How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 50.1
“Then you would agree that the defendant has been chronically exposed to mercury for many years.”
“Of course. I still do not understand how that relates to this matter.”
“It is deeply related. The defendant is currently exhibiting emotional instability, hallucinations, and delusions caused by mercury poisoning. It is already medically established that mercury causes serious harm not only to the body but also to the mind.”
“Mercury, Your Grace?”
The mayor snorted as if the idea were ridiculous.
“You mean that shiny substance used in making cosmetics? I have never heard that it is so dangerous. Then why do so many noblewomen seek it?”
“It is because its danger is not yet widely known. However, in terms of toxicity, mercury is akin to a deadly poison. It can rot the skin and create gaps in memory. In severe cases, it can even destroy one’s reasoning. Exactly as the defendant Matthias has experienced.”
The courtroom erupted briefly. Some of the spectators, particularly the villagers, exchanged confused glances. Perhaps they recalled the old hats they had seen at Matthias’s home or the small bottles that still glimmered with silver shine.
Unlike in modern times, when everyone knows the side effects of mercury, in this era many people considered it simply a valuable material.
However, there were those who had warned of mercury’s dangers. Evidence of this could easily be produced even now.
Matthias stared at me with trembling eyes. I smiled faintly at him and continued my argument.
“Matthias is not a traitor. He is merely a sick man.”
“That claim… how can it be trusted?”
The mayor muttered with evident displeasure. I shook my head.
“The latest research published by Ashurana University of the Sar Empire proves this. It is the first paper to clearly outline the serious side effects of mercury.”
“…You say such a thing exists?”
The mayor furrowed his brows, doubting the claim. I answered confidently.
“Of course.”
There was no time to contact Ashurana University directly to obtain the research results. But I had a cheat.
It was the system’s ‘Original Work Verification: 500-character reward (credit).’
Even 500 characters were not enough, so I pushed the system to give a few extra details. I extracted information about the current workplace of the medical researcher who had graduated from Ashurana University. This was fortunate. The medical expert continued working at Belforte University for many years after the original story dealt with this incident, so finding him was easy.
“I request Professor Robren, a medical researcher who graduated from Ashurana University earlier this year and is currently employed at Belforte University, as a witness. In addition, three other witnesses from similar cases are standing by.”
The mayor’s expression stiffened. Yet, in front of the crowd, he could not refuse the witness request. He nodded stiffly and gestured toward the door.
The door opened, and Professor Robren entered, holding thick documents including the paper published by Ashurana University. The documents contained medical examinations and diagnoses of mercury-poisoned individuals.
Then a frail-looking middle-aged man hobbled in. He was followed by a young woman with an unusually pale complexion and an elderly man whose expressions constantly shifted, appearing anxious.
All of them had been exposed to mercury for long periods.
Professor Robren first testified about the paper, and the mayor’s questioning moved on to the other witnesses.
“Have you ever worked with mercury?”
“Yes. I have. All of us here… we all made top hats. It has been more than ten years now.”
“…And have you noticed any abnormalities in your body?”
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who would’ve thought this novel would include mad hatters and mercury poisoning