Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

The courtroom was filled with murmurs as the trial of Ogden Farm and Harding's breach of contract began. "We will now begin the trial of Ogden Farm and Harding's breach of contract. Salute your honor," the bailiff announced.

Abel Carriers' expression remained as composed as ever when he entered the courtroom.

At first, many didn't believe what they were witnessing. Where in the world is there a trial this difficult? They assumed Abel was calm because he had likely stood before large crowds countless times. In reality, he had spent the entire night contemplating the case.

"Please start with the plaintiff's side," Abel instructed, his voice clear and firm.

The trial proceedings were not much different from usual. Since there wasn't much to argue about in this case, Harding's top brass didn't even bother to hire a lawyer.

In fact, this was the right decision, given the circumstances. If the top shareholder personally came forward with a request, it stood a better chance of being accepted.

Viscount Harding spoke with uncertainty, "Please submit the contract written at that time as evidence and call the person who notarized it as a witness."

"Who is the notary public?" Abel asked.

"This is Baron Bashue," Viscount Harding answered.

"You had plenty of time, so why didn't you request a witness in advance?" Abel's question was sharp, like a knife.

Viscount Harding, visibly sweating, stammered, "Baron Bashue is also running a merchant company, so he has been away for a long time. He has just returned to the capital, so I am making this request."

It was up to Abel to accept or reject the witness. If he found Baron Bashue suspicious, he could easily refuse.

Besides, Viscount Harding was asserting something that hadn't been mentioned during the preliminary evidence investigation.

"Of course, you would refuse," someone murmured from the audience. "Baron Bashue is not a member of the Sierre nobles, but he's quite close to them. It's not very credible," another whispered.

The crowd stirred with negative reactions, but Abel's response was unexpected.

"Accepted. Bring Baron Bashue to me," Abel declared calmly.

Viscount Harding, who had seemed resigned, raised his head in surprise. It was clear he hadn't expected the witness to be accepted so easily. The gallery began to murmur once again.

"Can you believe this?" someone whispered.

"He's not on good terms with the Sierre nobles, so he probably just wants to hear what Bashue has to say," another speculated.

Eventually, Baron Bashue appeared as a witness and explained the situation at the time of the contract. Abel listened silently, asking only a few questions before concluding the witness examination.

"Now, the defendant will present his defense," Abel announced.

A figure stood up. It was Earl Roderick Quinlan, a slim man with a neat mustache.

He wore a well-tailored suit from the finest Midias clothing store, looking every bit the perfect gentleman. However, his speech was anything but refined.

"I'm not saying I won't deliver the goods at all. I'm simply asking for leniency due to the difficult situation," he argued.

Abel's gaze was calm but penetrating as he responded, "Didn't Ogden Farm create that difficult situation in the first place?"

Roderick scoffed, "No, who would turn down such a good opportunity? Other places are clamoring for the goods, offering high prices for them."

It was a flimsy argument, more of a tantrum than a logical defense. Yet, Roderick seemed to believe it was sufficient, as if expecting special treatment simply by making his case known.

In the audience, there was quiet chatter. "Will the farm owner really win?" someone whispered. "Anyone can see Baron Ogden was at fault," another responded.

"Shh! If you keep talking, the court reporter will throw you out," a third cautioned. Find adventures at empire

The crowd kept a close eye on Abel's expression, knowing the verdict would depend on the judge's attitude.

Abel, however, sat on the bench, his expression blank and unreadable, his gaze lofty and emotionless. His eyes swept over Earl Roderick Quinlan, who was standing anxiously before him.

"Is that the extent of your defense?" Abel asked.

"Yes, that's all," Roderick responded.

"Very well," Abel replied.

The arguments from both sides were entirely contradictory, yet there was a shared sentiment: both parties wanted the trial to end swiftly.

Earl Harding appeared resigned, while Baron Ogden seemed hopeful. Finally, Abel raised his gavel, signaling that his decision had been made.

"I will now deliver the verdict."

Gulp! The sound of people swallowing nervously echoed throughout the room, the tension palpable.

All eyes, especially those of the Sierre nobles, were fixed on Abel. The outcome of this trial carried significant weight. A loss would not only bring humiliation but could set a precedent, leading to similar disputes in the future.

Abel's voice was steady as he began,

"I am proceeding with the execution of the farm against the owner, Baron Ogden. Should there be a shortage of goods, payment will be required in cash. As stipulated in the contract, the penalty is one thousand gold."

Silence enveloped the courtroom.

The verdict had shocked everyone. What many had expected to be a half-hearted ruling turned out to be a decisive and firm judgment.

Abel had sided with the Sierre nobles, offering no special privileges to Roderick Quinlan or Baron Ogden.

Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream erupted, shaking the courtroom.

"This can't be happening!" shouted Earl Roderick Quinlan, his face contorted with rage.

Abel turned his indifferent gaze toward him, silently asking what the problem was. Roderick, realizing the judge's unspoken question, quickly responded, though his argument was weak and poorly constructed.

It was clear that the judgment would stand, and no amount of protest would change it.

The practice of giving courtesy to the king is a long-standing imperial custom. It is a kind of unwritten law!

An unwritten law is something that is not written in a law book, but is something that everyone is expected to know and follow. It is broadly divided into custom and precedent, and Earl Quinlan was discussing the former.

Abel refuted that opinion head-on.