Chapter 34: Let us die in peace
"Innocent until proven guilty..." Barou muttered softly. "Looks like our way of looking at things had always been incorrect..."
A heavy silence blanketed the doctor's quarters, broken only by the faint creak of weathered banners swaying in the breeze.
Barou stood stiffly, his large hands clenched at his sides. His face — usually sturdy and unshakable — was drawn tight with guilt.
Gnord muttered under his breath, staring down at his thick boots, as if the earth itself might offer forgiveness if he just looked hard enough.
And Lysaria — proud, faithful Lysaria — could not meet anyone's eyes. Her fists trembled against her priestess robes.
"We were wrong," Barou said finally, his voice shaken. "We judged without knowing."
Gnord grunted, but there was no defiance left in him. "A man's heart ain't seen by the brand on his skin. We forgot that."
Lysaria bowed her head, her golden sash dull. "I... I called myself a servant of light, yet I chose fear over truth."
She swallowed, voice thick.
"I vow — from this day — never again."
Riku watched them quietly, his expression unreadable.