➨ Murder defintely sent all those royals and nobels into a frenzy. If they weren't scared before, they were terrified now. Standing before them was an alleged devil, a murderer, and a forbidden magic wielder. None of this looked good.

Damnatio watched you with hawk eyes. "Considering we found him buried under the rubble, you tried to hide your crimes from prying eyes. Is that true?"

Silence.

"Bring out the evidence." He waves his free hand in the air. From behind him, another fully-covered man comes scurrying out onto the stage. Something is folded in his hands, and he passes it off to Damnatio before shuffling back into the darkness.

Time moves in slow motion as he reveals what was tucked up. The piece of fabric is not foreign to you and you curse in your head. It's the Royal Knight cape that you took off after the whole incident happened. You stupidly had left it there, not thinking it was important to be kept any longer.

It was wrinkled, dirty, and torn in so many different ways. Even better, the blood–dried but prominent– was unmistakable to everyone.

"Hey hold on!" Asta shouted. "How do you even know that it belongs to her? Lots of fighting happened, it could belong to any one of the Royal Knights!"

"You're correct." He agreed with a cool 'matter of fact' tone. "However, there's a specific clue on here that can lead us to its original owner." He pulls on the cape, exposing the damn near perfect hole from where you were stabbed. "Upon further investigation, the victim was found near some sort of sharp rock inside the crater. It took no time to match up the size of this hole, to the diameter of the spear-like object."

When he looked over at you, you still weren't speaking. So he took it upon himself to continue. "With the blood splatter in both the crime scene and on the evidence, we concluded that somehow, the perpetrator fell onto this sharp point. Which would've gone through skin, and clothing. So, Y/N. If this doesn't belong to you, would you mind showing us any new injuries on your body? Maybe... a shoulder? Just so we can clear your case, of course."

Did he really expect you to strip down in front of this many people? "That sort of feels like public indecency."

"Coming from a murderer, that is laugable. But we can do this another way as well. We can have Marx search your memories and display them for us as well. So, either way, you will be exposed for your treachery."

So your choices were to be brain-wiped, or show them a scar that you know is there. Either way, you're fucked. You needed to think of a way to get out of the situation. If anything you could lie, but when they check your memories, they'll add perjury right after murder.

However, if everything right now is only an allegation though, you might be able to get away with complete silence. Anything you say will be used against you and for your arrest.

The people in the stands weren't a fan of your quietness.

"She's not saying anything. She's guilty!"

"Strip her of everything. Show us the wound!"

"Kick her out of the kingdom!"

Damnatio raised his hand, and they fell quiet once more. "Perhaps both of these criminals just need a reason to turn to show their darksides once more." He gestured behind him, and nothing happened at first. Then, small footsteps made their way out to the light.

That little girl from before walked out. She was the sister of one of the Black Bulls. Marie was her name. Why in the world would they bring her out in the middle of all of this? She doesn't even look old enough to have a grimoire and here she was, handcuffed all by herself.

Suddenly, she was surrounded by more of those cloaked freaks. They raised their magic wands and started charging up a spell.

"You're not serious." You clenched your hands into fists. "She's a child."

That didn't stop anything because the men released their spells right for her. Just before any of them hit, Asta was gone in a flash, leaving you standing with the bird lady. He re-appeared in front of the mages, holding Marie in his arms. That darkside, as Damnatio worded it, in full effect.

"There you have it." He announced outwards to everyone. "The devil responsible for all the turmoil that occurred." They erupted into cries and curses. "About the murderer, her consequences are to be revealed."

He walked closer to you, stepping right back up the stairs of the podium you were on. "You have a mother from the Heart Kingdom. And your father... he was a Spade Kingdom soldier."

Silence.

He was close enough now that his body was just an inch away from you. "And unless you want me to expose the rest of your history to these people I suggest you give up and convict yourself." His voice lowered. "You're out of options, you can only stay silent for so long."

You glared at him. "Fuck you."

"Be that way." He stepped backwards just as the ground started to shake. There was a buzzing sound from outside the walls. Then, a loud shout before something large smashed into the wall, causing it to crumble and blow dust and debris everywhere.

Clearly, someone doesn't care about the destruction of legal buildings.

When the smoke cleared, you were surprised to see the entire Black Bulls squad standing there. And you mean everyone, including Zora who claimed he had everything better to do than sit around with his own team.

"Those damages might be expensive." You whistled as Damnatio visibly kept himself from blowing a fuse.

Captain Yami blew smoke from his cigarette. "Okay so I was right. I heard the trial was supposed to take place in two days but I knew you people wouldn't be true to that statement. But now that we are here I'm expecting you to give my squadmates back."

Who knew they would come tearing apart the building like that?

Damnatio takes in the scene while his scales tip back and forth. "You're going to sit here and co-sign for these devils? Don't you know how bad that will look for the kingdom?"

"We're already the worst Magic Knight squad around, I don't think it'll make a difference." He takes his sword out, the blade shining in sunlight from the outside.

He tilts his head upwards. "Are you also taking custody of the murderer?"

You flinch at his new nickname for you. Of course Yami wasn't here for you, he literally just said he was here for his squadmates. The Golden Dawn wouldn't break into a place like this nevermind for you of all people. You don't even think most of them are fully aware of the situation.

"Nah," Yami shrugs. "But if she happens to break out and run away while I kick your ass, that's not really my problem, is it?" His sword slices the air. "This doesn't seem like proper justice though."

"A foreigner like you wouldn't know." He completely disregards the fact that Yami is literally preparing for a fight. No, everybody on that squad looks like they're out for blood.

"You're right about that." And in a flash, Yami charged forward with his blade. It was a surreal experience. All while you were still thinking of ways to clear your name. But every time you thought of a good strategy, it lead to a dead end.

Through the fresh hole in the wall, a streak of fire and a sleek steel barreled through the courtroom. A large clang echoed in your ears as your jaw dropped. Two more people just flew in. You had to wonder if this is really how trials work. It wasn't like you were on one every so often.

And they were two people that you would've never expected to see crash the party.

Nozel had created a shield to counter Yami. Fuegoleon used a giant fire lizard to keep Damnatio at bay.

"Are you really so stupid that you'd throw down in a place like this?" Nozel pushed Yami back. "Look at yourself."

"Well that's what he gets for locking up members of my squad."

Those two were the presences that were necessary. From the Black Bulls, to the three people on trial, nobody really had a concrete standing with any of the royals or nobels in the building. Only now, you have no idea why they had swooped in.

Fuegoleon unraveled a scroll from inside his pocket. You were starting to get sick of seeing them, and it was only the second one today. "We have a message from the Wizard King. If you would all please calm down so I can read it."

Just like that, he got their attention, and their silence. What a man.

He clears his throat. "Firstly, the Black Bulls are being tasked with locating the alleged devils in order to clear Asta's name. In other words, if you want to prove you truly aren't guilty, use your own skills to make it fact."

So the Wizard King's big plan was to send them on a wild goose chase. If the devil was already gone, are they expected to find a completely different one just for their sakes? That sounds like a lot more work.

You tried to think of what the point of that was. Asta was the perfect scapegoat with these people, and that's why they turned to him first. Even if the Magic Parliament really believed a devil was at work and the culprit, they wouldn't bring it up. But... why? Were they trying to hide something else?

"As for Y/N L/N," he continued on. It seems his eyes skipped lower down than his mouth because his eyes widened by just a centimeter before he read it out loud. "She is to be temporarily banned from the Golden Dawn."

The spectators cheered at this information. Your heart just plummeted out of your body. "He's banning me from the squad I earned the right to be on?"

But he just kept going. "This also means she is not to step foot into the headquarters until further notice. Or be in contact with them after today. Nor is she allowed into the capital grounds without a trusted escort. Her ban will be lifted once she is either free of all suspicions and cleared of her crimes. Or can bring the rightful perpetrator to justice. Failure to comply will result in her termination from the Magic Knights as a whole."

Bring the real killer to justice? That wasn't going to happen. How can you bring someone else down for a crime you technically did commit? There was just no possible way to even start a solution like that.

"Until then, she is banished to the Black Bulls."

"What?" You blurted out. "That entire document was just a bunch of bullshit. How can you just switch squads like that on a whim?"

Nozel's glare was icy. "It's either that, or you're permanently removed from the Magic Knights." He leaves no room for an argument, but you were definitely going to make one.

"I don't understand why I have to—"

"Did you really think you could just murder a member of my squad and get away with it? You should be beyond grateful that the Wizard King doesn't put you up for a death sentence."

This guy was either really selling an act, or he was actually pissed off. Either way, there's no point in arguing with the parliament and Nozel. He was right, and that much was too much to bear.

Maybe the Golden Dawn didn't hold your best interests all the time. Maybe they didn't care about you all that much. But what about the ones you cared about?

"When is this supposed to take effect?" You asked Fuegoleon.

"Immediately."

"So I can't say goodbye or anything?"

Fuegoleon's jaw tightens. "It's not in the print, no."

Yami puffs smoke from his cigarette. "Who exactly counts as a trusted escort?"

He hands the paper off to Damnatio for him to give it a good read. Also probably to make sure there's no errors in what he read. "Any other magic knight would suffice. Or any captain as well. Anyone who's in good standing."

Now you need security to walk around the capital and not be arrested on sight. That wasn't the worst thing, but what person was going to take you after everything they just heard? You're sure one of the Black Bulls could, but they didn't know you. Asta wasn't in good standing, so he wouldn't count.

"Alright," Yami sighed. "Mr. Too Cool For School, take her to say goodbye to her friends and bring her back to the hideout."

"Excuse you?" Zora didn't sound the least bit pleased about it. "Why me? There's a bunch of other people here that can be tasked with being her babysitter."

"I figured you two already knew each other well enough. Royal Knights and all that. Just do it, what's the issue anyway?"

You didn't care about who the hell took you, but you just wanted to see them first. Whoever was your escort really didn't make a big difference.

He takes a look at you and groans. "Fine. But I don't even know where the hideout is– actually, isn't that big ass bull outside our place?"

"Pieces of it yeah. I'm sure you know." Yami gave him a taunting smile. "I find it hard to believe you never gave it some thought."

————————————

Awkward.

That's what the walk back through the capital was like. He didn't say anything for the most part, choosing to keep quiet instead of saying something. But he made it clear that stuff was on his mind from the way he made a clear effort to not even look in your direction.

"Ask me." You broke the silence.

People passed by, and they looked at you with disgust. Word spread fast around the entire Kingdom. They knew what you did, or what they thought you did. Which still isn't far from the truth.

"Did you really kill the guy?"

"What do you think?"

He stopped just outside the place where you said everyone still was. Where Klaus was resting up, and where you were before being pulled out to the court. "I think you were being controlled. But now I remember you seemed freaked out about something." He put his hands on his hips. "I'm assuming that the elf didn't just flee?"

You stopped for a moment. Then you turned. "You have to come inside. Just stand outside the door."

"No way." He shut the idea down. "If someone asks, just tell them I'm outside. Make it quick."

There's no point in arguing with him, and honestly, you didn't have the heart to fight with anybody. So you went in alone and followed the same path from earlier. Up the stairs and onto the floor where you knew Klaus' room was.

You approached the door and felt a sting in your chest just before you knocked. Nobody answered, instead it flung open and it was Klaus standing there. His eyes widened as he let you inside.

"Tell me it's not true."

"Klaus, please." You held your hand up. "It would be way too much to explain, and I don't have time to do that right now. And I... I don't know when I will."

Mimosa and Yuno surrounded you in a half circle. "What's going on? We saw the papers, why would they think you killed someone?" The worry in her tone was evident.

You looked to the floor, letting the words come to you. However, someone else beat you to the punch. "Did you?" It was Yuno.

Looking back up, he appeared furious. Just by that look in his eye, you knew lying to him would be damn near impossible. "I don't know."

His expression flickered from furious to confusion. "So what's the punishment?"

"I'm not a Golden Dawn knight anymore." You let the truth slide from your lips like molasses. "I'm a Black Bull, and I'm not allowed to come in contact with you guys after today. And I can't be in the capital without somebody trustworthy with me."

"They can't do that!" Yuno exclaimed.

Mimosa's head shook slowly. "But they can, Yuno. Damnatio is strict and if an order is given he'll see it through and it gets carried out."

"Then we get Captain Vangeance to say something about it." Yuno continued. "He's your captain, so shouldn't he get a say?"

"Not when the order comes from the Wizard King. It's said and done. But it's only temporary, I might be able to come back one day if the circumstances are right."

"What circumstances?" Klaus cuts in.

"Guys I really can't explain it all right now." Looking at all three of them, your heart ached realizing this would be the last time for a long time that you get to see them and talk to them. No contact was the biggest punishment of everything.

"So what are we supposed to do?" Yuno demands. "Who cares if you're a murderer or if you aren't. A traitor or whatever the hell they're saying. They've been on your case since day one, this isn't different!"

You brought him into a hug. He just needed to shut up and this was the only way you can think of getting that to happen. "What you need to do is keep proving all these people wrong. Show every last one of them what a commoner can do, and that status isn't shit when it comes to power. You have a gift, and I want you to use it. Do you hear me?"

He didn't say anything back.

Surely, Mimosa and Klaus both joined in on the hug, and you managed to wrap them in your embrace as well. They'd never seen you cry yet, and today was the first time they did. The room was charged with emotions and you tried to squeeze every last one out of your bones while they were here.

"Please don't forget us." Mimosa sniffled quietly. "We're never far."

"Indeed. We're here whether you can reach us legally or not." Klaus agreed.

"I'd never." You told them. "One more thing." You took a step back and moved your hands over the cape of your original squad. Just before you unclipped it from your body and handed it off to Yuno, who still refused to speak up.

"Keep it for me until I get back?"

He took it out of your hands. Looking it over like it was an ancient relic. He tightened his fists around it. "Fine."

"Thank you." You smiled and wiped your eyes. "I'll see you guys soon, okay?"

Without wearing your squad's uniform anymore, you felt naked. More naked than you would've been had you exposed your scar to the court. Perhaps being a part of the best team in the Clover Kingdom was too good for you. Being knocked down a few pegs might do some benefit for you and your image.

But it for damn sure wouldn't suck those annoying tears back where they came from.