“I solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
It was ten in the morning. This was the fourth day since Tsukasa and I had arrived in the Chiyodaku Kingdom.
The time had come to resume Laman the Hero’s trial.
At the designated time, the accused was escorted back to the courtroom. The Scales of Judgment released Tsukasa, transformed back to its original form, and floated into the air.
The magical words of restraint that had marked the Laman like a tattoo disappeared from his body.
Elma showed up and took an oath of sworn testimony.
Then she told the court her story.
“…And that’s all I have to say. That’s the truth about the Hero, and what really happened during the incident. How was that, kid?”
“Elma… Thank you.”
Cameras captured her testimony and broadcast them across the kingdom.
The people in the gallery began to chatter.
“The Hero’s reign of terror was a lie?”
“So it was Neidhardt in disguise causing trouble at the tavern.”
“Well, he’s dead now.”
“The whole Demon King story feels so much more real now.”
“What about his confession?”
“Was it a lie?”
“I guess he’s innocent.”
“My grandpa told me that Laman’s not a bad person.”
“Just an old hero warped by grief.”
“I feel so bad for them all…”
The courtroom’s mood toward the accused began to shift.
“Don’t look at me like that! I don’t need your sympathy! Nor do my comrades!” the old hero shouted at the gallery.
We’d needed Law Gravity to prevent him from trying to obstruct Elma’s testimony. Now that she’d finished, the restraints disappeared again.
“Everything she says is total nonsense!”
With the witness stand now empty, Laman shouted to the courtroom, spitting flames from his mouth.
“What is your reason for saying that?” Judge Tsukasa asked.
“Her age doesn’t match up with the story. Going by her appearance, she must be a liar.”
“You really are a fool.”
The half-succubus standing in the center of the courtroom released a purple mist from the surface of her skin.
Then…
“How’s that, you old coot? It’s been a while since we looked the same age, hasn’t it?”
The vapor cleared to reveal a seventy-year-old woman.
“Elma… I never expected you’d show your true form, after growing so attached to your young body all this time.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind. What do you think happens when you hide your true self just to save face? You become ugly and twisted.”
“I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks! You know what I swore, Elma!”
“An ancient oath for an ancient era. There’s no need to keep it. Fiona wouldn’t—”
“Shut your mouth! You’ve sold your soul to Chiyodaku, you demon!”
“I haven’t sold anything. Last night, I felt an old hero in my memories die.” Old Granny Elma faced me. “I belong to a new hero now…my cute little Akuto.”
She blew me a kiss.
<<Akky, you didn’t tell me anything about this. Did you guys do it?>>
<<No, no way.>>
“Oh! Oh-hoh-hoh! How amusing! I cannot stand such delight!”
From the counsel’s seat, Tamamo Keisei jumped up and down on her chair.
“To think everything would play into my hands so easily! With this exchange, the veracity of Elma’s statements is clear! Surely all are convinced!”
Tamamo’s goal was to upset the course of the trial and defeat Ileana, and Elma and I had just been used to accomplish that.
Having finished her testimony, Granny Elma sighed. “I had no intention of entertainin’ foxes with my testimony. Oh well. I’ll be waitin’ in the gallery.”
“Damn you, Tamamo…!” Prosecutor Ileana squirmed angrily. “I’ve scoured all the records, but there is no physical evidence or otherwise to contradict the testimony… Even the accused’s infamous reputation was due to those lowlifes Keith and Neidhardt pretending to be him!”
I had to agree about the “lowlife” part.
Ileana whispered “I don’t want to lose!” to herself as she hurriedly flipped through her copy of the Six Codes. Then…
“…Miss Judge. I would like to propose the addition of alternative charges.”
“Proceed.”
“Penal Code, Article Two Hundred and Eleven, crime of causing death due to negligence! And Penal Code, Article One Hundred and Ninety, crime of destruction of a corpse!”
“Does the counsel have any rebuttal with regards to the alternative charges?” Judge Tsukasa asked.
Tamamo sniffed. “Her resistance is futile. I shall give my comments in full later.”
“Does the accused have any comment?”
“…I don’t give a damn,” Laman spat.
“The court has presented all information for the case. This concludes the examination of evidence.”
The atmosphere in the courtroom shifted. We were nearing a conclusion.
“Prosecutor, your closing argument and sentencing recommendation, please,” Judge Tsukasa said.
Ileana stood. “Right, my closing argument! I believe that the facts of this public prosecution have been sufficiently affirmed by the investigative materials and the confession from the accused! I recommend the accused be sentenced to death in accordance with the applicable laws! Even if the murder charge has not been proven, he is guilty of negligent manslaughter and illegal destruction of a corpse!”
“Counsel, your closing argument, please.”
“Allow me to offer my opinion. Regarding the facts of the public prosecution, none have been proven to have met the required objective structural elements of their offenses. The only relevant evidence of the crime is the accused’s own confession. The corroborating evidence is not enough for the prosecution to establish substantial proof. For the charge of negligent manslaughter, there is no confirmation that the incident was foreseeable, nor that there was a duty to avoid its consequences. For the charge of illegal destruction of a corpse, there is no proof of intent. I sincerely hope that the court will not apply any of the sentences the idiot elf has recommended.”
A hush fell over the courtroom.
“The accused will come forward. Your final statement, please.”
“…I killed them. I killed my comrades…and my wife…whom I swore to protect at all costs…”
“I will now hand down my judgment.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“I shall state the grounds beginning from the facts of the public prosecution for this case. The incident occurred on the third day of last month, at approximately eight o’clock in the evening, in a pit within the autonomous zone known as the Meadow of Beginnings. Laman the Hero is accused of the intentional murder of three individuals known as the members of the Hero’s party. Fiona, age sixty-eight. Keith, age sixty-nine. Neidhardt, age seventy-two.”