[Story Translation] Chapter Three - Unbalancing Equilibrium [Episode Two: Part Five]
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- Grosvenor House - Main Residence -
“It is time. We will now begin the hearing."
“As I have made you aware, this is not a meeting for you to report your findings. This is a hearing."
“We dedicated ourselves to another expedition due to Haures' insistence..."
“Not only did we fail to capture an Intelligent Angel..."
“...But we lost all but two of the Grosvenor Scouting Party."
“And all but one of the Sardeis Army. Yet, the Devil Butlers returned home unscathed."
“We must hear from you about how this came to pass."
“Please take extra care to answer carefully... And honestly."
“Then please, take the oath."
“In accordance with the charters of the House of Grosvenor, I swear to tell no lie and to hide nothing.“
“First, can you explain why things turned out this way?"
“Understood. Then I will explain."
“After arriving at the Old Tower, we were able to put our plan into action."
“The Intelligent Angel was extremely strong, but we managed to cut off their wings..."
“Until something completely unexpected happened."
“A second Intelligent Angel appeared, didn't it?"
“Yes. That's exactly what happened."
“Even just one Intelligent Angel was a challenge..."
“When a second one appeared, we had no choice but to focus on defence."
“I understand that much. However..."
“Why are the Devil Butlers entirely unharmed, despite so many of our soldiers losing their lives."
“It's because the Intelligent Angels ignored us and aimed only for the soldiers."
“I believe they realised that they would have suffered injuries if they fought us fairly."
“They seem to be extremely cunning creatures."
“Don't lie! Devil Butler!"
There was a sudden shout from across the room. I looked over to the direction of the voice in surprise.
One of the nobles was glaring at us.
“Lord Finlay! Please allow me to speak."
“This Devil Butler said that these Intelligent Angels were cunning creatures, but he's wrong. They are not the cunning ones!"
“Lord Finlay. I would like to hear a statement from the Commanding Officer of the Scouting Party."
“Understood. Commanding Officer, please take to the stand."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“Sir. You have something you wish to report to us?"
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“The Devil Butlers made a pact with the Angels. They have betrayed us...!"
“Quiet. Witness, please continue."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“The Devil Butler named Haures... He spoke to the Angels as if he knew them."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“I remember the exact words the Intelligent Angels said!"
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“Haures. You brought us humans, just as you promised you would."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“We used our power to bring back your sister, and you brought us humans."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“That Devil Butler sacrificed so many of us for his own greed!"
“That's not true! It's a lie!"
“I don't remember allowing you to speak. Speaking without permission is forbidden."
“Haures, please try to calm down. Getting emotional won't change anything."
“Try to clear your head and wait until it's your turn to explain."
“Mr. Lucas... I understand..."
“What are we supposed to do...?"
“Honestly, we have no means to protest."
“It's difficult to prove something you did not do. All we can do is try to make them trust us..."
“But... Most of the nobles here don't think very highly of us."
“We need to change the mood somehow..."
“Excuse me... Would I be allowed to speak?"
“I didn't realise he was here too."
“You're the Deputy Officer of the Scouting Party, aren't you?"
“Yes... That's correct..."
“Yes. Please come to the stand."
On his way to the witness stand, Teddy's body went limp and he fell to his knees.
He was no longer the bright, energetic young man he'd been when we first met. He looked haggard.
“Hm... You look quite ill..."
“Are you feeling well? Will you be able to give your statement properly?"
“Good. Then please begin."
“Everyone. I heard the same thing as the Commanding Officer that day."
“However... I don't believe Mr. Haures was actually working with the Intelligent Angels."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“The Devil Angels really did try their best to capture the Angel."
“They shot it with arrows and cut off its wings... They were seconds away from succeeding."
“I believe they wouldn't have gone that far if they really did make such a deal."
“Is it not possible, however, that Haures went along with it in order to fool his friends?"
“What do you mean by that?"
“Haures wanted to keep his deal with the Angels a secret."
“His friends may try to stop him if they found out, after all."
“So Haures played along with their plan. Is that not a possibility?"
“I see! Lord Finlay is right!"
“Which means... Haures betrayed us alone."
“Please, wait! That's not possible..."
“Mr. Haures would never do something like that..."
“Why are you going so far to defend them?"
“This man stole the lives of your colleagues. He's an enemy."
“No...! Don't tell me..."
“Were you working with him and the Angels?!"
“Me...? With the Angels...?"
“Are you saying I'm the one who killed my friends...?"
“Don't you ever say something like that ever again!"
“They were like family to me..."
“They were killed... Right in front of me..."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“I apologise for my subordinate's behaviour!"
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“He's not in the correct state of mind, right now."
Scouting Party Commanding Officer:
“Lord Finlay. It seems this man is in no state to be acting as a witness."
“However... We only need the Commanding Officer's statement to see how guilty Haures is."
“We should imprison him immediately and torture any information out of him..."
“And then... Sentence him to death!"
“Regarding the punishment of their Master."
"Punishment? What are you talking about?"
"You can doubt me all you like, but what does this have to do with them?!"
“We don't know if you're the only one in league with the Angels."
“There's still a change other members of your party have connections too."
“If the Devil's Palace decides to turn against us..."
“Your Master, the one who can release your full powers, is the biggest threat to our safety."
“Until we are certain of the Devil Butler's innocence, we have no choice but to separate you."
“I see... He's quite right."
“If there's any chance of rebellion, the safest bet is to act now."
“That's right! Lock them up immediately!"
“We need to make a compromise with the Sardeis Family too. They lost many of their soldiers that day."
“Police. Arrest Haures Clifford and lock him in the Dungeon."
“And after that, take the Master of the Devil Butlers too."
The Military Police surrounded Haures and took him away.
After that, more police began to surround me.
They glared at me, unflinching.
They were trying to tell me that going with them was the only way that this ended without me losing my life.
They took no time to think about whether it was right or wrong.
They would only allow me to see the world as they did.
“This is how humans are, Master."
“We're all balancing on the equilibrium of a crumbling world. We're trapped by our own fear..."
“Humans will do anything to protect themselves, even if it means attacking others. People will do anything to find a way to feel less fearful."
“So... They find a traitor and they deal with them."
“They don't care if they really were betrayed or not... As long as it assuages their fear."
“As long as I am alive, I won't let them hurt you."
