Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

It was so absurd.

It was a very busy time preparing for the next trial.

All of a sudden, some crazy guy barged in and shouted at me to take him away. What the hell is this crap? So, I sent him back with a sharp rebuke.

"Why do you think he's doing that?"

It was so strange that Abel asked Shuguri the question, and a clear answer came right away.

― That guy's common sense doesn't understand the Dukedom of Carriers. After all, there are commoners living as well as barons.

Well, since he had been in the aristocracy for a long time, it would have been difficult for him to change. Hasn't he been living his whole life trapped in a sense of privilege?

Even if an opportunity for enlightenment arises by chance, one cannot help but reach such a strange conclusion. In the first place, Abel hadn't even thought about writing an article.

Anyway, what mattered now was not Trevor Warren.

"What is this?"

Since the internal rules of the court had changed, judges were able to conduct their cases much more easily.

As they were doing now, they could receive relevant documents in advance and conduct a thorough preliminary evidence investigation. This allowed for positive effects, such as simplifying the trial process.

But in the face of a difficult situation like now, the changed internal rules were of no use.

― Let's see. There's a conflict between the farm owner and the upper class. This is going to be a headache.

"How do you know that?"

― There is nothing more troubling than money. Isn't that how it is in all human affairs?

"Hahah!"

Abel burst out laughing and scratched Shuguri's back. It wasn't because he was proud of him; Abel was just teasing him. Most animals would be happy to receive attention like this, but this guy reacted differently.

― Hey, Inma! Don't be cute!

Ta-da! Todo-do-dok!

Shuguri kept punching Abel's arm. But even a squirrel smaller than Abel's fist flapping around didn't tickle him. Abel ignored Shuguri's tantrums and focused on the court papers.

Surprisingly, this incident matched Shuguri's analysis exactly.

"The owner paid the price as usual, but the price of the goods went up in the meantime, so the farm owner is holding out, saying he can't sell."

The answer was very simple.

Didn't they already sign the contract and pay all the money? Then, no matter what the changed price was, it would have been fine to just stick to it.

As far as Abel was concerned, there was no way the farm owner would win this trial. But then, suddenly, a note stuck between the documents caught his eye.

"Wait a minute, what is this?"

It was quite surprising. Abel never thought he would come to this world and see a word like this. He read the note again.

"The farm owner's lawyer, Earl Roderick Quinlan, is a recently retired judge?"

So, are they asking to be treated with some courtesy?

'Courtesy.'

If you just looked at the meaning, it was a good word. It means being polite to a retired official.

But in modern world society, it meant something somewhat different. It implied that a lawyer with a background as a judge or prosecutor is given special treatment in the first case they handle.

This was something that should never happen within the legal system. But here, a note was proudly stuck into the court papers.

"What kind of idiot wrote something like this?"

Abel looked closely at the handwriting, his eyes narrowing. It seemed like there was no intention of hiding it from the beginning. Because it was obvious at a glance. Surprisingly, the owner of the writing was Judge Emir Colund.

Isn't this a character that even has the ability to be loyal to me? Abel wondered. Could a person guaranteed by the system have written this note with malicious intent?

"I don't think that's the case."

Abel frowned as he stared at the trial-related documents when suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence.

Was there noise in an empty office? Then there was only one culprit.

"Hahaha! I didn't mean to bother you. I was just moving carefully, but you really have good instincts."

A man was eating a cookie with only his upper body exposed from the shadow of a desk. It was Cordell McNeill, a black agent of the Imperial Guard.

Even though he was a much weaker escort than Abel, Abel couldn't chase him away. That man was like the eyes and ears of the emperor.

"If you're not going to help, then don't get in my way."

"What's going on that makes you so angry?"

Instead of answering, Abel showed him the note from Judge Emir. Cordell tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.

"What's the problem with this?"

"Why isn't this a problem?"

"… … ?"

"… … ?"

They looked at each other, dumbfounded. It was because their assumptions were starkly different.

Abel never accepted the privilege of full-time employment, but to Cordell, it was as natural as breathing. In this world, there was a word called "special treatment for full-time officials" instead of "preferential treatment for full-time officials."

"So you're saying it's always been like this?"

"Of course. He's been in office for a long time, but he's a newbie in the legal profession. That's why I am making concessions."

"Her!"

Abel was laughing so hard at this, but Cordell McNeill added something.

"Even a swindler like me knows this, so surely the Supreme Court is aware of this custom?"

He was a man who had a real knack for getting things done. As Abel took the gavel out of his bosom, Cordell took a deep breath and disappeared in an instant.

"Ugh! It's meal time, I'm off now!"

He'd been stealing and eating all the cookies on the table. What? Food? Oh my! Just do that.

'If it weren't for His Majesty the Emperor's direct subordinates, I would've handled it long ago.'

Anyway, it seemed like the special privileges for the entire building were not just rumors. If even that confused old gentleman would know.

"But do I really have to follow that?"

What were the beliefs Abel had held onto until now? To judge solely on the basis of known facts, without being influenced by external pressure. Isn't that justice?

Abel steeled himself and carefully reviewed the court documents. Then, a rather annoying name suddenly caught his eye.

"Uh… … But the owner is from the Sierra noble family?"

No, why does this kind of person always have to pop up?

* * *

The capital of the empire, Perias.

The aristocracy here was abuzz with one topic.

"This time, it's that breach of contract trial. It's going to be really exciting."

"Ah, so you mean the dispute between the Ogden ranchers and the Hardings?"

"It looks like the upper side has the advantage. But do you know who Baron Ogden's lawyer is?"

"I don't know. But from what you're saying, I get the feeling that he has considerable skill."

"The background is more important. He's Earl Roderick Quinlan, a recently retired man. And Viscount Harding is a Sierre nobleman."

"It might be a bit difficult. Your Honor doesn't get along well with the Duke of Sierre."

"But isn't that the noble Duke of Carriers?"

"Haha! I'm really looking forward to this verdict."

In fact, it was a trial with not much to see. Originally, the farm owner would have ended up benefiting a little more due to the special privileges given to the entire government. Because the upper side was making a legitimate demand.

However, the judge in charge of this case was Abel Carriers. He was a person who was evaluated as having made all judgments fairly up to now. No matter which side he raised, there would be backlash.

"If he admits to the special privileges of the Duke, His Highness's reputation will be completely ruined."

"Does he only cry out for justice? He will be criticized by both his seniors and juniors."

Their seniors would have asked what would become of them if they received special treatment. On the other hand, the juniors would say things like, "Why are you changing it so that it doesn't benefit us?"

It was a situation where it was really difficult to choose either side. Of course, there was a way out.

"There is a trick."

"What is that?"

"It's a half-baked judgment. Give the farm owner a slight advantage."

"Aha! Logic is right on the Harding side, but on humanitarian grounds, let's give Ogden some time. Something like that?"
Your journey continues at empire

"That's the point."

"So, are you finally acknowledging the special privileges of the entire government?"

"But we can at least somewhat curb the discontent at the top of Harding. They won't have to pay ridiculous prices."

"Aha! As time goes by, grain prices will gradually go down?"

"Right!"

The nobles had no doubt that the Duke of Carriers would choose the third option. Because, to anyone who saw it, that was the most reasonable thing to do.

Time passed like an arrow, and the trial date arrived.