Baron Rebrandt's theft case [2]

I left the uneasy feeling behind and entered the courtroom. Immediately afterwards, prosecutor Corbin Sears stood up and shouted.

"We will now begin the trial of Baron Rebrandt's theft case. Salute to your honor."

I bowed my head politely towards those who bowed me.

Then I went straight up to the head of the table and sat down.

'The greeting is fine, but I still can't get used to these clothes.'

A costume so sparkly that it would be worthy of participating in a trot singing contest right now. Not only the prosecutors but also the judges were all wearing similar clothes.

It wasn't anything sophisticated like a stage costume; it was just cumbersome and bulky. I guess I'll have to change that.

"Let me ask you something. Since when did you start wearing these robes?"

"I know that too..."

"There are no specific rules, right?"

Justice Emir shook his head with a troubled expression. It seemed like he had never even thought about this in the first place.

However, Justice Josef Padilla, who had been silent, quietly intervened.

"Can I answer that, Your Honor?"

"Yes, try it."

"The beginning of legal uniforms was approximately 50 years ago. The intention was to preserve the authority of the court, but even prosecutors followed suit."

"It's a trial, so let's keep it short. So you're saying there's no root?"

"If I put it a bit strongly, that's right."

Fortunately, there didn't seem to be much resistance to changing clothes.

Once the cloth factory is completed, we will have to replace these strange robes first. I also thought it was a very time-honored tradition.

While I continued to think about clothes, the trial got into full swing. Prosecutor Corbin Sears was passionately pushing the defendant.

"Defendant Margot gathered people together and stormed into the Rebrandt Mansion. They took the Baron's children hostage. Do you admit it up to this point?"

"It's true that we went in, but we didn't take hostages!"

"Then why did Baron Rebrandt give you the money? He didn't receive any threats."

"Because I asserted my contractual rights. I said if I didn't return the money, I would sue."

"Isn't that what the victim said?"

"Isn't that just talk? I have proof!"

When the defendant shouted that, the lawyer immediately moved.

A copy of the contract was submitted to the court. It was said that Baron Rebrandt had borrowed 500 goldens. Kolund and Josef nodded with serious faces.

"Are you sure?"

"The home invasion was excessive, but the IOU appears to be genuine."

I immediately asked the Sears prosecutor a question.

"Has this fact been discovered?"

"The victims also admitted that they borrowed money."

"But why is it a case of theft?"

"Because the defendant stole an excessive amount of money."

"How much?"

"Approximately 900 goldens."

Even if there was interest, taking about 200 more goldens seemed excessive.

It seemed like a simple verdict of home invasion and intimidation and a ruling ordering the remaining amount to be returned would be sufficient.

However, the defendant's expression and eyes looked so miserable.

So I decided to give it a chance.

"If you have anything else to say, please do so."

"Thank you, Your Honor. There is a reason why I used an IOU this time. Because the Baron didn't pay back every time."

"Are you saying this happens often?"

"That's right. However, even though I used the IOU, repayment was not made again. That's why I had no choice but to make an extreme choice."

Alas, I felt something similar to the pain of non-payment of wages.

The sorrow of someone who has been deprived of money they should have received. There was a time when I couldn't get back something I lent to an acquaintance.

'We were so close that I trusted him completely.'

Although it was only a small amount, it was true that it made me feel sick to my stomach. So, I haven't lent money to anyone since then.

No matter how close we are.

"The amount is a bit vague, but I guess I'll have to look at the victim. Where is Baron Rebrandt?"

"I have been brought here as a witness."

"Then please call him right now."

"Yes, your honor."

Soon, the knights brought a middle-aged man. He was dressed neatly, but without the pomp of an aristocrat. It seemed like that was his style, and his behavior was very natural.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Honor."

"Nice to meet you. Let me hear some testimony. I want you to stand on the podium and take the oath first."

"Yes."

The defendant and the victim momentarily made eye contact. Cold sweat rolled down Baron Rebrandt's forehead. As I watched that scene, I tilted my head.

'It's between nobles and commoners, why are you nervous?'

I'm sure you were fine until just now. That commoner is more annoying than me, who is of a much higher status?

It was a situation I couldn't understand.

Anyway, now that we were ready, it was time to ask questions.

"Let me ask you. Has Baron Rebrandt ever borrowed money from the defendant? He said several times."

"That's right."

"Why didn't you pay him back?"

"Because it was such a large amount, it was just delayed. I received that much interest, so it's not wrong."

"Is it so? What is the annual net profit of Rebrandt's estate?"

"Last year it was about 12,000 goldens."

That's enough money to feed 5,000 serfs for a year.

"But is 500 goldens a large amount of money?"

"That is..."

A question that was naturally inserted. For the first time, Baron Rebrandt, who had been answering softly, was speechless.

Isn't that true?

For a commoner, 500 goldens was a huge amount of money, but for a hereditary noble, it was not. Because a lord can earn profit in various ways other than farming.

Sensing something strange, I threw a keyword that sounded like a nuclear bomb.

"It looks like the slush fund wasn't able to solve the problem?"

"Huh?!"

Immediately, a surprised gasp came out.

It was just a bait thrown haphazardly, but it caught him?