21. trial (4)
before the tribunal renders its verdict.
There was time for nine jurors to make their judgment first.
Each juror goes to a designated area and submits his decision one by one on a piece of paper.
Ian entered the area covered by the tent and looked down at the paper.
Although the case was a case in point, the five people were tried in one place, but the five people could not be treated exactly the same.
Therefore, Ian received 5 sheets of paper.
Sylvia, Kylie, Aria, Beatrice, Penny.
Perhaps the judges will break down the charges against each person and make a verdict, but the jury does not go that far.
After all, they are only suggesting a ‘trend’.
Ian ruled out personal feelings.
‘Sylvia… innocence.’
To be guilty, compared to others, there was nothing that could be called a sin.
I was ignorant while the rest of the party was like that, and on the other hand, I would have been on the sidelines, but I thought I couldn’t be held legally guilty.
Not to mention the other four.
They were clearly guilty people.
‘Aria, Kylie, Beatrice, Penny. guiltiness. The judges will decide the sentence themselves.’
Ian made that decision and submitted the paper.
*
“I will read the verdict.”
The Supreme Court judge, who was in charge of the proceedings, opened the verdict and said.
Everyone’s attention was focused on him.
“Sylvia.”
The person called comes out of the defendant’s box and stands in the center.
Sylvia stepped out.
“The court agreed with the circumstantial evidence that the defendant had significant financial ties with a group collectively called the ‘Anti-Imperial Coalition’ in the city of Badenberg. In addition, the military police secured and submitted additional testimonies from victims caught up in incidents committed by the defendant in the past.”
Sylvia held back her eyes from returning to Ian.
Most of what she did was harming people with no relatives and stealing money and food before meeting Ian.
But it’s not going to come up to this court.
Therefore, the cases submitted here must be the people around him who were involved in harassing Ian.
For example, trying to kill a woman who came to deliver a private letter to Ian.
‘… are you okay. I already made a promise.’
Sylvia was calm.
Whatever the punishment, she is ready to accept it.
Rather, I wanted to receive it.
He wanted to be acknowledged by everyone that he was a sinner and to atone for his sins.
Ian won’t come back because of that.
Even so, it seemed to ease my mind a little.
“However. It is true that the defendant has been at the forefront of promoting peace and order in the empire. The court also took into account that the petition was submitted by an anonymous contributor who was greatly indebted to the defendant.”
Sylvia remembered who it was, but didn’t know the name.
One of the first party’s new scouts, who relatively recently helped Sylvia solve the Acute Dungeon alone.
It was a petition from William.
Sylvia was grateful for that, but it was complicated.
Because he stood here to be punished.
I just admired Ian’s wisdom.
The driving force that moved Sylvia at that time was none other than Ian’s advice in the past.
“I agree that the defendant violated the proper example as a hero of the empire, but the opinion that it was unreasonable to see it as a crime was strong. And judging from the defendant’s recent conduct, we believe there is room for improvement.”
The judge’s eyes shifted to Sylvia as she read the sentence.
“In this case, the court declared ‘not guilty’ to the defendant.”
“… yes?”
“The 9 members of the jury voted for defendant Sylvia with 2 guilty, 4 not guilty, and 3 abstaining votes.”
“Now, wait a minute! how do i… .”
“Please formally file your appeal against this ruling within two weeks. That is all. next. aria.”
As many as the number of people, there was no time to wait for Sylvia.
Sylvia hesitated and took a step backwards, returning to her original position.
In the meantime, I passed by Aria, who was shrugging her shoulders.
‘… … .’
Sylvia blankly looked down at the floor.
I feel discouraged and somehow feel uncomfortable.
It was the woman who had been expecting more than she had promised to be punished.
For Sylvia, this place today was a kind of atonement.
I thought it was a place where I was socially given the price and responsibility for what Ian did.
That’s why I’d rather be severely punished.
The harder and more severe the punishment, the more Ian will be able to shape the meaning of deeply apologizing.
However, Sylvia was acquitted.
Her gaze returned to Ian, who was sitting in the jury seat.
He was watching his next turn, Aria.
Calm and serene as usual, but with a nonchalant face.
‘Would I have been looking at that too… .’
What decision did the jury member Ian make?
When you think about what you did, you have nothing to say even if you are convicted just because you feel outraged.
‘If you wrote innocence… . what does that mean… .’
No, that’s not likely.
Sylvia put away her vain delusions.
It was a very selfish wish.
On the subject of atonement, I shouldn’t have dared to ask for something like that.
‘What should I do next… .’
Although acquitted, Sylvia was rather frustrated.
It would be more comfortable to abuse the body after being severely punished.
In the meantime, trials continued one after another.
“… The Court sentences defendant Arya to life in prison without parole. According to the blasphemous act of using the name of God, you will be confined in a solitary confinement in the place of exile prepared by the Seonghwagyo.”
“… This court sentences defendant Kylie to death.”
“… This Court sentences Defendant Beatrice to death.”
I’m waiting for Penny’s turn next.
“Keuh, keuhhi… .”
A grotesque laugh erupted from the defendant’s seat.
It sounded like iron rubbing hard against each other.
“Kkeuhhihik! Ah, ah! Ah ha ha ha!”
Beatrice tilted her head and laughed madly.
Eventually, as she tried to get up, she collapsed without being able to use her crutches properly.
-thud!
Even as she fell to the floor, she didn’t groan, she just laughed.
“Ahaha! Hehehahahaha-!”
Everyone shut their mouths at the creepy behavior.
“execution! The death penalty! Ah, ah ha! Hee hee, hee hee hee!”
“Shut up.”
Kylie stepped on her shoulder and squeezed it.
“Be still… .”
Sylvia tried to step out, but Kylie was faster.
After subduing Beatrice, Kylie’s consciousness kept going to where Ian was.
“Queek, hee hee… . Hehehehe… .”
Beatrice, who laughed horribly, covered her mouth and sobbed.
Most of the audience were shuddering at the bizarre appearance Beatrice had just shown.
– Right! right!
“Be quiet.”
The judge tapped the gavel.
The commotion subsided, but Kylie did not come down from the top of Beatrice, who had trampled on her.
“I will proceed with the trial.”
The Supreme Court left them alone and said.
“The judge acknowledged that the defendants unsparingly devoted themselves to the empire and humanity as warriors, heroes, and symbols of order. We also recognize that the armed forces of the accused are still too strong to replace, even though two of the accused suffered irreversible serious bodily harm.”
That statement was only partially true.
Kylie and Beatrice will still be strong.
However, as before, the expression ‘impossible’ is wrong.
“Humanity is preparing for a war against the demons. So, the accused.”
The Supreme Court judge looked at Kylie, Arya and Beatrice.
“The tribunal is willing to offer some sort of judicial deal.”
“Judicial Deal… ?”
“That’s right. Instead of waiving the sentence, you will be ordered to clear the dungeon and fight on the front line. Naturally, the proceeds from this are distributed according to the same proportion as the statutory prison sentence.”
It was essentially like a prison sentence.
Even if they didn’t comply with this judicial deal, they would be locked up and thrown into various danger zones and run wild.
However, unlike imprisonment, this judicial transaction guarantees limited freedom.
The deal was also a display of imperial magnanimity and competence.
Ian realized that the judges, or the emperor to be exact, needed their ‘symbolism’, not their brute force.
A hero representing the Empire.
When they commit a mistake, they blindly devote themselves to the empire in order to atone for it.
You need a picture like that.
It was also the only safe solution.
Will they really stay still just because they are locked up?
Second to Beatrice, who had trouble moving.
Even if one arm is cut off, Kylie is Kylie.
Even Arya’s body is intact unlike the two.
So, the sickening and drugging strategy is to appease them.
“defendant. What would you like to do?”
“… … .”
The three were silent.
It was not a question that was difficult to answer right away.
Even so, they looked at Ian’s eyes and worried.
“I will.”
The first to respond was Sylvia, who had been acquitted.
Everyone was surprised by the unexpected announcement.
“… Sylvia you cannot accept a judicial transaction.”
“I know. However.”
Sylvia glanced sideways at Ian without realizing it, then quickly corrected her gaze.
“I don’t think I’m innocent. I can’t think of it that way. Because a person who shouldn’t have done something that shouldn’t have been done. That symbol alone deserves to be a sin. So, I would appreciate it if you would consider this a service to the Empire and the common good for my personal atonement.”
Sylvia spoke quite elegantly and coherently.
Hearing this, Ian was a little taken aback.
‘… Did you learn to speak at least recently?’
Calmly and logically, he makes arguments that are convincing even from the opponent’s point of view.
It wasn’t the Sylvia Ian knew.
That was the result of thinking about how to apologize if I constantly met Ian.
He did not appeal to his emotions, but objectively studied and thought about what he had done wrong and how to apologize.
Even though I couldn’t tell him, I benefited from an unexpected situation.
“Hmm… .”
Unexpectedly, the court hesitated.
The imperial family and the Seonghwagyo judges, who exchanged glances, nodded slightly.
The Emperor looked at the Supreme Court as a representative and nodded his head again.
“… The judge decided to accept Sylvia’s proposal. Therefore, Sylvia will be the representative of the group operating in this judicial transaction.”
Sylvia let out a small sigh.
It may be a little, but with this I can atone for my sins.
“… Tsk. I will accept it.”
Kylie was the second to answer.
“Yes… . Ha, I will… .”
Arya was the third to agree.
“… … .”
Beatrice was silent for quite some time.
Looking at her, Sylvia warned.
“You’re free to accept it or not, but I won’t stand still if you cause damage to those around you.”
Beatrice glanced at Ian, and their eyes met.
Ian didn’t smile or be gentle like before.
It was an indifferent look, as if looking at inorganic substances.
Beatrice couldn’t read any emotion from that gaze.
They obviously defended themselves earlier, but they wondered why they were so cold.
“ha… .”
Beatrice let out a deep sigh.
The first feeling of guilt that arose from Ian’s defense ran through his head.
“… I will.”
Beatrice also accepted.
In the end, Ian confirmed that things went according to the Emperor’s will.
However, it was just one question.
‘It’s the same with Kylie, but Beatrice is more of a problem… . How are they going to use their power properly?’
The question didn’t last long.
As the emperor, he must have a plan.
I’ll take care of it.
More at noblemtl com
Judicial Transactions Following First Party Guilt.
Unlike the jurors and important figures who drew their own views on the future, it was difficult for ordinary citizens to guess what the empire was about to become.
– Right! right!
“Be quiet. The trial is not over yet.”
The magistrate quieted the tumult.
It was as he said.
“Next, Penny.”
It was her turn that no one paid attention to.
“yes… .”
Even she had completely forgotten about her existence.
It seemed that the great first party had no part in this situation before the court and in the process leading up to the judicial offer.
There was also no sense of reality.
The words Ian heard still shake the foundation of existence.
‘I am not your god.’
The words pierced reality and pushed Penny back into delusion.
Didn’t he see through that Penny considered himself a god, like an omnipotent god, saying he wasn’t a god?
“The defendant actively led and promoted the banquet in Badenberg, signed a contract for sales promotion of alcoholic beverages whose hygiene and quality were not verified, and proposed to the members of the 1st warrior party. During this process, the military police confirmed that there was an illicit benefit transferred between the mayor, the contractor, and the defendant, the contractee, in addition to the contractually specified amount.”
“… … .”
Until just now, everything in this courtroom had been heard as a story from another world.
But, not anymore.
himself at the center
It was an unwanted picture.
“In addition, the defendant took office as the manager of the 1st warrior party leading the empire, but he has been consistent in his attitude of neglecting his duties, such as pursuing private interests beyond his duties as a manager and neglecting the warriors under management. This cannot be said to be a legal offense, but it is enough to be seen as disregarding the important responsibility of being the manager of the 1st warrior’s party.”
“The military police also found evidence that the defendant acted as a nomadic warrior in the past, killed other warriors and looted their valuables or money, and was involved in various criminal organizations. In addition, we have obtained circumstantial evidence that Ian, the former manager, was illegally collected in order to expel him, and that he alienated the members of the 1st Hero Party.”
“The crime is serious, and as a result of consistently committing anti-social crimes from the past to the present, it is judged that there is no room for improvement.”
“I sentence the defendant to death.”
– Right! right! right!
“Appeal is due within two weeks… .”
The noise around him faded from Penny’s ears.
‘execution… ?’
It was like a lie.
All of this situation felt like a play to make fun of myself.
He had no idea that his past, which he had been hiding so thoroughly, would be revealed so easily.
‘My, my past, how… .’
She was underestimating the ability of the military police.
With so many things to do, the military police have no choice but to prioritize and act.
Among them, cunning criminals like Penny are not taken seriously.
However, once you start robbing, there is nothing that the military police can’t figure out.
It doesn’t mean you can’t catch it, it means you won’t catch it.
‘execution? me, me? Oh, maybe me too… .’
Like Beatrice, it might be a ploy to propose a judicial transaction.
I looked up at the court with such expectations, but they were in a hurry to organize the trial.
“ah… ?”
A weak moan escaped Penny’s mouth.
Unlike Beatrice, she had neither the power nor anything to trade with.
death sentence.
Whether or not Penny was subdued by those words, people didn’t care about her.
For that, the weight of the existence of Philip here was too heavy.
“This concludes the trial.”
– Right! right! right!
trial is over
Everyone moved with a purpose.
The 1st warrior party of 4 followed the guide of the guard to hear more about the judicial transaction.
People rushed at the unidentified Philip and his new warriors.
“Philip! Why didn’t you come to my face all this time!”
“Why did you reveal your identity publicly here?! Have you had a change of heart!”
“What is the composition and outlook of the new warrior party! Can you surpass the 1st Hero Party?!”
“They say there is some kind of scandal with Sylvia of the 1st Hero Party, is that true?!”
Ian shook his head as he looked at the crowd that seemed annoyed.
‘I knew it would be like this… .’
worse than expected
It was the same with Ian’s group.
Surrounded by all kinds of crowds, they couldn’t move.
Thanks to Kati, no one crossed a certain distance.
“These are Philip’s new warriors. Hmmm. Nice to meet you, I… .”
“Isn’t Philip looking for another manpower? This time from our top… .”
“Ah, nice to meet you. You’re the Vivian who said you caught the king slime, right?”
“Ah, that Helena who took first place in the public exam!”
“… Lucia? Isn’t that Lucia di Fiorene? Of the Fiorene family?”
People lined up to try and get to know each other somehow.
Vivian and Helena were constantly renewing their realization of how great Philip, no, Ian’s reputation was.
So was Lucia.
“Wow, that’s great… .”
Even for Mercy, whom I vaguely knew, seeing it in person was a different feeling.
Kati covered the party like a bodyguard and kept a certain distance by spraying a subtle killing blow.
I was nervous, but I was proud of myself.
So many people recognize the value of their masters.
It couldn’t have been better.
Penny watched the commotion as she was being held and led away by the gendarmerie.
It seemed that he had no self in this world.
I didn’t feel any sadness or resentment.
There was no sense of reality.
Only Ian’s voice, which said he was not a god, rang in his ears like an hallucination.
*
Ian managed to get through the crowd and send the group back to the waiting room.
Even after returning, the guests did not cease.
the mayor of a city.
the lord of a land.
representative of an organization.
royalty of a country.
Anyone who could claim that ‘I am this kind of person’ came to Ian’s waiting room at least once.
Even Kati and Mercy, who were not heroes, received attention, not to mention the attention Vivian, Helena, and Lucia received.
Vivian and Helena only responded with awkward smiles to the burdensome compliment.
“Yes, yes… . thank you ah… .”
“Hey, I’ll work hard… !”
Some of them offered something, but Lucia took care of it.
“Thank you for your words, but it’s not appropriate to share it when Ian isn’t around.”
This was also what Ian requested.
If someone tries to give something or offers something, refuse it firmly.
While they are swept away by their newfound fame.
Ian went to see the emperor.
Coincidentally, the emperor was just finishing a meeting on the management of the first party, and the crown prince was also there.
“Meet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“All right. What is formality in a place like this?”
Ian sat comfortably in the seat across from him.
Since it was not the imperial palace, the emperor did not want to be formal.
“Rather than that, I never thought I’d reveal my identity in such a splendid way.”
“I didn’t even know that it would come out like this. But wasn’t it a situation that only I could explain?”
“It did. I trust you will handle it well. There will be a lot to deal with in the imperial family, but I’ll have to bear it. Anyway, I don’t think you came here to report it to me or get confirmation.”
They were people who didn’t need to find each other unless they had a business.
Ian nodded softly.
And just as calmly, he looked at the emperor and said.
“Give me one piece of land.”
The corner of the mouth of the emperor and the prince twisted awkwardly.
This wasn’t brazen, it was brazen.