Banished To Another World Chapter 54

Original t.i.tle:

PROLOGUE 1

Yukinofu

Gideon was arrested and put on trial for the ma.s.s possession of illegal drugs. The trial was to be held in a Colosseum located in the capital of the Kingdom of Fores.

Unlike a normal trial, those who have committed the most severe of crimes would be judged in front of the population in this way. It was to make an example of them and to ensure that such a crime would never be committed again.

"It would be best for you to admit to your crimes, Gideon Aglewalk. Now, I will ask one more time. What did you intend to do with that amount of illegal drugs that you were carrying?"

The Inquisitor in black asked Gideon in a stern voice.

"It is obvious. It was to bring equality to this country. It was to destroy this putrid establishment that you inept lot have dominated. I needed money and servants to accomplish this. The drugs would have solved both of those problems."

“So you are admitting to the subversion of the state?”

"Certainly."

Gideon nodded and the spectators gasped. From among the crowd shocked voices could be heard saying, 'That boy…?' and 'How horrible!'

Gideon had only reached his eighteenth birthday the previous day, making him an adult in this country. And while his manner may have been mature, his face still had remnants of the boy he had been.

For someone like him, who most of the world would see as a green youth, he needed a most shocking crime to be thrown into 'prison.' Additionally, according to his prior research, the man who would be pa.s.sing the sentence was a certain Judge Peter, who prided himself in being lenient and kind-hearted.

And so today, Gideon must become evil itself, he must be put into the heaviest of shackles. For this day alone, Gideon had prepared thoroughly for the questioning.

“When I was a child, I sold things. It made some money, but I was only in a position to be used by others. I needed to be in a position to use them. And so it was necessary for me to build an empire. An empire where I would sit at the top. And the law that would rule it would be drugs.”

“You are the lowest of vile sc.u.m. There is no need for you to speak any further.”

The inquisitor said in a voice filled with contempt, before moving his eyes towards a man who stood at the witness stand.

The monocle-wearing man was a teacher who had once taught Gideon about potions and was one the most highly respected wizards in the country. He was well into old age, with many white hairs mixed in his hair.

His name was Matelito Michronomica.

He was the man Gideon respected the most in this world. In these past eight years, Gideon had faced many difficult obstacles, and his teacher had always shown him the way.

"Master Michronomica. What are your views on these matters? It is quite evident that Aglewalk has misused knowledge of potions that you've instilled in him."

“…Indeed. Had I strictly monitored him as a master should, then this whole affair might have been avoided.”

“This country owes an incredible debt to you. No, not just this country, but in all of the world, people would not hesitate to sing your praises. Recently, you have contributed greatly to the eradication of 'treefolk disease', which had plagued us for many years. For such a service, we would like to reward you as a country.”

"What are you saying?"

“Let me see, let us use a tree as an example. If a pure seed grows into an evil tree due to failures of the planter, and the fruit becomes evil, then the blame should be on the planter. But if that seed was evil to begin with…”

So saying, the Inquisitor shot a look at Gideon.

"Master Michronomica, we have no intention of judging you here. What was your relations.h.i.+p with Aglewalk?"

"Gideon was…no, Aglewalk was an avaricious student. There were times when he insisted that his ways were better than mine, and would not give in."

Even as his master was facing the Inquisitor, Gideon knew he was telling a joke that only he would hear.

After all, Gideon's stubborn att.i.tude had resulted in the discovery of new medicines many times.

And now, he had stubbornly pushed pa.s.sed his masters oppositions and was trying to enter the prison. So in a sense, he really was an ungrateful and bad student.

"So, you are saying that he was an uncontrollable apprentice to you?"

"You might say so. If we are speaking of talent, he far exceeded even me."

“The issue has nothing to with his talent. The issue is his character. A student is meant to learn from their master, not to belittle them. It should never happen. Am I wrong?”

"…I can only say, that it depends on the situation."

"No, no. This evil man has only used you all of this time. For his own ambitions, he pretended to be your student so he could absorb all of your knowledge. But it is not possible to completely hide one's true nature. And so it has appeared now in this rebellious manner…"

"Inquisitor, you do realize this is a place to compare facts, and not to lay out one's own speculations?"

"I am only connecting separate truths, Master Michronomica. You are surely a compa.s.sionate man. Even now you will protect your student."

He smiled coldly, a forced expression of understanding on his face. Then the Inquisitor turned back to the Judge.

"Your Honor, I think that everything has become quite clear through this exchange. The defendant, Gideon Aglewalk was blessed with such a virtuous master, and yet his evil nature could not be rehabilitated. Additionally, we have established that he is quite gifted. It is evident that allowing such a man to go free would bring a great danger to Fores. And so I must demand that you sentence Gideon Adlewalk to fifty years in the labyrinth."

Sentenced to the labyrinth!

The moment he heard those words, Gideon was filled with an intense excitement swirling in his chest.

This was what he had wanted more than anything.

The crowds reacted to the words 'sentenced to the labyrinth' with cheers. It was as if a great gladiator had just won a victory in the Colosseum. It was a most strange mood.

Throw him in the labyrinth!  Throw him in the labyrinth!  Throw him in the labyrinth!  

“Order! This is a holy place of judgment!”

It was Judge Peter who admonished this atmosphere.

"…I understand well what the Inquisitor is saying. However, that sentence is much too heavy. It is the equivalent of ending this young man's future."

"He is an evil man with a will to make an enemy of the state. I believe that he has no worth as a human in this world."

"And I believe that punishments are meant to direct lost souls to the right direction."

Gideon watched with much excitement as the Inquisitor and the Judge argued.

It was not too heavy a sentence at all! No sentence could make me happier! Please send me to the labyrinth!

"…The is a clamorous crowd. Why must my trials be in public? Make them shut up."

Gideon tried to hide his agitation as he said this in as much an insolent voice as he could muster.

“You are the villain who should shut up, Aglewalk. I told you to speak no more!”

“Should I make them shut up then? I could take care of everyone in this colosseum if I wanted.”

"I see no signs of repentance in him. We have knights of the kingdom here. They are the ones who captured you. Do you wish to feel that pain again?"

As if obeying the Inquisitor, the two knights who were meant to keep the peace, unsheathed their swords.

Such knights would not be a problem. He had gotten caught on purpose, and even now, he could escape if he wished—but, that would not allow him to go where he wanted to go.

He was posing. He would play a hopeless criminal who was not worthy of any mercy.

His arms were tied behind his back, and as Gideon tensed his right arm, the thin stalk of a plant began to grow from his bicep.

This was Gideon's power.

It was a magic that allowed him to activate the cells and seeds of plants and control them as he wished.

This 'weapon' was integrated into his skin and bloodstream, allowing him to store them in his body in an inert state.

Seeing his suspicious movements, the two knights fell upon him.

His face was pushed into the dirt, his arms twisted upward, and an unexpected groan escaped from his lips.

From the ground, he stole a glance at the Judge. There was a cloud over his expression, it was clear that he was disappointed at Gideon's foolish actions just now.

"…the sentence is too heavy. Fifty years in the labyrinth, that is. I believe that twenty years is more appropriate."

Fifty years and twenty were much the same to most. After all, hardly anyone ever came out of there alive…

Judge Peter hit the gavel loudly several times until the audience fell silent.

"—I hereby declare, that the accused, Gideon Adlewalk, shall be sentenced to twenty years in the labyrinth!"

The crowd exploded into cheers just as Gideon's sand-covered mouth twisted into a smile.

(Finally. Finally, I will be able to go there…)

In order to save his beloved younger sister, the only family he had, Gideon would fall into h.e.l.l.