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–––Bandit’s viewpoint

The day arrived when Annero and his party would be executed. The city was filled with posters announcing his sentence, so everyone was talking about him. A hero being sentenced as a traitor was unheard of, so many people came to the capital wanting to know what had happened, crowding the streets.

“…But more importantly, he defied the king and questioned his authority! In other words! He betrayed the country! He turned his back on us because he was afraid! Such a coward doesn’t deserve to live!”
“Yeah! Get him!”
“Kill the traitor!”

Annero meekly did as told, showing no signs of resistance, but Sherpa obviously stood in front of him, stirring the crowd. There were some voices in agreement, but they had likely been paid off by Sherpa. It seemed like he was trying to garner some of the goodwill Annero had, but there was little reaction from most of the crowd.

I had looked into Sherpa these last few days, but it seemed like he had next to no popularity. He did not even seem to be very well liked. But that much made sense, the people of Zelvis, or rather reptid culture in general, did not really appreciate those who mostly boast about themselves with words. They preferred more simple people, though maybe not to the extreme of Annero’s loyalty. Still, nothing could compare to Annero’s attitude even after he won the tournament to select the hero.

On the other hand, people were questioning why Sherpa, who had lost, was allowed to become the next hero without going through another tournament. That was why the crowd would not follow Sherpa’s lead, no matter how hard he tried. I had started disliking this country because of what happened to Annero, but at least now I knew not everyone was like that.

“I will deliver punishment to this traitor myself! Is there anyone opposed?!”

Sherpa shouted and looked at the crowd, but no one answered. That made him grin satisfied. He was clearly misunderstanding that response, they were not agreeing with any of what he said, they simply feared going against the country’s decree. If a hero like Annero could be executed so easily, they feared they would be next if they said anything. But there was someone here who would not step back! I clenched my fist, and felt a hand cover it. I looked to my side and saw my sisters smiling at me. I nodded at them, took a deep breath, and got ready to speak. It was time for Bandit’s big gamble!

“Of course there is!”

Hearing my voice, the crowd distanced from me, making me and my sisters clearly visible. As everyone looked at me from afar, I rushed up to the platform where Sherpa stood. The guards tried to step in and push me away, but my sisters stopped them.

“You…Barius’ hero!”
“The one and only! I’m Bandit, the hero of Barius! It’s been some days, clown masquerading as a hero!”

My insult made Sherpa’s expression change instantly. He had acted all high and mighty so far, but it seemed like I had touched a sore spot. It was almost funny watching his eyes move.

“What do you want?! This issue is for Zelvis to solve! Foreigners should stay away!”
“I would stay away if everything was as you said, and Annero was a criminal. But I won’t remain silent if an actual criminal is slandering his name!”

The crowd quickly went into an uproar hearing that. I had been looking into Sherpa the last few days, and I quickly uncovered plenty of dirt on him… I barely had to search to hear plenty of stories. It started with him abusing his position and power to extort money and valuables from others. There were even accounts of people going missing after having a disagreement with him. The only reason why all of that somehow was kept under wraps was thanks to his family, the Silver Scale Tribe. They had a long history in Zelvis, having plenty of authority and renown to actually control parts of the country. Sherpa had employed his lineage to commit crimes as he pleased.

There were only a handful of people who could go against Sherpa. The king, and two or three other tribes.

“Me? A criminal?! How ridiculous! The only criminal here is Annero, who’s chained up!”
“Annero merely tried to advise your king! He told him to not be foolish and attempt to invade another country!”

That had an explosive effect on the crowd. This was the first time they heard about going to war, so they were infuriated.

“What does he mean?!”
“We’re proud reptids! Who would want to invade other countries?! That’s so shameful!”
“I won’t let you take my son to war!”
“What is the king thinking?! Wasn’t our role to remain neutral, and actually stop such invasions from happening?!”

Reptids held their strength in high regard. But they merely valued their own merits and accomplishments, and never tried to use that power to stifle weaker people. Most of them thought that way at least, with Annero being an extreme case. They had no issue with fighting demons, but invading another country was a completely different matter.

“Silence! Silence!”

Just when a riot was about to break out, the king made his appearance. Everyone fell silent then, but they did not necessarily calm down either, fiery embers still in the crowds’ eyes. Everyone was looking at him with disapproval, but the king’s restraint was at full display as he refused to let it get to his head.

I had succeeded in luring him here. Now I just had to wing it and pray that it worked.

“Barius’ hero Bandit, what’s your proof to make such claims?”
“If I may, your majesty. I believe you have more than enough proof in front of you.”

I bowed respectfully as I said that, but the king still clicked his tongue.

“What are you getting at?”

Hearing that, I pointed at a certain person. Annero, who was chained down and did not say a single word.

“Isn’t Annero proof enough?! He’s the epitome of a righteous hero, a man with no blemish to his name. He helped the weak, crushed the strong, and acted like a hero should. Why is he chained up now? All he tried to do was to stop his country from making a mistake. But his attempt to help was answered like this, with chains! That doesn’t mean anything to you?!”

He was lost for words hearing me say that. The crowd was starting to get irate as well, slowly voicing their dissatisfaction with the king as well. Some of them even started to shout.

“He’s right! Annero did nothing wrong!”
“Annero just tried to protect us! Why did you jail him!”
“We won’t tolerate injustice! Release Annero!”

More voices chimed in, the crowd all agreeing on that. Somehow I felt really relieved to know the crowd was on my side.

I had actually paid some of the people in the crowd to do that. Sherpa had also done that, so I saw no reason why I should not do it. Annero might be that way, but I was not ridiculously righteous. I was willing to do that to achieve a goal. Everyone was turning on the king and Sherpa, now I just had to make them turn on each other as well.

“Your Majesty. I understand you made that choice in an attempt to keep your people safe. That’s the burden of kings, sacrificing a few for the good of many. I may not agree or accept your decision to execute Annero for Zelvis’ future…but at least I understand your reasoning.”
“…”

The king remained silent, unable to understand what I was getting at.

“But as you can see, the people are on Annero’s side, they don’t want to invade other countries. If you keep going down this path, your people might turn on you and cause a civil war.”
“..!”

That was no wild guess, but something with a high likelihood of happening. The people were against the idea, and even the influential families other than the Silver Scale Tribe also were not in support. Even if he was the king, he could lose his position if he was too careless.

Though I was also to blame for that, having announced the invasion plans prematurely.

“Your majesty, I don’t believe you made a mistake or committed a crime. The guilty one is Sherpa, who was jealous of those more successful than him, who constantly hid his crimes, and even now is trying to drive your country to ruin!”
“!”

I shouted loudly and pointed at Sherpa, who merely flapped his mouth, unable to form any words. He had not expected me to turn things against him like that. He was still too naive.

“He’s the main culprit! He made a deal with the demons to plunge Zelvis into chaos! Open your eyes, your majesty! Annero is innocent! Sherpa is the one who should be punished!”

I had no proof that Sherpa was working with demons, it was just a wild bluff. That was it, just a bluff…but it led to something no one could have anticipated.

“How…how did you find out?”
“…Huh?”

I let out a silly voice hearing Sherpa’s painful mutter.