novelburst
Chapter 109 : Imperial judge (2)
Chapter 109 : Imperial judge (2)
"Greetings to all citizens of the city. My name is Raguel Leyton, imperial judge, by order of the emperor, we will initiate the trial," his voice resonated throughout the room, cold and devoid of emotion.
Observing attentively, I noticed he had his eyes covered with a golden mantle.
The moment of the trial unfolded with the solemnity befitting such proceedings, and just as the judge was about to pronounce the corresponding crimes and sentences, a disturbing entrance interrupted the flow of the room. Through a side door burst fifty disheveled and emaciated figures, whose appearance was a living testament to suffering and despair.
These individuals, dressed in rags and with faces as pallid as marble, radiated a palpable fear that enveloped the room. With each step, their bodies trembled, and their clothes soaked in sweat betrayed the burden they felt. It was evident that, in the presence of an imperial judge, their fate was already sealed: the chances of escaping their sentence were nil, nonexistent, and they knew it.
The judge continued with his task undeterred, meticulously reviewing each piece of evidence presented, reading the documents with astonishing precision and clarity. How did they manage to read if it was said they were blinded to the sight of people?
This mystery only added an aura of enigma to the already impressive aura of authority projected by these imperial judges, but rumors say that the magic in their eyes actually prevents them from seeing people but other things they can see.
With each word uttered by the imperial judge, the air in the room became charged with a dense atmosphere of bleak despair. The accused grew increasingly pallid and trembling, their faces marked by anguish as their legs faltered under the pressure of the impending trial.
Some, prey to panic, knelt down begging for mercy, but the judge remained unfazed, his countenance impassive and serene in the face of the spectacle unfolding before him.
Hours passed, and one by one, the victims had the opportunity to express their version of events. At times, the chilling tales of abuse and suffering were so heart-wrenching that even some family members present could not hold back their tears.
The stories of the victims and their loved ones echoed in the room, further burdening the shoulders of the perpetrators with the weight of their cruel actions.
"With sufficient evidence presented, your guilt is confirmed. The crimes you have perpetrated will weigh on your consciences. Your properties will pass into the domain of the empire, which will distribute them among the affected families. Your noble titles will be stripped from you, and your surnames will be erased from imperial records.
Given the gravity of your crimes, you are sentenced to death," the judge pronounced with an impassive voice, unmoved by the severity of the words he spoke.
The population erupted in applause, the sound resonating throughout the city. Among the crimes charged, the harm inflicted on the most vulnerable part of society stood out, the same part that had suffered the consequences of their actions firsthand.
Among them was Ema's family, who would also be rewarded by the empire as part of the just reparation, in the same way, the poorest part of the city will also be rewarded, it is the area where Ema's family previously lived.
Overwhelmed by the gravity of the sentence, the accused fell one by one like withered leaves, their bodies already weakened by fear and anxiety. The guild guards, with impassive faces, escorted them out of the room with care, as if afraid to break what little remained of their dignity.
Meanwhile, the imperial judge, imposing in his serenity, announced with a firm voice the date and time of the execution. His presence permeated the room, filling it with an almost sacred solemnity.
As he withdrew, the judge left behind an echo of applause reverberating on the walls, as a tribute to the justice that had been present that night. The citizens, still reeling from what they had witnessed, gradually dispersed, leaving the atmosphere charged with palpable tension.
The projections that illuminated the room, now unnecessary, faded away like ghosts at dawn, leaving behind only the echo of the judge's words and the promise of a tomorrow marked by the resolution of the law.
"Child, thank you very much for your help," Roberto's words took me by surprise, making my heart almost leap out of my chest. My eyes widened, the scare left me breathless, and my words got caught in my throat, about to curse him for giving me such a big scare.
However, looking into his eyes, I could perceive the sincerity in his words. Small steps echoed in the room, and I saw how a tiny shadow leaped in my direction. Feeling Ema's arms around me, my heart filled with warmth. Her eyes, full of gratitude, met mine, while her sweet words reached me like a soft whisper.
"Thank you, big brother. Thank you for saving my family and for saving me." Her hands, small and delicate, hugged me tightly, as if they didn't want to let go.
Gently stroking Ema's back, I responded to
Roberto modestly: "I just kept my word, it's no big deal." The door opened, and Nicol also entered through it, his reddened eyes showing the intensity of his emotions. He approached me and began to express his gratitude, but although I considered myself a person with a hardened heart, I couldn't help but let out a sigh full of sadness.
So passed a few hours, amid laughter and conversations that relieved Roberto's emotional burden. I could tell how his expression grew lighter, finally freeing himself from that weight he carried on his shoulders. Once they left, Elsa and Lysandra entered the room. With Roberto's problem resolved, we only had one thing left pending: to head to zone 4 and search for that flower.
Also, we needed to progress to reach the gold rank. As for the true name, I was considering getting it after awakening my bloodline.