The Medusa’s Trial

Tachibana Masaki strides toward her with purpose, his movements quick and determined. The others follow at their own pace, but Count Wolfgang Ruppelshammer moves strategically, slipping around to her backside. As Masaki reaches her, he grabs hold, eliciting a sharp scream from the woman in his grasp.

“Leave me alone!” she cries, still appearing human.

But as she struggles, her transformation begins. Scales ripple across her skin, her eyes shift into a piercing yellow, and her hair writhes, turning into a mass of living snakes that glare at her attackers.

Masaki has encountered creatures like her before—Medusas. He knows their legends, understands their petrifying gaze. He doesn’t just believe in their ability to turn creatures into stone—he has witnessed it happen before his very eyes.

Without hesitation, Masaki draws two swords. His dominant left hand wields a shortsword, while his right brandishes a scimitar. He lunges forward, swinging at the creature now revealed as Lady Seraphina. His blades strike true, drawing blood.

“Don’t kill her! We need to apprehend her!” Masaki yells.

Wolfgang plants his foot firmly into the ground before launching himself thirty feet into the air. He draws his longbow, cutting across his own arm in the process, activating his Crimson Rite. His blood seeps into the weapon, fueling its power. With the rite active, he looses an arrow, and it strikes Lady Seraphina with precision.

Amber, watching the chaos unfold, lets out an exclamation: “C’est fini!” Her body ignites in a fiery rage, flames bursting from her hair and enveloping her form. However, despite the intensity of her power, the Medusa remains unharmed by the heat.

Lady Seraphina turns her gaze toward the three nearest enemies—Wolfgang, Amber, and Masaki. The snakes atop her head shift, each one targeting a different opponent. Beams fire from their eyes, and Wolfgang feels a creeping stiffness overtaking his limbs. Though he struggles against it, his movements slow, and a gray tinge begins spreading through his feathers.

Seizing the opportunity, the Medusa bolts, escaping from Masaki and Amber’s reach.

Further from the battle, Daiki watches, stunned by the abrupt violence. She hasn’t even had a chance to understand, let alone explain herself. Shock and disbelief flood his voice as he shouts, “Is this what happens in the city? Everyone is judged before they can even defend themselves?”

He stands there, arms open, watching Seraphina flee. “Calm down, please! Can’t we talk about this?” he pleads.

Ashira steps beside him. “What’s going on? Do you want us to confront the Lord—the liar—together? We can go.”

The city’s villagers witness the unfolding battle. Some panic, running away to the outskirts. One in particular hears the commotion but doesn’t fully grasp what’s happening. He moves closer, attempting to hide, but his skills in stealth are lacking. His face peeks around the corner, curiosity overriding fear as he watches the Medusa race toward him.

Tachibana, undeterred, lunges again, attempting to grapple Lady Seraphina, but she dodges nimbly, slipping from his grasp.

Meanwhile, Wolfgang feels his body growing heavier. His vision blurs as more gray spots creep between his feathers. Even flying becomes a struggle. Gritting his teeth, he pushes forward, still loosing arrows despite the curse taking hold. His eyes glow red as he focuses on Seraphina, invoking his blood curse, but it fails to bind her.

Amber, oblivious to Wolfgang’s petrification, grabs a flower pot within reach, swiftly uproots its contents, and marches toward the Medusa. “Bonjour, ma chérie,” she coos, attempting to place the pot over Seraphina’s writhing snake-hair.

But the Medusa is too quick. She dodges, and Amber’s plan fails.

Lady Seraphina dodges once more, making her way toward Daiki. He steps forward, trying to block her path to Lord Blackthorn’s house. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Daiki conjures a fog cloud, hoping to calm her down and perhaps talk to her.

Ashira, not far behind, moves toward the Medusa. “Yeah, come on, come on, let’s talk before the others get their panties in a bunch. We can just talk this out,” she says, trying to defuse the tension.

Masaki, undeterred by the fog, charges through it, heading straight for the building Seraphina is standing in front of. He sprints alongside the house, determined to find her, and when he does, he grabs her, twisting himself so that he positions himself between her and a nearby commoner—someone he’s trying to protect. He doesn’t hesitate to strike again, but his attacks miss their mark.

Meanwhile, Wolfgang, struggling with the effects of Seraphina’s curse, feels his feathers slowly turning to stone. “Amber, I’m not feeling well. Help me, please,” he says, his voice strained.

Amber, momentarily distracted, looks over at him, annoyance flashing across her face. “Monsieur Wolfgang, what’s up?” she asks, her attention torn between her ally and her foe. She rushes over and sees the extent of the transformation—one of his wings is almost entirely stone, the other starting to turn as well. Parts of his face are also turning gray. With a resigned shrug, she says, “Hang on tight, monsieur. I will rescue you.” She scoops Wolfgang into her arms and runs toward the nearest temple, hoping the clerics there can help.

As Amber rushes off, Daiki addresses Seraphina, his voice full of confusion and concern. “I don’t know why you’re so upset. We’ve read your letters, but the Lord doesn’t seem to know about you, yet we know he’s lying. Please talk to us,” he pleads, his words sincere.

Ashira, standing beside him, adds, “Come on, you’re not just a monster, right? Talk to us.”

Wolfgang, still flying unsteadily, argues with Amber, urging that they must continue to fight. But Amber places him in a safe spot, and, with a determined nod, dashes back toward the battle.

As the fog cloud dissipates, Seraphina, now beginning to revert to her human form, falls to her knees, tears streaming down her face. The others can finally see clearly again. Amid the fog, a commoner lies on the ground, his head twisted painfully to one side, clearly in immense pain.

Masaki, disregarding the commoner, steps forward, standing tall. “Lady Seraphina Greenmask, by the power of the Recluse, you are hereby placed under arrest for Section Two, Major Infractions, Article Five—unauthorized use of magic on humanoids. You will be taken to the nearest station,” he announces, his voice steady and firm. He pulls a rope from his bag and begins tying her wrists behind her back.

Wolfgang joins the group, his stone curse continuing to worsen. Ashira looks at Masaki, questioning his decision. “What are you doing? Why is she going to prison? She’s not a criminal—she’s just misunderstood.”

Amber hands Masaki a set of dimensional shackles, which he immediately places on Seraphina. “She’s not going to prison. She’s going to trial. If she’s found guilty, then maybe a prison sentence will be served,” he says, securing the shackles around her.

The group begins walking toward the Mage Guard Keep in the south, with Masaki draping a shirt over Seraphina’s head to shield her identity. Along the way, Daiki turns to Seraphina, his voice gentle but filled with concern. “Tell us. I feel like there’s something you can’t control. Please tell us what happened. If Lord Blackthorn caused all this, you should tell us now.”

Seraphina, however, remains silent, tears still flowing down her face.

Wolfgang discusses the situation with Daiki. “She’s a malevolent creature. We can’t afford to show mercy,” he insists. But Daiki, still trying to understand, doesn’t see her as an enemy. As they walk, Wolfgang explains the rules of magic to Daiki, while Masaki adds that the city is protected by red cloaks and the city watch, ensuring that the rules are followed. Daiki struggles to absorb the information, feeling overwhelmed.

The journey to the Mage Guard Keep is familiar to Masaki and Amber, who know the route well. The Keep is a place where the city’s magical enforcers station themselves, some in training, others on active duty. It’s also home to a prison, making it a secure place to temporarily hold someone.

As they walk, Wolfgang brings up the carriage: “You were under attack on your way to Evermere?”

Seraphina reveals that she had come all the way from Slywallow to see Blackthorn, unaware of his marriage.
Ashira, hearing this, sneers. “What an absolute PIG,” she mutters under her breath.

The party eventually splits. Masaki, Ashira, and Daiki head toward the Mage Guard Keep, while Amber and Wolfgang make their way to Lord Wise’s residence to continue their investigation into the carriage.

---

The Mage Guard Keep looms before them, a fortress-like structure with a heavy Portcullis at the entrance. Two Mage Guards stand watch by the gate, a prestigious position that only a few can claim. The fort, made of solid stone, feels imposing and secure. Beyond the Portcullis is an outer courtyard, sandy and wide, where Mage Guards practice spells and refine their abilities. The actual fortress stands tall ahead, a massive building with a second entrance that is currently unguarded, though several Mage Guards are stationed throughout the area. There are also two large buildings, one to the left and one to the right, both imposing and significant.

Tachibana, Daiki, and Ashira march forward, leading Lady Seraphina toward the interrogation room.

Inside the room, Lady Seraphina stands before them, her long black hair cascading around her shoulders and her striking green eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. She wears an elegant green gown, and around her neck rests a magical amulet, which she clutches protectively.

She reveals that she hails from Slywallow, a city where she has lived her entire life. It is also where she first met Lord Blackthorn. As the conversation turns to the amulet, Seraphina explains that it radiates transmutation magic. She pleads with them not to remove it, hinting that the amulet plays a critical role in stabilizing her form.

Seraphina then confesses the truth behind her curse. It is an inherited affliction that she has always been able to control. However, recently, she lost control, causing a disastrous incident upon her arrival in the city. She accidentally petrified several individuals, including a man and a group of goblins near the city gates. Seraphina theorizes that the city’s enchantments may have interfered with her ability to suppress the curse. Wracked with guilt, she expresses deep remorse for what happened, even offering to pay for any damages caused. She insists, however, that she has no prior criminal record.

Tachibana takes the lead in the interrogation, his gaze sharp as he meticulously records every detail. As the one responsible for delivering judgment, he decides on a punishment: a fine of 1,000 gold pieces and a one-month prison sentence for endangering the city.

Tensions rise within the group as Daiki and Ashira voice their objections. They argue that Seraphina’s actions were not intentional and that the city’s magic likely played a significant role in the incident. However, Tachibana remains firm in his decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law and maintaining order. Despite the disagreement, his ruling stands, leaving the group divided on whether justice has truly been served.

After the interrogation, the three of them make their way to the park, where they are supposed to meet Amber and Wolfgang.

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Amber and Wolfgang walk toward Wise Manor, and soon they are standing in front of it. The manor is impressive, much larger than Lord Blackthorn’s house, with an expansive garden that looks meticulously cared for. It exudes elegance and wealth. A well-dressed man opens the door, one they haven’t seen before. He is bald, with a short black beard, and wears a black robe with red accents. In his hand, he holds a staff that is completely black, with silver linings and a large red gem at the top. He looks at them, his voice steady as he asks, “Yes, how can I help you people?”

Amber and Wolfgang are let in, and Wolfgang orders wine and cheese. However, the person who opens the door is not the butler.

The living room is cozy yet refined, with two beautifully crafted chairs positioned toward the fire in the fireplace, which is an exquisite feature of the room. A shelf against the wall displays several bottles of fine scotch, some partially emptied and others still sealed. The scotch comes from various years—some bottles marked 312, others 52—and most appear to be quite old and undoubtedly expensive.

Wolfgang and Amber eventually meet with Lord Wise and Talos Kane in a grand trophy room to report on their investigation. They recount their task of investigating a carriage found northeast of the city, confirming that it had been attacked by goblins. The carriage’s occupant, a woman named Seraphina Greenmask from Slywallow, was revealed to be a Medusa. She had petrified several goblins and three humanoids, including a Red Cloak named Tachibana Masaki. With the help of a cleric, they managed to de-petrify the victims. The Medusa is eventually taken into custody by the Red Cloaks after a tense confrontation in which she nearly petrifies Wolfgang. Amber and Wolfgang discuss Seraphina’s emotional instability, noting that she had been romantically involved with Lord Blackthorn, a lower noble of the city who had been unfaithful to his wife.

Talos Kane formally introduces himself and expresses interest in their findings, particularly regarding the goblin attack. He and Lord Wise encourage Wolfgang and Amber to consider expanding their party to form a well-balanced and effective group. They suggest that a bard like Ashira, someone connected to nature like Daiki, and a disciplined Red Cloak like Masaki could bring diverse strengths. Amber strongly vouches for Masaki, though she also expresses reservations about Ashira’s emotional tendencies potentially hindering investigations.

As a reward for their efforts, Lord Wise grants each of them 20 gold pieces. They take a moment to relax and select a fine scotch from the shelf before Talos Kane presents them with a new task. The city is facing a growing goblin infestation, with attacks occurring both in the forests and within the city itself. Talos asks if they would be willing to investigate and resolve the issue. As an incentive, he offers them valuable third-level certifications, allowing them to bypass the second level of certification.

Wolfgang and Amber recognize the value of this opportunity, especially for Daiki, who does not yet understand the necessity of such certifications. They tentatively agree to the task, knowing that solving the goblin problem will not only reward them but also solidify their status as adventurers.

---

In the park, as the group reconvenes, Daiki notices how quickly time has passed. Ashira greets the others, and Wolfgang expresses his pleasure at seeing them again, mentioning that they have good news to share. Tachibana confirms that there is indeed good news and reveals that the situation has been resolved. Wolfgang asks for clarification, and Tachibana explains that the lady involved was heard, her story reported, and justice served. However, there is some confusion when Wolfgang mishears “heard” as “hurt,” which Tachibana quickly corrects.

Amber then inquires whether Lord Blackthorn was also able to tell his side of the story. Wolfgang, initially confused by her use of “Lord Blackcloak,” corrects her, saying, “Blackthorn.” Daiki asks whether Lord Blackthorn must go to prison for hurting the lady, but Tachibana responds that while his actions were despicable, cheating is not illegal.

Daiki then changes the subject, asking what good news Wolfgang and Tachibana have brought. Wolfgang shares that Lord Wise was pleased with their investigation and has offered them a new adventure, possibly as a team. They are looking for someone in touch with nature, someone who can communicate effectively, and someone with a red cloak, as this would help fulfill their duties across the kingdom. Ashira enthusiastically states that she is very much in touch with nature, and the group discusses the possibility of working together.

Wolfgang reveals that their next mission involves dealing with a goblin infestation in the city. He explains that they need to investigate where the goblins are coming from, trace their origin in the forest, and also solve the problem within the city. There is some concern about whether all goblins need to be removed, and Tachibana clarifies that some goblins have permits to stay in the city, so the focus will be on the unregistered ones.

Daiki expresses skepticism, recalling that the group previously brought goblin statues into the city. Amber reassures him that they only brought petrified goblins from a previous encounter and left them at the city gate, where they can now be restored and questioned about their activities. Daiki seems concerned that they might unintentionally be responsible for the goblin problem, but Amber strongly disagrees, insisting they only acted in response to goblins attacking a carriage.

Wolfgang asks if the others are interested in joining the adventure. Daiki clarifies that the mission will take them outside the city as well, and Wolfgang confirms that there are two tasks: dealing with the goblins in the city and then tracing them back to the forest. The group discusses whether they can negotiate with the goblins instead of fighting. Daiki suggests simply asking them to relocate and offering them a new home. Wolfgang finds this idea intriguing and proposes trying negotiation first. Ashira supports this, saying that she knows goblins who are quite nice. Amber agrees, but warns that if negotiation fails, they will need to take stronger measures.

Daiki humorously mishears Amber, thinking she said “talk fist” instead of “talk first,” leading to a brief comedic moment. The group agrees that talking is the best initial approach, and Wolfgang mentions that they need skilled communicators for the interrogation. Ashira reassures Daiki that they will handle the situation calmly.

Daiki then asks what Wolfgang and Amber bring to the group, since they were looking for specific skills in others. Amber is taken aback but insists she has valuable skills. Tachibana teases Amber for running from combat the last time, which Amber defends, explaining that she was fulfilling a contractual duty to protect a party member. Tachibana counters that she left the rest of them behind. The conversation grows slightly tense, but Wolfgang steps in to ease the situation by emphasizing that Amber’s actions were justified. He then highlights his own skills, including scouting, networking, and archery. Amber adds that she is skilled with a sword and fire magic. Ashira playfully mentions Amber’s accent as a skill, suggesting she can charm people with it.

Wolfgang then brings up an important reward for the mission: a third-level magic certification. He explains that magic users in the kingdom require certification to legally practice more advanced magic, and completing this mission could allow them to skip the second level and go straight to the third. Daiki is confused, arguing that one does not need a paper to use magic, but Amber and Wolfgang clarify that in this city, certification is required for legal magic use.

Ashira reassures Daiki that the certification will simply allow them to use magic openly rather than in secret. Tachibana provides a detailed explanation of the certification system, stating that first-level spells and cantrips do not require certification due to their low danger level, but second-level spells and above do. Daiki is still somewhat skeptical but acknowledges the system. He expresses that this group is the best one he has found so far—though he humorously adds that they are also the first group he has found.