"My view is that the consequences are unimaginable, in court. Stone said in a deep and soft voice.

"Because it will be the first time in decades that elves and humans have killed each other. I'm sure the dragoons will laugh with joy. A handful of young knights began to applaud.

Sir Alfred glared at them angrily, annoyed that they had broken the strict rules of the knightly statutes concerning judgment.

"Sir Swart, may I remind you that Sir Derek Kronga is not here to stand trial.

He proved his courage and discipline again and again on the battlefield.

I think we should be acceptable to what he considers to be hostile behaviour.

Stone Brightbred, are you accusing Sir Derek Kranga of falsely accusing you?"

"In court. Stone spoke, licking his tattered, dry lips.

"I didn't accuse him of lying, I mean, he misunderstood my actions in some way. ”

"Why?" asked Sir Michael.

Stone hesitated for a moment. "In court, I don't want to answer this question if I can. His voice was so low that many of the knights in the back row could not hear his answer, and asked Sir Swart to repeat the question.

He did so and got the same answer, only louder this time.

"What's your position on refusing to answer this question, Brightbred?" asked Swart, firmly.

"For, according to the rules of knighthood, my answer would be an insult to the honor of the entire Order. Stone replied.

Sir Swart's face darkened. "This is a very serious accusation. Do you know that you don't have any witnesses, are you sure you want to make such an accusation?"

"I understand, court. Stone replied, "That's why I'm reluctant to answer questions." ”

"What if I command you to answer?"

"This, of course, is completely different. ”

"Well, answer the question, Stone Brightbright.

It's an unusual situation, and I don't think we'll be able to give a fair trial until we've heard all the testimony, so why do you think Derek Kronga misunderstood you?"

Stone blushed, he kept clenching and letting go, letting go and clenching his hands, and looked straight at the three knights on the stage.

He knew it himself: he was going to lose.

He will never have a chance to become a true knight, and he will never have the opportunity to receive this title that is more important to him than his life.

It's good enough to miss this opportunity because of your own fault, and it's even worse if something like this happens in this situation.

That's why he had the courage to say something that would make Drake his lifelong enemy.

"I think the reason Sir Derek misunderstood me was because he wanted to satisfy his own ambitions, court. ”

There was an uproar in the hall.

Drake stood up, his friends trying to hold him down, or he might attack Stone in the hall.

Swart kept tapping the hilt of his sword on the table in an attempt to restore order, and finally all the knights finally quieted down, but Drake seized the opportunity to ask for a duel with him.

Swart looked at the knight coldly.

"You know, Sir Derek, at this juncture of readiness, a contest in the name of honor is not allowed!

Calm me down, or I'll be forced to kick you out. ”

Drake sat back in his seat, panting and blushing.

Swart calmed the Cavaliers down slowly, and then said, "Do you have any other defense for yourself, Stone Brightbred?"

"No, court. Stone said.

"Then you can quit, we're going to talk about it. ”

Stone stood up and saluted the chiefs, and also turned to salute everyone. He was then led out of the hall by two knights to another small room.

There, the two knights thoughtfully left him alone.

The two stood outside the door, talking about something completely unrelated to the trial.

Stone sat on a bench and seemed very calm, but it was only the result of self-endurance.

He decided not to let the knights see his own inner struggle. Swart's expression already told him that there was no hope, and he knew it himself.

But what will the verdict be? banishment, or taking away his wealth and fiefdom? Stone laughed sadly.

He didn't have anything that these people could take away.

He had lived outside of Sorenia for so long that exile meant nothing to him.

He was almost glad that he could be treated like this, and that any punishment would be better than the present hopeless waiting, lingering condition.

Hours passed, and the voices of the trio sometimes arguing continued to emanate from the hall, echoing through the hallways.

Most of the other knights had already left, as they were the only ones qualified to judge.

The remaining knights divided into several groups and disagreed.

The young knights openly discuss Stone's noble deeds and the extraordinary courage that even Drake can't deny.

Stone was right not to fight the elves, and the Sorenian knights needed every ally they could get their hands on at this time, and there was no need to attack.

The older knights have only one answer: knightly regulations. Drake gives Stone an order, which he refuses.

The rules of knighthood do not tolerate such acts. Almost the entire afternoon of the argument went uninterrupted.

Then, towards evening, a small silver bell rang.

"Bright, Brad. A knight said.

Stone looked up. "Is the time come?"

The knight nodded.

Stone lowered his head for a moment, praying to Paladin for courage. Then he stood up and waited with the other two knights for the other knights to return to their positions.

He knew that once all these people were seated, it would be the time for the verdict to be pronounced.

Finally, the two knights of the guards opened the door and motioned for Stone to walk over on his own.

The two knights followed him, and as soon as Stone entered, his eyes immediately turned to the table in front of Sir Swart.

That took his father's sword, by his father Bosel. Breitbrad picks up a family heirloom, a sword that only breaks when its owner dies.

It is placed on the table. Stone's gaze met it, and then he lowered his head, trying to hide the hot tears from his eyes.

Surrounding that sword is an ancient symbol of sin: the Black Rose.

"Bring that man, Stone Brightbred, forward. Sir Swart shouted.

"That man, not that knight!" Stone thought desperately. Then he remembered Drake.

He looked up quickly, proudly, and held back tears in his eyes.

Just as he would hide his pain in front of the battlefield and his enemies, he decided not to let Derek see his vulnerability.

He looked up firmly, looking at no one but Sir Swart, the convicted knight midshipman walked up to the three commanders of the Order, waiting for his fate.

"Stone Brightbred, we have convicted you, are you ready to accept your punishment?"

"Yes, sir. Stone swallowed and whispered.

"Therefore, you will not be able to receive rewards from the Knights, or from them......"

The knights in the hall shifted their sitting positions restlessly. This is ridiculous!

Since the Cataclysm, no knight has received any compensation from the Order.

Something is going to happen, and they already smell the eve of the storm.

"Finally—" Sir Swart paused. He leaned forward, fingers fiddling with the black roses that surrounded the ancient sword.

He squinted his eyes and scanned the audience, focusing everyone's attention on him, and everyone was in high spirits.

When he spoke again, even the fire behind him fell silent.

"Stone Bright, the Knights gathered here today, the Council has never dealt with such a situation before.

This may not be as unusual as it may seem, because evil is rampant and morality is rampant these days.

We have a young knight midshipman in front of us, and I remind you that Stone Brightbled is very young by any standard.

And he is also a midshipman with superb combat skills and discipline. Even the university can't deny it.

As a young trainee accused of fleeing and disobeying orders, he did not deny the accusations, only to show that he had been misunderstood. ”

"Now, according to the rules of knighthood, we must accept a knight who has been tried and tested, like Derek Kranga, and refuse to accept the testimony of a man who is not even a knight.

Due to the current turmoil in the world, Stone Lightbred had no way to call his witnesses, and Derek Kranga had no witnesses to support his confession.

As a result, we all agreed to the somewhat unusual verdict that followed. “

Stone stood in front of Swart, his mind in turmoil. What happened? He looked at the other two knights.

Sir Alfred made no secret of his fury, and it was evident that his 'consent' had been greatly conceded.

"The Council decided. Sir Swart continued, "This young man, Stone Breitbred.

I am willing to vouch for my honor to become the lowest knight, the knight of the crown......"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Thus, further, he became the third commander of the expeditionary force in the city of Paranzas, which was about to go to sea.

According to the rules of knighthood, the troops of the Order must have three commanders, each representing three knights.

Sir Derek will be appointed Supreme Commander and will also represent the Rose Knights.

Sir Alfred will represent the Knights of the Holy Sword, and I will be the honorary guarantor of Stone Brightbled as the representative of the Knights of the Crown. ”

In silent shock, Stone let the tears flow quietly down his cheeks, because now he no longer had to hide his excitement.

He heard a noise behind him, the sound of weapons clashing.