During the short break in court.
In the tightly guarded room, Ye Qingxuan and Maxwell sat opposite each other, looking at each other in silence.
Ye Qingxuan looked at him and after a long time asked:
"Michelle...why did he do this?"
"Maybe you woke up from a dream?"
Maxwell said: "He should have understood decades ago that when the Inquisition was disbanded, that dream was shattered. He would do anything to keep this dream alive. Recruiting Colt was a risky move. At one stroke, he wanted to give the Doctrine of the Faith a shot in the arm, but now, the shot in the arm has turned into poison, and the Ministry of Doctrine of the Faith has completely turned into a joke that will never rise again. From that time on, He's at the end of his rope."
"Actually, he didn't need to be like this..."
"For idealists, the most terrifying thing is to realize the huge gap between ideals and reality. This is more painful than falling into hell, isn't it?"
Maxwell looked at him: "I believe you understand this deeply."
Ye Qingxuan was silent.
"I know you don't want to accept it, but you must always respect his sacrifice."
Maxwell looked at him: "But you have to think about the people you care about. You don't want Miller's incident to happen again, right? There are things that people care about when they are alive, and they have to do dirty things for the things they care about. If he doesn't stand up today, his family will fall apart... His parents, brother, and everyone he cares about will lose everything. Don't give others an excuse to attack you, Ye Qingxuan, you are not afraid of death, but Think about your teacher, think about Bai Xi."
Ye Qingxuan remained silent.
After a long time, he asked in a low voice:
"Is there any cigarette?"
Maxwell dropped a pack of cigarettes into his arms. Ye Qingxuan was shackled, unwrapped the package lamely, bent over and put the cigarette in front of Maxwell's lighter, and lit the cigarette.
Ye Qingxuan took a deep breath of the stinging smoke and sighed softly after a long time: "Maxwell, your world is so complicated."
"yes."
Maxwell nodded, "It's complicated and dirty, so adults will become hateful."
"What did Angelou promise to Michelle?" Ye Qingxuan asked.
"a lot of."
Maxwell said: "It includes a new colony in the dark world, three thousand young people who can read and write, a large amount of supplies, fifty musicians every year, etc... As it happens, I have most of these things. I put my The fiefdom was given to him."
“…”
Ye Qingxuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "I owe you."
"You don't owe me anything, but you really should regret it. This should have been yours."
Maxwell glanced at him: "Just think of it as your life money. Remember to work hard in the future. At least you can earn back your pension for me."
He stood up and patted Ye Qingxuan on the shoulder: "Have a good rest. After you appear in court, I will invite you and your teachers to celebrate you at the best restaurant in the Holy City."
Ye Qingxuan nodded and watched him go away.
After a long time, he lowered his eyes, recalling the flash of gloom in Borja's eyes in his memory, and couldn't help but sigh in a low voice:
"I hope so."
…
…
There was silence in the office.
Dim light passed through the curtains and fell on Borja's face. His face was livid, and he stared silently at the holy symbol on the wall without saying a word.
Until a long time later, a hoarse voice came from the lightless corner.
"One-sided words should not be taken lightly."
"Everyone knows this is a one-sided statement, but who can say this?"
Borja shook his head, "Mr. Ludovic, if the situation is allowed to continue like this, I can only sentence Ye Qingxuan to be acquitted. Anyway, for the Yixin Monks, there are many ways to kill him, aren't there? ?Why are you here?"
"Foolish!"
Ludovic sneered: "If we really want him to die, there is no need to wait until the court. In the cell of the Tower of Judgment, in the toilet, or even in the bathroom... It is easy to want a person to die, but his death cannot solve the problem. , on the contrary, it will intensify the situation. Only letting him die on the court's decision will make sense and prove that the laws of the Holy City do not tolerate any blasphemy and provocation. Don't you understand this truth? Borja. Otherwise, The laws and dignity of the Holy City will become a joke, and when the time comes, where will you be? You don't want to inherit a superficial Pardon Ministry in the future, right?"
Borja was silent, his eyes wandering.
"Borja, think of what happened to Michel."
Ludovic did not stop talking: "How did the Inquisition, which was so powerful back then, become what it is today in the hands of short-sighted and ignorant countries? In order to revive the Ministry of Doctrine, we can only die in humiliation in court. That He is a heretic who deserves to be thrown into hell. He only has the inappropriate dream of the Eastern Expedition in his mind all his life. When he is alive, he is like a walking zombie. When he is dead, it will not make people worry. You don’t want to be like that, right?"
"I'm thinking… "
Borja lowered his head and suddenly asked: "What if this is what His Majesty the Pope meant? What if..."
"But the problem is, this is not what His Majesty meant."
Ludovic's voice was hoarse, like the cold wind in the cellar: "Ever since he was injured in the Battle of the Hundred-Armed Giants thirty years ago, he should have understood that the position of Pope was beginning to be boring. Over the years, he pretended His appearance in full bloom shocked all nations and natural disasters, but unfortunately, his injuries have deteriorated to the point where there is no need to delay. It is impossible for him to express any clear attitude."
Borja was stunned, transfixed.
"Otherwise, why would he pretend to be so enigmatic?"
Ludovic sneered: "He understands better than anyone else that he is not going to die soon. If the fact that he is weak is exposed, the so-called majesty and sacredness will disappear, and he will be nothing."
Borja took a breath of air: "If this is the case, the Holy City..."
"It is said in the Holy Scriptures that you shall not worship idols except me. But the most ridiculous thing about the Holy City is that it places all its honor and power on one person. Borja, our ancestors have gone through countless hardships The inheritance accumulated through hard work is all enjoyed by one person. But are you really willing to let him take all this to the so-called kingdom of heaven? Don't be naive, Borja. Do you think that His Majesty brought all this? Is it for you? It’s a joke, it’s us! It’s us who have kept the world running and the stability of the countries all these years. Don’t succumb to the corpse sitting on the sacred chair waiting to rot. It’s time to take back what belongs to you It’s our stuff!”
In the silence, Borja swallowed dryly, and after a long time, he spoke with difficulty:
"My father...does he know about this?"
“He’s known that since the day he joined us.”
Ludovic came from the darkness, stretched out his hand, and held his shoulder: "Borja, this is why the Monks of the Holy See were born. And you will eventually be one of us."
"I see."
Borja nodded, his expression changed, and he finally made up his mind:
"I'll take care of it."
…
…
Ten minutes later, the adjournment ended.
But Judge Borja was five minutes late.
For the first time, Borja was late in court to show his authority, but there was a faint smell of something bad. When he hurried back to his seat, his expression had become solemn and solemn.
"The trial begins."
Borja banged the gavel.
In silence, everyone looked at him.
The trial has begun, but how to start? No one knew what to say, even Bastian looked stunned.
Aldrich asked: "Your Honor, is this senseless trial going to continue?"
"The facts of the case have not yet been clarified, a conclusion has not been drawn, and the trial is not over."
Borja was expressionless: "The procedure is as usual, just continue. This is not your first day in court. Do you want me to teach you how to do it?"
Aldrich frowned.
"Your Honor, I think the facts of the case have now come to light and we can reach a conclusion!" He asked solemnly: "Are you going to ignore Bishop Michel's testimony?"
In the silence that could hear the drop of a needle, Borja remained silent, facing everyone's gaze, and spoke again after a long time.
"The testimony of the witnesses has yet to be verified, and the testimony of one person alone is not enough to draw a conclusion. Without evidence alone, the case cannot be finalized."
He paused and said calmly: "Because the witness is involved in the case, he cannot appear in court purely as a witness. At the same time, he has not been registered under the tainted witness procedure. Therefore, before the testimony has been confirmed, the relevant testimony will not be accepted by this court."
In an instant, Aldrich's face turned livid.
Taint witness registration process
Just kidding, if you go to the seven departments of the Holy City with an inch-thick form half a month in advance to collect stamps and register as a tainted witness, it is the same as giving all your trump cards to the Yishin Monk Order in advance and letting Michel My testimony was stillborn.
The testimony of witnesses needs to be verified
So how to verify? By what procedure is it verified? How much time is needed
After ten days and a half, who would still remember this
The court has made it clear that Michelle's death will be put aside, waiting for it to slowly cool down, and finally be swept away from the past.
After a short period of time, Michelle's final sacrifice will disappear so quietly, leaving only a story for people to laugh at in the memories of a few people.
Aldrich clenched his fists and stared at Borja, with veins popping up on the back of his hands.
The worst thing happened!
If Borja originally wanted to maintain superficial fairness, now under the influence of the Holy Order, he has completely favored the prosecutor.
No matter how powerful the evidence is, he will not be able to gain any advantage. When the referees of a football match are bribed, there is no suspense about winning or losing.
What's more, this is not a stadium where both parties can do their best, but a court where the judge is supreme.
Now, Aldrich has no way to apply for a replacement judge.
If the Holy Wheel Court makes a ruling, there is no possibility of appealing even if you want to.
appeal? Where to appeal? The Holy Wheel Court already represents the highest apex of the world's judicial institutions, second only to the Pope's decree. But will the Pope grant a pardon to Ye Qingxuan
There's no way this is going to happen...
"I object!" Aldrich roared: "Bishop Michel's testimony..."
"invalid objection."
Borja interrupted him and said coldly: "Mr. Aldrich, I have warned you repeatedly, don't yell at the court. Someone, come and expel him."
The expressionless bailiff stepped forward, lifted Aldrich up, and dragged him away forcefully without allowing him to resist.
"absurd!"
Aldrich struggled and roared: "Where is the law! Where is the law! Borja, you will be nailed to the pillar of shame! Forever!"
The door slams shut.
There was dead silence.
Borja knocked the gavel: "The trial continues, suspect Ye Qingxuan, if you need to defend yourself, the court will appoint a new lawyer for you."
Maxwell looked livid.
He did not expect that Borja would so blatantly disregard justice and forcibly expel Aldrich.
Ye Qingxuan was silent, raised his eyes and stared at Borja, his eyes changed.
It's getting colder.
Maxwell put his hand on his forehead and couldn't help but feel a headache: Damn, a worse situation may be about to happen.
The trial continues.
Bastian wiped away his sweat, calmed down, and regained fighting spirit in his eyes: "Your honor, we have new physical evidence to submit. During the war in Auschwitz, Ye Qing..."
His words were interrupted by a voice coming from behind him.
It's Ye Qingxuan.
"Mr. Judge."
He raised his head and sighed softly: "There's no need to go to such trouble. Let's save each other some worries."
"Suspect, watch your words."
Borja frowned, "It's not your time to speak yet."
"Are you worried that I will reenact the scene in front of the Holy City Gate here?"
Ye Qingxuan asked back, and then smiled: "Don't worry, this is the court, I am the suspect, and the judge's status is supreme. There is no need to be so nervous, you see, it is still well chained here."
He raised his hand and shook his handcuffs. The handcuffs rubbed against each other and made a crisp sound.
In the silence, the sound was so harsh.
He stared into Borja's eyes and said softly: "Actually, at the beginning, I had already prepared to plead guilty and accepted the outcome of being hanged on the gallows. The premise is that in a In a fair trial. Not in this farcical show like now!"
There was a slight noise, and Borja knocked the gavel:
"Ye Qingxuan, watch your words. This is the last warning!"
But Ye Qingxuan's voice did not stop.
"I regret that there is not the justice and justice that I want here - I should have known that from the moment you put Miller on the stand."
"But it wasn't until Michelle died here that I discovered that there was nothing here that I wanted to seek. So, I changed my mind."
"Ye Qingxuan!"
Borja was furious: "Can't you learn to be reverent!"
"Sorry, Mr. Judge, I traveled all the way from south to north, and finally came to the Holy City. What I am looking for is not this high-sounding ghost thing."
Ye Qingxuan stared at him and said word by word: "Continue the trial, Mr. Judge, you can send all my friends here one by one and let them correct my crimes. But I hope you will understand that I will never I will admit defeat here. I will repay them a thousand times for the harm they suffered!"
"presumptuous!"
Borja roared: "Ye Qingxuan, this is the Holy Wheel Court. Do you dare to desecrate the holy emblem and sanctity? Come here! Suspects who disturb the order of the court will be punished with silence first!"
The gavel fell.
The bailiff rushed up, pushed Ye Qingxuan down, and struck him on the throat with a palm, making his vision black and almost unable to breathe. Then the heavy shackles were locked around his neck, almost crushing him. Get up.
The shackles locked his throat tightly, leaving only a brief gap for breathing.
Ye Qingxuan coughed violently, his voice blocked by the shackles, and he gasped silently.
"Mr. Borja, is this too rough?!" Maxwell stood up and questioned: "With all due respect, what you have done makes people doubt your impartiality."
"If you have any objections to my position, you can appeal to the Ministry of Pardons." Borja said coldly: "But in the Holy Wheel Court, the status of judges cannot be questioned. Warning once, Representative Angelou, you are today Enough prohibitions have been violated!"
The angry sword cry passed away in a flash, and was suppressed firmly.
Maxwell's face was ashen and he sat back in silence.
Beside him, Mr. Hu reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Be patient and don't be impatient."
He sighed softly: "There may not be a turning point."
Maxwell lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Bastian looked at Ye Qingxuan's embarrassed look with cold eyes, his eyes became mocking, and he was about to speak.
But he heard a commotion coming from outside the door.
Amidst the heavy footsteps, a man wearing a black robe and a strange lacquered gauze crown burst into the door.
The man had a fair complexion and no beard, his skin was like a virgin, and his eyes were dark. He pushed the bailiff guarding the door away and walked through the door with a loud voice, saying in a high-pitched voice:
"Look at what you are like, how dare you stop my father-in-law!"
In the astonished eyes of everyone, dozens of guards wearing black armor, black clothes, and long swords filed in behind him, and unexpectedly broke into the Holy Wheel Court.
The sudden change made everyone stunned and dumbfounded.
But the man looked around, examining everyone's appearance, but there were too many people, and he couldn't see them for a while. He was suddenly dazzled and called out:
"Where is the Marquis? Who is Ye Xiaohou?"
In silence, no one responded.
He was stunned for a moment, and his eyes lit up as he fell on the jury seat.
"Mr. Hu, you can make it easy for me to find you! I got here at noon today and have been looking for you for a long time!"
"Sorry, sorry, something happened."
Mr. Hu suddenly became embarrassed, coughed, stood up, and walked over: "Eunuch Zhao, why are so many people coming here? This is a holy city, Your Majesty, you are not allowed to act like this, right?"
"Mr. Hu, you have to make the decision for our family!"
Eunuch Zhao grabbed his sleeve, his expression suddenly so excited that he was about to cry.