Chapter 11: In the Name of Reichart!
Ding- ding- ding-
The pendulum clock installed in the Coffin of Judgment let out a cry announcing eight o’clock in the evening.
From the moment that sound rang out, spectators began to reveal themselves in the Coffin of Judgment one by one.
Tonight at nine o’clock, a ‘big event’ of the territory was scheduled to take place right here.
The place where the gazes of those gathered were directed was the very front row of the trial waiting seats.
“The Grand Madam has personally come. Does that mean she intends to bury that bastard this time?”
“Do you think so? But no matter how you look at it, it doesn’t seem advantageous for the young master. Was there really any need for her to come out?”
“It’s probably meant as a check. The judges might read the Family Head’s mood and deliver a verdict favorable to the young master.”
“So it’s like, ‘I’ll be watching closely what kind of verdict you'll deliver,’ huh? That’s practically a declaration of war.”
“Ah, poor Young Master Hein. If only he had been a bit more tactful, this kind of mess wouldn’t have happened.”
Looking at Rishu sitting in the front row of the trial waiting seats and flaunting her presence, people did not stop whispering among themselves.
However, Rishu sat with a calm expression as if she did not care about people’s gazes at all, observing the preparations for the trial.
At the plaintiff’s seat sat the people of the Vispon Family, with Belkent at the forefront. And the defendant’s seat across from them was…….
Empty.
‘That impudent brat.’
Even though less than an hour remained until the trial began, I, Hein Reichart, had not shown so much as the tip of my nose.
Grinding her teeth inwardly at that insolent situation, Rishu gently lowered her gaze and waited for time to pass more quickly.
Then, with about five minutes remaining until the trial was to begin.
“Young Master Hein is here!”
“Young Master Hein has appeared? Wait, but isn’t he alone?”
I stepped into the Coffin of Judgment.
What was amusing was that unlike the plaintiff’s side, which looked to number at least a dozen people, I appeared alone.
“Don’t tell me he couldn’t find a single person to help him?”
“This is bad. Young Master Hein alone won’t be able to face the Vispon Family.”
“Isn’t the Family Head being too indifferent? No matter how disappointing his child may be, how can he just abandon him like that?”
Hearing the murmurs, I could tell people were blaming Redin’s indifference.
Although I was known as a complete bastard, the Vispon Family and the Alain Family were also losing the goodwill of the people within the territory.
That was why, while clicking their tongues at me, they secretly felt a sense of satisfaction at the rumor that I had punished Alain.
“Long time no see. Mother.”
I greeted Rishu with a calm expression.
“You’re late.”
Only then did she open her previously closed eyes and speak in a cold voice.
“Did you just say I’m late?”
“Yes. Do you not know what kind of place this is today, and yet you behave like this?”
“That’s strange. As far as I know, the trial begins at nine p.m. There are still three whole minutes left.”
I pointed at the clock and smiled.
Rishu’s eyes grew even colder.
“And it seems the one who’s late isn’t me, but someone else.”
As if to provoke her, I turned my gaze toward the plaintiff’s seat where Belkent was sitting.
“Young master, what are you trying to say now!”
“Well, it’s fine. There’s no need to make a fuss when we’ll find out soon enough anyway.”
Ignoring his raised voice, I indifferently sat down in the defendant’s seat.
Clank.
I took a bundle out of my cloak and placed it on the desk.
“The Family Head is entering!”
Along with the booming shout of an attendant knight, Redin, the Family Head of Reichart, appeared in the courtroom.
He swept the surroundings once and then sat down with his usual expressionless face.
“All rise!”
Following behind him, Ares, the Family Head’s direct guard unit, lined up at the back.
“We will begin the full trial in five minutes, so both sides should complete their final preparations.”
“Oh my, Sir Bolpar has come as well? You’re someone who detests noisy places.”
“I heard something interesting would happen here, so I came to take a look.”
Belkent spoke in a low voice, wearing his usual sly smile.
“But I don’t think it’ll be very interesting for you.”
“Well, whether it’s interesting or not, we’ll find out by watching.”
Bolpar turned his head away.
While the plaintiff’s seat bustled, my side remained silent.
For the final five minutes, all I did was rest my chin on my hand and tap the bundle with my finger.
“Then, we shall now begin the trial.
***
At last, the trial began in earnest.
After Redin explained a brief overview, he moved to proceed with the plaintiff’s opening statement.
“Then, the representative of the Vispon Family, Sir Belkent—”
“Family Head, I have something to say.”
I raised my hand and cut him off.
“If you permit it, I would like to speak first.”
Murmurs erupted.
Interrupting the presiding judge was undeniably rude.
“In accordance with procedure, you will be given an opportunity to speak. Wait your turn.”
“If you grant me the first right to speak, I am willing to give up all future opportunities.”
Silence fell.
“For a single opportunity?”
“Yes.”
Redin turned toward Belkent.
“Will you accept?”
After checking Rishu’s expression, Belkent nodded.
“I accept.”
“Hein Reichart, you may speak.”
“Thank you, Family Head.”
I stood.
“Sir Belkent. Before we begin, there is something I wish to confirm.”
“As someone who oversees a knight order, you know the family laws well.”
I met his gaze.
“What punishments have been given to those who infringed upon the authority of the Family Head?”
He stayed silent.
“Then I will explain.”
“Arms severed thirteen times. Legs severed seven times. Heads severed ten times.”
Every ear in the courtroom focused on my voice.
“Now then.”
I stepped into the center, holding the bundle.
“Many of you came to see right and wrong judged by law.”
“But today is not such a day.”
Murmurs spread.
“The truth is simple enough that law itself is unnecessary.”
“This began when a fool lost honor more precious than his life.”
My gaze fixed on Alain.
“Why complicate it?”
“I decided to end it.”
“To reclaim lost honor.”
Pressure crushed Alain’s throat before I even touched him.
“Isn’t that right, Alain.”
“W-what are you saying!”
“Do you truly not know why I beat you?”
Belkent stepped forward.
“Young master, are you threatening a witness!”
“Alain.”
“You committed a crime worthy of beheading.”
“I pitied you and tried to bury it with a lesson.”
“You did this to yourself.”
“Family Head—!”
Slice.
I tore the cloth away and drove the Family Sword into the stand.
Gasps exploded.
“The Family Sword!”
“That forest required a 5th Circle knight!”
“They’re saying he retrieved it alone?!”
Even Redin’s expression finally changed.
‘Don’t get distracted.’
‘The real spectacle starts now.’
“Alain.”
“If you have eyes, you know what this is.”
I pulled out a scroll.
Tear.
Flash.
The light poured into the blade.
A dull crimson stain clung to the hilt.
Bolpar’s eyes widened.
‘So that’s why.’
I drew the Family Sword and leveled it at Alain’s throat.
“I’ll ask once.”
“Why is your filthy mana clinging to my sword?”