Chapter 91

The next day, the first heresy trial was held.

If accused of heresy, a trial is held for a total of one week in accordance with the procedure.

In the past, if clear evidence of heresy was found, they would be done for immediately without waiting a week, but it’s not like that anymore.

It meant that since they were highly likely to be sentenced to at least imprisonment, and at most, death for the crime of heresy, they would be given a few days of grace.

If it turns out that ‘he wasn’t a heretic after all!’, then that would be for the best.

Such a rule was established because many innocent victims were sacrificed in the early days of heresy trials.

The only exception is the Sword of Doctrine’s right to summary execution, but I’m someone with too many loose ends to be dealt with so rashly.

That’s why I was relaxed the entire time I was coming to the Church.

“The interrogation of this heresy trial will be conducted by Benaya Ignos.”

At the judge’s declaration, a quiet ripple went through the other cardinals who had gathered ceremoniously in the courtroom.

Benaya Ignos, the head of the Ignos family known as the Pope’s guard dog, was in charge of the interrogation.

This was a clear indication of the Pope’s strong will to make me a heretic.

‘Where did you sell your conscience, Your Holiness the Pope?’

Do you really want to do this to a sixteen-year-old kid?

The Pope, who had ordered his own guard dog to hunt, looked down at me with eyes of pity.

I was somehow annoyed by his pitiful gaze that seemed to say, ‘How did a child like you end up in a place like this?’

Then again, if he were a man with a conscience, he wouldn’t have made a basement in the first place. What a trash personality.

“Isn’t that an excessive choice of personnel?”

My father, who had been quietly observing the situation, asked with a grim face.

Although they didn’t fully agree, the cardinals also showed signs of discomfort.

They must have thought that even if he disliked my father, he should have been more subtle about it; he was being too blatant with his hostility.

“Due to all the priests qualified for heresy trials being absent, I have no choice but to take on the role of interrogator. Is there a problem?”

Benaya didn’t even blink an eye, lying shamelessly.

The interrogation of a heresy trial can only be presided over by a qualified interrogator.

I strongly suspected that as soon as my heresy accusation came in, he had hastily chased out all the interrogators.

“I will not accept any objections.”

This is a fixed game anyway.

The person in charge of the interrogation is openly called the Pope’s guard dog, and the person who delivers the judgment is someone influenced by the Pope.

I didn’t even expect this trial to be fair from the beginning.

“Is there a problem, defendant?”

“No, there is not.”

Talk about a loaded question.

If I had boldly said, ‘Yes, I have a huge problem,’ I would have been berated for being irreverent in a holy temple.

It was so blatant that I was past the point of feeling offended.

“Then we will proceed with the trial. This trial was established by the accusation of Zephyros Frey Nevera.

Under the will of God, the truth and sin will be judged by the stern laws of man.

I solemnly declare that there will be no injustice or complaint in the process.”

Thump, thump, thump, the wooden gavel was struck three times.

It would have been much more interesting if I weren’t the defendant.

Standing here as a sinner, my feelings were complicated in many ways.

In the solemn atmosphere, Benaya opened the trial.

“There has been an accusation that the defendant is the culprit of the unfortunate demon summoning that occurred in the Belmir fief.

Do you admit to this?”

“No, I do not.”

Who in their right mind would admit to it here and now?

The moment you admit it, it’s a straight path to the guillotine.

Even if I were guilty, this was a question I had to deny.

“If you admit your guilt, we can show some leniency in consideration of the Lisitoel Count family’s contributions.”

“I cannot admit to a crime I did not commit.”

I consciously put on a relaxed smile.

A confident demeanor that looked somewhat arrogant was the most important thing.

I begin my defense with the firm belief that I could not be guilty.

“It is estimated that the deceased Viscount Belmir attempted the demon summoning ritual for at least 6 years, and at most 8 years.

The Corridor of Light, where the demon summoning was held, collapsed in an earthquake 8 years ago and was newly built in the downtown area 6 years ago.

However, in contrast, it has been less than a year since I woke up. It has only been 3 months, so the timing does not match.”

There is no flaw in the logic. However, this damn religious trial is a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation.

“It is possible that you were feigning a coma and operating in the shadows.”

How cheap.

Normally, the cardinals who should be pointing out the flaws in logic are too busy watching the Pope’s expression, so I have no choice but to speak up myself.

“If suspicion without evidence is the basis for judgment, then anyone can be made a heretic. If you assert that it was a pretense, please provide evidence.

Do you have any records of direct surveillance while I was quietly lying in the Count’s residence?”

“I will submit a medical certificate written by Artemia Baelin.”

Nice support from my father!

“It is not a diagnosis from an officially approved medical officer of the Church, so I will not accept it as evidence.”

Wow, conscience. I don’t even want to count how many times I’ve looked for these people’s consciences.

“I will submit a witness regarding the suspicion.”

“I will accept it.”

It was so blatant, I couldn’t believe it.

This is really too much, I grumbled inwardly as the courtroom door opened, and a rather familiar face leisurely entered.

This, I really hadn’t expected.

“Ignatz Schreiden.”

What on earth is that guy doing here?

* * *

Ignatz appeared with a thoroughly intimidated expression and took a seat at the witness stand.

“Ignatz Schreiden, testify about the sense of unease you felt about Theo Lisitoel.”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected Evan to be present in the courtroom.

After flinching for a moment under Evan’s sharp gaze, Ignatz looked straight ahead with confidence.

This was a trial where the Pope himself had sent a letter and a priest to request his testimony.

As such, that detestable Theo would surely be found guilty of heresy.

“The Theo I saw at the Academy had more than a few strange points.”

“For example, what?”

“Even though I heard he had been lying in bed for a long time, he was surprisingly familiar with magic and knew a lot.”

“Isn’t it ridiculous that that in itself is considered a problem?”

Theo protested loudly, unable to hide his great surprise at the unexpected witness and evidence.

Theo, who had been maintaining a calm demeanor, shot up from his seat.

“This is speculation!!”

“Defendant, be silent. Continue your testimony, witness.”

As if he had been waiting for the judge’s permission, Ignatz continued his testimony.

All the hardships Theo had barely overcome until now had turned into blades, sharply aimed at his neck.

In a situation where no rebuttal was allowed, Ignatz recounted Theo’s actions until his mouth was sore.

“I believe it is excessive for someone who has been awake for less than half a year to have done all that.”

“Is that evidence of heresy? I thought it was just a short while, but 10 years had passed!”

Thump! He slammed his fist on the desk.

“Is it evidence of a crime that I pushed myself to rehabilitate and study to somehow catch up on the time I lost so futilely? Do you really think that is just!! Is it okay for the Church to pass such a cruel judgment!?”

At the cry that seemed to spew blood, the murmuring grew louder.

The story of Theo, the son of Count Lisitoel, having been unable to wake up for a very long time was quite famous.

Indeed, it was a harsh judgment.

“The trial will be temporarily suspended. The testimony and statements will be carefully reviewed and will continue tomorrow.”

Just as it had started, the wooden gavel was struck three times again, and the first trial ended.

“Let’s return to the prison.”

Another Ignos, Hartain, who had approached at some point, carefully spoke to Theo.

As he meekly followed Hartain, Theo thought.

‘Ha, I killed it.’

No matter how he thought about it, it was the best performance.

* * *

Ignatz fidgeted and quickly looked around.

“Are you interested in the garden?”

“H-His Holiness the Pope.”

Ignatz, who hadn’t expected the Pope himself to appear, broke out in a cold sweat and quickly bowed his head.

No matter how much the Church of Light was losing its power, it was the state religion of the Empire.

And the Pope’s authority, as the leader of the Church, was comparable to that of the Emperor.

Although it was fading now, it was more than enough to grant clemency to a noble expelled from the Academy.

“If you wish, how about receiving a bouquet of flowers?”

At the gentle question, Ignatz decided to pull himself together.

“It is fine, Your Holiness. It is a lifelong honor just to have been summoned by Your Holiness.”

“For the young lord of Schreiden to gild my face so, I truly do not know where to put myself.”

Hoho, the wrinkled middle-aged man smiled benevolently.

“It must not have been an easy choice to report a friend’s suspicious behavior.

I wanted to request a private audience to express my gratitude for willingly speaking up for justice. Was I being presumptuous?”

“N-no, Your Holiness! I…”

He had taken the opportunity to appear and reveal everything, but recalling the desperate, almost pleading cry, his heart was not at ease.

“I, that is…”

“I understand that after receiving 5 years of doctrinal training, you can obtain a qualification similar to an academy degree in accordance with the long-standing promise between the Empire and the Church.”

“Pardon?”

Ignatz’s eyes widened.

At the face that seemed to have heard something completely unexpected, the middle-aged man asked in surprise.

“I heard you were in trouble due to your expulsion from the Academy. Was I mistaken?”

“No, I am in trouble.”

Because to inherit a noble title, a degree from the Academy was essential.

However, Ignatz had already been expelled, and without resolving this issue, he could not become Marquis Schreiden, and would have to watch his younger brother inherit the title. So—

“Just trust and leave it to me. I believe it is right to act for justice.”

As Ignatz, with a half-hearted smile, departed, the Pope dropped his benevolent smile as if it had never been there. He clicked his tongue, displaying disgust on his face.

“He’s swayed by fleeting emotions, completely useless.”

If he was going to forget because of a moment of guilt, then his goal wasn’t that desperate to begin with.

“It’s not so bad to have an influence on a Marquis of the Empire. Is it a worthwhile investment?

I don’t like that it will take a long time to reap the rewards.”

“Your Holiness.”

The Pope, who had been carelessly snipping flowers with a pair of scissors, carelessly tossed them into Benaya’s hand.

The blade of the scissors grazed his palm and blood flowed, but Benaya, with indifferent eyes, faithfully awaited the Pope’s words.

“What on earth does our Emperor find so amusing about such a thing to be so devoted to it?”

Ignatz Schreiden might be useful for now, but in the long run, the return on investment seems poor.

In that case… yes!

“Wouldn’t it be better to summon Zephyros Frey Nevera?”

The sole heir of Nevera would make a rather fine trading partner, without a doubt.

The Pope, finally looking pleased, chuckled and took the blood-stained scissors to start snipping flowers once again.

—————–

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