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Chapter : 38
“Uh, no! Judge Antonio is not seeing anyone anymore…”
The administrative chief, who had been rolling his eyes, grabbed me.
‘So the emperor really is intimidating, huh.’
He was trembling and acting so desperately.
Duke Rekaten wasn’t the type to avoid something because he was scared—he avoided it because it was filthy.
So it was obvious he would soon suggest turning back.
“Your Highness.”
I turned my head to try to persuade the duke.
“Administrative Chief. Do you think I came all the way here because I have time to spare?”
Duke Rekaten spoke in a calm, sunken tone.
“Go and check again how much I donate to the court each year.”
His expression was clearly displeased.
“Then you’ll realize it’s not only His Majesty who holds your lifeline.”
It was a rare sight to see the duke, who never openly displayed his emotions, react so bluntly.
“Y-Your Highness! That’s not what I meant… I, I just meant… it’s dangerous for you to go alone, so I thought your aide should come along.”
The administrative chief seemed to realize this and immediately backed off.
“Haha, Your Highness. Please, go on up.”
And so, I was able to enter Antonio’s room.
“Antonio is the strictest of all the judges. Being royalty doesn’t earn you any special treatment. And especially…”
Anaph, who was guiding me, paused for a moment.
“Well… he’s already famous for being even colder to royalty in unfortunate situations.”
“Ah, so he’s stricter with princes and princesses who’ve been dismissed.”
I bluntly said this, and Anaph awkwardly cleared his throat.
“In any case, meeting him won’t really change anything.”
“That’s fine. I’m here for a serious conversation.”
“A serious conversation?”
“Let’s just call it getting back to basics.”
I couldn’t let them see what would happen inside.
Without further explanation, I entered Antonio’s room.
“Hello. I am Diell Yekaterina, here for an audience with the judge today.”
Immediately, I saw a man with a white beard.
“Huh? Didn’t you hear the news?”
Looking at the deep wrinkles on his forehead, I understood what Anaph meant.
“I did hear, but the imperial decree is effective from midnight, so I have the right to a meeting, and Your Highness has the right to receive the certificate,” I said, stepping closer to Antonio.
But Antonio only glared at me without moving.
“Ahem!”
The eyes behind his glasses lifted half-displeased.
‘The control panel hasn’t appeared yet.’
I could only see half of Antonio’s face.
Maybe it was because of the glasses, but even as we talked, the control panel didn’t appear.
“In the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor’s word is above the law! Hmph, now I understand why you were dismissed.”
I watched Antonio motion dismissively with his hand and thought:
Sure, he may lack responsibility as a judge… but why is he resorting to personal insults?
No wonder rebellions happen.
It suddenly made sense why novels portrayed things that way.
“Aha! You haven’t left yet!”
Antonio shouted again.
“Are you being rude because you trust Duke Rekaten? Even princes and princesses of the imperial family follow His Majesty’s words like law!”
His anger was steadily rising.
Who do you think I came here with the duke for?
My plan to go to the guild was already unclear—so why should I be scolded?
“Hey, old man.”
“What? Do you know who I am? How dare you speak to Antonio, a judge appointed by Baron Shin, that way!”
It seems the tone of people who bully others is universal across time and place.
I deliberately walked roughly up to him and slammed the desk.
“Old man, is your time important but mine not? Huh?”
“Aha! Oh my!”
Only then did Antonio lift his head and glare.
“If a judge has no backbone and no sense of responsibility, what can the citizens of the Empire rely on, hmm?”
I ignored him and yanked off his glasses.
“I’ll summon the court soldiers immediately. No, I’ll have to call the Emperor’s palace knights!”
Antonio shook the bell rope violently.
Clang, clang! The bell rang loudly.
Thanks to that, his entire face became visible.
[Antonio. D-Rank, Judge of the Elbenard Empire]
At the same time, the control panel appeared.
But I didn’t want to manipulate it one by one.
So I concentrated all my energy and thought.
I wouldn’t know for sure until I tried, but the control panel usually follows my thoughts…
‘Stop acting like a crank and do your job properly!’
The control panel responded instantly, flashing briefly.
‘Oh! It’s like a shortcut mode.’
[Antonio’s sense of justice increases to maximum!]
[Antonio’s boredom decreases by 20%!]
[Antonio’s morality…!]
“W-Why are you doing this, Judge?”
Then the door suddenly burst open.
“Are you all right?”
“What’s going on?”
Anaph, the duke, and the administrative chief rushed in, likely disturbed by the bell.
“Huh?”
But Antonio, who had called them, just stood there blankly.
“…Judge Antonio?”
A brief silence passed, and then:
“Oh, what was I doing!”
Suddenly, Antonio slapped his own forehead.
“Not doing my work! I was solving quizzes in this sacred court!”
He muttered a sigh.
It felt like even his expression had changed.
“I must work! I must do my best in this position!”
“Judge, why—why are you like this?”
“I must finish all work before midnight. Quick!”
Antonio hurriedly changed into his judicial robe.
“Oh, the Duke is here. I apologize for delaying things due to my laziness! I’ll finish quickly, just wait a moment!”
“But Judge Antonio, by His Majesty’s order, this system is temporarily suspended.”
“Aha, you unrighteous fool! Aren’t you ashamed in front of this wise young lady? Not thinking to uphold the law’s value at all!”
Antonio quickly scribbled the certificate and scolded the administrative chief.
“Fool! I will issue the certificate immediately—bring the seal!”
“Y-Yes?”
“Hurry! The seal!!!”
“Ah, understood!”
The flustered administrative chief moved quickly.
Once Antonio donned the judicial robe, his words had the authority of a judge.
“By the name of the judge Antonio, granted the righteous wisdom of Baron Shin, I declare…”
Holding the seal high, Antonio said:
“I recognize Duke Rekaten’s right as a guardian!”
And slam! The judge’s seal was clearly stamped on the certificate.
“Judge Antonio greets Princess Diell Yekaterina.”
Before receiving the certificate, Antonio approached me.
Since I had received it before midnight, there were no procedural issues.
“I have done many shameful things as a judge. I knew it better than anyone, but… perhaps it’s more accurate to say I ignored it.”
He closed his eyes as if recalling the past.
“But the moment you approached, Princess, I felt as if the goddess of justice had slapped me. The feelings I had forgotten suddenly returned.”
He bowed his head briefly, as if in gratitude.
“I had sworn that no one would suffer injustice under the law….”
From his expression to his tone, everything had changed.
“I believe you were sent by Baron Shin to awaken me.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Ah, this warm atmosphere… I’m not used to it.
I suddenly remembered roughly taking off his glasses, and felt a little embarrassed.
“From today, I will do my best to fulfill my duty. May Baron Shin’s blessings rest on Duke Rekaten’s house.”
Finally, Antonio handed the certificate to the duke.
“I, Judge Antonio, officially recognize Duke Rekaten as Princess Yekaterina’s guardian.”
My plan to outsmart the emperor had succeeded.
And…
[Duke Rekaten’s trust in you has increased by 14%!]
‘Wow!’
I even received an unexpected bonus.
