Clank, clank.
The heavy plate armor of the Wolgwang Palace knights clashed loudly, echoing through the corridor.
Leading them with confident strides was, of course, Asella, the mistress of Wolgwang Palace.
Unlike usual, the knights were fully equipped in plate armor and even carried banners.
They looked ready to set out on a dragon-slaying expedition.
Boom!
As servants forcefully opened the doors at the end of the corridor, Asella entered the courtroom.
I quietly stayed by her side.
The courtroom had a symmetrical structure.
On the right side sat rows of spectators. Among them were several members of the imperial family.
Across from us, another door opened, and a group of knights marched vigorously toward us.
At their head, with golden hair flowing, was none other than Prince Georg, the Second Imperial Prince.
In an instant, Asella and Georg stood face to face.
Palpable tension filled the space.
"Asella, you dare call for a trial against me, wasting my precious time. Don't you have any respect for your elder brother?"
Asella crossed her arms and glared fiercely at Georg.
"No need for discussion. Draw your sword."
"You don't know your place. Me, trying to assassinate the Western Duke? These are baseless accusations meant to provoke. It's absurd."
Georg shook his head with a scornful laugh.
"Well, we do have evidence."
"What?"
Georg furrowed his brow at my statement.
"There were two assassins who attacked the ballroom. The bandits were killed on site by the knights. The dark mage was captured and detained by Wolgwang Palace. And it turns out, he was quite loose-lipped."
Georg pressed his lips tightly together and glared at me.
In truth, the captured assassin was under a silence seal cast by dark magic.
The interrogation failed. He's barely alive.
But Georg couldn't know that, so the anxiety that his involvement had been exposed meant he needed to bury this trial.
Asella raised her arm and pointed at Georg.
"The crime of threatening my safety, and by extension, the safety of the imperial family and numerous nobles."
Asella declared each word distinctly.
"Pay the price with your blood, Georg."
"Ugh."
Georg's eyebrows twitched momentarily, but he quickly counterattacked with an imposing demeanor.
"Don't be ridiculous. The crime of entrapping me with false accusations—you're the one who should pay dearly, Asella!"
"Let's proceed with the trial, Your Highness. This back-and-forth will never resolve the matter."
I pointed to the left.
Asella and Georg faced each other at the center of the courtroom, which was divided in half horizontally.
Following that center line was the judge's bench.
"Do Second Imperial Prince Georg von Württemfelt and Third Imperial Princess Asella von Württemfelt both agree to determine the truth through trial by combat?"
"Of course."
"That's what I want."
Both immediately declared to the judge.
"Witnesses, step forward."
"Yes, yes! I've always wanted to do this!"
Lauga bounded forward excitedly.
Having no alliance with either party and being a successor herself, she was an appropriate witness.
"Let's see, I needed a pious assistant. Court Physician Boyusch, step forward!"
"I obey, Princess."
Lauga's physician, Boyusch, stepped forward. I'd passed by him a few times at the Imperial Medical Office.
He was a short, youthful-looking man. Judging by appearance alone, he looked like a boy. Standing next to Lauga, he appeared younger than her.
Lauga would witness the duel's process and outcome, while Boyusch would lend religious legitimacy to the procedure.
Boyusch explained in a calm, soft voice:
"In trial by combat, the winner's claim becomes truth. It's natural that the goddess will grant victory to the one speaking the truth."
That's why trial by combat is possible in an empire where the Goddess Faith is widespread.
Well, it makes no sense by my standards.
But we need to use it when necessary, like now.
We're turning what could have been an armed conflict between armies into a one-on-one duel between Asella and Georg, giving us the advantage.
"Then please declare to the goddess. What truth does the Second Prince claim?"
"Asella has falsely accused me without evidence and should be punished accordingly. I will take Wolgwang Palace as compensation."
"And what truth does the Third Princess claim?"
Here, I stepped in.
"The truth that Prince Georg knows the real culprit behind the assassination attempt on Princess Asella and Duke Schwarzschweig."
"So there's a real culprit behind the assassination?"
"That's the point Wolgwang Palace is arguing."
The spectators murmured.
"As for compensation, it would be sufficient for Prince Georg to reveal the true culprit and spend three years away from the Imperial Palace."
"What did you just say? You're trying to exile me from the imperial family?"
Georg was taken aback by this unexpected condition.
There are several reasons I changed the wording from admitting guilt to revealing the culprit.
In trial by combat, the winner's words become truth.
If Georg isn't the one who hired the assassins, the existence of the real culprit will be buried forever.
Also, officially declaring the assassination as an internal imperial family conflict is something the Emperor would obviously dislike.
The Emperor's word is absolute. If he invalidates the duel, everything falls apart.
Well, the real culprit is most likely Camilla.
"Many nobles frequently visit Tojin Palace besides Your Highness. If the true culprit is among them and you're hiding this to avoid responsibility, isn't a three-year exile an appropriate punishment?"
"Ha, you dare suggest punishment for me? A mere court physician!"
"I'm not the one punishing you. The trial is."
Georg clenched his fist, his face reddening.
"Your insolence has gone beyond all bounds. I will never lose. Do I look like a weak bookworm like you?"
Shing!
Georg drew the sword at his waist.
It was a gleaming broadsword, dazzling with all kinds of jewels.
"I've been trained by Sword Masters of the Imperial Knights. It's obvious who will win this duel between Asella and me!"
Georg had reason to be confident.
He's a trained sword user with skills comparable to a knight captain.
While Asella is a skilled mage, in a one-on-one duel, a close-combat swordsman has an overwhelming advantage against a ranged mage.
Once the distance is closed, there's no means of defense.
"Why are you two so serious? You're not really planning to fight to the death, are you?"
Lauga asked with some concern. Both Georg and Asella responded angrily.
"I am serious! I won't tolerate such insults!"
"Wolgwang Palace was insulted first. I'll uproot Tojin Palace."
Lauga shrugged her shoulders, accurately reading the atmosphere.
"I see. So it's a real sword duel between Asella and Georg."
"Princess Lauga, as witness, please confirm Rule 6 of the trial by combat."
"Rule?"
I requested. Lauga's physician Boyusch opened a book.
"Rule 6: In a real sword duel between a man and a woman, the male side receives a handicap."
"What nonsense is this?!"
Georg raged, but the chief justice solemnly agreed.
"That is correct. This clause exists because women are at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength."
"Isn't that a rule from before magic became widespread?!"
"Tradition is tradition. There are precedents such as duels conducted with the man's lower body buried in the ground. How would you like to proceed?"
Asella tilted her chin and answered.
"One can only bring one weapon and armor to the dueling ground. I'll add one more item."
"Additional weapon... There are precedents. I think it can be approved, but what do you say, Princess?"
Lauga nodded.
"It's not without precedent. As witness, I approve!"
"Resorting to tricks already..."
Georg was flustered.
The duel has already begun, Georg.
You should have read the relevant books in advance.
"What weapon will you bring?"
Asella answered calmly.
"A vassal is the lord's possession. They should be both shield and weapon. I'll bring one of my vassals to the duel."
"Th-that's absurd! I cannot accept this!"
Georg protested vehemently. He had caught on to our intention.
Naturally, we planned to send Tanya. As an expert, she could subdue Georg in an instant.
"Remove the handicap. This will be an honorable duel. One-on-one, without outsiders."
"Is it honorable for Your Highness to seriously fight a woman eight years younger?"
"You...!"
Georg gritted his teeth at me.
"We simply proposed according to the rules of trial by combat. If you don't like it, your only option is to admit the accusations and flee."
"Court physician, you planned this."
Georg pointed at me accusingly.
"Fine. If the additional item is you, court physician, I'll accept. Your insolence toward me has been countless. If I can take your head myself, I'll gladly accept!"
The courtroom stirred at this dramatic turn.
In a duel, killing your opponent is legal. If I'm killed by Georg, I would have no grounds for complaint.
He probably thought that someone like me, a non-combatant, wouldn't affect his chances of winning.
If Georg doesn't accept the trial, we can't exile him from the Imperial Palace.
I look at Asella.
She too seemed not to have anticipated this development, hesitating to answer.
[No. 012: Empire's Destruction 30% → 38%]
Asella's hatred for the imperial family is gradually increasing.
She has every right to be disgusted by such vileness.
This is our chance to drive Georg out. Having come this far, we must establish the duel.
"Very well. I'll participate."
At my answer, Georg smiled confidently, certain of victory.
"The conditions have been agreed upon. May the goddess's blessing be with the one speaking the truth."
Boyusch manifested divine power, completing his role.
Clap! Lauga brought her hands together.
"As witness, I declare the trial by combat between Georg and Asella established! The date is two weeks from today!"
Asella lifted her chin arrogantly, looking down at Georg.
"Tsk! What an unpleasant woman."
Georg spat out curses and turned to leave the courtroom.
We also headed back to the corridor we had entered through.
"Young Lord, what were you thinking?"
As expected, Asella immediately scolded me.
"The plan was for Georg to either back out or establish the duel under favorable conditions. What are you trying to do by entering with me?"
She's quite angry.
"Don't worry. We will definitely win the duel."
"Georg isn't someone to be underestimated. He's a proper swordsman. You might... really die."
"Despite his words, Georg can't openly target the Princess's life. Since this has become a big event, the Emperor will likely be watching. He wouldn't look favorably on an heir who openly sets fire to the imperial family."
"That's not what I meant... really, never mind."
Asella grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Given the situation, I'll ensure a decisive victory. Young Lord, will you train with a sword?"
"I'll do what I can. Princess, please focus on practicing magic."
"Do you have a plan in mind?"
I shrugged and made a request to Asella.
"Just lend me the knights. I need manpower to gather materials."