29 - Not Even Allowed to Die
The Special Court, located deep within the administrative area of the castle. Rei was brought to this place, which is used when judging individuals in special positions, such as royalty. Rei did not know that the place was a special court. All he understood, upon seeing the people attending, was that he had apparently been framed.
Sitting in the judge's seat was the Kingdom's Prime Minister, whose face Rei had seen before. Among the people lined up in the prosecutor's seats was even the face of the Commander of the Royal Knights. Seeing Julius's anxious face sitting at the end of that row, Rei knew that the mastermind was not Julius.
On the defendant's side was Rei, bound by handcuffs and shackles, with knights standing on either side of him as if to sandwich him. Naturally, there was no defense attorney. And in the gallery—if it could be called that—Fumiya and the others, and even Princess Ekaterina, were sitting, waiting for the deliberation on Rei to begin.
"We shall begin. Bring the criminal forward."
From the start, the Prime Minister referred to Rei as a criminal. In other words, this was not a place to decide innocence or guilt. With his arms held by knights, Rei stood at what appeared to be a witness stand in front of the Prime Minister.
"The criminal's name is Kamui. Is that correct?"
"I am called that. Is an explanation of the reason necessary?"
Rei had already discarded any courtesy toward the Prime Minister. No matter what the result of this trial-like thing was, Rei no longer cared. A strong sense of guilt toward Rui. That had caused Rei to lose his attachment to living.
"...Unnecessary. Then we move to the confirmation of facts. Kamui, who is here, in the prison, lured Hero Fumiya through a Demon Race's special ability and imprisoned him in a cell without cause—"
"Objection."
"What?"
"I would like you to correct the part about 'without cause.' There was a reason for imprisoning him. Because the Hero over there was raping a Demon Race woman who had been put in a cell and bound in chains."
"I didn't do any such thing!"
"Does the person in the back have the right to speak?"
Without even looking at the shouting Fumiya, Rei questioned the Prime Minister.
"They do not."
"Then, hey, you, the scribe. Omit the Hero's current statement from the record."
"What!?"
Suddenly, Rei made this request to a man who was busily writing something diagonally in front of the Prime Minister. From that action, Rei judged that the man was the person recording this trial. The Hero apparently would not be judged. If that were the case, it was Rei's stubbornness to at least leave a record of the Hero's lawlessness.
"A criminal like you has no right to give such instructions!"
"Then, Prime Minister, please give the instruction. Tell him not to record invalid statements."
"...Since it is the person's own statement, it will remain in the record."
"Hah, keeping what you want to keep and not keeping what you don't want to keep. What meaning is there in such a record? Hey, you, can you take pride in such work?"
"Watch your tongue!"
"What about the reason for the imprisonment?"
"No such fact can be acknowledged. That is something you are saying on your own. It is clearly a falsehood."
"What gain would I have in lying?"
"To lighten your own crime, presumably?"
"Hah? Am I being judged for imprisoning the Hero in a cell? For that, this is quite an exaggeration."
"I will speak of that now! Continuing. Imprisoned the Hero in a cell without cause—"
"I'm telling you, there was a reason."
"Can the words of a criminal be trusted!?"
"Then, I'll give a testimony so that it can be trusted."
"What?"
"The Hero's lower body was completely exposed, and he was moving his hips frantically. To the point where he didn't even notice me approaching the cell."
"Stop it! Don't say such nonsense!"
Fumiya shouted again at Rei's statement. To that, Rei did not look at him at all. Rei did not want to talk to Fumiya. He wanted the other people attending this place to hear it.
"You'll know if it's nonsense if you listen. As evidence that I actually saw it, I request a certain confirmation."
"Have you had enough?"
"That's right! Enough already, stop lying!"
"On the left side of the Hero's buttocks, there are two large moles side by side. I'll have that confirmed."
"What!?"
Fumiya actually had those. Not because he saw them in the cell, but Rei had known about them since he was in his original world.
"Let's have it confirmed. Then, it should be clear whether my testimony is a lie or the truth."
Slowly, as if checking the reactions around him, Rei shifted his gaze from the Prime Minister in front to the left. The ones with agonized faces were the Commander of the Royal Knights and Julius. The other people seemed to feel suspicion. That was evidence that those people did not know the facts. He would make those people aware of the evil deeds Fumiya had committed. Even if he couldn't prove it, the goal was to make them judge it as fact based on circumstantial evidence.
"Are you not going to confirm it?"
"There is no need. Even if there were, it is not something to be done now."
"Ah, because if you do that, the Hero's dignity will vanish. Because you cannot make the fact that the Hero raped someone clear."
If it doesn't remain in the record, he'll make it remain in their memories. Thoroughly, Rei carved what Fumiya had done into the people present.
"Watch your tongue!"
"Are you going to keep glossing over it? Well, fine. Then, please go on."
"Without cau... forcibly took the sword from Hero Fumiya. Afterwards, Kamui, who remained alone at the scene, murdered the Demon Race in the cell. Furthermore, he went so far as to murder the jailer who witnessed it."
"Objection."
"I do not acknowledge it!"
"I didn't kill the jailer because he witnessed me killing the Demon Race. It's because that jailer was also raping the Demon Race."
Ignoring the Prime Minister's words, Rei continued speaking. At Rei's statement, astonishment spread among the Prime Minister and the people lined up.
"W-what?"
"Ah, you didn't know this. By the way, what the jailer witnessed was the Hero raping."
"Enough. Even if that were a fact, the opponent is a Demon Race. It's not a problem at all."
"Could it be that the Prime Minister is saying that anything can be done to the Demon Race?"
"Of course. The opponent is a Demon Race."
"Ah, I see. That's how it is. So, is the confirmation of facts finished?"
"It is."
"In the end, what is my crime?"
"The murder of the Demon Race and the jailer."
"You just said with your own mouth that anything can be done to the Demon Race?"
"...The murder of the jailer remains."
"The jailer, huh. Then let me ask, if I hadn't killed the jailer, would the jailer have remained safe?"
"Don't say things that are obvious."
"Even though the jailer knew that the Hero raped the Demon Race? Could such a person be left alive?"
"T-that is..."
"What I did was just dispose of a person who was going to be killed anyway, a little earlier. Is that a crime?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Even so, if you kill a person without any permission, that is a crime!"
"Even so. In other words, the jailer was destined to be killed. And the reason was that he saw the scene of the Hero's rape. That's correct, right?"
"...That was a slip of the tongue. Don't nitpick my words."
"Quite tenacious. As expected of the Prime Minister."
"You..."
With this, almost everyone present recognized that what Rei was saying was the truth. Rei was also certain of that, but then a person appeared to interrupt.
"You, enough already!"
It was Akemi, who had been sitting next to Fumiya.
"Another unrelated person is trying to speak?"
"Shut up! You're the defendant, yet you're speaking on your own, aren't you!?"
"Prime Minister, aren't you going to stop her?"
"Listen to me! Anyway, stop trying to disparage Fumiya. Where is the person who can prove your statements?"
"The person who was raped and the witness are both dead. Dead people cannot testify."
"See, look."
"But, how foolish. I don't need witnesses. It's enough if the Hero shows his buttocks."
"Even that, you can't prove you saw it in the cell!?"
"Then where? I have no memory of ever having a naked relationship with the Hero. Unlike the speaker."
"...What did you say?"
"It's a relationship between a man and a woman, right? In other words, the speaker knows the truth. Then, could you testify? That there are moles on the Hero's buttocks."
"Don't be ridiculous! There's no way I would know such a thing!?"
"Everyone is just full of lies. Ah, how trivial."
"Hey, be careful with your words. That becomes an insult to this court, and by extension, the crime of insulting the Kingdom."
"I don't care. Will you tell me soon? Is my crime that I killed a criminal without permission? Ah, or that I killed a witness."
"You..."
With just that, the Prime Minister could sufficiently cast Rei into crime. However, if he did that forcibly here, what Rei said would remain strongly in people's consciousness as a fact. Disclosure would naturally be forbidden, but could it really be prevented by that? Hero Fumiya had a quite bad reputation in certain circles. If those people were to find out what had happened here today, what would happen?
"It is not over yet. You have other crimes. No, this can be called the heaviest crime."
"Other things?"
"Call the witnesses!"
At the Prime Minister's instruction, the knight standing at the left door stepped inside. Eventually, the people who followed the returning knight were...
"Miria-san... Cecil-san too."
It was Miria and Cecil. It was the appearance of unexpected people, but Rei was not shaken. The depths of his heart just grew colder.
"Kamui, return to your seat. The two witnesses, to the speaking stand."
The two took the speaking stand as if replacing Rei. Cecil was frequently directing her gaze toward Rei, but Rei, who closed his eyes and did not move a muscle, did not meet her gaze.
"Then, witnesses, speak."
"Yes."
The one who responded to the Prime Minister was Miria. Stepping one pace ahead of Cecil, Miria opened her mouth.
"This is a story I heard from Cecil, who is here."
"Miria? What are you trying to talk about?"
Cecil questioned Miria, who had opened her mouth, with a suspicious look. Hearing that voice, Rei opened his closed eyes.
"Cecil, be quiet. This is a court."
"But..."
"I will continue. The story is about what kind of feelings Kamui holds toward the Demon Race."
"Miria!?"
"Will you be silent! If you obstruct the statement any further, I will have you removed!"
At the Prime Minister's scolding voice, Cecil seemed to give up on interrupting and looked down.
"Then, I will continue. Kamui holds feelings of gratitude toward the Demon Race who lived in the forest. He acknowledged that."
"Hmm. That is something even His Majesty knows. What of it?"
"However, that is a lie to hide his true feelings."
"What? What does that mean?"
"Kuh, pupupu."
"What is funny?"
The Prime Minister reprimanded Rei, who was in the defendant's seat and seemed about to burst out laughing. However, that was an impossible request. Rei was not the only one who was about to laugh at the overly stilted acting.
"No, enough with that acting, could you just let her speak quickly?"
"You... Witness, continue your statement."
"Yes... Kamui said that he thinks of the Demon Race who lived in the forest as family. Demon Race as family. I believe this statement is a major problem."
"Demon Race as family. If that is a fact, it is not something that can be forgiven. It is an act of betrayal not only toward the Kingdom, but toward the human race."
"Yes. I believe so as well."
"Now, the witness says this. This is a problem that cannot be compared to the murder of the jailer."
"Affection for the Demon Race is a heavier crime than murder? That's an amazing way of thinking."
"That way of thinking is also a problem! The witness's statement is a fact, yes!?"
"Ah, that is—"
"It is not a fact!"
Just as Rei was about to honestly admit it, Cecil denied it in a loud voice, overlapping Rei's voice.
"Witness!" "Cecil!"
"I have no memory of telling Miria such a thing. Since she says she heard it from me, Miria's testimony is a falsehood."
"Cecil! What are you saying! Your words are the falsehood! Do you wish to be punished?"
"Why should I be punished? I am speaking the truth."
"Cecil! Enough already! That man is an ally of the Demon Race. Humans who collude with the Demon Race are held accountable for grave crimes. This is only natural."
"That's why I'm saying it! That I didn't say such a thing. Kamui-sama holds gratitude for having his life saved. But that is a natural emotion as a human. It is not something to be held as a crime!"
"You, enough with the love-blindness! If you keep saying such things, you'll be equally guilty!"
"I am saying that the very act of holding it as a crime is strange!"
"Will you be silent! Both of you, be silent!"
The Prime Minister, unable to endure the argument between the two, let out a loud shout.
"Enough of the two's statements. Kamui, the witness's matter is a fact, yes?"
"There is one error."
"What? What does that mean?"
"I have no memory of telling Cecil-dono such a thing."
"Hoh, thinking the witness has become an ally, do you intend to play dumb?"
"Are you listening to what I'm saying? I said there was one error. I have no memory of telling Cecil-dono, but it is a fact that I think of them as family."
"What... you admit it?"
The Prime Minister had intended to corner Rei, but he had not expected him to admit it from his own mouth in this situation. This was, in fact, a miscalculation for the Prime Minister. Though he had been miscalculating since the start of the trial.
"Because it's a fact."
"Support and cooperation for the Demon Race. That is decided as a death penalty, you know?"
"If that is how it's decided, then do so. I have no intention of denying my feelings for them."
"It's the death penalty, you know?"
"Hah? You're persistent. I'm telling you, if you want to do that, then do it, right?"
"B-but. That is..."
Against the defiant Rei, for some reason, the Prime Minister was the one becoming flustered. He was frequently sending glances to the Commander of the Royal Knights, but the Commander of the Royal Knights also had a bitter face because Rei had so splendidly declared it publicly.
"Kamui-kun, a moment, please?"
At that point, Julius stepped in. The fact that Julius requested to speak at this timing was unexpected even for Rei.
"What is it?"
"There is one way to avoid the death penalty. Offsetting it with achievements."
"I have no such achievements."
"It might be possible to exchange it for future achievements."
"...Ah, so that's it."
At that point, Rei finally understood the meaning of this trial. The purpose of this trial was to put a collar on Rei to bind him to this country. To cast him into crime, and in exchange for forgiving it, to demand loyalty. From Rei's perspective, it was a trivial little trick.
"Was this Julius-sama's idea?"
"No. I didn't know."
"I thought so. It's not a strategy at all."
"Meaning?"
"If you want to give me the death penalty, then do it. If anything, that is my wish."
"Wait, why is that?"
"I've already fulfilled my purpose. Although it was only up to the absolute minimum purpose that I cannot at all accept."
"That purpose?"
"Killing Rui."
"...Rui is a Demon Race, right."
"Yes. The reason I lived and came to the royal capital was to let the captured Rui escape. And if that were not possible, to kill her."
"But, you said you think of the Demon Race as family."
"Yes. Rui is a precious younger sister to me. Precisely because she is my precious younger sister, I could not allow her to be subjected to things that would hurt her. In the end, I couldn't protect her, though."
"...Could it be that the Demon Race you killed in the forest was also...?"
"Yes. I simply fulfilled the wish of my precious person, the person I love. I wanted her dignity as a Demon Race, as a woman, to be protected. I did it reluctantly because she asked. And killing Rui was also that person's request."
"I understand the story, but, love? Uh, that's not the younger Demon Race, right?"
"Of course not. It's the mother. Well, our ages were quite far apart, and she had a husband and children, so I knew I would never be accepted. Even so, there's no need to throw away the feeling of loving someone, right?"
"No, well, the age is one thing, but loving a Demon Race..."
"Because that's the reality. Well, maybe I was hit by Charm. But even if that were the case, I'm still grateful that I could have those feelings. Because I thought I'd never love another person again."
"...I see. Are you already satisfied?"
Julius felt a sense of incongruity in Rei's way of speaking, but he decided to let it slide, thinking now was not the time to pursue it. Rei had already chosen death.
"Rather than satisfied, I feel more like I've had enough. I can't imagine wanting to live in a world like this."
"I see... that's unfortunate."
"What are you talking about on your own? Julius, you have no right to speak either."
"Ah, my apologies. But there is nothing more to say."
"One word too many."
"I also have nothing more to say. Why don't you end this soon?"
"...Hmm. Then."
"Wait a moment."
The one who stopped the Prime Minister, who was about to state the verdict, was Princess Ekaterina. Hearing that voice, the Prime Minister's face showed obvious relief.
"Do you have some opinion?"
"Yes. Regarding Kamui's treatment, I ask that it be left to my discretion."
"If those are the words of the Princess."
"Hey? That's strange, right? No matter how much of a princess you are, do you have such a right?"
"I have obtained Father's permission that in times of need, I may do as I please."
"That's way too lenient."
"And so, what is Kamui's treatment?"
Ignoring Rei's mutter, the Prime Minister moved the conversation forward.
"The death penalty is waived."
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't wish for such a thing."
"Your intentions are irrelevant. You will simply receive the decided punishment."
"You might regret keeping me alive, though?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"If there is something I have left to do in this world, it is revenge. Against those who destroyed the peaceful life in the forest and drove my family to death."
"The one who killed them was you."
"Who created the catalyst for that? Isn't it this country, and the people lined up next to you?"
Rei's gaze turned toward the three, including Fumiya. The fact that they felt no guilt was the greatness of these three.
"Enough with the misplaced resentment. Regardless of the catalyst, the one who killed them was you. And you want revenge without even regretting that crime?"
Akemi spoke as the representative.
"How could I not regret it? Do you not understand how painful it is to kill a precious person?"
"I don't. Basically, it's decided that it's better to be alive no matter what. To kill someone... you're crazy somewhere."
"I'm crazy, I won't deny that. But it's better to be alive no matter what? Say those words after you've suffered the same fate as Rui. It's simple, just get captured by bandits, or get captured by the Demon Race. Then you'll understand Rui's feelings."
"...There's no way I could do such a thing."
"I see. Then, I'll make you experience such a thing. Someday, without fail."
"...D-don't be ridiculous."
"If you hate that, then ask them to kill me. That is the only way you'll be saved."
Rei's wish was death, after all. But even if he cornered Akemi, that wouldn't be granted.
"Oh, there are other ways."
Princess Ekaterina interrupted with a cool face, despite Rei's threat.
"...What?"
"We just have to make it so you cannot defy us."
"That's impossible."
"It's not impossible. If we use a magic tool."
"What!?" "What!?"
The people around them all became excited at the Princess's words. Especially the faces of Julius and Cecil, which had turned pale, losing their color.
"...Such a thing exists?"
And Rei also had an idea of what the Princess was talking about. Though it was nothing more than knowledge from a novel in his original world.
"Yes, it exists. Your treatment shall be as my slave. And not an ordinary slave. You shall be fitted with a Collar of Subordination. Once you wear that, you will be unable to defy me."
"Don't be ridiculous! There's no way that forcing a person to be a slave is permitted!"
"It is permitted. I am the Princess. In the first place, I am not an opponent you can speak to as an equal."
"Hah, the haughty princess is showing her true colors."
"Say whatever you like. This is the last time you'll be able to say such things."
"...I believe it was Akemi?"
"W-what."
"I have a request."
"I said, what is it?"
"Kill me here. I'd rather be dead than have my will stolen and be forced into slavery."
"I-I can't do such a thing."
"Hah, then what about the Hero? You could kill me with a single blow, right?"
"...There's no way I could kill a person."
"Hah, useless. I guess it's better to be alive no matter what. I suppose it's impossible for you people who can only think of such happy thoughts. Well, it can't be helped. Watch me from here on."
"Why?"
"Look at me after I've been made a slave, and think about whether it's really better to be alive no matter what."
"...That is."
This was Rei's final stubbornness. To make Fumiya and the others, who would never admit their faults, admit even one of their mistakes. Even if he himself could not rejoice in the result.
"Can you tell me one thing? Once that collar is put on, to what extent can the original will be maintained?"
"Well, I don't know. It's not something used often. It's a precious magic tool."
"I see. Then, just in case, while I still can. Julius-sama, Cecil-san, thank you for taking care of me. Also, please give my regards to the Master. Since we probably won't meet again."
"Kamui-sama... I-I..."
Cecil tried to tell Rei something with a trembling voice, but the words did not follow. She was doing her best just by staring at Rei, large tears falling from both eyes.
"Oh, Geel's training will continue. After all, you are my slave. You must be strong."
"That's impossible. There's no way the Master would give lessons to me after I've been made a slave. Give it up."
"That... is fine, that's a story for later. We shall begin the ritual. Bring Kamui."
"Y-yes."
The knights who had been waiting rushed to Rei upon the Princess's order. As he was led outside, a voice called out to Rei's back.
"Um?"
"...Still something?"
"What Fumiya did might not be something that can be forgiven."
"Hah? This conversation, now?"
Rei let out an exasperated voice at Hinata's insensitivity, trying to talk about Fumiya now, toward himself, who was about to be made a slave.
"Y-yes. Um, it might be a selfish claim to say not to resent him, but, if I say this, Kamui-kun might get angry, but..."
"Look, it's not like I want to become a slave quickly, but I'm tired of these rambling conversations."
"Ah, yes. I believe that the 'Charm' of the Demon Race was one of the causes of this incident. Therefore, I would... if possible, like you to stop despising Fumiya so much."
"...In other words, you're saying Rui is the one at fault. That the Hero is not bad."
"Not that far. But since there is such a cause, blaming only Fumiya is a bit..."
"I can't deal with this. Now, Princess, let's go quickly."
In the end, Hinata just hated being resented. They just wanted to remain good people. Once he realized that, Rei could no longer listen to the talk.
"Y-yes."
"Um, but!"
"Then, let me ask!"
At Hinata's selfishness in trying to continue the conversation even further, Rei finally lost his patience and let out a loud voice.
"W-what is it?"
"Do you say that it's a crime for a plant to bloom a beautiful flower and attract butterflies and bees? Do you say there is no crime in a person who does not permit it and plucks it, even though the plant bloomed a beautiful flower specifically to leave seeds?"
"That is..."
Without listening to Hinata's answer, Rei urged the knights and left the Special Court. Those left behind were people standing dazed, each holding different emotions in their hearts.