In the capital city of Caldea within the Borus Empire, there stood a single multipurpose coliseum.

Usually, it hosted jousting tournaments or swordsmanship competitions for knights. However, today, the coliseum was opened to the public for a different purpose.

"Agora"

The tradition held that the coliseum was also the place where noblemen of the Empire would engage in life-or-death duels over serious matters. Such spectacles, rare to witness, were always popular, and this Agora was especially noteworthy. Seats in good locations were so highly sought after that some were reselling them at a premium.

"In an event like this, it’s worth paying a bit extra to get a front-row view!"

This Agora, addressing the ban on comic books that had recently ignited passions across the Empire, drew attention from nobles and commoners alike. Even those unable to enter the coliseum climbed onto the rooftops of nearby tall buildings to catch a glimpse.

"Damn, who would’ve guessed the Crown Prince would attend as a judge instead of the Emperor?"

Count Macbeth, the representative of the Imperial Parents Association, stood at one side of the coliseum, feeling a bit unsettled as he noticed who was seated among the judges.

• As the Crown Prince is now old enough to gain practical experience, I will have him attend the Agora in my stead.

Typically, the Emperor did not vote directly but was responsible for assessing disputes during the Agora. However, with the Crown Prince filling in, who was known to be close to Rupert, this was clearly a disadvantage for Macbeth and the Imperial Parents Association.

That was not the only concern.

One of the three judges was Duke Bluewell, who was also rumored to have attended events hosted by the Somerset family, which suggested a favorable inclination towards Rupert.

At least the Crown Prince did not have voting power, which was a small consolation.

"Still, it’s not as if we haven’t prepared on our end."

Whether it was the Emperor or the Crown Prince, the imperial family had always been friendly toward Somerset. The surprise presence of Duke Bluewell was unforeseen, but even he would not openly favor Somerset without risking his faction’s security.

The other two judges, however, were different.

One of them was Marquis Lyos, the most conservative of the Seven Great Nobles, known for his staunchly aristocratic views. He would surely side with the Imperial Parents Association.

The last judge, Marquis Max Demian, was the association’s most reliable ally, with even more hatred for Somerset than Macbeth himself.

"If anything, his animosity toward Somerset exceeds ours."

Demian, who had accepted a hefty bribe to serve as a judge, was undoubtedly on Macbeth’s side. Only a select few nobles knew that Demian was the real owner of the Vera Merchant Guild, one of the Empire's Seven Great Merchant Guilds, which had suffered repeated setbacks due to Rupert and the Yuren Guild.

"And since he doesn’t appear publicly connected to this matter, he can support us without holding back."

Unlike the Crown Prince and Duke Bluewell, who would lose credibility if they openly sided with Somerset, Demian could act without those constraints.

Macbeth glared at Rupert, who stood across from him, wearing an unreadable expression.

"You tried your best, but your tactics were too shallow. Today, the Somerset name will be erased from history."

"Now, we will begin the Agora! Let both the defendant and plaintiff swear their oaths."

The Crown Prince’s declaration marked the start of the Agora.

Rupert, the defendant, and Macbeth, the plaintiff, swore to speak only the truth in the sacred arena, and the debate commenced.

"Plaintiff Count Macbeth, state your reasons for initiating this Agora."

At the Crown Prince’s command, Macbeth stepped up to the platform in the center of the arena.

"Citizens of the Empire! Today, our nation faces a grave threat."

Prepared with his arguments, Macbeth began his speech, explaining why they had called Rupert Somerset to the Agora and sought to ban comic books.

"Children who read these comics have started wielding sticks violently!"

• And that’s not all. Nobles have suffered from exaggerated and distorted depictions in these comics, leading to...

The essence of Macbeth’s argument was simple.

According to him, these comic books confused some ‘commoners’ into mixing fantasy with reality, leading to disorder and a breakdown of social class distinctions. Macbeth's long-winded denunciation of comics’ harmful effects stirred the crowd.

"That was refreshing! I’ve been annoyed at these commoners who don’t know their place lately."
"It’s disgusting to see illiterate fools acting as if they’re someone important just because they can read."
"It was courageous of Count Macbeth to stand up. I feel so satisfied!"

The traditional nobles cheered Macbeth on, having felt their own status threatened by rising commoners and new nobility. However, they were few compared to the masses.

Most of the crowd were commoners, who reacted coldly to Macbeth’s speech. Even some newer nobles showed disdain.

"He’s beating around the bush, but isn’t it just about not wanting commoners to rise up?"
"Nobles are all the same! They refuse to let go of a single grain of their taxes, even in a drought."
"How long must these old nobles hold power just because of their lineage?"

But Macbeth paid no mind to the crowd’s reaction.

"The rabble without voting rights can shout all they want. The judges will decide."

As long as Rupert could not counter his arguments, victory for the Imperial Parents Association seemed assured.

"Now, it’s the defendant Rupert Somerset’s turn to speak."

As Macbeth finished, Rupert took the stand, moving calmly to the platform.

"Greetings. I’m Rupert Somerset, the second son of the Somerset family and the creator of comic books."

Unlike Macbeth, who had shouted with bombast, Rupert’s voice was calm and steady.

"Let’s address the harmful effects of comics first, shall we?"

Rupert turned to Macbeth.

"Count, you mentioned that comics blur the line between fantasy and reality, causing harm. Could you explain which part of my comic is at fault?"

"Well..."

Macbeth was momentarily at a loss for words.

Rupert’s comics had always centered on themes of good triumphing over evil. The real issue was the portrayal of certain nobles in a negative light, but mentioning that directly seemed petty.

"You also said that children are mimicking swordplay and becoming violent. By that logic, are you saying that the many knights and students at the military academy have a negative impact on the Empire?"

"That’s nonsense! You’re twisting my words!"

"Which part is twisted? Didn’t you just say that, Count?"

At that moment, Macbeth realized he had been caught in Rupert’s trap. If he answered poorly, he risked alienating one of the most powerful groups in the Empire, the knights.

"I retract that statement. But what about the distorted depictions of nobles that harm our reputations?"

Macbeth pivoted, ready to attack Rupert on the grounds of his portrayals of certain nobles.

"You must mean the character 'Ferien' in The Count of Monte Cristo."

"Exactly! By depicting nobles as scoundrels, you incite the commoners to mischief."

"Are all nobles virtuous?"

"What?"

Rupert turned away from Macbeth and addressed the audience.

"The Count of Monte Cristo features both noble and villainous aristocrats. What do you think the average person takes away from that?"

Rupert pointed at someone in the crowd and continued.

"Do you wish to be a good person or a bad one?"

"Well... of course, a good person."

"Have you read The Count of Monte Cristo?"

"Yes."

"Between Count Ferien and Baron Franz, which character do you prefer?"

Count Ferien, the villain, and Baron Franz, the honorable and upright figure, were easy choices for the audience member.

"There’s a saying in the East: Wise men see wisdom in others, while pigs see only pigs."

Rupert didn’t direct his words at anyone in particular but simply looked at Macbeth.

"And as for banning comics? Fine, if they truly harm the Empire, I can stop making them!"

• But look at this! Here’s a comic book currently popular in the neighboring kingdom of Sylvanya!

Rupert held up a comic book for the crowd to see.

"If the Empire bans comics, they might claim to be the birthplace of comics! Is that truly in the Empire’s best interest?"

The book was a pirated copy Rupert had obtained from the Esteban Guild, circulating in Sylvanya. If he framed the Sylvanians as trying to claim comics as their own, it would surely sway the crowd.

"Hear, hear! How dare they covet what the Empire created!"
"The Sylvanians always pretend things are theirs!"
"Those in the Imperial Parents Association must be Sylvanian spies!"

The atmosphere in the coliseum heated to the point where those opposing comics were almost seen as traitors.

"Indeed, debate is all about rhetoric and persuasion!"

Rupert was pleased with the crowd’s reaction.