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Chapter 332: Broken Chains
🕑 Added 2021-05-07 16:06:04 +0000 UTC“Grey didn’t kill them,” Ada said, louder this time.
Titus Granbehl’s hand reached up to cover his daughter’s mouth. “Ada! What are you—”
Slipping from her parents’ grasp, she stepped toward the judges. Words began to spill from her in rush as her face grew more and more red. “I was trapped in a mirror and Grey was trying to save me but Ezra wouldn’t listen and freed the horned ascender from the magic mirror while Grey was working with this artifact thing, and the other ascender killed my brothers, and I would have been stuck there forever but Grey saved me.”
The girl hid her face in her hands as her parents stood stiffly to either side of her.
Darrin gave me a victorious look before turning to Blackshorn. “Well, there you—”
“Lord Granbehl,” Blackshorn said, speaking over my council, “it is clear that your daughter is incredibly distressed. While we appreciate your blood’s bravery in attending this trial in person, it is the opinion of this panel that we cannot accept Ada’s testimony at this time, and will instead use the written account of events we have already received.”
Ada gaped up at the high judge as her father nodded, his cheek twitching as he suppressed a smirk.
“You may go, all of you,” Blackshorn added.
The chains began tightening once more as I failed to suppress my growing annoyance. I pressed my hand into the sharp, twisted metal where I’d torn the armrest free, letting the pain burn bright in my mind as it cut into my skin.
Someone behind me yelled out how this wasn’t fair, wrapped neatly in a string of curses, and in seconds the entire courtroom had exploded into a chorus of shouts and insults being thrown at the judges.
“—got to be kidding—”
“—even listening what the girl said—”
“—a sham, a total fraud—”
“—better let Ascender Grey go or—”
All the judges were on their feet—except Tenema, whose wrinkled old face had scrunched up in displeasure—as Blackshorn hammered with his gavel over and over again, but the courtroom was in full revolt behind me. Hearing the eager crowd turn against the corrupt judges helped settle my nerves just enough for the chains to simply restrain me and not try to take my head off.
“Silence!” the high judge was howling. “Silence! Silence!”
Harcrust turned to an official who had been half hidden behind the desks. “Clear the room. Do it. Now!”
Suddenly, soldiers in black armor were pouring into the courtroom, but everything was happening behind me. I twisted in my seat to get a better look, but the chains bit down, cold and hard, keeping me pinned to the iron chair.
Regis let out a scoff. ‘They’re pushing everyone out.’
A panicked scream resounded through the court.
‘Damn, one of the soldiers just knocked someone out. And of course the Granbehl guards are helping them.’
In front of me, Darrin watched in horror as the High Hall’s enforcers escorted the mob through the huge double doors and out into the long hallway. The judges wore looks of mingled disgust and satisfaction.
The doors slammed shut, and the shouts and heavy, stomping steps were dulled, then slowly disbursed, until the courtroom was left in a state of eerie silence.
Aside from the five judges and a handful of the black-armored High Hall guards, only Darrin, Alaric, Matheson, and I remained in the room.
“Is there any point in reminding the high judge that a trial before a panel of five should be open to the public?” Darrin asked, his voice a growl of suppressed fury.
“None at all,” Blackshorn snarled, staring grim-faced down at the four of us. Darrin and Blackshorn locked eyes, but after a few seconds my council submitted to the judge, looking down at the floor of the platform.
Alaric had moved to stand at my other side, while Matheson kept his distance. Alaric leaned down a little and whispered, “I know this looks bad, kid, but don’t go doing anything stupid. We still have a couple tricks up our sleeve...I hope,” he added in a slightly hesitant undertone.
Blackshorn cleared his throat, a wet, rasping sound like a blade being sharpened. “It is clear to me that someone has worked to antagonize this rabble and disrupt these proceedings. Fortunately, we were forewarned this might be the case.”
Frihl let out a sharp “Hah!” that silenced the high judge and caused the rest of the panel to turn toward him expectantly.
“When I heard someone was spreading stories, riling people up, I knew it must be ‘man of the people,’ Darrin Ordin, fouling this trial with his sense of low man’s justice. Bah!”
Frihl’s face melted into an exaggerated frown. “You’ve become predictable, Ordin. But your games won’t work this time.”
‘I wonder how many horned asses he had to kiss to become a judge?’ Regis asked in a tone of mingled wonder and horror.
“Thank you, Judge Frihl,” Blackshorn said placatingly. “As I said, we were expecting such tactics, but won’t allow this trial to become some kind of circus.”
I laughed, cold and humorless. Darrin shot me a warning look and Alaric shook his head, but I was done.
“It seems like Ascender Grey is finally revealing his true nature,” Blackshorn said, raising his brow. “His ability to laugh after such dire events have occurred speaks volumes.”
“Honestly, I feel as though this has been a trial for my patience rather than the Granbehls’ ridiculous allegations,” I said matter-of-factly. “What’s next? Perhaps the honored judges will reveal that the corpses of Kalon, Ezra, and Riah were magically recovered from the Relictombs, and their wounds prove beyond a shadow of a doubt—somehow—that I’m the killer?
“Or, better yet, perhaps you’ve found my secret diary that I conveniently misplaced in some public place somewhere, detailing my evil plan to kill all the Granbehls, except of course the one I saved.”
Frihl shot up from his seat, his gnarled finger pointed at me. “How dare you utter such blasphemy in front of—”
Blackshorn raised a hand, quieting his colleague before leaning back in his chair. Rather than being angry at my not-so-subtle sarcasm, he merely studied me, his fingers steepled before him.
Frihl’s face was crimson with seething rage, but he held his tongue, as did Falhorn and Harcrust. Tenema was the only one who appeared uninterested, seeming to find more interest in a loose thread on her robe than me.
“The absence of physical evidence is hardly an issue, considering the compelling witness statements we received,” Blackshorn answered with a slight shrug of his shoulders. “Which brings us to the deliberation portion of this trial, I believe.”
Tenema, frowning slightly, plucked the thread loose and let it drop on her desk. “Guilty, I’d say. I can see it clear as day.”
Darrin’s face fell as he glanced back at the main doors. Opposite him, Matheson let a self-satisfied grin creep across his face.
‘At this point, it’s hard to tell which ones are corrupt and which ones are just stupid,’ Regis said with a sigh.
“No deliberation necessary. Guilty,” Judge Harcrust spat, his finger again twirling his oily goatee.
Falhorn’s jowls jiggled and swayed as he shook his head. “A piteous display. Guilty.”
Frihl’s sharp gaze locked on Darrin as he hissed, “Guilty, three times over.”
A slight movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention: Lord Granbehl, standing in the shadows of an alcove at the far edge of the chamber. Even in the gloom, his bright white teeth shone as he smiled victoriously.
Blackshorn leaned forward over his high desk. “Guilty,” he said slowly, savoring the word.
Alaric was shaking his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “They didn’t come, damn them,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
“As to the matter of punishment,” Blackshorn said, suddenly businesslike. “First, all material possessions and wealth of Ascender Grey are forfeit immediately, and will be transferred to Blood Granbehl in recompense for the loss suffered at Grey’s hands. Ascender Grey, you are to turn over all assets, including whatever items were brought back with you from the Relictombs, to this court immediately. The location of any wealth or possessions you may own, but are not carrying on you at this moment, must be divulged, including partial ownership of any blood holdings.”
“Don’t forget, High Judge,” Matheson simpered, “whatever illicit artifacts the ascender has been in possession of.”
“Of course,” Blackshorn added. “In the event, Ascender Grey, that you refuse to divulge the location of your possessions, then your mind will be peeled apart by our most powerful sentries before your execution.”
He paused, his eyes boring into me as he waited for my response.
I gave him a charming smile. “I can’t wait.”
“Guards,” Blackshorn said, his nose wrinkled up like he’d just stepped in something foul, “put this murderous thug in the deepest, smallest cell available.”
‘Now are we going to kill all these clowns?’ Regis pleaded. ‘I call dibs on the jackass with the goatee.’
No. Not here, I replied coolly.
The noise of shouting reached my ears from outside the courtroom; there was some kind of commotion in the hallway beyond the huge double doors.
“That could be our trump card,” Alaric hissed. “We need to keep your ass in that chair, kid.”
As I scanned the guards slowly surrounding us, an icy calmness spread through me. In a way, there was a cold sort of comfort knowing that their decision had been made and my trial was over.
Darrin and Alaric were forced back away from me and out of view. Even as the dozen black-armored guards advanced toward me, weapons at the ready, I remained seated, dispassionate and composed.
“I’d like to walk to the cell on my own two feet,” I said, my voice even and smooth despite the number of sharp, mana-charged weapons pointed at me.
“Do you still think you’re entitled to such a freedom?” Blackshorn retorted. “No. You will be stripped and bound until the moment you die.”
I let a wave of aetheric intent surge out of me, swelling through the guards and rendering them immobile. Some of the weaker ones fell to their knees, eyes wide and gasping for breath.
The judges were all pale, their eyes scanning for some answer to explain exactly what was happening. I was a prisoner bound and stripped of any access to mana, after all. Normally, something like this would never happen.
Normally.
“I d-demand to know what you are doing!” Frihl managed to shout.
“It must be a relic, your honor! I knew he was hiding it somehow.” Matheson marshalled enough strength to crawl up from his knees, his expression strained as he turned toward me. “I demand that you hand the relic over at once!”
My gaze fell to the steward, making him recoil in surprise. “Why don’t you come here and take it?”
Matheson, his thin brows lined with sweat, swallowed heavily.
Time stilled in the room, as none of the people present were able to muster the courage to take a step closer toward me.
It was only when the doors of the courtroom slammed open that I released the suffocating pressure I was holding in the room. Twisting against the tightening chains, I looked back over my shoulder to see a couple of familiar faces.
“It’s about time,” Alaric breathed.
‘Our cavalry has arrived, Effeminate One,’ Regis said with a grin.
The first man I noticed was the brawny, crimson-haired Striker named Taegan, and next to him was his trim companion, the swordsman Arian. The two ascenders flanked a muscular, olive-haired man that I didn’t recognize, who in turn was following a furious woman with burning red hair and blazing ice-blue eyes. The four paused at the head of the stairs, glaring down on the standoff between the guards and me.
“Vritra’s grace…Blackshorn, why have I had a dozen different people hammering to get into my office for the last fifteen minutes? Explain yourself at once.”
The high judge shrank back from the authority booming within the woman’s voice, and his mouth began to open and close like a fish drowning on the shore.
“Oh good,” the olive-haired man said from behind the woman, gesturing to the courtroom with a stack of parchment held in one hand. “We appear to have arrived just in time to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice.”
Harcrust’s face had lit up when the doors opened, but fell again at the sight of the red-haired woman and her entourage. “High Justice! And…the Denoir heir, here, in person. Have you, um, brought us Lady Caera’s statement?” he asked, his air of lofty superiority fading. “You needn’t have bothered, of course, we’re nearly finished with this deranged criminal. High Justice, there was no need for you to—”
When the woman’s ice-blue eyes turned on Harcrust, it was like they froze him right through to his mana core. “Don’t presume to tell me what I need to do in my own hall, Harcrust.”
“The thing is,” the olive-haired man said, “we’re here on behalf of the deranged criminal.”
The Denoir heir…So Caera convinced her blood to help after all. I couldn’t help the flicker of a smile that crossed my face.
“Be quiet, Denoir,” the woman snapped.
Harcrust began to bluster, finally having regained a measure of his composure, but the woman snapped her fingers, silencing him.
“If even half of what I’ve been told is true, you’ve made a mockery of the High Hall’s justice, flouting every rule we hold sacred.” Her cutting gaze swept across the five judges. “Disallowing cross-examination? Forceful removal of public observers? Stationing of third-party soldiers within these hallowed walls?”
Based on the intensity of the woman’s glare, I was surprised that Blackshorn and the others didn’t burst into flames right then and there.
“High Justice, I mean no disrespect when I say this,” Blackshorn mustered, straightening his robe. “But in the interest of time, we could not strictly follow standard protocol. We only sought to keep our citizens safe from this murderer.”
“Is that right?” An amused grin stretched across the high justice’s face as she was handed a stack of parchment from the Denoir man. “So I suppose this extensive list of your many back-alley deals, unethical promises, and fraudulent actions leading up to this trial, was all in the name of keeping our citizens safe, Blackshorn?”
The old judge’s mottled skin paled. “T-that…High Justice, allow me to expla—”
“As high justice, principal arbiter of the Relictombs’ High Hall, I declare this trial null, and release Ascender Grey, effective immediately.”
“But—”
A fiery look from the high justice forced Blackshorn’s mouth shut.
I relaxed, letting the chains do the same, and scanned the dark alcoves around the courtroom looking for Titus Granbehl. He had taken a step back farther into the shadows at the arrival of the high justice. Our eyes met briefly—his glaring furiously, mine squinting in amusement—before he turned and vanished.
“Guards, see to it that the judges of this panel don’t go anywhere, and for Vritra’s sake someone get those chains off that man,” she snapped.
“No need,” I said simply.
A sharp, metallic groan filled the courtroom as the chains restraining me burst apart. Shards of metal flew across the room as the guards’ gazes widened in shock and awe and they stumbled back, half of them pointing their weapons at the judges, the other half at me.
Blackshorn and the other judges were staring disbelievingly at the chains, any semblance of poise they had left gone.
Rubbing my wrists, I turned to Blackshorn, whose jaw had gone slack.
“My apologies for ruining your artifact, but…” I flashed him a smile. “You know…in the interest of time.”
Comments
carson
Soooooooo satisfying, just picturing the looks on their faces, can't wait until the comic gets to this point.
Chris Chelette
OMG yes this might be one of my favorite chapters 😂 and my new catch phrase 😂
Jacob Bryant
I love it keep it up
Damn, this chapter is just so satisfying 😍
That was good chapter
DB
I know this is late, but I think needs an edit: “Be quiet, Denoir,” the woman snapped.
ShadowPillow
What a flex. Arthur, you loveable idiot. This trial is going to make the books – and with the name "Grey" at the top of it, I'd really wonder if it doesn't catch Agrona's attention, unless Scythe Seris does something about it. Or maybe Agrona doesn't pay attention to things such as petty trials. Hmm.
alea died long ago, probably nothing he can do about it, even if he wanted to. even if, something would have changed in the future - time travel paradox.
Sorry this is random but is there a possibility that Arthur could get that time power thing and bring Alea back? I feel really bad for her sorry
ikr
Good End of friday😊 I would love to put it on my shelf someday as whole saga.
Will T-P
These recent chapters have been seriously dragged out. Still enjoying it though
mikymatrix
In the interest of time I demand to read the next chapter RIGHT NOW!
what he said^
I know for a fact that every person that read this chapter had a fat grin on their face when reading that last paragraph
Yessss
Bliqky II
Arthur is the biggest chad lmao
Arthur’s such a smart ass and I love it 😭
Magnuss
Im broke but i cant wait for the next chapter! 😅😂🤓📚
Happy birthday turtle and by God do I love your work and this man arthur
Cooper Dunn
happy bday turtle
I already commented once but, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TURTLE. I hope you rest today and have lots of fun.
Happy Birthday Turtleme!
Relaxel
THERE IT IS. THERE'S THE CHAINBREAK
Jennie (Eirine)
Thank you. Thank you for understanding exactly how much we needed to see him break those chains. You get us so well. <3
Okay, that ending was 10/10. Now I'm stoked for him to meet Seris (again)
Matthew Monroe
In the interest of time 😆🤣😂☠
Ezra
Nice of Arthur to allow for the opportunity to clean up the Alacryan’s court system while he was visiting. 🤗
Tayyab Mughal
Atta Boy
Nico Carter
I swear Arthur is trying to make his situation worse on purpose at this point
That's some badass moment
Ezekiel2517
Noooooooo! Team Tess forever, love Caera but Tess is the best! Forget about the rest!
Seeing that last scene drawn out is going to be EPICCCCCCCC
I think that imprisonment, senseless torture and temporary stagnation in improving his skills, coupled with very disturbing news from the "home" - very much pressured him later. Well, absurdity and fiction at the court session became the last straw of Arthur's patience.
Breezy
Is it just me or has Arthur become so much more sassy in these last few chapters? Honestly it is beyond amazing!
More more more, its an amazing story. Completely overwhelming
Friendly consumer
Amazing chapter Turtle. Excited to see what's next. One thing i thought might be "interesting" is that when he speaks to the denoir or Seris they ask Grey later in the discussion as to whether he'd be caera's marriage partner. Being arthur he'd most likely reject but regis being usually sarcastic would joke as to "why not, what's not to love" but then convince arthur by saying that "being apart of denoir has benefits, power so noone can abuse him, access to lots of knowledge all being as a cloak to shield him from being exposed" and if this or something similar happens, when he meets Nico and Cecillia, Nico would harass him about changing love interests as it'll be amusing as the fight would be a stalemate or win for arthur and arthur can't bring himself to kill him yet. Just a thought, that is all. SO hyped for chapters to come! :)
One word about this chapter Savage!!! 😮😮😮
AHAHAHAH I love this Arthur Leywin!
Savage
T_Don
Great resolution! But I still kind of wish he just said f it and broke the chains anyway and went on a rampage and wrecked those corrupt judges. Wage a one man war against them and then escape into the relictombs to get what he needs and then come out stronger and make his way into the heart of enemy territory and destroy everything in sight. Still much to look forward to haha
Sil3ntPanic
“You know…in the interest of time.” it's just the best sentence I could imagine being said in this situation, I love it, keep up the good work! ^-^
DGmG
"no, not now" so he IS going to kill them? xD awesome chapter, just what i needed right now. im sitting here with the biggest grin ever at that ending
there's a link to it in the reddit page: r/tbatenovel
David Rafael Tamir
guys, i heard theres a discord.. can someone give me a link or direct me to where it is plz? :)
BloodStorm
I was waiting for the moment of him breaking the chains. So satisfying
I think the duration of his internment was made just long enough to introduce new characters and orient the plot for the next arc of Arthur’s journey in Alacrya. I don’t think there were any wasted chapters in this mini arc. Both we the readers and Arthur have learned a lot in prison. Turtle has established two prominent families and their members, as well as shown us a lot more of Alacryan culture. Scythe Seris and the Denoir family will obviously have roles moving forward, and Lord Granbehl obviously has a grudge and will likely make himself relevant again before Arthur leaves Alacrya. Moving forward, I think we’re likely going to see Arthur spending a not insignificant amount of time above ground, perhaps not even another ascent into the relic tombs before he heads back to Dicathen, though that’s just me spitballing. As for what actually happens in the next chapters, your guess is as good as mine. I just hope we get some good GreyxCaera moments coming up since he’s likely going to her house next chapter.
Gotta love those annoying character get what they deserve 😂
Michi
Man I love turtleme’s stories I have reread tbate this whole past week and it is better than ever in my mind. With that being said these past chapters of him being confined seemed to be prolonged a bit too much. Maybe the importance will be revealed later but I don’t know what this arc contributes to the overall story. Anyone have any good theories that could enlighten me?
HAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK YEAH
in my opinion it was amazing i need more
Soundd Wavess
🔥 chapter. Cant wait for art to finally cut loose on somebody though instead of always holding back tho
Also thank you Turtleme and team for another amazing chapter!
Can someone build a time machine please? I need more of this NOW!
Pablo Felix
Al thought it was a great flex, I think it's contrapositive
Pablo Felix
I need more!!!!
Will Blank
Need more please I’ll give u a dolla. Maybe two
Jon Chefitz
This ending was one of the best undoubtedly, I am so excited for next week, and I can't wait for when the judges just meekly ask how he did and Art will respond with some wise crack. Thanks for the chapter turtle me, as always I will see everyone again next week!
edscifi
I would love to see this in a anime on Crunchyroll too! lol love this chapter!!!
NotMe
man, that ending hit different than any other moment. Just AMAZING
Freaking love being able to relax a bit on my Friday lunch and read the latest chapter. This story is just... so addicting. Can never get enough of my TBATE
beautiful
ahhh o i can't wait for the next chapter i wonder how he will explain the use of power i hope he just says its physical strength
Out of this situation only to know that there is a scythe waiting for him when he gets out.... Can't wait!!
Michael
most likely not
Anrike
same haha
Excellent chapter as always, turtle.
I remember superman in the movie acting all restrained with a pair of handcuffs then just casually rips them apart as if he forgot they were there 😂
TBATE Account1
Hell yeah, True justice. And I loved how Arthur just let himself out of the restraints
Is there any hope for an anime?
Cant wait for some action to happen
Josh
Sooo gooood! Chefs kiss 👌
In the words of the poet troupe Drowning Pool... Let the Bodies hit the flooooooooor!
Oh man hell no. Netflix would ruin it, just like they do with all their original adaptations.
Gray is a savage lol
*chef’s kiss* kick ass one liner and rescued by a hot red head. Arthur is having a great day so far.
Fourth…
Terceiro
TurtleMe, You should talk to Netflix, consider making an anime.
GunsOfPurgatory
Ngl, I thought the exact opposite. Yea the end was satisfying, but I felt that the lead up was kinda filler-y nonsense that's gone on wayyyy too long at this point. Ofc, that's just my take.
Fuck yeah
This chapter was so satisfying
Sean Wert
Third?
Second!
Johnny boy
Lessgo
First
