Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 120
“However, considering that the defendant has struggled for years to find a compatible Guide, contributing significantly to the Center and the nation despite these challenges, and that isolating him from his imprinted Guide in prison would be less beneficial than allowing him to receive stable guiding and continue contributing to the Center and the nation…”
That’s it!
A wave of relief washed over me as the tension drained away.
Extensively listing these reasons for sentencing meant they weren’t planning to send Claude to prison.
As Claude said, it looked like he would be fined.
For Claude, who was wealthy, a fine was practically the same as an acquittal.
…Or so I thought.
“…The defendant is hereby fined 200 billion Berks.”
“WHAT!”
The last outcry was mine.
200 billion Berks?
Even if I worked as an office employee for a year, including weekends and overtime without extra pay, I would earn just under 10,000 Berks.
200 billion Berks was a sum I could never earn in a lifetime.
I used to dream that if even a million Berks fell from the sky, I’d retire early and travel the world on a cruise ship.
But 200 billion Berks?
The Center’s annual budget is around 500 billion Berks, and they’re fining him 200 billion Berks?
With 500 billion Berks, one could buy most of the land and buildings in the capital, but 200 billion Berks?
Paying that enormous sum for an imprinting that didn’t even happen?
“200 billion Berks? Are you kidding me?”
Bang!
I stood up, kicking the chair away in frustration.
The Espers, who were protesting against just a fine for an unrepentant person who performed unauthorized imprinting, were shocked by my outrage.
“I can’t accept this!”
Even if I admitted that we didn’t imprint, there’s no way anyone should pay that kind of money.
So what if I have to Guide a few other Espers? It’s a part of being a Guide, after all!
“Witness, do you have something to say?”
“Yes, I do! A lot! Claude and I actually…!”
Actually, we didn’t imprint, so don’t you dare extort that money! That’s final!
I was about to reveal the truth against the verdict when my mouth was suddenly covered.
Of course, Claude had appeared out of nowhere and covered my mouth with his hand, determined not to let the truth come out.
With my mouth covered, I started to freak out even more. Naturally! If I stay quiet, 200 billion Berks will fly away!
Flailing like a freshly caught fish, I fiercely resisted, and Claude then grabbed my waist and held me tightly, forcefully restraining me.
There’s no way I could win in a physical struggle against Claude. Eventually, I was completely immobilized in his arms.
“Rose, please…!”
“Mmmph…! Mmmmm!”
Let me go! I have a lot to say!
Though I couldn’t move, I made as much noise as possible with my mouth covered. Gradually, the people in the courtroom began to take notice and started murmuring.
They were curious as to why the Guide, who had been scared and submissive just moments ago, was suddenly so outrageously rebellious.
Just then, a judge spoke up.
“Defendant, please let the Guide go. It seems she has something important to say.”
“Mmmph!”
Yes, let me speak! I’ll tell them we didn’t imprint, that I’m willing to guide 10 or 100 other Espers, so please cancel the fine!
I glared at Claude with blazing eyes, his face showing a clear sense of defeat.
“Defendant, please let the Guide go.”
“……”
“Defendant!”
“…Your Honor, I have something important to say.”
Claude sighed and finally spoke up.
His words had a significant impact since the verdict had already been delivered. Leaving the murmuring Espers behind, the judge asked him to continue.
“What is it?
What important thing do you have to say?”
“I have been in the Center for half my life, surviving only on guiding medication, and have never once received proper guiding. Facing the imminent threat of a rampage, I received my first and most significant guiding from my Guide. I couldn’t bear the thought of her being touched by other Espers and wanted to monopolize her at any cost. I admit that I proceeded with the imprinting without following the proper authorization process.”
Claude’s words, the most polite and truthful since he entered the courtroom, poured out rapidly.
However, it wasn’t the statement I had hoped to hear.
