Journal from Another World

不幸の終わりと暫定政府

“This is the official report on what had transpired in Amarante.”

There were multiple eyes before him and yet sir Heid maintained composure. He had just finished the report of the recent events that occurred in Amarante to head of the House of Savil, Glimour Savil and its council.

Why are here, being eyed with a lot of animosity from the bureaucrats from the House of Savil?

Allow me to recount what had happened few days ago.

*****

After the battle at western gates and the incident of the ‘Rank C Monster’ that Molba Mesner allowed entry in the town of Amarante, a public trial soon followed.

The soldiers who originally sided with Molba Mesner defected against him fearing an attack from the angry mob and their anger was not misplaced. The Rank C monster that he allowed entre would have made a mess of many things. If anything, with the strength of the Local Militia alone, they would not have defeated it and would have run, causing a lot more deaths than anyone would have expected.

The militia was also a bit angry with Molba, they would have died together with the public if a third party (that was me) had not gotten involved. Therefore, the natural course of action had led them to side with the mob and ride the storm to get the heat away from their own incompetence.

The attendees of this public trial were as follow:

Representative from the Church, Feyth Romlis, an elderly priestess that oversee the Church activities and currently acting as orphanage director for the Western and Southern Orphanages. She was wearing a solemn smile like a kind grandma who would forgive any sin… however, she was adamant on bringing justice to those who used children to a life of crime.

Chief Heads of the different Local State Departments: Finance and Taxations, Local Registry, together with them is Lisa Salsa representing the Water District. Usually, there should be more departments, like the Crime and Punishment, and Security Department. However, Molba, took the aforementioned departments. No wonder he was being arrogant since he had most of the powers to himself.

The wisdom of the elderly was also present with Arldo Pento leading the group. He had tried to shirk the call, but thanks to the Romaria’s pleading, he consented and acted as one of the jurors.

For the accused parties, Molba Mesner together with his family, the four orphanage directors, and head of the Local Militia.

The Northern and Eastern orphanage directors were just present as witnesses to condemn the other corrupt Western and Southern orphanage directors.

Last in the list are the Romaria couple. While sir Heid presence was act as representative of the Hunter’s Guild, his attendance is necessary. There should have been no need for Lady Anna to attend. However, a complicated matter needed her to be present for this trial.

*****

Although there were jurors, this is still a public trial. So, the presence of the citizens mandatory.

“Molba! Did you want to kill us so bad!?” anger was clearly visible from the crowds. With the presence of the armed Local Militia, the mob did not advance too much. It ensured Molba and his Family’s safety.

“We should strip him from Eldership and exile him and his family.”

“No! Our lives could have been in danger, let’s execute him here and now.”

The 48-year-old stone-stricken Molba Mesner was pale. His past arrogance had completely left him, replacing it was pale face of a convicted criminal when he heard the word execution and angry mob was before his eyes, he was ready to cry.

“For the crimes of embezzlement, government maleficence, instigation criminal acts, endangerment of the public lives, and betrayal of public trust, you are hereby found guilty!”

We then presented the evidence to the public about his crimes. However, the most incriminating factor was because everyone knew that he had allowed the Rank C monster inside town. Since he had nowhere else to run, and no alibi. His verdict was evident from the start. The problem however lies with his punishment.

“No, please spare me~” Molba Mesner pleaded for his life.

His younger 32-year-old wife and 8-year-old daughter shared Molba’s fear. They instinctively knew that whatever happens to Molba would affect them as well.

Many wanted him to step down or exiled, others even wanted his execution. While a life imprisonment would work enough for his case, the crowd was clearly pushing the suggested punishments. However, this was not an ideal action to take.

“Whose ganna lead us when he’s gone?”

“Why not have Heid or Anna do that, they are clearly capable.”

Another suggestion further complicated the situation, which led lady Anna, a mere housewife and dinner proprietress in attendance as one of its jurors. Normally, she should not be tasked being a juror. However, some among the citizens started to voice out indicating the rise of Seviles-Romaria taking Eldership.

According to Sir Heid: Nobles like for example a Baron or a Viscount can handpick Elders, in some special case. In Elder Molba’s case Viscount Glimour Savil. Normally this is not necessarily case, in fact in most cases, Eldership is granted through a vote of confidence through an election by town citizens.

Right, according to what I have heard, the Mesners were no good Elders from the start and that was why the Seviles trusted by the townspeople got voted as elder. After a few years with the house Seviles loyalty and good governance they were granted nobility by the king and transferred to the capital. The Opposing faction of the king reinstated Molba Mesner as Elder of Amarante.

It would have been better if Molba even tried his best to regain the townspeople’s trust and confidence, but instead he indulged and complete succumbed to the power granted to him by the Viscount. That was clearly a mistake. Ultimately, he dug his own grave.

Lady Anna and sir Heid had already figured that this would happen to some extent. They had talked with the other prominent figures in the town prior to the actual public trial.

“Everyone, please listen...” It was Lady Anna voice. Sir Heid was behind her. “I know that there are some who wants to put the Seviles back to Eldership.”

“Unfortunately, neither the Seviles house nor the Romaria house can take the Eldership.” Lady Anna with her small visage was able to voice out her words in town square. “One instated by a Viscount can only be removed by the very Viscount or someone of higher peerage.”

This is where the problem lies, if the town removes a Mesner, this is clearly a revolt against the Viscount and misinterpreted as a revolt against the King. They could not remove Molba who is a Mesner as it will lead to a more complicated issue - treason.

“Here is our proposal.” This time Sir Heid took stage and Lady Anna stands behind him. “We will instead instate Molba’s daughter, Alma Mesner as Town Elder.”

“Alma Mesner is only 8 years old you can’t expect her to fully manage the town’s undertaking, right?” The head of the Civil Registry, queried. However, this was not really a formal question. The Civil Registry head was consulted earlier and only put on a display to further reason with the crowd.

“Right. Due to her age, she can’t do much, to ensure that government affairs will function, a capable aide will support her. Lady Anna and sir Heid will handle her education for that matter. The Church, with me at helm and a Local Librarian will focus on her basic education.” Sister Feyth advocates for the position, as she accounted the guardians

“So, she will be a puppet…” the one to voice out worry was the child’s mother -Glesda Mesner. To that, Lady Anna swayed her head in denial.

“We don’t plan to control anybody.” At Lady Anna’s soft words, Glesda dropped her head down. “To ensure her safety above all, we will be giving you -Glesda Mesner and Molba Mesner as parents a seat in the council of the Interim Government to protect your child’s wellbeing.”

“Oi… oi, you’ll be giving authority to Molba to rise another Tyrant here!”

While they agreed on the proposition, the citizens of Amarante probably don’t want Molba to be in contact with the Government at all. However, Lady Anna had assured them that Molba’s opinion has no weight in the council. He will only be there as guardian to ensure the safety of his child. Right, a father privilege, you might say.

With that, Sir Heid’s proposal received and unanimously agreed. Molba removal from Eldership and her daughter instated on the seat. However, due to Molba’s daughter age she could not really govern. The provision then raised Council of Advisers set for her. Her father and mother (her guardians) as part of them to ensure the safety of the child. The head of the Hunter’s Guild –Sir Heid would teach her about governance. The Church’s Head Priestess and Lady Anna would educate her on common sense. Five other people from various work-related departments to explain on the various work-related subjects.

With this everyone who expressed their opinions during the public trial get to have what they want. (Or at least a compromise)

1. Molba Mesner will be taken down from Eldership, her daughter Alma Mesner will replace him. (A Mesner still at helm, which will not undermine the Viscounts authority)
2. He won’t be killed or exiled instead he will undergo house arrest until her daughter gets to legal age where another trial will be held for his head or exile; and
3. Although the Romaria would not get the Eldership, they will in turn be handling the education of Molba’s daughter in governing Amarante.

*****

“That is the extent of the events that occurred in Amarante.” Sir Heid provided a detailed explanation of the course of events, crime, and punishments of the people involved with the case.

We could see many discontented grunts from the bureaucrats. ‘Why is a traitor doing a report?’ However, none of them could voice it out, not with the bishop (at sister Feyth’s recommendation) and Hunter’s Guild Regional Supervisor in attendance who vouched for his innocence.

As the Local Militia was also under suspicion of the same crime as Molba Mesner, the entire militia could not be used as bodyguards for this meeting. However, as we did not know how Viscount Savil act, Sir Heid needed a bodyguard. The one to take that role is of course none other than me.

As sir Heid did not come as a Hunter’s Guild Amarante Branch Overseer, but representative of the I.G.A. of Amarante, no hunter could be dispatch as his guard. I was the logical choice, which is the reason why I am able to oversee the verdicts from these nobles. Truthfully, had it not for sir Heid’s necessity to attend I would have declined.

“What of Molba Mesner.” The voice came from a decrepit old man, he was probably as old as Arldo Pento, however, this old noble did not have the old lumberjack’s vitality which made him look older. I later learned that he was younger, yikes.

I am guessing that Molba’s death would be convenient for them. For one, their involvement with the incident buried deep escaping scandal.

“He is currently under house arrest until his daughter come of age, and the council will give him his due punishments.” In order to protect Amarante and Molba from the wrath of the nobles, sir Heid carefully planted his words. “He is unable to leave Amarante as part of his punishment.”

Since the I.G.A., Hunter’s Guild and the Church were able to present a sound and logical case and solution the nobles were not able to do anything else but accept the interim government proposal.

“Hmmm…” The count closed his troubled eyes. “Very well, the Interim Government Affairs of Amarante will be recognized as a ruling body until the Mesner’s daughter will come to age.”

Clamor and discontents. However, the viscount just hushed them as he left the room.

“This should stop them from moving too much in Amarante.” Sir Heid sighed.

The chains of misfortune that befall Amarante for now has ended, an interim government installed to ensure continued state services, and all that without much blood taken.