THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL
(~SK. 10-11)


[Once the investigation wraps up, Zero's voice emanates once more throughout the Gigantic. The doors to the theater on both the C Deck and D Deck open as he speaks. And yes, when people come in through the C Deck Doors, they will find they can access the lower level from the stairs.

Yay?]

It is time. Come to the theater.

I wouldn't worry about bringing blankets.

[And indeed, when the Strangers come into the theater, they will find that the room is considerably warmer compared to the rest of the ship. There are also changes to the podiums-John, Anya and Kaito's places are all draped in black.

The screens schlllorrrp back in, with Zero's face appearing after a moment of static.]

Of course I am here for any questions. But I believe you know how this goes, so I suggest you begin. Justice delayed is...justice denied.

[The trial for Kaito Momota, The High King, has begun.]

Comments

[yesorwoof]

How fitting. You chose the devil hunter to be your rival. As close as I suppose you'd get to an inspector on short notice.

I suppose the most essential question is, what was used to break Momota-kun's fingers? Not the slot machine itself as it was toppled only once according to any marks on the floor in either room, yes? I'm asking rhetorically, of course.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Hahaha - my apologies, hm? I had figured you'd take it in stride.

[He laughs, before shrugging.]

Isn't it obvious? Clearly, it was done as he fought back.

That is, during when I tortured him.

[yesorwoof]

I don't understand. You only broke one hand, didn't you? Was his left hand even his dominant hand? Why wasn't he fighting back with his right hand? Was it already pinned under the slot machine? Which arm was sticking out of the slot machine when Momota-kun was found?

I'll speak that way addressing you instead of the culprit for simplicity, but I'm thinking of how we're supposed to be narrowing it down. An adult male who would make a reference... I believe that Hermes, Hubert-kun, and Roland-kun are disqualified. Ritsu-chan might have rather large hands but her bruises testify to lacking the swordcraft in real life. Brain-kun and Tsutsugami-kun seem unlikely if I'm generous in my confidence with my profiling. Alastor-kun and Zack-kun, it's a little hard for me to tell. Zack-kun would have to be obfuscating his background. Hm... No, I might be assuming too much. That already makes it seem like just Moriarty-kun or Kira-kun to me, if not the incapacitated Aoi-kun. Should I start over?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

No, no, my dear. Please, continue.

[He laughs, loudly.]

As for the arm? Well, can't you look it up? Hm?

[yesorwoof]

Let's see. Yes, the left arm was sticking out and had the broken fingers. There was blood in front of the slot machine, not leaking out from underneath it. It suggests that Momota-kun was not already pinned down in any way when the machine was toppled, but that the slashing wounds were delivered when the body was still upright and free. Why would he do nothing at all with his completely undamaged right arm, when he was facing the killer? Why wasn't he clutching a single strand of thread or hair in his fingertips?

You know what I think you might be hiding. But I suppose perhaps you broke his left arm to distract him, and then teleported behind him? Hm.

I'm not letting up on the broken bones. I talk about it all the time, but I always imagine doing it with a hammer. Maybe it's just because I'm a woman - you are rather nimble. But will you dance for me a little bit? Show me the soles of your shoes, which I believe weren't examined during the strip check.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He laughs again, almost delightedly.]

Ah, such a pity I won't be around to hear your chatter! Very well, here -

[He shows her the soles of his shoes, Where there's a little pink in the edges.]

Please, keep thinking on it. Though it seems the rest of the group has little interest, I will go to my grave pleased someone at least thought to solve my final problem.

[That...sounds almost Genuine.]

[yesorwoof]

And you weren't publicly near the crime scene like Zack-kun and so on, were you? No, I saw you first wake up and then saw you go to Akane-chan. In fact, you might have been in her company the entire time. There is no other path for Momota-kun's pink blood to reach you than unobserved activity that night.

[Makima's placid face turns to the group, which is literally no-selling him to the last man. She turns back to him.]

If there is a hell here like they say. Hm... [Thinking face.] Even the letter "A", I will take as a message from the great "ace" among demons.

[She raises her arm to wave robotically.]

Have a safe trip.