Chapter 175: Chapter 141 Trial_2
"Eh? Lord Long Yi, please calm down, I didn’t mean to disrespect you! Hey, Lord Long Yi, don’t pull me! Oh, it hurts, it hurts! Lord Long Yi, what are you doing, why are we heading towards the window? We’re on the third floor! Oh no, Lord Long Yi, please don’t throw me! I’m afraid of heights! Ahhh—"
Splat!
A man was tossed onto a tree, shattering numerous branches before he finally hit the ground. He groaned for a while before noticing that he had alerted the night patrol in the dormitory area. He stumbled to his feet and limped away.
"Hmph, trying to buy me off? I, Long Yi, am an emissary of justice! A role model for humanity!" Long Yi shamelessly sang his own praises.
Early the next morning at the dining hall, Long Yi recounted last night’s events to Ai Lin. Outraged, Ai Lin vehemently supported Long Yi’s actions. To a womanizer like Joseph, she wished she could break his legs!
After breakfast, Long Yi found the dean, who greatly resembled Gandalf, and asked for a leave of absence. Upon hearing that Long Yi wanted to uphold justice, the dean readily agreed. Moreover, Ai Lin, known for her continuous advancement in class and top-notch academic performance, didn’t need to be forcibly kept at the academy.
So, that day, Long Yi and Ai Lin set off for the Imperial City. Upon hearing the news, Wesley and the cook, Brother Mosquito, were both heartbroken. Look at them, with good grades, they could take leave whenever they wanted! Not that we’re not talented, but why do we feel so inferior when compared to them?
Therefore, the three of them pushed themselves even harder, vying silently in their hearts. Even if they couldn’t compete with Long Yi and Ai Lin, they would still aim to be number one in their class!
As a result, the trio’s abilities improved dramatically in a short amount of time.
Upon arrival in the Imperial City, the two of them as usual, stayed at the General’s Mansion. However, General Kai Long was not in the mansion at the time, as he was on official duty. After a day’s stay, the representative of the joint plaintiffs came directly to explain the current situation to Long Yi, hinting that there will be recognition if they succeed in sentencing Joseph. Yet, Long Yi outright refused this blatant act of bribery, explaining that his motivation to become a witness is rooted in his conscience and strong sense of justice, not money. He even told them that he rejected Hagrid’s previous offer of 300,000 gold coins and a mansion.
As a result, the representative of the joint plaintiffs left with an expression that spoke volumes but was unspoken.
Next, it was time to wait for the trial to begin.
There was a grand building in the Imperial City, located directly in front of the Imperial Palace. The peak of this building surpassed that of the Imperial Council Hall, making it the only public building in the Imperial City taller than the Council Hall. This was the Grand Court - the most authoritative body for the crafting and execution of laws in the White Dragon Empire.
Although this matter was not significant enough to concern the Grand Court, the joint plaintiffs insisted on coming to this most fair and just place in the White Dragon Empire. For this, they paid a hefty deposit - although the losing party would eventually foot the bill. The aim of the joint plaintiffs was clear, they wanted to amplify the situation until it was known to all, tarnishing the Hagrid family.
This wasn’t just a simple lawsuit. There was a ring of interconnected interests driving it from behind.
In his previous life, Long Yi had only been to a military court as a spectator. That building was small and gloomy. This court, however, was mighty, facing the sun with a blindfolded White Dragon at its peak. The dragon held scales in one claw; in one pan lay a human heart, and an open book symbolic of the law in the other.
As a witness, Long Yi couldn’t stand there watching indefinitely. He followed the lawyer for the joint plaintiffs into the court. They walked through the corridors until they were faced with two large golden doors.
"Sorry Mr. Long Yi, please wait here a bit. Once we enter, there are some procedures we need to go through." said the short lawyer, wiping sweat off his forehead. It was only April, yet he was already sweating so much, showing how nervous he was.
Long Yi nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Ai Lin was starting to tremble uncontrollably.
"Don’t be afraid." Long Yi grabbed Alli’s hand and said softly.
"I-I’m not scared, it’s just this place, it feels kind of scary." Ai Lin whispered, moving closer to Long Yi.
"That is the majesty of the law, people will only truly restrict their actions when they fear it. Neither morality nor self-restraint can do this." said Long Yi.
"So... if even a small mistake results in an immediate beheading, wouldn’t there be no crime ever?" Ai Lin asked.
"Then every small crime would escalate into murder. Look, if stealing an apple and slaughtering a family both bear the same consequences, how many more thugs would there be in this world? This is the issue of crime cost", Long Yi explained as per his understanding.
Intelligent as she was, Ai Lin understood his point perfectly after a hint. She nodded her head and began to ponder seriously.
