Tsukasa Wagatsuma, judge of the Chiyodaku Kingdom Courthouse, had begun the declaration of her verdict. Standing between the two scorched tapestries of the sun, she reviewed the prosecution’s indictment.
After hearing her begin, the prosecutor, the counsel, and a few members of the gallery muttered to themselves and others.
When issuing a verdict, it was more common to start with the declaration of the formal judgment. However, it was typical to begin with the reading of the grounds in the case of a death sentence. Then again, it was in no way a rule of the law, merely something at the judge’s discretion. It was possible to save the formal decision for later and start from the grounds. For example, a judge might do so thinking that the accused would stop listening if the decision was stated first.
Everything remained up in the air. Laman could still get a death sentence, penal servitude, suspension of execution of judgment, or even declared not guilty…
“According to the relevant evidence, the prosecution has stated there is sufficient proof that the accused killed the three victims, and that even if not recognized as homicide, that the charges of negligent manslaughter and destruction of a corpse still stand.”
Tsukasa summarized the closing argument and sentencing recommendation.
“In response to this, the counsel stated that there is insufficient evidence to prove any of the charges.”
Then she summarized the counsel’s closing argument.
“There is the question of which of the three points in dispute may apply to the accused.”
The Scales of Judgment creaked above our heads. Its pans began to change in response to Tsukasa’s recap.
I looked up from the clerk’s seat to watch the two pans line up front to back. The side of the accused held a small image of the Hero and one of two small Shards of Judgment.
On the judge’s side were the likenesses of Tsukasa and myself.
Three charges floated beneath the scales.
Murder
Professional Negligence Resulting in Death
Destruction of a Corpse
“The court conducted a thorough investigation to ensure the trial reflected the truth. I would like to clarify and properly evaluate this case in a way that all of the kingdom’s citizens may understand it, while restating the objective facts that we have found. First, there were three blasts of flames observed at the scene of the incident, as shown in the following photographs…”
I opened the Judgment Spell’s photo window and expanded the photo evidence submitted by the prosecution so the pictures were lined up beneath the scales.
“Chronologically, we have the red-black explosion, then the yellow gust of flames, and last, the white pillar of fire.”
All in the courtroom, including the accused, stared at the three photos. It was as though Tsukasa had used a spell to captivate them all with her words.
Shiro stood behind the gallery with a camera, capturing it all and broadcasting everything to the rest of Chiyodaku.
“If we compare the photos of the accused’s Holy Flame ability and photos of regular burning waste…”
Following her words, I brought up the photo of burning trash I’d taken and a still from a video of Laman using his fire magic in the courtroom that Shiro captured.
“…Then judging from the color of the flames, the first explosion was a low-temperature combustion. The second was a high-temperature one mixed with a Holy Flame Spell. And the third was a pure Holy Flame.”
I thought back to something I’d learned in school.
Low-temperature flames were redder, and incomplete combustions gave off black smoke. On the other hand, high-temperature fires were closer to yellow or white in color.
“Furthermore, from the testimony that the victims’ skin color was bright red, we can conclude that the cause of death was from carbon monoxide poisoning from the gases given off by the low-temperature flames.
“The first fire was an accidental explosion caused by Keith and Neidhardt when they lost control of the burning waste.
“The second was an attempt by the accused to extinguish the first using his Holy Flame.
“As the scene of the incident is a crater in the meadow, by the time the fire was extinguished, the three victims were already deceased from to carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The third flames destroyed the three victims’ bodies.
“As such…” Tsukasa paused, and all the courtroom was silent. “…the accused did not intend to kill the victims, thus the charge of murder is invalid!”
Responding to her words, the line Murder below the Scales shattered and dissolved. The people of the courtroom showed no signs of doubt. Only the accused looked dumbfounded as he whispered “But…it was all…my fault…”
“Next, let us review the validity of the charge of professional negligence resulting in death. First, I will explain the crime of negligence.”
Tsukasa moved to the next point under debate.
“In general, punishment for crimes applies to those carried out with intention. According to the Penal Code, an intentional crime is defined as one committed when a party knows that the action is a crime but commits it anyway. By contrast, a crime of negligence is one committed without intent, however, the state considers it a punishable crime for cases in which there are victims due to the negligent action. There are two requirements for someone to be tried as a negligent offender. The accused must have been able to foresee the resulting damage and must have failed to avoid the consequences of such negligence when they had a duty to do so.”
Two orbs appeared next to the line of text reading Professional Negligence Resulting in Death under the Scales.
“However, the accidental fire that occurred in this case was caused by Keith and Neidhardt igniting trash without the accused’s knowledge. There was no way for the accused to foresee this. Naturally, we can confirm that the accused had no duty to avoid the consequences of the action. Accordingly, the charge of professional negligence resulting in death is invalid!”
Tsukasa’s declaration caused the two orbs and the title of the crime to dissolve away. Now only one crime remained.
“Lastly, we have the question of the validity of the charge of destruction of a corpse. We can see that the accused’s action, burning the three corpses of the victims who died in the accidental fire with his Holy Flame, was intentional.”
Ileana put her hands together on top of her desk as though in prayer. The court record window revealed what the half-elf was whispering. “Please, let me have one win to preserve my dignity as a prosecutor!”
“Regarding this point, the accused has stated before the court the following. ‘I ruled the villages through intimidation and burned my old comrades to death, to naught but ash. I killed them. I killed my comrades, and my wife, whom I swore to protect at all costs.’”
Tsukasa had perfectly memorized Laman’s earlier remarks.
“As has already been made clear by the witness’s testimony, the idea that the accused terrorized the villages of the Meadow of Beginnings was a false rumor that the accused requested Neidhardt to spread. The statement that the accused killed the three victims with his Holy Flame is also a lie.”
Laman’s counsel, Tamamo Keisei, listened intently. “Come on, come on, show me that perfect victory!” she muttered, wagging her tails restlessly.
“However. From these statements, it is true that the accused did have a measure of substantial authority over the Meadow of Beginnings, and…”
This was it.
This was what Tsukasa and I had talked over last night.
A way we could save the Hero.
“…recognizing that he was overcome with deep sadness and remorse from the loss of his friends and wife and failing to protect them…”
A way to throw away all talk of punishment.
“…knowing that there is a risk of a corpse becoming undead if left without proper disposal…”
A way to argue the legality of the Hero’s final act.
“…the court rules that the third flames cast by the accused was a justifiable act of cremation to prevent the corpses from becoming undead to protect the land that he rules and its citizens.”
We can argue that the Hero performed a funeral rite.
I’d raised this idea to Tsukasa earlier. Shiro had told me about the risk of the dead cockatrices rising as undead, and I’d realized it was common sense in this world to dispose of corpses as quickly as possible.
Apparently, it was common practice to destroy corpses on the spot during the war against the Demon King’s monsters.
“A need for corpse disposal only possible in another world… I’d never considered that. Still, I’ll need to wait and make the final call after hearing the closing arguments,” Tsukasa had said.
“Accordingly, the court does not recognize the illegality of the third fire created by the accused, and the charge of destruction of a corpse is invalidated.”
Tsukasa had judged that the Hero was not guilty of any charges. The sole line of text remaining under the Scales of Judgment disappeared without a trace.
“Since there is no evidence of any crime, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, Article Three Hundred and Thirty-Six, I pronounce the verdict to be…”
“…not guilty!”