The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 581: As Charged

Chapter 581: As Charged

In response to the questioning, Kaizon raised a token, clearly broken and inert.

“This is the communication token that the Archmage gave me when we started working together, It is bound to our minds. The only way that it could have gone inert is for him to be dead, or to have his mind destroyed.”

He placed the token on the counter, and the Royal Guards passed it up to the Kings, who each looked at it and confirmed that it was what he said it was, and that it was actually destroyed.

“That appears to be convincing evidence that the conspirator is, in fact, deceased. With that in mind, it seems unlikely that there will be a continuation to this trail after the actions of the defendant are considered.

Now, we must ask, are there any mitigating circumstances that you believe this tribunal should consider when making their decision?” The King of Cygnia asked.

The former Prince of Dagos remained silent, and the Kings took that as confirmation that he accepted the charges.

“King Gustav, do you have anything to say in closing?”

The King of Dagos nodded solemnly and rose to his feet.

“The Crown of Dagos believes that it is in everyone’s best interest if this matter is settled in private. A public spectacle at this time, when the entire nation is in crisis, would only cause further division.

We have years of rebuilding ahead of us after the floods retreat. It is better that the rebellion is ended and forgotten, a footnote in history buried among the many stories of succession challenges.

Only then can we start to rebuild.”

Dominic noticed that not all of the Kings took his words with the same enthusiasm.

Most of them had at least considered taking a portion of Dagos for themselves. Only the Necromancer King wasn’t showing some signs of ambition, though that could just be the fact that his undead face didn’t show much of anything for expressions.

He did have troops in the nation already.

The King of Cygnia nodded. “Understood. The people of Dagos have much more to be concerned about than a failed candidate for the throne.

Defendant, please rise to hear the verdict.”

There was no expression on Prince Kaizon’s face as he rose to his feet, but Dominic knew that posture well. There was a certain level of resignation that said “I will not go on your terms”.

He had seen it more than once during the war, and just a few hours ago when the last of the Rebel Nobles charged the Trollish lines.

There was no need to arrange an execution.

“Defendant Kaizon Dagos, do you have any final words before we declare the verdict?”

“Let it be known that the named heir of the Dagos line did not die a convict.”

Then he slid something from his sleeve into his mouth and his eyes rolled back before black blood began to pour from his mouth and eyes.

“Stop Him!” King Gustav called.

But Dominic was already moving. He vaulted over the defendant’s table and stepped between the guards and the Prince, who was now twitching on the floor.

“Your Majesty. In my medical opinion, the Prince has passed away of an existing medical condition during the trial.”

The King looked from Dominic to Prince Kaizon, who was clearly still alive.

Not for long, but not yet dead.

“Is there a reason for that particular medical diagnosis?” The King asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will double-check, but I am quite certain.”

Dominic placed his hand over the Prince’s heart and cast [Arcane Blast]. The twitching stopped, and Dominic waited a few seconds, just to be sure.

“There is clearly no heartbeat. I would ask that the Necromancer King comes to verify that this state of dead is permanent, but otherwise, I am quite certain that he is not alive.

In my professional opinion, the Dagos Royal Line, or at least that branch of it, has ended without a convicted criminal among their members.”

King Gustav raised his hand to stop the guards from apprehending Dominic, and then sighed and nodded.

“Let it be recorded. The former Prince Kaizon died of natural causes during the trial. The previous King’s direct lineage has lost its final member.”

King Gustav slumped down heavily in his seat, torn between relief that the rebellion might finally be over, and frustration that he never got to properly execute the man who had led the rebellion that destroyed most of his nation, and nearly toppled Skiple as well.

The King of Skiple looked quite satisfied with the situation. He didn’t particularly care how this trial ended, only that there was some sense of justice for his people.

Now, he could go home and tell them all that the last of the Rebellion’s leaders was dead, and that the mages who had attacked their nation had been killed, down to the very last man.

That was better than any announcement of an executed Royal.

“Duke Dominic, a word in private, if you would?” The King insisted, then turned to his daughter.

“Alexis, you come with us as well. Bring your brothers.”

Dominic gestured toward one of the side rooms, and followed the Royals into the room. He closed and locked the door, then activated the soundproofing while Dave took his position outside.

As soon as everything was set, the King rounded on Dominic.

“What in the ever-loving fuck was that? You don’t get to just decide that bastard Kaizon kills himself in the middle of a courtroom.

That’s not how this works.”

Dominic bowed politely. “With respect, Your Majesty, it was his wish not to live through the day. I gave him my word on the battlefield that he would not, and I had every intention of keeping my word.

If he was willing to go so far as to poison himself, it would only be cruel to keep him alive to make a spectacle of his death.

Only those here in the courtroom know that he was ever here.

With his death being announced as natural causes, the animosity of the Dagos people for their neighbouring nations won’t be aggravated any further than it already is.”

“And why would you assume that matters to us? There are protocols for the execution of traitors and usurpers who fail to gain the throne.”

“Because more than one Monarch in that room wants a piece of Dagos.

I don’t know or care how that gets settled.

But I can tell you right now that if it is done by violent conquest, the curse that Dagos was under after the invasion of Wavemates will look like child’s play compared to what comes next.”