Building a Harem in a Noble House

Chapter 95: A Paladin...?

Meredith felt the weight of the situation before anyone even opened their mouth. Two grown adults–one a Rogue, the other a Wizard–were shouting loud enough to rattle the market stalls, and every civilian within three dozen paces was staring as if the day’s entertainment had arrived early. Despite being only a recruit, keeping the peace was still her sworn duty. Well, it was going to be her sworn duty. Paladin recruits didn’t have any responsibility to the people of Aspia. But what did that mean? Certification or not, Meredith would fight for Aspia–regardless of how trivial the issue may be!

She cleared her throat, lifting her chin the way her instructors drilled into her from day one. "Halt this discord at once," she intoned, her voice proper and resonant, like an oath sworn in a temple. "Accusations fly like shadows, but truth demands order. State your claims plainly, and I shall discern the right of it. No spells nor steel until justice is served."

Her voice cut through the noise. The Rogue, lean and sharp-eyed with a smirk permanently stitched into his face, crossed his arms. The Wizard–robes wrinkled and hair frizzed from either panic or poor grooming–puffed up like an offended owl. They looked ready to start tearing each other apart, but Meredith raised a hand to stop them, calling upon the presence all Paladins were trained to embody: calm, authority, immovability.

"The item," Meredith continued. "Hand it to me, Rogue."

The Rogue rolled his eyes but dug into a pouch at his belt. He withdrew a talisman–oval-shaped, silver edges, a faint shimmer of magic clinging to its surface. Definitely not something ordinary. He flicked it to her with a lazy underhand toss, as if daring her to drop it.

She caught it easily.

"And now," Meredith said, letting her voice ring across the market despite speaking plainly, "I require both of you to explain what transpired. I will pass judgment afterwards."

Surprisingly, they didn’t protest. Perhaps they recognized her armor. Even recruits wore the sigil of the Order across their chest. People tended to behave when they saw it... or at least pretend to.

They both nodded, though the Wizard’s was stiff and the Rogue’s came with another smirk.

Meredith inhaled and exhaled slowly, calming her nerves. "Listen, Understand, Judge."

The Rules of Paladin Judgment. Her instructors would mock her endlessly if she messed this up in a public square. She mentally prepared herself, squared her shoulders, and gestured toward the Rogue.

"You first. State your case."

The Rogue bowed theatrically, one arm sweeping wide. "Gladly. You see, Paladin, this talisman is mine. I’ve had it long before this Wizard ever laid eyes on it. But he, pretending to be all arcane and wise, decided to swipe it from me during a little... exchange."

"’Paladin’...? He sees me as a Paladin and not a mere recruit...?

Meredith hid her blush.

"It was not an exchange!" the Wizard snapped.

Meredith raised her hand. Silence instantly fell. "You will have your turn."

The Wizard bristled, but shut his mouth.

The Rogue continued smoothly, "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted: he stole it. I only took back what was mine. I’d call that justice."

"And where did you obtain this talisman originally, Rogue?" Meredith asked.

The Rogue smiled just a little too wide. "Passed down to me. Family heirloom."

"And you, Wizard?" Meredith turned her gaze. "Do you contest that?"

The Wizard sputtered. "Of course I contest it! That talisman is... well... it was... I found– well, not quite found, but–"

The Rogue snorted loudly. "Hear that? He doesn’t even know what he’s talking about!"

"I do know!" The Wizard pointed accusingly. "It came from a... well, a vault. No– not a vault... more of a... ah! Storage... possibly a mage’s study? There were... books!"

"What books?" the Rogue interrupted, voice dripping with mock innocence. "Titles?"

"I– well... they were dusty! How could I possibly know? It was in a dungeon so many years ago! How am I supposed to remember something from that long ago?!"

Meredith watched the exchange unfold and felt a knot tightening in her stomach. The Rogue was too articulate, weaving his interruptions like a thread into a tapestry of misdirection. The Wizard was flustered, tripping over every detail. She tried to focus. To listen. To understand. To judge. But the more they spoke, or failed to, the more the balance tipped.

"Wizard," Meredith said, conclusion nearly drawn. "Can you explain the precise origin of this talisman? Even the broad strokes will suffice. I understand memory fades."

"I... well... it was in a place with shelves. And old parchment. And–"

The Rogue sighed loudly. "He’s making this up, Paladin. It’s clear as day."

The Wizard’s face flushed red. "I am not! I simply... well... it’s complicated!"

"It need not be complicated," Meredith said, her brow furrowed. She hated situations like this. She wanted clean truth, not a maze of half-answers and ego. "If you cannot produce a coherent explanation, then I must consider the Rogue’s account."

"That’s absurd!" the Wizard said, voice cracking.

The Rogue shrugged, holding out his hand with a smirk that was beginning to irritate her deeply. Maybe she should let the Wizard keep the talisman just to spite him...?

No... no. That would be unbecoming.

One last question. "You are certain," she asked the Rogue carefully, "That this belongs to you?"

"Certain as I was the day my daddy gave it to me."

"And you," she turned to the Wizard. "You have no answer to adequately prove your claim over it?"

"I... no! Just... wait!"

That was it. She had her answer. It felt wrong in her chest, but rules were rules. She had listened. She had understood to the best of her ability. And thus, could judge.

Meredith handed the talisman to the Rogue.

He snatched it with a prideful flick of his wrist, sneer stretching ear to ear. "Thank you, Paladin. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Shame you’re an idiot."

Then... he bolted.