blueteamnovel Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Chapter 65: The Royal Court Trial
The day of the trial for Viscount Fayatt and Marquis Lightstar finally arrived.
I entered the castle with Grandfather and Lord Dardale. The reason this trial was being held in the castle was that one of the defendants, Marquis Lightstar, was of such high nobility that the King himself would be observing the proceedings.
The Grand Courtroom
The courtroom, known as the Grand Courtroom, was vast.
At the front, there were five seats for judges, three seats to the left for prosecutors, and five to the right for the defendants and their legal representatives.
In the center stood the witness stand, while the spectator seats could hold about a hundred people.
Behind the judges’ seats was a section separated by lace curtains—the King’s observation area. His silhouette and those of his guards could be seen through the veil.
Grandfather, Lord Dardale, and I took seats in the front row of the spectator section.@@@@
The prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges entered, followed shortly by the defendants: Viscount Fayatt and Marquis Lightstar.
When Lightstar spotted me, his glare was full of murderous intent.
“Foolish wretch,” Grandfather muttered loudly enough for Lightstar to hear.
Lightstar gritted his teeth, glaring at Grandfather with fury.
“The King has arrived! Everyone, stand and bow with utmost respect!”
We performed the formal salute, placing our right hand over our chest and bowing at a forty-five-degree angle.
From behind the lace curtain, a voice commanded us to relax, followed by a faint sound of shuffling as the King and his entourage settled.
The Trial Begins
“This court is now in session to address the matter of the poison in Liquor King,” the chief judge declared.
The prosecution began by presenting evidence of the harm caused by the poison and the confirmed presence of toxins in the liquor.
The defense tried to poke holes in the evidence, but their objections were summarily overruled by the judges. The defense’s arguments were baseless, amounting to little more than grasping at straws.
In this kingdom, the law is straightforward and uncompromising.
Crimes are punished based solely on the act itself, with no consideration for whether the person might reform.
For example, killing someone, regardless of intent, results in either lifelong forced labor or execution—except in cases of self-defense, which are deemed justifiable and result in acquittal.
Evidence Against Fayatt
“Viscount Fayatt imprisoned workers and held their families hostage to force them to produce Liquor King. We have secured the testimonies of these workers and their families, verified under the supervision of a judge,” the prosecutor stated.
“Objection!” the defense lawyer interrupted.
“Overruled. The prosecution may proceed.”
“What is your age?”
“Ten years old.”
“Why did Lord Dardale request a child to examine the patients?”
“I was visiting the temple’s headquarters and agreed to help.”
“When did you first learn of this illness?”
“When Lord Dardale informed me and asked for my assistance.”
“Objection! The defense’s line of questioning is unclear,” the prosecutor interjected.
“Sustained. Defense, clarify the intent of your questions,” the judge ordered.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this witness is a mere child! How can we trust his testimony?” the defense lawyer exclaimed, trying to discredit me.
“Objection! The defense is diverting from the case at hand!”
“Sustained. Defense, refrain from disparaging the witness,” the judge admonished.
The lawyer then tried a different approach.
“What exactly does your Insight skill reveal?”
“It tells me various details, such as your name.”
“That’s easily discoverable beforehand!”
“How about your health, then?”
“My... health?”
“You suffer from lower back pain, athlete’s foot, and numbness in your left hand and foot, correct?”
“What nonsense is this?”
“If left untreated, that numbness could lead to serious consequences, like brain damage,” I warned.
“What!?”
The defense lawyer turned pale, while Marquis Lightstar erupted.
“This is absurd! A blatant lie!”
“Marquis, do you not also experience occasional chest pain? That’s a sign of heart disease. If untreated, you don’t have long to live.”
Their reactions were a mix of fear and rage.
“Silence! The court will maintain order!” the chief judge commanded.
Despite the chaos, the trial proceeded. Marquis Lightstar’s fate seemed increasingly sealed.