003 [audio]

[deathlessness]

I knew a man once. They called him the Iron Dragon. He was a general in the army of the Union when I was still a pup. There wasn't a man alive who could match his skill with a blade, or his compassion and generosity… He was a good man, a kind man, famed for his heroism

Comments

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[killswithapen]

Yaha related me to this general Oror once, despite knowing that I murdered a thousand people. That doesn't sound like any kind of role model to me, least of all one intending to distribute and organise that kind of power. I will never support vigilanteism; even less so organised vigilanteism. So if you want to make a difference, join the police, get paid for it, and follow the laws and rules that they must follow, because there's a reason those laws exist.

permavoice

[deathlessness]

Did he now? There's quite a difference between a soldier fighting to protect and a murderer killing for... whatever twisted reason he has, don't you think? Still, if you know Yaha, you'll be aware of how deluded he is. No offence, of course. I'm sure you'd make quite the knight in his twisted little world.

You know, I suppose my world must be rather different to yours. I've never known wanting to help people-without even turning a profit, I might add-to be any kind of crime. And perhaps my memory fails me, but wasn't Yaha with your police? I wonder how well he ever followed the rules. Thanks for the suggestion, though! I'll be sure to keep it in mind.

Likewise, voice!

[mentis_reae]

Forgive the interruption, but there's a difference between "wanting to help people" and vigilantism.

[deathlessness]

Oh, I'm aware. Never said there wasn't. But I'm quite sure a murderer has no place instructing others to follow your laws.

[Or degrading the name of the one man Urick respected above any other. That might just be a sore point.]

I live in these districts where the police turn a blind eye, and I see more people dying here than I can do anything about on my own. Deaths that could be avoided if someone lifted a finger to help, be it against darkness monsters or... well, you get the picture. So you'll forgive me if I'd rather do what I can, where I can, than join the ranks alongside- [Alongside Yaha.] -alongside murderers, to do nothing but carry on that trend. If that makes me a criminal, so be it.

[mentis_reae]

I'm an attorney. Do you know what that means?

[deathlessness]

Not a clue, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.

[mentis_reae]

I certainly don't have to if you find the idea of gaining information - and, perhaps perspective - so altogether oppressive.

[deathlessness]

No, no, do go ahead. I'm just a poor, ignorant fool, you see. Could probably use the education.

[mentis_reae]

I will if you begin acting in a more civilized manner. I'm attempting to discuss a serious issue with you; kindly don't comport yourself as though you're a rebellious teenager forced to listen to a particularly odious lecture. As I said: I have information, and it would be useful for you to hear it, but I have no desire to be subjected to "witty quips" as punishment for attempting to help you.

[deathlessness]

Help me, really? Well, if that was your intention, maybe you should have said so sooner. I'm hardly a mind reader you know. But if that's truly the case, you have my sincerest apologies, I'm sure.

[Not that he sounds particularly sincere with that note of wry humour in his voice, but there you go.]

[mentis_reae]

[If Edgeworth were a different sort of person, with a different manner of speech, with a different position in life, with different priorities, he'd be saying, "Whatever." Since, however, he is a classy, articulate lawyer he instead, with precisely the same tone, says:]

Quite.

In a court-based society, we punish only criminals. As the saying goes, it's better to let a hundred guilty men go free than allow one innocent one to be punished. That, you must understand, is my role in society: to ensure that the ones who are punished are those who committed the crime.

Your Knights. Did they take their suspected culprits before a court? Or did they serve as judge as well as police?

[deathlessness]

Well now, let's see. I suppose the Heirarch would be our judge, at least while Oror was still alive. General Gismor ran things a little differently, but unfortunately I wasn't around to witness much of that. Those found guilty were imprisoned in the districts and... well. You know how it goes.

[Best not to get into the whole issue of martyrs, sacrificed to maintain the seals...]

[mentis_reae]

By what means were people "found guilty"?

[deathlessness]

You're asking me? Couldn't tell you if I wanted to. I never stuck around to watch, always found that kind of thing terribly boring.

[That and guilt issues. Guilt issues everywhere.]

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[killswithapen]

You know as well as I do the direction good intentions usually takes here, Edgeworth, and how many people have spoken precisely these same words and meant well only to throw or have it thrown in their face; or else endanger the lives they're trying to protect.

[mentis_reae]

Thank you for that statement of fact, Yagami. That is, in point of fact, why I'm speaking to this fellow.