The judges finished their discussion. And return to the seat with the look of someone satisfying with their works.
Shakti stood up, addressing the courtroom.
"After careful discussion and consideration, we have decided on a suitable resolution for this unusual case."Shakti announced, her voice clear and commanding.
Meanwhile, Kazuma sat nervously, waiting for his sentence. His body visibly shaking, and his breath heavy.
"Satou Kazuma," Shakti continued, her eyes fixed on him with measured calm. " we acknowledge while you did break several rules your actions merely considered as breaking the law not a criminality. Your actions may be questionable but still understandable considering your special situation. However! your existence as someone who able to cast various magic easily, witnessing a power that could match core members of Loki Familia, and several unique abilities while not affiliated with any familia without a doubt are considered a potential threat for Orario's stability."
Kazuma's eyes widened. For him, that sounds like the part where they gonna said 'sorry but you have to die.'
"Based on that, we are giving you three choices. You are free to choose which one comfortable for you."
Kazuma gulped. He feel relieved a little but still can't be happy so fast.
"First, you are going to jail." Shakti said plainly, as if she know that Kazuma wouldn't choose the first option. After all the first offer usually just a bait.
"May I ask for how long?"
But to her surprise, the man still has something to ask.
"There is no exact time. To be honest we are going to jail you until we found another better option to handle you."
"Seriously?"
"I'm always serious."
"..."
"..."
"Please, tell me other choices."
Shakti nodded. "Second, we will forgive all charges against you, in exchange you have to leave Orario."
"... just to clarify it. You mean temporary leave, right? Like some kind of 'finding your true self'?"
"No, I mean expulsion forever."
"Out of curiosity," Kazuma said slowly, "what if I just disguise myself again and sneak back in?"
"There will be no more talk when that's happen." Shakti said with sharp gaze. That felt like a knife stabbed at Kazuma's heart.
"... Please continue with the last choices."
Shakti looked at Kazuma with warm light smile. "Third, same like second choice, we will forgive all your charges, under condition you have to join familia—"
"Option 1 please!" Kazuma immediately cut her.
Silence filled the room as if the nature itself confused with his choice.
"... Why?!" Shakti finally asked, disbelief bleeding into her voice. Clearly can't follow what just happening. "I can understand if you choose second option, but any sane person would choose third option rather than the first one!"
Kazuma crossed his arms, eyes narrowing as if he were pondering some great philosophical truth. "How stupid do you think I am? Joining a familia? Do you mean I have to serve someone like Loki, works for them with my life, while they do absolutely nothing?! When you looked at it, jail is sure a better option, right? You get a place to stay, three meals a day, while you do nothing— wait, that's really sound like a peak life!" Kazuma thought seriously.
The courtroom deadpanned. It was hard to tell whether Kazuma was a complete idiot or the most shameless man they had ever encountered.
Suddenly, a burst laugh broke the tension.
From the deity bench, Loki clutched her sides and wiped a tear from her eye, her voice ringing across the chamber.
"Kid, you really know how to make me look bad!" she cackled. "But damn! you're funny."
The corners of her mouth curved into a smirk as she leaned forward. "But let me correct that fantasy of yours. Think prisoners get free food without doing a thing? Nah, sweetheart. You'll be breaking rocks and hauling sludge all day just to earn a stale piece of bread and a moldy cot."
Kazuma's face paled.
"So," she said, tilting her head playfully, "still want to go to jail?"
Without hesitation, Kazuma stood up.
Then, in a blur of motion, he dropped to his knees and executed a perfect dogeza.
"O, mighty Loki, this lowly soul may be unworthy, but I beg you! Please, let me join your glorious familia!"
Loki leaned back, cackling louder. "Kuhaha! That's more like it! Keep going! More! Praise me more!"
All the eyes in the courtroom witnessing the obliviously flatterer and the one thirst from it.
Both of them pretty much like a stain on a society.
Shakti massaged her temple in exhaustion. "So… you've chosen the third option?"
Kazuma lifted his head with a very serious glare. "Isn't it obvious? Any sane person would choose that."
Shakti stared at him flatly. A moment ago, this very man had declared the third option the worst of all, but pointing that out felt like a waste of energy.
"Very well. Initially, we intended to open the invitation to all deities present, but… it seems you've already found yourself a place in the Loki Familia."
"Eh? Hold on," Loki said, tilting her head. "I haven't agreed to anything yet. What do you think, Finn? Should we take this kid?"
The crowd collectively sighed. It was obvious Loki was just toying with him now.
Even Finn, as a commander in Loki Familia and the one responsible for almost any decision made couldn't help but felt sorry for Kazuma.
But then, another voice rose from the divine bench. Soft, elegant, and commanding.
"About that... May I have a moment?"
The room turned to the source. Not because they aren't familiar with the voice. But because they know exactly who is speaking.
Goddess of Beauty, Freya. The other familia in Orario that are equal to Loki Familia.
"Magic without falna, an unique ability we never known, and combat power that could match the spearhead of Orario at very young age... How fascinating."
A chill swept the room. Even Loki narrowed her eyes.
"Tell me, kid. Are you perhaps... an irregular?" Freya asked.
The word hung in the air like a spell.
Deep down, Kazuma have to hold the urge to immediately say 'yes' just because it's sounds really cool.
But after some bad experience that comes from immediate respond, he learned the important of knowing the subject first.
"What exactly does that mean?" he asked, careful not to sound too enthusiastic.
"Irregular, anomaly, singularity... There is many words to describe them. One who stands beyonds the law of the world, unbounded by our divine order, unchained by nature. Extraordinary entity that could shake the very foundation of the world."
The courtroom had fallen completely silent. Even the gods were listening now, as if the air itself had turned still. Even for deities this is not the topic they are familiar with.
"Some of them are born with it, others receive it from various method..." She stopped her speech, looking right into Kazuma's eye.
"... Or simply brought it from another world." The beautiful goddess made a very warm smile which feel like a snake wrapped in Kazuma's neck.
"Tell me, Satou Kazuma," she asked, voice as gentle as silk and just as dangerous, "which one are you?"
Dozens of eyes turned to him. Mortal and divine alike.
Watching.
Waiting.
Kazuma sighed internally. He really planned to be honest but not to this far.
Still. If he had to be put on the spot, might as well make it interesting.
Kazuma stood up.
Then, he leaned forward in a deliberate bow, precisely 30 degrees. The golden ratio of respect, flair, and a bit of mysterious impression.
He gave the courtroom a brilliant, charming smile.
"Pleased to meet you, gods of Orario," he declared. "My name is Satou Kazuma, number one adventurer of Axel, slayer of a Demon General, vanquisher of the Demon King..."
"... and a hero from another world."