(Open POV)
"Glancing over my records of the late last century, I am faced by the events of a certain bitter winter. A murder in a carriage as it sped through dense London fog in the dead of night - Though the victim and the perpetrator were the only ones inside, there were multiple witnesses to the crime itself. However, none could have imagined at the time that such a seemingly obvious case as this would end in such a horrendous manner. My friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes, once said of the incident, 'I believe that perhaps that case was indeed the 'prelude' - the beginning of a long concerto that impressive Japanese student and I were to play together.'" Watson said, as a voiceover.
(Jared's POV)
London…
"Amazing... Is...is this really just a railway station?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Railway station or not, I've never seen such an enormous building before." Susato said, in awe.
Ryunosuke, Susato, and I are walking around the city.
"And look at all the steam locomotives. This country is incredible."
"Wah... I feel like...like I'm dreaming." Susato said, happily.
"So this...is the capital of Great Britain…" Ryunosuke said, happily.
I held up my hand in the middle of the street, "Taxi!"
A carriage stopped in the middle of the street while I entered it.
"So...where to?" The man asked, looking down at me.
"Oh, hello!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"Climb aboard. I'll take you wherever you want to go." The man said, as Ryunosuke and Susato entered the carriage.
"In that case, um...the Supreme Court in Whitehall, if you wouldn't mind." Susato said.
"My pleasure. I suppose you're...visiting students from abroad, eh?" The man asked.
"They are. I haven't been to London in a while. Not since a dinosaur was in the thames." I said, smiling. "That was ages ago now. They're students from Japan. I'm from America."
"Thought so. Well then, I hope you enjoy your stay. And welcome...to the centre of the world: Great Britain's mighty capital, London!" The man said, excitedly.
18th February, 9:21 a.m.
British Supreme Court, Lord Chief Justice's Office…
"Hmm." I said, looking over at the armband and at the insignia on the front of it. "I've always wondered. What are those again? Sorry if I'm a bit tired. Didn't have my morning coffee."
"These are the Scales of Justice. They're a symbol of the defence, aren't they?" Ryunosuke asked, looking down at the arm band.
"Yes, that's right. The scales are a symbol of fairness, to show that all are treated equally in the eyes of the law. And they're a warning to those who enter the courtroom without an impartial mind." Susato said.
"But if they're the mark of the defence... ...it would be more auspicious if they were weighing more heavily on the 'not guilty' side, I think."
"... Very impartial, I'm sure."
"Probably." I said, walking over to Ryunosuke's arm and removing the arm band from it. "Hmm. The TARDIS is taking a bit longer to translate." I am looking down at the inside of the arm band to be greeted with Japanese text. "What does it say?"
"The lawyer's name is embroidered on the inside here, look. 'Kazuma Asogi'... This was his band, of course." Ryunosuke said.
"He had his heart set on this study tour in Great Britain." Susato said.
"I'm sure he would have found the truth he longed for here." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. '...But he lost his life before he even had the chance to see the place.'
"I have such a strong sense of his hopes and dreams when I look at this armband, though." Susato said, sadly. "..."
"...What an incredible place!" Ryunosuke chirped.
"It's so...imposing. It's, it's almost suffocating…" Susato said, frowning.
"Wait till you see the Oval Office. Won't be built for nine years in the White House. That is impressive." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This place is breathtaking...! It looks like a fortress!'
"There are some stone buildings like this in Japan now, of course. But they've only been built in the few short decades since we opened our borders to the outside world. An authentic example like this has quite a different impact, wouldn't you agree? A far cry from the wood and paper most of our buildings are constructed from." Susato said, happily.
"It's certainly...unfamiliar…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. '...But I think there's more to the differences than just construction materials…'
"So, what is this place? I have never been here before. Didn't have to." I said, looking down at the floor.
"This is the Lord Chief Justice's office, Naruhodo-san, Jared. In the Supreme Court of Great Britain." Susato said, smiling.
"The Lord Chief Justice…" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"We had instructions to report here at this time. If...circumstances were different... ...we were supposed to let the Lord Chief Justice know that we had arrived from Japan."
"... But Kazuma can't."
"He can't, because he's dead." I said, letting out a sigh. "He died on the ship on our way here."
"No…" Susato said, looking between Ryunosuke and I. "So instead, we are here in a different capacity. As envoys, to report the news of Kazuma-sama's death."
"Yes…" Ryunosuke said.
"And having delivered his or her message, an envoy's duty is done."
"You two would have to return to Japan." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So...we'd have to return to Japan.'
"If we want to remain here in Great Britain…" Susato said.
"...I have to take Kazuma's place as the law student selected for the study tour." Ryunosuke said, his eyes widening.
"Yes. Which means you need the requisite qualifications as a lawyer."
"Which is what I've been studying for."
"Here in Great Britain, it is the Lord Chief Justice who appoints lawyers. So that's the second reason why we're here. To have you officially recognised as a lawyer. It's the only way that we'll be able to remain here in London."
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'I hope I'm up to scratch…'
"Ah, good morning. Sorry for keeping you." Stronghart said, approaching us.
"Oh…"
"I trust you aren't too exhausted after your long voyage from Japan?" Stronghart asked, looking down at his pocket watch. "Hmph. It seems I'm one hour, twelve minutes and... forty-seven seconds late. My apologies."
"Oh! No no. Don't mention it! We're never happier than when we're standing around with nothing much to do!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"...How fortunate." Stronghart said. "So, introductions... I am Mael Stronghart, Lord Chief Justice of the British Empire."
"Ryunosuke…." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Ugh... And I feel like a little mouse under an elephant's foot…'
"Come on, Mr Naruhodo! Don't be a mouse!" Susato said, angrily.
"Yeah." I said, taking out some chocolate chip cookies to snack on them. "You're fine. Promise. Introduce yourself."
"Oh, um... It's, it's an honour to meet you, Lord Chief Justice Stronghart! I'm Ryunosuke Naruhodo from the Empire of Japan!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"Well, Mr Naruhodo... Welcome to London! The capital of our glorious British Empire!" Stronghart said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Ah...yes... Thank you!"
"So...what are your impressions of our capital so far? How do you like London?"
"Oh! Um, well...erm…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Help! I've been so nervous ever since I got here that I can't remember a single thing about the city!'
"It's simply splendid! ...Isn't it, Mr Naruhodo, Jared?" Susato asked, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Yeah. It is." I said, munching on a chocolate chip cookie.
"Oh?" Stronghart asked.
"We had a wonderful view of some of London's streets from the carriage on the way here from the station. Everything is so...impressive and...grand! I must say I'm almost lost for words." Susato said, smiling.
"I'm glad to hear you like it. The city boasts tramways, piped water and gas - even cables supplying electricity. We spearhead every revolutionary new technology in the world. Every visitor to London is astounded."
"Oh yes! Astounded is the word!"
"Don't forget London has the works of Sherlock Holmes. One of my favorite reads." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Thanks for saving me there, Susato-san and Jared…'
"You're right Jared, reading his adventures around the city is wonderful, Jared. And everyone seems so jolly and full of vigour!" Susato cheered.
"Yes. There's much excitement about the upcoming Great Exhibition we will be hosting here in London." Stronghart said.
"Great Exhibition...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Cultural and technological achievements from around the globe are to be exhibited here in our great city. It will be the greatest spectacle of its kind in history. ...And will make Paris's World Fair look like a toy shop!"
"Gosh! I can hardly imagine how magnificent it's going to be!" Susato cooed.
"Great Britain's capital city is nothing but magnificent! London is the centre of the modern world!" Stronghart said, angrily.
"Until it is New York City." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Even if you do say so yourself…'
"The sun will never set on our great empire! Perhaps it is fate that in these progressive times, we welcome visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun and the United States of America." Stronghart said.
"It is our pleasure." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "We're glad to be here."
"Um...Lord Chief Justice... ...I think you were expecting a student of law for this study tour, weren't you?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... Absolutely. A Mr Kazuma Asogi, if my memory serves." Stronghart said.
"That's right."
"The British government has already been telegraphed a full report on the situation. I understand the young man lost his life aboard the steamship bound for our shores."
"Makes sense." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's amazing! The news reached him before we even arrived…'
"...My country naturally extends its deepest condolences to yours." Stronghart said, looking between Ryunosuke and Susato.
"Oh...thank you." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"And you honoured this appointment specifically to inform me of the news?"
"...Yes. We are here in the capacity of envoys from Japan and the United States of America to report the sad news in person." Susato said, frowning.
"They tell me you Japanese are a people of protocol and courtesy, and I see that it's true. ...And it is with some regret that I must inform you... ...that the death of the young lawyer means this study tour arrangement can no longer proceed." Stronghart said.
"If you would just hear us out, Lord Stronghart."
"...What do you have to say, madam?"
"It's about the study tour... Mr Naruhodo here would like to make a proposal."
"Would he now? Well, Mr Naruhodo...?"
"Come on, tell him." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This is it, then. The moment of truth…' I clutched the strap of my sling bag, nudging Ryunosuke's shoulder, speaking aloud. "He needs to know, Ryunosuke."
"The thing is, Lord Justice, erm... Lord Stronghart... I was wondering if perhaps you would consider allowing the study tour to go ahead?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...Don't misunderstand me. Britain would ideally like to see the tour go ahead. But without a lawyer from your country, there's nothing to be done." Stronghart said.
"Well, in that case... ...what if there was someone else? Another lawyer from Japan, I mean."
"... ...Is there something I don't know?"
"Um…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Only a single lawyer was invited to Great Britain from your country. And that was Mr Asogi. ...At least, that is what I've been led to understand." Stronghart said.
"Well, um, the thing is…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'This really isn't going well at all. I just can't seem to find the right words to say to this man!'
"Mr Naruhodo!" Susato cried.
'I could ruin things here if I'm not careful! What am I going to say?' Ryunosuke asked, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "...If there is someone else here from Japan who could be described as a lawyer, it's…"
"Argh. Tell him it's you." I said, rolling my eyes.
"It's me. I can do it!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"...Is that so?" Stronghart asked.
"... I mean, I don't actually have any qualifications as such, but…"
"No qualifications, you say? And yet you still claim to be a lawyer?"
"I, I have acted as a lawyer in court before! ...Only once, as it happens." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'And I had Kazuma and Jared to help me AND I was the accused! But glossing over the details…'
"..." Stronghart said, at a loss for words.
"I've been spending every spare moment on the journey here to Great Britain studying. I've learnt all about British law and court proceedings while I was on board the SS Burya."
"The voyage from Japan is some fifty days, I believe. Not what you might call a full education. To become a qualified lawyer here in Britain... ...not only do you need a university degree in law, you must also complete several years of training."
"I realise it's far too short a period of time. But...I can't just go back to Japan."
"..."
"Kazuma- Mr Asogi's journey had only just begun! Coming here on this study tour was all he thought about! I have to carry on and do everything he planned to do!"
"...!"
"I know it must sound like I have an overly inflated opinion of myself. But I would do anything to prove that I have what it takes. Any test you care to set me. Just one chance... That's all I'm asking for. Please!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"... Hm, thirty-one seconds." Stronghart said, looking down at his pocket watch.
"...Sorry?"
"Your opening statement there, Mr Naruhodo. It was thirty-one seconds long. Not too brief, not too protracted. A perfectly judged appeal, I would say. ...Which is a skill that would stand you in good stead as a lawyer."
"Oh. Thanks." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"So, you're willing to put those words to trial, are you? Well, I'm all for entertainment."
"Huh...?"
"But let me ask you one thing first...sir."
"Y-Yes...?"
"You say you intend to do everything Mr Asogi planned to do. ...Are you firmly set on that path?" Stronghart asked.
"Well...yes. That's my intention." Ryunosuke said.
"I see…"
"..." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Am I imagining things... ...or did his expression just alter a fraction there all of a sudden?'
"...Very well. You have your wish. I'll give you a chance. A test to become a specially certified lawyer. Whether you pass or fail is entirely down to you." Stronghart said.
"Really?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Ask him about the test." I said, looking down at the floor.
"So...what form will the test take exactly?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Tell me, Mr Naruhodo, what do you consider the role of a lawyer to be?" Stronghart asked.
"Well, defending people, of course."
"Well said. So...let's have you defend someone."
"...Huh?"
"Your timing is perfect, in fact. There's an apt trial about to begin later today. No advocate has been appointed for the defence as yet, so this will be welcome news."
"T-Today...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Straight away...?" Susato asked.
"If you manage to secure a verdict of not guilty, you'll have passed my test. What could be simpler?" Stronghart asked.
"Crap. I forgot about this trial." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Ugh...how do I get myself into these situations?'
"Well, could I ask...what sort of trial is it, Lord Stronghart?" Susato asked.
"Hm, yes, good question. ...Ah, I remember. It's a murder trial." Stronghart said.
"A murder?!"
"An extremely simple case, I understand. You really can't lose."
"I get to meet someone I like. But this trial is far from easy" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's easy to say…'
"But I should mention, just in case... ...if the defendant is found guilty, he will of course be sentenced to capital punishment." Stronghart said.
"Capital punishment?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed, and he thought this to himself. 'He'll, he'll be put to death?!'
"Here in Great Britain, murderers are sent to the gallows without exception. Presumably you read that much in your short sea-based introduction to British law?"
"We, we can't possibly agree to such a test! We would be toying...with a man's life!" Susato said, worried.
"We're literally deciding between life and death!" I yelled, tossing a chocolate chip cookie into my mouth to munch on it. "It's awful!"
"I am the Lord Chief Justice. And I've decided it's acceptable." Stronghart said, looking between Susato and I.
"But…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'You can't do that! ...Can you?'
"There's not need to overcomplicate this. All you have to do is ensure that you don't lose."
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'So the defendant may live or die depending on how well I perform in court? If I lose... ...he'll be hanged…'
"Mr Naruhodo! You've come to me claiming to be a lawyer." Stronghart said.
"...!"
"If you want me to take you seriously, you need to prove you're willing to do a lawyer's job. And you say you intend to see through the will of your compatriot, Mr Asogi. ...I would like to understand just how far you're willing to go in order to make that happen."
"Ryunosuke, it's a test." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'You're right, Jared. He's testing my resolve…'
"...What's the matter? You've fallen silent. I'm sorry, but time is pressing. The trial begins shorty. I need an answer from you now. ...What's it to be?" Stronghart asked.
"..." Ryunosuke asked, while he thought this to himself. '...What do I say? Do I agree to this absurd test?'
"Come on, Ryunosuke." I said, happily. "Say you'll do it."
"Alright then, if I have to give you a decision now, my answer is...is…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I can't do it! I can't get the words out!'
"...Fifteen seconds." Stronghart said, looking down at his pocket watch. "Hm, your decision making needs work if you want to be a lawyer. That was too slow."
"...!"
"So, it's as I suspected, is it?"
"Sorry?"
"You have noble intentions, but lack the resolve to see them through."
"..."
"The test is cancelled. Thank you for stopping by. Go and acquire your ticket for passage back to the East tomorrow. This conversation is over."
"... Yes, Lord Stronghart. Thank you for offering me a chance." Ryunosuke said.
"Mr Naruhodo…" Susato said, sadly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Susato. But what could I do?"
"It's alright. I understand."
"Same. I understand too." I said, looking down at the floor.
"You do? Both of you?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Susato and I.
"Yeah. We do."
"It's not an easy decision to choose whether to defend a man in these circumstances. But resolve has absolutely nothing to do with it." Susato said, frowning.
"...What are you trying to say, madam?" Stronghart asked.
"... I think what Miss Susato means... ...is that no matter how badly I'd like to be recognised as a lawyer and stay here in Great Britain... ...to risk another man's life by treating his one and only chance at a trial so trivially... ...would be utterly unforgivable! And I feel exactly the same way." Ryunosuke said.
"..."
"I'm sure the defendant won't see this trial as a test. As some kind of experiment."
"..."
"A lawyer may fight for his clients in court day after day. But for each one of those clients... ...the particular day they stand in the dock may be the only chance they have to fight to prove their innocence. No, I was wrong. I'm not qualified to do that job yet. I'm sorry for wasting your precious time, Lord Chief Justice."
"Wait, Mr Naruhodo."
"Oh! ...Was there something else?"
"It's approximately twenty minutes by carriage to the Old Bailey from here. If you leave immediately, you should still be there in time." Stronghart said, taking out his stopwatch to look at it.
"But, but I just said that…" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"I was quite serious in what I told you. The defendant in this case has literally no one to advocate for him."
"What?"
"At this point, he can't hope to find someone to represent him. The trial will begin without a defence. And if that happens, there's only one possible outcome. He will receive the most severe sentence the judge can pass down."
"But that's awful!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"But that is the truth." Stronghart said.
"Why does it have to be like this?" Susato asked.
"... Please don't expect an answer to every question."
"...!"
"The cold, hard truth of the matter... ...is that there is only one person now with a chance to save this man from a very miserable end. And that is you."
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I'm really his only hope?'
"So... ...what do you say now, madam?" Stronghart asked.
"Me? What do you mean, Lord Stronghart?" Susato asked.
"And you sir, what do you say now?" Stronghart asked.
"What is it?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Madam, you said it wasn't an easy decision to choose whether to defend a man in these circumstances. And sir, you said you're choosing between life and death for this person. And I agree. But in my estimation...it is purely and simply a matter of resolve." Stronghart said, looking between Susato and I.
"Oh!" Susato said, her eyes widening.
"Our time is up here. I have a meeting to attend. I must leave in two minutes and sixteen seconds. So! Venture into our great city and enjoy yourselves!" Stronghart yelled, walking away from us.
"He's gone…"
"Hm, the Old Bailey…" Ryunosuke said.
"It's the courthouse in London." I said, frowning.
"If we're going to do this, Mr Naruhodo, Jared, we must leave at once!" Susato said, excitedly.
18th February, 9:45 a.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Oh, thank goodness, we're in time. There's still fifteen minutes until the trial begins." Susato said, happily.
"I never knew a horse-drawn carriage could go so fast! I thought my teeth were going to rattle loose!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"There's a road where the cars can go up 130 kilometers per hour. But most of it has no speed limit and cars there can go over 300 kilometers per hour." I said, smiling. "It won't be built until 1932."
"Cars will be faster than horse-drawn carriages?!"
"Yeah. But bullet trains will be faster. The ones in Japan have a record speed of 581 kilometers per hour."
"Wow. I see. So cars and trains will become quicker than carriages. Did you hear what I said to the driver when we climbed aboard? 'Get us to our destination in five minutes, driver, and there's a guinea in it for you!' It's one of my favourite lines from the Sherlock Holmes stories! And it worked quite perfectly!" Susato chirped.
"It did. God, I do hope I see Sherlock again. You did amazing, Susato."
"I'm not sure why the two of you are so pleased. I thought we were going to die, AND we had to pay gold for the privilege." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Well, at least we arrived here before the trial started." Susato said.
"Yes...I suppose there's that."
"Anyway, I don't understand it. The court clerk said the defendant should be here... ...but there's no sign of him at all."
"There really isn't." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So this is the Old Bailey... Even this room for defendants to wait in is grand.'
"Are you alright, Mr Naruhodo?" Susato asked.
"I'm feeling tense, that's all. This place gives me the same sense of foreboding that I remember from the Supreme Court in Japan. An oppresive air... Almost as if the building itself is going to crush whoever is about to be sentenced." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'It feels like only yesterday that I was the one about to be crushed…'
"Yes, whoever the man you're to defend is, I imagine he's feeling very alone at this moment…" Susato said.
"...Top of the mornin' to ya, madam! ...Sir. What are youse doin', followin' me here? Tings are fair desperate, are they?" McGilded asked, walking up to us.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Would ya look at those expressionless faces. From the West and East, are youse?"
"Um...we're from Japan, yes."
"And I'm from the United States of America." I said, happily.
"Ah, Japan and America, is it? Right, say no more! So? How much do youse need?" McGilded asked.
"No no, we're here because…" Ryunosuke said.
"No need to explain, fella. I've been there meself, so I have. No place to go! Nuttin' to eat! Barely a penny to your name! And all while in a strange, faraway land!"
"Well, actually... Haah... We haven't found a place to stay yet, no."
"'Tis grand, 'tis grand! Let me start by givin' youse a thousand guineas. Say nuttin' now!"
"Haah…" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"A, a thousand guineas?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Please, Miss Susato! You don't have to shout."
"But a thousand guineas is... ...is enough to build an entire mansion in the most prestigious area of Tokyo!"
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!"
"Now who's shouting." I said, laughing a lot. "That's barely a pound sterling in currency back in my time."
"'Tis nuttin' to me at all. I like to ensure I have sufficient funds to weather a rainy day, you see. I've enough wealth to buy the city of London two or three times over." McGilded said.
'...Could that much rain even fall in one day?' Ryunosuke asked, while he thought this to himself, before speaking aloud. "Well even so, we couldn't possibly accept such a large sum of money... Agh!" A guinea hit Ryunosuke in the eye. 'That hit me in the eye!'
"...Don't get me wrong, fella. I'm not givin' it ya 'no strings attached'. I'll be wantin' you to do sometin' for me." McGilded said.
"Oh?" Ryunosuke asked.
"To be honest, 'tis a little embarrassin'. The trial that's about to begin, you see, is for me good self here. I'll be in the dock."
"...!"
"So now, what I want you to do... ...is come along with me and stand there beside me. Officially, you'd be my lawyer, but...that's just a little detail now."
"Oh, well, the thing is…"
"Don't worry about a ting! All you have to do, is stand up there next to me. Nuttin' more. Otherwise, you see... ...the trial is goin' to start without me havin' any kind of representation at all!"
"Unfortunately." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So it was true. The Lord Chief Justice wasn't just making it all up.'
"Um...I'm terribly sorry to have to ask, but... ...does that mean you're the defendant in this trial?" Susato asked.
"... Blusterin' blazes! Do youse...? Do youse not know I am? Me? One of London's biggest names?" McGilded asked.
"No. Sorry. We've only just arrived in the city, you see." Ryunosuke said.
"Hm...I see... I s'pose it isn't altogether impossible. Well, just next to Hyde Park there in the centre of London is another beautiful park."
"Sorry? A park? What?"
"'Tis called McGilded Park. Full of blossomin' flowers in the spring and singin' birds and whatnot. I donated it to the city, so I did!" McGilded said, excitedly.
"An, an entire park? In central London?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Central Park in New York is nicer to me." I said, smiling. "Hyde Park isn't bad."
"I see. 'A city of smiles', that's my vision for London." McGilded said, happily. "There's nuttin' Magnus McGilded wouldn't do for the city and its quare old people!"
"That's...amazing. I mean, really extraordinary!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Ah, but! Now they've the gall to say I'm a good-for-nuttin' criminal! Me! Magnus McGilded! What is the matter with the London police, I ask ya? Hahh...hahh...hahh…" McGilded said.
"Please don't pass out." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Alright, don't pass out…'
"Mr Naruhodo… Jared… Perhaps now would be a good time to introduce ourselves, while the gentleman catches his breath." Susato said, sadly.
"Good idea." Ryunosuke said.
"Hahh...hahh...hahh…" McGilded said, trying to catch his breath.
"Um, Mr McGilded, the thing is... ...we're actually here in London to study British law. We're law students, on a study tour from Japan, and Jared is here from the United States of America as support, you see."
"Hahh...hahh...hahh…"
"So...if you don't have a lawyer for the trial yet... ...and you'd be happy to put yourself in our hands, we'll do our best…"
"What was I after sayin', you daft eejit? I've given you a thousand guineas to stand up there next to me, haven't I?"
"Stand next to you?" I asked, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Well yes, but I wasn't really offering to just 'stand up there next to you'...'
"... Oh, I tink I see what's goin' on here." McGilded said, his eyes widening.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I know what you're tinkin'. 'This chancer of a fella claims to have more money than the Queen. But if that's true, why the blazes can't he hire the finest lawyer in all of England? Because he did it! That's the only explanation!' ...Well?"
"Um, well…"
"Yeah." I said, sadly.
"...Yes! Exactly!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"What now?!" McGilded exclaimed.
"Well, like you said, if you have all that money but you don't have anyone to represent you in court... ...there's no other logical conclusion than that you're guilty of the charges." Ryunosuke said.
"..."
"..." Susato said.
"Um…" I said, looking down at the floor.
"Well, you call a spade a spade in the East, so you do!" McGilded said, smirking.
"Oh! I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any offence! I still can't express myself very well in English, you see. And I'm never sure what's acceptable to say and what isn't, so…" Ryunosuke said.
"Is that so? Because you sounded fluent enough when you were tellin' me what a blackguard I must be."
"Errrm... I'm terribly sorry."
"Wah hah hah hah hah!" McGilded said, laughing a lot. "I can't say that I blame ya for tinkin' it, fella!"
"It, it is a little strange, to be honest." Ryunosuke said, looking at McGilded. "Why you don't have a lawyer, I mean."
"... That would be the fault of the Reaper."
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'Did he just say, 'reaper'?'
"Aye, the Grim Reaper of the Bailey, Lord Barok van Zieks. He's the prosecutor." McGilded said.
"The prosecutor...is the Grim Reaper?" Susato asked.
"If only the Grim Reaper had Billy and Mandy. That would be a fun adventure" I said, happily. "Sorry. Talk about van Zieks."
"When van Zieks stands for the prosecution, they call the accused his 'sacrificial lambs'." McGilded said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"And to this day... ...in every single trial in which he's been the prosecutor... ...the accused has been damned!"
"What?!"
"So it's reached the desperate situation... ...where there's no one willin' to stand in defence against the fella at all. You could say he's a living legend of the Old Bailey."
"Goodness... Lord Barok van Zieks... He must be an exceptionally talented prosecutor then." Susato said, at a loss for words.
"... Talented isn't the word you're lookin' for, madam. ...It's 'cursed'." McGilded said.
"Cursed?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed, and he thought this to himself. 'What on earth...?'
"The defendant is summoned! And his counsel! Please make your way into the courtroom. The trial is about to begin!" The bailiff yelled.
"His counsel…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Ryunosuke, that's you." I said, frowning.
"Oh, 'tis time! Well then, fella, don't let me down!" McGilded said, excitedly.
"But... But I don't know anything about the case! You haven't told me what happened!" Ryunosuke cried.
"... Until you showed yer face here... ...I'd made up me mind, so I had."
"Sorry?"
"I'd decided I'd have to defend meself in there!"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'How would that have worked?'
"But then you made an appearance. A student of law, wouldn't ya know? 'Tis no accident, I can assure ya of that. 'Tis fate. So don't get cold feet now. Please." McGilded said.
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I literally know nothing about the case, or about this man who stands accused. In fact, the only thing I do know... ...is that I can't just turn my back on him.'
"Mr Naruhodo…" Susato said, sadly.
"Are you sure you want to take this case on?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"The man has no one. He'll have to stand alone in that courtroom, armed with nothing to defend himself. Yes... Something that Kazuma would never have allowed to happen." Ryunosuke said, looking between Susato and I.
"...!" Susato said, speechless.
"Counsel for the Defence! What are you doing? If you're late for the start of the trial, you will lose your right to stand!" The bailiff said, angrily.
"... I'll be right there." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Good luck, Ryunosuke." I said, looking down at the floor. "You'll need it. But Susato and I will be helping you every step of the way."
'It's happening, then. My first trial in a British court. I hope you're watching over me, Kazuma... ...because I have no idea how I'm going to manage this!' Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.