The man is middle-aged with messy brown hair and a beard that accentuates his intimidating appearance. This time, however, the man himself is humiliated, marveled for all the guild to witnessed. Instead of wearing his armor just like any proud member of the Warrior's Guild, he was stripped of his belongings, reduced to being dressed in ragged clothing as fit to the disgraceful position he currently finds himself in for the crime that he has committed against the very guild that he has sworn his oath for the protection the common-folk.

And his crime? Being the mastermind of the horrendous attempt of stealing a G.o.dly Weaponry that is sacred and beloved by every Warrior of this land.

"Valdyr c.u.man." The blasphemous name of the traitor was uttered in disdain by none other than Malic himself as he sits at a grand throne located at the lowest level portion of the arena's balcony. Beside him was Krothu as he stood up with a firm posture and stares at the traitor with the same look of contempt. Malic pauses for a moment then spoke. "You have committed crimes against Chadena and her beloved people, what have you got to say in your defense?"

���What in Agveyr's name is this nonsense Malic?!!" Valdyr shouted with a tone of defiance, gritting his teeth with pure rage at his state of utter shame. "I know nothing about the crime that you accused against me!! I demand that you release me this instant!!!"

"I see," Malic spoke with a heavy heart, his face saddened by the events that are unfolding. "If only that were the case old friend, but the truth says so otherwise. And also, I believe that is not the only crime that you have committed though."

Malic then conjures various doc.u.ments from his Inventory, detailing a bunch of numbers and acquisitions of questionable and illegal nature.

"For the past three months, I've been monitoring your every suspicious movement, especially during your trips outside of the town," Malic said without any hesitation, his eyes filled with resolve as he gazes his former friend that he came to trust like a brother in the past. "And I must say, what I found is absolutely disturbing. The doc.u.ments and manifests that I'm holding contain questionable business and dealings at the town of Blerton and other places involve child trafficking, smuggling of illegal goods, your ventures at the Black Market, and of course, your dealings with the infamous Guild of Shadows in Blerton. Some of this information was all thanks to the Countess of Blerton herself as she graciously confirmed to me by letter with her seal attached."

With the mention of Valdy's additional crimes, everyone at the guild erupted in whispers, their faces turning into a complete grimace as they set their sights at the man in chains with pure distaste at the vile things that he has shamelessly committed.

Valdyr eyes widen for a moment but immediately recovers as he opted to deny the evidence that was used against him. "As I said, I know nothing about the accusations that you stubbornly pin against me!!! Those are simply doc.u.ments… papers, easy to alter, and forge. Perhaps someone is out there is getting me out of spite!!! Please Malic, you have to see reason!!!"

"Reason?" The Guild Master shook his head in disagreement. "I'm afraid that such notions are inconceivable at this point. And also, that's not the only thing I found. My guest will explain further."

"Guest?" The whole guild was filled with confusion at what Malic said.

As on cue, a screech of a bird was echoed inside the arena for the whole guild to hear. Searching for the source of the sound, they witness a hawk flying in their vicinity as the animal made its way beside the throne where Malic resides.

The eyes of the entire occupants widen with sheer surprise as they saw the hawk suddenly transforming itself in a humanoid figure.

To be more specific, a lizardling figure that they all know too well.

"Wait, is that?!!"

Yes, the figure is no other than-

"I present you, Rarsu Khougraox." Malic showcased the Druid with pride as he smiles genuinely upon introducing the newcomer. "Most of you may know him as our gardener at the Boscage as well as the proprietor of the esteemed Magus' Emporium. Aside from his status that I have mentioned, He's also an envoy, a representative sent by the Headmaster of the Arkanos University to help us in establis.h.i.+ng peace and order as well as solving matters related to magic and the arcane."

"I'm not one for such spectacles, but I do love the looks of their flabbergasted faces, hehe." Rarsu grins as he said to Malic, baring his sharp fangs of his racial heritage at seeing the expressions of the whole guild.

"Rarsu here has been an integral part of my investigation about you, Valdyr." Malic crosses his arms from his throne with a grimace. He then looks at the lizardling as he instructs him. "Kindly explain it to them."

"Very well." Rarsu nods, agreeing with Malic's request as he faces the crowd. "I'm sure all of you already know, but my magic also revolves around animal transformations and some of them are quite useful in remaining inconspicuous. As a result, Malic over here asked me of a favor three months ago to spy on Valdyr whenever he suspected that something amiss is involved. By transforming myself into a bird or rat, I was able to effectively monitor his every movement, from his dealings in Blerton to his unusual skulduggery unbecoming of a Warrior of his caliber."

"You lie!!!" Valdyr gritted his teeth in anger at the Druid's remarks. He then looks at Malic with an expression of the plea as he desperately attempts to convince him. "Malic, don't tell me you are going to believe the vile words of a scheming Mage rather than your fellow Warrior?!!"

With Valdyr's bias t remarks about Rarsu's cla.s.s, an expression of utter killer intent suddenly radiates around Malic as he directs most of it to Valdyr's direction. As a result, Valdyr was unable to breathe properly, suffocating under the intense pressure that was given to him by the Guild Master, a Warrior renowned for his indomitable strength and will all over the corners of Whitemoor.

Even most of the guild members who are watching the development were not spared by Malic's anger, a legendary prowess that has broken the many wills of his adversaries who dare threatens him and his friends.

Realizing that his actions are slightly affecting the others, Malic quickly calmed himself down as he took a deep breath. But does not mean that his anger against Valdyr was dissipated as he continues to look at the traitor with scorn.

"A Mage he may be," Malic said in his defense for his lizardling friend. "But he has proven time and time again of his undying trustworthiness and loyalty in making Chadena a better place, the home that we come and love. As a matter of fact Valdyr, I've known Rogues and a.s.sa.s.sins who possess far greater honor and courage than what you have right now."

Malic then stood up from his throne as he made a sweeping motion of his arms into the air, a sign of a gesture in imposing judgment. "Valdyr c.u.man, by my authority as Guild Master of the Warrior's Guild, I hereby strip you of your members.h.i.+p and sentence you to life imprisonment. May those above judge you for your crimes and those below condemn you for your wickedness."

As per Malic's judgment, the guards below approached Valdyr and dragged him going to the dungeons for him to rot.

"You will regret this Malic." Valdyr's enraged look resonates as he pushes every ounce of the negative emotion to the Guild Master above him. He was then tightly dragged by the guards that were a.s.signed to take him away for his insolence.

"Every single one of you shall regret it, and when the day comes, your lifeless bodies shall be a grandeur sight for all to marvel."

After the ex-senior member's last dark words, he was finally out of sight and being brought to the dungeon for him to rot in the remaining days of his life.

Malic could not help but sigh in exhaustion at the ordeal of being the adjudicator of this issue as per his duties and responsibilities as the Guild Master in imposing justice within the Warrior ranks.

***

"That's one heck of an ordeal I suppose."

If the Master is around, then there's a high chance that the apprentice is also present in whatever business that the former conducts.

As such, Gray Allister together with Selena was also within the crowd as they too took their respective seats in the balcony and witness the whole proceedings. Beside the pair on Gray's left was Isamu as he was eating a loaf of bread while watching together with them. The cat-folk as well was granted the holiday since his trainer, Krothu is busy as well with Malic in handling the delicate affairs of the Guild in implementing the judgment.

"You got that right." Isamu nods in response as he took a gulp of a good portion of the bread that he ate. "I'm relieved that justice was served today and the farmers can now rest easy at knowing that the issue is finally resolved."

Gray simply nods in agreement as he smiles in response. He then makes an additional comment about the matter as he could not help but be impressed and at awe. "Your Guild Master sure is awesome, Isamu. I can't believe that a mere look alone can bring people at his mercy just like that."

"He sure is." Isamu smiled with utmost pride at the leader of his guild. "Someday, I'm going to achieve that level of strength and train as hard as I can."

"Speaking of training, I heard from some of the townsfolk that an orc is seen at the farmlands outside of town training a young cat-folk. I believe that's you, right?" Gray asks the cat-folk with curiosity.

"Correct." Isamu's grin reached his eyes as he fails to contain the enthusiasm that he is feeling right now. "After I successfully completed my farming duties, I was granted training by Sir Krothu himself."

"Neat." Gray was indeed happy for the cat-folk. "So, how goes the training then?"

"I'll be honest, it's extremely tough." Isamu scratched the fur of his head with a sheepish grin. "With all the physical conditioning and exercises, I sincerely thought that I'm going to pa.s.s out at any moment during those times. Not to mention, Sir Krothu is a rather strict mentor who oversees my training regime at every hour of the day. Still, I'm only thankful for his efforts as I can feel growing stronger with each pa.s.sing day. How about you Gray? How goes your training with Rarsu?"

Upon mentioning the word "training" and "Rarsu" together in a single sentence, both Gray and Selena's faces suddenly paled in unison as they comically flinched in response.

The first day of training was alright for them, thinking that subsequent days will be just as easy.

Oh, how wrong they truly were.

The soul-siblings' expression was not gone unnoticed by the cat-folk as he merely chuckled at their funny reaction.

"It's that harsh, huh."

The cat-folk only receives two silent nods in acknowledgment.

"Alright, I won't pry then."

Indeed, the two apprentices were extremely relieved for today since it's their own little holiday of some sort before being sent back to the bas.e.m.e.nt for another day of regimented magical training that hone their mental capabilities to its utmost limits.