Chapter 1386: Chapter 98: Reforging Home and Country (25)

The subject of the third trial — the silver-haired officer with a ponytail strolled into the grand council hall, calmly observing the strangers seated in the tiered seating around him, his demeanor not that of a prisoner of war in shackles, but rather a gladiator stepping into the arena.

The freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land were also scrutinizing the stranger on the trial seat.

Tall, handsome, composed, silent, appearing weary yet dignified, clothes worn yet tidy, figure frail yet imposing — these were the first impressions most freemen had of the silver-haired officer.

Just as beautiful women receive unearned grace in social settings, the silver-haired officer, in silence, garnered much favor among the freemen.

“The defendant.” Colonel Skool broke the silence. Compared to the indifference and harshness he showed in the first two trials, the colonel’s attitude was softer this time: “Are you the former Major of the Republic of Palatu’s Army — Gaspar Berent?”

Upon hearing such a formal inquiry, the silver-haired officer first raised an eyebrow in confusion, but then quickly understood, a smile flickering at the corners of his mouth: “I am now a ‘Colonel’, Your Honor. And besides, I thought we knew each other over a decade ago, senior.”

“Answer the court’s question.” Colonel Skool’s face showed not a trace of a smile.

“Alright, alright.”

The silver-haired officer shrugged helplessly, placing his right hand on his chest and bowing to the freemen around him, as if introducing himself: “Former Major of the Army, Gaspar Berent’, that’s me, indeed.”

This act won him some more favor in the hearts of the Newly Reclaimed Land freemen.

After all, compared to the prior three “disgraced” defendants, the silver-haired officer had already won at the starting line with his graceful demeanor, stirring sympathy among the freemen and making it difficult for them to shout the classic slogan aloud.

However, the next moment, the silver-haired officer’s words took a sharp turn, astonishing the crowd.

He lowered his hand, stood proudly above the courtroom, and declared loudly: “But I am not the lapdog of that ‘Republic’ in Kingsfort, I am a soldier of the Rainbow Creek Military Council! My allegiance belongs to the Republic’s Marshal — Alpad Duyome!”

Upon hearing the silver-haired officer’s self-proclamation, the freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land awakened as if from a dream, yet were bewildered.

The awakening was because people finally understood who the silver-haired officer on the trial seat was — he was the Blue Rose officer who occupied Bazenaur and ignited the civil war within the Newly Reclaimed Land;

The bewilderment was because people could not understand why the Blue Rose officer was also brought to the trial seat — weren’t Rainbow Creek and the “New Legion” in cahoots?

…

[Iron Peak County Seating Area]

Nandor was utterly confused: “What’s going on? Tried the Red Rose, now they’re trying the Blue Rose too?”

“Got it backwards.” Richard of Blackwater Town wore a mysterious expression: “It’s because they want to try ‘Rainbow Creek’, so they must first try ‘Kingsfort’.”

“Brother.” Nandor smacked his lips, smiling bitterly: “I understand each word you’re saying, but why can’t I make sense of them together?”

“Just watch.” Richard glanced at Nandor, then at the equally puzzled old Dusack: “The first two trials were merely ‘private hearings’, this third trial is the real ‘public execution’.”

…

[In the Courtroom]

“Gaspar Berent, since your identity has been verified, I will inform you of the court’s basic information and your rights.”

Colonel Skool’s expression was solemn: “This is the Freemen’s Special Court, established under the rights granted by the Alliance Charter. I am the prosecutor, also the chief judge. All the freemen present are jury judges, and they will jointly decide your guilt. Gaspar Berent, are you aware of why you were brought to the Freemen’s Special Court?”

“Your Honor, if you’re asking why I’m here in a literal sense, I can answer you.” Gaspar glanced slyly at a certain ugly fellow seated in the front row to his right: “I was captured after a hard-won siege battle, attacked by what I thought was a friendly force, and then brought here.”

In the Mont Blanc County Seating Area, Colonel Gessa crossed his arms and snorted coldly.

Gaspar nodded elegantly to Colonel Gessa, then continued: “As for the real question of ‘why I was brought to your court’? I know nothing, and I fear the freemen in the hall are just as bewildered as I am.”

With that, Gaspar bent slightly, bowing to the judge’s bench: “So, I ask you to tell me the answer.”

“You are accused of participating in secession, attempting to overthrow the republican system, organizing, planning, and executing an armed rebellion.” Colonel Skool left a long pause after each charge, slowly informing the other: “Gaspar Berent, you are charged with treason.”

At these words, the freemen on the jury were stunned into silence, while Gaspar himself merely slightly frowned.

“Gaspar Berent.” Colonel Skool asked sternly: “Do you plead guilty?”

“In this life, I have committed many sins, drinking, lusting, lying, pride… I would not deny them, may God bless me.” Gaspar made the sign of the cross nonchalantly, then withdrew his smile: “Except the charge of ‘treason’, I cannot agree to that.”

Facing all the freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land, Gaspar Berent resolutely gave his answer: “I plead not guilty!”