Once, the nobility were high above, untouchable and immune to judgment. Now, however, they can be easily shackled by a group of commoners, and many present showed hostility towards Luo Jin.

"Mr. Mayor, let me first introduce the progress of the case investigation to the councilors and jurors." Luo Jin said calmly.

For an old member of the Night Patrol, this was routine. As long as there wasn't definitive evidence, even the neutral faction would stand on Montreal's side.

Kathy was very nervous, her palms sweating. Even the Chief Bishop couldn't help at this moment. But looking at the calm Luo Jin, Kathy found him quite charming.

Luo Jin methodically and clearly outlined the recent Lickers and Inhalers cases, "Our Night Patrol investigated the files and tracked the Fallen's personal circumstances. They are almost all related to Viscount Montreal, either borrowing high-interest loans from him or having worked in his enterprises."

"Captain Luo Jin, accusing a noble of high-interest lending is an insult and a defamation. Do you have evidence?" Mayor Ambolat asked.

Luo Jin nodded, "Yes, there are both testimonial and material evidence; all are in the documents before you and can be rechecked at the Night Patrol anytime. However, this is not the focus of the case. What I want to say is that all Lickers and Inhalers are linked to Viscount Montreal. One or two might be coincidences, but all recent years' cases being linked can't be explained by mere coincidence.

"Captain Luo Jin, your statements are imprecise. The Lin Family case that shocked Celestial Capital six years ago had nothing to do with Viscount Montreal." Someone among the councilors said, stirring up a discussion.

"The Lin Family case from six years ago was not only related but significantly so, because at that time all of Lin Family's properties ended up in Viscount Montreal's possession, yet six years ago, the Viscount was on the brink of bankruptcy and didn't have the means to acquire them." Luo Jin said.

Immediately, the room erupted in discussion. This event indeed caused a great storm at the time. On one side, the Lin Family was indeed known as wealthy merchants, on the other, it was terribly tragic then. The Fallen rarely hunted in broad daylight; they are cunning, usually ambushing, and always acting at night.

The properties left by the Lin Family naturally attracted many covetous eyes, and it was finally publicly auctioned by City Hall at a high price and had many conditions to meet. In the end, only Viscount Montreal was suitable. There weren't no suspicions, but such things have existed since ancient times; they are common. Without vested interests, who would want to speak out?

"Captain Luo Jin, the acquisition of Lin Family's property was managed by City Hall, publicly and fairly, with clear prices. I paid sufficient Lira, as for where they came from, that is my personal privacy. Even if it's picked up or fell from the sky, it has nothing to do with you nor needs to be explained to anyone." Montreal said calmly, "A clear tenet of the kingdom's constitution is to protect any legitimate citizen's property and privacy. My house may admit wind and rain, but not a King."

"Well said, Viscount, provided that the citizen is legitimate. What I just wanted to say is that the Lin Family case is also directly related to you because you are the ultimate beneficiary," Luo Jin said, "It's rumored in the streets that your funds came from your wife's family, but in fact, your wife's Alsey Clan's fleet encountered a hurricane and was completely destroyed, already bankrupt and heavily in debt, so you couldn't have produced such enormous funds."

The people in the hall were whispering to each other, which meant that these Fallen were trained by some organization. Such organizations have a term in the Church: Cult.

The Fallen and Cults are considered the most severe crimes akin to treason, no matter the country.

Luo Jin did not explicitly say it, but he was trying to provoke thought among everyone present.

The City Hall was suddenly in an uproar, "Silence!"

Knock knock knock~~~

With Ambolat's gavel, the City Hall quieted down again, "Captain Luo Jin, are you suggesting that the Fallen cases currently appearing in Celestial Capital are organized?"

"Yes, Mr. Mayor. After arresting Philmy, we in the Night Patrol used various methods. Philmy indeed did not disclose the mastermind, but the case doesn't lie. His attack on the Night Patrol was to cover for someone at a specific time, and he had interactions with previously appeared Fallen. This isn't a coincidence; the mastermind is among us in City Hall!" Luo Jin said, "Councilors, the second section of the files on your desks is a detailed record of the entire interrogation process, with key sentences highlighted for your reference and judgment."

The fact that Philmy, left with only half his body, didn't drag Montreal down was very surprising, but under some duress, Philmy did express intense emotions, such as "Do you believe I will eventually return to the city openly?" "The Night Patrol can never find out" "You dogs dare to interfere in your master's business?" "Sooner or later you'll be worse off than me" "Mind your own business and don't cross the line"...

Single statements weren't enough to explain anything, but linking all previous events inclined towards something organized. If someone says Montreal has no problems, no one present would believe it.

Of course, belief, in this case, isn't the deciding factor amid positions and interests.

"Captain Luo Jin, all current evidence is speculative and inferential, and unrelated to the core of this trial. Presumed innocence must be upheld; Viscount Montreal himself has no issues, and in these seven days of detention, there hasn't been a single problem from the Viscount!"

"Indeed, this is framing and slander, an insult to the nobility and a tarnishing of the Li Long Constitution!"

"Using words to convict, acting at will, the Night Patrol becomes increasingly lawless!"

It didn't even require a glance from Zhao Xun; those in the camp began to make noise...

Knock knock knock...

"Silence!" Viscount Ambolat's gavel sounded, "Presumed innocence doesn't include cult charges. For covert matters, we must respect the Church's judgment. However, for this reason, we must be cautious not to wrong the innocent. Captain Luo Jin, if you have substantive evidence, present it; if not, we'll proceed to a public vote."

"Mr. Mayor, due to the severity and complexity of the case, I request a public vote to extend Viscount Montreal's detention period, as this concerns every citizen of Celestial Capital, including everyone present's safety." Luo Jin said.

Ambolat looked at Montreal, "Viscount Montreal, do you have anything to say?"

"Respected Mr. Mayor, fellow councilors, and jurors, it's with misfortune in my family that I feel deeply guilty and incredibly saddened. I am a father; he was my only beloved son. I didn't provide him with a public and just identity; that was my mistake, but the child was kind and excellent from a young age, graduated with excellent marks from Canon Law School, entered the Knight Order, held himself to knightly honor, and was diligent. I believe he was framed. I will never let the real killer go unpunished!" Montreal's eyes were red, his voice emotional and sincere, facing everyone candidly.

After a few seconds of silence, he looked at Luo Jin, "I deeply understand Captain Luo Jin's intolerance of evil, so I fully cooperated with the previous investigation without complaint, but he got the direction wrong, acting arbitrarily, which only pleases the enemy and pains friends, letting the real culprit escape justice. The Li Long Kingdom has moved towards the rule of law, and no one can act recklessly, judging by their own feelings. Today it's me, tomorrow it might be any one of you. I deny all charges but respect City Hall's judgment."

Montreal's voice carried sorrow and strength in its depth.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a father who lost his child. Philmy was a standout nurtured by the Canon Law School, guarding Celestial Capital in the Knight Order. He had a bright future. Why would such a person fall? Could there be other factors? Someone deliberately creating troubles to gain more power? I hope all councilors consider carefully!" A councilor from Zhao Xun's faction stood up and spoke passionately.

"Nonsense, the Night Patrol are the most devout followers of the Moon God. How can you shamelessly question these martyrs!"

"Precisely because they've dealt with too many mysterious incidents; what if they're tainted, what if they fall? Can you assure the Night Patrol won't fall?"

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.