Chapter 21 - Checkmate [2]

Somehow, this monster seemed to know a lot.

But at that very moment, Viscount Erset raised his head.

"Oh God. Isn't this different from a contract?"

The voice shot out like rapid fire, as if he was rapping. I wondered if he had to react so sensitively.

There must be something he wants to hide for him to react that way. I said with a meaningful smile.

"What contract?"

"…"

Let's say it's personal freedom to treat that monster like a god.

But what about a contract? Isn't this extremely suspicious?

Moreover, as soon as the question was asked, Viscount Erset kept his mouth shut.

There was no way that guy would confess anyway, so I asked the monster.

"You better speak quickly. My gavel is not very merciful."

Grumble!

The heart of a beast lifted lightly.

As flames erupted from the hammerhead, the monster's broad face turned pale. He immediately started telling an interesting story.

"I can find the location of minerals relatively accurately. When I provided information that was close to prophecy, the author trusted me and followed me."

"Were you offered expensive food in exchange for finding the mineral vein?"

"Yes. But I clearly warned them. There are places where the ground is not good."

"Is it like that every time? Or is this place inherently unstable as a whole?"

"It was different every time I found it. There were places that were much safer."

"Did the tunnel collapse while digging too hard in a dangerous place?"

"It is certain. When I told them of a dangerous place, a few days later I heard a loud noise."

"Isn't the mine really noisy?"

"A collapse is a completely different sound than picking with a pickaxe. You'll know when you hear it."

Thanks to the monster's cooperation, the investigation was completed in an instant.

There was only one conclusion.

Workers died while trying to excessively mine.

Moreover, the mine systematically manipulated evidence. I cast a grim look at Viscount Erset.

"Is the statement this friend just made correct?"

"Well, that can't be possible. This is something I have no idea about. Using common sense, how can you look deep into the ground?"

The mindset of criminals is so similar that this was not much different.

Even though all the facts were revealed, Viscount Erset remained in denial until the end. Of course, there are still witnesses...

No, there are only monsters to testify. No clear evidence was found. But the way to find it was simple.

"Hey. A friend with horns."

"Ehat?"

"Apart from ore, can you find human corpses? The workers buried in the ground."

"Of course."

I looked back at Viscount Erset with a rotten smile.

It's checkmate.

This will decide the fate of this evil employer. But Viscount Erset shamelessly raised his head.

"Hehe! Would miners really want to dig there?"

* * *

The mine worker escape incident unfolded in an unexpected direction.

Maybe that's why there was a lot of talk here and there. Originally, it should have ended with a trivial ruling.

However, when I ordered a reinvestigation, it took a new turn. And today, the results were scheduled to be revealed to the world.

"We will resume the trial of the Erset mine non-payment of wages and disappearance of workers. Salute to your honor."

Today, Justice Josef Padilla, with a solemn face, shouted in a sonorous voice. Then everyone in the court stood up and saluted me.

'No matter how many times I see it, I never get used to it.'

Even modern judges would not be able to feel this way. Even there, everyone stands up, but they don't show extreme respect.

I sat down, enjoying the strange feeling. Looking around the audience, there was a big difference from before.

This was because Viscount Erset and Prosecutor Avery were in the defendant's box, not the miner's family. I said with a wry smile.

"Proceed with the procedure."

"Yes."

Then Corbin Sears stood up and responded. He was originally a newcomer who had called priests from the temple.

However, by killing several prosecutors who were not doing their jobs, I became the investigator in charge. But today the atmosphere was somehow different.

"We found gold bars of unknown origin in Prosecutor Avery's home. This clearly shows that the investigation was conducted on a whim."

The way he spoke clearly while submitting evidence made him seem like a veteran. I smiled contentedly and asked a question.

"Who gave the bribe?"

"Based on the newspaper results, we have confirmed that it is Viscount Erset. The driver who transported the gold bars was also arrested and his testimony was secured."

"Please call him."

"Yes!"

In fact, if he did that, he could have been ostracized from the organization for backing down a senior prosecutor. But this is not modern times.

They say it should be done by someone who stands in a very high status, but where are the seniors and juniors?

If we argued about something like this, the whole group could be blown away. It's not just about losing your job, it's about actually going to the guillotine.

However, the trial proceedings were in full swing. A strange sound came from somewhere.

"I cannot admit it."

Despite the mounting evidence, Viscount Erset played it cool. His logic was this.

"Where is the evidence that the workers were crushed to death? Did you even find a dead body?"

The place where the workers were crushed to death was a tunnel with weak ground. If they had tried to dig there, further damage could have occurred.

So I couldn't bear to go ahead. I couldn't risk someone's life just to reveal the truth.

There is just testimony. Since there was no direct evidence, such courage was shown. But I wasn't impatient at all.

'It's about time.'

When I didn't say anything, Viscount Erset shouted with great force.

"This is how words kill people. There is a coachman who carries gold bars? I don't even know anyone like that..."

However, his voice suddenly broke off. This was because an unexpected being appeared in the courtroom.

Rattling!

"The evidence you cried out for is here."

The beast came in through the door out of nowhere and placed several corpses on the floor.

Then everyone in the audience was shocked.