Chapter 60 : Interrogation

“From this moment, we will begin the public interrogation of Saya, a Spirit Master belonging to the Armonia Academy.”

Under the watchful eyes of numerous Spirit Masters, my interrogation began. Though it was called an interrogation, given the nature of the Armonia Empire—where power was law—it was nothing more than a meeting to decide my fate.

The cloth covering my body was removed, and the crowd gasped in horror. A black arm, clearly inhuman, and one black, eroded eye were revealed. Whispers of speculation filled the room.

“It’s the reincarnation of a demon…!”

“My God, such a monstrous creature exists….”

My limbs were shackled, and I was forced to face the audience. Having barely eaten during the forced transport from Luden to the capital, Semal, my body was emaciated.

“Silence, please. We will now proceed with the interrogation.”

The procedure was straightforward: each side would present their arguments, and the emperor would render his final judgment.

“Spirit Master Saya concealed the fact that she harbored a Sarkas within her body and used its abhorrent power to inflict grievous injuries upon Commander Violet with unclear intent.”

At these words, Violet nodded and revealed his bandaged face.

“I believe this goes beyond mere treason; it is an act of revealing herself as a Sarkas to the world. Allowing such a person to live would directly contradict the founding principles of the academy.”

The emperor nodded solemnly. “Indeed, that is true. Is it correct that a Sarkas resides within your body, Spirit Master Saya?”

The emperor addressed me, but I remained silent, my unfocused eyes staring blankly ahead.

“See? She doesn’t even attempt to defend herself. The Sarkas has eroded her mind to the point where she may have even forgotten human speech.”

“That is an excessive assumption.”

Cled’s voice cut through the room.

“Due to the inhumane conditions of her transfer, she has been deprived of food and water for days. It is unreasonable to conclude that she has lost her ability to speak based on her current state.”

The emperor, listening carefully, turned to Cled. “Then what do you believe resides within Spirit Master Saya’s body?”

“…That is…”

Cled examined my mutated form once more. The grotesque growth was undeniably that of a Sarkas. Reluctantly, he lowered his head and replied, “…I cannot dispute that it is a Sarkas.”

“I see.”

Cases of intentionally harming a superior typically ended in execution, but this was unprecedented—a Spirit Master harboring a Sarkas.

“Violet, I ask you as well. What punishment do you deem appropriate for her?”

All eyes turned to Violet, whose words carried immense weight as the commander of the Spirit Masters.

“..She was a Spirit Master who performed her duties without issue. Her relationships with her colleagues were amicable, and her achievements warrant leniency. However…”

He clasped his hands and spoke calmly, “That is only if she were human. Now that we know she wields the power of a Sarkas, the academy cannot afford to harbor such a threat. Spirit Master Saya must be executed.”

“If even you agree, there can be no further objections. Her sentence is execution for treason.”

The emperor rose, signaling the end of the interrogation. Despite his personal fondness for me, even he could not overlook the gravity of this transgression.

Luna, watching from the sidelines, stood abruptly. “Wai—”

Cled stopped her with a firm hand. “Luna.”

He shook his head, and she reluctantly sat back down, her expression filled with sorrow.

The emperor approached me, his voice low and somber. “..I am truly sorry to lose a talent like you, Saya.”

Keeping me alive would only incite panic among the empire’s citizens. This decision, though painful, was unavoidable.

“The execution will take place at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Until then, confine her to the Semal underground prison.”

In the depths of the underground prison, where no light penetrated, a voice echoed in my mind.

[Hey.]

It was Invidia, who had remained silent since my capture after attacking Violet in Luden.

[I’ve been analyzing the situation. The transformation you underwent was the result of your emotions manifesting as power.]

‘Emotions…?’

[Saya, your desire to kill Violet triggered the manifestation of my power within you.]

‘Is this phenomenon similar to emotion-based magic?’

The possibility that the mutation was tied to emotions offered a glimmer of hope that it could be reversed.

[In a broad sense, yes. However, the source of this power is me, unlike magic.]

I steadied my mind and examined the black arm bound in shackles. Though I had avoided looking at it out of fear, it now resembled Invidia’s claws—sharp and monstrous.

‘..Can I control it?’

I closed my eyes, focusing on calming thoughts—the scent of Luna’s hair, the laughter shared with my teammates. Slowly, my emotions subsided.

When I opened my eyes, the arm had returned to its human form.

[What now, Saya?]

If I remained here, execution was inevitable.

‘Can you break the shackles, Invidia?’

[Impossible. These shackles are made of the same material as Spirit Master weapons. Even touching them is painful.]

I scanned the cell, but there was no escape. Even if I freed myself, fleeing was nearly impossible.

‘The execution is tomorrow afternoon. If I don’t find a way by then….’

[How is the execution carried out? If it’s poison, we might endure it with our enhanced physiology.]

At that moment, a voice called from outside the cell.

“You have a visitor.”

‘A visitor…? Who…?’

Yuri Freesia entered, her expression grim.

“….”

As she approached, the guard stopped her. “By order of the emperor, contact with the prisoner is prohibited. Maintain your distance.”

Yuri nodded and spoke softly, keeping her distance. “..Saya, it’s me. Yuri.”

She had nearly lost her status as a Spirit Master after attempting to help me escape by erecting an ice wall to block the pursuing Spirit Masters. Only Cled’s intervention had saved her.

“How did you get permission to visit?”

“..I convinced Commander Violet. In exchange, I agreed to become his successor—for now.”

“What…?”

She glanced at the guards, then whispered, “..Let’s escape together, Saya. If we kill the guards and make it out of the basement, we can cross the border and disappear. We can live in peace….”

“That’s impossible.”

I shook my head firmly. “I am a target of the entire empire. If you help me, not only you but your family will be in danger.”

“…”

Yuri fell silent, her head bowed. I spoke carefully, “Violet has transcended humanity. He tried to kill you once; I don’t know what he’ll do next. Stay close to him, gain his trust, and uncover his true motives.”

“…I will.”

“It’s time. Please leave now, Spirit Master.”

As the guards led her away, Yuri turned to me. “…Promise me you’ll survive, Saya.”

Her eyes held the same determination as when we first met. But I couldn’t answer. I simply watched her retreating figure in silence.

At noon, under the glaring sun, I was led to the scaffold, a black cloth draped over my face.

“From this moment, we will carry out the execution of Spirit Master Saya.”

The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Given my status as a Spirit Master, my sentence had been commuted to hanging—a more “dignified” end than beheading.

A thick noose was placed around my neck, and I stood on a rickety wooden stool.

“..Prisoner, do you have any last words?”

I remained silent.

-Thud.

The executioner kicked the stool from beneath me.