The crew arrives on Duat Island to look for clues about Gran's father. Loki's crew is also in the area, but they choose to watch how things play out from afar. The crew learns that a hearing to potentially clear the death penalty on Philos Institute disciplinary committee member and BLF conspirator Raclitus is under way. At the hearing, they watch as Zarazustra pleads his case for Raclitus.
Rackam
There it is—Duat Island. Can someone double-check that I've got the right place?
Katalina
Yes, that's the one. Where trials are heard and justice is administered in accordance with the laws as defined by Istavion.
Katalina
It looks exactly like the picture in the textbook I taught from at Philos.
Vyrn
There's supposed to be somethin' connected to Gran's pops on that island, but what?
Eugen
Beats me. Bet there's all kinds o' junk hidin' underneath those layers of justice.
Lyria
I sure hope we find a clue that'll get us closer to seeing Gran's dad.
Gran nods.
Assuming Repti hadn't created a false memory to show Hailak, it could be the freshest record of the path Gran's father once walked.
With Repti in control of the cards in his hand, what is he trying to show Gran?
The nose of the Grandcypher dips down as the ship carefully descends toward the island.
Loki
...
From the deck of his own ship, Loki watches the Grandcypher land on Duat.
Mikaboshi
We're not getting off here?
Loki
Nope. I want to see what develops.
Mikaboshi
Why are we watching the island from so far away? Are you chicken?
Loki
While we're throwing around accusations, why are you being so impatient?
Mikaboshi
...
Fenrir
Could you be any more frustrating? What's your point, Loki?
Loki
That island reeks. It's warning us not to get close. Right, Mikaboshi?
Mikaboshi
Yeah. But I feel like it'd be better if we hurry.
Loki
Well, it's impossible to do both unfortunately. So how do we break this tie?
Fenrir
Just spit it out already. What smell are you talking about? Is there something on that island?
Loki
Almost, Fenrir. Not something but somethings. Three, to be exact.
Loki
Why don't we color-code them? Like, say, black, white, and gray.
Loki
I think the black one is dangerous. Mikaboshi is fixated on the white one.
Loki
As for the gray one, well, that one's still up in the air. Actually, maybe they all are.
Mikaboshi
So we just sit here and watch until the black and white things do something?
Loki
Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Deep down inside, you know you agree with me.
Mikaboshi
...
Fenrir
Pfft. I'd rather go down for a look and be done with it.
Loki
Right now it's best to sit tight. Good things come to those who wait, Fenrir.
Fenrir
Don't tell me you believe that bunk.
Loki
Maybe I do, maybe I don't.
Fenrir
Tch. If I lose my edge from all this waiting around, I'm gonna slice you open...
With their ship staying in a holding pattern around the island, Loki and Mikaboshi settle in for a long stakeout.
Meanwhile, the crew disembarks on Istavion's island of judicial administration, which, unbeknownst to them, has three mysterious "somethings" lying in wait.
Io
So this is Duat, huh? The tribunal island.
Vyrn
Oof, I think we stepped into the no-fun zone. Feels like I'll get fined just for laughing.
Eugen
Yeah, no kidding. They'll slap cuffs on ya the second you even look like you're gonna do anythin' funny.
Rackam
I heard about the huge slammer they got here. Good luck bustin' outta that joint. Catch my drift, Io? Better be on your best behavior.
Io
Look who's talking!
Io
Besides, do we really have time to chitchat right now?
Vyrn
Repti made it sound like we'll find a clue here about Gran's dad, but what's so special about this island?
Rackam
I just had the worst thought. What if the True King teamed up with Repti to have us arrested?
Rosetta
I don't know about that. They say the True King's authority holds no sway on this island.
Katalina
That's right. I remember reading a passage about it in my textbook.
Katalina
"Duat's administration of justice does not discriminate. All claims are heard on merit—not even the True King is exempt from the court's neutrality."
Rackam
Wait, so you're sayin' the True King—for some crazy reason—created a place that could actually punish him?
Rosetta
We know the True King dreams of controlling the whole world, so this is probably his way of laying the groundwork for the future.
Rosetta
Ruling your citizens using primal beasts might work for the few islands in Istavion...
Rosetta
But it's unrealistic to pair every single subjugated island with a primal beast.
Katalina
Maybe that's why he's testing out laws that can govern the people without the need for primal beasts to act as enforcers.
Katalina
Istavion's laws earn further legitimacy when the True King himself openly obeys the laws enacted.
Katalina
It's a good thing the Blue Liberation Front secured IDs for us, otherwise even the True King couldn't have pardoned us if we were caught.
Vyrn
Feels like my brain's goin' in circles. Just to be clear, we can walk around Duat without gettin' hassled, right?
Io
If Repti really wants to show us something here, he'd probably let us search in peace.
Eugen
C'mon, let's stretch our legs. Might even stumble across what we're lookin' for if we're lucky.
Hoping to understand why they've been guided to Duat, the crew take a stroll through the city.
A voice booms over the crowd.
Man's Voice
Attention! Today's public hearings are as follows! First on the docket: the accused, Renensis, for the crime of theft! Second, Roberta: suspected of fraud!
Eugen
Oh yeah, that's right. Just about anyone can sit in on a hearing.
Rackam
Repti went through all that work to show us this? A buncha court cases?
Io
Hm... What do you think, Gran? Should we go check them out just in case?
The crew make the natural assumption that they've come to Duat to examine the way the system works.
Since everything on the island is new to them, checking out the courtroom scene makes perfect sense.
The crier continues rattling off the trial schedule.
Man 1
Next is the appeal hearing to rescind the death penalty verdict handed to death row inmate, Raclitus.
Dialogue Option
Wait, did he just say Raclitus?
Vyrn
As in Philos Institute's disciplinary guy? That Raclitus?
Lyria
He said d-death row! What's going on!
Rosetta
I think we just found our next top priority, Gran.
Gran recalls student life at Philos Institute.
Raclitus had played a pivotal role in Gran's campaign during the student council elections, which kicked off sweeping changes in school policy.
Gran's stomach churns at hearing the youth's name spoken in the same sentence as "death penalty."
Gran and company aren't the only ones vying for seats to Raclitus's hearing. So great is the interest that observers have to be selected via lottery.
Luckily, everyone in the crew is fortunate enough to be drawn. The courtroom doors open, and they step foot inside.
Katalina
...!
Vyrn
No way!
Raclitus
...
The crew is struck by how gaunt the youth looks in the projected image, a sure sign of his harsh imprisonment.
Despite his emaciated looks, there's no doubt this is the same Raclitus from Philos. Yet as enfeebled as he may be, the glint of hope in his eyes seems to have never faded.
Duat Viceroy
Court is now in session.
Duat Viceroy
I ask that the defense and prosecution submit nothing but the truth upon the plates of Maat's Scales, primal beast of judiciary.
Duat Viceroy
Justice does not discriminate. The court shall hear all arguments regarding the defendant's right to due process.
Duat Viceroy
Prosecutor Llewig, you maintain the defendant deserves to be executed. Your opening statement please.
Llewig
As a representative for His Majesty, the True King, I, Prosecutor Llewig, hereby present my case.
Llewig
Make no mistake that since its inception, the actions perpetrated by the Blue Liberation Front are acts of treason against the state.
Llewig
Therefore His Majesty has ordered the swift execution of any BLF member, regardless as to the degree of their involvement.
Llewig
Following His Majesty's decree, the defendant was placed on trial, wherein Maat's Scales determined that the crime and subsequent punishment were neither cruel nor unusual.
Llewig
Thus I conclude by saying that death row inmate Raclitus should face the death penalty as originally sentenced by the court.
Duat Viceroy
Defense Attorney Guillota. What are your requests for the defendant?
Guillota
Your Honor, as his counsel, I would like to remind the court that Raclitus is a student with a bright future—
Zarazustra
The charge that he is a member of the BLF has yet to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Guillota
Hey, don't—
Zarazustra
It was only ever established that he was in contact with the group, but the circumstances behind those communications were never broached in the original trial.
Guillota
Are you listening to me, kid? You shouldn't—
Zarazustra
Raclitus is an upstanding young man of justice, exemplified by his excellent marks and his commitment to the disciplinary committee. A man like that would not condone the actions of traitors.
Zarazustra
We will shed light on the truth to reevaluate the justification of his death sentence.
Llewig
Zarazustra, if I'm hearing you right—
Zarazustra
"The law does not discriminate"! I intend to challenge the True King during this trial!
Zarazustra
I, Zarazustra, client of the defense and student of Philos Institute, make clear my objection!
Guillota
Just wonderful...
When the crew arrived in Duat, they never expected to see a friend's life put on trial.
And now with Zarazustra taking legal action against the True King, they don't know what to think.
149: Island of Judgment 
