Chapter 18: The Merchant of Benetsa 8

Stepping into the center of the courtroom, Cazeros proceeded to take out a large sheet of paper and a pen she held in her left hand, beginning to write something down.

Without using a desk, her act of writing in the courtroom’s center automatically drew everyone’s attention.

Surveying the people with an air akin to an inspector making notes, Cazeros’s meticulous recording caused the previously frenzied courtroom atmosphere to momentarily fall silent.

Recognizing this, Cazeros dropped the pen from her left hand to the floor.

And then…

“Krrrrriiiip!”

“!?”

“Huh?”

Immediately after, Cazeros tore apart the paper she had been writing on.

This unexpected action elicited momentary surprise and curiosity about her motives from the onlookers.

And then…

Having successfully concentrated everyone’s attention through this ‘performance’ reminiscent of the Savior writing on the ground to captivate his audience, Cazeros slowly held up a piece of the torn paper along with Shaylok’s copy of the contract submitted as evidence, presenting it before the judge.

“Before I begin my defense, I would kindly request that Your Honor examine these closely.”

“Hmm? Um… very well, I shall.”

Somewhat perplexed by Cazeros’s actions, the judge adopted a more serious demeanor than before.

Being of a rather lax and pliable nature, he began inspecting the contract and Cazeros’s arbitrary writing placed before him, as she had requested.

And upon seeing them… he automatically recognized one fact.

“…? What is this? Why does your handwriting resemble that of the contract?”

“Yes, Your Honor, it is because I, too, wrote with my left hand, just as the contract form was drafted.”

A trick similar to one featured in a famous classic revenge novel.

Writing with one’s left hand produces a uniform, dissimilar handwriting compared to one’s natural script.

A method commonly employed by writers to conceal their penmanship, Anton had undoubtedly drafted the contract form in this manner to obscure evidence.

Of course, it had now become the very element that could potentially turn the tide.

“Is… is that so? Hmm… while there are subtle differences, the resemblance is undeniable. But what of it? Even if this form was written left-handed, there is no guarantee that Shaylok himself or his subordinates were not the authors, is there?”

“True, but at the very least, we can entertain the possibility that it was not written by Shaylok’s side with 100% certainty.”

“Hmm… well, I suppose… but…”

The judge appeared slightly swayed by Cazeros’s words.

Although this alone could not completely overturn the situation, Cazeros’s actions had succeeded in reminding the judge and the audience that this case might not be as straightforward as they had assumed.

‘As Lord Santana mentioned, people are easily swayed by emotion, but a mere shred of doubt can also cause them to contemplate extensively…’

Having momentarily halted the one-sided momentum, even if only briefly, Cazeros had at least secured the time and psychological leeway to present her defense.

Seizing this opportunity, Cazeros turned toward Anton, her voice carrying a slight chill as she spoke.

“Then, let us reserve judgment on that matter for now, and allow the defense to pose a few questions to the alleged victim.”

“…Um… to me? Well, very well, proceed.”

Sensing the unexpectedly strange turn of events, Anton responded with a hint of bewilderment.

Observing him, Cazeros inquired in a quiet voice.

“The victim has claimed that, driven by financial desperation, he was forced to sign this contract. Is that correct?”

“That’s… that’s right. As a merchant operating a guild, there are frequent occasions when I urgently require substantial funds. Hence, I had no choice but to borrow money under the foul Jew’s terms.”

Although slightly rattled, Anton maintained an air of trepidation as he recounted the circumstances.

In response to his answer, Cazeros continued her questioning.

“In other words… the defendant, faced with unavoidable circumstances, signed the contract while resigning himself to the consequences. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Anton nodded firmly in affirmation.

Without pause, Cazeros proceeded with her next inquiry, the atmosphere subtly shifting.

“Then the defendant… was the defendant unaware that the phrase in this contract, about offering one’s heart in the event of a broken promise, is a common idiom among Jews?”

“An… idiom, you say? I was completely unaware of any such thing. As a devout believer of the Church, how could I possibly know the idioms used by those wicked Jews?”

“Is that so? Yet it is rather surprising… for someone borrowing money from Jews to be unfamiliar with even such basic expressions…”

“Wh… What are you implying? I will say it again – I have never heard of any such phrase!”

Anton responded with a forceful tone to Cazeros’s questioning.

Acknowledging this point would be tantamount to admitting Shaylok’s innocence, so he vehemently denied it.

At that moment…

“Counselor! Are you attempting to intimidate the victim now? The victim is currently suffering from the mental anguish inflicted by Shaylok. No matter how depraved a woman you may be to defend that pagan, cease this disrespect at once!”

Perceiving the situation turning volatile, Portia interjected.

In response, Cazeros slowly nodded as if in agreement, withdrew from Anton, and addressed the judge and observers.

“The phrase that led to this trial, about offering one’s heart, is simply an idiomatic expression used by Jews to convey their determination to honor a promise wholeheartedly – nothing more than a Western figure of speech. To claim the defendant Shaylok intended to kill the victim based solely on this is untenable.”

A common fact that anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Jewish customs would be aware of.

Initially, Cazeros sought to defend Shaylok’s actions on this basis, but Portia, who had anticipated such a move, immediately responded in a firm tone.

“No, that is not the case. Even if such an expression exists, it is used solely among Jews themselves. We, as believers of the Church, cannot interpret it the same way! This is merely a cunning ruse employed by Shaylok to conceal his guilt!”

“And where is the evidence to support that this phrase constituted a vow from Anton to offer his heart to Shaylok?”

“The evidence is right here! Behold! The tears of the victim, whose life was threatened by that wicked Jew… the tears of a sacred believer are the very evidence!”

Indeed, Anton appeared to be shedding tears, as if bearing the weight of the world’s agonies.

Since Shaylok had not actually taken any physical action in relation to this phrase, in ordinary circumstances, such a claim would be utterly ludicrous and dismissed outright.

However… regrettably, this was a place filled with those predisposed to despise Jews and defend believers of the Church.

Even if they could not fully empathize, the overall sentiment leaned toward siding with Anton, as the prospect of the ‘evil’ Shaylok emerging victorious was unpalatable.

In a world without the presumption of innocence, where ambiguous situations were decided by the prevailing atmosphere, this trial seemed destined to conclude with Shaylok’s inevitable conviction if left unchecked.

A triumphant smile began to form on Portia’s lips, while Anton quietly suppressed a grin of his own.

At that moment…

“…Very well. In that case… I have no choice.”

Cazeros spoke in a heavy tone.

Despair began to etch itself onto the faces of Shaylok, his butlers observing the situation, and those supporting him.