CHAPTER 521: -43- TRIAL OF THE THIRD PRINCE

This was Charlotte’s first time seeing so many Kingdom nobles.

The entire venue housed over six hundred nobles, all directly serving the Kingdom either as landed nobles or unlanded court nobles.

It was also the first time Charlotte felt the depth of New Moon Kingdom.

The participating six hundred-plus Kingdom nobles were all Transcendents; even the weakest among them held the Starry Rank, and the vast majority were of the Silver Moon Rank. From just sensing their auras, there might be over seventy individuals at the Blazing Sun Rank.

Above them, there were three auras that Charlotte found particularly dangerous.

Those were from Legendary figures.

Among them, one of the legends was Duke Bowat, the third-seated, while the other two were a Marquis and a court noble.

Among these three legends, Duke Bowat took a seat in the Duke’s section, while the other two legends did not take their seats, but instead sat at separate chairs on one side of the venue.

Those were seats for the Legendary rank, including a seat for Duke Bowat, but compared to his Legendary status, the Duke evidently valued his Duke’s title more.

Charlotte noticed that there were four seats reserved for the Legendary rank; apart from Duke Bowat, one remained empty, likely unattended by the rumored chief mage of New Moon, deeply invested in magic research, Engelhardt.

When King Louis V and the Great Priest of New Moon entered the venue, all nobles instinctively stood and paid their respects:

"Your Majesty... Great Priest..."

"Your Majesty... Great Priest..."

"..."

Charlotte followed suit, quietly assessing the king on the high platform.

New Moon King Louis V appeared as an awe-inspiringly regal elderly man.

He was dressed in luxurious royal robes, his golden crown glittering under the crystal lights, and his curly grey hair added a touch of rugged grandeur.

Though his face showed signs of aging, his black eyes held a sharp gleam.

As his gaze swept across the venue, everyone involuntarily quieted down, no one daring to meet his eyes.

Charlotte couldn’t tell if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Louis V’s gaze lingered slightly on her before moving on.

"Please be seated."

King Louis V nodded to everyone.

The king took his seat first, followed by the dukes and Legendary figures; only after these high ranks had seated did the remaining nobles take their seats.

A rustling of chairs later, the venue fell silent again.

Louis V’s gaze swept over the crowd once more, and his old but commanding voice followed:

"It’s about time, Lord Anlo, begin."

Upon receiving the king’s command, Moon Guardian Duke rose, bowed, and took his place.

He ascended the platform, taking the speaker’s seat, and spoke solemnly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am John de Anlo, Moon Guardian Duke and speaker of the thirty-ninth session of the Kingdom’s Central Council."

"This session is the eightieth-third special session of the Kingdom’s Central Council, proposed by Duke Aurore and approved after an urgent review by the cabinet."

"The agenda for this session is a noble joint trial for Lord Philip de Valva, the Third Prince of New Moon, suspected of colluding with the Blood Demon Church, blatantly defying the Holy Code and the Kingdom’s Royal Authority Contract. According to Chapter nine, article eighteen of the Holy Code, the Noble Council has the right to administrate a joint noble trial and judgment upon Philip de Valva..."

After finishing, the Moon Guardian Duke paused and said:

"Bring Lord Philip de Valva forward."

Soon, fully armed Royal Knights brought the restrained Prince Philip, endowed with Transcendent powers, to the front.

This was the second time Charlotte had seen Prince Philip.

Compared to his previously spirited appearance, he now looked much more haggard and despondent, his whole demeanor seemed lost.

His hair was unkempt; his gaze distant until he passed by Charlotte, where his eyes briefly regained clarity. A burst of anger flared in his eyes, and he involuntarily stopped.

"Charlotte... De Castel!"

He bit out the words almost through clenched teeth.

Charlotte slightly furrowed her brows.

Yet, she didn’t engage him.

"Lord Philip de Valva, this is the Central Council, please remain quiet," the Moon Guardian Duke said sternly, frowning slightly.

Prince Philip glared, wanting to say something, but after glancing at King Louis V, whose emotions were unreadable on the platform, he eventually restrained himself.

The Moon Guardian Duke paid no heed to the resentful gaze of the prince.

After the Royal Knights forcibly seated him in the defendant’s area, the Duke picked up a gavel and struck the table:

"The suspect is in place, now... I hereby declare, the noble joint trial against Third Prince Philip de Valva of New Moon...begins now!"

...

This was Charlotte’s first time attending a noble joint trial in the New Moon Kingdom.

After announcing the start of the trial, the Moon Guardian Duke unrolled a scroll, listing one by one the charges arrayed against the Third Prince by the Noble Council.

Seizing noble property, violating the Royal Authority Contract, colluding with the Blood Demon Church, subverting the Kingdom’s political power, mistreating Bloodline Nobles, murdering Kingdom vassals, desecrating holy matrimony, trafficking women and children...

One by one, the counts were numerous and graver than Charlotte had imagined. The nobles clearly had prepared extensive materials, supporting each charge with substantial evidence, even witness testimonies were present.