Ryu followed the knights into the building, which had a bowl-shaped tiered seating area, with quite a few people in the audience.

He was told to stand in the center of the arena section, so he did.

Then, an elderly man entered from the upper tier of the seating area in the front, followed by Princess Sophie.

The old man seemed to be the presiding judge.

The judge banged his hammer on the table, declaring the start of the trial.

“The trial for the murder of Viscount Gitt will now commence.”

Judge: “Before we begin, why is the defendant not wearing restraints? It is unacceptable to leave a criminal unrestrained in this court, where many royals and nobles are present. Apply the restraints immediately.”

The knight captain whispered something to Gill.

Gill: “Well, the defendant resisted when we tried to put on restraints.”

Judge: “If the defendant refuses the restraints, the trial will not commence.”

Ryu could see Gill whispering to Sophie. Then, Sophie spoke.

Princess Sophie: “Ryuujin, wear the restraints for as long as you’re in this court. This trial is also meant to prove your innocence. If the trial doesn’t begin, we won’t be able to get anywhere.”

A knight, holding restraints, approached cautiously.

They were the magical shackles that had previously been used to trap Baron Toppo, shackles that suppressed magic.

Ryu shrugged and held out his hand. The knight, relieved, fastened the shackles around Ryu’s wrists.

Ryu saw Gill smirking, and glared at him.

Judge: “We shall now begin the trial. The defendant, Ryuujin, a commoner adventurer, is accused of breaking into the mansion of Viscount Gitt, the lord of Trome, killing him, and also causing the deaths of all those in the mansion. He is also suspected of stealing valuables from the mansion and fleeing.”

“We have thoroughly examined the report from the knight squadron that investigated the case. As a result, we have determined that the defendant’s guilt is clear.

“Therefore, Ryuujin is guilty and shall be sentenced to public execution by the guillotine.”

Ryu was immediately found guilty and sentenced to death.

Ryu gaped, stunned. Wasn’t he supposed to make a plea? And what about Princess Sophie's testimony?

He had expected some unfavorable proceedings, but he didn’t expect to be condemned so one-sidedly. This was not a trial!

The judge continued.

“The three individuals who were previously maids for Princess Sophie, Marie, Betty, and Alice, are also guilty and will be executed by the guillotine on the same day as the defendant.”

Ryu: "What?!”

Ryu couldn't help but yell out.

Judge: “The defendant is to refrain from making any unsolicited statements. The trial is over. The defendant will be held in the dungeon until the execution.”

The judge got up and was about to leave.

Ryu: “Wait!”

Ryu shouted.

But the judge ignored him and was about to leave in a hurry.

Suddenly, the judge stopped and stood frozen in place, unable to move.

No, he was desperately trying to move, but he could only twitch his body slightly, unable to move.

Ryu had deployed a dimensional barrier, completely enveloping the judge, preventing him from moving.

Ryu: “It’s inconvenient to be dismissed without hearing our side of the story.”

Judge: "W... well, then, as a special exception, I’ll allow the defendant to speak..."

The judge couldn’t move no matter how hard he tried, so he gave in to Ryu’s demand.

Ryu: “Viscount Gitt was a pervert who kidnapped and murdered many young women.”

Judge: “I’m warning you, defendant. Insulting a noble will add contempt of court to your charges.”

Ryu: "Just listen. Many victims came from the town of Mimul. I only went into his mansion to investigate it. And I wasn’t sneaking in; I was brought there under arrest by Baron Toppo, who was Viscount Gitt’s servant.”

Judge: “There is no record of such a report in the investigation materials.”

Ignoring him, Ryu continued.

Ryu: “Viscount Gitt tried to kill Princess Sophie. I had to capture him because of that.”

Judge: “Why didn’t you bring him to the capital and put him on trial then?”

Ryu: “It’s because Princess Sophie authorized his execution on the spot. Princess Sophie, who was there, knows everything.”

Judge: “Hmm. Princess Sophie, are the defendant’s words true?”

Sophie: “Y... yes... no, I don’t know. I have never been to Viscount Gitt’s mansion. I do not know the defendant. There’s no way I would ever... do... anything with a commoner adventurer..."

Ryu was surprised by Sophie’s words. But as she said those words, he saw tears streaming down her cheeks.

Something was wrong. Ryu activated his Divine Eye and looked into Sophie’s mind. He saw a heart filled with anguish, sadness, and intense anger. But there was some powerful force working on her, and though she was desperately resisting it, she couldn’t overcome its power.

Furthermore, Ryu’s Divine Eye saw a powerful magic emanating from the necklace around Sophie’s neck, controlling her body. At first glance, it looked like a decorative collar with beautiful jewelry, but it was clearly a magical artifact of some kind.

“That’s it..."

He could have noticed this sooner if he had used his Divine Eye when he first met Sophie, but Ryu had avoided peering into the minds of his close friends and acquaintances every time he met them. That backfired.

He had noticed that something was a little off when he met her the other day, but he had decided that it was just natural for her to be acting dignified in a royal palace, wearing a royal dress.

Ryu used spatial disruption to cut the collar around Sophie’s neck.

As soon as the collar fell to the floor, Sophie collapsed, dropping to her knees.

But she quickly got up and shouted:

Sophie: “What he’s saying is true! I authorized the execution of Viscount Gitt! Viscount Gitt's crimes were outrageous, and I decided to do this. Ryuujin is innocent..."

But suddenly, Sophie collapsed. A knight who had appeared behind her, knocked her unconscious with a stun spell. Gill emerged from behind and said:

Gill: "It seems the Princess is a little fatigued and has lost her mind. Judge, please delete the Princess's words while she's delirious from the records."

Judge: "As you wish."

Ryu: "It seems like...

The only way to solve this is by force.

I’ve put up with this long enough. This farce is over."

Gill: "What can you do with those magical restraints on you?"

Ryu: "What about this?"

Ryu effortlessly ripped off the shackles.

Gill's face contorted in shock.

Next Episode

Ryu goes on a rampage in the courtroom.

Stay tuned!