Chapter 1039: Chapter 452: Another Traitor Captured
Mogiana’s room is naturally the best in the monastery, but the furnishings are very simple, almost identical to Laine’s tent—a bed, a cabinet, and an already somewhat decayed wooden desk with a lit candle. Mogiana is evidently writing something, with a quill placed in an ink bottle.
A black magic book has been purified by Mogiana with the divine power of the Lake Fairy. The book is sealed in holy water, fixed with some kind of magic spell, and the cover reads Heinrich Kemler, clearly indicating it’s Kemler’s magic book or work notes. Laine took an interested peek but had no intention of delving deep: "I thought you’d attend the victory banquet, Your Highness."
Sleek golden hair like silk cascaded down Mogiana’s shoulders; seeing Laine enter, the Lake God Witch cast a magic spell on the room door. Hearing Laine’s comment, the Lake God Witch frowned, her tone icy cold: "Would they celebrate like that if I were there?"
"...True enough." Lane thought for a while, then smiled wryly. Mogiana was right; Francois could celebrate freely with his subordinates, but once Mogiana appeared, the atmosphere would undoubtedly turn icy.
"The smell of wine on you is heavy..." The Lake God Witch showed a slightly disdainful expression on her oval face, gesturing for Laine to sit: "Enough, this victory is very good, very good. Sit down."
"Well, is there something?" Laine was aware of his indulgence in drinking, so he directly sat and spoke straightforwardly.
Mogiana first glanced towards the door, then checked the windows, ensuring there were no issues before her icy demeanor gradually thawed. Today, the Lake God Witch wore a long gown of fairy purple sweet yam velvet ribbed silk and white stiletto heels. She relaxed her expression slightly, sat on her bed, and took off her high heels: "There’s something I want your opinion on, Laine, regarding Duke Theodoric’s punishment reduction, what’s your take?"
Her legs, obscured under the gown with a vague outline, stretched slightly forward. Mogiana was wearing flesh-colored stockings today, the stocking on her small foot forming a vague wrinkle at the ankle, crystalline feet wrapped like white jade polished by sheer gauze, toenails painted pink and neatly aligned, gently swaying in front of Laine.
Laine touched his chin, thought for a moment, then said: "So you’re planning to reduce Duke Theodoric’s punishment?"
"Some reduction is necessary. Regardless, Theodoric played an exemplary role in this war. This was not his war, yet he participated. The war didn’t require him to charge personally, yet he did so with all his might to attack Kemler, nearly dying." Mogiana addressed Laine: "Emotionally and rationally, I must make some gesture."
"So... acquittal?" Laine said with a smile.
"Not quite, but I plan to let him continue reflecting in seclusion for one to two years, after which he can return to Borelion Duchy and resume his dukedom. Rules are rules." Mogiana sat on the soft bed, asking: "What’s your opinion?"
"Duke Theodoric’s support, overall, can be seen as opportunistic, but we can’t deny his effort. His personal moral issues are one aspect, and his bravery in the war is another." Laine thought and said: "Since this is the case, let’s suspend the sentence to two years."
"Yet the knights of the Kingdom still harbor substantial prejudice against Theodoric. After sentencing him, many knights from Borelion Duchy expressed dissatisfaction with my judgment, and some dukes think Theodoric deserves heavier punishment or even should abdicate." Mogiana expressed her concern, clearly showing that public opinion does not stand on the side of sentence reduction, with many believing if Theodoric is released like this, he’s bound to reoffend.
Laine shook his head: "Mogiana, you can’t think like this."
He proactively reached out to hold Mogiana’s small hand, and explained the issues involved.
Rules are rules, the Lake God Witch sent Duke Theodoric to Bastogne Monastery for reflection partly to keep him away from his old life and political whirlpools, acting as a form of protection, and partly to make him reflect and make amends, also as a form of punishment.
Whether Theodoric truly repented was only briefly mentioned; Laine doubted he hadn’t. But his act of penance was successful and commendable, embodying the sacrificial and honor spirit of the knightly path.
He successfully turned the tide of battle, and nearly got killed by Guer; to atone, he led the charge at great personal risk.
This was what Theodoric sought, and he achieved it, thus Mogiana must consider reducing punishment.
Laine, in previous lives, saw many "cloud judges" glance at a case, and heatedly launched into a "cloud judgment", quick-spouting death penalties, dissatisfied means death penalty.
Or, looking for reasons and excuses under the guise of mercy and pity, desperately wanting that acquittal.
Every time he saw this he found it laughable, it was almost akin to what another country’s warriors once believed—make a mistake, a slight apology ends it, something major is solved simply by self-disembowelment.
