Chapter 87: The Kneeling Marquis

The trial date approached in the blink of an eye.

With so much evidence and so many witnesses, there was no need to drag out the investigation.

Moreover, Hugo Yates had admitted to everything.

With an arrogant expression, no less.

“Man, there’s really no one crazier than this guy.”

It was as if he was saying, “What are you going to do about it if I admit it?”

He must have that much faith in his status and his powerful backers.

Naturally, the investigation turned into a mess, and Marquis Yates grew increasingly triumphant.

In the midst of that, I received a visit from someone.

“It’s been a while, Duke Carius.”

“Pleasure to see you, Marquis Gilmore.”

I stood up from my seat and greeted him politely.

Marquis Gilmore was the chancellor, overseeing all the bureaucrats in the empire.

In terms of position, he was essentially one step above me.

If you judged by job title alone, that is.

“But what brings you here?”

I asked with a puzzled expression.

The Gilmores were one of the empire’s prominent families. Naturally, they had some connection to the Carius ducal house. Though you’d have to go back a few generations before me.

“I wanted to discuss the upcoming trial.”

“Ah, you mean the case with Marquis Yates.”

“Yes.”

“Judges are not supposed to accept any solicitations.”

Of course, that was just the principle.

It was written in the law books, but how many actually followed it?

Pressure from outside would inevitably make a judge crumble.

There were plenty of greater powers out there.

But that didn’t apply to me at all.

“You’re famous for your fairness, Duke Carius. However, when judging a case, shouldn’t one also consider the context and background?”

“You mean go easy on him because he’s royalty.”

“It’s not just that. He played a major role in His Majesty’s ascension. And he’s pouring all his efforts into the empire’s defense.”

There’s a saying: lips gone, teeth cold.

Meaning if the lips are gone, the teeth get chilled.

He must mean that the Yates marquisate’s power is necessary for the empire.

But is he really someone worth keeping around while tolerating such disgraceful behavior?

If he kept pulling stunts like this, it’d only tarnish the emperor’s honor.

I stared at Marquis Gilmore and said,

“What does that have to do with this case?”

“I’m saying it’s a matter for mitigating circumstances.”

“Hah!”

A long sigh escaped me involuntarily.

It was a request from an elderly man of considerable status, after all.

Rejecting it outright would be burdensome.

So what should I do?

“Understood. I’ll take Marquis Yates’s contributions into account.”

“Heh heh! With such a broad mind, it’s no wonder people praise you.”

I nearly snorted at that moment.

If I went easy on Marquis Yates, the reputation I’d built up would be shattered.

You think I’d make that choice because I’m crazy?

The fact that even the chancellor had come to change the outcome only fueled my resentment.

You could say it sharpened my blade even more.

After Marquis Gilmore left, I prepared for the trial with a grim determination.

But then, someone knocked on my office door again.

Knock knock.

“Your Honor, it’s Colrund Emir.”

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Judge Emir entered, panting heavily.

He wore a deeply troubled expression.

Something felt off about the atmosphere.

“What’s the matter?”

“Marquis Yates…….”

“What about him?”

“He’s kneeling in front of the palace.”

What? What kind of situation is this?

This isn’t the Joseon era—doing a grand prostration?

This guy’s really cunning.

“Your Maaaajestyyy! Please kill this worthless fool!”

A middle-aged man sobbing, tears streaming down his face.

He was begging for forgiveness, but his voice was full of grievance.

This was none other than Marquis Hugo Yates, indicted for his drunken rampage.

Naturally, his plea to be killed wasn’t sincere.

As if. He’s doing this to save his skin.

I regretted coming here.

It was an utterly pathetic sight.

I was genuinely amazed that someone’s face could be that thick.

“As a meritorious subject, I deserve punishment for failing to maintain my dignityyyy!”

Why bring up being a meritorious subject while begging for forgiveness?

It must mean, “I’ve done this much for you, so cut me some slack.”

I snorted and looked around.

I was curious about the expressions on other people’s faces.

Just then, a group hurried over.

They positioned themselves behind Marquis Yates.

“Your Majesty! Please show mercy.”

“It’s true Marquis Yates did wrong, but he’s too important a talent. Imprisoning him would be a national loss!”

“That’s right. Please lend an ear to us bureaucrats as well!”

It was getting more and more ridiculous.

Come to think of it, weren’t all those guys nobles from the emperor’s faction?

I really want to smack each one of them.

Having to do politics with guys like that—I could almost feel the emperor’s hardship.

Ah, wait a second.

Who am I sympathizing with right now?

Worrying about nonsense.

“Greetings, Duke Carius.”

As I smiled bitterly, lost in pointless thoughts, someone approached and greeted me.

It was Prosecutor Corbin Sears from the prosecution headquarters.

But why meet him here?

Well, because the defendant who should be in court was in the wrong place.

We had to go grab him quickly.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

Prosecutor Sears wore a resolute expression.

When else would he get to do something like this?

Forcibly escorting someone as high as a marquis.

“Execute.”

“Understood.”

Soon, a group of burly men surged forward.

They were investigators from the capital security force.

They’d probably handle this cleanly.

They’d suffered plenty because of Marquis Yates.

“What? Who do you think you are barging in here!”

A middle-aged noble jumped up and started yelling.

He seemed extremely displeased at the interruption.

Well, that reaction was inevitable.

They probably thought they were doing something grand.

But they were wrong.

If you commit a crime, you pay the price.

Where do you think you’re slithering away like a loach?

“Step aside. Hugo Yates, Marquis, is that you?”

Prosecutor Corbin Sears stepped forward and checked the documents.

It was an arrest warrant issued in my name.

But Marquis Yates ignored it completely.

Then he wailed toward the emperor again.

“Is this truly Your Majesty’s will? If so, I’ll accept it gladly. I’ll remain a loyal subject to the end! Sob!”

The despicable sobbing of Marquis Yates.

I really wanted to give him a knuckle sandwich, but I couldn’t.

Had to handle it strictly by procedure.

That guy would definitely look for any loophole.

“Marquis Yates, you’re under arrest for aggravated assault.”

“I’ve already been investigated—what arrest?”

“Because you’ve ignored multiple summons. We can’t proceed with the trial without the defendant, can we?”

“I’m confessing my sins to His Majesty right now. You nobodies, get lost!”

“Hah…….”

Prosecutor Sears let out a deep sigh, then nodded toward the security officers.

The arrest operation commenced immediately.

“You rotten bastards, where do you think you’re touching? Hey! Escort knights!”

“Protect Marquis Yates at once!”

Suddenly, the knights brought by the emperor’s faction nobles started moving.

This meant they intended to draw blood.

No choice, then.

Honestly, I’d hoped it would proceed by the book.

That’s why I was standing back, hands behind me, just watching.

But if knights got involved, the story changed.

The security officers were well-trained soldiers, but they weren’t adept at handling aura.

That made sense.

Once you reached a certain level, you’d become a knight, not a security officer.

Shrring! Wooong—!

“Back off. Approach and I’ll cut you down.”

“Ugh!”

A bluish glow formed on the blade.

Seeing them manifest aura freely, their skills seemed considerable.

It made sense.

The emperor’s faction nobles gathered here were at least viscounts.

And they were high-ranking officials in the imperial family or government.

The escorts of such exalted figures would at minimum be “manifestation knights.”

Here, manifestation knights referred to those who could materialize aura while drawing their sword.

This way, they’ll definitely get pushed back.

Legitimacy was on Prosecutor Sears and the security officers’ side, but the gap in force was too wide.

Think about it.

How could the weak restrain the strong?

“No helping it.”

In an emergency, the big boss of the judiciary had to step in.

Wait, who would that be?

Me, obviously.

Thud. Thud.

The solid shoe soles clacked clearly against the marble floor.

Soon, everyone’s attention focused on me.

The necktie and suit jacket fluttering in the breeze.

A fashion rarely seen here.

If I had a cigarette to light up right now, it’d be perfect noir. Ah, but they don’t have those here?

I, who had appeared out of nowhere, scanned the people.

Then my eyes met Marquis Hugo Yates’s directly.

“When do you plan to come to court? We can’t proceed without the defendant.”

“Confessing to His Majesty takes priority. All power comes from him.”

It was forced logic, but he nailed the core point.

No matter what verdict I gave, one word from the emperor could flip everything.

Of course, that hadn’t happened yet.

Emperor Karon hadn’t voiced any opinions so far.

But if someone like Marquis Yates begged so desperately?

There was plenty of room for the outcome to change.

But that would be after all procedures were done.

“The court decides what’s priority. Stop the disgrace and come back quietly.”

“What did you just say? You call this a disgrace? I can hardly believe it.”

If you dug deep, Marquis Yates was part of the imperial elders.

So he was speaking in that ambiguous tone, neither respectful nor condescending.

Anyway, he was much older, roughly uncle age.

Planning to stay sleazy to the end?

In that case, I had ways too.

I approached right up to Marquis Yates’s nose and emitted a chilling aura.

“What did you say just now?”

“Heh heh! Your ears going deaf?”

“I was trying to resolve this with words, but it seems impossible. Too rude.”

The sudden informal speech left him speechless.

Soon, Marquis Yates’s gaze wavered.

He seemed to finally realize who I was, what kind of existence.

But it was too late to turn back.

“How about this? Overcome with insult, I challenge you to a duel.”

“Ah, no, wait…….”

“Why? Feeling cooperative now?”

The duel opponent was the monster among monsters called the Berserker of the North.

Who would want to fight me?

Ah, of course, there were ways to weasel out.

“If you don’t like a duel, come quietly. Then I’ll let you live.”