The Judgment

"It's fine, it's not your fault. We can only blame the enemy for being too cunning."

Rimuru quickly comforted Kaigin, seeing its guilty expression.

Knowing their escape route, Rimuru was completely calm now and even had the leisure to comfort Kaigin.

"Exactly, big brother. This isn't your fault, we can only blame that bastard Besta for being a scumbag."

"Yeah, big brother. As long as we brothers are together, we're not afraid of anything, not even dying together. Forget mining, we'll face death together."

"Yeah, we brothers will never be separated."

Kaigin's two dwarf brothers said with smiles.

Seeing this scene, Mo Li's heart felt a little warm.

"However, if they knew they didn't have to go mining at all, wouldn't such a touching scene be..."

At this moment, Mo Li suddenly had such a thought.

"Never mind, I'll talk about it later."

"Also, I don't know what kind of changes my little butterfly will bring to this world. You know, so far, everything has been going according to script. Of course, there have been some minor deviations, but overall, it's not a big problem. At least no major plot changes have occurred yet."

So Mo Li was quite relieved now.

At this moment, Besta, who was beside them, started to panic.

"I think I've gone too far this time. Although he framed Kaigin, he didn't expect that this time it would be the Hero King himself presiding over the trial, and the punishment would be so severe."

"Although he has always been obstructing Kaigin, it cannot be denied that Kaigin is truly a good subordinate and an extremely excellent blacksmith. Although he has always targeted him, he has always held back, never going for the kill. The worst he did was cause Kaigin to lose his position and become a blacksmith."

"But this time is different. Not only has Kaigin received a severe punishment, but his brothers and benefactors have also been implicated. This has completely offended him, making it an irreconcilable relationship. Now Besta has only two choices: either finish the job and cut Kaigin down, or: regardless of the cost, seek Kaigin's forgiveness."

"But of these two choices, Besta immediately ruled out the first. Although he disliked Kaigin, he couldn't bring himself to kill him, because they were of the same kind – subordinates of the Hero King. He wouldn't kill a subordinate of the king. This was his bottom line. And honestly, Besta didn't have any deep hatred for Kaigin; it was just a difference in ideology."

And to be honest, his relationship with Kaigin was actually quite good before. It was only his jealousy that caused this friendship to break. He was actually very jealous of Kaigin. He was jealous of why Kaigin, a commoner, could receive the king's favor. His abilities were never inferior to Kaigin's, so why was Kaigin the commander while he was the deputy commander? It was precisely this jealousy that led to the subsequent framing.

Later, he pursued research into magic-weaponry too aggressively, but it failed. Not only did he blow up the research base, but he also caused a large number of casualties and economic losses. However, that time, he used his background, his connections, to create false evidence and shift all the blame to Kaigin, which led to Kaigin being demoted from commander to a blacksmith. It was always his jealousy at play. It's a pity that it's all too late now. There's no going back."

At this moment, Besta finally realized his mistake.

"Twenty years is too much, isn't it? And his companions didn't even make a move. Isn't ten years a bit unfair?"

Besta pleaded for Kaigin and the others.

Kaigin heard this voice and was a little surprised. He really didn't expect Besta to plead for him.

The Judge remained silent upon hearing Besta's words.

For the Judge, what had been decreed was set in stone.

What place was this? A place to judge sinners, the fairest place in the entire Dwarf Kingdom.

Changing it was impossible.

And he couldn't change it. He knew Kaigin and the others were wrongly accused, but knowing it didn't help him, because he was the Judge. In a place that only dealt with evidence, without proof that Kaigin and the others were innocent, they were guilty.

And now that the verdict had been passed, he couldn't change it unless the Hero King himself spoke.

This was the only way.

"Please respect the verdict, Lord Besta."

The Judge said sternly to Besta.

"Now, we will begin executing the verdict. Take the prisoners away."

The Judge's voice was filled with ruthlessness.

At this moment, Besta wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.

Kaigin looked at Besta with eyes full of anger.

In the past, it was only about positions and some underhanded tactics, and he endured it.

But what did his forbearance bring him?

Twenty years of mining labor.

Then, several dwarf soldiers stepped forward, preparing to escort Kaigin and the others out to carry out the verdict.

Both Kaigin and Rimuru were shackled with heavy cangues.

Looking at the cangues on his body, Rimuru tested them.

"Hmm, I can break free anytime."

As a slime, Rimuru's body had no solid shape.

It could not only change size at will but also assume a liquid form. Trying to restrain it with chains was pure foolishness.

As for Mo Li, there was even less to worry about. It was just a mere iron chain. If he hadn't been afraid of causing conflict and feared the Hero King, Mo Li could have left the prison long ago. The defenses in the prison were only enough to restrain ordinary monsters and humans. To restrain monsters like Mo Li and Rimuru, you would need at least a few more chains and barriers.

However, just as Mo Li, Rimuru, and Kaigin were about to leave the courtroom.

The Hero King, who had been sitting high on the throne, spoke.

"Kaigin, are you willing to return to my side and serve me again?"

Upon hearing the voice, Kaigin grew somewhat excited. However, after a moment of hesitation, it spoke.

"My King, I apologize for failing your expectations. I am now a sinner and can no longer return to your side to serve you. Furthermore, I have already found someone I need to serve. He is my benefactor; they saved my life and my brother's. I must repay their kindness. My King, this is Kaigin's final salute to you."

Kaigin knelt on one knee, placed its right hand over its chest, and said with conviction.

Afterward, Kaigin stood up and walked resolutely out of the judgment chamber, dragging its heavy chains.

Besta, standing nearby, grew a little anxious.

"What is Kaigin thinking?"

"Sigh."

Witnessing this, the Hero King couldn't help but let out a sigh, as if regretting something.