To think that it had come to this. Esperia couldn't help but smile weakly as the wagon she was in was carrying her along the road to Era. The unpleasant sensation of the handcuffs around her wrists, being strained to the limit to ensure she wouldn't be able to cast any of her outlandish spells made it clear that the guards were taking no risks with this matter. It was sad really, but Esperia understood that among those guards there might have been good people who were merely blinded to the truth. Indeed, in less than a year Esperia had grown into a young witch that was labeled a 'Disaster' by the Fiorian government, and yet the reasoning behind it was so outlandish that it became outright comical all things considered. While it was true that she was a member of the Sentinel Syndicate, her so-called crimes ranged from keeping a pirate crew's treasure for herself after she dealt with them, keeping the peace inside Rush Valley by hitting hoodlums and troublemakers with a frying pan and... public indecency in the form of handholding with a pretty red-haired woman.

Of course, Esperia pleaded innocent to all crimes, aside from the last for she had invoked her right to remain silent for that particular case. Yet in the end her decision to allow herself to be judged by the laws of this land were all part of a greater plan, but it was also a very risky plan all things considered.

After the wagon arrived at the prison the door opened and two Rune Knights emerged at each side. She could see the nervousness in their expression, but all she did was merely smile. "Guess we arrived."

Esperia followed the guards obediently, yet as she was being led into the dungeon the first thing Esperia noticed was that she was not heading toward the area where the other prisoners were kept...

WC: 325

No, she was being led deeper into the dungeon, and at some point she noticed the Rune Knights stopped, looking restless as they watched the other side of the corridor. A robed figure approached them, a large figure clad in an obsidian scaled armor of sorts guarding each side of the figure.

The figure stopped in front of her, a pair of hands reaching for the edge of her hood as it was lifted off, revealing an elderly lady, but her importance was evident as she spoke. "You may now leave." Addressing the Rune Knights in a soft voice, the elderly woman's words were enough to make the men leave without a single question as she gestured for Esperia to follow her.

The woman and her guards led her toward a door, unlocking it as they stepped inside, and while the room looked less like a cell it didn't really fit the luxury that accomodations at a inn might have.

As if she read Esperia's thoughts the woman mused softly. "I apologize for the lack of comfort, but this is a dungeon after all." The woman smiled at her, the gesture toward the chair making Esperia take a seat while the woman took a seat across from her.

"I will cut right to the case Esperia. Your gift likely will make you aware of who I am, so I will ask you: Why did you surrender yourself into the judgement of the law?"

Esperia went quiet for a bit, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. "Balance and Redemption."

The worlds made the elderly lady blink in confusion. "Redemption? For the fact you stole from pirates? That you attacked criminals to ensure peace remained?" Soon smiling the elderly mage laughed softly. "Please, if that required redemption this dungeon would be filled beyond capacity with misbehaving knights and mages."

Esperia shook her head lightly. "No, redemption for my inaction." It were those words that gained the woman's interest.

WC: 333
Total WC: 658

The elderly lady raised a hand to her chin, pondering about the statement. "Do clarify further." Esperia nodded her head lightly, pondering on how to best word the next part of her explanation. "Despite being a fairly powerful individual, I did not try to prevent the evil that blights Fiore from spreading. I saw Rune Knights harrassing innocent people they were sworn to protect, condoned the act of slavery and watched a cult spread its influence in the hometown of one I hold very dear. I had the power to act, but I didn't."

Esperia's words made the woman frown for a moment, a light nod being made in acknowledgement to her statement. "Answer me this Esperia: If you had the ability to do it all over again, what would you do?"

The question made Esperia's crimson eye narrow in a hawk-like gaze as she spoke firmly and determined. "I would hunt down those that are at the root of this problem, expose their evil and make them be judged for their crimes."

The woman nodded her head a few times at the vampire girl's statement. "And you believe that is within your capacities as a criminal?"

Esperia lowered her head lightly. "I know that I can't do this unless I earn the people's trust, that is why I need to walk a path of redemption, show them that I truly have their best interests in mind."

The elderly woman smiled briefly, pushing the chair backwards as she scooped up a small bag of pocket-sized cartons, the logo that seemed to be a playful nod toward a certain werewolf girl and the words: WAIFU JUICE on it making Esperia's eyes widen in disbelief.

"How-" But the woman merely smiled at her. "Let's say that I have eyes and ears everywhere Esperia, consider this a present from one you swore to protect. Don't worry, you'll be out of here soon. Your trial is tomorrow."

WC: 335
Total WC: 993

Being left alone in the locked chamber was unpleasant, but it was a punishment she was willing to take if it meant being able to get a fresh start, to walk the path that she desired to take. Quietly the silver-haired witch rose from her seat and walked over to the bed, allowing her body to collapse sideways on the matress. "Valerie..."

Esperia mumbled weakly, closing her eyes as she thought back about the warmth she felt whenever she was around the werewolf. She missed that warmth, the softness of cuddling up to her and...

"I MISS MY WIFE!" Esperia exclaimed in annoyance, flailing back and forth on the bed in protest. How was Hasani doing? Would he take well to the idea of them starting a new life in Orchidia once this all was over? And surely Valerie would be able to warm him up to the idea. Sighing wearily Esperia rose from her bed and marched over to the bag the sorceress had left her earlier, scooping up a carton from it and marched back to her bed, plunging a straw inside the hole and started to suckle softly onto it, trying to close her eyes to let time pass faster.

"God damnd, I wish I could sleep..."

But sadly the only times she needed sleep was whenever she had suffered enough injuries to require herself to rest and recover. Nonetheless, it was fortunate that time did pass, and soon Esperia opened her eyes to the sound of footsteps.

The silver-haired vampire sat upright as the door opened, a foreign man clad in a fancy suit approaching the table while he greet her with a smile. "Esperia, I presume? I have been send by the Blue Pegasus guild master to represent you as your defense attorney."

Esperia blinked in confusion at the statement. "Defense attorney? They aren't going to chop off my head?" To which the man laughed weakly. "O please, the off with her head! line is usually preserved for the real villains."

WC: 335
Total WC: 1328

"My name is Robert Shapiro by the way, it's a delight to finally make your aqcuintance." the man seemed kind, and as she took a seat at the other side of the table the vampire girl looked at Robert who was pondering about something. "Is something the matter Robert?" The man paused for a bit, seemingly thinking of something when he finally spoke. "Truth to be told, your case is a very peculiar one. Initially you were to be judged at a court in Crocus, which would be to our disadvantage considering most of the people would be nobility, but..." Esperia waited for him to continue his explanation, her eyes cast quietly at the man. "I was told just moments ago that your case will be judged internally by the Magic Council."

Esperia blinked in disbelief, trying to comprehend what the man was saying. "Umm, is this normal?" But Robert shook his head lightly in return to the statement. "Very irregular, usually only reserved for criminals whose verdict was set in stone the moment they were captured. The thing is, in a case judged by the Magic Council it is neither judge or jury that makes any decisions, in fact there is no case at all. The Magic Council simply gives their verdict and decides on the consequences of it. At most we're allowed to make a plea for a lighter punishment, but simply said, what the council decides is what happens."

A light knock happened on the door, leading Robert to rise up from his seat. "It seems to be time Esperia, let's hope the Magic Council at least woke up in a good mood."

Despite his playful jest Esperia could see the wariness in the man's expression as she followed beside him. It appeared everything would be decided today.

WC: 305
Total WC: 1633

Being guided from the dungeon toward what appeared to be a large chamber, Esperia watched Robert step beside her as Esperia was led toward the front of the desk where several robed figures were seated.

"Ahem, considering the defendant has arrived it seems appropriate that we start our meeting."

A familiar voice, an elderly woman was seated among the mages who addressed her next. "Esperia von Eisenberg, we have been spending our time trying to decide on what to do with you. You see, although your crimes are, by all means, minor your power is more than enough to get the label of Disaster. Your alliance to a dark guild does not help in that case either."

Robert was about to speak, but one of the other mages interrupted him with a firm. "Under most circumstances, we would have decided to keep one like you sealed away in the dungeon forever, to prevent you from becoming a threat to Fiore in the future." Esperia's gaze lingered on the council as one of the other mages sighed deeply. "But... there are some among us who believe one like you has her purposes."

Robert inquired politely. "What do you mean, honored members of the Magic Council?" To which the elderly mage from before that Esperia had met spoke. "The existence of criminals is starting to become a blight in our society. Too many mages who commit crimes and attain bounties without fearing the consequences of their crimes. Unfortunately, sometimes to deal with those threats we need people willing to go above and beyond. This is why we decided that for your punishment, you will become a liaison of the Magic Council, Esperia."

Esperia tilted her head slightly to the side in confusion, wondering what in the world they might have meant with that word, and noticing her confusion the woman clarrified soon afterward. "From today onward you will be leading a new organization, a guild so to speak. You will be working together with criminals who we believe can be redeemed, and with their aid will both be carrying out tasks to redeem yourselves in the eyes of the people, and hunt down evil where it rears its ugly head."

The man at the center of the table spoke, his voice clearly radiating authority. "That will be your duty from today onward: You will become known as Esperia, The Lord of Redemption and the name of the guild you will be leading is."

A short pause happened as the pressure in the room seemed heavier. "Crime Sorciere, it seems a suitable name for a guild of former criminals, outlaws and hoodlums seeking to redeem themselves. Any objections?"

Esperia shook her head while Robert looked in disbelief at the council but decided not to say a word.

With the verdict made Esperia's handcuffs were removed after she was escorted outside, and once there Robert raised a hand to his head. "I don't get this at all, when we went in there I expected to be defending you from a death sentence, instead they are letting you walk scott-free and even gave you an opportunity to do the stuff you wanted."

Esperia smiled weakly, not entirely sure of what had happened either.

WC: 541
Total WC: 2174

It all happened so fast, and even now Esperia was not entirely certain of the motives of the Magic Council. While it was true that she did the things because she believed she was doing it for the sake of the greater good, that didn't mean she was someone who was willing to blindly follow orders or be ignorant to the flaws of their leaders.

"Esperia." A voice called out to her as the door opened behind her, the elderly woman from before stepping outside. She gestured lightly at the nearby window, as if to montion for her to follow and so Esperia did, curious to hear what the woman had to say.

"I know you're likely thinking of hunting down even evildoer in existence now, but keep into consideration the words of advice your mentor gave you." Esperia frowned as she stopped beside the woman, her gaze focused on the landscape outside of the window. "I know, I need to approach this with a plan of some sort. If I just chase after Eternal Nightmare, I will continue exposing those I hold dear, and the people that rely on me to the danger of retaliation."

The woman nodded her head firmly in agreement to the statement. "Indeed, so why don't you have others do the dirty work for you?" The words spoken made Esperia's eyes widen for a moment, a hand reaching for her chin as she pondered quietly. "You mean-"

The elderly woman nodded her head firmly in agreement. "I know what is going on is Baska, despite being quite a... peculiar youngling that Gunter and his companions could have their use to you."

Esperia smiled weakly at the woman's words, not entirely certain of what she had just been told. A Magic Council member telling her to exploit a dark guild? "It's a risky move miss, what is to say Gunter and his kin will be willing to take the heat? But it makes sense to approach this in a more diplomatic manner. If I gain his cooperation we can keep Eternal Nightmare in check and at the same time keep an eye on their activities."

It was a dangerous but very clever game that this member of the Magic Council was playing at.

WC: 383
Total WC: 2557

Esperia remained silent, thinking carefully on the suggestion the woman made. "For now, head for Orchidia city. Aside from your partner, I have 'enlisted' a few potential allies for your cause. They will find you within the city, all led by their own circumstances."

Esperia couldn't help but smile, aware those circumstances were likely manipulated by the woman in front of her. It was clear the elderly woman was a manipulative trickster, a far more experienced and skilled one compared to Esperia. However, the young vampire decided not to comment on it for now. "Remember Esperia, when it comes to hunting evil, you are not the Rune Knights. You act off the grid which comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Make sure to keep those in mind in your future endeavors."

Esperia nodded her head firmly in response to the statement. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some appointments to attend to~ But before I leave I'll give you a word of advice: Do not disappoint me."

And with those words the elderly lady left, leaving Esperia to quietly ponder about the matter as she was escorted outside the Era Dungeon. It was odd how quickly she had been released, it had only been a few hours past dawn and only a night had passed since she had arrived within the prison.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for her to get ready for her trip. If she recalled right Valerie and Hasani were traveling to Orchidia to meet up with her there, and the thought alone was already enough for Esperia to feel way more energetic than normally.

Robert stopped beside her, speaking in a more relaxed manner now. "I'll report back to Blue Pegasus that the trial is over, I do suggest you pay Alisa a visit in the future, I'm certain she will appreciate it."

And with those words the two said their farewell, leaving Esperia to walk down the streets of Era. It was odd, to know she had no longer a bounty hanging over her head. Having regained her freedom, and being able to start a new life, the mere thought of building a future with Valerie and Hasani was enough to make her briefly forget about her desire to hunt dark guilds.

No, for now the young vampire would spend her time working on gaining the people's trust, walk a path of redemption so to speak. In order to do that she would soon have to head north. After all, Sentinel Syndicate was in the north, and there was someone she desired to meet in the syndicate. Also, and of course a greater priority was her reunion with Valerie and Hasani in Orchidia city.

Still, she had to admit she was a little bit curious about the words the woman said: She was going to send her allies, which made Esperia a little bit wary. She had been used to act independent, but perhaps it was time to change that now.

WC: 505
Total WC: +3000