As this was the first trial since the new Hydro Archon took office and the defendants were high-ranking officials guilty of heinous crimes, the public rushed to the Opera Epiclese to watch the proceedings.
"Look, isn't that Gardes Deputy Captain Bernal? And those people in handcuffs down there, many of them are officials from the Gardes, Maison Gestion, Maison Cardinalice, and Maison Ordalie!"
"Yeah, look at how arrogant they usually are, especially that Bernal. He often sent people to demand protection money from us. Now he's finally getting punished."
"I heard these officials were all involved in this incident. It looks like the accident was indeed man-made."
"That's too terrifying! Something this big must have been done by the nobles."
"I think so. Haven't you noticed how quiet the nobles have been these past two days? Lady Furina must've dealt with them."
"Long live Lady Furina! Those nobles finally got their karma after constantly oppressing us."
"Oh, and also, that particularly imposing person—is that our new Iudex? He looks hard to approach."
A few early arrivals were discussing in whispers. The accusers in this trial were not the Hydro Archon, Furina, as the public expected. But instead, several civil servants from the Palais Mermonia.
The idea of using official personnel to replace the Hydro Archon as the accuser was something Furina discussed with Rina when she was bored processing documents that morning...
Earlier that Morning, Hydro Archon's Office.
'Furina, who are you planning to have act as the accuser for this afternoon's trial?' Rina asked with interest.
'Huh? That would be me, of course. Why?' Furina replied, slightly puzzled.
'No, if you, as the Hydro Archon, personally stepped in to accuse those few people, wouldn't that seem beneath you?'
Furina thought carefully and realized it made sense.
'Then I'll pick a few members from the Palais Mermonia and train them up. Since the evidence is so abundant this time, the trial will basically just be a formality.'
'Hmm, alright. But for the sake of fairness, it's best to choose members who are not part of the Court of Prosecution. Although they aren't legal experts, they've been there long enough to pick things up by osmosis and they certainly know more than you do.' Rina didn't forget to tease Furina while discussing serious matters.
'Uh, fine... Wait a minute, how am I completely clueless about the law, huh!' She had been relatively normal until she heard the last sentence, when Furina immediately jumped up from her chair, cheeks puffed up with anger, yelling at Rina.
Back to the present.
All the audience members had arrived and both the accusers and the defendants were present.
The first person to stand trial was Gardes Deputy Captain Bernal.
He kept a dark expression, lowering his head and remained silent.
Knowing that his backer had fallen, he understood what his fate would be and didn't even bother hiring a representative.
Neuvillette looked at the accusers, then at the defendants, and finally glanced up to see Furina sitting on the Hydro Archon's exclusive seat, crossing her legs, striking what she thought was her coolest pose while looking at him.
Rina was too embarrassed to watch Furina and silently went to sleep in the Inner Space.
After ensuring everyone was present, Neuvillette spoke.
"Since both parties are present, the Trial regarding the case of former Fontaine Gardes Deputy Captain Bernal, who is suspected of severe violations of discipline and law, officially begins."
"First, I will introduce Fontaine's brand new trial procedure, effective immediately. This procedure will be announced to the public by the Palais Mermonia after today's court session."
"Once the trial begins, the Accuser presents charges against the Defendant, states their demands, submits evidence, and clarifies the reasoning.
Subsequently, the Accuser and the Defendant engage in free debate, submitting their own evidence. The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale will shift based on the situation in the court.
The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale is a machine created by Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon. It generates Indemnitium during trials, which is used by all citizens of Fontaine and maintains the energy supply within the Fontaine region."
After speaking, Neuvillette looked up at Furina.
Furina also showed a look of immense pride, gazing toward the audience and waving hello to everyone.
"Lady Furina!"
"Lady Furina!"
A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience.
Once the noise subsided, Neuvillette continued. "During this period, both parties have one opportunity to request an adjournment, lasting from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the specific circumstances."
"After the debate segment concludes, both parties will have one opportunity for a concluding statement, with the Defendant speaking first."
"After the statements are finished, the presiding Judge of this trial will review the entire case in detail, give a verdict, and submit it to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale for the final decision."
"If the result given by the Judge is inconsistent with the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, the result provided by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale shall prevail."
[T/L: Has it ever been stated about them having other judges? Or does Neuvillette literally watches over ALL of them? Just a curious thought.]
"If the defendant disagrees with the trial result, they have one opportunity to challenge a duelist in a duel to defend their honor."
"That concludes the introduction. Next, the Accuser may speak."
"Yes, Iudex." The young man slowly began. "Our party is accusing Bernal, the former Deputy Captain of the Fontaine Gardes. The charges include bribery, corruption, embezzlement, accepting bribes, intentional leakage of national secrets, abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and other crimes."
"The following is the evidence and detailed explanation provided by our party."
"On the Year XXX, Month X, Day X, Hour X, Bernal..."
"...Our statement is now complete."
"Now, Defendant, do you have any objections or rebuttals?"
"I have no objections, Iudex." Bernal looked even more haggard. He was already in low spirits and then those civil servants from the Palais Mermonia went on the offensive, presenting all sorts of evidence and speaking continuously for an hour, digging up every major and minor crime he had ever committed, making him even more depressed.
"The facts of the crime are clear, the case is well-organized, and based on the evidence, Bernal is rightly guilty." Neuvillette's cold tone pierced Bernal's back like a sharp sword once more.
"The case will now be submitted to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale for the final verdict."
Neuvillette inserted a card into the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. The entire machine instantly emitted a blue light that gradually spread, covering the whole device. The brightness of the Opera Epiclese immediately increased by a level. After the entire venue was illuminated, a flash of white light passed and the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale delivered the verdict.
Neuvillette took the card, read it, put it down, and raised his voice.
"Therefore, I formally announce; Former Fontaine Gardes Deputy Captain Bernal is guilty of bribery, corruption, embezzlement, accepting bribes, intentional leakage of national secrets, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty, among other crimes.
He is sentenced to dismissal from public office, life imprisonment, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all personal property. All illicit gains from bribery shall be recovered and submitted to the National Treasury."
"You have one opportunity to defend your honor through a duel. Do you wish to accept?" Neuvillette asked.
"I decline, Iudex." Bernal no longer wished to speak.
Subsequently, he was taken away by the Gardes and what awaited him was a long life in Fortress of Meropide.
The subsequent trials were unsurprising. Over a dozen officials were successively placed in the defendant's position and then sent to Fortress of Meropide, with sentences generally starting at 20 years, up to life imprisonment.
Furina initially found the spectacle amusing, but as time passed, she grew bored. She tried talking to Rina, but Rina wasn't very chatty, leaving Furina with nothing to do and almost causing her to fall asleep in public.
By the time the trials concluded and the audience dispersed, it was late at night when she exited the Opera Epiclese.
Sitting in the Hydro Archon's exclusive carriage procession, Furina was genuinely tired and kept yawning.
'Let me warn you now, if you fall asleep, I won't wake you up!'