Demon of Law

Mm. Yes, that sounds far better. While what we are finding the truth of is different, it is essentially the same. To find the truth is important, and that is my goal as an inquisitor.

Yes, exactly. Because of the similarity, we can also compare what happened previously to the current case. It’s rather helpful to go over previous case files. It is also what I look for as a prosecutor.

Yes, that is very true. That must be what we’re here for.

Mm... Not quite. Revealing an error may be an important part, but I believe truth is truly what we are after. One may be able to say that they had committed the crime, but for what purpose? Punishments can change depending on reasons. 

You make a good point. But I suppose if all embraced their errors, we would be out of the job. 

Plus the decision on whether or not you should be allowed in would happen to fall on my shoulders. And if not that, your evaluations surely will. 

cold OR hot 

envy OR lust

blunt OR tactful

dreamer OR realist

impulsive OR regimented

stubborn OR flexible

sociable OR reclusive

lazy OR hardworking

half empty OR half full

excitable OR apathetic

dependent OR independent

eloquent OR inarticulate

delusional OR realistic

Difficult to decipher in-full until a bit of dictionary cross-referencing (ze’d fallen farther back in written English studies than ze’d realized), the last quote to have ever been salvaged of zyr ancestor’s philosophic work at last showed itself to Shi-Long on the final page of a well-received gift. It lay staring back at zem, propped up on one leg crossed over the other, with only trailing, blurring lights of the city outside the dim taxi window showing any effort to move with time.

Until every word had finally meshed together as one meaning did a slight laugh escape zyr throat.

“ That’s close for a translation… a shame it left out what mattered most. ”

Not that that had made it any less significant. Ze couldn’t deny that for all the shit zyr profession could put zem in, there was no other life to live. Glamorous it sure wasn’t, but righteous assuredly. Hunting down the biggest of all game, those so obviously in plain sight reeking of blood and hatred but with claws sharpened to deadly points… taking down the mighty like that could be all ze ever had to live for.

But there were a dozen other of the theorist’s quotes that parroted that thrill in words already. This one was… a little more unique in its original form…

Kh, well, that was to be expected for skipping straight to the end of the book - a little chastising from the Powers That Be. So be it. The rest of the reading would be more useful on the plane ride home, should a certain “foppish” travel buddy find the flight more exhausting than originally assumed. Ze made to return both the dictionary and von Karma’s gift into the carry-on resting by the boot still residing on the vehicle’s floor, until an unfamiliar sight reached back to zem even in that darkness.

Something white… and beside it… a cover, bearing the phoenix of Zheng Fa’s flag.

… these weren’t zyrs.

Zyr heart lurched painfully, suddenly, dreading the thought that ze’d be hoisting off with valued possessions of a subordinate of zyrs with the airport already all too closely approaching. Both were claimed from inside the bag and clutched in the investigator’s hands in no time, as eyes searched desperately for a familiar name on the inside cover of the book with the phoenix’ emblem - ‘A dedication page? A signature? It had to have somethi–’

… The sight on the front page proved zyr hunch right immediately.

‘ Lang Zi says, “ One will never truly hate more than one loves, when love is found in all we live for. ” I had found this quote to stand out most among your ancestor’s teachings. Perhaps I will hear your elaboration on it in the future.

Happy Birthday, Agent Lang. – Miles Edgeworth’

The party seemed to progress normally, despite a few mishaps here and there. Most of the guests were either passed out or going home. As Lang left the part, ze hadn’t seemed to notice the extra items in zyr luggage. It was a little disappointing, but... at least co didn't have to wait as ze looked over the gift. 

Co doubted that co could’ve handled the suspense of whether or not it was to the agent’s liking. Sure, Miles knew most of zyr interests concerning topics or ideas. But as for material items, it was a little trickier.  Cos first idea was to give zem some sort of agenda to keep track of things for zyr subordinates. But the idea was scrapped rather quickly when co realized that ze would have no use with that memory of zyrs. How ze could remember every birthday was still rather amazing. 

Several other ideas had been scrapped as well for various reasons, before co could settle on a book from Zheng Fa and a letter. 

The prosecutor had diligently read over the book’s contents to make sure everything had been in order, before co had written that saying co had heard countless times before. 

Perhaps that alone might have been enough. 

But still, co would write a letter. One that co had scrapped, rewritten, and given up on several times before hand.

‘ To Shi-Long Lang,

It has come to my attention that your birthday had come up and passed by already. I know I should have at least given the gift to you on that day, but I wasn’t sure how to go about doing so. Forgive my tardiness.

Happy Birthday, first of all. You’re older and wiser now, and I hope you use your experiences to better yourself. I know you have come far from when I first met you.

At first I may have detested you and how you treated me as well as many others. But years have gone by and I realized that most of those quirks had made you, you. I’m still not fond of many things you do, but I want you to know that I do not hate or dislike you.

Now, I am not about to reveal some hidden admiration for you in this letter. If that ever happened to true. But I will say this, I do think of you as a friend. You have many reasons not to think of me as such, but the fact remains.

Enjoy your gift, Agent Lang.

Sincerely, Miles Edgeworth ’