This… this is actually pretty bad, isn't it?
Somehow, I had wound up not just beside Kaijin during his trial—but handcuffed, chained to the floor like a dangerous beast.
Seriously? Racism much? I mean, I'm a rare race, already presumed extinct, and this is how they welcome me? With shackles?
Not that I could really blame them. After all, having a demonkin stroll into your capital undetected would send any government into panic mode. For all they knew, I might've been some arch demon from the lower circles, wearing a mortal face and waiting to bring the apocalypse.
I mean, I do have style, after all.
But yeah, they probably thought I was some big-shot demon. One of those monsters whose mere presence twists reality, the kind of being who could make you mistake a cup of piss for beer.
…Okay, that metaphor got away from me.
Back to the main problem: I was now face-to-face with the King of the Dwarves himself. Gazel Dwargo. And let me tell you—
He wasn't just intimidating.
It was like standing before a mountain that could swing a sword. The novels said Rimuru felt the same when he met him, and I used to scoff at that.
Not anymore.
Even with my current strength, he felt stronger. Not in raw stats or skills, but in sheer, oppressive presence. Like his soul weighed a thousand tons and yours was a feather. My body wanted to bolt out of the courtroom and hide under a bed.
This trial… this wasn't just about Kaijin. No, I was on the table too. The illusion must've worn off. There were far too many guards stationed near the exits, and even more outside the doors.
I was a variable they hadn't accounted for—and now I was exposed.
"We will now begin the trial! Silence, everyone!"
The next hour dragged like molasses. Both sides presented their cases, and because I wasn't a noble—much less a citizen—I wasn't even allowed to speak. Only earls or those with express permission from the king could do that.
Pretty convenient, huh?
The entire system felt like a stage play where we'd already been cast as villains. Even our defense lawyer looked like he was rooting for the prosecution. I'd seen more justice in a bad dating sim.
But I kept still. Because I knew what was coming.
And sure enough, King Gazel eventually stirred from his throne. His gaze swept across the courtroom, then fixed itself squarely on Kaijin.
"It has been a while, Kaijin. Do you remain in good health?"
"…Yes, my liege!" Kaijin responded instantly, probably just barely allowed to speak at this point. "It gladdens me that you remain so as well!"
"Yes. Now, do you and your friends"—his eyes drifted to me, lingering—"have any desire to return to us?"
Ah. So this was where things got serious.
Kaijin didn't hesitate. "I beg your forgiveness, my liege, but I have already found a master to serve. I have made my vow, and it has become my treasure—a treasure so fine, not even the order of my king could make me part with it!"
The room went dead silent. Nobles murmured and hissed like a den of snakes. And then—
Shing.
The clean sound of a sword being drawn echoed like a scream. King Gazel had stood up.
"I see. And this new master you speak of… is the tiefling beside you, correct?"
"Yes, my liege."
"Then tell me this—are you aware that your new master… has killed four adventurers on his way here?"
Ah. Crap.
Gasps filled the room. Fear and tension gripped the air like a noose tightening. Nobles clutched their seats; soldiers reached for their blades. Only Kaijin and his brothers remained calm, staring down at the floor in bitter silence.
"And what of it?" I replied calmly.
Instantly, every soldier in the room snapped to attention. Several were already lunging forward, fingers tightening around sword hilts, murder in their eyes.
I could feel them. Twelve of them. Two aiming for the neck, one for the heart, another behind me ready to cleave from the shoulder—
—And yet I didn't flinch.
Mostly because I was already preparing my ultimate counterattack.
"Run like hell." Patented. Highly effective. Especially for situations exactly like this.
But before they could move, Gazel raised a hand.
"...Are you not going to deny it?"
"Why should I?" I said, meeting his gaze. "A hero kills dozens of monsters and earns a medal. A monster kills four humans in self-defense and you call it evil."
The entire courtroom froze.
Even Kaijin looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
Gazel's gaze sharpened. "Self-defense?"
"Yep. They threatened to kill me and my friend to steal our place in line." I gave a light shrug and added, "If you ask me, maybe Dwargon's own system is to blame for that."
The nobles exploded in chaos. A firestorm of protest, outrage, and shrill indignation filled the chamber. Even Kaijin turned to me in stunned disbelief.
Only the king remained eerily still, eyes narrowed.
"Are you accusing my guards of negligence?"
"What if I am? Am I wrong?" I stared him down, even as my body screamed under the weight of his presence. "You couldn't even manage your gate properly."
And then… silence.
The king exhaled, slow and long. Then, he closed his eyes.
"I see."
And just like that—he passed his sentence.
"Kaijin and his companions are hereby exiled from Dwargon. After midnight tonight, they are no longer welcome in my lands."
Heh. Guess I got off ea—
"As for you, Tiefling." Gazel's voice boomed like thunder, and I felt every ounce of heat drain from my body.
"Though I accept the fault of my kingdom, I cannot, in good conscience, let an unknown monster walk free without proving their intent."
God. Dammit.
"So prove it to me." He drew his blade and leapt down from his platform, landing before me with an earth-shaking thud. "Three blows. You and me."
Wait—What?! We're doing this now!?
I stared up at him… and smiled.
Relaxing my body, loosening my limbs, I gave him my cockiest grin yet.
"Three?" I chuckled, rolling my shoulders. "I'll do you one better."
"Let's make it five."