THE HEARING

As the judicial branch of the Clover Kingdom government, the Magic Parliament oversees criminal trials.

Since judgments are in favor of the nobles' opinions, the Magic Parliament is not an impartial body as the nobles are discriminatory against the lower classes and former nobles,

Moreover, the opinions of royals can easily influence them. To surmise, justice is a privilege to nobility. I am technically a fallen noble right now, it wasn't just reflected in the registry thanks to Sabrina's manipulations of the Retsej Barony massacre.

Oozing with confidence, I arrive by the defendant's podium. Surrounding me is a well-lacquered fence. I find this beautiful wood more interesting than the leering gazes of the nobles. "Ha!" I scoff not minding the etiquette required of a noble.

A middle-aged woman with bits of strands of white hair stands by my side. "Hmmm… Let this hearing proceed," her facial features remind me of a certain someone. "As chairman of the Magic Parliament, I, Impreca Kira shall oversee this hearing."

Kira, huh? No wonder. It is not like this is the first time I am seeing Impreca. I just had this funny thought in my head, how fun would it have been if it was Damnatio, a justice-crazed noble?

Impreca claps her hand to get the attention of the nobles. "First order of business, defendant, state your name." Looks like the hearing in this world uses clapping instead of using the gavel, huh?

With a straight back, I proudly announce my name. "Aaron Jester, disgraced noble."

At the word 'disgraced', the watching nobles end up in a commotion. I am not doing this to my disadvantage. I smile at Impreca who for some reason is smiling back.

Impreca without missing a beat cooperates with my little play. "Why disgraced? Are you perhaps a fallen noble? Be careful of your words. You are charged with the crime of attacking that glorious Knight Captains of the kingdom. You'd get harsher punishments if you say the wrong things."

I glance at the crowd of nobles representing the legislature and judiciary bodies. With my Ki sensing, I feel Sabrina's presence hiding among them. "Simple, it's because I am a fallen noble."

With poison in my tongue, I start attacking "I ain't fallen, I was disgraced. Disgraced none other by Sabrina Crook of the Purple Orca! That damn whore seduced my father, coerced him to do terrible deeds. She is a tumor to the kingdom." A plethora of curses escapes my mouth.

Releasing a dramatic sigh, I bow my head. "I admit to my crimes of attacking Sabrina Crook, but not the captains!"

Impreca aware of my scheme and follows through. "Found guilty of the crime of attempted murder, Aaron Jester shall be sentenced to ten years in prison."

"What the!?"

"Give him a death sentence!"

"What is this ruling?"

It was a staged play, and as such, leaves the nobles no choice. I glance in a certain direction. Wearing an unfamiliar face, I direct my gaze to her. Word by word, I mouth the words in my lips without a sound. "Sabrina Crook, see you in prison."

Sabrina who was watching all of this in disguise feels a cold chill in her nape.

Acier with her steel sword and a cold voice apprehend Sabrina. "Sabrina Crook, you are under arrest for crimes against the kingdom."

With Lu perching on Silva's shoulder, I happily declare my victory. "Fuck you, Sabrina!" I shout to the crowd while the Magic Knights drag me away.

Seating on the moving carriage with steel cuffs on my wrist, I wait for my arrival at the prison. I was confident that Sabrina would be physically watching my trial. There must be something that she doesn't want me to reveal to the public.

For Sabrina, the best case is for me to get a sentence without dragging her name. Meanwhile, the worst case would be me revealing what she was hiding, and Sabrina personally taking action against me.

What Sabrina didn't foresee is that her worst imaginable can get worse. My plan is quite simple. Because Sabrina getting a guilty verdict is nigh impossible thanks to her connections, I made a suggestion to some favorable aristocrats who wish her demise.

It is simple, really… It is through assassination. While convicting Sabrina to prison is insurmountable, it is still possible for her to get detained. This is the window that I need.

I am aware that our most recent confrontation didn't end well for me, but now, things will work differently. The last time, the one who had the initiative was Sabrina.

Now, it is my turn.

Let's see, Sabrina, what is your next move?

Exactly at that moment, I feel multiple hostile presences appear outside. Various mana projectiles flies at the carriage I was riding. With my dexterity, I was able to dodge them efficiently. It wouldn't hurt to have a splinter or two, but it is annoying. Still, I hold myself back.

I hide in the debris of wood. Some chunks are sizable enough for me to hide.

On an open paved road, not lacking any buildings, pedestrians from left and right start pushing and panicking. I was long anticipating this ambush.

For a convicted criminal like me, it is to my disadvantage if I try to do something. Fighting the ambushers is a no-go, and so is escaping. I patiently wait in a relaxed manner.

Not much later, Magic Knights with crimson robes flood the area. Leading them is Mereoleona who savagely fights the ambushers. They have been waiting for this to happen.

A familiar character from the anime approaches me, it was Randall Luftair, Crimson Lion's vice-captain. "Sir Jester, I will escort you to the prison."

Walking to the prison is not that hard. I was also able to enjoy the scenery much better with walking, so it is not that bad. Arriving by the prison gate, Randal bids me a silent farewell.

I proceed alone to the lobby absent of any guards. Sitting in a far corner is Sabrina Crook who is no longer smiling. I smirk at her. "How does it feel to be played?"