Chapter 28 but he's not dead?

What do you mean he wants the cat to testify? What's he talking about? He seemed to be intelligent. So much for appearances. Such were Elisa's thoughts when Light asked Matamune to testify.

“What the hell are you talking about? That cat is dead. I saw him pierced. And if he's not dead, then why are we having this trial? And worst of all, it's a cat, so it can't testify,” Marion exclaimed.

“Oh no, don't worry about that at Harem Hôtel, **** isn't an end in itself. So even if one of you had the idea of killing yourself, we'd bring you back just as quickly. In any case, I intended to call Matamune as a witness to get to the bottom of this,” Dakota said with a smile.

_“But then why did you hold this trial? It would have been simpler just to put the cat on the stand,” _exclaimed Charlotte.

“But for the show, of course! Don't you get it? All that matters is the audience and the show. But enough talk, let's make way for Matamune,” said Dakota as Matamune appeared in the witness chair.

Okay, so the victim was going to testify against her killer? Had this ever happened in history? Elisa was willing to bet it hadn't.

“Thank you to the great Matamune for agreeing to testify at this trial. Could you tell us how the events unfolded from your point of view?” asked Light.

The cat, who was licking his pasta, stared at Light.

_“Okay, Nya. I'll tell you how I lost my 4th life. Nezoko had asked me to take part in the first activity of this season, and since I owed him a favor for providing me with some excellent catnip, I agreed, Nya,” _said Matamune.

Catnip? 4th life? But frankly, this was really getting out of hand.

“I had to make the candidates run and teleport just before I was caught,” said Matamune.

“Wait, so we were never supposed to be able to catch you?” exclaimed Charlotte.

“Of course not. The whole point of the game was to make you chase after something unattainable so you'd end up taking the easy way out and screwing the Master.” explained Matamune.

Was this show really that twisted? They'd all have to offer themselves to William and have sex with him to have a chance of getting out? There had to be another way.

“I played with the idiot who screamed while brandishing her knife. Frankly, I wasn't too worried, she was more pathetic than anything else. I was just about to teleport away when the policewoman pounced on the vixen. Honestly, it was so much fun to watch that I didn't even notice that the crazy lady had grabbed me by the tail. I couldn't teleport as long as she had me, and she couldn't think of anything better than impaling me on the knife the doggirl was holding. That's how I lost my 4th life", finished Matamune.

By this time, any sympathy the cat might have inspired in Elisa had disappeared. He was just an asshole in the body of a cute cat. Unless all cats are assholes and this one just had the ability to talk? Frankly Elisa preferred not to think about it too much.

_“Thank you Sir Matamune. Your Honor, taking into account the new information I propose to drop the **** charges against Mademoiselle Charlotte Buch.” _said Light.

_“Proposal accepted,” _says Dakota, banging the table with his gavel.

“Great. Thank you, Anna. Thanks to you, I'm off the hook,” exclaimed Charlotte.

Elisa, who was still watching Dakota smile, knew that Charlotte had missed an opportunity to keep her mouth shut.

“We propose instead to sue Charlotte Buch for reckless endangerment,” said Light.

_“What? I tried to save him!” _exclaimed Charlotte.

_“And in doing so, you led to his ****. So I think prosecution for reckless endangerment is pretty reasonable,” _Light said.

_“But...” _Charlotte didn't finish her sentence. The situation was so unfair that she was at a loss for words.

“Proposals accepted. Nola, can you tell us the penalty for endangering the lives of others? And don't make the same mistake as last time.” Menaça Dakota.

“I'm not the type to make the same mistake twice. The penalty for reckless endangerment is between 10 VP and 20 VP if the accused pleads guilty and between 20VP and 40VP otherwise.” replied Nola with a smile.

_“You see, when you want to, you can be less useless than usual. Anna, how does your client plead to the new charges?” _asked Dakota.

_“I'd like a moment alone with my client,” _said Anna.

“Refused. Now answer the question where I choose for you,” said Dakota.

Anna and Charlotte looked at each other for a few moments, then Anna sighed.

_“My client chooses to plead guilty,” _Anna replied, bowing her head.

Honestly, Elisa wanted to take offence at this decision and tell Anna to plead her case and she'd be declared innocent, but frankly, nothing could be further from the truth. This trial was rigged to the core. It was probably better to reduce the sentence by pleading guilty, even if it didn't make people happy.

“Perfect, this trial was starting to drag on and on, and in any case it would save us a pointless vote. Light, do you have any other questions for Matamune?” asked Dakota.

_“No, Your Honor. I have nothing more to add,” _replied Light.

“Perfect. And do you Francisco have anything to add?” asked Dakota.

“I only wish to say that, as I feared, the outcome of this trial was decided before it even began. There's nothing to regret, since nothing could have changed the outcome of this trial,” said Francisco wearily.

“That's good. The judges and jurors will now deliberate. They will vote on the appropriate sentence for Charlotte, then there will be a vote on Marion's guilt for the **** of Matamune, and if that guilt is upheld, there will then be a vote to determine the sentence. The meeting is adjourned,” says Dakota, banging his gavel on the table.

_“What do you mean? Is that all? No! I refuse to be sentenced for a cat!” _shouted Marion, rising from her chair.

_“You should probably have thought about it beforehand, but something tells me it's not your forte.” _replied Dakota, rising from her seat. She had just turned her mallet back into a cane and pointed it in Marion's direction.

“I have a feeling you won't be able to wait quietly for your verdict, so you're going to do me the pleasure of not moving,” said Dakota.

Marion found herself standing perfectly still. It was frightening. Could she do this to them too?

_“Is she still conscious?” _asked Iris.

“Of course, if the Master wishes, he can always keep her in this state - she'd probably make a good coat rack. Well, I've wasted enough time having all the jury members and judges follow me into the deliberation room,” said Dakota.

_“And what do we do in the meantime?” _asked Charlotte.

_“I suggest you have a chat with the Master, but you can also fuck him here and now,” _said Dakota before disappearing behind a door.

For the hearing, here are the 3 votes for this trial. You can also comment on what you think would be a good punishment for Marion and Charlotte.

https://strawpoll.com/PKgl3EmYenp

https://strawpoll.com/Q0ZpRYWjjnM

https://strawpoll.com/NMnQ56YX1n6

I'm also reintroducing this link to vote for the Round 2 theme, which won't arrive for a while as we're still on Day 2.

https://strawpoll.com/QrgebX7zKZp