The King of Heroes: Null/Virtue

Nature

"Those standing before us are guilty of the greatest act of treason!" Mirai declared as the four Onyx, Slave Collars around their necks, stood at the center of the hall. "There is no doubt. No question of the evidence in play. These four, in coordination with Chisaki Kai Overic, and others who now lay dead, attempted to assassinate the NULL Lord. The law is clear. Any act of treason against our King or Queen shall be met by whatever punishment he or she determines necessary."

The three men and one woman stared straight ahead. They knew what had been coming as they awaited their trial. There was a strange relief to finally get it over with, even if their shaming was being broadcasted to all of Draxia to watch and hear.

"My King! My Queen!" Mirai declared, turning to Izuku and Momo, both in very standard royal attire. This wasn't the time or place to play around with their indulgences. "The guilt has been assured. The floor is now yours."

Izuku leaned forwards on his elbows, interlinking his hands as he glared at the four. "My first question is simple. Why?"

The four suddenly looked up in shock. They expected to just be executed immediately.

"I understand that my actions as King have led to the decline of your 'business.' But all four of you are sons and daughters of the Dragons. You all had substantial wealth. None of you were going to be prosecuted if you simply chose to enjoy that wealth for the rest of your life. In fact, many of Chisaki's previous advisors have already agreed to such a life in light of his death."

Izuku was referring to the logistics and financial officers that advised Chisaki. They had little to do with the assassination attempt, and even found it foolish. Almost everyone left agreed to give up such a life, and gave over most of their fortune in exchange for freedom. All of that money would be diverted to a fund, given over to those harmed by such actions. Anyone who refused this arrangement was already in prison. Not to be executed, just to be watched over.

"You had everything going in your favor. So why did you, and your partners-in-crime, feel the need to get rid of me?"

All four remained silent.

"Was it fear? Or arrogance?" Izuku pushed further.

"Chisaki..." the woman spoke first, "for him, it was arrogance."

"Implying that you did not share that arrogance," Momo concluded.

"Draxia is for us," one of the men spoke up. "We've fought for everything we have. Whether or not you think it's immoral, doesn't matter. We bled for our riches. And now, this King," he spat, "wants to open up those riches to those who cannot earn them for themselves."

"So greed..." Izuku mused.

"Not for us," the remaining two men muttered.

"You know we're a target," they said. "Every species wants us out of the picture. Is it because of our past? Yes, but Draxia has been attacked too. We hold our own scars of the past. A Lord should only exist to defend his people. You seem to exist to protect every people. That is why we cannot tolerate you as our King."

Izuku nodded. "Well, thank you for your honesty. It's the only thing I can respect you for. But here's the problem with your rationale. I am working to protect Draxia above all. If I had to sacrifice Estaria to save my mother or my Queen... it pains me to say, but I would doom the world for my family, for my people. That is what you're asking of me, no? If I share those selfish tendencies?"

None of the four answered.

"Chisaki called me a Hero, almost as an insult. And I will continue to help anyone I can, because Draxia has that power. We can heal our old wounds. At least some of them. Your fear was that my kindness would lead to our extermination." Izuku gave them a grim smile. "I would love for us all to get along and dance in a field of flowers together. We all know that will never happen. I know that will never happen. But I won't stab innocent people in the heart just to feel safe, and you will never be worthy of that excuse either.