Public Trial (1)
"Before we begin the interrogation, allow me to quickly review a few facts that need confirmation. Did the criminal know in advance that the perpetrator behind this string of noble assaults was a demon?"
"Yes."
Eunhyeon's curt reply to the moderator's question sent a ripple of unrest through the assembled nobles.
"Then, do you admit to taking no prior action to prevent further victims and simply allowing the demon perpetrator to roam free?"
"I admit it."
"How can he be so brazen!"
One noble shot to his feet, furious at Eunhyeon's calm nod of affirmation, his demeanor utterly serene and unflappable as he screamed at the defendant.
"We must execute him!"
"Indeed! To let nobles who harm the kingdom's nobility run loose—it's unforgivable!"
Others joined the first, their voices rising in condemnation of Eunhyeon.
The hall plunged into chaos, nobles glaring at him like a pest and unleashing a barrage of abuse.
"Wh-what do we do, Lady Illyana? If this goes on, Hyeon..."
"Hm..."
Erin's face drained of color as she watched Eunhyeon at the epicenter of the nobles' fury, urgently calling out to Illyana. But Illyana merely gazed at his back on the platform, her expression subtly intrigued.
"What on earth is he thinking...?"
"Pardon?"
"It's just so different from his usual approach."
"Different?"
"Normally, he wouldn't expose himself like this in front of so many people."
Eunhyeon had always operated that way.
He worked from the shadows, weaving schemes like a spider spinning its web—linking people and events so they resolved themselves without revealing his hand. Both Illyana and Riod had met him that way, grown under his guidance, and knew his capabilities intimately.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have let himself end up in a trial like this.
If he'd wanted to, he could've eliminated that demon without a trace, no tails left behind, Illyana thought.
Which meant standing here in this public trial was part of his plan all along.
"It's good that he's finally decided to step into the light."
No one knew his identity, his deeds, his achievements. No thanks, no rewards, nothing came his way.
If he showcased his abilities now, letting people recognize his worth, express gratitude, or look upon him with respect—it would make her happy too.
Her man, finally receiving the recognition he deserved in the world.
He held such a massive place in her heart. That was why she, who despised going out, had come to this trial hall—for him.
"But why like this?"
She knew his goal but glanced at Erin.
"Not because of her, it seems."
"Huh?"
Erin blinked in surprise at the sudden mention, but Illyana ignored her question and turned back to Eunhyeon.
What are you planning? Exactly?
"Silence!"
Queen Regent Dianne's sharp command from the highest seat cut through the din like a knife, hushing the furious cries for Eunhyeon's execution.
As order swiftly returned, the moderator turned back to Eunhyeon.
"Do you admit to the crime of not only endangering the nobility but damaging the kingdom's honor through your actions?"
Eunhyeon let out a scoff at the question.
"I do not."
"Wh-what?"
"Insolent whelp!"
"Behead him right now!"
His bombshell declaration reignited the chaos.
"Quiet! Quiet, I say!"
The exasperated moderator glared murderously at Eunhyeon, spittle flying as he desperately tried to calm the bloodthirsty nobles.
"Criminal! What do you mean by that? You admitted all your crimes, and now you take it back?!"
Eunhyeon glanced around the hall.
Tiered seats lined both sides, the defendant's stand at center, the moderator's podium opposite, and above it, the solitary royal throne.
How is this even a courtroom?
A trial meant scrutinizing facts and judging right from wrong.
This place was set up for summary execution, the guilt already decided.
No defense attorney, no prosecutor, no judge—just a farce.
That was Earth's judicial system, built for fair judgment.
Here, no such process existed. Eunhyeon was already branded 'guilty.'
This wasn't a trial; it was an execution platform in disguise.
His only advocate was himself. So he spoke.
"Then let me ask: I knew the assault perpetrator was a demon beforehand. But why is that a crime?"
"The criminal knew about the demon yet failed to report it to the kingdom! Isn't that essentially abetting the demon's rampage through the capital?!"
"What nonsense. The kingdom's nobles already had some inkling the culprit was a demon."
"Absurd! The kingdom had no such clues—"
"At the recent court assembly."
Eunhyeon cut him off.
"Don't you remember Marquis Olivion mentioning a demon as the serial assault culprit?"
"...!"
The moderator's face hardened like stone, nobles murmuring in shock.
"What? The kingdom already knew?"
"What's this mean?"
The buzz came mostly from lower barons and viscounts; higher nobles who'd attended and heard Riod's report stared grimly at Eunhyeon.
How does a non-noble who wasn't even there know this? they all wondered.
The moderator masked his panic, feigning ignorance.
"Nonsense! The court assembly never—"
"It was definitely reported."
"Indeed."
"I remember it too."
"Even Duke Armitas and Marquis Boris!"
Riod, Abros, and Bernard backed Eunhyeon, who'd led the report.
As more nobles supported him, the hall's confusion intensified.
"H-how can you side with him?!"
A duke and two marquises—one military minister with command over all forces, Riod leading the mighty Artia Knights rivaling the royal Cracir, and Boris overseeing national finances. Top-tier heavyweights, fingers in the kingdom's pie.
Their endorsement was a storm brewing.
"Strange. As a court assembly attendee, you're in a high position, aren't you, Moderator?"
"..."
"Did you miss that meeting? Or is your memory failing?"
"Urk!"
That little shit dares...!
Count Orba, the moderator, veins bulging on his forehead as the youthful Eunhyeon mocked him openly. Meeting his glare head-on with a smirk only fueled Orba's rage.
How dare he humiliate me before all these nobles and the queen regent? I won't let this slide!
Gritting his teeth, Orba spoke again.
"That doesn't lessen the criminal's guilt! He knew and let it slide—isn't that fact undeniable?!"
"Ha! Ridiculous!"
"What did you say?!"
A woman's scornful laugh drew Orba's furious gaze.
"Y-you!"
Recognizing Illyana, he faltered in confusion.
"Hey."
"Wh-what?!"
"Don't you know why he was arrested?"
"..."
Orba couldn't retort to her insulting tone. Her magical talent, power, and fame brought the kingdom immense benefits.
"A-Ashton Armitas, the sub-duke, was attacked by the demon... he was there."
"Right. He encountered the demon and saved that Ashton guy. And after all that, what? He abetted the demon? What's in that empty head of yours to reach that conclusion?"
"Wh-when imprisoned, this criminal proposed a deal to the kingdom! How dare a mere commoner bargain with the kingdom?!"
Orba knew the broad strokes from Walter, Cracir captain who'd arrested him.
"Moreover, despite pinpointing demon clues with him, Artia's captain failed to catch the culprit! How could an entire knight order fail where a commoner's little girl succeeded?!"
"Watch your words."
Eunhyeon, silent till now, spoke up.
He raised his cuffed hand, flicking his index finger and thumb.
A crisp snap echoed, warping the surroundings like ink in water.
The courtroom backdrop shifted; panicked nobles cried out.
It became a dense grassy thicket, unrelated to the trial.
Urd's replication power—bringing past events into the present—had activated.
Three figures appeared centrally: Erin and Alex facing off against a bat-winged demon, weapons drawn.
Those familiar with Eunhyeon's ability sighed inwardly—Again?—but first-timers reeled in chaos.
His 'past recreation' ignored their turmoil.
The recreation ended, the scene reverting to the courtroom.
Short as it was, Lira the succubus and Erin's exchange revealed much.
All stared in shock, speechless, minds racing to process.
In the heavy silence, Eunhyeon broke it first.
"That demon chose this country on purpose. It knew you'd desperately cover up rumors of a demon in the capital and put on a sham 'Everything's fine' act."
"..."
"A nation blind to demons out of ignorance—or fear of losing face and honor—plugging ears and eyes, insisting all's well."
"Wh-what nonsense! Don't try your vile tricks to deceive the nobles! You must've fallen for the demon's cunning!"
"Ha, me?"
Eunhyeon scoffed incredulously.
"Do I really need to spell it out?"
"What...?"
"The demons saw you as fools with complacent thoughts—and played you for it."
His explosive words flipped the courtroom's atmosphere on its head.