episode_0097

Before the court makes its decision.

There was time for the 9 jurors to make their decision first.

Each juror moves to a designated location and submits their decision on paper one by one.

Ian entered the area hidden by the tent and looked down at the paper.

Since the case was a private matter, five people were tried in one sitting, but it was not possible to treat the five people completely equally.

Therefore, the number of papers Ian received was 5.

Sylvia, Kylie, Aria, Beatrice, Penny.

The court will probably break down the charges against each person and make a decision, but the jury will not go that far.

After all, these are just presenting ‘trends’.

Ian excluded personal feelings.

‘Sylvia… innocence.’

To convict him, there was nothing more sinister than others.

The rest of the party may have been ignorant while this happened, and on the other hand, they may have watched by, but they did not think they could be held legally guilty.

There was no need to mention the remaining four.

These were people who clearly committed crimes.

‘Aria, Kylie, Beatrice, Penny. guiltiness. The judges will decide the sentence themselves.’

Ian decided so and submitted the paper.

*

“I will read the judgment.”

The Supreme Court judge in charge of proceedings held up the verdict and spoke.

Everyone’s attention was focused on him.

“Silvia.”

The person named comes out of the defendant’s box and stands in the center.

Sylvia stepped forward.

“The court agreed with the circumstantial evidence that the defendant had a significant financial relationship with a group commonly known as the ‘Anti-Imperial Coalition’ in the city of Badenberg. In addition, the military police secured and submitted additional testimony from victims who were caught up in accidents committed by the defendant in the past.”

Sylvia resisted turning her eyes to Ian.

Most of what she did was harming unrelated people and robbing them of money and food before meeting Ian.

But that matter will never come up to this court.

Therefore, the case submitted here is probably related to people around Ian who were involved in harassing him.

For example, he tried 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 punishment she received, she was ready to accept it.

Rather, I wanted to receive it.

He wanted everyone to acknowledge that he was a sinner and wanted to atone for it.

That won’t bring Ian back.

Still, I felt like doing that would put my mind at ease a little.

“But. It is true that the defendant has taken the lead more than anyone else for peace and order in the empire. In addition, the court took into account the fact that an anonymous contributor who owed great favor to the defendant submitted a petition.”

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 an acute dungeon on her own.

It was a petition sent by William.

Sylvia was grateful for that, but it was complicated.

Because he came here to be punished.

However, I was impressed by Ian’s insight.

The driving force that moved Sylvia at that time was none other than Ian’s advice from the past.

“I agree that the defendant hindered the example he should set as a hero of the empire, but there was a strong opinion that it was unreasonable to consider it a crime. And considering the defendant’s recent behavior, it was determined that there was room for improvement.”

The judge’s gaze as he read the verdict shifted to Sylvia.

“In this case, the court found the defendant ‘not guilty.’”

“… Yes?”

“9 jurors voted 2 guilty, 4 not guilty, and 3 abstentions for defendant Sylvia.”

“Now, wait a minute! What should I do… .”

“Please formally submit your appeal against this decision within two weeks. That is all. next. Aria.”

Since there were so many people, there was no time to wait for Sylvia.

Sylvia took a step back and returned to her original position.

Meanwhile, I passed by Aria, who shrugged her shoulders.

‘… … .’

Sylvia looked down at the floor blankly.

I feel defeated and somehow uneasy.

She was looking forward to the punishment beyond her resolve.

For Sylvia, today’s event was a kind of atonement.

I thought it was a place where society would give me compensation and responsibility for what I did to Ian.

That’s why I wanted to receive a harsher punishment.

The more difficult and severe the punishment, the more deeply I can express my apology to Ian.

However, Sylvia was found not guilty.

Her gaze returned to Ian sitting in the jury box.

He was watching Aria, who was next.

As calm and serene as usual, with an indifferent face.

‘Was I seeing it like that too? .’

What decision did juror Ian make?

Considering what he did, he has nothing to say even if he is found guilty just because it is scandalous.

‘If you plead not guilty… . What does that mean… .’

No, not likely.

Sylvia put away her empty illusions.

That was an extremely selfish wish.

On a topic that requires atonement, I shouldn’t have dared to hope for such a thing.

‘What should I do next… .’

Although she was found not guilty, Sylvia became more frustrated.

I thought it would be easier to receive severe punishment and overwork my body.

Meanwhile, trials proceeded one after another.

“… This court sentences defendant Aria to life imprisonment without parole. Due to his blasphemous actions of using the name of God, he will be confined in solitary confinement in a place of exile prepared by the Seonghwa Church.”

“… This court sentences defendant Kylie to death.”

“… This court sentences defendant Beatrice to death.”

I’m waiting for Penny’s turn next.

“Kkeuh, keuhhi… .”

A bizarre laugh erupted from the defendant’s seat.

It sounded like iron rubbing against each other.

“Keuhihihihi! Ah, ah! Ahahahaha-!”

Beatrice threw her head back and laughed like crazy.

Eventually, she tried to get up, but fell down, unable to properly hold on to her crutches.

-thud!

Even after falling to the floor, she didn’t even moan and just smiled.

“Ahaha! Hahaha haha-!”

Everyone fell silent at the creepy behavior.

“Death penalty! They say the death penalty! Ah, ah haha! Heehee, heeheehee!”

“Shut up.”

Kylie stepped on her shoulder and crushed her.

“Stay still… .”

Sylvia tried to step forward, but Kylie was faster.

After subduing Beatrice, Kylie’s consciousness kept heading to where Ian was.

“Quek, kihihi… . Hehehehe… .”

Beatrice, who was laughing horribly, soon covered her mouth and sobbed.

Most of the audience was shuddering at the strange sight that Beatrice had just shown.

– Perfect! Perfect!

“Be quiet.”

The judge struck the gavel.

The commotion subsided, but Kylie did not come down from above Beatrice, who had trampled on her.

“The trial will continue.”

The Supreme Court Justice left them alone and spoke.

“The court acknowledged that the defendants have devoted themselves generously to the empire and humanity as warriors, heroes, and symbols of order. We also recognize that although two of the defendants suffered serious and irreversible physical harm, the defendants’ force is still too strong to replace.”

That was only partially true.

Kylie and Beatrice will still be strong.

However, the expression ‘irreplaceable’ is wrong as before.

“Humanity is preparing for war against demons. So the defendant.”

The Chief Justice looked at Kylie, Aria, and Beatrice.

“The court is willing to propose some kind of judicial deal.”

“Judicial transactions… ?”

“Yes. Instead of being exempted from punishment, you will be ordered by the imperial family to solve dungeons and go to the front lines to fight. Of course, the profits generated at this time are distributed according to the same ratio as the statutory prison sentence.”

It was essentially similar to a prison sentence.

Even if they did not accept this judicial deal, they would be imprisoned and sent to various dangerous areas to be run around.

However, unlike a prison sentence, this judicial bargain guarantees limited freedom.

This transaction also demonstrated the empire’s magnanimity and capabilities.

Ian realized that the court, or more precisely the emperor, needed their ‘symbolism’ rather than their force.

A hero representing the empire.

They make mistakes, and in order to atone for them, they blindly dedicate themselves to the empire.

That kind of picture is needed.

It was also the only safe solution.

Will they really stay still just because we lock them up?

Aside from Beatrice, who has difficulty moving around.

Even if one of her arms was cut off, Kylie is still Kylie.

Even Aria, unlike the other two, has an intact body.

So, the strategy is to appease them by giving them a bottle and giving them medicine.

“Defendant. What would you like to do?”

“… … .”

The three were silent.

It was not a difficult question to answer straight away.

Nevertheless, they were worried as they watched Ian’s thoughts.

“I will.”

The first to respond was Sylvia, who was found not guilty.

Everyone was surprised by the unexpected declaration.

“… Sylvia you are not amenable to judicial bargains.”

“I know. But.”

Sylvia unconsciously looked at Ian out of the corner of her eye, then quickly changed her gaze.

“I don’t think I have no sin. I can’t think of it that way. Because someone who shouldn’t do that has done something that shouldn’t be done. Just the symbol I hold is enough to be considered a sin. So, I would appreciate it if you thought of this as a service to the empire and public interest for my personal atonement.”

Sylvia spoke quite eloquently and coherently.

Ian was a little embarrassed when he heard that.

‘… ‘Have you learned any conversation skills lately?’

Calmly and logically present an argument that is understandable to the other party.

This was not the Sylvia that Ian knew.

That was the result of constantly thinking about how to apologize to Ian whenever I met him.

Rather than appealing to emotions, he objectively studied and thought repeatedly about what he had done wrong and how he would apologize.

Although I couldn’t tell him, I benefited from an unexpected situation.

“Hmm… .”

Unexpectedly, the court hesitated.

The judges from the imperial family and the Seonghwa Church exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

The Emperor looked at the Chief Justice as his representative and shook his head again.

“… The court decided to accept Sylvia’s proposal. Therefore, the group active in this judicial transaction will be represented by Sylvia.”

Sylvia sighed softly.

It may be a little, but I can atone with this.

“… Tsk. I will accept it.”

Kylie answered second.

“Yes… . Ha, I will… .”

Aria agreed for the third time.

“… … .”

Beatrice was silent for quite a while.

Sylvia warned, looking at her.

“You are free to accept it or not, but if you arbitrarily cause harm to those around you, I will not remain silent.”

Beatrice glanced at Ian, and their eyes happened to meet.

Ian didn’t smile or be as gentle as he used to.

His eyes were indifferent, as if he were looking at an inorganic object.

Beatrice could not read any emotion from that gaze.

They had obviously defended themselves earlier, but I wondered why they were so cold.

“Ha… .”

Beatrice sighed deeply.

The first feeling of guilt that had arisen due to Ian’s defense rose up in my head.

“… I will do it.”

Beatrice also accepted.

Ian eventually confirmed that everything went according to the emperor’s wishes.

However, there was one question.

‘It’s the same with Kylie, but Beatrice is even more problematic… . How do they plan to use their power properly?’

The question didn’t last long.

He is the emperor, so he must have a plan.

You’ll figure it out.

Judicial bargain following First Party declaration of guilt.

Unlike the jurors and important figures who envisioned the future according to their own opinions, it was difficult for ordinary citizens to guess what the next empire would become.

– Perfect! Perfect!

“Be quiet. The trial is not over yet.”

The Supreme Court Justice silenced the commotion.

It was as he said.

“Next, Penny.”

It was her turn that no one paid attention to.

“Yes… .”

Even she had completely forgotten her existence.

It seemed like he had no role to play in the process of the great first party being brought to court and receiving justice.

It also had no sense of reality.

The words I heard from Ian still shake the very foundation of my existence.

‘I am not your god.’

Those words pierced reality and at the same time pushed Penny back into delusion.

He said he wasn’t God, but like an omnipotent God, didn’t he see right through Penny’s belief that he was God?

“The defendant actively led and promoted a banquet in Badenberg, contracted for a promotional transaction of alcoholic beverages whose hygiene and quality were not verified, and offered them to the members of the first warrior party. During this process, the military police confirmed that there were illegal profits passed between the mayor, the contractor, and the defendant, the contractor, in addition to the contractually specified amount.”

“… … .”

Until just now, everything that was said in this courtroom sounded like stories from another world.

But, not anymore.

You are in the center.

It was an unwanted picture.

“In addition, the defendant took office as the manager of the first warrior party leading the empire, but has consistently behaved in a dereliction of duty, such as pursuing personal interests outside of his duties as manager and neglecting the warriors who are the subject of management. This cannot be said to be a legal offense, but it is enough to be seen as a disregard for the important responsibility of being the manager of the first warrior party.”

“The military police also found evidence that the defendant had been a wandering warrior in the past, killing other warriors and stealing their valuables and money, and participating in several criminal organizations. In addition, we obtained circumstantial evidence that he illegally collected information on former manager Ian in order to oust him, and created discord among members of the first warrior party.”

“The crime is serious, and as a result of the constant anti-social crimes committed from the past to the present, it is judged that there is no room for improvement.”

“The defendant is sentenced to death.”

– Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!

“Appeal within 2 weeks… .”

The noise around her faded away from Penny’s ears.

‘execution… ?’

It felt like a lie.

This whole situation felt like a play to make fun of myself.

I had no idea that my completely hidden past would be revealed so easily.

‘My, my past, how… .’

She was underestimating the capabilities of the military police.

The military police, which have a lot of work to do, have no choice but to set priorities and move on.

Among them, cunning criminals like Penny are not treated with much importance.

However, once you start robbing, there is nothing that the military police cannot find out.

It doesn’t mean you can’t catch it, it just means you won’t catch it.

‘execution? Me, me? Oh, maybe me too… .’

It may be a ploy to suggest a judicial deal like Beatrice.

I looked at the court with such expectations, but they seemed to be slowly settling the trial.

“Ah… ?”

A weak moan came out of Penny’s mouth.

Unlike Beatrice, she had no power or anything to make a deal with.

Death sentence.

Whether Penny was touched by those words or not, people didn’t care about her.

For that to happen, the weight of Philip here was too heavy.

“This concludes the trial.”

– Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!

The trial has ended.

Everyone moved with a purpose.

The four members of the first warrior party followed the guard’s guidance and moved to hear more details about the judicial transaction.

People rushed towards the unknown Philip and his new warriors.

“Philip! Why haven’t you come forward to my face all this time?”

“Why did you reveal your identity publicly here?! What kind of change did you have in your mind?”

“What is the composition and outlook of the new warrior party? Can you surpass the first hero party?!”

“They say there is some kind of scandal with Sylvia from the first hero party, is it true?!”

Ian looked at the crowd of people and shook his head in annoyance.

‘I knew it would be like this… .’

It’s worse than expected.

It was the same for Ian’s group.

Surrounded by all kinds of people, they couldn’t move.

Thanks to Kati, no one crossed the certain distance.

“Philip’s new warriors. Hmm. Nice to meet you, I… .”

“Philip, aren’t you looking for other personnel? This time from our top… .”

“Wow, nice to meet you. Are you the Vivian who caught the king slime?”

“Ah, that Helena who took first place in the public exam!”

“… Lucia? Isn’t this Lucia di Fiorene? Fiorene family?”

People lined up to try their best to say a word and get acquainted with each other.

Vivian and Helena were continuously renewing their awareness of how great Philip’s, or rather Ian’s, reputation was.

It was the same with Lucia.

“Dae, that’s amazing… .”

Even though I vaguely knew Mercy, seeing it in person felt different.

Kati surrounded the group like a bodyguard and maintained a certain distance with a subtle killing intent.

Although I was nervous, I felt proud inside.

So many people recognize the value of their master.

It couldn’t have been better.

Penny just watched the commotion as she was dragged away by the military police.

It felt like I already had no one in this world.

I didn’t feel any sadness or resentment.

It didn’t feel real.

Only Ian’s voice, saying that he was not God, rang in my ears like an auditory hallucination.

*

Ian barely made it through the crowd and sent the group back to the waiting room.

Even after returning, there was no shortage of customers.

The mayor of a city.

The lord of a land.

A representative of an organization.

The royal family of a country.

Every person who could claim, ‘This is who I am’ came to Ian’s waiting room at least once.

Even Katy and Mercy, who were not heroes, received attention, not to mention the attention Vivian, Helena, and Lucia received.

Vivian and Helena simply smiled awkwardly in response to the burdensome compliment.

“Yes, yes… . Thank you… .”

“Woman, I will work hard… !”

Among them, there were people who suggested something, but Lucia handled it on her own.

“Thank you for your words, but it is not appropriate to share it without Ian.”

This was also what Ian requested.

If someone tries to give you something or offers something, flatly refuse.

Meanwhile, they are swept up in their newfound fame.

Ian went to see the emperor.

At that time, the emperor had just finished a meeting regarding the operation of the first party, and the crown prince was also present.

“Meet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“That’s it. What is the formality in a situation like this?”

Ian sat comfortably in the seat across from him.

Since it was not an imperial palace, the emperor did not want to be formal.

“More than that, I never thought my identity would be revealed in such a flashy manner.”

“I never thought it would be revealed this way. But wasn’t it a situation that only I could explain?”

“That’s right. I believe you will handle it well. There will be a lot to deal with in the imperial family, but we’ll have to deal with it. By the way, you didn’t necessarily come to report it to me or get confirmation.”

They were people who had no need to look for each other unless they had business to do so.

Ian calmly nodded.

And he looked at the emperor as calmly as he could and said.

“Give me one piece of land.”

One corner of the emperor and prince’s mouths twitched awkwardly.

This was not calm, it was shameless.