Prior to visiting Deja, Contingent was the biggest city Ashton had stepped foot into. But Upon seeing Deja, the capital city of Lycania, Ashton's perception of big changed drastically. Deja was at least twice as big as Contingent and the atmosphere was much livelier.
Also, unlike Contingent, no one stopped their vehicle and they were given a safe passage straight to the palace, which was located at the heart of the city. The palace was surrounded by huge walls with multiple watchtowers towering over the city at regular intervals.
As they headed inside, Ashton was surprised to see the beautiful gardens full of lavish flowers and exotic plants as well over a hundred people tend to them. Other than that, the soldiers were patrolling every inch of the palace with their hawk-like eyes.
Seeing all the security around the palace, Ashton couldn't fathom who the hell was the mistress was in a stalemate kind of situation with the king? With this many soldiers and citizens who would die for their king if he wanted them to, it would have been quite easy for his highness to squash the mistress like an ant.
'Either the mistress has something the king needs her alive for, or... he is not interested in her and her antics.' Ashton thought as the car ride finally came to an end.
Ashton was already in awe of everything he had seen so far, and the main palace building didn't disappoint him either. The building was certainly befitting of a king.
The palace appeared to have been made of grey limestone with an excellent carving on them. The symmetrically placed short but wide windows added to the overall look of the castle.
However, before Ashton could see anymore of the majestic palace, suddenly the gigantic metallic doors leading to the inside were thrown open and out of it walked the director, with a couple of soldiers behind her.
"Is it over already?" The mistress inquired to which the director laughed before replying.
"Well, it wasn't like they had a case against me either way." The director then turned towards Ashton, "You, on the other hand, do. Come on, let's get inside the trial will start within 10 minutes. Oh and Ashton, use your crutches. No need to act like a tough guy just yet."
Ashton simply nodded and took used the crutches to follow them around. He was given the crutches on the day the princess 'helped' him.
However, once the doctors started doing their job properly, he no longer needed to use them. Still, he kept them inside his inventory as a reminder of one of the worst phases of his life yet.
Within minutes, Ashton found himself in a room with over a thousand people in attendance. Well, the room was less of a 'room' and more of an auditorium. There were people everywhere, from the benches in front of him to the balconies above. On top of that, all of them seemed to belong to high ranking noble families.
There were a couple of faces that Ashton immediately recognised, like the Gruntas and the professors. Thankfully, Rose was also in attendance along with Anna and with her parents... at least that's what Ashton assumed.
But he did not know most of them. Everyone was busy chatting amongst themselves but the moment Ashton and the mistress walked inside the room there was utter silence.
"Relax, Ashton." The mistress mumbled as she wrapped her hands around him, "Everything will be fine. Believe me. I won't let anything happen to you."
'Yeah yeah... mind telling me where were you when I was about to die, again?' Ashton shook his head and kept walking ahead calmly.
He wasn't worried in the least. If anything, it was a great chance to leave a lasting mark on everyone present there. Then there was the thing the princess had told him... although he was worried about the catch related to her... generosity.
"Bow your heads before his highness, the ruler of the proud kingdom of Lycania, King Jonathan Bismark!"
The announcer yelled and immediately everyone bowed their heads to the king... even the mistress. Although she had a disgusted look on her face. A second later a man's heavy footsteps resounded throughout the room.
But way before the footsteps, Ashton's [perception] ability was going crazy. The aura around the kind made his legs go numb and he began sweating momentarily. Since the other's did not have the heightened [Perception] that Ashton had, they were seemingly unaffected by the king's presence.
While everyone pulled their heads back up with ease, Ashton had to force himself to do so. The power of the man in front of him was indomitable.
'This bitch is crazy to think she can get rid of someone like him... It's simply impossible!' Ashton thought about the Mistress wanting to get rid of the king.
Ashton looked up to the man who had a bored expression on his face, on his golden throne. One hand was placed on the arm of the throne was the king's cheek rested on the other. Even the attire he was wearing was different from what Ashton had imagined.
Jonathan was dressed in a black tuxedo, with a red cape dangling behind and a sapphire sword strapped to his waist. He was a century old, and yet there was not a sign of ageing on his face. But his eyes were similar to the ones mostly the old people had... full of wisdom and knowledge.
While Ashton was scanning the features of the king, the king was doing the same to him. Jonathan was trying to figure out just what his illegitimate daughter had seen in him to care about him so much. However, Ashton was just as much of a mystery to him as he was to the kid.
'Let's see what the kid has to offer, shall we?' Jonathan thought and nodded towards the minister of law and internal affairs.
"Ashton Bismark, stand in the podium.." The minister mumbled calmly, careful not to irritate Jonathan with his high pitched voice, "The trial for the crimes of assault, attempted murder and inhumane battery will now begin."