I play a Evil God in Otome Game

Chapter 11 - 10:Judgment

"Have confidence in yourself, My Lady," Thomas said. "The more confident you are, the better you can defend yourself."

Morrigan nodded as she stood before the Hall of Justice. It was her first time facing a trial. She straightened her back and calmed her tense body.

The Hall of Justice was a large building with a simple design, featuring a statue of King Arthur rather than luxurious decor.

It was also located near the palace where the Royal Family resided. Many cases were resolved here.

Built 500 years ago by the king of that era, the Hall of Justice was also a place where the Reformists held significant power.

This was one reason why Thomas believed the case might be won. Despite Thomas’s efforts to reassure her, Morrigan was still nervous.

Her father, Duke Alfred, had already set off and would reach the capital in two days. During this time, Morrigan needed to either delay the trial or win it.

Even though the Reformists held the upper hand in the Hall of Justice, it didn’t mean Royalists were absent.

The Hall of Justice was marred by politics. While the King sought to control all the organs of the country, the Reformists wanted a constitution that limited the King’s rights.

It might not have reached the point of rebellion yet, but tensions were rising daily when it came to King Henry’s stance.

"You must be Lady Morrigan," said a middle-aged official with brown eyes. He appeared to be in his forties. He looked at Morrigan and spoke respectfully.

"Yes," Morrigan replied. "When will the trial begin?"

"It will start in half an hour, My Lady." The official handed some documents to Morrigan. "These documents explain that you have temporary immunity."

"Please, don’t lose them." Morrigan was a bit surprised as she examined the document. "Who arranged this?"

The official glanced around before whispering to Morrigan. "Mr. Maxwell pulled some strings for you. Please keep this between us."

Morrigan nodded, noticing that the official didn’t trust Thomas either. She turned to Thomas. "Thomas, you can leave."

Thomas bowed slightly, "As you wish, My Lady."

After Thomas left, the official introduced himself. "My name is Leon, My Lady. Mr. Maxwell wanted me to invite you."

Morrigan didn’t understand why Maxwell was interested in her, but she accepted the invitation nonetheless. "I am a Dark Magic user. Are you still inviting me?"

Leon smiled as if he had heard something amusing. "We are not like them, My Lady. We don’t judge people without understanding them."

"Well, I might lose the trial," Morrigan said. "How can you help?"

"Don’t worry, Lady Morrigan. The judge presiding over your case is a member of our party. He will assist you." Morrigan’s eyes brightened; perhaps she had a chance. Leon continued, "Consider this a favor from Mr. Maxwell, My Lady."

"Please convey my thanks to Mr. Maxwell," Morrigan said. They then chatted for a while longer.

Watching all this, Jack was surprised. "Maxwell was supposed to be involved with Alice; what changed that made him choose Morrigan instead?"

In the game, Alice was the one invited by Maxwell, but this time it was Morrigan. Jack’s eyes grew serious. "My knowledge of the game is gradually becoming useless."

Maxwell inviting Morrigan made Jack realize that the future would be less predictable.

"But this might be for the best," Jack thought, knowing that Maxwell was the game’s most reliable ally. He had supported Alice many times. "I’m sure Morrigan will get through this trial."

Meanwhile, High Priest Alaric arrived at the Hall of Justice. The man in his sixties had long white hair, blue eyes, and wore white priestly robes.

A religious symbol hung around his neck, and he wore a gold-colored robe indicating his status as High Priest.

When Alaric met Morrigan’s eyes, a flash of cruelty appeared in his gaze, and his soft eyes turned threatening as he looked at her. "May the Goddess’s light watch over us all, my child."

Morrigan’s gaze remained emotionless. The priest kissed his religious symbol once, raised his head, and said, "I will send you back to where you belong—Hell, you spawn of the Devil."

"I would love to see you try, Priest," Morrigan’s eyes narrowed indifferently. The priest merely clicked his tongue. "Enjoy your last moments, my child."

"Not even your father will be able to save you," Alaric said before leaving without a second glance at Morrigan.

After the priest left, Morrigan’s eyes turned to Leon, who was looking at her with concern. Leon approached and said, "I was so afraid you would attack the priest right there."

"I’m not that foolish," Morrigan replied. Leon admired Morrigan’s courage. "Anyone else in your place would not have held back."

Morrigan accepted the compliment and began to wait. Twenty minutes later, a guard arrived. Morrigan couldn’t see the guard’s face due to the helmet. "The trial has begun, My Lady. Please follow me."

Morrigan followed the guard and soon arrived at the courtroom. The courtroom was small, and the trial was to be held without an audience, so most of the seats were empty.

Morrigan entered the designated area and waited for the judge to arrive. Ignoring Alaric’s gaze, Morrigan wondered when the judge would appear.

After a while, an elderly man with short hair tied back in a low ponytail and a clean-shaven face entered. As Morrigan studied the judge, High Priest Alaric smiled at him. "Finally, you’ve arrived, Judge."

Judge Garrick calmly returned a smile to the High Priest, despite his disrespectful tone. "Please mind your manners here, High Priest."

Despite the judge’s sharp words, the High Priest was eager to win the trial quickly and have Morrigan executed.

Judge Garrick struck his gavel and calmly began the trial. The clerks started recording as the gavel hit. "Lady Morrigan, you stand accused of using Dark Magic. Do you have an explanation?"

Morrigan looked at the judge, her eyes emotionless but with a hint of determination. "Yes, my Dark Magic reacted during the ceremony."

The judge nodded. "With the King’s approval, your immunity as a noble has been revoked. Choose your words carefully."

The judge then called out to the clerk standing by the door. "Summon High Priest Alaric’s witness."

Morrigan looked towards the door to see the first witness. After a moment, the clerk returned with a man. Morrigan recognized him as the one from the Hunting Forest.

Morrigan narrowed her eyes. Had they bribed this man? And how did they know she had gone to the Hunting Forest?

The man nervously stepped forward, and after taking the stand, the judge looked at him with a stern expression. "State your name, where the events occurred, and what you witnessed."

The man nodded, trying to avoid making eye contact with Morrigan. "My name is David, I manage a hunting forest reserved for nobles."

"Lady Morrigan came with her servant, Thomas, and entered the forest without any protective gear or horses," David said. The judge glanced at Morrigan, seeking confirmation. "Is this true, Lady Morrigan?"

Morrigan nodded. "David is telling the truth; I went to the forest."

The judge gestured for David to continue. David went on, "Despite it being past 8 o’clock and the wolves becoming more aggressive, they returned without any injuries or animal carcasses."

"After they left, I went into the forest and found the bodies of animals torn apart, and three wolves brutally killed, with black miasma emanating from their corpses." The judge nodded as he listened to David.

"Can you prove this?" the judge asked David, but Alaric interrupted. "We found the wolf carcasses and obtained an autopsy report. The Church can assure you they were killed by dark magic."

The judge, slightly irritated, banged his gavel, turning his gaze to Alaric. "Please do not interrupt me again, High Priest."

Alaric reluctantly remained silent. The judge turned back to David. "This isn’t sufficient evidence. Do you have anything else to add?"

David lowered his head in shame. "No, Your Honor."

"Then you may leave," the judge said, dismissing him. The judge’s expression softened as he looked at Morrigan. "How old are you, my child?"

"I’m 16 years old," Morrigan replied. The judge nodded and turned to High Priest Alaric. "Aren’t you ashamed of accusing a 16-year-old girl of false crimes?"

The High Priest stiffly responded, "Judge, you know the dangers of dark magic. It is dangerous and harmful. Other lives are at stake."

The judge’s face tightened as he listened. "Lady Morrigan has no criminal record; she is completely innocent. Is she to be condemned simply for possessing dark magic?"

Alaric was about to interrupt, but the judge continued, "No person can be deemed guilty or classified as evil just because of how they were born."

"High Priest, before you judge others, take a look at yourself, and then refrain from behaving so rudely here." After glancing at Morrigan, the judge turned back to Alaric and sternly said,

"Since there are no more witnesses or testimonies, it’s time to render a verdict." The High Priest seethed with anger, while Morrigan’s expression softened with relief.

"Though Lady Morrigan should have been sentenced to death for using dark magic," Morrigan held her breath as the judge spoke calmly, "an unexpected decree from the Queen Mother has restored Morrigan’s immunity."

Morrigan was overjoyed, grateful for her aunt’s assistance. The judge continued, "Thus, the death sentence has been suspended until the King and Queen reach a joint decision."

Alaric objected, "But Your Honor—"

"If you wish to contest the Queen’s decree, you may file a petition, High Priest Alaric." The High Priest fell silent at the judge’s words.

"In the case of the hunting forest incident, due to witness David’s inadequate testimony, Lady Morrigan has been found not guilty." The judge’s statement was recorded.

"However, given the dangers of dark magic, the defendant, Morrigan Thornvile, is hereby prohibited from leaving the capital, New Camelot, for two months." Hearing the judge’s final words, Morrigan breathed a sigh of relief. Even if she hadn’t fully won the case, she had still prevailed.

"This trial is adjourned for one month." After concluding the trial, the High Priest Alaric stormed out, shooting a furious glance at Morrigan before leaving.

Morrigan looked at the judge with a grateful expression. "Thank you, Your Honor."

The judge smiled kindly. "I couldn’t have lived with myself if I had sentenced you to death, my child."

Morrigan offered a rare smile. She felt a sense of satisfaction she hadn’t experienced before. After bidding farewell to the judge, she left the courtroom.

Thomas met her outside. "You look happy, my lady. It seems things went well for you."

Thomas spoke as he glanced looking at the High Priest leaving the Justice Hall. Morrigan nodded. "Yes, the trial has been postponed for one month."

Thomas smiled, bowing slightly. "Congratulations, my lady."

"Let’s go," She said, and they left the Justice Hall together.