Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 505 Rebuilding the Nation (Part 21)

The former government colonel laughed wildly and hysterically, as if he were sitting in the most expensive seat in a theater, enjoying a farce up close, rather than being on trial in the center of the Great Council.

Anxiety and unease began to spread among the "free men." Although they remained silent, they unconsciously changed their sitting posture frequently: unbuttoning their clothes, shifting their buttocks, putting their left leg down and then propping up their right leg.

To the free men, Colonel Sanel's laughter was utterly grating.

But the more arrogant and disdainful the latter were, the more uneasy they became.

However, Colonel Skul Mechlen remained unmoved and did not even attempt to strike a blow to stop Sanel.

He waited calmly and patiently for his old classmate to finish his performance.

“I want to know.” Sanel, finally having finished laughing, wiped away his tears, his lips still curled into a smile: “What power summoned me here?”

He glanced around at the free men gathered there and politely added, “Please note, gentlemen, the ‘power’ I’m referring to is legitimate power. You must know that there is much illegitimate power in the world…”

At this point, Sanel paused deliberately, his gaze falling on his old classmate on the judge's bench, and said mockingly, "For example, rebels who attempt to carve out their own territory."

Then he turned to look at both sides, his gaze sweeping coldly over the people seated on the steps, and he uttered an undisguised threat: "For example, an illegal meeting convened by the rebels!"

The former "ruler's" piercing gaze swept over them, sending a chill down the spines of the newly reclaimed land's free men. Wherever Sanel's gaze fell, the free men lowered their heads and gave way.

Just then, Skul Mechren spoke up.

"This is a special tribunal, established in accordance with the rights granted to free men by the Charter of the Union." Colonel Skull's voice was calm and composed, sounding as if a professor were lecturing in a classroom.

"Free men possess both the power to jointly try all crimes and the right to use this power when necessary. This right and power can be traced back to the ancient republic, where those who committed serious crimes were tried by the assembly of citizens. Therefore, the drafters of the Charter of the League also granted free men the same power and rights."

After explaining the legal basis of the trial to the defendants and, more importantly, to the judges, Skul Mecklen looked at his old classmate and offered his final words of advice:

"Today, the free men of the newly reclaimed lands have gathered here, and each of them is a judge in this trial. Sanel Caroj, watch your words, for your fate will no longer be decided by you or me—but by all those present."

As Colonel Skull spoke eloquently, the anxiety beneath the Free Man's quiet exterior vanished without a trace.

Most free citizens are familiar with the citizen trial system. In fact, every free citizen has participated in local judicial decisions to some extent. In the newly established provinces where the "circuit courts" only tour once a year, the free citizen community is the main force in undertaking local judicial affairs.

However, the idea of ​​all the free men in the province gathering together for a trial was simply unheard of.

The person on trial was not only a soldier, but also a high-ranking officer—something even more unimaginable in the past when the legions ruled the newly reclaimed lands.

Realizing the symbolic meaning this trial would convey, some free men were deeply moved.

However, Sanel Caroj scoffed at this.

"Come on!" Sanel pointed at the judges all around him and shouted angrily, "What 'special court'? What 'citizens' assembly'? Aren't all these so-called 'free' people your puppets?"
“Skoll Mecklen, do you really want to tell me that my fate is not decided by you, not by Gaisa Adonis, not by Winters Montagne, not by me—but by these clowns?”

Sanel pounded on the railing, laughing so hard he almost fell over: "What a joke! What a huge joke!"

To the free men around him, Colonel Sanel's laughter sounded even more grating than before.

Despite the legion's lingering influence, many free agents still couldn't hide their resentment after being humiliated in person time and again.

“Sanel Caroy.” Colonel Skull ignored Sanel’s questioning, tapped his gavel to signal the latter to be quiet, and asked calmly, “Do you need a lawyer?”

“A defense attorney?” Sanel raised his head, still laughing loudly. “I don’t need a defense! This isn’t a courtroom! You have no right to judge me!”

"Clerk, record this—" Colonel Skull ordered expressionlessly, "The defendant voluntarily waives his right to hire a defense attorney."

“Say what you will, but remember my words!” Sanel retorted. “I, Sanel Carlo, Colonel of the Army of the Republic of Palatour, say—none of you have the right to judge me!”

The crowd on the tiered seating became restless again, but this time the restlessness was filled with more anger and disgust than the previous one, which was driven by fear.

If it weren't for the solemn atmosphere of the Great Council Chamber keeping people from choking them, many free men would have already sworn out their curses.

Colonel Skull tapped his gavel, drawing everyone's attention back to him. Nothing Sanel said could stop the colonel from proceeding with the trial.

He took out a monocle, put it on his right eye, opened the indictment, and read it aloud:

"This year—that is, the year 560 of the Imperial Calendar, April 10th, early morning."

"The headquarters of the New Reclamation Army, Maple Leaf Fort, and the capital of the New Reclamation Province, Maple Stone City, were attacked."

"The attack ended with the fall of Maple Leaf Fortress, the deaths of 89 New Reclamation Regiments personnel, including General Kevin John Adams, and the wounding of 167 New Reclamation Regiments personnel."

"It was later discovered that the attackers were the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force, which was considered an ally by the New Reclamation Corps."

The free men listened silently, even though what Colonel Skull said was all common knowledge. But it was the first time they had ever heard someone recount the "Maplestone Massacre" in written language, devoid of emotion.

"As the commander of the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force, Sanel Caroy," Colonel Skull looked up from the file and onto Sanel, asking, "did you lead the planning, preparation, and execution of this attack?"

Sanel chuckled: "What the hell are you asking?"

“Watch your words, Sanel Caroy,” Colonel Skull asked again. “Did you lead the planning, preparation, and execution of this attack?”

“Your Honor, you’ve really confused me.” Sanel asked sarcastically, “What? Is there another colonel in the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force besides me?”

Colonel Skull ignored Sanel's sarcasm and calmly asked for the third time, "Did you lead the planning, preparation, and execution of this attack?"

“So what if it is?” Sanel retorted defiantly, enraged. “A brilliant and beautiful surprise attack, wasn’t it? You took over your lairs that you’ve painstakingly built up over thirty years without lifting a finger!”

"Clerk, record this—" Colonel Skull remained noncommittal, then ordered again: "The accused admits to leading the planning, preparation, and execution of the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force's attack on the New Reclamation Legion." Sanel crossed his arms and merely sneered.

"Regarding the assessment of the consequences of this attack—namely, the direct deaths of 89 New Reclamation Regiment personnel and the injuries of 167 New Reclamation Regiment personnel, the occupation of Maple Leaf Fortress and Maple Rock City by the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force, and the subsequent larger-scale casualties—Colonel Skull asked again, 'Do you have any objections?'"

“Even greater casualties?” Sanel’s voice suddenly turned low. “Are you talking about the battle at River Valley?”

Colonel Skull answered sternly: "Including but not limited to the battle that took place on May 28th and 29th in River Valley, Mirror Lake County, which is now known as the Battle of Howling Valley, between the New Reclamation Corps and the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force."

"Alright, enough nonsense. Objections? I have no objections."

When the Battle of River Valley was mentioned, Sanel felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, and his mood suddenly turned cold.

However, the next moment, an uncontrollable madness appeared in his eyes—the pain of defeat not only failed to extinguish his anger, but instead led him to an even more morbid euphoria.

Sanel gritted his teeth, staring intently at Skul on the judge's bench: "Mass casualties? I only regret not killing more! Otherwise, you would be sitting here on trial!"

The audience erupted in uproar.

“No, that’s not right! I’m not going to pull this trial stunt!” Sanel raised his fists and slammed them against the bars, the shackles on his hands rattling loudly.

He roared in fury, "I'll send you straight to the gallows! I'll let you die in agony!"

Spurred on by Sanel's words, the freemen became increasingly restless.

The newly reclaimed lands were harsh and the local customs were conservative. The communities were closely connected, and almost every free man had relatives, friends, nephews, or descendants who had perished in the Battle of Howling Valley.

The name "Battle of the Valley of Sorrow" comes from the parents who traveled to the valley village after the war to search for their beloved sons' remains and wept on both banks of the nameless river.

Hearing Sanel's insane words, even his relatives and friends, who were actually free agents serving in the Red Rose Army, were filled with righteous indignation.

Finally, an angry shout broke the silence.

"The murderer!" someone cried out in anguish, "Give me back my son!"

"Hang him!" another shout rang out. "Make him pay with his life!"

Colonel Skull slammed his gavel, silencing the enraged freemen.

He removed his monocle, and for the first time since the trial began, stepped out of his roles as judge and prosecutor, revealing human emotions.

“You regret not killing more, and you have already killed…” Skul stared at his old classmate, trying his best to control himself as he asked, “But they were all compatriots of the Land of Galloping Horses, sons and daughters of the newly reclaimed lands, my subordinates, your descendants. How could you say such a thing?!”

"Compatriots? On the battlefield, there are only enemies!" Sanel seemed to have heard the most ridiculous words. He pointed at everyone under the dome and laughed loudly: "You! The dead! The living! You traitors! Every one of you deserves to die!"

Colonel Skull paused for a moment, then put his monocle back on: "Clerk, record this—the defendant has no objection to the assessment of the consequences of the attack."

Sanel was still laughing.

“Sanel Karoi,” Colonel Skulel tapped his gavel and asked, “before attacking the New Reclamation Legion, did you understand the potential consequences of your actions?”

"The consequences?" Sanel smiled. "Nothing more than going to war with you!"

"Since you already anticipated the consequences," Colonel Skull asked in a deep voice, "why did you still launch the attack?"

“What do you mean, why?” Sanel stared wide-eyed.

"You knew that attacking Maple Leaf Fortress was tantamount to igniting war in the New Reclamation Lands, yet you still went ahead with it. Why?" Colonel Skull's voice echoed throughout the Great Council Hall: "Until you took your drastic action, the New Reclamation Lands Legion considered you an ally!"

"Friendly forces? Don't fool yourself!" Sanel sneered. "Doesn't the New Reclamation Legion only obey the orders of the New Reclamation Legion? When did it become my friendly forces?"

Colonel Skull countered, "If you're not an ally, why doesn't the New Reclamation Legion attack you? If you're not an ally, why doesn't the New Reclamation Legion expel you? If you're not an ally, why does the New Reclamation Legion supply your troops with everything they need? If you're not an ally, why does the New Reclamation Legion relinquish its garrison in Mirror Lake County?"

“Disobeying the orders of the Grand Council.” Sanel interrupted Skul: “You are the rebels. Adams is an even bigger opportunist, wavering between the rebels and the Grand Council. He deserves to die.”

Colonel Skull shook his head, looked to his left and right, and said to all the free men, “Regardless of how the Grand Council views General Adams, he at least kept the flames of war ignited by Grove Magnus out of the new settlements. The free men of the new settlements can all attest to that.”

"Aye!" A chorus of approval rang out from under the dome.

"You claim that the New Reclamation Legion disobeys the orders of the Grand Council," Colonel Skull continued, citing classical texts. "But from its inception, the New Reclamation Legion has been granted autonomy. The New Reclamation Legion has faithfully fulfilled the obligations stipulated in the glorious and inviolable Torde Agreement, but the Grand Council has no right to demand more from the Legion."

Colonel Skulr calmly refuted Sanel:
"You claim that the New Reclamation Legion disobeys the orders of the Grand Council, therefore the New Reclamation Legion is your enemy, and it is only natural for you to attack the New Reclamation Legion."

"But I ask you, which law stipulates that the New Reclamation Corps must be subservient to the Grand Council and obey its every command?"

"Aye!!" The voices of approval from all directions grew even louder.

Although many free men did not fully understand Colonel Skull's logic, as long as this arrogant lackey of the Kingsburgs could be humiliated, the free men of the newly established lands were willing to applaud Colonel Skull.

“Even assuming that all the reasons you claim are valid,” Colonel Skull asked calmly.

"Then, please answer my last question—before deciding to use force to eliminate the Newly Reclaimed Lands Legion, did you and the Grand Council of the Kings' Fortresses behind you discuss taking peaceful measures to resolve the issue? Did you try to resolve the issue through bloodless means? Did you consider using legal means to resolve the issue?"

"Have you ever considered, cared about, or considered what price the newly reclaimed land people will have to pay for your actions?"

“Please answer my question.” Colonel Skull removed his glasses and scrutinized his old classmate, who was loyal to Grove Magnus: “Sanel Karoi.”

"Aye!!!" All the newly reclaimed freemen exclaimed in unison.

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(End of this chapter)