Spirit of Justice DLC Spoilers!
I’ve talked a lot about how much respect Edgeworth has for Phoenix as an attorney and an individual (see here and here) but this DLC case really puts my analyses to shame because Miles makes it so, blatantly obvious.
In the final cross examination for the case, Pierce Nichody makes a last ditch attempt at warding off suspicion by slandering Phoenix’s integrity.
“He wants to infect this judicial body with virulent accusations!”
Before he can say more, Edgeworth objects to his testimony. It’s important to note that the text autoadvances here aka Edgeworth’s objection pops up before the text box fully loads in. It actually took me by surprise the first time I played through the case.
Do we see what I’m trying to say? Edgeworth—under the guise of maintaining professionalism—defends Phoenix against attacks on his character. It’s even more telling that he loses his cool and forcibly stops the dialogue after Pierce implies Phoenix is a stain on the judicial system, almost as if he’s saying “not the Phoenix Wright Miles knows”. No damn way.
An aside: This is post 7-year gap Phoenix coming under the Chief Prosecutor’s protection because he unerringly believes in Phoenix. That’s 7-year gap fanfic fuel in the flesh?!
It’s cute that he says, “We need to evaluate the defense’s claim” because, yes, of course we do, but does evaluating Phoenix’s argument include insulting your witness, too?
There’s something about this exchange that screams domesticity, what with Edgeworth indirectly telling Pierce to stfu and shifting the court’s attention to Phoenix, who definitely gets what Edgeworth is putting down. Look at his smirk and the dialogue!
This has to be one of my favorite NaruMitsu moments in the series. A culmination of their personal bond peeking through the professional curtain. I am so taken with these losers.
