The Trial (Part 1)

Buzer, the Commander of the Imperial Capital City Watch, exuded an utterly barbaric and tyrannical air. He seemed to embody the grand ambition of one who, if given 'three thousand enforcers, would flatten the world for his master.' Ah, a slip of the tongue—he *was* the chief of the Imperial Capital's enforcers; he commanded them directly, not 'borrowed' them. The common folk, often oppressed by these City Watch soldiers, had already scattered, yet most hadn't completely dispersed. They lingered, watching the unfolding scene from a distance. A few quick-witted individuals had already run off to inform Old Foye.

Du Chen stood atop a roof, his gaze cold as he scrutinized Buzer. A silent rage festered within him; the damnable executioner who had once set traps to frame petitioning commoners was none other than this gaunt, blue-haired general in his thirties. Du Chen casually brushed his robes, descending with an elegant flourish before Buzer. Lucy and Lily followed closely. "General Kirisek wishes to arrest me? Hmph, what is the charge?"

Buzer violently waved his hand. The soldiers behind him drew their blades and surrounded Du Chen and the two Grand Matriarchs. "You'll learn soon enough, once you're at the Imperial Tribunal!"

"The Tribunal? Oh, by the Battle God's grace!" Du Chen adopted a haughty noble demeanor that inwardly sickened him, drawing out his words. "What heinous crime could I possibly have committed to warrant a trial at the Imperial Tribunal? That's where they judge the empire's most egregious cases!" He scrutinized Buzer, pondering whether to teach him an immediate lesson on behalf of the common folk. "General Kirisek may certainly attempt to arrest me! However, as an Imperial Baron, a descendant of the God Sigurd, and by the laws of the Holy Church, you must present a writ of judgment from the Holy Church and a sealed authorization from the Minister of Imperial Rites. Otherwise, I reserve the right to charge you with blasphemy against divine grace and contempt for imperial law!"

Du Chen was meticulously following aristocratic etiquette and legal procedure, clearly aiming to solidify the excellent impression he had already cultivated in the minds of the two Grand Matriarchs. Du Chen rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that given the current situation in the Imperial Capital, his enemies were undoubtedly orchestrating this trouble deliberately. Furthermore, the news of his participation in last night's royal banquet and his unofficial appointment as an Imperial Count and the Lord of the Eight-Hundred-Li Newin River territory should still be a high-level secret circulating only within the royal family. Otherwise, who would be so foolish as to antagonize a regional feudal lord after His Majesty the King had already changed his mind?

"Hmph, poor Duke Wedno, General Kirisek, your intelligence is woefully out of date! You fools, the upcoming events are sure to be utterly delightful!" A smile played on Du Chen's lips at the thought.

Buzer couldn't fathom why Du Chen could still be smiling, let alone with such ease. He raised his longsword, leading his soldiers closer to Du Chen, and sneered, "Lord Francis, I have none of the items you requested. However, Minister of Rites Wedno is already waiting for you at the Tribunal, and the evidence of your crimes is overwhelming! By the Holy Church's canon, which prohibits interference in internal state affairs, not even Godfather Ferdinand himself could save you! Men, give this boy a 'small' lesson first!" He waved his longsword and sneered, "The reason is 'resisting arrest'! Hmph, *I* said so!" As the blade fell, two burly soldiers behind him charged forward.

Du Chen hadn't moved. A flash of red streaked past him, and before anyone could react, the two soldiers were instantly felled. "How could someone as benevolent as Francis commit a crime!? It's utterly impossible, absolutely impossible!" It was Grand Matriarch Lily. She stood protectively before Du Chen and declared indignantly, "Furthermore, you soldiers are entirely unreasonable! Francis is a Divine Scion, yet you abuse your authority, attempting to arrest him without any warrant! Hmph, how have soldiers become such scoundrels these days!"

"My, my, this beautiful lady certainly has some strength!" He ogled Lily up and down, making the Grand Matriarch nearly erupt in fury on the spot, but Lucy, standing nearby, firmly grasped her sister's arm. "Men, seize these twin ladies as well! Bring them back to my tent, the charge is obstructing City Watch duties!"

Although Lily had dispatched two soldiers with a single move, they were merely common troopers. Buzer had gravely underestimated the power of the two Grand Matriarchs, and he had just uttered a grave mistake. *Smack! Smack!* This time, the two Grand Matriarch sisters, acting in perfect tandem, each delivered a resounding slap across Buzer's face! "You…!" Buzer roared in fury. Yet, his position as City Watch Commander implied he wasn't entirely foolish. To be slapped twice with such lightning speed that he didn't even perceive their movements, despite being a Fifth-Level Battle God himself, meant these two women's power was… they were strong enough to eliminate him and all his soldiers!

"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" Buzer cried out in terror, watching the two Grand Matriarchs advance on him again. "You're attacking a City Watch Commander in the street! I—I can order the Versailles Guards to execute you on the spot!" "Alright, ladies, please calm yourselves!" Du Chen stepped between the Grand Matriarchs and approached Buzer, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he met the commander's gaze. "The Imperial Tribunal, you say? No problem, I'll go with you!"

"Francis, they are simply abusing—" Lily's words were cut short by Du Chen's enigmatic smile. "Miss Lily, while certain nobles like Buzer exist, the Imperial Tribunal is the most sacred institution outside the Royal Palace and the Grand Cathedral. I trust that the Empire's laws will undoubtedly clear my name!" In that moment, Du Chen appeared to be a noble youth of supreme innocence and kindness.

Buzer glared resentfully at the two Grand Matriarchs, committing their faces to memory as he plotted his future revenge. At that moment, Du Chen laughed, "What are you waiting for? Take me to the Tribunal! Also, ladies, please relay this matter to Foye and assure him that I will be perfectly safe!" Buzer cast another lecherous glance at Lily, memorizing the appearances of the twin Grand Matriarchs. *First, I'll complete the task assigned by my superiors,* he thought, *then I'll settle accounts with you!* He waved his hand, ordering his soldiers to encircle Du Chen with their blades. He then leaped onto his warhorse, whip raised, ready to depart.

Suddenly, a few brave commoners from the distant crowd shouted, "By what right do you arrest Lord Francis!? He could never commit a crime! At the very least, you must state his offenses!" Buzer glared savagely at the commoners, then turned back and barked, "Francis's crimes are far too numerous! Too many to count! Men, shackle Francis!" "Hey! Francis is a Divine Scion, he cannot be—" The commoners attempted to protest further, but under Buzer's vicious stare and raised whip, they shrank back.

*Clank!* A heavy iron collar was clasped around Du Chen's neck. Indeed, the law stipulated that Du Chen should not be shackled at this stage, but wasn't there another saying? Laws are executed by men. Buzer, convinced Francis's crimes were "irrefutably proven" and his death certain, saw no reason for compunction. Even if the Holy Church raised a fuss, wasn't there still the Empire's Chief Justice and the military strongman commanding the two-hundred-thousand-strong Imperial Capital Garrison to back him up?

The City Watch soldiers, mounted on their tall steeds, rode arrogantly through the streets. Du Chen, meanwhile, was escorted by one soldier towards the City Watch barracks. As they walked, other soldiers loudly disparaged Du Chen. The commoners of the Southern District watched, their hearts seething with silent curses, but the gleaming blades and spears in the soldiers' hands prevented them from taking a single step forward. Du Chen, however, regarded it all with composure, greeting the paupers continuously along the way. When a few villagers, deeply indebted to him for his past kindnesses, bowed their heads in shame, signaling their inability to help their benefactor, Du Chen merely smiled and nodded back…

His benevolent smile, handsome and radiant face, contrasted with the heavy shackles on his neck and the strutting City Watch soldiers. This scene instantly ignited an even greater fury among the Southern District commoners. Yes, they dared not openly demand justice for Lord Francis, for the City Watch soldiers had countless pretexts to punish them. But surely, no law forbade Imperial Capital commoners from simply *walking*, did it!? More and more people followed behind Du Chen. By the time they reached the Tribunal at the eastern end of Saint Bovin Square, the sprawling procession numbered in the thousands. The vast majority were paupers who had received Du Chen's beneficence, many of whom still relied on his Charitable Foundation for their livelihoods and wages!

Subsequently, the news spread, and an ever-increasing number of Imperial Capital commoners rushed towards Saint Bovin Square. Some came for the spectacle, while others were driven by their own vital interests: if Francis were declared guilty, the Charitable Foundation would collapse. Their newfound peaceful lives, with clothes on their backs and food in their bellies, would likely instantly revert to their former state of begging on the streets, enduring hunger and cold! "Our children cannot beg in tattered clothes in the bitter winter again! Our aged parents cannot sleep on the streets during thunderous, rainy nights! And we ourselves cannot once again become vagrants after being honest workshop laborers! To prevent these horrors from recurring, Lord Francis—who gave us wages, homes, and hope for life—must not be declared guilty! Absolutely not!" This was the most fundamental conviction of all the commoners.

Lanning Empire Tribunal, Judgment Hall. Du Chen was led directly into the Judgment Hall for trial. Gazing at the several prominent figures seated behind the colossal tribunal stand, Du Chen sneered and declared loudly, "Duke Wedno, Minister of Rites; General Kirisek, Imperial Capital Garrison Commander; Lord Jones, Vice-Director of the Divine Council; Minister Bolun of Imperial Civil Affairs… Heh, so many dignitaries have gathered today! Is it truly just to try a mere Baron like me?!"