Today's trial was related to Baron Parviant.
'Is this karma?'
If I hadn't ordered the investigation, it wouldn't have been a task to begin with. But since I was determined to establish justice, I needed to end it with certainty.
"How was the investigation?"
"Please wait a moment. There is clearly a report here..."
When I asked the question with a pretense of solemnity, the prosecutor became flustered.
It was bound to happen.
That guy was also a member of the Siere noble faction, so he couldn't have conducted a proper investigation. Sure enough, the report was a complete mess.
'I asked, and they said no. Is this the end?'
From start to finish, everything was like this.
This isn't some child's diary. At least make it look plausible to get by.
Of course, I expected this would happen, so I had prepared myself at the mansion.
"Look! Prosecutor."
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Yes?"
The expression on his face that suggested he didn't know what was going on was truly disgusting.
I took a deep breath and gradually released my anger.
"What is this investigation? How on earth did you become a prosecutor? By bribery? By family connections?"
Everyone was stunned by the barrage of vitriol.
The audience was dumbfounded, so you can imagine how shocked the people involved were. I continued in a sharp voice.
"Court officer!"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Immediately arrest the prosecutor. The reason: dereliction of duty and insulting the emperor's authority."
Some might say I was just putting the emperor on the spot.
But my perspective was different.
Initially, Baron Parviant was being investigated for insulting the imperial authority.
But they come back with reports like this? This was tantamount to challenging the emperor's authority.
"Oh, no! This can't be happening!"
The prosecutor screamed in protest, but he couldn't withstand the knights' strength.
Soon, the court fell into silence.
The absurdity of the scene passed so quickly that it left everyone speechless. I regained my composure and looked at the new prosecutor.
"A new prosecutor is assigned. What is your name?"
Coincidentally, it was the same man who went to pick up the priests.
He stood up with a puzzled expression and answered.
"Yes? My name is Corbin Sears."
"Great. Prosecutor Sears, you are now in charge of the investigation. Redo everything. The next trial date is..."
I paused and looked to my left. Not at the treacherous Josef, but at the quiet-mannered judge.
Was his name Kolund Emir?
"Judge Emir."
"Yes, Your Honor."
"When are you available?"
"Perhaps tomorrow afternoon or after Friday."
For a moment, it occurred to me that this trial was a lot of dirty work.
Does that mean I have to do this more than twice a day? I made a decision without showing my frustration.
"We'll resume tomorrow afternoon."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The trial had proceeded quite randomly.
It may seem ridiculous in my world, but anything is possible here.
After all, I am a being with transcendent authority.
And the highest judge in the empire.
Who would dare disobey my words?
'Ah, I will become an emperor. But will I be okay?'
So far, I've invoked the emperor's name quite a few times.
Whenever I merely mentioned the term "imperial authority," everyone trembled in fear.
Could there be a more convenient master key than this?
However, if I overdo it, I might face severe consequences if the true ruler of the empire disapproves.
'From now on, just do it in moderation.'
I glanced at Baron Parviant and retreated.
Whispers filled the room.
"Ugh! After all, he is someone who knows true justice. He doesn't overlook even the smallest detail, right?"
"Last week, I thought he just got lucky. Looking at him today, I see that's not the case."
"He is truly righteous."
"His Majesty has discovered a true talent."
Can you hear them?
So many voices praising me!
As I listened, I felt my shoulders lift with pride.
Of course, the expressions of the nobles weren't as pleasant.
'If I lean too far in one direction, it won't end well. It would be ideal to have an incident that balances everything out.'
I quickly skimmed through the list of upcoming trials.
Then, one particularly interesting case caught my eye—a complicated territorial dispute.
The hearing was scheduled for the afternoon.
'I guess I can demonstrate this body's fairness here.'
What if I rule in favor of the Siere noble faction?
Then they won't be able to accuse me of bias.
I could become someone who upholds justice, regardless of party affiliation. The picture seemed perfect.
But the trial went in the exact opposite direction.
"The evidence doesn't match the map? Are you sure you investigated properly?"
When something goes wrong, it's definitely wrong. Justice Josef Padilla then spoke softly.
"There is no damage to the flag at all."
Ah, this treacherous bastard is at it again.
This incident occurred when the soil shifted due to a typhoon.
Since the soil and the flag naturally moved, he's claiming it's all his land.
The one benefiting here is Count Titus.
The person whose territory was invaded was Earl Brayden. It wasn't hard to figure out which of the two belonged to the Siere aristocracy.
Josef was secretly siding with Count Titus.
'What is this ridiculous situation?'
Looking closer, I realized it was even more absurd.
The flags that had been planted in rows were completely moved.
Even the surrounding trees and soil had shifted. How could there not be a dispute?
'Besides, the affected area isn't even small.'
It was a real headache.
However, one thing was certain—Count Titus' claims were excessive.
The other side offered to pay for restoration, but Count Titus refused to listen. They were relying on their faction's power to run wild.
"We still haven't reached an agreement?"
"Yes, that's correct. Their positions are too entrenched."
Judge Emir also seemed equally exasperated.
Then there was only one solution.
I needed to come up with a third option.
While each count's lawyers raised their voices, I quickly skimmed through the Imperial Code.
'There must be a law somewhere that fits...'
Then I came across something that made me almost laugh.
A breathing tax is charged at Venezuela's Simon Bolivar International Airport.
Is there such a ridiculous law that people are charged just for breathing?
But what caught my eye was even stranger.
In the UK, it's illegal to hold salmon if it looks suspicious. Strange legal provisions exist everywhere.
While quickly flipping through the pages, something caught my attention.
'This?'
I almost felt joy for a moment.
I had found the perfect clause for the situation.
Step by step, I organized my thoughts. Now it was time to pull off a rare trick. I rose from my seat and shouted loudly.
"Quiet!"
The noisy courtroom fell silent.
Eventually, the verdict came like a bolt of lightning.
"I will sentence you. The land in dispute will now be owned by the imperial family."
Bang! Bang! Bang!