Record of the Blood Battle by Hideyuki Kikuchi Page A

crime of capturing and killing approximately half a million people, male and female, young and old, during the period from the autumn of 3022 until the spring of 5049. The plaintiffs are ninety-three villagers from the La Nuvall region. Roughly seven thousand years ago, in that district—now known as Nuvell—the baron not only slaughtered five thousand children, but he lured a good six hundred widows to his mansion with promises of marriage before killing them.”
    “If that don’t beat all,” said the hoarse voice.
    The men’s expressions changed, and their horses whinnied, backing away. Though the weather was unchanged, the air suddenly seemed to have taken on the bite of an autumn frost.
    “That’s not right!” came a scream from behind D. “I didn’t kill anyone! Those children were all used in experiments for a lofty goal!”
    “Five thousand of them?”
    At that question from D, the baron seemed to shrink to half his normal size. “That’s right,” he said. “But I don’t recall ever forcing anyone to do anything. I explained the purpose of the experiments to them at length, then left it to them to decide for themselves! So, do you understand now?”
    “According to the accounts, you used hypnotism.”
    The baron glared at Smith. “That, er—that was just for expedience, to make negotiations go smoothly, and—”
    “What was your purpose?” asked Smith.
    Fixed in every gaze, the baron seemed fidgety, looking around in all directions before steeling himself to the task. “To turn humans into Nobles, and Nobles into humans—and there you have it,” he said, puffing out his chest.
    There was a gleam in D’s eye. That was all. Smith and his men couldn’t grasp the fearful implications of the baron’s words.
    “Save your defense for the trial. At any rate, seven thousand years ago, a civil court heard the complaint. As the defendant is a Noble, any statutes of limitations don’t apply. The closest courthouse to here would be Darlitton, but it’d take a month to get there. Instead, Zappara is to the west of here, and the circuit court is due to arrive there in seven days with the whole works. You’ll have to accompany us there. You have any objection to that?”
    His last remark was directed at the gorgeous Hunter.
    “I certainly do!” came a resolute cry. The baron. Looking up at D as if to say, Right? You do, don’t you? , he grabbed the hem of the Hunter’s coat and tugged on it.
    The men looked at each other. There were expressions of disbelief all around.
    “Nope,” D said.
    “ Whaaaaaaat? ” It went without saying who screamed that. “D-d-d-don’t you want to meet up with him ?”
    “Take him away,” was D’s callous reply, as if he’d already forgotten all about the baron—or as if the Nobleman had never existed in the first place.
    “Very well.”
    Smith gave a toss of his chin, and a number of his men dismounted. The baron ran around like an escaped piglet, but they quickly caught him, slapped plastic cuffs on him, and loaded him onto a cyborg horse that served as their pack animal.
    “Sorry to have taken your time,” Smith said, finally smiling.
    “No need to thank me. I’ll be coming along with you,” D told him, surprising the lawman. “I’ll stay out of your way.”
    “But . . . why would you do that?”
    “This is a dangerous area. Every man you can get should make you feel that much safer.”
    “That may be true, but . . .” Smith deliberated. It was tough being the leader. Looking at D for a few seconds, he shook his head. “No, I think I’ll pass. We can’t be relying on the strength of a drifter. Or would you care to share with us the reason why you were traveling with the baron?”
    D was silent. The silence stretched a good distance.
    Backing up about four paces, Smith turned his cyborg horse back the way they’d come. A hint of relief streamed into his features. The steeds all broke into a run in unison.
    “Help! Murder!” the baron cried,