Curse Returns, a gamble from the start, I awaken dual spells

Rijin did not answer Hiromi Nichisha's question.

His gaze passed over the sun chariot's shoulder and landed on the silver-white figure kneeling before the altar.

"I won't let you succeed," Rito said firmly.

The chariot remained silent for a few seconds before slowly raising the gavel in its hand.

"Since that's the case—"

He tapped the gavel gently.

Boom!

A dull thud echoed through the church.

"Let's begin the court proceedings!"

The next second, the entire church's appearance changed dramatically.

Two rows of wooden benches suddenly rose higher, their backs extending upwards, transforming into rows of dark red audience seats.

Ancient carvings emerge from the armrests between the seats, each with a different face—some compassionate, some angry, some indifferent—all looking down.

The altar transformed into a towering judge's bench, and the faded oil paintings on the walls were covered with streaks of blood-red text.

The words seemed alive, meandering along the wall, shimmering with an ominous glow in the candlelight.

Rule 1: All illegal use of incantations, spells, and magical implements is prohibited within this area.

Rule 2: All statements must be based on facts.

Rule 3: Those who commit perjury will be punished according to the rules.

Rule 4: The final interpretation of this Court rests with the judge.

On the ground, the broken stained glass pieces were pieced back together, casting colorful light and shadow under the lights.

The church doors closed silently behind Li Ren.

"Domain expanded—annihilate and execute!"

Hiromi Nichiba stood before the judge's bench, his gaze behind his glasses as calm as a deep pool.

"Rito Sato."

"Now, I will put you on trial on charges of 'illegal trespassing' and 'obstruction of justice'."

Li Ren stood still.

He could feel that under the cover of this field, the magical power in his body was as if it were wrapped in an invisible film, making its circulation extremely sluggish.

However, it did not disappear completely; instead, it was deemed "illegal evidence" and thus suppressed.

But he didn't panic.

After all, he already knew about Hiromi Nichisha's domain characteristics.

Li Ren stood in the center of the courtroom, feeling the oppressive atmosphere brought by the "Execution and Death" domain.

In the dark red gallery, the sculpted faces seemed to come alive, casting cold gazes upon him from all directions.

The blood-red rules on the wall, like pairs of eyes, gleamed ominously in the candlelight.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the air.

Here, everything must be done according to the rules.

Hiromi Nichisha stood before the judge's bench, his right hand gripping the gavel, his gaze deep and intense.

"Rito Sato, you now face two charges."

"First, trespassing—entering the jurisdiction of this court without permission."

"Second, obstruction of justice—interference with ongoing legal proceedings in this court."

What is your defense against the above accusations?

Rito raised his head and calmly met Hikari's gaze.

He knew the nature of "punishment and forced death".

In this field, Hiromi Nichisha is both a judge and a prosecutor, possessing absolute judicial power.

However, this rule has a loophole: the domain itself requires all statements to be based on facts, otherwise they will be subject to rule penalties.

This means that Hiromi Nichisha himself must also abide by this rule.

"I have two points to make," Rito said slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the empty courtroom.

"First, this church is not the permanent residence of the court; it is merely an abandoned building. In Death & Resurrection, any player has the right to enter any building, so there is no such thing as 'illegal trespassing.'"

Nichiche frowned slightly, but he did not interrupt.

"Second," Rito continued, taking a step forward, "you say I 'obstructed justice,' but I'd like to ask, what law is the basis for your so-called 'judicial proceedings' here?"

Nichisha was silent for a few seconds, then spoke: "It is based on the rules I established as a judge."

"A judge?" Rito's lips curled into a slight smile. "What makes you think you're a judge?"

"Even if you possess the 'Judgment' spell, in the Death and Annihilation Journey, you and I are just players. Players do not have the right to judge another player unless you have the authorization of all players."

Do you have it?

The church was silent for a few seconds.

The faces in the audience seemed to be waiting for the Japanese car's answer.

Hiromi Hiraka pushed up his glasses and slowly put down the gavel in his hand.

"You make a good point." His voice remained calm, showing no anger at being contradicted.

"Legally, I am indeed not qualified to judge another player."

"but!"

He raised his head and looked directly at Li Ren.

"In this field, I am the rule-maker. Even if I don't have legal authority, I have the power to enforce the rules, and that's enough."

Rito shook his head.

"Your field has a rule: 'All statements must be based on facts.' If you insist on convicting someone of 'trespassing' and 'obstruction of justice,' you are violating that rule."

"Because everything I said is true, and your so-called accusations are completely untenable from a legal standpoint."

The Japanese car fell silent.

He was well aware that, as a judge, he could not, under any circumstances, show favoritism or deliberately accuse any particular person.

If the other party has sufficient evidence, then there's not much you can do.

Just then, Kurusu Hana, who had been kneeling in front of the altar, raised her head.

Her gaze shifted between Rihito and Nichisha, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"I...I can testify." Her voice trembled slightly, but it was still clearly audible in the empty courtroom.

Nichiko's brow furrowed even deeper.

"Testify? What do you want to prove?"

"This proves that this gentleman... he entered here without any malicious intent." Kurusu Hana stood up, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming softly in the candlelight.

"He came to save me, not to get in your way."

"Moreover... the charges you raised are completely unfounded."

The expression on the car finally changed.

He hadn't expected that Lai Xihua would speak up for Li Ren.

"Why are you helping him? We share the same ideal: to eliminate the curse and restore the world to normal..."

"But that was my choice, not yours!" Kurusu Hana's voice suddenly rose.

"You can offer me advice, but you have no right to force me."

The Japanese car was stunned.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

Just then, Rito spoke up.

"Your rules are based on 'facts' and 'evidence,' but you've overlooked one problem."

"In this barrier, everyone is fighting to survive, and you have no right to judge any of the survivors."

"You say the existence of spells is wrong, but if there were no spells, Kurusu would have died long ago. And now, you want to use her to erase everyone's spells."

"Do you think this is fair?"

The Japanese car remained silent for a long time.

The faces in the audience stared at him coldly, as if waiting for his answer.

"I hereby declare that Sato Rihito—"

Finally, he slowly raised the gavel.

"Innocent!"

The person in charge felt a sense of relief.

But the next second, the sound of the Japanese car rang out again.

"Now, let me announce your third charge!"

Li Ren's pupils contracted.

"Sato Rihito, I am reopening the prosecution against you based on the existing fact that you killed multiple players in the Eighth Barrier."

Boom!

The gavel fell heavily.

The rules and regulations on the wall began to twist and deform, and the blood-red text rearranged itself.

New allegations have surfaced.