The Verdict
The following takes place following: The Defence: Part Deux
Judge Alaric: “This court is now back in session. We will proceed to closing arguments. Mr Vexley, you may begin.”
Mr. Vexley rises and steps into the centre of the courtroom floor.
Vexley: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, throughout this trial we have seen a sustained attempt to recast Mr Harris Travers as some sort of misunderstood crusader. The defence would have you believe he is a noble goblin fighting for justice, yet every piece of evidence tells a different story.
We heard Queen Mayuri’s testimony—graceful, yes, but steeped in rhetoric about secret vampire influence and shadowy control. This is the same language Mr Travers has used to justify his actions. Fear dressed up as principle. Division masquerading as truth.
Then there was Mr Waldo, whose supposed defence of goblin rights quickly unraveled into open suspicion of vampires. The theme is clear: an ideology that pits neighbour against neighbour, that encourages the belief that one group is oppressed and another is enemy. This is the ideology Mr Travers has championed.
The defence will hide behind free speech. But Mr Travers did not merely speak—he inflamed. Under his direction, inflammatory papers were distributed, protests escalated into violence, and distrust in our institutions soared. These were not accidents. These were outcomes.
This case is not simply about Mr Travers' conduct; it is about who we choose to be as a society. Do we allow agitators to exploit fear for personal gain? Or do we reject destructive rhetoric before it takes further root?
Mr Travers is not a unifying figure. He is an accelerant. His actions deepened wounds he claimed he wished to heal.
I urge you to find him guilty. Waldonia deserves better.”
Mr Vexley returns to his seat.
Judge Alaric: “Master Devlin, your closing statement.”
Master Devlin: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I stand before you not only as the advocate for Harris Travers, but as a defender of justice—justice which has been trampled upon in this courtroom. What we have witnessed over these proceedings is not a trial. It is a grotesque mockery of justice, a sham engineered to silence a man who dared to speak truth to power.
Let us examine the prosecution’s so-called evidence. They offered the Judge’s wife, who claimed Mr Travers intended her harm merely because he uttered the name ‘Charlie’—a name shared by countless people. They presented a doodle, an unhinged scribble from a fantasist, as proof of intent, and nightmares as proof of harm. No facts. No logic. Not even credible testimony—only a desperate attempt to turn fiction into reality.
They accuse Mr Travers of inciting terror and unrest, despite the fact that the true culprit—Widdle Frunkut—admitted to it in this very court. Yet where is the outrage for the real atrocities committed under the shadow of vampire rule? Where is the prosecution’s condemnation of the oppression, the murders, the terror inflicted upon innocents by the very government they represent? Their hypocrisy is staggering. They dare to paint Mr Travers as a villain while ignoring the horrors perpetrated by those in power.
They claim this is a trial about unity and justice. Yet from the outset, the verdict was predetermined. Mr Travers was denied the right even to plead not guilty. Evidence proving his innocence has been ignored, suppressed, dismissed. Is this justice? Is this unity? No—this is a show trial, an execution in disguise, crafted to crush dissent and tighten the grip of a corrupt regime.
My client is not a perfect goblin. He has made mistakes, as we all have. But he is not a terrorist. He is not a criminal. He is a goblin who was drugged and thrust into an impossible situation beyond his control—yet he is held to a standard the prosecution refuses to apply to themselves.
Ladies and gentlemen, this case is not about Harris Travers. It is about the very soul of Waldonia. It is about whether fear and corruption will dictate our future. It is about whether an innocent man will be sacrificed to protect the lies of the powerful. The prosecution claims Mr Travers sowed division, but the true architects of division are those who abuse their power and punish those who dare to expose them.
If you convict Mr Travers today, you do not merely convict a man—you convict truth, justice, and the principles that bind us as a society.
I implore you: do not be complicit in this charade. Do not let fear guide your judgment. Look beyond the smoke and mirrors, and see this trial for what it truly is—a desperate attempt to silence a voice of reason in a world gone mad.
Find Harris Travers not guilty—because to do otherwise is to condemn not only him, but the very foundation of justice itself. Thank you.”
Judge Alaric: "Thank you, Master Devlin. Members of the jury, you have heard the arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. It is now your duty to deliberate on the charges against Mr Travers. Take the time you need to carefully consider each charge individually. Your decision must be unanimous. Remember, the integrity of justice depends on your impartiality and your commitment to the rule of law. You are now excused to begin your deliberations. Bailiff, please escort the jury to the deliberation room."
The bailiff steps forward, leading the jury out of the courtroom.
Judge Alaric: "This court is now in recess until the jury returns with its verdict."
*****
SEVEN HOURS LATER…
The courtroom buzzes with anticipation as the bailiff announces the judge. When Judge Alaric takes his seat, he immediately notices a badly bruised Mr Worth sitting at the defence table beside Master Devlin and Travers. Worth wears a neck brace, his arm is in a cast, and half his face is swollen.
Judge Alaric: “Mr Worth, I see you have chosen to once again grace us with your presence. I must say, you look quite the mess. What happened to you?”
Worth: “I…”
Without moving his head, Worth’s eyes flick nervously toward Master Devlin, who simply glares back. Worth struggles to speak through the gaps where most of his teeth used to be.
Worth: “I just… fell down some stairs, Your Honour…”
Judge Alaric: “Dear me, how clumsy of you. Do try not to have any more accidents in this courtroom. I’ve had enough delays.”
He straightens in his chair.
Judge Alaric: “This court is now back in session. Has the jury reached a verdict?”
Jury Foreman: “We have, Your Honour.”
Judge Alaric: “Very good. Mr Travers, please rise.”
Harris Travers stands. The jury foreman steps forward with the verdict sheet.
Judge Alaric: “Foreman, please proceed with the reading of the verdicts.”
Jury Foreman: “In the case of Harris Travers, on the charge of terrorism, we find the defendant… not guilty.”
A low ripple moves through the gallery.
Jury Foreman: “On the charge of inciting violence, we find the defendant… not guilty.”
The noise rises. Judge Alaric raps his gavel twice.
Judge Alaric: “Silence in the court!”
Jury Foreman: “On the charge of vampirophobia, we find the defendant… not guilty.”
Gasps ripple through the gallery. Some spectators shout, others remain silent. A few begin to cheer. Travers smiles, while Master Devlin looks around, stunned.
Mr Worth cries out, face red with fury.
Worth: “Your Honour, this is an outrage! This verdict is absurd! We were assured a guilty verdict was guaranteed!”
Judge Alaric: “Be silent, Mr Worth. The trial is over.”
Worth: “No! I will not be silent! This farce of a trial has made a mockery of justice! Travers is guilty—”
Judge Alaric: “Mr Worth, I will not tolerate this disrespect. You are in contempt of court.”
The judge raps his gavel.
Judge Alaric: “Bailiff, remove Mr Worth from the courtroom immediately.”
Bailiffs drag Worth out as he continues to rant. Mr Vexley sits quietly, fuming.
Travers: "Later, Weinstein..."
Judge Alaric: “Mr Travers, it appears justice has spoken in your favour. This court upholds the rule of law. You are free to go.”
Travers inclines his head, smirking. Master Devlin remains seated, stunned.
Travers: “Travers, you’ve done it again...”
Travers adjusts his jacket and bows to the audience. The gallery buzzes with disbelief.
The Master puts on his hat and walks out of the courthouse. Across the street, he hears Travers call his name.
Travers: “Master Devlin, wait up!”
Travers runs out of the courthouse and hops onto his shoulder.
Travers: “I owe you one, Master Devlin. You did a damn fine job. How about we go get a steak? My treat.”
Master Devlin: “Hmm. Very well then.”
Travers: “We’ve still got a war to win… and it’s probably going to be an even bigger fight now… but tonight, we celebrate.”
At the steakhouse, a stuffed Travers pats himself down as he examines the bill.
Travers: “Um… Master Devlin. I appear to be temporarily light, what with having been in jail and all… Could you—”
Master Devlin: “Sure, Travers.”
Travers: “It’s still my treat though. I’ll pay you back… probably.”
An attractive woman approaches their booth.
Woman: “Excuse me, are you Harris Travers?”
Travers: “Sure am, sweetheart. Come to congratulate me on my triumphant victory? Of course, Master Devlin here helped—”
Master Devlin: 😒
The woman thrusts a legal summons into his flippers.
Woman: “You’ve been served. Have a nice day.”
She departs.
Travers: 😖
Master Devlin: “What does it say?”
Travers: “They’re taking me to civil court. Charlotta Alaric is suing me.”
Master Devlin: “Of course she is.”
Travers: “I knew it was too good to be true. It all makes sense now.”
Master Devlin: “What does?”
Travers: “Letting me go. They don’t want to throw me in jail and make a martyr… they just want to make my life miserable, then bankrupt me. Well, I don’t intend to show up. I’ve had enough of kangaroo courts for one lifetime—and civil courts are a joke. It’s all down to who the judge likes more, and we know who that will be.”
Master Devlin: “What do you plan to do?”
Travers: “Time to do what every fine, upstanding, huhwite goblin does when their neighbourhood goes to shit thanks to immigration… Flee to a huhwiter area! I’m outta this town. Want to come?”
Master Devlin: “Sure...”
Travers and Master Devlin make the short flight to Travers’ home to gather a few things. The tipsy Master, flying under the influence of several bottles of wine, crashes through Travers’ third-storey bedroom window. Inside, Travers collects his valuables and the deed to his house.
Next, they visit Goblin Slayer and Ermintrude to explain their plan to skip town. Travers leaves Ermintrude the deed to his home and puts her in charge of the Chronicle.
Master Devlin then flies them to Devlin Manor out in the country, crash-landing on the manor’s runway. Travers ends up smeared across the ground. Herbert arrives, peels Travers off the tarmac, fixes his face, and helps both Travers and Master Devlin inside.
Season Finale
The Waldoverse continues in Lake Waldron