Even when considered a suspect, and even while in court, Ethan remained utterly nonchalant.
This infuriated Alderp to the point that his lungs nearly exploded: "What is this!? A criminal who intended to kill a noble can enter the courtroom without handcuffs!? What are you doing, security officers paid with state funds!?"
*BANG!*
A massive sword pierced the table in front of Alderp, embedding itself just one centimeter away from the man's pride below!
"AAAHHH! Murder! This evil man wants to kill me! What are you doing, security officers!? Do you want to be executed for conspiring with a criminal!?"
Seeing himself almost lose his manly pride, Alderp's eyes bulged out of fear, his hideous expression truly beyond reproach.
Ethan, accompanied by Eris, Yunyun, and Iris, maintained an annoyed expression as he held the stance of having just thrown something. Yes, he had hurled the Cursed Sword Gram right at Alderp!
"Shut up! Where did this loudmouth fat pig come from!? Don't you know I just had breakfast with three beautiful girls and am already pissed off for being disturbed? Watch it, or I'll send you straight to heaven now! Fat pig!"
Eris, Yunyun, and Iris, standing beside Ethan and referred to as beautiful girls, reacted differently. Eris, who knew full well who Ethan was, simply winked. Yunyun lowered her head, blushing, while Iris looked ecstatic, nearly jumping with joy!
Alderp suddenly forgot about the earlier death threat, his lecherous eyes beginning to roam over Eris and Yunyun, causing Ethan's gaze to turn cold and emotionless, like he was staring at a corpse. However, Alderp not only failed to notice the change in Ethan but also kept glancing at Iris.
His murky eyes gleamed, and his fat body, resembling a sacrificial pig, rolled toward Iris!
"Princess Iris! Is that Princess Iris!? I never expected Princess Iris to attend this trial—surely not for some uncouth adventurer and barbarian like him!? I know Princess Iris is an extraordinary princess who cares deeply for the nation and its people!"
As he spoke, Alderp unconsciously moved closer to Iris, scaring her into hiding behind Ethan.
Ethan's face completely lost all emotion, his icy expression silently asking, 'Can I slaughter this fat pig already?'
No! It wasn't just words anymore! An overwhelming Mana akin to a storm ready to explode began to gather, freezing Alderp in place as he approached. Court officials quickly intervened.
"The suspect has arrived! Please return to your respective seats! If there are any grievances or feelings of slander, the court will judge fairly!"
The last sentence was clearly directed at Ethan, but he merely sneered.
Still, he eventually retracted the terrifying mana that resembled a monster because he didn't want to trouble Iris. Earlier, he had merely issued a warning to Alderp.
Ethan and his group were in someone else's territory. If they went too far, even though their team possessed enough strength to make the Devil King's General regret challenging them, once they became wanted fugitives by the kingdom, they wouldn't have peaceful days anytime soon.
Of course, if Alderp truly overstepped his bounds, Ethan wouldn't hesitate to deal with him. He doubted the higher-ups in the kingdom would be so foolish as to antagonize a hero candidate with achievements like defeating the Devil King's General and the Mobile Fortress Destroyer—all for the sake of a useless fat pig.
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"Alright, please have both the plaintiff and the defendant return to their respective seats. The trial will begin shortly."
The judge wiped the sweat from his forehead, which was already drenched—he was old and couldn't handle such intense stimulation!
After years of serving as a judge, this was the first time he'd encountered a defendant like Ethan, where the plaintiff nearly got killed before even speaking!
Eris and Yunyun looked at Ethan with worried expressions, but upon seeing his confident smile, they finally led the reluctant Iris back to the defense position.
Ethan slowly withdrew the gentle smiles he had given Yunyun, Eris, and Iris, reverting to his emotionless expression as he stared at Alderp, who was filled with anger and fear. His icy gaze was as sharp as a knife, and somehow Gram had returned to his hand, ready to be used.
"What else is there to try!? This evil man just tried to kill me! Drag him out and execute him immediately!" Alderp shouted angrily, but the repeated accusations from such a villain caused the surrounding audience to frown.
"Please calm down! Alderp-sama, I understand your feelings, but please follow court procedures." The judge felt incredibly weary but had to steel his aging bones and continue: "We will now begin the trial for the defendant Ethan, accused of treason! The plaintiff is Alderp Barnes Alexei."
"Wow!"
The spectators in the courtroom immediately gasped in astonishment. The hero who defeated the Devil King's General and the Mobile Fortress Destroyer and defended Axel was now accused of treason? If there wasn't a convincing reason, the reputation of this nation wouldn't know where to hide!
"Please remain calm! No whispering during the trial. Alright, prosecutor, step forward! If anyone lies here, this magical device will react immediately."
The judge swung his wooden gavel, and at that moment, Captain Sena of the Security Forces, who had previously attempted to arrest Ethan, stood up.
"Very well, I will read the indictment… The defendant Ethan, during the attack by the Destroyer, along with other adventurers, attempted to eliminate it. At that time, due to unclear actions taken by the defendant Ethan inside the Destroyer, the victim's residence was attacked and exploded. The victim's mansion, belonging to Alderp, was destroyed, forcing Alderp to stay at an inn in town…"
"Pfft!" Upon hearing this, Ethan couldn't help but laugh. Seeing everyone look at him, he coldly remarked: "Your mansion was destroyed? You're staying at an inn? Seems like your life as a noble is pretty comfortable!"
Mana erupted from Ethan like a storm, causing nearly everyone in the room to pale in fear!