Chapter 217

The Scales of Justice (正義の天秤) is the 217th Page of Yūki Tabata's Black Clover.

Summary
Days after the battle with the Devil, Asta and Secre arrive at the courthouse were the magic congress reside. Asta comments about how he if getting nervous since he will be testifying about what happened during the battle. Asta then remembers what Julius had told him and says that it wasn't exactly reassuring. Asta and Secre head in, while Asta comments about how the magic congress will understand everything once they talk to them. Asta also says that they are the ones that can be best explain the elves, Devil, and how the reincarnation was broken, which Secre tells Asta to be careful and not let his guard down.

Once the two gets inside, they are put into handcuffs which Asta wonders what is going on. Asta and Secre are then brought in front of the magic congress. Damnatio walking in and introducing himself as the chairman and speaker of the magic congress. Damnatio announces to the congress that they are here for the crimes of Asta of the Black Bulls, which Asta says that this is not what they told him he was coming for. Asta also says that they are treating him like a criminal, which Secre tells Asta that he got completely suckered with the OL' bait and switch. Augustus comments about how he knew that Asta was no good, and how Asta is so insolent even after he made him a member of the Royal Knights.

Damnatio holds up a scale and describes to the congress who Asta is and were he is from, which the congress start to view Asta in a negative way. Damnatio then comments about how they have no record of Secre's birth in the kingdom, but the horns on her head is a sign that she had used forbidden magic. Damnation also tells the congress that Asta and Secre claim that the conflict was the manipulation of a Devil, which Asta says that it was the Devil that had everyone possessed by the elves. The congress doesn't believe in what Asta said because Asta is a commoner and that the horns is proof of the devil. Secre thinks about how their is still this much discrimination and prejudice after all of Julius' hard work. Secre also thinks about how Asta's words are being completely drowned out, since this place is only filled by people who prejudice against others. Asta tells them to listen to what he is saying, which Damnatio tells Asta that their are only outcomes to this trial. Damnatio says that Asta will be judged by as a devil or it would be the magic knights shouldering the dishonor of this crime. Damnatio also says that Asta won't throw the magic knights to the wolves and that is why he is easy to manipulate. Damnatio then says that it easy to see which way that scale will tip, and asks Asta were the so-called devil is at. Asta tells him that they have defeated the Devil already, and that Secre has working for a long time just to accomplish that goal. Damnatio says that everyone rather suspect that Asta and Secre are the devils themselves, which Asta replies that his grimoire belongs to a different Devil but Secre stops him before he can say anything.

Damnatio says that if their are no Devil, then they will have to judge everyone one by one. Damnatio tells them to bring her, which the congress brings Marie into the room much to Asta and Secre surprise. Damnatio introduces Marie to the congress and explains how Marie is a fallen noble, along with the fact the her brother is a convict. Damnatio tells the congress that Marie's magic was used to hurt the citizens of the kingdom during that conflict, and explains how her motive is that she has a grudge against the upper and ruling class. Asta tells Damnatio to not spout off what he feels like, and none of that was Marie's own will. Damnatio says that that is right if a Devil did exist, since she would be acting under his manipulation. Damnation then says that if that cannot be proven, then all they have is a clear crime which she has committed. Damnatio yells that Marie must be judged in the name of justice, which the guard prepare to fire at Marie. Damnatio tells Marie that she is evil and the guards fire their spells at Marie, but Asta manage to come to her rescue. Asta says that he knows all to well what their methods are, and that he does not acknowledge his justice. Damnatio replies that they will never see eye-to-eye, especially to the like of a devil.