The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

No I in Team

The courtroom was thick with tension as Mynx stood on trial, shackled by the glowing mana-suppressing cuffs. The audience, a sea of unfamiliar faces, whispered in hushed voices, many of them judging her before she even had the chance to speak. Damnatio Kira, the self-righteous judge, looked down at her from his high podium, his cold eyes never wavering.

"Mynx of Hage. You stand accused of treason against the Clover Kingdom and of grievous harm to the very people you once called comrades. Do you deny these charges?"

Mynx opened her mouth to speak, but Damnatio continued before she could respond,

"Furthermore, you have also gone missing after an attack against the Diamond Kingdom and then resurfaced working for the Diamond Kingdom."

Mynx's jaw tightened.

"I was under a spell-"

"Yes, under a supposedly powerful mind-control spell."

Damnatio dismissively waved his hand.

"A convenient excuse for someone attempting to absolve themselves of guilt. Do you expect us to believe your actions were entirely against your will?"

Mynx clenched her fists, her voice trembling with frustration.

"I would never hurt any of the Magic Knights! The doctor that controlled me-"

"Enough."

Damnatio's scales tipped slightly in his favor.

"Your words are nothing without evidence. Actions speak louder, and your actions resulted in chaos. I call a witness to come forward."

The heavy doors opened, and Kaiser Granvorka, Captain of the Purple Orcas, entered. He took his place across the room, his gaze avoiding Mynx's.

"Oh, hey, Kaiser! I didn't know you rejoined the knights...what happened to Gueldre?"

Kaiser's expression remained stoic as he addressed Damnatio and the court.

"During the invasion of Kiten, the Purple Orcas were the first line of defense. We called for reinforcements, and the Black Bulls and Golden Dawn responded. Toward the end of the battle, Mynx appeared, identified by Captain Yami, Captain William, and her former squadmate, Xander Caleo. She attacked them directly, only stopping after being struck by anti-magic. Following that, she unleashed powerful waves of cosmic mana. Many of them are still seeing our healer, Owen."

The scales tipped sharply in Damnatio's favor. Mynx staggered, the weight of guilt crashing down on her. Her breath quickened, her chest tightening with the realization of the harm she had caused, even if it hadn't been her choice. Kaiser turned to her, his voice soft yet resolute.

"Former Vice Captain Mynx must be held accountable for her actions."

Before Damnatio could pass judgment, the courtroom doors burst open. Marx stormed in, his usually composed demeanor replaced with anger. Balto padded beside him, his sharp blue eyes glowing as he growled at the guards blocking his way.

"Enough!"

Balto immediately positioned himself protectively in front of Mynx, nudging her leg to calm her rapid breathing. Marx stood by her side, glaring up at Damnatio.

"You have no right to pass judgment without knowing the full truth!"

Damnatio frowned, his composure slipping.

"Marx, this is highly irregular—"

Marx quickly took out his grimoire and turned to Mynx,

"I'm sorry. This is all I can do for you,"