The trial progressed, and Lord Dardale’s testimony was finished. After a brief recess, the verdict was to be delivered.
As I was relaxing in the room, the butler whispered something to my grandfather. My grandfather’s gaze turned sharp, and he nodded.
“Toma . His Majesty will be coming soon.”
“Eh?”
“He wants to speak with you informally.”
“With me?”
“You, as the apostle of God, are an important figure to this country.”
“Do I have the right to refuse?”
“No.”
“I thought so.”
“Even if it’s informal, calling you, Toma , would stir things up with that old woman, so this trial was a perfect opportunity.”
“But it’s too sudden.”
“I agree, but if we arranged it in advance, that old woman would find out.”
So, it seems my being in the castle made it the right time to summon me without causing a stir at the temple.
Within two or three minutes, the king arrived, accompanied by Prince Reinhardt.
“Let’s skip the formalities. Please, sit down.”
My grandfather and I were about to bow deeply, but we were prompted to sit instead. Prince Reinhardt waved his hand casually. It’s easy for him, while I’m nervous in front of the king.
“It’s good to finally meet you. I am King Otfried.”
“It’s been a while, Toma .”
“Your Majesty, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Toma Ashurd Rocksfall. It’s been a while, Prince Reinhardt.”
“I’ll get straight to it—do I have any illnesses?”
Wait, is that the first thing he’s asking?
“…Your Majesty, you need to be cautious of excessive alcohol consumption.”
The king’s liver has been weakened from drinking too much. He seems to enjoy drinking, but stress is also contributing to his excess. If this continues, he might collapse one day.
“Hm? I haven’t been drinking the ‘wine king,’ though.”
“The ‘wine king’ contains poison, so that’s out of the question. However, as long as it’s in moderation, there’s no issue with drinking any type of alcohol. But excessive drinking will cause harm. In recent years, Your Majesty has been drinking more. I believe you’ve been experiencing poor health and a lack of appetite.”
“I see. Indeed, I’ve been feeling unwell recently, and my appetite is also lacking… Should I see a priest for treatment?”
“I recommend treatment, along with a regular lifestyle and a balanced diet.”
“Could you treat me, Toma ?”
“I must respectfully decline.”
Before I could say anything, my grandfather intervened.
“The king has royal physicians. It would create unnecessary conflict if you took their place.”
“Hmm… You would make Toma my royal physician…”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“…Ugh… The temple would interfere.”
“It’s better to accept treatment from the priests and reevaluate your habits and diet.”
I think my grandfather did a great job there, but the king will die if this continues…
Prince Reinhardt is one of the few people my age, and I don’t want to leave his father to die.
“Grandfather.”
“What is it?”
I whispered into my grandfather’s ear.
When I said the king would die if this continued, my grandfather’s expression became tense.
“W-What? What do you mean?”
The king looked panicked.
My grandfather and I whispered quietly in front of him.
“Ahem. Your Majesty…”
“Am I going to die?!”
“…Everyone dies eventually.”
“Wait! That’s only for the elderly! I’m only forty-three! I’m too young to die!”
The king stood up halfway, leaning forward in desperation. He truly believes he’s going to die. Well, he would, if things continue like this.
“Grandfather, I will make a medicine that will help the king. Please give it to him later.”
“Got it! I’m counting on you, Toma !”
The king sat back down on the sofa.
“Toma , I’m healthy, right?”
“Yes, Prince Reinhardt, you’re healthy.”
There are unhealthy children even at the age of ten, but Prince Reinhardt is perfectly healthy.
“However, isn’t Duke Bayerlein being a bit unfair?”
“If he’s my grandson, then it’s fine, hehe.”
“If you say that, then I, too, am distantly related to Toma since Princess Brynhilde is my aunt!”
“Is that so?”
“What?! Duke!”
“Hahaha, it was just a joke.”
Wait, really? Now that I think about it, I heard my grandmother was a princess.
Afterward, the king and my grandfather reminisced about old times.
“By the way, the way Lightstar panicked earlier was quite a sight. You entertained me, Toma .”
The king laughed lightly. After that, the king and Prince Reinhardt chatted for a bit and then left.
The trial resumed, and the verdict was delivered. It’s typical for a sentence to be delivered the same day if the evidence is clear.
The trial of the wine king, who caused the harm to hundreds of thousands of people, would conclude today.
“Viscount Fiatt and Marquis Lightstar, please step forward.”
The two of them stood before the witness stand, and the judge bowed to the king, who sat behind the lattice.
“Verdict: Viscount Fiatt is to retire, his title will be reduced to baron, and he will pay a fine of three billion G-Gazelle to the national treasury.”
“W-What?! I only made that alcohol because Marquis Lightstar told me to! Please, show mercy!”
“Silence, you fool!”
To everyone’s surprise, Marquis Lightstar slapped Viscount Fiatt.
“Seize Marquis Lightstar!”
“You, a slave’s child, repay kindness with betrayal!”
I received a favor from the Marquis Lightstar? I’d like to hear what kind of favor that was, face to face.
“Silence!”
“Ugh, you think you can forgive me for doing this?!”
The knights subdued the struggling Marquis Lightstar and forced him to the ground.
“Marquis Lightstar is hereby dismissed from the court!”
Still shouting insults, Marquis Lightstar was gagged and carried out of the courtroom by the knights.
After things settled down, the judge looked down at Viscount Fiatt.
“Why did you not mention that you were ordered by Marquis Lightstar during the trial?”
“I-I…!”
“I understand your position to an extent. However, if you remain silent, you will bear the responsibility for Marquis Lightstar’s crimes as well. You must realize this. Do you intend to insult this great court?”
“Of course not!”
“Then speak all of Marquis Lightstar’s crimes now. If you do, we may show mercy.”
As a result, the trial continued. Of course, the verdict for both Fiatt and Lightstar was postponed until the following day.
The next day, the grand trial resumed, and Viscount Fiatt testified again.
Marquis Lightstar, who had caused such a scene, was not present.
The defense attorney for Marquis Lightstar was present, but after hearing about the numerous crimes committed by Lightstar, he abandoned his defense halfway through.
Viscount Fiatt would still be retired, but his title wouldn’t be reduced. Additionally, the fine was reduced to one billion G.
By exposing Marquis Lightstar’s crimes, his sentence was significantly reduced.
As for Lightstar, due to the large number of crimes he had committed, an investigation by the knights was ordered.
Until the results of the investigation came out, he was imprisoned in the dungeon, with visits limited to those approved by the king.
