Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 74 Absolution

<Basel Court>

The courthouse was rotting from misuse. The church had treated the court no different than a storehouse in the past few years. Under Overseer Nikolas's rule, small churches carried the authority to judge criminals. Though the nobles protested, they could do little against his tyranny. He was a man who executed his brothers, sisters, and their children.

"It needs to be ready in five minutes!" Baron Enzono shouted over the gossiping crowd.

Overnight they were forced to cleanse the place of filth and forgotten items. Groaning from exhaustion his men complied. Most of them were unfit for the job. Either too skinny or growing too plump. It was negligence on Enzono's part and he was one of the few that didn't much care for the power to judge his people.

"It's done your grace!"

"Let the people in."

Enzono was a man of average height. He had black hair, brown eyes, and a handsome face. His looks however were covered by the bush of a beard on his face and his unflattering physique. It was a struggle for him to stand at the podium. To look down an aisle fenced on either side. A small standing space was placed before his elevated stage and the four accused were guided in, guards on either side.

"Let in the people."

The doors opened wider at his behest and the citizens flocked in. They were farm mice, sniffing the air for hints of food or danger. They stood behind the fences, waiting for the verdict. Soon the square outside was full and a chain of whispers stood ready to relay every word.

"You four stand before me for the act of attempting to murder a child."

A low thumping noise only Enzono could be heard made him pause. His scribe sat diligently at a desk beside the podium, tapping the table to remind Enzono to read the names of the accused. Enzono rolled his eyes, this was a waste of time.

"You four also stand accused of assaulting apothecary Serubus and your friend Bastes. The guards were there and blood was found at the scene of the crime. I believe this case is closed. Off to prison now, don't tarry."

"But your Grace she was a heretic!"

A gasp fell among the crowd, there were rumors sure but no confirmation. Enzono stifled a yawn before looking to the crowd. They could make a ruling better than he could. Whichever was faster.

"Well, what do my citizens think? Are they in the wrong? Is there proof she's a heretic?"

"There is your Grace! Her brother defended the devil in the pub but we took care of him as well!"

"Oh, then what do my citizens think?"

The crowd conversed and pressed for a question. The scribe scribbled away in frustration. Enzono leaned on the podium observing the flow of conversation. His scribe, visibly upset caught his attention.

"Scribe what do you think?"

"Your Grace?"

"Call judgment. Write it down and we'll be done."

"You Grace I'm afraid I don't have the authority do you as ask. It pains me greatly."

"Huh is that so?" Enzono scratched his head. "Then what do the people think? Are they innocent or are they guilty?"

More whispering ensued until finally, one brave boy stepped up. He was a scrawny kid and looked as though his parents were pushing him to voice an opinion. With a squeaky voice, the child spoke their mind.