"That concludes the class on booby traps. I expect y'all to teach this to the rest of your units. Also, Vesta is working on some things that I will also teach y'all how to use, but not now, since it's a work in progress," Artoria said as the class concluded.
"How do you want us to use this knowledge?" Geld asked.
"Simple, you will set traps like these on our border with the Eastern Empire. I want the entire border to be a walking hazard. I want the enemy thinking about every step they take, and fill them with fear and paranoia."
"Huh. I see. We're going to add psychological warfare into the mix as well. This seems kind of brutal, but if we can prevent any amount of casualties, then it'll all be worth it," Benimaru said. He was a bit surprised by the methods Artoria showed them, but then again, it was war. War is brutal.
"Good thinking, Benimaru. Though I doubt we'd have any casualties with the many healing items we have, especially the potions, but better safe than sorry. Anyway, we'll depart here. Though I'm going to place our military on Double Take, so keep that in mind."
At the mention of a higher state of alert, they immediately took it seriously.
/\\//\\//\
(One week later)
While Vesta was working and the military was being taught the new methods shown by Artoria, a bombshell piece of news shook most of the world.
News about Yuuki and his crimes.
The news very quickly circulated. It was first reported in Tempest and later in other countries when reporters returned with it. It spread like wildfire. News about his crimes and affiliations shook everyone.
Some thought it was fake, but continuous verification and fact-checking brought the same result. Truth. And it was also reported that Yuuki was in Tempest custody awaiting trial.
Needless to say, the Free Guild's reputation took a massive hit. Multiple locations and branches in many countries were raided by their governments and military and investigated. Harsh and brutal financial and trade sanctions were placed on the Free Guila and would only be considered to be removed upon the results of the trial.
It also led to investigations among members of the Council of the West to uncover any other connections, no matter how small.
Some branches of the Free Guild had to be shut down due to not only the sanctions but also the numerous and massive fines imposed on them.
Members from all over the world were leaving and quitting. The only branches open were the ones in major cities, but even then, those were under heavy scrutiny and watch.
It was not only the worst day, but also the worst week for the Free Guild. The influence and reputation they worked so hard to build up crumbled seemingly overnight. What took years was destroyed in less than a month.
Now, all eyes were on Tempest. Waiting to see what punishment would be given. Thoughts were spread on what kind of punishment would be given. Some thought there would be life imprisonment, and some thought there would be execution.
Officials from many countries were sent as observers for the duration of the trial. In other words, there was practically no one who hadn't heard of what Yuuki had done.
That's to say, there would be no jury trial.
What's Yuuki doing?
"Listen, Yuuki, your best chance is getting tried by a judge. A bench trial. The news out there has spread too much. A jury will be very biased and emotional." Yuuki's lawyer said.
Yuuki was currently in a cell. He wasn't allowed any amount of travel. The only contact he could have was with his lawyer and other related legal personnel, and the guards who were placed on him 24/7.
"Come on, what chance do I have? This is the easiest case a prosecutor could ever have. There's no case that could be easier than this one. In this world, or my old world. And what about you? Aren't you a defender working for the state?" Yuuki said. He had not amount of hope of the outcome. It was obvious to everyone.
"Yes, I am paid by the state, but it's still my job. I am here to represent you to the best of my ability, no matter what crime you've committed or have been alleged to have committed. And that applies to everyone."
"Any crime? Even ones that would be considered 'unspeakable'?"
"Yes. I made an oath, and if I don't uphold it, I'm not allowed to practice law. And if I also don't represent someone to the best of my ability, I also lose my license to practice."
"I don't know if that's good or bad."
"It doesn't matter. Listen, I'll be honest, there's not much that can be done. The best chance is to combat the validity of your confession statement, and if that goes well, then we fight the evidence the prosecution has shown."
"What about potential penalties? What could I be facing?"
"If everything went perfectly, along with mistakes committed by the prosecution, you'd probably still die of old age for a human, even one like you, in a prison cell."
"It doesn't look good, then."
"Listen, I'll try my best."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted when a guard came in with a woman. She had purple hair and was short. Yuuki looked at her and knew something was off about her at first glance.
"My name is Ultima, I'm the new Chief Prosecutor for the state. I've been appointed by Lord Rimuru. I've come here for a simple reason. I'm here to let you know that I will seek the death penalty. This has also been approved by Lady Pendragon. That will be all." She kept it short and simple before leaving. Yuuki only sighed. He sat down against the stone wall of his cell, slumped his shoulders, and hung his head low.
"She's new. But if Lord Rimuru appointed her, then it's for a reason."
"Look, you don't need to do much else. You're not going to win. You'll only argue to make sure I don't get the death penalty. I've practically already pleaded guilty," Yuuki said in a defeated voice. There was nothing he could do. Try to escape? He wouldn't even get out of the town before getting killed by Artoria, even with his Anti-Skill.
"Listen, the trial hasn't even started. And you can still plead not guilty. The confession statement is only evidence, not an automatic guilty plea."
Compared to Yuuki, his lawyer didn't show any sign of giving up.
"I don't see a point. I'm going to plead guilty."
His lawyer sighed. He had an obligation, and even if Yuuki would do that, he still needed to help him out. "I see. If that's the route you want to go down, then I'll tell you the consequences. The trial will immediately go to sentencing, and you'll also waive the rights you have. My strategy then will be to make sure you get the best possible outcome. In your case, no death penalty. But tell me, are you sure you want to go that route? You'd throw away any little chance we have in this case."
"Yes, I'm sure."
/\\//\\//\
(Day of the trial)
Yuuki and his lawyer were escorted by goblin riders. No matter where they went, there was a crowd around them. Some people would throw insults, and others would try to attack them. It was a very tense and delicate situation.
"Are they allowed to say such things?" Yuuki whispered to his lawyer as they were being escorted to the courthouse.
"Yes. They're legally protected. It's one of the rights and liberties of the people of this nation. Our goddess was very intent on it. She called it a fundamental right that applied to all people, no matter what. And that's only the part on speech. There are many more."
"So they can say whatever they want and not get in trouble? Even hate speech, outbursts against the government, or other things of that nature?"
"Yes. They'll get in no legal trouble. It doesn't mean there won't be consequences. You can say whatever you want, but don't get surprised if you have someone throwing a punch or taking out a weapon on you."
Yuuki didn't know what to think, but as he was being escorted, he looked more closely at the people around them. He noticed that most people were armed. Some had swords on their waists or backs, others had spears on their backs, and some had bows and arrows. They were openly carrying weapons. And he also noticed some people concealing their weapons.
It was expected that the goblin riders would have weapons, but they seemed like the average monster citizens of this nation.
"Hey, is everyone armed here, or something?"
"Hmm? Oh, that. Yeah, you can expect everyone to basically be armed. You can either openly carry or concealed carry any weapon you want. You can also own any and as many weapons as you want."
"That's allowed?"
"Of course it is. It's another one of the rights and liberties our goddess said are fundamental. She was really adamant on this one. She's struck down many proposed laws that aimed to try to control this, even minor ones. It got to the point that she gave a divine order saying that nothing should ever infringe upon the rights and liberties we have that she considers fundamental. Well, enough about that, we're here."
As Yuuki and his lawyer arrived at the courthouse, the goblin riders formed a protective semicircle around them, stopping people from getting to them. They quickly went up the stairs and into the courthouse.
"Alright, one last time. Are you sure you want to plead guilty?" Yuuki's lawyer said before going in.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Alright then."
Yuuki and his lawyer went into the courtroom. It was already filled with people. Officials from other countries stood in attendance, ready to watch. The judge was already there, as well as Ultima.
Yuuki's lawyer calmly walked up to his spot, unaffected by the pressure of so many eyes on him. Yuuki simply followed him.
"Before we start, I am to understand that the prosecution intend to seek the death penalty?" The judge said.
"Yes, we do," Ultima said without hesitation. Just straight to the point.
"I see. Let's proceed then."
The judge picked up a small notebook that carried all the charges against Yuuki. He slowly read out the charges against Yuuki. Some of the people in attendance started whispering at the sheer number of charges against him.
"Yuuki Kagurazaka, how do you plead?"
Yuuki's lawyer looked at him. Yuuki was going to say it, but he hesitated at the last moment. It was one thing to say you were going to do something, but when actually faced with the moment, it was different.
"Do you want me to do it for you?" His lawyer whispered to him.
Yuuki shook his head. If this was going to be the last choice he could make, he would do it himself.
"I…I…I plead guilty," Yuuki said before hanging his head low.
Immediately, the people in attendance start a slight commotion. They were whispering, but some got too loud as they talked.
Ultima just smiled. As far as she was concerned, this just made her job easier, and this wouldn't take as long.
"Order!" The judge said in a loud voice, and everyone quieted down. "In that case, we'll move to sentencing immediately."
/\\//\\//\
(A few hours later)
Many arguments had been carried back and forth. Yuuki's lawyer tried, they really did, but with so much overwhelming evidence, Yuuki's guilty plea, the effects of what Yuuki did on such a large and international scale, made it almost impossible.
For Ultima, it was very easy for her. In her mind, there was no way there would be an easier time for a prosecution team than this trial. She almost took pleasure in such a moment, but she reigned it in a little.
The result?
"After hearing from both sides. Yuuki Kagurazaka, I hereby sentence you to death."
/\\//\\//\
(One week later)
Well, that happened. What a surprise, not really. What happens now? Well, I'm going to handle the execution. And no chance of reincarnation for him. Execution by beheading.
"Rimuru, I'm telling you, absorb his damn soul. You messed up big time with Maribel and Granbell, but I can see why you'd do that. But this? Rimuru, I'm handing you perhaps the biggest power-up on a silver platter."
"It doesn't feel right. He's already going to be executed, why mess further with his body? That feels unnecessary."
"Nope, that's it. I'm done. I'm not going to try to convince you with these things anymore. Sorry if I sound a bit harsh."
I turned around and went up to the execution platform. I don't know what's with this slime. Rimuru was here to witness the execution. Now, it wasn't a public execution in the town square or anything like that, but it was going to be observed by some people. Mostly officials from other countries and some high-ranking people from our country.
It was only a few moments before Yuuki came in. He was being dragged by an oni. He came up to the platform before being placed in an upright kneeling position. The oni walked off, leaving only me and Yuuki on the platform.
Well, it's time to do this.
I summoned Excalibur and partially activated it. Enough to destroy the physical, spiritual, and astral body, leaving no chance of reincarnation.
I raised Excalibur.
"Do you have any last words?" I asked him.
He stayed quiet. He didn't say anything. He only let out a sigh.
"I see."
With a swift and precise motion, I swung Excalibur down, striking true. It was a clean cut, no blood on Excalibur, and no resistance.
His body collapsed as his head rolled on the platform, a pool of blood coming from his neck.
I unsummoned Excalibur as I stood there for a few moments. That was one more down. One more bad guy down. Which means the safer and brighter this world will be for me and Shuna's future.