From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 108: Skeleton Stands Trial

Inside his cell, Ty addressed the armored guard with a soft yet firm voice, his lipless skeleton skull somehow managing to convey sincerity. "Sir, I'm sure this is some kind of misunderstanding," he said, trying to ease the tension. He noticed the guard's nervousness as he reported Ty's awakening to someone on the other end of the radio.

"J-just stay back and don't try anything funny!" the guard warned, his voice shaking slightly.

Ty, slightly amused but also wanting to defuse the situation, replied boldly, "If I wanted to do something funny, I'd turn this dungeon into a sauna." The guard looked at him in confusion. "A what?" he asked.

"Eh, never mind. But really, how long must I sit in here? I really don't want to be wasting—"

His words were abruptly cut off as the door to the cell block slammed open. General Mattison entered, his appearance marked by bandages and visible cuts from the recent conflict. "Let him out of the cell, he's good to go. See, his eyes are green," Mattison instructed the guard. "According to his friends, you only need to worry when they change colors."

Ty greeted the General politely, despite the circumstances. "Good day... or maybe good evening, Mattison. Though I don't know the time of day, I hope you are recovering nicely."

His tone carried a mix of respect and genuine concern, acknowledging the General's condition while also seeking clarity on his own situation. As the General motioned for his release, Ty prepared to step out of the cell, his mind still processing the recent events and pondering his next move.

The guard, visibly shaken but obedient, fetched a set of keys that were not ordinary by any means. They were attached to a line of blue magic, which intrigued Ty as it hung from the guard's waist. The guard selected a small metal key and inserted it into the lock of the metal bars, which creaked as they swung open.

Ty stepped out of the cell and immediately sought clarification on his situation. "So, why exactly was I in this cell, and how long was I knocked out this time?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

General Mattison, maintaining his usual stern demeanor, provided an answer. "Just about three days, I believe. We thought you were dead… or at least more dead than a skeleton can be. But your friends insisted you've been that way for a while after you exert yourself."

This information was both startling and enlightening to Ty. The fact that he had been unconscious for such an extended period was concerning, yet it seemed his unusual condition was now somewhat known to those around him.

"I have some questions myself, but all in due time. Let's go ahead and walk towards the royal assembly so you can be debriefed on what happened. And we can talk about you lying to me when we first met," Mattison added, hinting at a deeper conversation that needed to take place.

As they began to walk towards the royal assembly, Ty mulled over the General's words.

As Ty and Mattison continued their walk, Ty reached towards his face, feeling the device still lodged inside his skull. Curious about its condition, he carefully extracted it, only to find that a piece at the top tip was broken off.

Mattison, observing this, asked with a mix of curiosity and concern, "What's that you've just pulled out?"

"This device helps me disguise myself, lets me take on my old form or almost anything else. But it looks like it's damaged and needs repair," Ty explained, examining the device closely.

"And where did you get something of that quality and material?" Mattison asked, intrigued by its sophisticated design and functionality.

Ty hesitated for a moment before responding, "I can't really go into details about who gave it to me, but to give you some context, I technically grabbed it off a dead guy."

Mattison, not entirely satisfied with the answer but willing to let it slide for the moment, replied, "...No, that doesn't really help, but since you saved everyone, I won't pry too much for now."

They soon entered a grand room, dominated by a single podium at its center. A giant step-up, about ten feet away from the podium, led to a raised area where men and women in black gowns, all of advanced age, were seated. The room had an air of solemnity and importance.

As Ty made his entrance, the ongoing discussions among the seated elders came to an abrupt halt. Every eye turned towards him, their expressions a mixture of shock and intrigue. The sight of a skeleton walking in, seemingly non-hostile, was clearly unexpected and unprecedented.

The elderly man in the blue cap, who clearly held a position of authority, addressed General Mattison with a formal and somewhat stern tone. The insignia of '1' on his clothing indicated his high rank. "General Mattison, please inform us of the crimes against this 'monster' 'Ty', as you have him labeled, and we will rule in or against his favor," he commanded.

Turning to Ty, the elderly man continued, "Mr. Skeleton, generally, you are allowed to have friends or family present during hearings, but due to the urgency of this situation, we will proceed without them. I hope you understand." His voice carried a hint of coldness, underscoring the seriousness of the proceedings.

Ty, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, blurted out in confusion, "Wait, I'm in a what now?! I'm on trial??"

"Yes, technically," Mattison responded, confirming Ty's fears. "As I told you back at the Cathedral, I was there to arrest you. It was my responsibility to bring you in once I heard you had lied to me and most likely had forged paperwork from King Griswald."

Mattison's words made it clear that Ty was facing serious accusations. The implications of forged documents and lying to a high-ranking official were grave, and the atmosphere in the room grew more tense.

"I will be presenting this matter, and your sentence will be decided accordingly," Mattison concluded, indicating that the trial would proceed swiftly.

Ty, now realizing the gravity of his situation, prepared himself for the accusations to be laid out before the assembly.

The unexpected trial and the charges against him added another layer of complexity to his already complicated situation. He stood there, a skeleton among the living, ready to defend himself and clarify the misunderstandings surrounding his actions.