The Adventure of the Great Departure - Transcript

Transcript was based entirely on the fan-translation of Dai Gyakuten Saiban.

*Will also need heavy editing ASAP  ...Decades after the beginning of the historical Empire of Japan...

..and it's edification of the Meiji Restoration...

...brought about an undeniable influx of Western Culture into the Eastern Island Nation.

The citizens, smothered with the suffocating air of "change" and "revolution".

Within that are individuals who resisted the unbirdled change of the era.

...and now

A stage of that time now opens the curtains on one "story"

-

November 22, 8:43 AM Supreme Court - Defendant Lobby Five

(Even now, I find it hard to believe... While everything seems so calm in this lobby, just one step beyond... ...Lies the grand bench where my fate will be decided. Even now, I find it hard to believe... While everything seems so calm in this lobby, just one step beyond... ...Lies the grand bench where my fate will be decided.)

Official: And what do YOU want?

N-Nothing.

Official: Glaring at me won't do you any good, you damned murderer !

....... S-Sorry.

Naruhodou: (My name is Ryuunosuke Naruhodou. I'm a second-year student at Imperial Yuumei University in the Empire of Japan. Three days ago, I was caught up in a terrible incident. And now, I await my judgement .)

HALT!

???: Bailiff, I'd say it's about time you stem the flow of garbage coming from your mouth.

Official: Excuse me? Who do you think you are?

???: I'm the defence attorney for the defendant before you.

Official: D-Defence attorney, you say?

???: Until today's trial has ended, until the final verdict has been passed... You have no right to call this man a criminal. Watch your words, bailiff!

Official: Ggh! Arrogant little know-it-all! You and your stupid logic.

???: At least I'm capable of making logical arguments, unlike you. Don't you agree, Ryuunosuke Naruhodou?

Naruhodou: Huh? Whoa! S-Sorry about all that!

???: ..... Why are you apologising to me?

Naruhodou: Uh... Never mind. ..... I'm really sorry, Asougi, for giving you so much trouble.

Asougi: Ah hah hah hah! And in the end, you still apologise. You never change.

Naruhodou: Guess not.

Asougi: Lately, your name has been in ever paper in the capital. "Imperial Yuumei University Professor Killed! The Culprit: A Student of the Same University!" And yet... You didn't do it, did you?

Naruhodou: Of course not! You have to believe me! I... I didn't kill him! I'm not a murderer.

Asougi: Then stop hanging your head. Chin up, back straight!

Naruhodou: Asougi...

Asougi: I believe in you, Ryuunosuke Naruhodou.

Naruhodou: This is my best friend, Kazuma Asougi. He's a second-year student, like me. But to be frank, he and I are worlds apart. He's the pride and joy of our university. Even though he's still a student, he's already qualified to be a defence attorney.

Asougi: You're too kind. Defence attorneys are still an emerging profession here in Japan. We are but a meagre existence in the judicial system. At least, for now.

Naruhodou: I know I already said this three days ago, but... Asougi. As your friend, I couldn't be more proud of you. (Three days ago... That's right... That was when it happened.)

Naruhodou: Congratulations, Asougi! You've finally been approved to study abroad!

Asougi: Yes, I've finally done it! It feels like a dream come true. It seems the government has recognised my achievements as both a student and a lawyer.

Naruhodou: You'll be studying the greatest legal system in the world as a representative of Japan. As your friend, I couldn't be more proud of you. (There isn't a soul at Yuumei University who doesn't know Asougi's name. Wherever he goes, a mysterious warm breeze follows. So the rumours say.)

Asougi: For the sake of reforming this country's legal system... I want to observe a true legal system across the sea with my own two eyes.

Naruhodou: The British Empire ... Man, I wish I could see it.

Asougi: Then why don't you come with me? It would bring me great pleasure to rampage through the Queen's dormain with you.

Naruhodou: You make it sound so easy.

Asougi: Oh, look at the time. I have to get going.

Naruhodou: I'll stay a bit longer. We did come all this way, after all.

Asougi: You're right. We rarely get the chance to visit a high-class establishment like this. Well then, take care. See you in tomorrow's English lecture, partner!

Naruhodou: (Shortly afterwards, it began.)

???: Mr Asougi. A moment, please?

Asougi: W-Why, Professor! I didn't expect to see you.

???: Well, I can't say that this incident doesn't concern me. More importantly... You ought to go and see the judge in his chambers.

Asougi: The judge...?

???: He's been looking for you for quite some time. You took on the role of a defence attorney without much warning, lest you forget. As a result, today's proceedings seem to be in a bit of disarray.

Naruhodou: (Who is this gentleman? I feel like I've seen him around the university before.)

Asougi: Understood. I'll be there at once!

???: Allow me to accompany you.

Asougi: Well then, Naruhodou. I'll see you in the courtroom.

Naruhodou: Right. I'm counting on you, Asougi. ....

???: ......

Naruhodou: ...... (Wow. This is awkward.)

???: Excuse me.

Naruhodou: Y-Yes?!

???: Are you Ryuunosuke Naruhodou, the defendant in today's trial?

Naruhodou: Y-Yes! That's me!

Mikotoba: I am Yuujin Mikotoba, a professor of forensic pathology at Yuumei University.

Naruhodou: P-Professor Mikotoba... (I've heard that name from Asougi. He's the one who tirelessly lobbied the government to let Asougi study abroad.)

Mikotoba: Asougi has informed me that you are his best friend

Naruhodou: ...!

Mikotoba: If that's true, then there's something you must know.

Naruhodou: What is it?

Mikotoba: As you are aware, Asougi is set to study abroad in the British Empire. However, in the event that he loses today's trial... His trip will be suspended, and he'll never receive such an opportunity again.

Naruhodou: W-What?!

Mikotoba: You really didn't know, then. I suspected that Asougi would wish to hide the truth from you.

Naruhodou: ...! (So Asougi's defending me despite the risk.) Wait! Why would they do that to him?!

Mikotoba: Our government chooses who gets to study abroad from a wide pool of candidates. Let's just say that to receive such privilege is no laughing matter.

Naruhodou: But... ..... Still, I... I swear, I didn't do it! I'm not a murderer !

Mikotoba: Oh, but of course. However... I must warn you, it will be quite difficult to prove your innocence. You see, today's trial is special, to say the least.

Naruhodou: Huh? W-What do you mean by that?

Mikotoba: You'll find out once the trial begins, whether you like it or not.

Naruhodou: ...! Then... What on earth should I do?!

Mikotoba: Keep this in mind. I'm not asking you to just stand there and accept a guilty verdict.

Naruhodou: Huh?

Mikotoba: As soon as the trial begins... The judge will pose a certain question to the defence. To this question, you must reply "I am" before anyone else has a chance to speak.

Naruhodou: I am ? H-Hold on. What kind of question is this going to be? Oh... N-No way. Is it going to be something like, "Who is the killer?"

Mikotoba: No, of course not.

Official: Defendant! The trial's about to start. Make your way to the courtroom at once!

Mikotoba: Oh my. It's time. It appears that our secret talk must end here. In any case, I shall leave you with these words. Kazuma Asougi must not stand as the defence attorney in today's trial. Of course, the one who ultimately decides that will be you, the defendant.

Official: What're you waiting for?! You wanna be held in contempt of court and declared guilty?! That cocky little attorney won't be of much help anyway. So move it!

Naruhodou: If we lose today's trial... Not only will I be found guilty of murder. Asougi will lose his chance to study abroad, too. (And so... Blissfully unaware of what lay ahead, I headed off to the trial. That fateful trial... one I'd never forget!)

November 22, 9:00 AM Supreme Court - Court Two

Naruhodou: So this is a courtroom.

Asougi: Not just any courtroom. It's the Supreme Court, the highest legal authority in the Empire.

Naruhodou: Hmm... Something feels off about the gallery. (Why are there so many people in uniform?)

Asougi: Today's trial is being conducted in absolute secrecy, by order of the government.

Naruhodou: A-Absolute secrecy?

Asougi: That's what I said. The general public has no idea that this trial is taking place. The only ones allowed to be in attendance are military and government officials.

Naruhodou: Huh?! B-But why?

Asougi: You'll find out soon enough. More importantly... Time to focus, Naruhodou. It's about to begin!

Judge: Court is now in session for the trial of Ryuunosuke Naruhodou.

Auchi: The prosecution is ready, Your Honour.

Asougi: As is the defence.

Judge: Before we proceed, there is one thing I would like to confirm. Last night, I received an urgent request for a change of attorney from the defence.

Asougi: Yes, Your Honour. It was I who submitted that request.

Judge: Custom dictates that an attorney ought to be appointed two days before the trial. Therefore, I must ask for a confirmation. Who is to stand as the defence for the accused in today's trial?

Naruhodou: (H-Here it is! The opening question ! In other words, who will be defending me in this trial? But if I answer "I am", that would mean... .... There's no time to think. I should...!)

Asougi: Your Honour. There is no need to confirm. Needless to say, the one who will be defending the accused is...



Judge: W-What was that out-of-place yell?!

Naruhodou: Th... The... The one who will be defending the accused is... M-Me. Ryuunosuke Naruhodou!

Judge: Wha... WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

Asougi: W-What do you think you're doing Naruhodou?!

Naruhodou: Professor Mikotoba told me everything.

Asougi: Come again?

Naruhodou: If...If I'm declared guilty ... your study abroad will be suspended.

Asougi: .... I'm disappointed. You're saying that you don't trust me at all. You think that, if I was your attorney, we would lose this trial.

Naruhodou: N-No! Absolutely not. But... If there's even a chance that you'd... because of me...

Asougi: .... I knew it. I knew you'd pull something like this. That's why I kept my mouth shut. Damn it, Professor Mikotoba. That was completely unnecessary.

Judge: Very well. The Court acknowledges that the accused will defend himself in today's proceedings.

Auchi: Oh ho ho... I see. By renouncing his attorney, the accused is admitting to his own crime.



Asougi: Do not misunderstand. The one who is most sure of his own innocence is simply the defendant himself. That's all. Isn't that right, defendant?!

Naruhodou: Y-Yeah! T-That's right! (But if I'm being honest... This defendant is drawing a total blank on what to do next.)

Asougi: First of all, do something about those shifty eyes of yours.

Auchi: Hmph. How dare a mere student bother the great Supreme Court with such a trite case? Surely I'm not the only one who is outraged by this arrangement.

Judge: As you gentlemen know, this is the grand bench of the Supreme Court. As such, we demand a trial befitting this courtroom, the pinnacle of our legal system. Defendant.

Naruhodou: Y-Yes?!

Judge: I shall now gauge whether or not you are qualified to stand in this Court.

Naruhodou: Oh...Okay. (What's he gonna do?)

Asougi: In other words, the judge doubts that you have the ability to properly defend yourself.

Naruhodou: (The joke's on him, because the person with the most doubts is none other than myself.)

Judge: Now, I shall pose some simple questions to the defence regarding this case.

Naruhodou: Y-Y-Y-Yes, Your Honour!

Judge: First, what is the name of the victim of this murder? Answer promptly and clearly.

Naruhodou: (Okay, I should know this one. I've heard it countless times since the incident. It's... Huh? Oh no. I'm so nervous, I can't remember! What... What was his name, again?)

Asougi: Naruhodou. You're drawing a total blank on this one, right?

Naruhodou: Ugh... (You're my best friend, all right.)

Asougi: Don't worry. Everything about the incident has been logged in the Court Record.

Naruhodou: The C-Court Record?

Asougi: Go ahead and touch the Court Record button in the top-right corner of the screen. In there, you'll find everything you need. Even things you may have forgotten.

Naruhodou: (Great. Let's try tapping the Court Record button!)

Asougi: Here's all the evidence. You can also view the profiles of People involved in the case. Once you've confirmed the victim's details, press Back to return to the task at hand. All relevant pieces of information can be found in the Court Record. Remember that. Now, we shouldn't keep His Honour waiting. Present your answer to him. Choose the profile of the victim and Present it to the Court.

Naruhodou: The victim is... Doctor John H Watson!

Auchi: Heh heh heh heh. Of course you would remember the name of a professor at your own university.

Asougi: Doctor Watson was a medical doctor from the British Empire. Three years ago, he was invited to teach at Imperial Yuumei University.

Judge: And that is why we have such a tremendous debacle on our hands. The British Empire ... A country with which the Empire of Japan wishes to maintain strong diplomatic relations. Recently, after lengthy negotiations, our two empires signed a new treaty.

Asougi: The Japanese-Anglo Treaty of Commerce and Navigation" ... Everyone knows about it.

Auchi: Hah! You knew that, and yet you still took the life of a Briton! What's more, you're students at Imperial Yuumei University yourselves. You murdered a professor of an institution of learning. Have you no shame?!

Naruhodou: Ggghhh... (But I didn't do it!)

Judge: Due to the grave nature of this incident, we have drawn attention of the British Empire. They have requested that the Supreme Court pass swift judgement in today's trial.

Asougi: Hmph. In other words, our spineless government is bending over backwards to appease the Brits. You're just being used as a convenient scapegoat for that end.

Naruhodou: Is that what makes this trial so special ?

Asougi: Exactly. Our country must find someone to punish as soon as possible. All because the victim is a Brit.

Naruhodou: (A British man, Doctor John H Watson. This has nothing to do with our countries or that treaty. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.)

Asougi: Oh, would you look at the time. I have to get going soon.

Naruhodou: I'll stay a bit longer. We came all this way, after all.

Asougi: You're right. We rarely get the chance to visit a high-class establishment like this. Well then, take care. See you in tomorrow's English lecture... partner!

Naruhodou: (Off to the British Empire, huh? What a guy. ..... Oh?) I've seen that man on campus before. I think...he's that doctor from Britain. I never got his name, though. Maybe I should go introduce myself. And so... I went to Doctor Watson's table to introduce myself.

Judge: Now, let us move on to the next question.

Naruhodou: Y-Yes, Your Honour!

Judge: How was Doctor John H Watson robbed of his life? Present the cause of death to the Supreme Court!

Naruhodou: (Doctor Watson's cause of death ? Of course, that would be...)

Asougi: Naruhodou. This is a court of law. Here, we let evidence speak for itself.

Naruhodou: T-The evidence ...?

Asougi: Quickly, present the piece of evidence showing the doctor's cause of death!

Naruhodou: U-Umm... A-According to this thing, it was blood loss from a gunshot wound, Your Honour!

Auchi: At least call it by its proper name! That "thing" is a postmortem report!

Naruhodou: Y-Yes! The postmortem !

Asougi: In the West... for example, in the British Empire, corpses undergo what's called an autopsy. But in our country, police surgeons conduct a postmortem examination instead.

Naruhodou: R-Right. Now I get it! (I don't get it at all.)

Auchi: Allow me to present a photograph of the crime scene. As you can see, there are gunpowder burns around the bullet hole. Meaning... The victim was shot at point-blank range. There's no other conclusion.

Judge: Very well. The court accepts this modern investigation tool as evidence.

Photograph of the Victim has been filed in the Court Record.

Naruhodou: (Wow... So this is a photograph. It's my first time seeing one. It captures far more detail than what you'd expect from an illustration.)

Judge: Very well. You have proven yourself to the Court. The questioning ends here. Now, let us proceed with the trial.

Auchi: Understood, Your Honour. First, I would like to give an overview of the incident. I hereby summon a witness, who was present at the scene of the crime!

Naruhodou: (Oof... Here we go.)

Asougi: Hmph. I just realised what the professor had in mind.

Naruhodou: Professor Mikotoba, you mean?

Asougi: He knew that you'd be the one defending yourself in court. However... As long as I stand by your side, I can still offer you advice.

Naruhodou: Oh! (That's true.) Here's what Professor Mikotoba told me: "Kazuma Asougi must not stand as the defence attorney in today's trial."

Asougi: Good grief. Everything went exactly as the professor planned.

Naruhodou: P-Please lend me your wisdom, Asougi!

Asougi: You got it. For starters, do something about your shifty eyes and cold sweats.

Naruhodou: (Only if you do something about your fluttery headband and cold gaze.)

Auchi: Witness, please state your name and occupation to the Court.

Hosonaga: Certainly. My name is Satoru Hosonaga. I am a waiter at La Quantos, a restaurant serving Western cuisine. *cough* *cough*

Naruhodou: Um, are you okay? There's blood dripping out of your mouth.

Hosonaga: Oh, this is completely normal. I'm perfectly fine.

Naruhodou: (Umm, I'm not too sure about that.)

Auchi: A few years ago, the southeastern corner of the capital was opened to foreign settlements. Now, it has become a fashionable area, lined with hotels catering to visitors from abroad. The crime occurred three days ago in that area, at a restaurant specialising in Western cuisine.

Judge: Witness. Please share everything you know with the Court.

Hosonaga: As you wish.

Auchi: Try not to interrupt this man's testimony amateur attorney. I'm warning you.

Naruhodou: Y-Yes sir... (I never even called myself an attorney.)

Hosonaga: It was just after 2:00 PM that day. We normally have a few patrons at that hour. After the lunch rush, only three groups of customers remained.

Naruhodou: (Come to think of it, he's right. There weren't many customers at the time.)

Hosonaga: I was in the kitchen, putting away the dishes, when suddenly... A gunshot rang out from the dining area. When I ran out in a panic, I saw it. I saw the British gentleman, the victim, slumped over in his chair. Standing next to him was the defendant, holding a pistol.

Naruhodou: Wait... Please, wait a second! Yes, I picked up the gun when I noticed it on the ground. But... But I swear I didn't fire it!



Auchi: Save your breath. I've already warned you once. We are here to listen to the witness's testimony, not your outbursts, you amateur!

Naruhodou: B-But...!

Judge: The next time you interrupt, be prepared to suffer a penalty.

Asougi: Naruhodou. You'll get your chance to strike back eventually. For now, listen to what this man has to say.

Naruhodou: Uggghhh....