The imperial capital, Perias, was buzzing with a single topic.
It was the rumor that Duke Sierre had been dragged into court and was about to stand trial.
“Is this even possible? Arresting a duke?”
“It’s not the security forces or the prosecution headquarters—he went straight to the court. That’s already incredibly strange.”
Everyone who heard the circulating stories expressed doubt without exception.
The situation unfolding was anything but normal.
Of course, until now, many illogical things had happened in matters of law.
But those were always for the benefit of the powerful.
Yet what about now?
A figure who could be called the head of a power group was being placed in the defendant’s seat.
As people whispered, a certain passerby interjected.
From his attire, he seemed to have just returned from out of town.
“No, what are you all talking about? Haven’t you heard that His Grace Duke Carius is returning?”
“He was sent as governor of the autonomous territory. It’s only been half a year—already coming back?”
“I happened to be heading to Delriat for trade, and I witnessed it clearly.”
“What happened to make it so?”
“What His Grace does is obvious. The development speed is tremendous, just like in the Carius duchy and Midias.”
Delriat was known as a land filled with barbarians.
Of course, that wasn’t actually true, but public perception couldn’t help but be negative.
The national finances had collapsed due to defeat in war, and rebellions never ceased.
But everyone nodded in agreement.
Because Duke Carius was mentioned.
“Ah! As expected, he’s administering benevolent rule there too!”
“And he’s even returned to the duchy!”
Of course, Abel’s dispatch as governor hadn’t ended yet.
He had only come back temporarily to deal with Skyler Sierre.
But the people, believing he had returned permanently, cheered loudly.
“Wait, instead of this, shouldn’t we head to the courtroom right now?”
“We can’t miss such a great spectacle!”
In truth, Duke Sierre hadn’t directly harmed the capital’s residents.
But the image of his faction was far too poor.
Wage theft by the nobles under him had long been taken for granted, and on top of that, they committed all sorts of atrocities.
Perhaps that’s why the crowd heading to the court kept growing.
“Let’s go! To witness His Grace Duke Carius’s famous judgment!”
I entered the courtroom with a calm face.
But inside, I wasn’t so composed.
It was because the gallery had become so packed.
I hadn’t promoted it at all—why had they flocked here in such numbers?
Ah, this is making me nervous.
My skin is pretty thick by nature, so a fair number of people is fine.
But the courtroom being crammed to bursting? That’s a bit much, isn’t it? On top of that, the crowd outside the building watching was on an enormous scale.
It was practically like a super-popular singer’s concert.
No. This might actually be good. Those people will become new pressure.
From now on, I planned to probe for gaps in Duke Sierre.
No matter how politically seasoned, anyone would falter under the jeers of thousands.
I need to guide the situation to create that.
“We will now begin the trial for the large-scale human trafficking case of the Sierre ducal house. Salute to the presiding judge.”
Cheojeojeojeok!
Right at that moment.
Normally, the gallery would lightly bow their heads, and the knights would give a military salute.
But today, the atmosphere was extraordinary.
“WAAAAAAAH!“
“His Grace Duke Carius has returned!”
“Please wave your hand just once, Your Grace!”
“You’re so handsome!”
A thunderous roar suddenly erupted.
Not only the judges but even the court knights and prosecutors looked startled.
Naturally, Duke Sierre, who had been sitting with a grave face, widened his eyes.
In contrast, I was scanning the audience as solemnly as possible.
When I slightly raised my hand, the noise diminished as if by magic.
“The trial has begun, so please maintain silence.”
It was astonishing.
So many people obeying my control.
My heart was pounding, but now wasn’t the time for sentiment.
I bowed politely to the gallery.
It was to thank them for following my instruction, but it backfired.
Whispering began to fill the now-quiet courtroom.
“To show courtesy even to commoners like us—truly His Grace Carius.”
“Of course! Our duke’s virtue is always outstanding, anywhere and anytime.”
“Since when did he become ‘our’ duke? Watch your words.”
“I work in the Carius duchy, so he’s our duke, not yours.”
“That makes sense, but we’re in the middle of a trial. Be quiet.”
“Oops! Shh! Shh!”
It got briefly noisy due to a few people, but soon settled into self-restraint.
It was a phenomenon born from how much they respected me.
They seemed to truly regard my trials as sacred.
“We will proceed with the formalities. Defendant? You are Planger of the Sierre ducal house, correct?”
“…Yes.”
Planger Sierre.
At Judge Emir’s question, the man’s brow furrowed.
Normally, when addressing high-ranking nobles, special honorifics were attached.
Even a mere knight gets called ‘sir,’ right?
But this was a courtroom, and Planger was currently the defendant.
Where’s the room for that in the identity verification process?
Seems like it stung a bit.
His sour expression was probably because he hadn’t expected this treatment.
Historically, dukes were only arrested for treason.
In those cases, at least some honor could be preserved, but what about now?
He’d been brought in for large-scale human trafficking.
Shameful for a high noble’s dignity.
Naturally, deep irritation would rise.
“Prosecutor, conduct your examination.”
“Yes.”
After a few procedures passed, I immediately turned to Corbin Sears.
Normally, the empire’s courts and prosecution headquarters distributed trials randomly.
But this case was one I was handling entirely myself.
Moreover, an enormous figure was sitting in the defendant’s seat.
Without the tenacity of a hunting dog, one couldn’t even ask proper questions.
However, Corbin Sears had been sufficiently tempered by now.
“Defendant, have you ever mobilized the house’s private troops to traffic women?”
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
Striking a sensitive spot from the start drew a furious rebuttal.
Being dragged here was already unpleasant, and now accused of human trafficking.
Even a seasoned politician couldn’t control his anger on this issue.
But, as expected of a faction leader, Duke Sierre firmly shook his head.
“I swear on all my honor—I have never done such a thing.”
His head held high stiffly, a meaningful gaze directed at me.
The outburst was merely acting, it seemed.
Duke Sierre’s eyes had calmly settled.
He’s certain there’s no evidence.
Of course he would be.
He had no reason to engage in human trafficking.
A man who held everything except youth in his grasp.
What could he possibly lack to risk disgrace?
Yet there is no perfect secret in this world.
“Even after seeing this, you say that?”
Perfectly timed, Corbin Sears pulled out something.
Dozens of pages densely filled with text.
Duke Sierre glared as if to say, don’t try tricks.
But our hunting dog, Prosecutor Corbin Sears, calmly continued.
“This is the list of individuals who received women supplied by the Sierre ducal house’s private troops. Every one of them is from the Sierre noble faction? As the leader, do you have nothing to say?”
“What kind of…….!!”
It was a statement that struck right at the core.
Supplying women abducted by the house only to their own noble faction?
What circumstance could be more suspicious?
Duke Sierre fumbled, unable to give a proper response.
No matter how much he racked his brain, there’d be no way to explain.
He probably had no idea his eldest son was doing such things behind his back.
If he’d known in advance, he wouldn’t have reacted like that.
He’d have brazenly denied it outright.
But it was already too late for that.
Having reacted that way, any belated excuse would only make him look worse.
Now, Planger Sierre had to choose.
Feign madness and shield Skyler to the end.
Or somehow cut ties, claiming no involvement.
He’s really biting only the vital spots now. Corbin Sears.
I swallowed a satisfied inner smile and stared at Duke Sierre.
The expression of deep anguish flashed only briefly.
Surprisingly, his face was calm.
Then he shook his head.
“I know nothing of it. The names on that list are all my colleagues. There is no such tributary relationship to begin with.”
As expected, playing ignorant.
In truth, outright denying it like this held little meaning.
All the Sierre ducal house’s private troops involved in the trafficking had already been arrested.
Statements and confessions were fully secured.
But this was a necessary show.
Because they’re such big shots.
I smiled faintly and opened my mouth.
It was time to lower the curtain on this play.
“Defendant.”
“Speak.”
“Then, can you explain why the Sierre ducal house’s private troops moved? As the one holding all military authority in the house, you wouldn’t say you don’t know again, would you?”
“……!”
Duke Sierre’s eyes widened.
As if the inevitable had finally come.
A moment of silence.
Soon, the answer I wanted flowed out.
“Our house was in the process of succession procedures. Most authority had already passed to the heir.”
“Then, this means everything was orchestrated by Skyler Sierre? What was the reason?”
“For his own political stability……. “
Duke Sierre trailed off.
He seemed to realize the consequence of what he’d just said.
It was admitting that his son’s crimes had tainted the honor of the Sierre noble faction.
Now, Skyler would fall due to his father’s testimony.
I stood from my seat and scanned the audience.
Eyes filled with anticipation, one and all.
They desired it so fervently—I should duly respond.
“I will pronounce the sentence. Planger Sierre, who transferred authority to the heir, is not guilty. Therefore, to the true culprit, Skyler Sierre, I sentence 40 years imprisonment. Additionally, a fine of 5,000 goldens is imposed for victim relief.”
Tang! Tang! Tang!
I struck the gavel more briskly than ever.
Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I used this for its proper purpose.
I’ve only been smashing people’s or monsters’ heads with it.
Lost in that sudden thought, I stood blankly for a moment.
Soon after, tremendous cheers erupted, resounding through the courtroom.
“WAAAAAH! Another famous judgment!“
“His Grace Duke Carius! Long live!”
“Long live! Long live!”
The gallery jumped up and down in cheers.
But the content was a bit…….
Stop with the ‘long live’ chants. You’ll end up on the guillotine for treason, you know?
Regardless of my anxious expression, the people embraced each other in joy.
Especially noticeable were the victims and their families.
They quietly shed tears.
No matter how prevalent the culture of disregarding life, everyone has someone precious to them.
With family returned safely, how could they not be joyful?
I don’t need to doubt whether I made the right choice.