Chapter 264

Here’s the English translation of the novel excerpt, following your provided glossary:

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Episode 264

Hassan264? Hassan

Time seemed to stop.

Everything fell silent, leaving behind only chaotic noise.

The murmurs of people, the bewildered faces of those who didn’t understand the situation—their confusion and unspoken questions were palpable.

I spoke again, clearly.

“This trial has been flawed from the beginning, and there is something I must confess to all of you.”

”Ahem, hmm—”

The judge wiped the sweat from his brow and asked,

“Hassan of Samaria, you’re objecting to the trial? What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said. There is something I must tell you. It’s been said that I stopped the arson in Sodomora, but… that’s not the truth. I—”

I took a brief breath, then continued.

“If anything, I was closer to the one who set the fire.”

“What—what did you just say? You’re saying you set the fire, Samaritan?”

I could feel everyone’s shock. The murmuring stopped, and instead, they listened intently, waiting for my next words.

My eyes turned to Elpride Desmund, sitting quietly in the defendant’s seat. Just moments ago, she had worn an expression of detached calm, but now her brows were raised in clear surprise as she stared at me.

“The truth is, I was the one who set the fire.”

“W-What kind of nonsense is this? If that’s true, you’ll bear the full weight of the law! Why—why would you do such a thing?”

“I am a savage. A brute who roams the black wilderness, who knows nothing but screaming, breaking, and destroying. Does a savage like me need a reason or explanation for setting a city ablaze?”

“Wh-What kind of—?!”

The judge looked utterly stunned, but his eyes sharpened with sudden intensity.

Just moments ago, his sunken eyes had been clouded with tension and emotion, but now they glared at me as if I were nothing more than a lawless barbarian.

And it wasn’t just Judge Porphyry.

All around, I could hear the clicking of tongues and see furrowed brows.

Because I’m a savage—

It was absurd that such a simple reason could explain everything, but that was the reality. My black hair, my foreign features—in this world, they were no different from original sin.

No matter how much fame I gained as an adventurer, no matter how many lives I saved or how much service I rendered, that fact would always cling to me like a curse.

But right now, that very fact was helping me. I continued.

”Why did I set the fire? Why?” I scoffed. “Because this Gaia Continent was lacking warmth. It was too d*mn cold here.”

“Lacking warmth?”

The judge’s brow twitched.

“What are you talking about?”

“You people of the Gaia Continent are too cold. When you’re pelted with stones and insults for no reason, when you see someone trampled and mocked after falling into the mud while chasing pickpockets—isn’t it natural to want a little warmth?”

“So you set a fire to resist racial discrimination?”

“I could spend days explaining, but who would care? No one would listen. No one would even pay attention—they’d probably just laugh. So I set the fire. Now, at least, they’ll hear me out.”

“Even so, arson is a heinous crime. Did you not think of the people who would suffer because of it?”

“I don’t care about that. What matters is that I’ve sent you all a message. And that woman, Elpride Desmund? She was nothing more than a torch I used. The fact that none of you realized that is hilarious.”

Murmur, murmur—

The crowd erupted into chaos at my words.

”I know that guy! He’s the one who set fire to the arena in Desros!”

The glares of hostility and wariness stung. They seemed convinced I was the arsonist who had burned the city.

In truth, it probably didn’t matter to them who the culprit was. The gathered crowd just wanted someone to vent their pent-up summer heat on.

”So does that mean the elf woman is innocent?”

”Then it makes sense why she was so docile for an arsonist. Was she being threatened?”

”I told you guys several times—that elf is innocent! The real criminal is someone else! See, I was right!”

”And honestly, a savage barbarian is way easier to hate than some pale elf. Visuals matter more than you think when it comes to stirring emotions.”

From any angle, I was the perfect villain.

Still, even though I had prepared myself, the insults, stones, single-copper coins, and tomatoes hurled my way stung more than I expected.

As I silently endured the ab*se, the judge, who had been scribbling something, spoke up.

”Sigh… Then we’ll have to restart the trial. Of all days, for this disgrace to happen when His Highness Friedrich is present… The issue of compensating the victims alone is a mess!”

Whoosh.

Just then, someone stood from the spectator seats. Judge Porphyry scowled irritably.

“And you—do you have something to say?”

“I am Galadiol, owner of the East Gate Laundry. I’m also the representative of the arson victims. I have here a petition and a formal complaint—the petition is for that pale fairy over there, and the complaint is for this black savage.”

Judge Porphyry took the stack of papers and flipped through them. After a moment of grumbling, he spoke.

“So, a petition to reduce the elf Elpride’s sentence and a formal complaint to punish Hassan of Samaria in her place. All 30 victims agree?”

“As you can see.”

”Sigh… In Sodomora’s 200-year history, this is the first time something like this has happened. I, Porphyry, stand here as Jupiter’s representative, but honestly, I don’t know how to handle this.”

The judge fell silent, lost in thought. Despite his years of experience, this case had unfamiliar elements.

Of course, the deeper his contemplation, the harder my heart pounded.

Everything was going exactly as I had planned.

My efforts over the past few days—visiting victims under the scorching sun, negotiating—had paid off. I hadn’t asked them to drop the case entirely.

I only asked them to redirect the charges from Elpride to me.

”The defendant is just changing, so it’s no loss to you.”

”Honestly, who cares who actually set the fire?”

”But then we won’t get a share of the elf slave sales, right? We were about to make a fortune!”

”In exchange, Hassan of Samaria will do something useful for all of you. You’ve seen how capable I am these past few days, right? Think of it as an investment in me and the Mars Guild. You won’t regret it.”

Hmm.

Convincing Galad, the laundry owner who had suffered the most, had taken some effort. But seeing him submit the petition and new complaint today meant things were going smoothly.

He was the type who served iced water to famous adventurers to build connections, so he must have realized that being in my debt wouldn’t be so bad.

Everything was proceeding perfectly.

As I steadied my trembling breath, Judge Porphyry, his face heavy with anguish, spoke again.

“Very well. Jupiter’s law and the kingdom’s justice exist for the victims. If this is their will, then I must abide by it. With that, we will adjourn this trial and resume in a week—”

“Wait—”

At that moment, someone interrupted.

Turning, I saw the crowd parting like the sea, bowing their heads.

A man in silver-tinged armor, adorned with shoulder insignias and expensive ornaments, approached with a clinking sound.

His short, well-groomed blond hair and kind, handsome face radiated youth and confidence.

“Your Highness Friedrich—”

Even the judge bowed in flustered respect.

This man’s name was Pride Friedrich—a royal heir known as one of the kingdom’s proudest warriors.

Stepping forward, he stood before the judge and me.

“I came thinking I could buy that elf woman, but this is quite the spectacle, savage. What’s your name?”

The judge hastily answered for me.

“Th-This man is Hassan of Samaria! Hassan Zigress—! Hassan, bow your head to His Highness at once!”

“Now, Porphyry, I wasn’t asking you. I was speaking to him—the brave man who confessed his crimes before me without fear.”

The prince’s blue eyes locked onto mine. People in this world had no issue staring intently, and this prince was no exception.

“Not kneeling before my majesty? Interesting. I asked you a question. Your name—?”

“Hassan of Samaria.”

“Hassan. Fitting name for an amusing man. Hassan—you’ve admitted your guilt. We have victims, a location, and witnesses. There’s no need to waste time and resources delaying the trial. As Jupiter’s representative and the kingdom’s rightful heir, I will oversee this. Porphyry, any objections?”

“N-None at all, Your Highness! Where you tread is the courtroom itself. Please, take my seat.”

The prostrate judge yielded his position.

Prince Pride, as if it were the most natural thing, ascended to the high seat and accepted the gavel and crown.

His face, cast in shadow by the high sun and the crown’s silhouette, seemed to flicker for a moment.

For an instant, I thought I saw his blue eyes flash crimson.

Nobles already exuded immense pressure, but a prince was on another level entirely.

So this is the authority of one raised from birth to rule over others.

He looked down at me.

“Criminal, Hassan. Black-haired Samaritan. By confessing, do you mean you’re prepared to bear full responsibility?”

“Yes.”

“You—you insolent—! How dare you not show proper respect to His Highness!”

“Enough, Porphyry. I know Samaritans bow to no one. Anyway, Hassan. I hear the damages amount to 200 gold. A hefty sum. If you can’t pay, your life is forfeit. Do you have the means?”

“No. I only have 150 gold.”

“Only 150 gold? A fortune, but still insufficient. How anticlimactic. You don’t seem foolish enough to confess without a plan—”

The prince’s shadowed face showed clear disappointment.

Just then—

“Y-Your Highness—”

The bespectacled halfling auctioneer spoke up nervously.

“I-I am the auctioneer Camur. Forgive my impudence, but may I say something?”

“Speak.”

“W-Well, you see… After recalculating the victims’ complaints, some have withdrawn their claims for monetary compensation. Thus, the total restitution required is… 143 gold, 35 silver, and 10 copper.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

The prince looked back at me.

“Then the money you have is enough. Was this your intention? No, asking now would spoil the fun. Still, Hassan—arson is a grave crime. Even if you repay the damages, your guilt remains.”

Though his tone was light, his words carried a deadly edge.

I had planned for this outcome over the past week, but I never expected Prince Friedrich himself to intervene. Naturally, I tensed.

“Under kingdom law, arson is the third of the Five Great Crimes. Even with full restitution, your actions warrant at least a decade in the Prison City.”

Prison City.

A massive iron cage teeming with criminals. Ordinary humans were said to break after just a day there.

A state-sanctioned slum where the kingdom dumped its worst filth. Ten years there would be worse than slavery.

Then the prince added,

“But I like you, savage. I’ll enlist you in the Holy Knight Order. You’ve got potential—two years of training, and you could rank ninth. The savage Samaritan who resisted discrimination with arson, redeemed by the prince’s mercy. Makes for a fine tale, don’t you think?”

Holy Knight Order.

The term for the heretic hunters Antiope belonged to. The crowd erupted.

”Good heavens! Not only is he pardoned, but he’s being recruited into the Holy Knight Order?!”

”Isn’t that too lenient for an arsonist?!”

”Such magnanimity from His Highness! The kingdom’s future is bright!”

”The prince is known for scouting talent everywhere. Maybe he wanted that elf for the same reason?”

The crowd buzzed with admiration. Even I had to admit—the prince’s offer was incredibly merciful.

“Kneel and swear loyalty to me and the kingdom, Hassan of Samaria. Do that, and your crimes will be forgiven. No sin is beyond pardon—save for the heresy of serving Pluto.”

“……”

I looked up at the arbiter of this trial. Only his blue eyes gleamed from the shadows.

If I knelt now, everything would be resolved easily.

Yet, for some reason, my knees refused to bend, as if rooted in place.

Despite living a life of constant compromise, I couldn’t bring myself to kneel before him.

“Hassan, why won’t you kneel? You won’t get a better offer.”

“Though I’m deeply grateful, I must decline. I’ll atone for my crimes my own way.”

So instead, I reached into my coat and pulled out what I had carefully kept hidden, holding it up to the prince.

It was similar to what Lady Enya Sarditch had granted to war veterans.

The prince’s eyes narrowed.

“A pardon? A letter of indulgence?”

His expression grew serious as he took it. It was indeed a royal pardon, bearing the seal of the border count.

While healing Countess Enya, I had secured this promise from her.

Even if I received the 100-gold reward, matching Elpride’s price would’ve been impossible. Seeing bids exceed 500 gold confirmed my fears.

So I had considered—what if I nullified Elpride’s trial and took her place?

That’s why I spent the past week gathering gold and persuading the victims. And it seemed to be working.

All thanks to successfully healing the countess. Officially, though, it was Luna’s “Spirit Orb” that had cured her. Even Luna believed that.

Having a savage’s hands on a noblewoman’s feet would’ve caused a scandal, so I let Luna take all the credit.

Now, what happens next?

As I watched the prince scrutinize the document, he finally spoke.

“The border count’s seal is genuine. The Sarditch family’s influence rivals royalty. I never expected a savage to possess something like this. You didn’t steal it, did you?”

“So does this clear my guilt?”

“Yes. Rules are rules. Amusingly enough, you’re innocent. As the kingdom’s heir and Jupiter’s representative, I reaffirm it—you are innocent, Samaritan.”

Innocent.

Those two simple words made my heart race.

I had won.

The murmurs grew louder. As I basked in my victory, the prince added,

“Just one question. I’m no fool, savage. This trial—no, this entire situation—reeks of scheming. Was this all planned?”

“Would the answer change anything?”

“No. Everyone must submit to rules and outcomes. Savages, judges, nobles, even princes—no, even the gods on high cannot defy the law.”

“Then you’re free to think what you will.”

“Good. Then I will. Hassan of Samaria. Savage of the Black Wilderness. I came with no expectations, yet you’ve entertained me. I’ll remember your name, Samaritan. Hassan—”

He enunciated my name sharply, each syllable like a blade piercing my chest.

Hassan of Samaria.

Was that really my name?

No—it was a lie.

The real me was neither a vicious, maddened savage nor a rising adventurer. Just an ordinary, flawed man.

After years of lies, today, I decided to speak the truth.

“Scribe, I’d like one correction. My name isn’t Hassan of Samaria—just Hassan. Write it like that.”

“Hassan? Just ‘Hassan’ might be confusing. Should I note whose son you are?”

“Hassan, son of Ha Daesu.”

“Ah, yes. Hassan— Noted.”

I said Hassan, not Hassan. d*mn it. At this point, maybe my pronunciation was off.

Still, the confession felt liberating. For the first time, I felt like myself. Was this the joy of shedding the savage act?

Behind me, someone laughed.

”Ha—”

Turning, I saw the prince’s shadowed mouth twist into a grin.

His handsome face, which should’ve inspired goodwill, now wore a horrifying smile. Instinctively, my hand went to my waist.

The back of my neck prickled more intensely than ever.

Of course, I hadn’t brought any weapons into the courtroom. This might be bad.

When I looked up again, the prince’s expression had returned to its calm, confident state.

“Belatedly—welcome, Hassan from distant lands. To your arrival on the Gaia Continent. With open arms. Warmly—”

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