episode_0196

Lucius’s trial date.

Normally, I would not have been able to attend because I was too busy running state affairs, but I decided to attend Lucius’ trial.

He quietly sat in the audience accompanied by a small number of bodyguards.

Since I did not give any word to the court, they probably don’t know that I am observing.

When you think like that.

– Citizens of the Empire in the audience, the judge is entering. Please everyone please stand up.

The judge enters the courtroom.

Soon the judge sat down on the bench.

As the audience and those involved in the trial began to take their seats…

-Also, since His Majesty the Emperor will be specially attending today’s trial, I hope everyone will stand up and pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor.

Is Theodora also attending?

With that thought in mind, I looked behind me at the entrance to the courthouse. Theodora, Sabinelli, and the armed soldiers guarding them follow them in.

And soon.

Theodora places a chair behind the judge and sits on the platform behind the judge.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, nice to meet you. My name is Judge Ulysse.”

A judge who looks to be in his 50s bows his head to Theodora.

“Okay, I don’t know if Jim showed up for no reason during the busy trial.”

To those words, Ulysse hurriedly responds, waving her hand.

“No. It is rather a blessing to the empire that His Majesty is so interested in the trial.”

Theodora says those words with a bright smile.

“Thank you so much for saying that, so let’s hold the trial quickly.”

When Theodora says so, the judge sits down and conducts the trial.

“Defendant, please enter the court.”

When the judge shouted that, Lucius was tied up with a rope and dragged out by the soldiers…

A familiar man appears together…

“Müller?”

Mueller sits in the lawyer’s chair.

– Again, again…

And a young woman in her mid-20s sits at the prosecution table wearing high heels.

“Now then, the prosecution should explain the charges against the defendant.”

At the judge’s words, the prosecutor stands up and speaks.

“Lucius, while he was serving as the Archduke’s Secretary to the Archduchy, his father Marius accepted a bribe from his friend Yom and asked Lucius to forge official documents, and Lucius responded by obtaining a false Ministry of Intelligence certification and giving it to Yom. no see. Therefore, in this case, a high-ranking public official forged an official document and accepted a personal favor, and is seeking the death penalty, the maximum punishment under the law.”

Listening to her, I heard about the Lucius incident before coming here, so I knew this in advance.

However, as I was expecting about 30 to 40 years in prison, I am a little worried that they might seek the death penalty.

The fact that the sentence is a prison sentence itself means that the prosecution proposes an appropriate punishment to the defendant, so it does not result in a direct judgment, but I think the death penalty under imperial law is a bit excessive.

“Does the defendant admit to the charges?”

Lucius nods at the judge’s words.

“Yes, I admit it.”

The judge nods at Lucius’ words.

“ Since the charge is acknowledged, I think all we have to do is confirm the punishment. Does the defense attorney agree with this?”

At those words, Mueller stands up and speaks.

“I admit to the charge, but I am not admitting guilt. Request a hearing.”

The judge frowns at Mueller’s bizarre words.

Saying that you admit to having committed a crime but are not guilty seems similar to saying that you drank and drove, but did not drive drunk.

“What does that mean? I don’t understand that admitting the charges does not mean admitting guilt. Also, what kind of hearing are you requesting?”

“We request a hearing regarding the defendant’s motive for the crime.”

The moment the crime is confirmed, a hearing is requested regarding the motive for the crime.

What a waste of time!

There is no way a smart Müller would waste time like that.

“Bio agrees with the prosecution’s hearing?”

The prosecution shakes its head at the judge’s words.

“The defendant has already admitted to the crime. I think it’s a waste of time.”

I have the exact same thoughts, but Mueller comes forward and speaks.

“Respected judges and fair jurors. The defendant has now admitted to the crime. However, the prosecution is currently in a hurry to seek harsh punishment by seeking the death penalty, the maximum penalty in court. Therefore, for a fair trial, the defendant must be given the opportunity to defend himself. Therefore, I request the judge to consider the defendant’s motive for the crime.”

One thing is certain: Cheongsanyusugun.

Mueller has always had extraordinary verbal skills and logic.

“I will accept the lawyer’s argument. The defense attorney should proceed with the hearing.”

Following the judge’s words, Mueller comes to the witness stand and speaks.

“Defendant, the defendant fully knew that forgery of official documents was a serious crime. Even knowing that, why would you commit such a big crime?”

Lucius lowers his head and says at Müller’s words.

“That was… for my father.”

“Why is forging official documents for my father?”

At that moment, the prosecution steps forward and raises an objection.

“Now the defense attorney is trying to prevent a fair trial by appealing to the jurors’ emotions.”

Mueller steps forward and speaks in response to the prosecution’s words.

“The prosecution’s argument is strange. There is not a single line in this investigation record about the defendant’s motive. I haven’t been a lawyer for long, but this is the first time I’ve seen the defendant’s motive excluded from the prosecution’s investigation. The prosecution has no choice but to accept this as an intentional omission or mistake. At first I thought it was a mistake, but now I see it was left out on purpose. This is a matter that could be considered a crime of deception by the court and is a crime that undermines the defendant’s right to defense.”

The prosecution urgently argues in response to Mueller’s words.

“How does motive matter when the crime has been legally confirmed? Legally, he forged an official document, which he admitted. Also, since the official document was used for smuggling, the highest penalty would obviously be imposed.”

Mueller nods his head and smiles wryly at the prosecutor’s words.

“Maybe the prosecution’s argument is correct. However, in determining the punishment, the defendant’s motive for the crime is an important part, and if this part is intentionally omitted, it is an offense. In other words, I earnestly request that the wise judge reveal what the prosecution intentionally omitted.”

The judge furrows his brows at Mueller’s words, lost in thought, and then opens his mouth.

“The prosecution’s objection is dismissed. Counsel, please resume the hearing. Also, Prosecutor Aria knows that there will be an internal reprimand after this trial.”

The prosecutor frowns at those words.

After receiving the judge’s approval, Mueller continues.

“Defendant, why did you commit a crime because of your father?”

Lucius hesitates and speaks at Müller’s words.

“The story is a little long, is it okay?”

“Let’s talk first.”

That’s how Lucius’ story progresses.

Lucius’s father, Marius, owes a great debt to Yom.

When Yom was forced out on the street, he made an earnest request to Marius, and Lucius, who knew that his father was in debt to Yom, had no choice but to accept Yom’s request because he felt his father’s great guilt if he could not help. I get lost in thought while listening to the argument.

After Lucius’s testimony is over, Müller comes forward and speaks.

This is “ or more.”

I think about this as I watch Mueller enter the defense box with a relaxed expression.

‘This is why I chose the jury system.’

At first, I didn’t know why I chose the jury system.

But… an empire with a patriarchal social structure.

The fact that a son committed a great crime to repay his father’s emotional debt would be perceived differently by the people of the empire.

Maybe they’ll think of their son at home.

In Korea, just as we consider virtuous women, filial sons are supported religiously and socially.

-It’s perfect.

-That’s right, I wish Maximus at my house was like that.

-Tsk tsk… It’s for the head of the family, but the death penalty is too harsh.

When the jury hears the conversation, the prosecutor speaks urgently.

“Dear jurors, although the author may be filial, he disturbed the public order of the empire. No matter how filial you are, you must not cause harm to others. In particular, Yom smuggles platinum to make illegal gold coins…”

for a moment? platinum?

platinum…

Here, platinum is treated as a waste metal, but in modern times, it is a rare metal that is so precious in chemical engineering that it is used in many places.

That’s not all. When making precious metals and matching them with jewelry, it is much more popular than gold due to its unique shine and luster.

In addition… Recently, a huge amount of platinum is required in the fertilizer process, but there is no way to obtain platinum, so it cannot be obtained.

Because there is no platinum in the Old World. So far, platinum mines have been confirmed only in the New World.

However, this does not mean that it can be easily obtained in the New World.

The United Kingdom, concerned about the use of platinum to make counterfeit currency, is not selling it and is throwing all of it into the sea.

That’s why it’s difficult to tell my uncle that I want to buy platinum…

If I buy platinum, a metal that is virtually trash here, I will definitely have to explain its purpose.

That’s because platinum is a metal that is synonymous with currency counterfeiting here.

Then, information about fertilizer development will flow to the United Kingdom, so it is not easy to talk about it.

Therefore, it was difficult to obtain platinum, which causes various catalytic reactions.

You found platinum?

Does platinum exist in the Old World?

The trial is not important now.

I stand up, look at the prosecutor, and shout.

“Wait! There is an objection to the trial. Where did you get the platinum? And what happened to platinum?”

When I shout during the trial, Lucius, Müller, and Theodora look surprised.

“Be quiet! Quiet! Making a fuss in the courtroom can get you ejected. Once you’ll get a warning, but if you make a fuss in the sacred courtroom again…”

As the judge glared at me and warned me, Theodora, who was sitting at the head table behind him, spoke softly.

“Judge Ulys. I don’t know why he is here, but… he is Jim’s companion.”

Ulysse quickly turns her head and looks up at Theodora.

“Your Majesty… If you are His Majesty’s pet…?”

Theodora nods with a bright smile, looking at the perplexed Ulysse.

“Yes, he is the Archduke of Francesco and the state book of this empire.”

As she says that, she says it with a smile that cannot hide her beauty, as if she knew I would come here.

“What does the Archduke do? Without coming to the seat next to me?”

I nod my head at her words.