Chapter 22: Checkmate [3]

The being that invaded the courtroom was none other than the beast of the mine cave, the self-proclaimed god of the earth. When the monster with its unfamiliar appearance appeared, people screamed.

"Um, what is that?"

"It's a monster!"

" A monster has appeared!"

"And it even brought a corpse with it!"

The knights drew their swords and tried to step forward.

It was their responsibility to ensure the safety of the courtroom.

But I quickly had to stop them, because an unexpected group of people rushed towards the corpse.

"Oh my! Honey!"

"Vincent, you finally came back like this... Hehehehe!"

"Ugh! Dad!"

The bereaved families wept bitterly.

There were probably a variety of emotions intersecting.

Their claims were proven correct, but that was bittersweet.

Deep down, I was hoping they were wrong, because any hope of their loved ones being alive somewhere had completely disappeared.

The earth god passed by the bereaved families and moved to the center of the court.

Thud! Thud!

The crowd's attention was focused on him. It was definitely an unusual sight in the capital of the empire.

But I spoke calmly.

"What should I call you?"

"I am the god of the earth."

"No, not that one, just your name."

I almost slapped my forehead.

Something felt off from the start. That guy was so special.

"There is nothing like that. I was a god from birth, and I have lived like that ever since."

"Okay, good. God of the Earth, can you testify why they died?"

"Of course."

The Earth God revealed everything, starting with the contract with Viscount Erset.

How did things work out so smoothly?

I made a kind of contract with that guy in exchange for sparing his life. Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Thanks to this, the bodies were found without the miners' sacrifice. After the statement was finished, I turned to Viscount Erset.

"Defendant, do you have anything more to say? You may make your final argument."

"…"

Of course not.

If a corpse was found and he insisted that it wasn't the case, he might have died on the spot. He was met with criticism from angry bereaved families. Of course, the knights would stop it, so that wouldn't happen.

"I guess there isn't one. Then I will sentence you."

I paused slightly and looked around the audience.

Perhaps because so many extraordinary rulings were made so often, the looks in people's eyes were strange.

Were there any expectations? Of course, this time too, I intended to make a common-sense sentence.

"The crime is so serious that the judge who went out to investigate was detained, and the defendant is sentenced to 20 years in prison. Since he has tarnished the honor of the imperial family, he will also be removed from his position as an internal affairs officer in the imperial palace. In addition, we will seize your property to resolve unpaid wages."

Naturally, the rights to the mine would be handed over to the courts for the time being.

Then all I had to do was sell it and share the wages.

For now, Viscount Erset is over.

"Next is Carls Avery's sentencing for dereliction of duty. The defendant shall be sentenced to one year in prison and fined 200 goldens."

Prosecutor Avery lowered his head.

He felt there was no hope. Even before the trial began, numerous attempts were made to lobby Giovanni's aristocratic faction.

But it didn't work on me at all. Is this why people who have nothing to regret are scary?

"Waaah!"

"I thought he would get a proper verdict!"

"Nice! I am moved by His Highness Carrieus' ruling."

After even Prosecutor Avery was destroyed, cheers were heard from the audience.

The bereaved families applauded vigorously while shedding tears. There would be sufficient compensation, but the sadness would not go away.

Still, there will be no resentment. A person who worked as an internal affairs officer in the imperial palace sentenced to 20 years in prison?

Even in the entire history of the empire, there would never have been such a crazy ruling. Usually, the words of the powerful side become justice.

Clap clap clap clap!

The applause continued endlessly. I raised my arms and calmed the people down.

Then I continued talking.

"Finally, a sentence regarding the Earth God. Although he was involved in the operation of the mine, it was determined that his intentions were not impure. I acquit the Earth God."

"…"

The crowd fell silent again.

Everyone had very strange expressions. No one opened their mouths, but it felt like they were saying this:

'Your honor? Are you crazy?'

After all, what kind of judgment can I give to a monster?

But I had no choice but to do this. This is also one of the terms of the contract.

"Earth God, your honor has been restored. Whatever we do now, humans won't be involved."

"Thank you."

The Earth God bowed his head towards the court and extended greetings in all directions. .

Everyone who saw the monster's manners looked dumbfounded. When had they ever seen a scene like this? I finished the trial with a smile.

* * *

The imperial capital heated up over a strange topic.

"They said a monster appeared in the courtroom."

"I heard he was a witness brought by His Highness Carrieus."

"To make even a monster testify, how far does his power reach?"

Each one was a story about me and the God of Earth.

To be honest, the ruling itself was not that difficult. Even pushing into the mine and securing evidence.

'Because that's how it's always been done.'

Actually, it was much more comfortable here than in Hyundai.

As long as you have high status and authority, most things can be solved.

This time too, the voices praising me were loud. On the other hand, Giovanni's aristocratic faction expressed regret.

But what can they do? I can't just ignore something for which all the evidence has already been revealed.

"For now, the ruling has been completed, but one trouble remains."

I looked at the being in front of me with a shocked expression.

The god of the earth, who had nowhere to go, followed me to the mansion. In fact, it had to be like this.

The Erset mine was scheduled to be closed until it was sold.

Where else would a guy who only ate expensive meat go? If you're not going to hunt it yourself, you'll have to stick with a rich guy.

'That was what the contract said in the first place.'

There was one reason why the Earth God came to visit the miners' corpses.

I decided to take responsibility for a certain part of his livelihood. In return, he testified in court.

"If you bring a hideous monster into the mansion, Your Majesty's honor will be tarnished."

Deacon Miller Xavier pointed at the Earth God with a troubled expression.

Because the workers couldn't work because of him.

"If your honor is to be diminished because of something like this, it's as if you didn't have it in the first place. First of all, we need to change our perception. Start by spreading the fact that he won't attack."

"Are people going to believe it?"

"Look at me. I'm standing right next to him."

I deliberately walked closer to the Earth God and shrugged my shoulders. Deacon Miller Xavier then nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

I guess looks are the problem.

Because he looks so unique.

If I had to describe what this guy looked like, there was an image that immediately came to mind.

Adam from Beauty and the Beast.