Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

As soon as one person answered, a lot of different opinions erupted.

"100 gold is too little. I won't get as much as a judge, so how about 150 gold?"

"I don't think it'll be that far.... I think it'll be 80 Golden."

Although the amounts were different for each person, they were still far from the correct answer.

It seemed like everyone thought they would make a few dozen gold coins.

Abel shook his head firmly and told him the truth.

"You are all wrong. The average middle-class freeman earns about 5 gold a month."

"Is it really that little?"

"Yes, this is also very generous. It is based on the standards for those who do business with our Carriers Dukedom."

"Huh!"

A long sigh suddenly burst out.

It wasn't because the wages of middle-class free people were lower than expected that they reacted that way.

They were just surprised because their thoughts were so different from reality.

Abel mixed in the logic of Marquis Wesley Malone.

"The full-time lawyers have nothing? People who earn 2,400 gold coins a year?"

Of course, after deducting taxes, the amount would have been significantly reduced. But he didn't bother to bring up that topic.

First of all, he needed to show that he had a lot of something in order to break the opponent's logic.

"Let me ask you again, Marquis Wesley Malone. Are the judges so poor that they need special privileges?"

"… … ."

It was a position where one could touch tens of thousands of gold coins in just five years of work. Even though Marquis Malone was a single-parent nobleman and had no real power, he did not lack money. Marquis Malone stood still, seemingly at a loss for words.

Abel's first point had completely broken the old man's argument. But the debate did not end there.

"I would like to speak," Marquis Malone said.

"Yes. It is Marquis Malone's turn, so you may begin," the judge allowed.

"The practice of giving courtesy to the Emperor has been going on for a long time. His Majesty the Emperor has also tacitly acknowledged it. How can you change this at will?"

Oh! This can't be happening, Abel thought. There was someone else besides him who dared to pull out the emperor card. It was a sight that couldn't help but astonish him.

'It's quite a high-level move, isn't it?'

It was similar to how Abel used to handle the old pigs in Congress. After all, there would be few brave enough to question the Emperor directly.

But Abel could argue back without having to do that. All he needed to do was eliminate the reasoning behind the need for special privileges.

"It's my turn," Judge Josef Padilla nodded.

"I have a question for you, Marquis Malone. I heard your grandson is currently facing trial."

"What does that have to do with this discussion?"

If Abel hit the weak point properly, an extreme reaction would follow. Marquis Malone became angry and yelled, but upon reflection, he seemed a little embarrassed. He blushed and lowered his voice.

"Let's not talk about irrelevant things."

"Not at all. From what I hear, the issue is whether it was mutual assault or not."

"So what do you want to do?" Marquis Malone asked.

"Would you accept it if the other party hired a lawyer who would be unfavorable to your grandson?" Abel pressed.

"That's… … ."

Of course, Marquis Malone would use his influence to suppress the other side, but he couldn't admit that here. Hadn't he been arguing for special privileges until now?

Saying anything else would contradict his entire stance, so he could only remain silent.

"Oh, right. I think your grandson is claiming that he was assaulted," Abel continued.

"Considering that they were just fighting amongst themselves, they were hurt quite a bit."

"If a full-time lawyer were to appear in that situation… … ." Abel trailed off.

The case would likely be brushed off as mutual assault. Bill Malone's claim that he was beaten would be denied. The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, as Marquis Malone was unable to offer any rebuttal.

'It's a bit harsh, but it's the most effective,' Abel thought, feeling a tinge of guilt. It was a bit cruel to even touch on family matters.

But, Abel hadn't revealed any private details about Bill Malone's case.

The lawyers sitting behind Abel were part of the legal profession, so they knew the situation well.

"Marquis Wesley Malone? Your chance to speak has come again," Judge Josef Padilla urged.

However, Marquis Malone simply hung his head and quickly left the conference room without offering any more words.

Finally, he muttered, "It's like a discussion X."

That was truly the highest compliment, Abel thought.

---

The news that Abel had won a debate against hundreds of men spread throughout the city. By stamping out the lawyers at the forum, the privilege of the full court would be completely eliminated—at least for as long as Abel remained the Supreme Court Judge.

"Wow. His Highness the Duke of Carriers has won again."

"You used to slaughter the pigs in Congress, but now you're silencing the lynx-like lawyers."

"You are the best, Your Highness the Duke!"

"Ahh. Please take me. By the way, this is what a man said."

Abel clutched his pounding head as Butler Miller Xavier read the reports like a machine.

"The last one is something that probably didn't need to be collected," Abel remarked.

"I just wrote down what I heard on the street."

Deacon Xavier was a very capable and flexible person, but to write down all those strange reactions? Abel had a feeling it was meant to tease him. As expected, a smile appeared on Butler Xavier's lips.

"I'm joking. I only used this one and filtered out the rest."

"Phew! That's a relief. So far, the citizens' reactions have been like that. What about the other side?" Abel asked.

"I haven't collected stories from the high-ranking nobles. But my friends, who are similar to me, really like them."

"In what sense?"

"They are impressed that His Majesty the Duke looks after even the middle-class free people."

It wasn't really a grand statement from Abel, but it seemed like people viewed it in a very positive light. It couldn't be helped, though. What kind of ruler cared so much? Most would focus on the bigger picture and let the rest sort itself out.

But then, suddenly, Cordell McNeill, who had been listening silently, interrupted.

"May I say something, Your Majesty the Duke?"

"If it has anything to do with this report."

"Of course. Butler Xavier said he couldn't collect stories from the high-ranking nobles?"

"Yes."

"But I can."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess I lived in a beauty salon."

"… … ?"

Abel nodded quietly and stared blankly at him. Cordell just tilted his head, as if unaware of the awkward mood.

"Lord McNeill."

"Huh? Is something wrong?"

"Of course. I haven't been to the hair salon in a few days."

"Ahaha…?"

"Is that the right reaction?"

"Does that sound right?"

"Yes, now you are right. You are a knight who does a lot of dirty things!"

Phew! Abel swung his gavel over Cordell McNeill's head, although he had no real intention of hitting him. He was just momentarily annoyed by his escort knight's antics.

Abel stopped hammering and slumped back down in his chair. There was nothing to gain from fighting with this guy, anyway.

"So, what did you collect?" Abel asked, returning to the matter at hand.

"Oh, yes. I'll tell you right away," Cordell said with more seriousness.

What Cordell gathered had a very different feel. While most citizens were enthusiastic, those in power saw it as simply doing their job. However, the reaction of the noble ladies was extremely enthusiastic.

"Everyone expressed that they wanted to go on a date with His Highness the Duke of Carriers. Why don't you take this opportunity to meet some women?" Cordell suggested.

"Hmm…"

To be honest, Abel didn't have much interest in getting married. He had insisted on staying single in preparation for the day he might return to his original world. If one day he disappeared, what would happen to his remaining family? It would be incredibly confusing.

But now, Abel's thoughts were slowly changing.

'I feel like there's no hope of returning. I just have to live here. What should I do?'

The system given to him was extremely unfriendly. Of course, it didn't tell him what to do or how to get back.

Abel decided to take Cordell's advice into consideration for the first time in a long while. If it was just casual meetings, there was no reason to refuse.

Just as Abel was about to nod in agreement, Cordell McNeill spoke up with a serious expression.

"But you know."

"What's going on?"

"There's a rumor going around these days that the 'kiss of death' is popular around the capital."

"… … ."

'No, this crazy person! Why are you telling me that now?'

Abel had barely registered Cordell McNeil's last statement before he felt the weight of the room shift. The chatter from the citizens' forum still echoed in his mind, with the boldness of his actions and words sinking in as he slumped in the chair.

Cordell's playful demeanor took a backseat, and his words, however absurd, nagged at the back of Abel's mind. "A kiss of death popular in the capital?" He leaned back in his seat, staring at the ceiling for a moment. Was Cordell trying to warn him of something, or was this just another one of his usual pranks?