Chapter 357: Crime and Punishment (2)

In the grand courtroom of Central Venetior, where those who have committed serious crimes face judgment.

Vikir, the night hound, stood silently with his characteristic impassive expression.

Contrary to everyone else’s concerns, Vikir felt quite serene. ‘I’ve completed everything I needed to do at the Academy.’

With many of his duties relieved, his shoulders felt lighter. Everything was proceeding as expected, and now only the final showdown remained.

Thus, Vikir ascended the trial platform with a light heart, even feeling a slight anticipation.

Meanwhile, numerous eyes observed Vikir’s composed demeanor. Among them were representatives of the seven great clans of the Lok empire: Baskerville: the Iron Blooded Swordsmen Clan, Morg: the Mage Clan, Quovadis: Religious clan, Bourgeois: The Industrialists, Reviadon: Poison Clans, Donquixote: Solar Spear Clan, and Usher: Divine Archery clan.

The Clan representatives sat separately as jurors, while other members of their respective families filled the spectator seats.

With the Emperor absent from the trial, a representative of the Imperial Clan, clad in the distinctive attire of a nun, mechanically presided over the trial.

“Hugo Le Baskerville, juror representing the Baskerville Clan.”

Hugo, representing the Baskerville Clan, sat in a wheelchair, facing the judge’s seat. The representative addressed him.

“You have accused Vikir van Baskerville of theft of the artifact ‘Crimson Whistle,’ a crime punishable by theft, and attempted murder of the second son, Seth Le Baskerville, and attract on the patriarch, Hugo himself, using toxins. Do you confirm these charges?”

Hugo remained silent, his back turned, unable to respond due to the effects of the poison, which rendered him unable to move, let alone speak. Instead, his eldest son, Osiris, stood beside him, nodding in assent.

The representative concluded the final interrogation for the Baskerville faction with extreme dryness.

Then, she moved on.

“The Baskerville Clan’s claim is as follows: Despite the seriousness of the charges, as a descendant of the Baskerville lineage, the defendant is entitled to noble treatment. Therefore, they demand a verdict that takes this into account.”

There was no objection.

The representative shifted her gaze away from Baskerville and onto Morg, who stood beside them.

The Morg Clan’s juror, Respane Morg, stood atop the judge’s platform with a stern and unyielding expression.

The representative continued in the same dispassionate tone, reading from the documents.

“The Morg Clan’s claim is as follows: Despite the seriousness of the charges, as a descendant of noble blood, the defendant is entitled to noble treatment. Therefore, they demand a verdict that takes this into account.”

Respane Morg had reached the same conclusion as Baskerville. No matter how grave the crimes, noble lineage demanded elevated treatment.

Respane spoke in a calm voice. “The precedent for this can be found in the ’47 Incident’ from 35 years ago.”

During the ’47 Incident’, the situation was much more serious, to the extent that it could have led to the Empire’s downfall.

“There were two heroes who suppressed the ’47 Incident back then. One, now deceased, ‘Winston,’ and the other, unable to attend this gathering, ‘Orca.’ It was through their sacrifices that the dangerous situation was brought under control.”

Respane’s words silenced everyone in the courtroom.

“But what was the outcome of that incident? Despite strong pleas from the heroes who suppressed the incident, Winston and Orca, the instigator of the incident, Duke Sade, ultimately did not receive the death penalty. Wasn’t it because of ‘deference to the nobility’?”

Therefore, Vikir, too, being born of noble lineage, should not be subjected to the death penalty.

Respane concluded her statement.

Following her, the jurors from Quovadis, Nabokov I, and Bourgeois Clan, Damian, expressed similar opinions.

“Ho ho ho… That lad is a devout follower of the rune religion. While we must consider the circumstances of the deceased, we cannot simply bestow mercy upon him. In my opinion, the death penalty seems excessive.”

“The defendant has already posted a substantial bail. Considering the astronomical amount posted as bail, it’s evident he feels remorse for his crimes. Therefore, I also believe the death penalty is excessive.”

Baskerville, Morg, Quovadis, and Bourgeois – four out of the seven noble families argued for leniency in Vikir’s sentencing.

However, there were dissenting voices.

“That’s nonsense. If we don’t impose the death penalty on a murderer who has killed so many people, then who will we sentence to death?”

“Exactly. We must at least permanently isolate him from society to ensure he never resurfaces. And for that, the death penalty is necessary.”

The attitudes of the jurors from Donquixote and Usher were somewhat hostile.

They were substitutes for the absent heads of their families, Cervantes and Roderick, who required care following the Abyss tree incident.

Donquixote Monte and Madeline Usher, each representing their respective Clan’s interests as jurors.

They were siblings of the current family heads.

Lastly, the head of the Reviadon Clan, Hopps de Reviadon, broke the heavy silence and delivered the final judgment.

“…Death. There is no other punishment that can adequately hold him accountable.”

Four out of the seven noble families argued for mitigating circumstances, while the remaining three advocated for severe punishment without mitigation.

The divergence of opinions among the jurors was unprecedented, leaving even the representative of the Imperial Clan visibly perplexed.

Turning to Vikir, she asked, “Do you have anything to say before the verdict?”

Vikir lifted his head in response.

“…”

His calm gaze swept across the courtroom.

Hugo, sitting in the wheelchair with his back turned, his expression unreadable.

Osiris, furrowing his brow, possibly thinking of his brother.

Respane, her face hardened, perhaps contemplating her daughter.

Nabokov I and Damian wore uncomfortable expressions, while the remaining three jurors had different demeanors. Monte, Madeline, and Hopps appeared calm, just, and righteous on the surface, but in reality, they harbored more heinous and sinister malice than anything else.

‘…Most of the usual suspects have already shown their faces,’ Vikir thought to himself, keenly observing the remaining three demons. Originally, it would take ten demons to gather and open the “Gate of Destruction.” However, with only four surviving suspects, they might resort to even more extreme measures to fulfill their mission. It was clear they would likely prefer to eliminate Vikir first before making their final move.

‘Feel free to play into your plans,’ Vikir thought. He had his own agenda, which didn’t necessarily conflict with the intentions of the three demons. So, he simply closed his eyes and swallowed all the arguments.

Meanwhile, the spectators observing the trial were in uproar over Vikir’s demeanor.

“Just look at that audacity!”

“After killing so many people, he shows no remorse!”

“…I thought he was a hero, but I’m thoroughly disappointed.”

“Death penalty! Such a villain deserves nothing less!”

“Let’s show that justice still lives!”

Order was only restored when guards intervened to calm the audience.

Finally, the representative of the Imperial Clan, her nun’s robes fluttering, descended the stairs and asked once more, “I ask again. This is the last time. Do you have anything to say before the verdict?”

Only then did Vikir answer.

While his gaze was directed at the Imperial Clan’s representative, his voice was aimed elsewhere.

“Withdrawing is not fleeing, and waiting idly when danger threatens hope is not prudent behavior. A wise person knows to sow today for tomorrow and does not risk everything in a single day’s adventure.”

It was a tale left behind by a valiant knight of the Donquixote lineage from long ago.

After hearing his words, Monte, Madeline, and Hopps exchanged significant glances.

Finally, the verdict was reached.

The representative of the Imperial Clan, her nun’s robes flowing, solemnly read the verdict. “The defendant, Vikir Van Baskerville, is a devout follower of the Rune faith, the son of the Baskerville Clan, as well as a missionary for Quovadis, a prospective son-in-law of Morg, and regarded well by the patriarch of Bourgeois.”

Being a descendant of the Baskerville Clan, having good relations with Quovadis on religious grounds, having marriages with Morg, and being respected the patriarch by Bourgeois, all implied heavy responsibilities.

“However, the defendant committed unforgivable felonies of murder on multiple occasions. Moreover, the victims he murdered were all individuals who played significant roles in the security and development of the empire. Therefore…!”

The final verdict was announced.

“In consideration of the defendant’s noble lineage, the death penalty is rejected.”

A sigh of relief came from the Baskerville, Morg, Quovadis, and Bourgeois sides.

“However, considering the defendant’s grave and heinous crimes, a simple life sentence is deemed meaningless.”

This time, there were sighs of relief from the Donquixote, Usher, and Reviadon sides.

Eventually, Vikir’s fate was officially sealed.

“…Therefore, the defendant, Vikir Van Baskerville, is sentenced to ‘3,021 consecutive life imprisonments without parole.’ Furthermore, the place of imprisonment shall be limited to a ‘special penitentiary’ aimed at the eternal societal isolation of major criminals, rather than a ‘regular prison.'”

Consecutive life imprisonments. And not just once but over three thousand times. Even if one were to live and die once, they would remain in prison for another twenty-one times, unable to leave until the end of the sentence. This ruling reflected the uncompromising stance of the judiciary to never allow Vikir to return to society.

…However, before the severity of the sentence, Vikir focused on something else.

“Not a ‘regular prison’ but a ‘special penitentiary.’ There was only one meaning behind this.

‘Nouvellebag.’

It was a prison located on the farthest outskirts of the empire.

Once incarcerated, not even their souls would be free after death, trapped in this terrifying prison.

Vikir would be confined to this cruel and dreadful prison, which he believed was worse than death penalty.

And that too, for over 3,021 consecutive life sentences!

A sense of despair spread among the spectators from Baskerville, Morg, Quovadis, and Bourgeois.

On the other hand, there was a sense of victory among the spectators from Donquixote, Usher, and Reviadon.

A whirlwind of emotions, where the highs and lows of many individuals intertwined, swept through the courtroom.

In the midst of it all, Vikir silently sharpened the blade in his heart.

‘…Now, it’s the final showdown.’

The endgame.

With only a few chess pieces left on the board, the battle became incredibly intense.

It was the beginning of the true final act.