Chapter 363 - Criminal
The announcer quirked his brow up and looked around to see if he caught everyone's attention. When he was sure that he did, he cleared his throat once more and spoke.
"By the order of our Royal Highness, King Leon Alorde II, I hereby speak in behalf of the Trinity of Power to impart you this message," the announcer started. "There had been rumors spreading across the kingdom regarding the matter of a rogue Guardian."
The crowd stopped paying attention to the male vendor altogether. Their eyes were now fixated on the announcer who was delivering a message to the king.
Even the ones in their homes walked out to listen, that in a matter of a few minutes that the silence the announcer gave them earlier, the entire square was filled with people.
It wasn't rare for an announcement to be made in the city's square. In fact, all the announcement of festivals and events are being relayed to the people through an announcer.
Everyone knows that until an announcement has been made, there can never be a clear answer for their questions about the kingdom's updates. This was why only a handful of people sided the male vendor earlier.
A lot of the citizens were just caught off guard by Lilith's sudden change of affiliation. She was a popular guardian for her beauty, elegance, and kind but fierce nature. She was kind to the people albeit her thick and strict exterior, making her name known all throughout the cities.
She was so popular that when a poll had been made among all the citizens in the kingdom, they would most likely trust their lives in Lilith first. Johnson was sefond, Miles came third, and Gasha was the last in the poll.
"For this, we will not lie. Our Guardian Lilith, had turned her back against us and allied herself in the same people that were responsible with the destruction of a part of Solaguer only a few months ago," the announcer continued. "Thus, we will do everything in our power to persecute this traitor and execute proper punishment against her."
Some of the people in the crowd sighed in sadness after hearing this. The punishment for treason will always be death. If the palace would catch Lilith, she would be hanged without a chance to explain her side.
"Oh, no," Connor frowned. "Dude, sure she had sided with Malice, but do they have to label her as traitor?"
"That's exactly what she is though," Elliot said honestly. "But don't worry. You saw how powerful her Armageddon was. No one in the kingdom's arms is capable of catching that woman. She's basically a beast."
"You're right," Connor nodded. "We have bonded with her for a bit. It's just confusing for this to happen so suddenly."
"We have faced a lot of betrayals," Elliot suddenly said with a more serious tone. "All this time, there's always people betraying one another. It's like it's a natural flow of human nature. To just betray."
This sent Connor to think deeply. "Once again, you're right. It's like I wouldn't be surprised anymore if the next enemy we face is a traitor too."
Elliot didn't respond with words. He only gave Connor a nod while returning his attention to the announcer.
"It is our deep sadness to label her as a treacherous terorist, but our kingdom had also suffered loss due to her," the announcer cleared his throat. "We lost several Adventurers when she intervened with the fight against Oracion Alma. This caused the balance of power to tilt, and for more Adventurers to be injured. The King, the Holy Crow, and the Raven Justice is now setting a wanted poster for Lilith. She is now the Top Criminal in the kingdom!"
–
The atmosphere coming from Elliot and Connor when they came back to the inn was heavy. The others watched the boys place the bags of food in the table with frown in their faces.
"Did a cat die or something?" Ed asked. When the mood of the two didn't change, he formed an O with his mouth, "Oh, really?"
"Lilith is a criminal now," Connor said. "The King just gave the announcement in the square earlier."
Ed pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, "And that's bothering you because?"
"Because–" Connor suddenly stopped. "Why am I getting bothered by it? She summoned that Armageddon. That giant beast that I don't understand. One single movement from it caused mass destruction. Why am I sad?"
"The announcer is probably Janus," Lance walked out from the kitchen and went to get the bags of food, taking them out and serving them in the table. "He's a bard who influences the people when he announces something like this."
"Wow," Elliot scoffed. "Do they do this often? This is basically a crime in itself."
"If you have a better way to calm the mass, then I suggest you stop thinking like that," Lance said, taking a meatball in his mouth. "Janus doesn't like what he's doing too, but then again, he doesn't have a choice. Lilith is a prominent figure– any Guardian is, but she's just so popular that it would be hard to control the people."
"You say you don't like politics, yet you know how things work in the castle like it's written in the back of your hand," Elliot snickered. "Lance, oh Lance."
"I can't help it if Janus plays with me by influencing my mood all the time when we were kids," Lance scoffed. "And yes, he was one of the people who work in the palace that I became close to. What can I do? The man basically exudes emotions."
"Speaking of emotions," Elliot swallowed the three meatballs he stuffed in his mouth. "I think I know how to erase Lilith's figure to the masses."
"You have that look on your face," Connor said in worry. "Does it involve something dangerous?"
Elliot smirked and winked at him, "It involves Gasha."
–
The sky was darkening, and the sun had settled. Janus, the announcer, was in his carriage while coming home to the palace. After Solaguer, he came to four neighboring cities to relay the information.
It was a tiring day for the man. His dark red hair fell to his eyes as he laid on the carriage, trying to close his eyes and sleep.
He was just about to fall into a deep slumber when his carriage stopped abruptly. This caused the man to fall off the carriage couch and slam his body on the floor, "What happened?"
He waited for a response from his coach, but heard nothing. Groaning, Janus opened the window but saw no one there. The seat where the coach should he was empty.
This made Janus gulp but go out of the carriage to inspect what was happening. He wasn't too worried since he was in the city. Although this part of the city was the long pavement to the castle doors where no houses or any building was nearby, he still trusted that there were guards around.
"Hello?" Janus called out, receiving no answer.
He got off the carriage, gasping at the sight in front of him. The coach was knocked down on the ground along with two guards. He was about to enter the carriage but was immediately knocked out by a group of people in black body suits.. They took his body before vanishing into thin air, leaving no trace of the man behind.