Chapter 15: The Merchant of Benetsa 5

After hearing the explanation from the butlers, I felt an incredulous sense of outrage and addressed them:

“What… what nonsense is this… To imprison someone over such a figurative phrase, is that even remotely plausible?”

No matter how many times I pondered it, the situation went beyond mere injustice and entered the realm of sheer absurdity.

Essentially, it was tantamount to accusing Shaylok of attempting to carve out Anton’s heart by taking the phrase ‘I will honor this vow wholeheartedly’ literally.

Voicing my intense indignation, Cazeros responded to me in a composed tone.

“Regrettably, it is indeed possible. Under any circumstances, a Jew cannot harm a Christian believer, and if such an intention is perceived, legal punishment can be officially imposed. Although this is undoubtedly an excessive measure, if it is legally upheld, there is nothing that can be done.”

“This is… preposterous nonsense… Haah…”

Her words made me feel a renewed surge of anger, but I had no choice but to forcibly suppress it.

After all, this was a period when the concept of human rights had yet to fully take root, and in such a world, discrimination against Jews, considered pagans, was accepted as a matter of course.

In a world rife with religious discrimination and contempt,

not only Shaylok but all Jews and gentiles alike could hardly assert their rights when subjected to injustice.

After confirming that I had reined in my emotions, the butlers continued their account.

“As we later discovered through further investigation… this entire affair was a plot orchestrated by Anton, backed by the Holy Imperium.”

“From the very beginning, when he brought the loan agreement form himself, it did seem somewhat suspicious… but we never imagined he would hatch such a scheme.”

“Haah…”

The butlers expressed their exasperation, a sentiment I shared.

Shaylok, a prominent merchant of Benetsa who had amassed considerable wealth primarily through usury.

From a general perspective, usury could be regarded as an unsavory practice, but…

Even so, few in Benetsa harbored ill feelings toward Shaylok or spoke ill of him.

Rather, despite his Jewish identity preventing open acknowledgment, an unexpectedly significant number of people considered him a benefactor,

a result of the strict business principles he adhered to in his usury endeavors.

He would not lend money to those unable to repay, and even if a borrower’s venture failed to meet expectations, he would refrain from admonishing them, instead granting another opportunity to succeed.

From a modern viewpoint, Shaylok’s usury could be seen as fostering sound investment rather than mere loan-sharking.

In this world, where the separation between investment and usury was not yet fully established, Shaylok was unintentionally regarded as a usurer, but by my standards, he was a reputable businessman with considerable expertise and admirable character.

That such a man now faced imprisonment and punishment for such an absurd reason filled me with profound indignation, prompting me to ask the butlers:

“So, when is the trial scheduled?”

“The trial is set for three days from now at the central court. However, it seems unlikely that he will be easily acquitted…”

“Why is that? Surely Lord Shaylok is not one to be ensnared by such a flimsy trap, even with the Holy Imperium’s backing?”

“…It will be difficult.”

“Pardon?”

In response to my words, Cazeros spoke with a bitter tone.

Perplexed, I prompted her, and she surveyed the butlers, whose expressions were tinged with sorrow, before replying.

“It seems… you have yet to secure a defense counsel, have you?”

“Tch…”

“…No, we have not…”

“!…Ah…”

Cazeros’s words made me realize the true gravity of the situation, prompting an involuntary sigh from my lips.

Objectively, Shaylok’s predicament could be seen as unjust.

However, regrettably, in Benetsa, where the Church’s influence ran deep and the vast majority of citizens were believers, there were virtually no individuals willing to openly support the Jewish Shaylok.

Particularly in this case, where the charges alleged a Jew’s attempt to murder a Christian believer, no matter how much money was offered, any defense counsel who agreed to represent him could potentially face dire consequences, regardless of the outcome – not only jeopardizing their career but also risking severe repercussions for defending a Jew against a Christian.

Thus, while Shaylok himself was generally well-regarded, his status as a gentile made it difficult for him to receive assistance, even in the face of injustice.

And even if the defendant Shaylok tried to represent himself, there was no guarantee that the judge presiding over the trial would even listen to a Jew’s defense.

‘From that perspective… while it may seem clumsy on the surface, the Holy Imperium has rather cunningly designed this situation. The pretext for their actions was flimsy, but their target was an individual whom those around him would find it difficult to support. In such circumstances, even minor disputes could be readily escalated, and the opponent could be treated as a criminal and buried.’

Even in my original world, it was not uncommon for people to be unjustly lynched or killed due to racial discrimination while simply walking down the street abroad.

If such incidents occurred in the modern era, where the concept of such acts being unjust had taken root to some degree, then in this world, where killing each other over religious differences was considered righteous, there was no need for further elaboration.

As I recognized that Shaylok’s situation was more dire than I had initially thought, I fell into deep contemplation.

Not only was there a personal debt of honor involved with Shaylok, but more crucially, failing to secure his assistance here could make the journey to our intended destination in the pagan nations of the east extremely perilous.

In the current climate, amidst the aftermath of war and the prevailing hostile atmosphere, even with ample travel funds, we could not recklessly depart until we had ascertained a safe route.

‘In the end… it is not merely a matter of honor but also a necessity for our own sake that we must somehow rescue Lord Shaylok…’

However, in the present circumstances, where not a single individual was willing to provide legal counsel, there seemed to be no viable solution, even for me.

Unlike the past, my current excommunicated status made it difficult for me to openly assist anyone in this place.

Naturally, representing him in court was an impossibility.

‘Moreover, although the basis for the charges themselves was flimsy, they have undoubtedly taken measures to close any potential loopholes that could be exploited. They have likely bribed or installed their own people among the judge, prosecutor, jury, or observers.’

In other words, during the upcoming trial, most of those present in the courtroom would likely be ‘adversaries’ intent on bringing down Shaylok.

In such a scenario, Shaylok would essentially be helpless, unjustly punished in a rigged performance without any recourse.

‘I must somehow overturn this situation… Setting aside other issues for now, I need someone willing to serve as defense counsel…’

No matter how brilliant a plan might be devised, without someone to present and argue it before others, it would be utterly useless.

However, most of the attorneys in Benetsa had already refused to participate in this trial, and I, too, was unable to take on the defense role.

‘Damn it… who would have thought I’d lament my excommunication in such a way…’

As I fell into deep contemplation, unable to find the first thread to unravel this dilemma, that was when it happened.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

At that moment, someone addressed me.

“Perhaps… I could do it?”

One who possessed the requisite standing to serve as Shaylok’s defense counsel in this situation…

Cazeros cautiously spoke to me.