Standing in the center of the Magic Circle, I was transported to an ancient Shrine.
There, armored stone statues were waiting.
「The Judgment begins.」
Three Adjudicators stood tall at each vertex.
They pointed their respective axes, spears, and swords at me.
The people waiting outside the Magic Circle would not be able to see them.
「Adjudicators, demand the truth from him.」
“Derek Minster.
From this moment on, you will confess your Vicious Thoughts without hesitation.”
Camellia, her Golden Hair shimmering splendidly.
With her arms crossed, she looked down at me coldly.
“First, why did you kill the knights of The Holy See?”
The massive polearms held by the statues descended upon my head.
Then, the moment they stopped right above the crown of my head.
“Kuhk…!!”
A massive gravity began to crush my entire body.
It felt as if an elephant was on top of me, like all my bones and organs were about to burst.
「Sinner, confess.」 「The Empire’s Adjudicators have no Mercy.」 「…」
The statues spoke one by one.
Confession Magic, my ass…!!
How is this any different from an electric chair!?
“I…”
At my groaning voice, the Princess slowly closed her eyes.
For she knew the terrible pain that even a Sinner had to endure.
But, she couldn’t help but flash her sharp Blue Eyes again.
“am really not the Culprit in this case!!”
Because the one she thought was definitely the Culprit had given an answer she never expected.
「Hmm?」 「Oh, my.」 「…」
The statues also looked at the Princess in unison with bewildered expressions.
Their faces were hidden by helmets, but they were clearly dumbfounded.
“…”
The Princess’s wise eyes went blank for a moment.
With her lips slightly parted, she slowly asked me again.
“Are you really not involved in this case…?” “Are you saying you still don’t believe me after using Confession Magic!?”
A fluttering strand of golden hair stuck to her Red Lips.
Camellia’s mind went so blank that she didn’t even notice.
「Our Junior went too far.」 「I know.
Does she summon us without clear evidence these days?」 「…」
The ancient statues casually threw out comments like relatives meeting during a holiday.
「Looks like she takes right after the Former Emperor.」 「I thought her temper would die down after having a daughter, but I guess blood is thicker than water.」 「…」
The most silent Adjudicator was the first to withdraw his axe.
As they all followed his lead and put away their weapons, I could finally take a small breath.
“Please wait a moment.
We don’t know yet, let me ask the question more precisely.”
The Princess clutched her throbbing forehead.
And, she returned to her dignified voice.
“Derek Minster.
Then, I will ask the second question.”
In the vast, misty ancient Shrine.
Camellia approached my fallen form and bent her knees.
“According to my investigation, before you came here as a Prison Warden, you were just a Drunkard causing trouble in your Fief.” “…So.”
With my face pressed to the ground, I couldn’t even see her.
Only her gently dancing golden hair came into view.
“What is the reason for someone like that to suddenly be appointed as a Prison Warden in the Borderlands?”
The statues fell silent at the Princess’s second question.
They aimed their respective weapons at my crushed body.
The intense gravity began to bear down again.
Most sinners would tremble from learned fear.
But, amidst the creeping pain, I actually let out a smirk.
Because this time, it was a chance to land a solid blow on the absolute ruler of this world.
“If you’re satisfied with this answer, will you release the magic?” “I will.”
With the Sharp Gaze that used to be mocked as gloomy, I stared straight up at Camellia.
She tensed up at the changed atmosphere.
“It is for the Reformation of the Disaster-level Prisoners.
They must change their ways for this Empire you love so dearly to survive!”
The statues stared intently at the Princess again.
Because this time, he had stated a reason that went beyond honest to being utterly commendable.
「He was a Loyal Subject?」 「As a first-generation Adjudicator of The Empire, I am impressed.」 「…」
「Even the Former Emperor did not cast out such a commendable person.」 「Camellia, do you wish for us to strike the neck of a Loyal Subject with our own hands?」 「…How regrettable.」
Even the statue that had been silent looked at her with pity.
At this, for the first time, the Princess’s face began to flush red.
“F-Former Judges, are you not mistaken?
There was overflowing evidence that this man is a Villain…!!”
「Now she even dares to doubt our Ability.」 「It seems it’s about time for us to Retire from this line of work.」 「…」
A few Adjudicators clicked their tongues.
Unable to watch any longer, they fully withdrew their weapons, as if to say the show was over.
“Th-Then, one last thing!!
What in the world is that Sword on your hip!?
It belongs to the Lord the Saintess killed!!”
A flustered Camellia shouted, her voice like that of a 23-year-old woman, not a princess.
As if in response, I answered with an Expression of Resignation.
“I didn’t even know it was given by the Saintess.
I found it in a cabinet at the Training Ground and just used it, thinking it belonged to the Previous Warden.”
It’s the truth.
After my empty words, the Shrine fell dead silent for a moment.
The sound of a statue scratching its head.
They were guys who died in the distant past, yet I could only hear them clearing their throats.
「Are you alright?
I, at least, did not use my full power.」 「Please understand our Princess.
She grew up in a difficult environment and has a suspicious nature.」 「…Have a seat.」
‘These damn guys are even more detestable.’
The Princess said nothing for a while.
Among all the Imperial Royalty in history, the failure rate for Confession Magic was 1 in 10.
She seemed greatly shocked by the fact that she had become that 1.
“I’m sorry.
I have made a great Misunderstanding.”
Still, she meekly admitted her mistake.
Of course, it seemed she kept experiencing Cognitive Dissonance whenever she looked at my insidious face…
She immediately helped me up herself.
Unlike her cold personality, her touch felt very warm.
“However, please understand my Stance as well.
That Sword you’re wearing was conclusive evidence.” “I understand.
If this belonged to someone the Saintess killed, it would naturally be suspicious.”
“Don’t worry too much about the pain you’re feeling now.
This is, after all, a Magical Space.” “Does that mean the pain will disappear once I’m released?”
Camellia nodded nonchalantly.
“Yes.
You spoke before the shock could affect you in reality, so you should be fine.” “What are those statues?”
“They are the founding retainers who served His Majesty, the Former Emperor, in the distant past.
From what I’ve heard, only those who were Imperial Royalty in a Previous Life can use it.” “Previous Life…?”
I barely managed to raise my staggering body.
Then, I looked intently at the Princess, who was trying to regain her composure.
“Then does this mean this is a space where one can use the power of a Previous Life?” “That’s about right.”
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Character illustrations & later chapters: