Chapter 6.11

“What? You want to sit in the gallery and observe the trial?”

“Yes. Could you please allow it just this once?”

“Well, normally it wouldn’t be a difficult request…”

“I thought there might be something helpful for my research. Didn’t you always say that experiencing various situations is beneficial, Professor?”

Under Professor Ruyten’s monocle, a troubled look appeared. If it were a regular trial, he would gladly allow Diashi to attend, but today’s trial was unofficial.

The reason, of course, was because it was Herace Belif’s trial.

Naturally, Professor Ruyten remembered exactly who that student was. He had been the talk of the magic world since admission. The fact that a mage with such power had emerged from the Rontiano Empire, not the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, was itself proof against the claim that magic was a blessing given only to Roeta’s royal family.

But…

What had happened in the month since graduation?

The student once considered a candidate for the next Mage Tower Master violated the Association’s rules just after graduation—a scandal that rocked the academic world.

Professor Ruyten had even offered Herace Belif a teaching assistant position after seeing his talent, but Herace had flatly refused.

Proud of the Academy, Professor Ruyten had believed his top graduate was preparing for an even greater future.

But to think, after refusing the teaching assistantship, the only thing he did was violate the rules.

It was truly regrettable and unbelievable. Especially since it was a rule that must never be broken, and violation could even result in losing one’s status as a mage.

Herace Belif surely knew such consequences. So, Professor Ruyten needed to hear why he used magic, and carefully consider how to help him.

“Professor, please, hmm?”

As Ruyten continued his thoughts, Diashi gently shook his arm. Since Diashi was his cherished student, Ruyten could not help but give in.

“…If you really want to, sign here and come in. But you must not make a sound in the gallery—not even a tiny exclamation.”

“Wow, Professor! Thank you so much. Really! I’ll see you inside then!”

Diashi, delighted, bowed her head after receiving the form. Professor Ruyten watched her skip away, then shook his head. Realizing there was little time left before the trial, he hurried into the courtroom.

* * *

“We will now begin the trial of Herace Belif.”

At the scheduled time, the priest presiding over the trial announced in the solemn courtroom. The Association’s judges and Academy professors, attending as magistrates, stood and bowed to the priest.

“Everyone, be seated.”

After glancing over the judges, the priest gestured and sat at the priest’s seat. The accused, Herace Belif, looked up at the priest’s seat from below the platform.

The priest looked down at the defendant with cold eyes.

“Before we begin, I will confirm a few facts. Are you Herace Belif?”

“Yes, I am.”

The priest flipped through the documents Herace had submitted to the Association before the trial. After confirming his identity, the priest nodded.

“Do you know why you are summoned here today?”

“I do.”

“Then, under the grace of the Demekia god, you will swear an oath of truth. Place your hand on the scripture atop the platform.”

With a faint smile, Herace slowly stepped onto the platform. On the marble table engraved with the temple’s crest lay an old scripture. After glancing at the priest, Herace placed his hand on the scripture. The letters on the cover began to glow gold. It was the divine power called the blessing of the Demekia god.

“I swear, here before the Demekia god who governs life and death, to speak only the truth, without hiding or exaggeration. Should I lie, I swear to accept the punishment for perjury.”

The priest’s lips curled into a satisfied smile at the smooth, flowing oath. He gestured for Herace to take his seat.

“Very well. The accused may now return to his seat.”

While Herace was taking his seat, the Priest, having glanced through the documents containing the report, announced the start of the verdict.

“Does the defendant admit that, a month ago, in the Marquis Ford’s territory of the Rontiano Empire—in other words, within Marquis Ford’s domain—you used magic during a natural disaster?”

“Yes, I admit it.”

At that calm admission, the courtroom stirred for a moment. If an incident had only been reported without any clear evidence, it was typical for the accused to deny the violation of regulations.

And this trial was just such a case. There was a report, but no evidence had been submitted.

The Priest, too, had not expected Herace to admit it so readily, so he set down the documents and looked at him with interest. A flicker of bewilderment passed over the faces of the Association and Academy faculty as they exchanged glances.

“…Then, do you admit that you were fully aware of the Association’s rule prohibiting the use of magic during natural disasters?”

“I admit it.”

“Then, knowing you could not avoid punishment, for what reason did you still choose to use magic?”

When the Priest finished speaking, silence filled the gallery. Herace looked around at everyone involved in the trial, then spoke in an even voice.

“There was continuous heavy rain in Ford’s territory, causing a landslide, and an old tree was uprooted. There were people right before my eyes on the verge of death—there was no reason not to use it.”

“No reason not to use it? Human life is up to the heavens!”

The Priest, who had been gazing quietly at Herace, furrowed his brow. After a moment’s silence, as if there was nothing more to see, the Priest set the documents down and picked up the gavel.

“Such fates are determined by our god, and mere humans must not recklessly go against the will of the divine. If magic is used indiscriminately for such reasons, then no one would ever meet their destined end, would they?”

The Priest pointed the tip of the gavel at Herace.

“No matter what death comes before you, an arrogant mage like the defendant would surely use any means to save a person.”

“If you ask how I would act in a situation that hasn’t happened, I have no answer. I simply followed my instincts. The desire to help others is a natural virtue for humans and a quality required of nobles.”

“Listen. Rules exist to be followed…! No matter that you are not a citizen or a high noble, there are no exceptions!”

To dare mention one’s status—at Herace’s attitude, which showed not a hint of guilt, the Priest’s voice rose slightly. As he was about to strike the gavel, one of the professors hurriedly stood up.

“Respected Priest, please calm yourself. The defendant may be a fully qualified mage, but he is still just a young man who has only recently graduated from the Academy.”

It was Professor Ruyten, who had been watching Herace with narrowed eyes all along.

The Priest, looking at him, let out a long sigh and set down the gavel. Professor Ruyten stood and stepped forward.

“The association’s regulations, overseen by the sacred Demekia Temple, are the foundation of the Holy Kingdom of Roeta. These rules are applied equally to all, regardless of status, and this is taught daily at the academy. The defendant must have foreseen that his qualifications as a mage would be revoked, irrespective of his origin or rank. Isn’t that right, Herace?”

Herace nodded with a composed face.

“Yes, that’s correct. It seems my words may have caused some misunderstanding.”

“To act knowingly could be seen as an impulsive mistake. The Priest is already aware of the defendant’s honesty. After all, he came to this trial and confessed the truth even without evidence. I ask that you value the defendant’s sincerity in keeping his oath before the divine.”

At Professor Ruyten’s firm voice, the other faculty members nodded one by one. While they could offer opinions about the process, they knew the Priest would make the final judgment, so the Association members quickly sided with Ruyten.

“The association shares the same opinion. Revoking the defendant’s qualifications for a single mistake would be a loss for the nation, as he is a remarkably talented mage. Please consider this and make a wise judgment.”

A deep wrinkle appeared on the Priest’s forehead as he looked back and forth between the Association and faculty. The Priest nodded a few times and straightened his posture.

“…Very well. Taking the judges’ opinions into account, instead of revoking the mage’s qualification, I will sentence a fine. However, this depends on the defendant, Herace Belif’s, response.”

“…”

“If the defendant’s qualification is not revoked in this trial, can you promise never to commit such an offense again?”

“…”

“Can you truly ensure that this will be a one-time mistake?”

A heavy atmosphere filled the courtroom. Just as Herace lowered his gaze and finally raised his head, someone abruptly stood up from the observation seats.

“This is outrageous!”

『Make Believe Is Extremely Dangerous』Continues in Volume 3