Dxd: The Primordial Judge

The storm clouds outside the Palais Mermonia seemed darker than usual, their shadows stretching long over Neuvillette's grand office. Rain pattered softly against the stained glass windows.

Neuvillette sat at his imposing desk, meticulously browsing through a stack of files for upcoming court trials of varying degrees of severity. None of them were at the level of Zaorama's, but that didn't mean they were unimportant.

~CREAK~

The soft creak of the office doors interrupted his thoughts. Neuvillette looked up to see Alfred, his trusted steward, entering the room.

The man carried a slim, bound folder in his gloved hands.

"Chief Ludex," Alfred said, bowing slightly before approaching the desk. He set the document down with care, "This is the final resolution from Yasaka regarding the sentences of Zaorama Nebiros and Hargrove Belial. It includes the methods chosen to carry out their punishments."

Neuvillette's silver-blue eyes fell upon the folder. He immediately picked it up and began reading as the rain outside grew heavier, the sound filling the silence between them as he began to read.

Punishment: Zaorama Nebiros will be crucified near the Remembrance Monument of the Nekomata, a sacred site dedicated to the victims of his atrocities. His punishment will be carried out in full view of the public, where the families of the deceased and any Youkai who suffered under his reign of terror will have the right to impale him with spears whenever they see fit.

Zaorama's soul will be subject to the torment of Soul-Devouring Worms, parasitic entities that will feed on his essence slowly. These worms are enchanted to prolong suffering, ensuring that his death will not come swiftly. He will remain alive and in agony until his soul is entirely consumed.

As a final symbolic gesture, Zaorama will wear a Torn Crown, signifying the collapse of his hubris and false authority. This crown will burn him endlessly.

Neuvillette's expression remained impassive as he read the cruelty of punishment designed for Zaorama. Justice was not always merciful, but this punishment reflected the monstrous weight of Zaorama's crimes.

After a brief pause, he turned to the next section.

Punishment: Hargrove Belial is to bear a Great Cross, magically bound to his back, and sentenced to walk the Supernatural lands for the remainder of his life. The cross itself will be impossibly heavy, enchanted to drain his strength and force him to crawl if he falters. His power will be stripped to the bare minimum, rendering him too weak to fight back or escape.

During his journey, the cross will serve as a marker of his disgrace. Any who cross his path will have the right to non-fatally wound or torment him. This will ensure that his punishment is both a public spectacle and a reminder of the consequences of betraying justice.

Neuvillette closed the folder, setting it down gently on his desk. The room was silent save for the rain, which had now softened to a light drizzle. He folded his hands, leaning back in his chair, and looked at Alfred with a light smile on his lips.

"Yasaka has chosen well," Neuvillette said with a kind of proud tone to his deep voice, "These sentences are severe, but they reflect the enormity of their crimes. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen and felt by those who suffered."

Alfred inclined his head. "Shall I prepare the necessary arrangements for you to deliver this to Yasaka personally, Chief Ludex?"

Neuvillette nodded, rising to his feet with the grace of an unyielding tide. His towering figure cast a long shadow over the desk as he gazed out the window, his silver hair catching the soft glow of the stormy light.

"Yes, Alfred. I will deliver this decree myself. Justice is my charge, and it must be upheld without hesitation or delay. Inform the Youkai Faction to prepare the ceremonial site for Zaorama's execution. And for Belial…" He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Ensure the enchantments are prepared. His punishment must begin immediately."

Alfred bowed deeply, "As you command, Chief Ludex. I shall see to it at once."

Neuvillette watched as Alfred departed, the doors closing softly behind him. Turning and walking to the giant window in his office, watching as the rain slowly fizzled out, now just drizzling as it soon came to an end.

The storm clouds were breaking apart, and thin rays of sunlight began to pierce through the doom and gloom.

*******************

~One Day Later~

The air in Kyoto was charged with a solemn stillness, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant murmur of gathered crowds.

Neuvillette stepped through the torii gates of the Youkai territory, his presence commanding the attention of all who caught sight of him.

Compared to the previous time he appeared, the reaction was much more measured now, since most already knew him.

Yasaka stood waiting for him at the entrance of the sacred grounds. Draped in elegant ceremonial robes, her golden aura was brightly displayed, giving her a divine presence.

"Monsieur Neuvillette," she said, doing an elegant curtsey as she welcomed him, "We are honored by your presence."

"Lady Yasaka, the honor is mine. Today, we will finally enact justice." Neuvillette said confidently and Yasaka nodded, gesturing him to follow.

The two walked through the verdant grounds, their path lined with sakura trees whose petals danced in the gentle breeze.

As they approached the monument, a towering stone edifice engraved with the names of the nekomata who had fallen to Zaorama's cruelty, Neuvillette retrieved a small, intricately designed spacial ring from his coat.

Handing it to Yasaka, he said, "This contains everything necessary for the sentencing. The tools, the enchantments, they are prepared according to the decree."

Yasaka accepted the ring, her fingers tightening around it briefly before passing it to one of her associates, a tall tengu with sharp crimson eyes, "See that everything is arranged," she instructed. The tengu bowed deeply and departed with haste.

With that, the duo just continued to walk around and chat, talking about the Political Landscape of the Supernatural World and the various upcoming trials Neuvillette with be conducting soon.

As they were chatting, the time finally came.

A crowd had gathered at the Remembrance Monument, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and anger. Youkai of all clans were present, from warriors to elders, their faces a mix of solemnity and fury.

Zaorama Nebiros was dragged in front of everyone, his once-proud form now battered and broken. Chains bound his limbs, and his crimson eyes, once alight with arrogance, were now dim with fear.

He was forced to his knees in front of Yasaka and Neuvillette, his breaths shallow and ragged.

Yasaka stepped forward, her golden aura flaring with righteous fury as she addressed the crowd. "Zaorama Nebiros, for your heinous crimes against the nekomata and the Youkai people, your punishment begins now. Let this be a testament to the strength of our unity and the unyielding force of justice."

With deliberate precision, she took the Torn Crown from an attendant and placed it upon Zaorama's head. Instantly, the crown ignited, flames licking at his flesh as he howled in agony. Yasaka remained unmoved, her gaze cold and unwavering.

Next, she approached the cross erected at the base of the monument. With a flick of her hand, Zaorama was levitated and bound to it, his arms and legs stretched wide. His cries echoed across the grounds as Yasaka stepped back, her golden eyes fixed on him.

Raising her hand, she summoned the Soul-Devouring Worms. Dark, writhing creatures emerged from a ceremonial urn, slithering across the ground before burrowing into Zaorama's flesh. His screams intensified.

The crowd surged forward, families of the victims taking spears and impaling him with no hesitation. Each thrust was accompanied by a cry of anguish or defiance, their pain given form as Zaorama's suffering deepened.

Neuvillette observed in silence, his expression unreadable, but his presence alone carried the weight of judgment.

Next, Hargrove Belial was brought forward. Unlike Zaorama, his cries were those of desperation rather than pain.

"Chief Ludex!" Belial pleaded, his voice breaking. "Show mercy! I... I was only doing my job!"

Neuvillette regarded him with the calm intensity of a storm on the verge of breaking. "Hargrove Belial," he intoned, his voice as steady as the rain, "you betrayed your sacred duty to the truth and colluded with evil. Mercy is not yours to claim."

He extended his hand, summoning the Great Cross. The massive, rune-etched structure appeared behind Belial, its weight oppressive even before it touched him.

With a wave of Neuvillette's hand, the cross fused to Belial's back, its magical chains binding him with an audible clink. Belial gasped, collapsing under its weight.

Neuvillette then raised his other hand, and a wave of ethereal energy washed over Belial, stripping him of his power. The once-cunning lawyer now knelt as little more than a mortal, weak and helpless.

"Your punishment begins now," Neuvillette declared. "Walk until the end of your days, bearing the weight of your sins."

The crowd did not wait. As Belial was forced to his feet and began his slow, agonizing march, the Youkai hurled daggers, spears, and spells at him. Each strike left him bloodied but alive, his torment a spectacle for all to see.