Return of the Frozen Player

"First, Baron Favo will explain his relationship with the troll.”

"I took him in 10 years ago and raised him as my son. His name was Roland."

"How did you come to the idea of raising a monster?"

"Because him crying sadly after losing his mother didn't seem very different from humans."

"He didn’t look so different from humans?"

Viscount Oliver asked his attendant, "Zinu, what kind of existence is a troll?"

"Trolls are high-ranked monsters and although they are intelligent, they are treated as monsters and not as Second Race members since they cannot communicate with humans.”

At the neat explanation, Oliver once again cast his eyes on Favo.

"Did Baron Favo know this beforehand?”

"I knew that. But while ordinary monsters are aggressive since they are babies, Roland wasn’t like that."

"That's not for the baron to judge." Oliver's eyes gave Favo a sharp rebuke. "Don't forget. All imperial people are His Majesty's people.”

"I know."

"You made such a dangerous choice even though you knew that? What if the troll showed aggression after he grew up? It would be difficult to stop an adult troll with the troops of this town."

"I thoroughly trained him to prevent that from happening."

"But didn't it happen? In the end, it happened...”

Tap, tap.

Viscount Oliver spoke as he tapped on the papers.

"One West Sun resident and a hundred and twenty Players and Adventurers have died."

"I have an objection." Seo Jun-Ho politely interrupted him.

Viscount Oliver looked at him. "Speak."

"The total number of people who died at Roland's hands is eighty-one."

"Hmm?"

Viscount Oliver looked at the documents once again and shook his head. "No, no. It clearly says 120 here."

“Forty of them were rescued from the cave where Roland lived."

"Hooo, you mean those people survived? That's a relief.”

Seo Jun-Ho corrected. "There's a fault in the language. Rather than surviving, Roland spared them." He then submitted the documents he had prepared beforehand. “The rescued all had simple first-aid done on them and there had been nothing for me to do. This was from a doctor's statement."

"Hmm, so it’s true. But first-aid... Just who did that?"

"It was Roland."

At that, not only Viscount Oliver but even his attendant, Zinu’s eyes opened wide.

"Player Seo Jun-Ho, are you claiming that a troll treated humans?"

"That is correct…"

"The court does not tolerate even a little lie. Now that you have mentioned it, you must have evidence, right?"

It took three days for the dispatched judge to arrive. Seo Jun-Ho and Lord Favo didn’t want to waste their precious time. A trial was a stage for those who were prepared.

"Of course. I ask to summon a witness in my capacity as a lawyer."

"Witness? Interesting. Let the witness in."

Walking into the study were Oh Dae-Sik and an Adventurer who had participated in the mutant troll subjugation.

Viscount Oliver asked them some simple questions, "So, did you really get treated by a troll?"

"Yes, we were afraid the troll would eat us at first, but then he crushed herbs and put them on us.”

"Hmm... then Master of the Blue Guild. Did you say that the troll gave you a way out during battle?"

"Yes, I have brought a video of the attack. When it was possible to subdue, he didn’t go for the kill.”

"All right, the witnesses, please go back.”

Viscount Oliver sent them away and carefully checked the evidence.

"Well, there's something strange about it.”

Viscount Oliver's eyes shone. He compared the list of the rescued with the list of people who received the Quest through the Adventurer Guild.

"The rescued are all the ones who recently went to attack. Not a single one of the advance team survived."

"Yes, that is definitely a strange part." Seo Jun-Ho readily nodded.

Rather, Viscount Oliver tilted his head in confusion.

"Judge-nim, why do you think so?”

"Hmm, would it not be because he became afraid? The more people he kills, the more people would come searching for him..."

"Unfortunately, you are mistaken."

Seo Jun-Ho took out a magic crystal ball from his inventory. The magic crystal ball was a device that could record video. This evidence was powerful enough to change the course of the trial.

"It’s a magic crystal ball. What's in it?"

"It contains the reason why a troll who never had a problem in 10 years suddenly changed."

"The reason why the troll changed?"

When Zinu brought the crystal ball over, Viscount Oliver nodded, indicating for it to be played.

Zzzzzk.

The light emitted by the crystal ball created a video projection.

- Is this him?

- Yeah, isn’t it interesting? A troll raised by a person… He can even use swordsmanship.

- It’s definitely interesting. He'll be a good sample.

- That's enough of pretending to be a human, monster.

- Bring out the dormant violence in you.

The content was straightforward. It was the scene where two fiends implanted a demon jade into Roland.

"Is it a video of the past? Defense attorney, what exactly is this situation?"

"Judge-nim, do you know about the existence of fiends?"

"Fiends?" He had been in the legal profession all his life, so there was no way he wouldn’t know about them. "They're horrible people. They are not welcomed not only on Earth but also in the Empire.”

"Those horrible people have created something even more horrible. It's something called a demon jade."

"Demon jade? Is it perhaps what was implanted in the troll in the video...”

"That is correct. It's a marble filled with condensed demonic energy, and it's an object that instigates anger and the urge to kill in creatures."

“…!”

Viscount Oliver and Zinu's faces hardened. If Seo Jun-Ho's words were true, this was a serious matter.

"Player Seo Jun-Ho, can you take responsibility for what you say?"

"Of course. Actually, I have hunted monsters implanted with demon jades several times by now."

Once again, more evidence was submitted. It was two stamped letters.

"Gilleon's mercenary, Hakan… and Gilleon’s Knight Commander, Phivir?”

"They once hunted monsters that had been eroded by demon jades with me."

When Seo Jun-Ho sent a letter in earnest, both Hakan and Phivir gladly replied. They even wrote a message saying that they could come to the town if he needed a witness. They repaid the favor properly.

"Roland is a troll, but he grew up as a human under the care of a human. His dream was to become a mercenary. He wanted to prove that trolls, like other Second Races, were a race that could interact with humans."

“…”

"But the troll’s dream was destroyed in vain—all because of the wicked fiends."

The evidence submitted by Seo Jun-Ho proved Roland's humanity. At the same time, he was also explaining the reason why Roland suddenly attacked people.

"He overcame the terrible pain and brainwashing from the demon jade implanted into him and finally regained his humanity. I assure you, this is not something that even an impressive human being can do so easily."

"Hmm…"

"I dare ask Judge-nim. Would the results have been different if that demon jade had been implanted into a human?”

“…”

It wouldn't have been much different. No, the damage would have been greater depending on the target.

"Roland harmed dozens of people. That is a clear fact. However, that wasn’t his will. I would like for you to know that after he came to his senses, he cried and grieved until the moment he died."

After talking, Seo Jun-Ho sat down. He had said everything he could.

'But it'll be hard to be found not guilty, since as many as eighty people have died.’

At best, Lord Favo would only receive a reduction of sentence. Favo gave Seo Jun-Ho a grateful look.

"Judge-nim, in this case...”

"Quiet."

Viscount Oliver cut off Zinu and was in deep contemplation. Even for him, a veteran judge, this kind of case was difficult to give out a ruling.

‘Depending on where I as the judge set the standards, the conclusion will be sharply different.’

What would have happened if the fiends hadn't implanted Roland with something called a demon jade? Roland and Favo could have been great individuals who would have the world's perception of trolls, rather than being sinners. Unfortunately, that possibility had already been destroyed by the fiends. It became a dream that could never happen.

‘It's hard…’

Viscount Oliver looked at the evidence once again. The evidence they had gathered was pointing to one thing; although Roland was born a monster, he died as a warm-hearted ‘human.’

"Lord Favo, answer the question," Viscount Oliver spoke with heaviness, "Do you really think trolls and humans can interact with each other?"

"Yes, I believe so." There was no doubt in Lord Favo’s voice and he was full of conviction. "I thought that… Roland and I could prove it."

"Is that so?" Viscount Oliver nodded quietly and picked up the gavel. "I give the judgment of this trial."

He declared his words loudly, "As of this moment, the defendant, Baron Favo Limisen, is stripped of his position as the lord of West Sun."

Pound, pound, pound!

When the ruling was made, Seo Jun-Ho let out a light sigh. Was it too much to keep his position as the lord? At the end of the trial, Viscount Oliver approached them.

“Player Seo Jun-Ho, that was an impressive defense. Let me make it clear that your words have changed the outcome of the trial." He then looked at Baron Favo and continued. "Favo Limisen, if you have the desire, can I recommend you to the Imperial Second Race Exchange Department?”

"Wait a minute, Judge-nim. That is too harsh on Baron Favo." Seo Jun-Ho protested urgently.

It had only been a few days ago since Lord Favo lost Roland, whom he regarded as his own child. But Seo Jun-Ho’s words were interrupted by Baron Favo pulling his sleeve.

"No, it is rather a grateful suggestion." Lord Favo nodded with a light smile. "Roland, that child had often said that he wanted to create a world where trolls could interact with humans."

Of course, the dream disappeared before it was realized since Roland was no longer in this world.

"Maybe this is the homework that mischievous kid has placed on me."

"Are you sure that's all right?”

"They say no parent can win against their children. Rather, for someone like me, being a lord is too heavy of a position."

Since Favo had already said so much, there was nothing more Seo Jun-Ho could say.

Looking at the peak where Roland spent his last moments, Lord Favo said, "To honor the child, I will prove it myself."

***

"People will think the circus is moving." Seo Jun-Ho pointed out.

Baron Favo packed his bags, saying he would take all the animals he had raised. Thanks to this, the procession of animals preparing for the great migration looked quite ridiculous.

"It can't be helped. It’s not like you can abandon your family," Lord Favo rebutted.

It could be seen in Lord Favo’s eyes—he really loved animals.

"Oh, right."

Lord Favo took out a key and handed it over to Seo Jun-Ho.

"Isn't this a key?" asked Seo Jun-Ho.

"The Sun Swallowing Territory. Isn't that the West Sun's nickname?"

Baron Favo turned his head. The sunset was so beautiful that it could nail people on the spot. "Have you ever seen the Sun’s Tear?"

"The Sun’s Tear?" Seo Jun-Ho searched his memories for a moment then shook his head. "I haven’t."

"On the Twin Mountains, the Sun’s Tear comes out every tens of years at the earliest or hundreds of years at the latest."

Seo Jun-Ho listened in silence.

"The key will open the vault in my name at Rockford Bank."

"What's in the vault?"

"The Sun’s Tear." Baron Favo looked at him with a cool smile. "If it’s someone like you, Player Seo Jun-Ho, who has a warm heart, I believe you will use it well."

"May I ask what the Sun’s Tear is?"

"Well, I shall not spoil, lest the pleasure of discovery be ruined." Baron Favo climbed onto the carriage with a mischievous smile. "I should be going now.”

"Wouldn't it be more convenient for you to leave in the morning?"

"There are a lot of animals with me that are nocturnal. It’s better that I’ll be a lot more distracted with them." Baron Favo reached out to the window and held Seo Jun-Ho's hand tightly. "Thank you again for closing Roland's eyes and defending me until the end."

"I will visit you later when I have a chance."

"I will always welcome you. I will have to work on my tea skills for that day."

Baron Favo left with a smile. Rumors spread that he had secretly raised a troll, but the town’s residents saw him off in tears.

"It is also important to catch ten sinners, but do not wrong a single citizen," recited the Frost Queen.

“…?”

"That is what my father, the previous king, said." The corners of her mouth curled up into a refreshing smile. "Looking at your defense, Contractor, you seemed to have the qualifications to be a wise king. I am delighted."

"What king? I'm busy just protecting myself.”

With his back to the sunset, Seo Jun-Ho smiled and looked at the disappearing baron's procession until it completely vanished from view.