Rakusho no Goku #12
2010.10.11(Mon)Juuni Kokuki — 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)
Rakusho no Goku — 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)
By Ono Fuyumi — 小野不由美
Translated by o6asan
“The people like us, are not to know how Shujo(主上) has changed. It seems certain that our country begins to decline though I cannot accept. In the near future peoples’ feeling are more confused and monsters like Shudatsu(狩獺) will increase. I’m concerned the capital punishment will be overused hereafter if it’s revived now.”
This thought makes Eiko(瑛庚) unease really.
If the capital punishment is used at this point, this precedent will erase their hesitation to execute one of criminals the next time. The condition getting more wild and the criminals like Shudatsu(狩獺) being more rising, in each case the capital punishment will be used easily. Once the hoop comes off, the capital punishment would be also used for a lighter crime, and its impact would be getting weaker comparatively. It means to use a heavier penalty for a heavier crime if such a lighter crime is punished by death. Then, it would not take a long time until a cruel punishment spreads out like Ho(芳国). The capital punishment is overused, and the more cruel punishment, the more decline of the country.
Eiko(瑛庚) said so and Hogetsu(蒲月) nodded.
“Yes — Maybe you’re right, sir.”
“And the country declined overuses the capital punishment. To revive the capital punishment now is to give power of life or death of the people to the country. The country can use very easily the capital punishment because of this precedent existing.”
Therefore, he wishes to avoid executing the criminal.
To avoid itself is no problem. They have the words of the Ruler(王). “To avoid the capital punishment.” — Quoting the words and telling imprisonment are a simple matter. According to usual practice, it is correct. But if so, the people confidence in administration of justice definitely wavers.
Eiko(瑛庚) remembered Seika(清花)’s frosty eyes. She might give up on him and leave this time, if he avoided the capital punishment. — and so does the people. In a sense, it is about the same crisis as abusing of the capital punishment.
” …… What can we do?”
4
The next day, when Eiko(瑛庚) attended Shiho-fu(司法府), the room for sub judge already had Jokyu(如翕) who is Tenkei(典刑) and Sotsuyu(率由) who is Shishi(司刺). Two of them had anguish and sick atmosphere.
After three of them were together, their lower officers left and went to another room. Shiho(司法) who is the organizer of the trial was not here either. Only Shikei(司刑), who takes the prosecution, Tenkei(典刑) and Shishi(司刺) managed the trial. All might have an influence on their judgment is got rid of.
Nobody spoke for a while, after the last officer coming out of the room closed the door. Without hearing from them, Eiko read their minds. Jokyu(如翕) and Sotsuyu(率由) were at a complete loss.
” …… We’re hopeless if we fall silent.”
Eiko(瑛庚) was constrained to break the ice.
“Let’s hear your talk, Tenkei(典刑).”
Jokyu(如翕) lightly sighed. He looked in his middle 30s, the youngest of the three by appearances. Jokyu(如翕) who is Tenkei(典刑) investigates a criminal and decides his/her penalty by law.
“I have nothing to speak of. That’s all that the records of interrogation are from District Court(郡司法) and High Court(州司法). At least, Tenkei of State(州典刑) did his homework very well. So, I have nothing to add.”
Leave a comment
But, within 24 hours, the comment will be uneditable when it has any newer comments.