The next day.
The trial of Rimuru and Kaijin's group was held first thing in the morning.
Perhaps because it involved a minister from a marquis house and a former captain of the knights, the court seemed determined to wrap things up as quickly as possible before wild rumors could spread.
If the retainers under the marquis house or the soldiers who still trusted Kaijin started believing baseless gossip and causing trouble, it would become a major headache for them as well.
'...Kaijin said that in [Dwargo], you absolutely need a representative to defend you, and that it's an absolute monarchy ruled by the king...'
Arriving at the courtroom in chains alongside Kaijin and the others, Rimuru narrowed her eyes and looked around as she recalled the trial rules Kaijin had explained in advance back in the cell.
There were no modern electronic devices, but the lamps made with magic ore and the judges' seats, gleaming like marble, made it far more extravagant than any courtroom on Earth.
And with knights in full plate armor standing on both sides of the chamber with weapons in hand, the place carried a heavy sense of psychological pressure.
In other words, it really captured the kind of fantasy atmosphere ordinary people imagined.
'...That must be the king's seat.'
Soon, Rimuru fixed her gaze on the throne set one level above the judges' seats and sensed an enormous mass of magic power approaching it.
Thud... thud...
"......"
A massive figure easily over two meters tall, silver armor modeled after the wings of a pegasus, and a solemn force of presence that dominated the entire room.
The owner of the throne that overlooked the whole trial could only be [Dwargo]'s Adventure King, Gazel Dwargo.
'...That man's magic power is incredible... So much that calling him a monster instead of a [Dwarf] wouldn't feel strange at all.'
For the first time since Veldora, Rimuru had come face-to-face with someone at or above [Disaster] class. She broke into a cold sweat inwardly and kept a close eye on him until the judge struck the gavel.
Bang! Bang!
"The trial will now begin. All rise."
As soon as the judge seated in the center barked the order, Kaijin, the [Dwarf] brothers, the representative standing beside them, and Vester all rose from their places—
...
'So it begins.'
The demon, who had yet to reveal himself in the courtroom, drew a faint curve at the corner of his lips as he waited for the right moment to step in.
**
The trial continued for dozens of minutes, but there wasn't even a trace of tension to be found.
That meant one side was being pushed back completely, and naturally, that side was Rimuru and Kaijin's group.
Since the representative had already been bribed by Vester before the trial even began, Kaijin had absolutely no chance of winning.
"As I have already explained, while Lord Vester was peacefully enjoying a drink at the establishment, Kaijin and his companions stormed in as a group and assaulted him."
The representative kept defending Vester, insisting that Kaijin had attacked first instead of speaking in Kaijin's defense.
Then he looked around at the judges and continued with a smiling face.
"This is absolutely unforgivable. They should be strictly punished with the utmost severity."
"Has that been confirmed as fact?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
As if sensing that the judges were about to move toward a verdict, Vester stepped forward the moment the representative finished speaking.
"Your Majesty, did you hear that? Please hand down severe punishment to these men."
He firmly believed he would win this trial, convinced that Gazel trusted him, but—
"No. There is still one witness left."
—Gazel did not trust Vester, and he called for the most accurate witness of all.
Click... click...
One whom no one in the West could punish,
including the Adventure King himself,
who had watched yesterday's scene from the closest position,
and who could oversee the trial with the greatest fairness,
"......"
The [Hero] named Adelio.
"That person is...!"
"...!! T-That bastard... no, are you saying that man is the witness?!"
Since Adelio was dressed in the same adventurer's outfit he had worn the day before, Rimuru, Kaijin's group, and Vester immediately recognized him as the man from the tavern.
But there was one difference.
'...That's my fated partner?!'
Unlike yesterday, when he had tried to hide who he was, this time he had revealed his identity.
By showing the very face Rimuru and Kaijin's group had seen yesterday inside the orb.
"Watch your tongue, Vester! This is Sir Adelio, one of the [Hero]es of the age. He is not someone you dare address so carelessly!"
"A [Hero]...?!"
"......"
After angrily rebuking Vester, Gazel gave Adelio a nod.
It meant he need not concern himself with anything and could speak freely.
......
"...Hey, Kaijin. This [Hero]..."
"...I don't know much about [Hero]es myself. But I've heard the name Adelio a few times."
Rimuru and Kaijin's group, who had seen Adelio appear inside the orb yesterday at [Selling Snake Oil], whispered in confusion as they looked at the man who had suddenly appeared.
"According to common talk, he's a legendary figure who has lived longer than any other [Hero] of the current age, and a human said to be the strongest among mankind today. They say he's the only power in existence who could stand alone against the Sorcerous Dynasty [Sarion], the strongest nation in the West, or the [Council of the West]."
"...He's really that incredible...?"
"Yeah. There are even rumors that most of the famous heroes in the West, including King Gazel, are disciples of that [Hero]... Though I never expected him to look so young."
Turning his head with an expression that said the world was a small place after all, Kaijin muttered as he looked at Adelio.
"...Maybe the reason that [Hero] showed up here now is because of you, my lord fated partner."
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