Within the Country of Skill, in the city of the Grand Coliseum, the hustle and bustle of the city had reached a feverish pitch as the start of the Three Battles approached.
Today, a case was about to be tried behind closed doors in a certain court of the Grand Coliseum.
I had to say though, even if all the evidence and testimonies had actually been collected and reviewed yesterday, the timing of this trial was simply too quick.
Itās as if they were dying to get rid of me.
As I was led up to the courtroom, my heartbeat quickened slightly as a question lingered within my mind. Did Breman finish the necessary preparations?
Perhaps my decision last night wasnāt the right choice after all…
The āaccidentalā killing of those two youths had triggered a change in me.
In the past, I wasnāt particularly adept at handling the intricacies of human interaction. However it was these intricacies that often decided how a person truly thought of you deep down in their heart.
Even so, I elected to avoid socializing whenever I could. Compared to reading books or studying, interacting with people in the real world was infinitely more complex.
This was a behavior I kept even after transmigrating to this world, whether it was in the expedition or in Reitdarke.
Of course that was assuming no one was out to get me.
As long it was within reasonable limits, I was content to remain by the sidelines of the crowd, alone. That was how I spent the majority of my time in my previous world.
Perhaps even I didnāt know that I wouldāve had such a violent reaction when I was angered or violated.
However, I now understood why this happenedā¦it was because I had never been treated in such a manner before.
Having being treated like this for the first time, my reaction was understandably excessive.
I guess even if they convicted me of excessive self-defense, it was an outcome I could accept.
After all, wasnāt that how I acted in my jail cell as well…harming those who wanted to do harm to me without a second thought.
The desire to want to avenge, to violate and to act outā¦all of these were like drugs; the second time was always easier to accept.
Especially given my vast amount of wish points, there was an even greater need for me to control myself.
Thatās right, during this trial I must control myself.
Di Qi Ju: …
As I lifted my head, the grand doors of the courtroom swung open.
Just looking around, I saw a room filled with uniformed personnel that gave the courtroom a certain oppressiveness.
Seated right in the center was a gray bearded judge dressed in a typical judgeās frocks similar to ones on Earth.
On what looked like the defendantās side was Breman, Naysis Ferne, Bailey, Carmen and an unfamiliar lady seated right behind them.
On the other side was a solemn looking couple who without saying, were obviously the plaintiffs. Standing in front of them was a middle-aged man who I assumed was their litigator. Unlike my side, their seats were markedly empty with no witnesses in sight. Perhaps they hadnāt been summoned or perhaps they simply didnāt need any.
They turned to look at me, their eyes fuming and their teeth grinding against each other as they held back their fury.
I know Iām in the wrong here…if I had another chance, I would definitely try my utmost best not to kill them. However, saying all this now was also useless.
Judge: Court is now in session. The plaintiffs, family members of the victim, Mr and Mrs Ferdila; defendant, Di Qi Ju.
Judge: Will the plaintiffās litigator make the opening statement.
While I wasnāt sure what an ordinary trial was like, this seemed like an extremely laconic opening. It almost had a matter-of-factness to it.
The middle aged man took the stand as requested and started on a long rambling speech of which the majority had to do with describing the scene of the crime in detail taking care not to leave out even a single drop of blood.
Naturally, the crowd began to lean towards the side of the deceased.
Right at the endā¦
Litigator: …we have reason to believe that after the matter had been settled violently, the defendant persisted in his violent actions resulting in the tragic deaths of the two victims.
Litigator: I beseech the court to find the defendant guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to the death penalty.
Di Qi Ju: …
Breman: …
If Iām not mistaken, wasnāt I charged yesterday with the crime of excessive self-defense? How did it turn into culpable homicide today?
A mote of fire lit up in my heart but was immediately extinguished the moment I noticed it. There was only one thing I should be doing right now and that doesnāt include being angry.
Judge: Now, will the defendantās attorney begin their defense.
Breman: Your Honor, I thank you for the chance to represent the defendant.
He gave the judge an elegant bow before stepping up to the defense counselās podium, his every step exuding the natural grace of a beautiful teenage boy that instantly captured the attention of those present.
Breman: Allow me to introduce myself, I am the commander of Faithās expeditionary forces, Breman.
Ferdila: !!
Ferdilaās Wife: !??
Hearing that, the plaintiffs jerked in their seats as if they had been shocked by this sudden bolt from the blue.
Breman: Iām extremely sorry to hear that my direct subordinate has, in the process of ācarrying out his missionā, encountered a tragic incident and so the role of his attorney will be carried out by me.
Breman: Normally, this matter shouldāve been transferred over to our countryās military court as per regulationsā¦
Breman: However, in lieu of the fact that this incident happened at the doorstep of the Divine Hall and also in consideration of the feelings of the victimsā parents, weāve decided to go through with this trial.
Breman: I hereby plead not guilty on behalf of my adjutant, Di Qi Ju.
Litigator: ā¦
Hearing this, the prosecution began whispering to themselves.
Litigator: Master Ferdila, thisās the first time Iāve heard of this.
Ferdila: …that canāt be right. According to my investigation, he had to resort to using underhanded means in order to enter the National Fragrances, thereās no way heās such an esteemed personage.
Litigator: But no matter how you look at him, heās no ordinary person. Iāll just take it that heās exaggerating his own influence, Iām sure the judge will side with us on this.
Ferdila: …alright then.
From the looks of it, that Ferdila person heard about our adventure in the National Fragrance as well and had even come to the same conclusion as Naysis Ferne.
Perhaps this might become a turning point for our defense?
Breman: …based on the facts, the victim was the aggressor in this case, engaging in potentially fatal acts of violence even after the defendant made his move.
Breman: This fits perfectly within the limits set within the laws of this country. And so I believe that the defendant had no choice but to kill the victim in order to protect himself and Reitdarkeās princess.
Breman: That is all, Your Honor.
Judge: The opening statements have been delivered, will both sides bring forth their evidence and will the witnesses take the stand.
The proceedings dragged on without much incident. Our side presented the victimās weapon and the testimony of two witnesses, the Wilderness Eagle was even brought into court to emphasize the point. The prosecution on the other hand merely presented an arrow and a prepared testimony.
As of now, it seemed like the odds favored us but there was no telling if the judge was one of them or not.
Judge: …next, I have a question to ask of the defense.
Judge: Di Qi Ju, your attorney claims to be the commander of Faithās expeditionary forces and youāre his adjutant, am I right in saying this?
Di Qi Ju: …that is correct.
Judge: Do you have any proof of that?
Di Qi Ju: ……
Breman: –I object, Your Honor.
Breman: How does this have any direct relation to the case?
Judge: Overruled. This has an inseparable relation to the defendantās identity.
Breman: Fine. What kind of proof does the Country of Skill require?
Judge: Your army, your authority and your power.
Breman: Hoh…what a uniquely local way of proving things.
Breman: If thatās the case, does Reitdarkeās royal family have to come down personally to prove the princessās identity as well?
Judge: The princess is well known in the Country of Skill unlike you, hailing from the distant Country of Faith.
Judge: The two arenāt even comparable.
Breman: ……
A look of displeasure crossed his face to which I shook my head, expressing that there was no point continuing down this road.
Judge: Since thereās no proof, your identity will be taken as false.
Breman: …*spit*
Ferdila: Hmph so it was fake after all.
Judge: Taking into account all the facts, this case is a simple one, the key lies in the circumstances behind the use of violence.
Judge: The plaintiff argues that there was no need to use force while the defendant argues that the victim has undertaken action that could lead to death.
Judge: The defendantās evidence is the poisoning of Princess Naysis and the fact that the defendantās eyes had been stabbed. Is that right?
Di Qi Ju: Yes, Your Honor. If his attack had gone any further, it mightāve pierced my brain causing a fatal injury.
Judge: Yet, there was no trace of blood or flesh on the arrow presented.
Judge: That proves that the victimās weapon didnāt in fact cause you any harm and so your argument of justified self-defense doesnāt stand.
Di Qi Ju: But he tried to take my life.
Judge: An attempt is just an attempt, we only look at outcomes and facts here.
Di Qi Ju: …
I finally understood his meaningā¦
If justified self-defense is defined by the harm caused by the other party then this law in itself is pointless.
In actuality, there might as well be no law here.
Even though I hadnāt said much this trial, Iāve lost the desire to continue arguing.
Perhaps my decision that day was bad one after all…they never intended to let me win at all, did they?
Breman: —Your Honor, my adjutant did in fact receive a fatal injury then and had in fact had his life threatened.
Breman: The reason why heās alive today is because of his revival ability.
Breman: Since Your Honor only looks at the outcome and facts, should this not count as well?
Judge: ā¦ā¦
Ferdila: ……
Litigator: ……
As those words left his mouth, those present revealed a look of astonishment on their faces, this included Naysis and Bailey.
Judge: Revival ability?
Breman: Thatās right. Itās a blessing by Westrealm…no matter the injury, as long as thereās enough time and the situation allows it, he will be able to heal himself back to his original unharmed state.
Litigator: —I object, what kind of inhuman ability is that?!
Judge: …objection sustained.
Breman: Is there even a point to your objection? This is fact.
Breman: Even if youāve never heard of the expeditionary forceās commander, you all should at least know what kind of missions the expedition undertakes.
Breman: The dangers we face are lifeforms and environments several times more treacherous than humans. Without such talent how could the Country of Faith achieve the status it has today?
Judge: ā¦ā¦
Judge: If itās such an exceptional person…compared to the victimās valueā¦
Ferdila: Your Honor! Please do not be influenced by the customs of our country!
Ferdila: This is a court of law, please make your judgements on the basis of fairness.
Breman: Isnāt that useless, Mr. Head of the Military Police Division.
Breman: The values of Skill do not include the word āfairnessā within them only ājustnessā.
Breman: To you all, the value of a person is the determinant of justice is it not? If Iām not mistaken, you all do not believe in the notion of equality.
Ferdila: ……
The manās face began twitching as if he was desperately trying to stop himself from shouting in court.
Breman: Truth be told, I kind of like this countryās system and values.
Breman: Exceptional people should be treated as such while the powerless should never be a part of the lawās consideration.
Breman: Even if that person has an extremely influential fatherā¦
Breman: Because he himself is nothing but a coward that picks on women.
Ferdila: Shut the f*ck up!!!
Ferdilaās Wife: ……
Litigator: ……
Judge: ā¦ā¦
Judge: Please restrain yourself, Mister Ferdilaā¦
Ferdila: Your Honor, I request for an examination of the defendantās abilities.
Ferdila: If he possesses the ability his attorney claims he has, then heās basically an immortal.
Ferdila: Thereās no way such a person will merely be an adjutant. I believe that they are lying!
Judge: ……
Judge: That makes sense. As a key factor in this case, we need to know for sure if Di Qi Ju possesses such an ability.
Judge: The court will go into recess while a suitable test is prepared.
Di Qi Ju: …
I wasnāt taken away as expected but was instead left in the accused box.
Breman and the mysterious lady beside him walked over to me, their eyes still fixed on the prosecution.
Di Qi Ju: Errr…Officer Breman, exactly whatās going on?
Breman: Did you forget that Skill is a country that worships a personās individual ability.
Breman: Take for example the top four winners of each battle within the Three Battles, they are immune to prosecution.
Breman: The survival of the fittest, thatās how it is here.
Di Qi Ju: Is that soā¦
Breman: I still have two more trump cards to play but it seems like they wonāt be needed after all.
I glanced at the lady standing next to Breman. She wore a light suit of leather armor with a leather cap on her head. Just based on that, she didnāt seem like an ordinary person. Noticing my gaze, she gave me a slight smile.
Breman: Our princess Naysis should have a trump card of her own although we have yet to see it.
Naysis Ferne: Of course, I brought mine along. If the need arises, I wonāt stinge on it.
Carmen: ……
Breman: Of course I believe in you, after all, you managed to get off scot free even though you poked a few holes in their sonās face.
Breman: Oh right, Iām not ignoring your contributions as well, Miss Bailey. Thank you for your testimony just now.
Bailey: Thatās nothing.
Breman: By the way, if Iām not mistaken, that judge should be one of Ferdilaās men.
Breman: Iām afraid the following examination wonāt be an easy oneā¦
Breman: This is the outcome of your choice, are you alright with that?
Di Qi Ju: ……
Mhm, even I had noticed that much. Everything up to this point had been the result of my choice. Thereās no need for them to talk about their trump cards. Since I made that decision yesterday, I was already prepared for such a possibility. Only by doing so will I be able to ensure that I wonāt go down this slippery slope.
Di Qi Ju: I understand.
Di Qi Ju: Donāt worry, no matter what happens, Iāll take it all head on.
Footnotes:
Credits:
Special thanks to Steve Granger!!
