The next morning, a carriage arrived at the imperial prison. Warden Joket had only just settled into his office and hadn't even had a sip of water before a guard informed him that former Marquis Cotvico had arrived.
Hearing Cotvico's name, Joket was a bit surprised. He couldn't figure out why the elderly nobleman would visit the prison, but he dared not delay and quickly ordered the guards to bring him in.
"I'm here to seek justice!" Krause stormed into the office, fuming with anger. His fiery demeanor made Joket nervous. As for Linton, who accompanied Krause, Joket didn't recognize him and assumed he was either a relative or a bodyguard.
"Whatever you need, sir, I will handle it," Joket said promptly.
"The other day, when the magical beast attacked, I heard you captured a suspect. He's being held here, right?" Krause asked.
"Yes, sir. We have a suspect in custody," Joket confirmed.
"Has he been convicted yet?" Krause inquired.
"Well… we haven't had a trial yet," Joket replied. "His Majesty summoned us yesterday, and I haven't had the chance. May I ask what brings you here, sir?"
"My grandson was injured during that incident. He was caught in the attack and is still bedridden. I demand an explanation for this today," Krause bellowed. "Where is the suspect? I want to interrogate him personally and ask why he harmed my grandson."
Joket felt a headache coming on. The interrogation was necessary, but Krause wanted to be present, which complicated things. The case was sensitive, and Joket wasn't sure if the prisoner was even the real culprit.
As for Krause's injured grandson, Joket was unaware. Many people were injured that day, especially commoners, but there was no time to investigate all of them. The most important issue was the injury of the Crown Prince.
"Why? Is it because I'm retired that my words no longer carry weight?" Krause raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not, sir," Joket quickly reassured him. "If you wish to be part of the interrogation, it can be arranged, but the interrogation room is rather filthy…"
"I don't care! The man who hurt my grandson must pay the price," Krause insisted. "Bring him here now and start the interrogation."
"Alright, alright," Joket agreed. Since the interrogation had to happen anyway, he might as well get started.
He ordered the prisoner to be brought in and led Krause and Linton to a relatively clean interrogation room.
The room was small and windowless. As soon as Linton entered, he noticed a variety of torture devices, such as whips and shackles. Clearly, torture was a common practice in this world. In the center of the room was an iron chair for the prisoner, and a few simple chairs were placed opposite it, likely prepared by Joket.
Not long after they arrived, two guards brought in a man in shackles—none other than the suspect, Gassain. He was visibly nervous but froze when he saw Linton.
"What are you looking at? Sit down!" A guard pushed Gassain into the iron chair and stood behind him.
"Are you the one responsible for releasing the magical beast in the city?" Krause shouted at Gassain before Joket could even begin.
"No, sir!" Gassain quickly responded. "I'm innocent! I saw the beast on the streets and tried to stop it from harming people. I don't know why I was arrested. It has nothing to do with me!"
"Lies!" Joket shouted, standing up. "Many people saw you with that beast before the attack. Are you still going to deny that it was yours?"
"Is that true?" Krause asked Joket.
"Yes, sir. We conducted an investigation yesterday, and it's true," Joket confirmed.
"It's not true! I don't know who the beast belonged to. It followed me for a while, but it wasn't mine," Gassain protested.
"Still trying to deny it?" Krause sneered, clearly convinced of Gassain's guilt. "Tell me, why did you hurt my grandson?"
"Your grandson? I don't even know who you are! Why would I hurt your grandson? I have nothing to do with this!" Gassain pleaded, bewildered.
"Unbelievable! You still refuse to admit it? Warden Joket, for a criminal like this, he should be shown some punishment," Krause demanded. "I'll give you some time. I expect to hear the confession I want."
Krause's words clearly implied he wanted torture. Joket understood, but he was puzzled by how quickly Krause wanted to pin the blame on Gassain. Was someone higher up pulling the strings? After thinking it over, Joket decided it didn't really matter. Whether Gassain was guilty or not didn't affect the bigger picture.
Joket suspected Gassain wasn't the true culprit. After all, the beast was a rare magical creature called a Fire Devourer. How could a minor noble from the countryside possess such a creature? But someone needed to take the fall, and Gassain seemed like a convenient scapegoat.
Now that Krause wanted him dead, Joket saw no reason to stop him. Why risk offending Krause?
"Since you refuse to confess, you'll suffer for it. Guards, start the torture!" Joket ordered.
"What?!" Gassain panicked and glanced at Linton, who gave him a subtle signal. Realizing what Linton was hinting at, Gassain quickly shouted, "I'm innocent! But if you're going to accuse me, I demand trial by combat. The gods will prove my innocence!"
"What?" Joket was caught off guard. Trial by combat?
Before Joket could respond, Krause interjected, "Trial by combat? Very well! I've been waiting to avenge my grandson. If that's what you want, I accept."
"What?!" Joket was stunned. This was no small matter. The attack involving the magical beast was a sensitive issue, and rushing into a trial by combat could cause major problems. Joket quickly tried to intervene. "Wait, sir, this trial by combat—"
"Three days from now, we'll have the trial by combat!" Krause cut him off, eager to settle the matter. "Since you've chosen this path, you can't blame anyone else. You have three days to say your goodbyes."
With that, Krause left the interrogation room. Joket stood there in shock before rushing after him. "Wait, sir! We can't make such a decision so hastily…"
"What's the problem? You saw it yourself—he's asking for death. I'll find someone to avenge my grandson," Krause declared.
"But this involves the Crown Prince as well. His Majesty will certainly want answers. If we execute the prisoner now… I won't be able to explain it!" Joket argued.
"What's there to explain? He's the culprit. If he hurt the Crown Prince, then I'll deal with him on behalf of His Majesty. Just make sure he doesn't escape before the trial," Krause said as he walked away.
Joket, sweating profusely, realized he needed to report the matter immediately. This was beyond his authority.
News of the upcoming trial by combat quickly spread throughout the capital. By the end of the day, everyone knew that former Marquis Krause was seeking revenge for his grandson by challenging the captured criminal to a trial by combat, scheduled for three days later.
The palace soon caught wind of the situation, and that afternoon, a messenger was sent to Cotvico's estate.
The visitor was Lifa Tolanig, the current Court Archmage and head of the nation's magical order. She was also Krause's disciple.
Lifa had been dispatched because her master's recent behavior was baffling. Normally, Krause had no interest in matters like this; he only cared about magical research. His involvement in such a sensitive issue, especially one concerning the royal family, was highly unusual.
Following the emperor's orders, Lifa went to inquire about the situation. Upon arriving at the estate, she found Krause in the courtyard with a young man. At first, she assumed the young man was just an apprentice or relative, but as she approached, she overheard their startling conversation.
"Are you an idiot?" the young man snapped. Lifa froze. "I've already explained it—this is the ox seal, and this is the rabbit seal. How long is it going to take you to remember just a dozen seals?"
(End of chapter)