Swoosh!
The lights suddenly blazed on, illuminating Moen.
The light was blinding, making it hard to open one's eyes, but Moen couldn't lift his hands to shield himself because they were securely tied to the chair.
There was a noisy commotion around him. Countless dark shadows filled the tiered seating, whispering to one another and gossiping about Moen.
"Bang!"
In the direction of the light source, a dignified judge struck the sacred gavel.
"Quiet!"
"The case of Moen Campbell's molestation to Highness Princess Celicia is now in session!"
"The plaintiff’s lawyer will now present the accusations against the defendant!"
Swoosh!
A new spotlight turned on, illuminating the wooden desk labeled "Plaintiff's Representative." Attorney Ariel Bugard stood up, adjusted her oversized black-framed glasses, and began a severe accusation against Moen Campbell.
"Your Honor, please allow me, on behalf of the plaintiff, to present the charges against Moen Campbell!"
"Go ahead."
"First of all, Moen Campbell is nothing less than an absolute beast! By virtue of his status as Her Highness Celicia’s fiancé, he had the audacity to invite her to dance with him and even dared to casually touch Celicia’s delicate hands! It’s beyond disgraceful… It’s infuriating and a terrible stain on Her Highness Celicia’s reputation!"
"Second, Moen Campbell is an absolute beast! He was in a situation where he was alone with Her Highness Celicia, breathing the same air with Celicia, and was not satisfied, but drugged the tea and did such unspeakable things to Her Highness Celicia—It’s unbearable… I mean, absolutely hateful!"
"In conclusion, Moen Campbell is without a doubt a total beast! On behalf of the plaintiff, I sincerely request that Your Honor sentence Moen Campbell to death!"
"Hmm, I see."
The judge nodded expressionlessly.
“I’ve heard the plaintiff’s demands. Now, what does the defendant have to say?”
"I protest!"
Moen struggled violently.
"The plaintiff’s lawyer is clearly biased—this is a personal vendetta, absolutely a personal vendetta!”
"Bang!"
The judge struck the gavel sharply.
"Moen Campbell, this is not your time to speak. I was asking your defense attorney!"
Swoosh!
The spotlight moved again, shining down on Moen's defense attorney.
"Ribbit!"
As Moen's attorney, Mr. Frog's bulging eyes stared straight ahead as he issued his solemn statement.
"Ribbit, ribbit ribbit! Ribbit ribbit! Ribbit!"
"Ah, I understand, totally understand," the judge nodded deeply. "So, even the defense attorney acknowledges that Moen Campbell is a beast?"
"I protest! Why on earth is my defense attorney a frog? And Your Honor, you can’t possibly understand what he’s saying!"
"Bang!"
"Moen Campbell, if you dare disrupt this sacred court again, I’ll declare your guilty verdict immediately!"
Moen could do nothing but clamped his mouth shut, helplessly watching his "attorney" croak a few nonsensical words before hopping away.
Great, now he didn’t even have a lawyer.
“We will now hear from the witnesses.”
Witness #1: Moen Campbell's personal maid, Ann.
"Yes, it’s true that Young Master Moen is a beast. He constantly looks at my body with those vile eyes. If I wear my maid uniform, he'll get way too excited and even steals the stockings I’ve worn. As his personal maid, I’d say this is undoubtedly a severe case of workplace harassment!”
Witness #2: Moen Campbell’s father, Duke Ron Campbell.
"Sigh, I never expected such a beast to be my son. As his father, I feel like a complete failure. But rest assured, everyone—I will no longer acknowledge him as my son. My wife will soon have a new, better child!"
"As for Moen... Hmph, do whatever you want with him. I couldn’t care less about the life of this beast!"
Witness #3: A fellow student of Moen Campbell’s.
"Moen Campbell is a beast! Moen Campbell is a beast! Moen Campbell is a beast! Three times for it’s that important! Princess Celicia belongs to me!"
"Hmm, I see."
After listening to the testimonies, the judge nodded as if he understood.
"Moen Campbell, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"I protest! The witnesses are clearly lying, and one of them—I’m pretty sure—was sitting next to the plaintiff’s attorney! They’re obviously here to vent their personal grievances and desires!"
"So, you admit it? You admit yourself a beast?"
"No, absolutely not! And hang on, isn’t this supposed to be a trial about my specific charges? Is ‘beast’ even a real crime in this world?"
"Bang!"
The judge slammed the gavel again and solemnly declared,
"I hereby announce that Moen Campbell is guilty of Beast Crimes! The penalty is death, immediate execution!"
"There really is such a crime!?"
Before Moen could object further, the shadows from the audience stood up in unison, surging forward like a tide.
They hoisted Moen up and began marching him toward the execution platform, chanting in unison,
"Beast! Beast! Moen Campbell is a beast!"
Swoosh!
Another spotlight lit up.
On the icy cold execution platform, the noose was already prepared.
The scene shifted; Moen Campbell was now standing on the platform.
“No! I don’t want to die yet! I’m still young! I don’t even have a girlfriend! And I haven’t finished watching the last two episodes of Magical Girl Genius! At least tell me if Q survives in the end or not!”
As the icy noose closed in, Moen Campbell began struggling madly.
"Moen Campbell, do you believe you aren’t a beast?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.
Moen looked up and saw Celicia standing not far away.
The judge, attorneys, witnesses, and audience had all vanished. Only Celicia stood beneath the light, asking her question with icy disdain.
"Moen Campbell, do you believe you aren’t a beast?"
"I…"
…Am not?
No, at least not in front of Celicia.
After all, he really did do those despicable things to her.
“I am…”
Tears of regret slid down Moen’s cheeks. He took a step forward and willingly placed his neck inside the noose.
“Yes, I am a beast!”
"I, Moen Campbell, am nothing but a total and utter beast!"
...
"I am a beast!"
Moen shouted as he abruptly sat up in bed.
He met the gaze of his maid, Ann, who was holding a bowl of medicine.
"…"
"…"
Ann stared at him without a word for a moment before putting down the bowl.
"I see. So Young Master Moen has injured your brain as well? Please wait a moment—I’ll fetch the doctor to examine you immediately."
"I have not!"
