In other words, this situation is some kind of mistake.
Has somebody been spreading false rumors?
I haven't told my kidnapping idea to that many people.
Aisha, Gisu, Cliff... and the Pope?
The Pope is the most likely suspect.
Or, maybe Gisu was caught, and spilled everything after being tortured.
... Is Aisha safe?
"The trial has begun! Defendant Rudeus, you are required to answer all questions honestly."
"... Yes."
I don't understand the situation.
For the time being I should settle down and listen.
If I start acting violently here it will only send me back to square one.
"Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Have you or have you not been distributing books claiming that demon races are not evil, in order to seduce the hearts of believers?"
They seem to have been investigating me.
Well, the Pope also knew.
I wonder if they have a database somewhere.
"No."
"Please answer honestly. Are you claiming that our investigation was misinformed?"
"I'm not freely distributing the books, I'm properly making money."
"That can't be possible, selling them at such a cheap price."
Well, I guess it is cheap.
I'm more focused on volume than profit margins.
"Therese you should also understand, I--"
"The defendant is not permitted to speak outside of directly answering questions."
I just want you to listen for a moment.
I have a reason, to help Ruijerd.
Even you should know that Therese.
We've spoken about this in the past.
"Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Do you worship the demon race and revere them as God?"
"..."
There's no use answering these kinds of questions.
"No, I do not believe in God."
"Unbelievable!"
"The accused has lied!"
"It's a lie!"
"Liar!"
"He must be lying!"
"It is my judgment that the defendant is lying!"
"That's a lie!"
"According to the majority vote, it is concluded to be a lie."
It was concluded.
A majority vote, how democratic.
That's right.
I guess an inquisition is this kind of thing.
"This is the last question.
Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Have you planned to kidnap the Miko, the symbol of the Milis religion?"
"No. I may have said as much as a joke, but it never reached the level of creating a plan."
Well when I said it, it certainly wasn't a joke...
But that doesn't mean I'd made preparations.
Take it with a grain of salt... it was a joke.
"Lie!"
"The accused has lied!"
"It's a lie!"
"He's lying!"
"It's a lie!"
"It is my judgment that the defendant is lying!"
"That is a lie!"
Right.
Well this is an interesting turn.
I absolutely can't start laughing at my own inquisition.
That's no way to determine if someone is lying, but laughing at this farce won't help.[5]
However, that was the last question...
"According to the majority, it is concluded to be a lie."