Judgment in the Center, Laughing Madness
When afternoon came. The iron doors of the prison creaked open with a loud groan. "Move." Kazuma squinted as the sunlight hit his face. "Ah—finally… I thought I was gonna rot in there." Ruko stepped out behind him, expression calm, eyes scanning everything. "Don't relax just yet. I can tell this isn't over." Before Kazuma could ask what he meant, chains were fastened to their wrists again. Guards surrounded them, and without another word, they were marched through the streets of Axel. People gathered. Whispers spread. "That's them…" "The criminals…" "They destroyed a noble's land…" Kazuma shrank a little. "Why is everyone looking at us like that…?" Ruko didn't answer. His eyes moved slowly across the crowd. Something felt… familiar. Not memory—just instinct. Like he already knew how this would go. They reached the center of Axel. A large open court had been set up. Nobles, knights, and civilians filled the area. At the front stood Sena, holding a small golden bell. Beside her sat a noble with a twisted expression—Lord Alderp.
Kazuma and Ruko were pushed forward… …right into the center. Kazuma gulped. "Why do I feel like this a public execution…" Beside him, Ruko stood calm, eyes half-lidded, like none of this mattered. "Because it almost is." Sena stepped forward. "This is a formal trial under the authority of Axel. The accused: Kazuma Satou… and Ruko Satou." The crowd murmured louder. Sena raised the bell. "We will now begin interrogation. This bell will ring upon lies or malicious intent." Kazuma swallowed. "Why bring that again! That's … not comforting." "Kazuma Satou," Sena said firmly. "State your actions regarding the destruction of Lord Alderp's property." Kazuma straightened. "O-Okay… so… we were fighting the mobile fortress! That giant walking fortress! Things got out of hand and—" DING! Kazuma flinched. "HEY! I'm telling the truth!" Sena narrowed her eyes. "You are omitting details." Kazuma panicked. "Okay fine! There was a teleport thing involved! And an explosion! But we didn't KNOW it has landend!"
The bell stayed silent. Murmurs spread again. Alderp leaned forward, eyes cold. "Ignorance does not excuse destruction. You obliterated my mansion. My land. My property." Kazuma pointed. "I didn't even KNOW you existed until now!" Ruko chuckled under his breath. Sena continued. "We will now call witnesses." Kazuma froze. "…Wait." Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness stepped forward. Kazuma's face went pale. "No… no no no—WHY BRING THEM HERE!" Sena looked at them. "State your relationship and your experiences with the accused." Aqua crossed her arms. "He's useless." Kazuma snapped. "OI!" Megumin nodded seriously. "He has committed various acts of… questionable behavior." Darkness blushed. "…He has… harassed us on multiple occasions." Kazuma's jaw dropped. "WAIT—WHY ARE YOU STARTING WITH THAT?!" Sena tilted her head. "Clarify." Megumin continued, completely serious. "He steals, makes perverted comments, and has attempted inappropriate actions."
DING! DING! Kazuma pointed at the bell. "SEE?! IT'S WRONG!" Sena shook her head. "The bell detects intent as well." Darkness, now flustered, added, "And Ruko… is even worse." Ruko raised an eyebrow. "Oh bwoy?" Kazuma slowly turned. "…Even worse?" Aqua nodded rapidly. "Way worse! He says crazy things, threatens people, and his vibe is just… scary!" Megumin added, "His harassment isn't even normal. It's like psychological…" Kazuma stared. "BRO WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Ruko shocked in casually. "I don't remember being that." Sena raised her hand. "Enough. Kazuma, final question." She stepped closer. "Have you ever served, met, or worked with the Devil King?" The entire court went silent. Kazuma clenched his fists. "No. I've never met him. Or I've never worked for him. I'M JUST A GUY WHO'S TRYING TO SURVIVE!" The bell… …remained silent. A wave of murmurs spread. Sena nodded slowly. "Truth confirmed… but suspicion remains."
Kazuma dropped his shoulders. "I'll take it…" Sena turned. "Ruko. Step forward." Ruko walked calmly into the center. The atmosphere shifted. "State your actions," Sena said. Ruko spoke simply. "I fought the Dullahan. I fought the fortress. I resisted the knights. I threatened them." DING! DING! DING! The bell rang rapidly. The crowd tensed. Sena's eyes sharpened. "You admit hostility toward Axel's forces?" Ruko smiled slightly. "If they get in my way, yes." The bell rang again. Alderp slammed his hand down. "You see?! This one is dangerous! He's no ordinary criminal!" Sena raised her hand. "Witnesses." The girls stepped forward again. This time… they hesitated. Megumin spoke first. "Ruko… helped us in battle." Aqua nodded. "Yeah… he saves us sometimes." Darkness added softly, "He protects the party when necessary." Kazuma blinked. "Oh… they're actually helping—"
Megumin continued. "…But he's also terrifying." Aqua added, "And unstable!" Darkness blushed again. "…And far more perverted than Kazuma." Kazuma screamed. "HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!" Ruko laughed quietly. Sena stepped forward again. "Final question." Her voice became sharp. "Have you ever served, met, or worked with the Devil King?" Ruko paused. For a split second… something clicked in his mind. A memory… blocked. A feeling… familiar. He opened his mouth. "I—" DINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDING The bell went insane. Ringing nonstop. The entire court froze. "He's lying!" "He's hiding something!" "He's must be the devil king spawn." He's must be in the Devil King's army." "He's with the Devil King!" Voices exploded everywhere. Ruko… went silent. Then— "…Heh." A small laugh escaped. "…Heh… hah…" It grew. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!" A full psychotic laugh burst out of him. He stopped. The air changed. Dark. Heavy.
A red-black aura exploded from his body, while releasing his bloodlust—spreading across the entire of Axel. People dropped to their knees. Fear filled the air. Ruko's eyes glowed. "You think…" he said slowly, voice distorted, "you can judge me…?" His grin widened unnaturally. "You accuse me… of being some fucking Devil King's dog…?" The aura intensified. "I don't give a blinding damn FUCK about your laws… your BLOODCLAT SHITASS nobles… or your BOMBOCLAT stupid pricks of accusations!" His voice rose, filled with rage. "If any of you try to dig into my personal life… I swear… I WILL TURN THIS FUCKING ENTIRE WORLD INTO BLOODCLAT HELL!" The crowd trembled. "They call me a foot soldier? A general? A successor?!" He laughed again. "Maybe I SHOULD become one! Maybe I SHOULD take everything and crush this entire world myself!" A panel suddenly appeared in front of his eyes—
[YEW SYSTEM WARNING] [Bloodlust levels critical. Frenzy state imminent. Immediate suppression required.]
Ruko's expression twitched. "…Tch." His aura flickered. "…Fine." He exhaled slowly—and the pressure dropped. But the fear remained. The courtroom was silent after Ruko's aura faded. No one dared to speak for a moment. The entire court stared at him like a monster. "H-He's a devil…" "A future Demon King…" "He'll destroy us all…" Sena stepped back slightly. Even she was shaken.
Alderp shaking in wet pants smirked. "N-Now do you see? H-He must be executed i-immediately—" "Enough." Darkness stepped forward. The air shifted again—but this time, with authority. Then she show her crest. "I am Dustiness Ford Lalatina." The court froze. "My rank surpasses this court. I will take responsibility for both Kazuma and Ruko." Alderp's face twisted. "You dare—" Sena took a breath and stepped forward. "This trial is still in session." Darkness moved ahead, her voice firm. "I will take responsibility for them. I'll do anything to secure their release." Alderp leaned back, a slow, unsettling smile spreading across his face. "Anything…? Good. I'll decide your terms later."
Kazuma frowned immediately. "Oi… that sounded weird. What are you planning?" Before he could say more—Ruko glanced at him. Just one look. Alderp and Kazuma froze. The knights instantly reacted, stepping forward with their weapons ready, watching Ruko carefully. But Ruko said nothing. He simply looked away. "…Tch." Darkness continued, voice steady despite her blush. "I will prove their innocence. Their execution will be postponed." Sena quickly continued. "We will decide that, but for the destruction of Lord Alderp's land and mansion." "What! You can't be serious." "Lady Lalatina I'm sorry both it's as to be done." "The debt will now pronounce—" "Three billion Eris," Alderp said firmly. Kazuma dropped. "THREE BILLION?!" Sena didn't react. "And for the damage to the gates and town… ten million Eris." Kazuma looked dead inside. "It's over…" Ruko look calm but in his thoughts faintly. "We're broke... forever." Sena raised the bell slightly. "You will repay this debt within one month." Her gaze shifted to Ruko. "If you fail… your sentence will be carried out." The meaning was clear. Execution. Silence filled the court again. Then—The judgment shifted."The accused are temporarily released."
Kazuma collapsed in relief. "I'm alive…"
Ruko turned slightly, eyes still faintly glowing. "…Tch... Lucky them." The chains were unlocked. Kazuma rubbed his wrists, still shaken. "…We're free?" "Yes, but it doesn't mean not out of our watch. If you do anything out of the authority. Sentence is best for both of you!" Sena replied. Ruko stepped forward without a care. But as they walked—People began whispering. "…That's him…" "The one from the trial…" "The Devil King's successor…" "…No… he is known as... the reaper…" Others stepped back, making space. Kazuma noticed and looked at Ruko. "…They're scared of you now and you will have extremely hard time living in Axel or anywhere." Ruko gave a small grin. "…Good. Let them try there best since I miss the part were that's my problem I was reincarnated here anyway." And just like that—They left the court. And as the crowd slowly backed away from him—No one in Axel would ever forget… The boy who laughed like a madman… and nearly turned their world into hell. No one wanted to get close. Not even by accident. Even in death.