Dxd: The Primordial Judge

The tension in the Opera Epiclese was palpable. All eyes were fixed on Zaorama Nebiros as he slowly raised his head, his confident smirk widening as if he relished the moment. His demeanor, brazen and arrogant, made it clear he would not yield easily.

Zaorama's voice echoed through the grand chamber, smooth and unyielding as he seemed to be without worry, "Honorable Ludex Neuvillette, esteemed attendees of this court, I find it... intriguing that so many accusations have been brought against me without substantial evidence to support them."

His tone was laced with mockery, his gaze sweeping over the prosecutors and Yasaka. "The burden of proof, as we all know, lies with the accusers. Am I not innocent until proven guilty?"

A ripple of murmurs spread through the audience. Some nodded in agreement, others narrowed their eyes in disdain at Zaorama's audacity to proclaim his innocence at such a scene.

Neuvillette was unperturbed, having seen scenes like this millions of times before. He gestured for silence with a single motion of his hand, restoring order instantly.

Zaorama continued, his voice steady and composed. "It is true that I went into hiding after the nekomata incident, but to infer guilt from that alone is laughable. A man of my stature often faces baseless accusations, and I sought to protect myself from unjust persecution. As for the massacre of the nekomata clan, I assure you, I had no part in it. If such evidence exists, let it be presented before this court."

The audience bristled, and Yasaka's golden eyes burned with fury, though she kept her composure.

On the prosecutors' platform, a man in ornate robes stepped forward, holding a binder filled with various files, his sharp features and piercing gaze marking him as a seasoned legal mind.

"Zaorama Nebiros," the prosecutor began, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere, "Your attempts to evade responsibility are expected but ultimately futile. Allow me to clarify the charges laid before you, backed by evidence obtained through the diligent efforts of investigators."

He raised a hand, and a projection materialized in the air above the stage, shimmering with ethereal light.

It displayed a series of documents, correspondence between Zaorama and various devil nobles. The audience leaned forward, eyes wide as they scrutinized the damning contents.

"These documents," the prosecutor continued, his voice rising with conviction, "are letters exchanged between you and members of the Nebiros family during the period leading up to and following the original nekomata incident."

"They outline experiments conducted on Kuroka and other nekomata, sanctioned and overseen by your household with the goals to create a Super Devil. As head of the Nebiros family, you are not only complicit but directly responsible."

Zaorama's smirk faltered for the briefest of moments, though he quickly regained his composure and spoke with his classic arrogant tone, "Interesting. And yet, none of these documents bear my signature."

He took a short pause before continuing, "Any correspondence could have been fabricated or initiated by rogue members of my family. I cannot be held accountable for every action taken under the Nebiros name."

The prosecutor's gaze hardened, and the screen swapped, this time displaying detailed financial records of the House of Nebiros during and after the incident.

"You claim ignorance. First of all, according to Supernatural Laws, section 17B, page 13, line 7, The Heads of various families and clans are responsible in some way for the actions of their subordinates within reason if such subordinates commit vast acts that can be regarded as terrorism or inducing destruction." The prosector said, flipping to another page before continuing, 

"I very much doubt, you, as the Head of the Nebiros clan, had no idea that your families finances were being pumped massively into this research when the documents state that loud and clear, and that many of your family members were directly salaried for this research, including one of your sons."

The prosecutor looked directly into Zaorama's eyes, "If you expect us to believe you somehow didn't know all of that, I'm afraid we'll have to charge you with utter incompetence."

The crowd bust into laughing at the prosecutor's massive roast, and the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale's scale shifted, leaning towards the side of the prosector's, signifying them taking the lead in the trial.

Zaorama's expression darkened slightly, and panic began to set in, as he wondered how they got their hands on such confidential documents. Still, he maintained his defiance, "A man of my wealth has many enemies. It is not impossible for my accounts to have been manipulated or accessed by others. Again, this is circumstantial at best."

"You claim ignorance, yet you conveniently disappeared as soon as the scandal erupted. Why would an innocent man flee if not to escape justice?"

Zaorama immediately responded, hurried to defend himself, "As I said, to protect myself from baseless accusations. The Underworld is rife with politics and power struggles. Surely, you cannot blame me for seeking refuge from such chaos."

Murmurs and whispers began to ring throughout the crowd, as discussion exploded about what occurred.

Most could see that Zaorama was clinging to technicalities and the circumstantial evidence presented so far, but the more experienced ones knew he was already doomed to lose.

From his elevated seat, Neuvillette raised a hand once more, his piercing gaze silencing the chamber, "The court shall determine the validity of these documents presented."

"For now, Zaorama, the evidence provided is enough to prove that you were aware of all that was happening, and allowed it. Do you have anything you want to say that can prove otherwise?" Neuvillette asked.

The atmosphere in the Opera Epiclese grew even heavier as Neuvillette's silver-blue gaze bore into Zaorama, who stood silent for a moment.

The evidence presented thus far painted a damning picture, yet the accused still wore that infuriating smirk, albeit tinged with an edge of desperation as nervousness crept in.

Zaorama raised a hand, signaling he wished to speak, and Neuvillette inclined his head slightly, granting him the floor. 

"Honorable Ludex," Zaorama began, his voice calm but resolute, "and esteemed attendees of this court. While the evidence presented is indeed compelling on the surface, I believe there is more to this story. It is not just my honor but the integrity of this court that compels me to bring forth additional information."

A murmur rippled through the chamber. Zaorama's confidence unnerved some and intrigued others. He continued, "I request that a witness be called to testify on my behalf. One who can provide clarity regarding my supposed disappearance and the truth behind the nekomata incident."

Neuvillette's gaze sharpened, and the room held its collective breath. "Very well," he said, his voice as calm and steady as the falling rain. "State the name of this witness, and they shall be summoned."

Zaorama smirked again, his confidence returning in full force. "I call forth Lord Hargrove Belial, a respected member of Devil nobility and an ally in uncovering the truth behind these heinous events."

The name sent ripples through the audience. Hargrove Belial was a known figure who had disappeared into obscurity around the events of the initial nekomata incident. 

Neuvillette nodded, gesturing to one of the Fatui agents stationed at the edges of the court. "Ensure Lord Belial is brought here without delay. This court shall recess for ten minutes to allow his arrival."

With that, the room buzzed with speculation. Rias and Sona exchanged uneasy glances. 

"Belial," Sona murmured, her voice low. "If anyone could twist the narrative in Zaorama's favor, it's him. During Neuvillette's retreat, he got so many Devils out of prison with 'timely evidence'.

As time ticked by, the tension only grew. Finally, the grand doors of the Opera Epiclese creaked open, and Hargrove Belial entered.

His presence was commanding yet understated, his tall figure clad in dark, immaculate robes. His sharp features and calculating eyes surveyed the room as he approached the stand.

Belial bowed slightly to Neuvillette. "Honorable Ludex, I thank you for allowing me to speak today."

Neuvillette inclined his head, "State your testimony."

Belial straightened, his voice steady and deliberate. "For years, I have been assisting Zaorama Nebiros in uncovering the true perpetrators behind the nekomata incident and the massacre that followed. When Zaorama disappeared, he did so under my advisement. We were receiving threats from forces that wished to silence us before we could reveal the truth."

The audience buzzed again, but Belial pressed on, unflinching. "Our investigation led us to one inescapable conclusion: the Khaos Brigade, a known terrorist organization, orchestrated the nekomata incident and the massacre. They infiltrated the Nebiros family's research under the guise of loyal subordinates, manipulating events to shift the blame onto Zaorama."

Belial gestured, and another projection materialized. This time, it displayed documents and communications between individuals tied to the Khaos Brigade.

The content suggested that they had been involved in sabotaging the research to create chaos among the supernatural factions.

The crowd erupted into whispers.

Belial continued, "This is corroborated by eyewitness accounts and intercepted messages from Khaos Brigade operatives, which I have provided here as evidence."

He gestured again, and another set of files appeared, this time showing detailed timelines and movements of Khaos Brigade agents that seemed to align with key moments in the incidents.

Zaorama, standing taller now, added, "I fled not out of guilt, but out of necessity. The Khaos Brigade's reach is vast, and we knew that if I stayed, they would ensure my silence, permanently."

The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale shifted slightly, its scales moving closer to balance, reflecting the weight of the testimony. The audience watched with bated breath, many visibly swayed by the evidence presented.

Neuvillette remained impassive, though his gaze lingered on Belial. "Your testimony is compelling, Lord Belial, and the evidence you have provided shall be thoroughly examined. However,"

Neuvillette's voice grew sharper as he spoke, "Are you sure this is the all you want to say? Need I remind you that intentionally misleading the Court has punishment varying due to severity. If you have anything to say, say it now or you will be punished later."

Belial inclined his head respectfully, "Of course, Honorable Ludex. I trust in the impartiality of this court. My statements are 100% factual, and anyone with any actual knowledge of the situation would agree with them."

Neuvillette's gaze turned to the prosecutors and then to the crowd, "Very well. It is my duty to inform the Court that we have a person willing to testify against the claims made by Belial's. One who I'm sure most would agree would be very impartial with their statements."

The chamber erupted into murmurs once more as everyone began wondering who this person was, confusion spreading even amongst Belial and Zaorama before Neuvillette spoke,

"The Court calls Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon, now former figurehead of the Khaos Brigade to the stand to give her statements."