‘Whoosh!’
The lights suddenly flickered on, shining directly on Mu’en.
The glare was so bright that it was hard to keep his eyes open. Unfortunately, Mu’en couldn’t shield himself from it because his hands were firmly tied to the chair.
The surroundings were noisy, with countless shadowy figures sitting on tiered seats, whispering to each other and pointing at Mu’en.
‘Bang!’
At the source of the light, the majestic judge struck the sacred gavel!
“Order in the court!”
“The trial of Mu’en Campbell, accused of disrespecting Her Highness Princess Celicia, is now in session!”
“Now, the plaintiff’s attorney, representing Her Highness Princess Celicia, will present the charges against the defendant!”
‘Whoosh!’
A new spotlight lit up, shining on the wooden desk labeled “Defendant’s Attorney.” The plaintiff’s lawyer, Ariel Bugarde, stood up, adjusted her oversized black-framed glasses, and began her fierce accusations against Mu’en Campbell!
“Your Honor, I hereby represent the plaintiff and will now read out the charges against Mu’en Campbell!”
“Proceed.”
“Firstly, Mu’en Campbell is an absolute beast! Taking advantage of his status as a fiancé, he had the audacity to invite Her Highness Celicia to dance with him. He even dared to touch Her Highness’s fair and delicate hand! It’s so envy-inducing… I mean, utterly disgraceful to Her Highness’s reputation!”
“Secondly, Mu’en Campbell is an absolute beast! He had the audacity to invite Her Highness Celicia to a secluded room to be alone with her! It’s so envy-inducing… I mean, utterly unsettling!”
“Lastly, Mu’en Campbell is an absolute beast! While alone with Her Highness Celicia, sharing the same air, he wasn’t satisfied and even drugged her tea, doing ‘that’ to Her Highness! It’s so envy-inducing… I mean, utterly despicable!”
“In conclusion, Mu’en Campbell is an absolute beast! On behalf of the plaintiff, I sincerely hope Your Honor will sentence Mu’en Campbell to death!”
“Hmm, I see.”
The judge nodded expressionlessly:
“The plaintiff’s request has been noted. Now, what does the defense have to say?”
“I object!”
Mu’en struggled violently:
“The plaintiff’s lawyer is clearly driven by personal bias! She’s abusing her position to settle a private grudge!”
‘Bang!’
The judge slammed the gavel. “Mu’en Campbell, it’s not your turn to speak. I’m asking your defense attorney!”
‘Whoosh!’
The spotlight shifted, shining on Mu’en’s defense attorney.
“Ribbit!”
As the defendant’s attorney, Monsieur Frog’s eyes bulged wide as he solemnly voiced his opinion!
“Ribbit ribbit ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!”
“Hmm, hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm.”
The judge nodded repeatedly: “I see! So, even the defense attorney agrees that Mu’en Campbell is an absolute beast?”
“I object! Why is my attorney a frog? And Your Honor, you clearly have no idea what he’s saying, do you?!”
‘Bang!’
“Mu’en Campbell, if you disrupt this sacred court one more time, I will immediately pronounce your guilt!”
Mu’en reluctantly shut his mouth, watching helplessly as his attorney ribbited a few more times before hopping away.
Great, now he didn’t even have a lawyer!
“Now, we will hear from the witnesses.”
First witness: An, Mu’en Campbell’s personal maid.
“Yes, Young Master Mu’en is indeed a beast. He stares at my body with evil eyes every day. He gets excited whenever I wear my maid uniform and even secretly keeps my used stockings. As his personal maid, I must say this is undoubtedly severe workplace harassment!”
Second witness: Long En Campbell, Mu’en’s biological father.
“Sigh, I can’t believe such a beast is my son. As a father, I’ve truly failed. But rest assured, I will no longer acknowledge him as my son. I will now focus on creating new life with my wife! As for Mu’en… Hmph, do as you please. I couldn’t care less about the life of a beast!”
Third witness: One of Mu’en Campbell’s classmates.
“Mu’en Campbell is a beast! Mu’en Campbell is a beast! Mu’en Campbell is a beast! I’ll say it three times because it’s important! Celicia is mine!”
“I see.”
After hearing the witnesses, the judge nodded understandingly:
“Mu’en Campbell, do you have anything to say?”
“I object! The witnesses are clearly lying! And one of them looks suspiciously like the plaintiff’s attorney! She’s just here to vent personal emotions and desires!”
“Hmm, so you’re admitting you’re a beast now?”
“No, you idiot! And isn’t this supposed to be a trial? Is there even a crime called ‘beast’?”
‘Bang!’
The judge struck the gavel again, solemnly declaring:
“I hereby pronounce Mu’en Campbell guilty of being a beast! Death penalty, effective immediately!”
“What?! That’s a real crime?!”
Before Mu’en could protest further, the shadowy figures in the audience surged forward like a tide.
They lifted Mu’en, chanting in unison as they carried him toward the execution ground:
“Beast! Beast! Mu’en Campbell is a beast!”
‘Whoosh!’
The spotlight shone down.
On the cold execution platform, the noose was already prepared!
The scene shifted—Mu’en Campbell now stood on the platform!
“Noooo! I don’t want to die! I’m still young! I haven’t even had a girlfriend yet! I’m only on the second-to-last episode of Magical Girl M●doka! At least tell me if Kyuubey dies!”
As the noose drew closer, Mu’en struggled frantically.
“Mu’en Campbell, do you really think you’re not a beast?”
Suddenly, a cold voice spoke.
Mu’en looked up to see Celicia standing not far away.
The judge, lawyers, witnesses, and the audience had all vanished. Only Celicia remained under the light, coldly asking:
“Mu’en Campbell, do you really think you’re not a beast?”
“I…”
Not a beast?
No. When it came to Celicia, he couldn’t say that.
After all, he really did do ‘that’.
“I am…”
Tears of regret streamed down Mu’en’s face. He stepped forward, voluntarily placing the noose around his neck!
“That’s right, I’m a beast!”
“I, Mu’en Campbell! Am an absolute beast!”
…
“I’m a beast!”
Mu’en shouted and suddenly jolted awake in bed.
He found himself face-to-face with An, who was holding a bowl of medicine.
“…”
“…”
After a silent moment, An calmly put the medicine down:
“So, Young Master Mu’en has injured his brain as well? Wait a moment, I’ll call the doctor to examine you again.”
“I’m fine!”
