Chapter 319: Aldin of the Great Garden (2) (Epilogue)

Chapter 319: Aldin of the Great Garden (2) (Epilogue)

As Lakrak moved, those chatting in the spectator area also paused their conversation and focused on the temporary courtroom, and the Great Garden quickly became quiet.

Lakrak said, "Now, let's begin... Uh, where do we start again?"

Jang-Wan pointed to Damien.

Lakrak nodded in understanding. "What are the charges from the prosecution?"

Even in this farce, Damien said without a hint of amusement, "The defendant, under the guise of a primordial Wizard and old god, along with other Wizards of the Pain Sect, committed countless crimes over the last 110,000 years. The details have been submitted in writing through the Sanctuary, please review them."

System windows appeared before everyone present. Despite being a brief summary, the extensive list of crimes would take days for an ordinary person to read. However, most of the charges were not direct offenses committed by Aldin, but rather those of the old gods. There were very few cases where Aldin was directly involved.

About this, Jang-Wan then addressed Lakrak, "Lakrak, may I speak?"

"Of course."

Damien didn't object to the lack of procedure or rules in the temporary courtroom, seemingly already resigned to it.

Jang-Wan said, "As you can see from the charges, Aldin was different from other old gods. Even as the old gods celebrated crimes they considered amusement, Aldin showed no interest in such acts. We can't treat Aldin the same as those old gods."

To this, the shrike in the cage responded, "To some extent, yes. But not entirely, no. I don't want to admit it. There are a few instances where, though not to the extent of the other old gods' amusement, Aldin also abused her position of privilege over mortals."

Jang-Wan banged the podium with her fist, "Then we should punish ourselves too."

"...I know. I’m not claiming we’re righteous. But we have already crossed that threshold against our will. Self-punishment is now each of our duties, and regardless of all that, it doesn't erase Aldin's crimes. The trial now is not about us, it's about Aldin."

Jang-Wan was about to say something but stopped.

Damien continued, "Moreover, there are clear and direct instances of Aldin's offenses. To accuse her of these crimes, I call a witness."

Lakrak approved. The summoned witness was the Constellation of the Ocean, Sha-Cha.

With them having too many names, players continued to call them Sha-Cha out of habit, and they willingly accepted it. Sha-Cha, wearing a white mask over a child's body, as in the previous game, walked to the prepared witness stand.

Sha-Cha said, "Execute her."

Despite their soft voice, a chilling sensation was clearly felt in the air.

Jang-Wan said, "Does she even know what testimony is?"

The shrike in the cage also watched Sha-Cha intently. "Sha-Cha, a testimony is..."

Sha-Cha interrupted, "All our long-standing friends agree. All old gods must die, no exceptions."

Both defense attorneys showed discomfort at the deteriorating trial situation, but Aldin understood Sha-Cha. Aldin had been the most active executor of Bifnen's orders among the old gods and had mechanically accomplished tasks during ancient wars. The long-standing war left each other as symbols of hatred, and the old gods had committed unspeakable horrors against the evil gods. Testifying about such crimes was a torment in itself. Irreconcilable relationships did in fact exist.

Lakrak said, "Hm, Sha-Cha."

"I'm listening."

"If you do not agree with the verdict of the Hall of Myriad Stars, what will you do? Will you seek to fulfill your wish privately?" Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Damien said, "Then let's talk about the second important matter. Our story."

Jang-Wan and Aldin had anticipated the angle. Not about the Light of Eternity and Life, but them, the players.

Damien continued, "In the latter part of the game, Aldin tried to make us Fall and exile us all. Aldin could have stopped this at any point, but chose not to. If Nebula hadn't intervened, Aldin would have most likely succeeded."

"That seems a bit personal in your statement."

"Perhaps. I won't deny it. But until the very end, Aldin pursued the mission she believed was right, the Fall. Hegemonia almost won then. If Aldin had hesitated, even for a moment, or been a bit late, it could have happened. Aldin almost opened another era of the old gods despite the opportunity to prevent it."

"Almost? You're making too many assumptions, aren't you?"

"If necessary, I can call many witnesses... How about Nebula?"

Jang-Wan thought it was a bluff. Sung-Woon said he left all judgment to the judge, claiming that he had no authority. But Sung-Woon, who said that, could still take the stand as a witness and exert influence.

Jang-Wan thought, 'That can't happen.'

Lakrak was to judge. However, the rules were set by Sung-Woon. Sung-Woon had already overlapped with the will of the Light of Eternity and Life. If Sung-Woon wished, it could happen again.

As Jang-Wan contemplated whether to kick Damien's cage, an unexpected voice interrupted, "Nebula!"

Everyone's gaze turned toward the voice. Someone was walking up the path.

It was Hegemonia. Hegemonia's attire was entirely out of place for the Great Garden. She was dressed in a white imperial army uniform advantageous for snowy terrains, a helmet with a four-eye night vision, a tactical vest, and a designated marksman rifle slung over her shoulder.

"What? Nebula's not here? Didn't someone call him?"

Damien, who had been patient throughout the trial, let out a long, loud sigh for everyone to hear. Hegemonia, unfazed, continued walking toward the center of the courtroom.

Damien said, "Hegemonia, we’re in the middle of a trial."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"...I know it's difficult to make you understand modern civilization, but you do know what a trial is, right?"

Hegemonia ignored Damien's sarcasm. "A trial? Oh, I remember. I think I did hear of it... But whose trial was it again?"

"It's Aldin's trial."

"Oh, Aldin." Hegemonia looked around for Aldin. Then she looked Aldin up and down. "Why have a trial for almost losing a game? Isn't that right? You played a bit dirty, but still. Why not just let out the frustration by hitting her once each and be done with it? Aldin, wouldn't that be better for you too?"

Damien sternly replied, "Are you a gangster or something?"

"Shall I start then?"

"That's not what we're talking about."

As Hegemonia clenched her fist and rolled up her sleeves, Aldin was bewildered. "...Huh?"

Hegemonia strode toward Aldin, leaving Aldin wondering whether to flee or stay.