It’s nice to meet you, dear readers. I’m Fukurou Kogyoku, winner of the sixteenth MF Bunko J Light Novel Newcomer Award.
I hope you enjoyed reading this story about court trials in the world of the Chiyodaku Kingdom.
Since this is the first volume, I’d like to explain how this story was conceived.
Have you ever been to the Supreme Court? That big, imposing building?
The Supreme Court has been granted the greatest authority as the last bastion of justice…kind of like an ultimate weapon.
I saw some data that said Japanese courts are highly trusted by the Japanese populace.
Believing that myself, I started studying and got involved in judicial practices.
After a few years of that, I suddenly got an idea while watching a trial.
Could we say the same things if this was a fantasy world?
Many twists and turns later, that idea blossomed into the Chiyodaku Kingdom and its princess.
It’s a lovely little place that, despite copying Japanese culture, or perhaps because of it, has many strange problems.
The Chiyodaku Kingdom’s courthouse will continue to face some difficulties. Our characters may start to question what they trust—and what’s right.
But to push ever onward for the sake of what you believe in is a beautiful thing.
Even if your faith is mistaken sometimes, that act of belief itself shows the brilliance of the human spirit.
Will the strength of Japanese judgment be able to stand above the God of another world?
I hope you’ll keep cheering on the siblings until they find out!
Time for some acknowledgments.
First, I’d like to thank the five people who worked on the selection committee, as well as all those in the editorial department. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Because of your comments, which I read over and over, I was able to take on the daunting task of revising the story. I…l-love you! (blush)
To the illustrator, jonsun, you made everyone look so cute and cool! Thank you so much for bringing this quirky world to life in a way that shines with originality.
I’d also like to express my gratitude to my friends who always shared their thoughts and opinions with me, my creative colleagues, and my coworker “A.” Plus, the designers, proofreaders, printers, booksellers, and my superiors at work who helped me. And all the interesting people and creative works that inspired me… There are too many to name. I’m glad to have been born in modern Japan.
Lastly, I want to thank “K,” who oversaw this work. You always surprised me with your extremely apt callouts. You’re a god of creative writing who always stopped me and my characters from getting carried away. I can’t thank you enough.
In the next volume, I plan to deal with the issues faced by long-lived species in a way that befits a fantasy world.
I’ll keep doing my best, so thank you for reading!
Fukurou Kogyoku
Twitter: @kogyokufukurou