Chapter 620: Gaining the Upper Hand
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 620: Gaining the Upper Hand
"I never imagined that for this so-called Tripartite Trial, His Majesty, the Sword Bearer, and a high-ranking official from the Life Church would all personally attend to oversee the proceedings."
Thraswell exhaled a long, heavy breath. With such powerful figures staring him down, even he felt an immense amount of pressure.
This was entirely unexpected, but... it didn't change anything.
He firmly believed that true justice would not be swayed by anything, even if the Pope himself were present.
Thraswell rapped his gavel and announced with a solemn expression:
"Since everyone is here, let the trial begin. First—"
"Wait a moment, Your Honor."
"Hmm? Defendant, what is it?"
Thraswell, who hadn't even had the chance to take the next step, frowned as he looked at Muen, who clearly seemed off.
"I..."
Muen, whose face had suddenly turned quite pale, forced a smile while constantly wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
He spoke, and under the unwavering gaze of those three pairs of eyes, the words "I plead guilty" almost slipped out of his mouth.
Fortunately, he held it back.
Pleading guilty would be a true death sentence; it wasn't time for despair just yet.
That’s right, no need to be too pessimistic. They came in person, so it must be simply to save me.
They heard I was in prison, got worried, and came to personally oversee the trial, perhaps even to step in at a critical moment to rescue me... Yes, their hearts must be filled with such loving and tender thoughts.
As for any other ideas... No, definitely not!
Haha, absolutely not!
How could beautiful girls have any terrifying ulterior motives?
Beautiful girls just want to cuddle!
"Your Honor, I wish to request a defense attorney!"
Muen’s expression turned serious as he temporarily cast aside those ominous thoughts. Suppressing his premonition of death, he focused all his attention on handling the current trial.
To be safe, he had to take this seriously.
At the very least, he needed to find someone reliable to step between those three gazes and help him share the pressure.
"A defense attorney?"
Thraswell said displeasedly, "You didn't mention needing a defense attorney before we started. Now that the trial has already begun, isn't it a bit late to bring this up?"
"I—"
"What’s the harm, Chief Judge Thraswell?"
Celicia rested her cheek on her hand, speaking with feigned nonchalance. "It is only natural for a defendant to seek counsel. Besides, there are no rules stating one cannot be requested during the trial. Nothing has been finalized yet, has it?"
"This..."
Thraswell frowned, annoyed by Celicia’s interference in his trial process, yet he couldn't find the words to refute her.
Because, as Celicia said, there was no such rule in the trial regulations.
"Very well. The defendant is permitted to find a defense attorney. However, to avoid delaying the proceedings, it must be done quickly—"
"No need for such trouble," Celicia interrupted. "I have already prepared an attorney for him."
"Oh? Really?"
Muen’s eyes widened with joy. In an instant, he felt that tsundere was truly the cutest trait in the world.
Indeed! Regardless of what the other two are thinking, Celicia is definitely here to save me!
Celicia, I really am just so—
Ah, wait, the gazes from the other two sides are getting colder. Better stay composed.
"No need to thank me; it was just a small favor."
Celicia flashed a heart-stirring smile and then clapped her hands.
The doors of the Tribunal swung open. Her carefully selected, highly reliable defense attorney entered amidst a flood of light and the squelch-squelch of uniquely elegant footsteps.
A monocle hanging from a gold chain symbolized profound knowledge; a formal suit that looked ready to burst highlighted a distinguished temperament; and the pink, curly hair slicked back into a pompadour represented his absolute confidence and determination to win.
He walked up to Muen and extended a hand—no, a bear paw—to the young man, who was already speechless with "surprise."
"Hello. I am your defense attorney. You may call me... Mr. Pink."
"..."
"Ahem, I know you are deeply moved by my assistance, but bursting into tears in the Tribunal is a bit..."
"Like hell you are!"
Muen grabbed the Pink Bear’s costume and roared, "Why is the attorney you, you bastard?!"
"How rude."
The Pink Bear calmly brushed Muen’s hand away and gave a wicked smile. "I have a legitimate license. I’ve helped countless fallen... I mean, impoverished citizens. Trust me, I’m a professional!"
"..."
Is it too late to kill him and find a new attorney? Muen’s eyes twitched.
"Defendant, take note! No insolence is permitted here!"
Seeing the Pink Bear enter, Thraswell’s eyelid twitched as well. He said with a stiff face, "Since your attorney has arrived, let us not waste any more time. Begin the trial. Count Bugard."
"Present."
"State your accusations."
"Understood."
Count Bugard smiled slightly.
He glanced around out of the corner of his eye. Although some details were different from what he had envisioned, things were generally under his control.
Hah, Your Majesty, oh Your Majesty. Do you think bringing out that old fossil Oranriel will make my plans fall apart? Are you underestimating me, or overestimating this ridiculous dead bear Oranriel?
"Regarding my accusation that Muen Campbell has colluded with an Evil God, the first thing I wish to present is this piece of evidence."
Count Bugard signaled for the evidence to be delivered to Thraswell and the others present.
"I believe everyone has already seen this before we began. Yes, it is that photograph. The eerie black flames in the photo... I have searched through ancient texts and could not find any similar magic or ability. It clearly originates from an Evil God. And the person in the photo is even more obviously... Muen Campbell!"
"..."
Muen looked down at the photo in his hand.
He finally understood why Bugard had been able to cause such a stir.
Although the lighting was dim and the face wasn't clear, Muen could tell at a glance that it was indeed the scene of his battle with the little girl.
In other words, Count Bugard wasn't just making wild guesses; he had solid evidence in his hands. But the problem was...
How did he get this? There were no bystanders when he fought that girl.
Looking at this strange angle, could it be that there were some remnants of a magical beast he hadn't noticed at the time that managed to escape?
"Regarding this photograph, does the defendant have anything to say?" Thraswell asked tonelessly, having clearly seen the photo long ago.
"Slander! Pure slander!"
Before Muen could say anything, the Pink Bear was already slamming the table and shouting. "You dare use this kind of thing as evidence?"
"This is clear as day. Why can it not be used as evidence?" Count Bugard’s expression turned cold, and he laughed in frustration. "Raising your voice won't win you a trial, Duke Oranriel!"
"Hmph. Then let me ask you, when was the content of this photo taken?"
"Ten days ago, the night of the Belland Incident!" Count Bugard had expected this question and answered almost instantly.
"See? I told you you were talking nonsense!"
The Pink Bear sneered. "It is common knowledge that Muen Campbell was sent to the Northern Territory recently to assist with disaster relief. He wasn't even in Belland!"
"He snuck back early!"
"Where’s the proof? Where’s the proof? You say he snuck back, but where is the evidence for that?"
The Pink Bear wiggled his rear and actually ran right up to Count Bugard to make a face at him.
"You say Muen Campbell came back early, but do you have proof? On the contrary, there is endless evidence of him being in the Northern Territory. He was there directing relief efforts, throwing money around, and earning the love and welcome of the local people. You can find that out with a simple inquiry."
"Hah. Directing relief and spending money doesn't require him to be there in person. It only requires his name."
"But you can't prove that wasn't Muen Campbell!"
The Pink Bear’s nostrils were practically pressed against Count Bugard’s face as he said arrogantly, "What can you prove with a single crappy photo where you can't even see the face?"
"Is that so?"
Count Bugard calmly wiped the spit from his face. "How do you know I don't have a clearer photograph?"
"Eh? You do?" The Pink Bear blinked.
"Since I am standing here, I naturally have further proof."
"Oh."
The Pink Bear scurried back over the railing to Muen’s side and even politely gestured toward Count Bugard.
"My deepest apologies. I may have overstepped just now. In that case, after you..."
"..."
This damn bear.
At this moment, Muen covered his face. He was so overwhelmed by shame that he almost wanted to kill his own defense attorney first.
"In any case, here is the new photograph."
Count Bugard submitted new evidence once again.
The moment he handed it over, he glanced out of the corner of his eye, trying to see some reaction on Celicia’s face.
But she remained calm, seemingly unaware that he was slowly but surely solidifying Muen Campbell’s guilt.
It seemed he hadn't applied enough pressure yet.
"This photo..."
Everyone turned their attention to the photograph once more.
This one was very similar to the previous one—still a dim environment and blurred movement—but it was significantly clearer. Consequently, one could see the handsome man surrounded by black flames... It was undoubtedly Muen.
Whether it was the short golden hair or that handsome face, his features were highly recognizable. It was hard to mistake him for anyone else.
Only his slightly distorted expression made his temperament entirely different from his current self, appearing much more ferocious.
Thraswell nodded slightly, feeling that based on this photo alone, the accusation of colluding with an Evil God had gained considerable credibility.
"I say..."
The Pink Bear, who had also seen the photo, leaned in toward Muen and whispered, "You stayed hidden for so long, how did you manage to slip up at a time like this?"
"What choice did I have?" Muen replied honestly. "It was the final battle. If I didn't show my face, how was I supposed to play the hero and save the beauty? You can't expect me to use someone else's face while giving Celicia a princess carry... wait, while being princess-carried by Celicia."
"...Fair point."
After a moment of silence, the Pink Bear slapped Muen hard on the shoulder. "I approve."
"..."
Muen rolled his eyes.
For some reason, being "approved" by the Pink Bear made him feel inexplicably annoyed.
"Now then, regarding this photograph, does the defendant... or his attorney, have anything else to say?" Thraswell asked.
"Yes! Of course!"
The Pink Bear immediately shot his hand up like an eager elementary student in class. "I have evidence too!"
"Let me say this in advance: if what you intend to submit is more evidence proving Muen Campbell wasn't in Belland, it is currently useless. Because this photo proves he used black flames, whether he was in Belland or not does not disprove his collusion with an Evil God," Thraswell warned sternly, having already sensed the Pink Bear’s unreliability.
"I know, I know. I’m not that stupid. What I’m providing is a different kind of evidence." The Pink Bear smiled smugly, looking as if he had everything under control.
Soon, the evidence was placed before Thraswell.
He frowned again, looking at the item. It didn't look like a photo, a document, or a file. It was... an art book?
With a hint of confusion and a strange sense of curiosity, he opened the tightly wrapped book, and then he saw...
Big chests.
Thin waists.
Long legs.
Black stockings.
White stockings.
Maid outfits.
And...
Flashes of fair skin.
Lots and lots of fair skin.
Thraswell’s vision went dark as a rush of blood surged to his head. He instinctively jerked his head back.
He thought he had misseen. How could anyone submit such filth in the sacred Tribunal?
He had held this position for decades and had never encountered anything like this!
He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
...It was still fair skin.
"You bastard! What kind of nonsense have you submitted to this solemn Tribunal?!" Thraswell slammed the "art book" shut and roared.
"That’s not nonsense! That is my precious personal photo collection!"
The Pink Bear crossed his arms and retorted righteously, "At the same time, this is exactly the evidence I wish to submit!"
"Evidence? How is this evidence?"
Thraswell was so angry his beard was shaking and his chest felt like it was about to explode. He couldn't fathom how a book of erotic pin-ups could have the slightest connection to the case at hand.
He pointed a finger at the Pink Bear and bellowed, "You bastard, how dare you mock—"
"Hah?"
Suddenly.
A violent wind swept forward, instantly drowning out Thraswell’s words.
By the time he regained his senses, a massive mace had slammed down beside him, shattering half the desk in front of him.
The Pink Bear had appeared before him at some unknown speed, one foot on the desk and one hand on his knee, looking down at him from above.
"I am seriously providing evidence, and you refuse to handle it with gravity."
The bright light from above cast a serious, fierce silhouette on the bear’s face.
"You brat... are you trying to defile the sanctity of this Tribunal?"