Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that! - Chapter 33
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- Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that!
- Chapter 33 - The first substantiation — 『Brother's struggle』
The first substantiation — 『Brother’s struggle』
☆
As for how the trial would proceed, it wasn’t much different from how it would in any other part of the world.
After His Majesty’s words, “I hope that the truth be made clear in this courtroom”, the presiding judge declared the court in session, and the [opening formalities] were held.
In this phase, the indictment is read aloud by the public prosecutor, and the defendant’s lawyer clarifies their approval or denial of said indictment.
The prosecution’s claim as written in the indictment is [the assassination attempt by the Duke on His Majesty and His Highness], by way of [inviting in foreign threats].
And in response to that, the defendant’s side flatly dismissed the indictment’s contents as [groundless].
”……”
During the opening formalities, I stared at the Duke of Oswell, sitting in the defendant’s chair.
The current prime minister holding the nickname [Sir Cold-blooded].
The man in his mid fifties, with white hair and a moustache, didn’t even move an eyebrow during the indictment’s reading and sat there like an ornament, as if to say it was [someone else’s business].
That figure was no different from before the redo, when he condemned me and my father to death during the summary trial.
(——— you can just sit there, feigning indifference as best as you can. We’ll expose you for your crimes, and have you atone for your sins.)
With such thoughts in my head, I wonder if it showed on my face.
”Letty, you okay?”
Hugh-nii[1] called out to me with a worried voice.
I smiled, and nodded.
”I’m fine. Thank you, Onii-sama.”
”I see. Then that’s good.”
My brother smiled in a similar way.
And, my father patted me on the knee.
”Take it easy.”
”… yes, Otou-sama.”
Again, my chest felt warm.
How many times has it been now, that I’ve felt this feeling.
Every time Otou-sama and Onii-sama worry about me, my chest feels warm.
(Right. There’s no need to be tense. Just being me… just being Leticia Ainsworth, in this place, is fine.)
Feeling lightened by my father’s and brother’s words, I no longer looked at my enemy, but instead focused on the words of the prosecutor and lawyer.
☆
After confirming each other’s arguments, it was time to start the examination of evidence.
The first step that was fone, was the opening statement.
The prosecution side presents testimonies and evidence to support the contents of the indictment, and explains the grounds for their argument.
In turn, the defence side points out contradictions in their explanation, and at times uses testimonies and evidence to refute it.
By the way, up till now, the indictment’s reading and the opening statement were all done by a professional prosecutor from the Judicial Ministry.
From here on, is where Graham-nii makes his entrance.
The prosecution side’s arguments follow generally from what’s known from the newspaper reports.
Here, two new important pieces of information are disclosed.
The first is of course, the magic communications device found in the Duke’s mansion. This should come out later.
And then the other thing is———
”According to the Second Order’s investigation, just before the dragons attacked, there was a person who sent a signal with a special magic tool, so that they could be guided in at the appropriate timing.”
When Graham-nii explained with the written evidence in one hand, the assembly hall became noisy.
”As a matter of fact, right before the dragon’s invasion, Leticia Ainsworth who was about to carry out a demonstration of the magic rifle, stated that she [heard a strange sound]. This statement was confirmed by a number of people, including His Majesty, and several people present at the scene who were questioned testified that they too [heard a sound like something cutting the wind].”
Right.
At that time, there was a [sound].
My brother’s explanation continued.
”We questioned all those who happened tobe present that day at the scene, and discovered that one soldier left the scene at this time, saying that he was [going to the restroom].”
The assembly hall got even noisier.
”When questioning this soldier, he stated that his wife and children had been abducted from their home two days prior to the incident occurring, and were left with this magic device and a letter stating [if you want your wife and children returned to you, press the button at a specific time].”
Having said so, from the desk upon which he had laid out pieces of evidence, Graham-nii picked up a square wooden box the size of a Rubik’s cube, and held it up high.
”As you can see, this box here has one spot with a button, which transmits a wave of magic power at a certain frequency. ——— let’s press it for a moment.”
Graham-nii said so and pressed the button on the wooden box.
——— iiyyiiin
Coco and Mel tremble in the bag they’re in, and the sound heard at that time faintly echoes in my ears.
That sound stopped as soon as my brother removed his finger from teh button.
”Now. I’d like to ask everyone in the audience. If you heard a [sound] just now, please raise your hand.”
Including me, several people raised their hands.
”Thank you very much.”
My brother bowed his head.
”Moreover, the [specific timing] mentioned in the letter was [when the king and the second prince were both at the Second Knights Order’s training grounds].”
The assembly hall was wrapped in an odd atmosphere.
As for Graham-nii, he brought his explanation to a close.
”——— from the aforementioned testimonies and evidence, this time’s assault was meticulously planned and targeted His Majesty the King and the First Prince, the ringleader had an accurate grasp of the venue and participants at least two days prior, and arranged for the assailants to be sent a signal: such are our claims.”
””Oooooooooh!!””
The assembly hall shook.
(“There’s no doubt about this.”)
”You Duke. You’ve finally done it.”)
… those were the kind of voices I could hear.
Within that, the accused’s lawyer, with a short beard, suddenly raised his hand.
”Silence! Silence!! …the advocate may speak.”
At the presiding judge’s words, the lawyer glanced once across the hall.
”The prosecution gave their claim just now, but the defence couldn’t possibly accept that. The proof is far too sloppy. ——— by the way, I’d like to ask those that said they [heard a sound] a little while ago, but… did you really hear anything? I couldn’t hear anything.”
The assembly hall became noisy.
”Humans, when told they [might hear] something, come to assume that they do. In fact, those who [couldn’t hear] were in the far majority. In addition…”
The advocate looked at Graham-nii, and laughed sarcastically.
”The [letter] or whatever you say that soldier found, where exactly is it?”
”Gh! That is… [when you’re done reading, place it at the window sill] is what was instructed… before they noticed, it was gone.”
Graham-nii-sama replied in a bitter tone.
”Look, see! Fabricating a kidnapping story, and leading the argument with fraudulent evidence! For the prosecution to take such a stance, can only earn one doubt!!”
The advocate shouted, his voice triumphant.
Oh my.
The tide had completely turned.
Tightly grasping his fists, Graham-nii-sama was shaking with rage.
I stood up, and walked to the front of the visitor’s seats.
”……!”
After a short period, Onii-sama noticed me.[2]
Our gazes met.
I gave my brother a nod.
——— are you sure you want to do this?
My brother’s eyes seemed to ask this.
I nodded my head once again.
He hesitated slightly.
The next moment, my brother looked back at the judge and raised his voice.
”Your Honour! The prosecution would like to request for a witness’s testimony, the magic-toolmaker Leticia Ainsworth!!”
That moment, the assembly hall was filled with cheers.
TL Notes:
[1]turns out I should have just used it literally all along. Can’t believe it took me this long to realise. ↩
[2]”Notice me, senpai! Kyaa~~!” I’m sorry, I just had to type it out XD ↩
I’ll be changing the (imaginary) schedule to once a week as I’ll be busy adjusting to uni again. Schedule may improve or worsen depending on how well I manage my time.