Eldest is this Raphael? Does that mean Zod received the sword from the Eldest?"
"At least that's what Sir Adenia claims", King Leonhardt confirmed, picking up his things. "When the mages come to Bellator, I will definitely ask them about it. And also about their relationship to each other. Because they are not strangers, I can tell you that much. Neither Sir Paseru nor the High-Magicians."
"The more we learn, the more confusing it all becomes", Loys muttered.
"Leonhardt. What exactly did you mean when you said that Raphael Marion is the Eldest's alias?", Julius interjected from the sidelines.
"Ah. It's just a guess on my part. When Raphael introduced himself back then, he lied to me."
"He did?"
"Yes. I don't know why, but I never got around to getting to the bottom of it. It always seemed a little inappropriate to suddenly ask such a question after all these years."
"Unless he's planning something", Loys muttered suspiciously.
"I doubt that. Raphael has always been very honest and open with me, apart from his name. I would even say that he is sometimes a little... too honest. With him, I always know exactly what he wants, which keeps conversations short. It's much more difficult to reach an agreement with the dukes...", Leonhardt explained with a satisfied smile. "... ah! Except for you, of course, Loys."
Amused, Loys cleared his throat, grabbed his things, and followed the king out of the room.
"I'd be offended if it wasn't."
"Have you ever met the High-Magicians, Loys?", Julius asked, hurrying after them.
"A few times, yes. I've actually had quite a lot of contact with the 5th Council Seat, Odin Ander, for several years now. I think I've met all the High-Magicians except Aaron Thopas and the new Ice Mage, whose name I always forget."
"Grischa Vonstetten?"
"Yes, exactly. I'll have to write that down", Loys confirmed as he arrived in the hallway and looked out the window.
He stopped involuntarily when he spotted Zod Adenia and Jonat Paseru in the courtyard. It was the silver sword that caught his attention.
Zurakekama.
Zod was in the process of returning the legendary sword to its owner, who seemed visibly relieved to have it back in his hands. Loys had been so close to the swords the whole time, but he had never seen them up close. Neither Zurakekama nor Karekama. Knowing the power they held made him curious, though.
"Did Sir Adenia carry the sword with him the whole time?", Leonhardt asked, causing Loys to turn to him.
"As far as I know, yes."
"I didn't notice. I must admit, I only saw Karekama."
Zod had been carrying the black sword openly at his waist since the events in Mornet, as Julius was carrying his actual sword. Loys was well aware that Zod wanted to prevent exactly that - for his daughter's sake. Which is why he was secretly grateful that he had changed his mind for Julius's sake.
"I don't know how he hides the swords either", Julius said, coming to stand next to Loys. "I actually thought that was one of Karekama's abilities."
"Have you ever been allowed to hold Karekama in your hands?", Loys asked.
"Me? No. But I have to admit, I wouldn't dare. You saw what he did with that fireball", Julius confessed, watching with Leonhardt and Loys as Zod said goodbye to the swordmaster.
With his back to the palace, Zod stood in front of the main entrance and watched Sir Paseru before calling out to him. Surprised, Sir Paseru turned around and nodded in agreement after a brief moment.
"I would be more interested to know whether Sir Adenia also has closer contact with the chiefs", King Leonhardt confessed. "With the way he lied to us about his relationship with Sir Paseru, nothing would surprise me anymore."
As if Zod had heard the statement, he turned around and looked directly in their direction. He must have noticed that they were watching him, but it didn't seem to bother him. But his gaze... did not sit well with Loys at all.