Chapter 57 - The Don And The Trial Of Injustice 4 (2/2)

His two brothers opened their eyes wide in surprise.

'Fuckin' useless prick. Do something about it!' Ilona cried inside her head.

'Praise the Lord. Hallelujah,' the ladies cheered him inside their heads.

The two boys next to them remained expressionless.

'The chief is in a critical spot. What can he do now?' Rafel commented inside his head.

Hermes, on the other hand, heaved a sigh of relief.

”I'm hungry,” Richarde muttered. ”Quiet,” Daliah jabbed her elbow on his waist.

”Wow, these human scum are trying to humiliate you. Everything he says is disrespectful, and he adamantly defies your existence. But nonetheless, the results say otherwise. As expected, this guy is pretty useless without your skeptical skills, master,” the slime commented. ”Shut it, slime,” Hermes ordered with a low voice.

”Sir. Aljen, you are allegedly involved in the criminal organization known as the Second Root. One of our sources sent me a pack of evidence that linked you to the criminal guild. Of course, this is still considered as an allegation, so we still need to examine it properly,” said Chief Zamor, showing the file he was holding to the suspect.

Everyone turned their files at the same page that the chief pointed at.

”There is a lot of evidence that linked you in every aspect of the criminal charges five years ago. Plus, the sources raised these issues because they were claiming that you were deemed responsible for the death of the innocents, obstruction of order, arson, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, and treason against the local government,” Chief Zamor added. ”Eeeh, I think it is not true,” Hermes's forehead creased as he said it.

”This concludes us to believe that you are really the alleged despicable criminal who is hiding his true identity from the public, and the true culprit we are looking for. Look at the records properly, people. He's connected all this time. I'd appreciate the effort of the heroes who uncover the truth. The sources are a good example for the public. Now then, let's go straight to the point. This is the split decision between the investigators and me. Suspect 025 is proven guilty of all charges related to the case. Despite there is no reaction coming out from the item, I, Zamor Camelia, and my district representatives sentence you... ,” Chief Zamor picked up a hammer and hovered it, ”to death. You shall be executed by hanging in front of the public tomorrow.”

As the hammer was ready to be slammed, someone interfered with his decision.

”Objection, your honor,” someone interjected. ”Who dares to interrupt my decision? Who exactly is he?” asked Chief Zamor angrily. ”I, the high priestess of the Neue Fiona Church, am asking for a secondary resolution. I request the jury to give us a proper explanation as of tonight. Why do we have to sentence the suspect without asking our opinion, and why are you rushing your decision too quickly? In my opinion, this is not right. You are condemning an innocent person in front of us,” Venus declared.

The beautiful maiden stood up from her chair, and she majestically walked beside the young Don like a visible armored Goddess with her divine shield to protect her lover.

”High priestess, please do understand. You are not allowed to speak. That we, the council, will not tolerate your interference. I have to clarify that any outsider especially you have no power, influence, and authority to object to the decision of our leader,” Elder Wamo stood up and raised his voice to correct her. ”I know my right, and you also need to watch your tone, elder. With all due respect, everyone has the right to express their opinion in this situation,” Venus corrected politely.

The four district representatives were bewildered at this outcome.

The chief bit his lower lips, and he placed the hammer down on the table.

”Calm down, everyone. Elder Wamo, you are also breaking the rules of the council, so please sit down. As far as I know, the high priestess is right. She holds the authority to speak out her side because she represents the church in this village. Contrary to your complaint, Elder Wamo needs to step aside. You are only a guest and one of the sources in this event. What is more, you're not even part of the council, so please stand down,” Chief Zamor stuttered a bit and defended the priestess. ”I-I-Is that so? M-my apologies, your honor,” Elder Wamo gritted his teeth, and he coldly sat down on his chair.

'Fuckin' church, my ass. This is too biased!' Elder Wamo commented inside his head.

Elder Damaso and Elder Kilo silently comforted their brother whilst the chief was busy talking with the girl.

”However, I did not ask for anyone to raise an objection. So, why is our church wanted to review the evidence again?” asked Chief Zamor with a worried face. ”Your honor, I don't mean to disrespect the law of the village, but I cannot withstand the injustice in front of my eyes. If I slip it away, I don't have the courage to face my Almighty God. What is more, it will not only bring shame to your administration but also, it will gravely affect your reputation. You will be known as the man who executed the hero who saved Camelia's descendant from the hands of the evil,” Venus explicitly justified.

”High priestess, are you saying that my judgment to sentence this criminal to death is wrong?” inquired Chief Zamor with a sharp gaze. ”Yes, your honor,” Venus lowered her head in apology.

”How can you prove his innocence then?” Chief Zamor scowled. ”It is already been answered, chief. Everyone knows about it as well,” Venus spread her arms, and she cast her glance at the relic that the chief was holding.

”Is everyone wanted for a secondary resolution of this trial now?” asked Chief Zamor, looking at the council members. ”I agree with the excellency. She is right, chief,” Rafel Uno raised his hand, and he expressed his side.

”I agree, as well,” Richarde raised a hand, smiling.

The two ladies exchanged glances and voted for the approval of the priestess's request.

”High Priestess, I understand your position in this village, but it is already done. You have nothing to prove. I already gave you all the time to read it, so everyone is already aware of the situation. Please, listen carefully. We have the rules here. If... If I decline your request, what a mere church representative can do in this trial now?” Chief Zamor ribbed, jabbing her with his diplomatic skill. ”As the representative of the church, I will cut our ties with your local branch. I swear to God. No ifs, no buts. No more negotiation, so choose wisely,” Venus declared expressionless.

”Imbecile, who do you think you are? You are nothing but a mere representative. The Ratican church won't even do that. Only the Cardinals and the Pope have the right to do that,” Elder Kilo nagged. ”Thank you for adding that information. You make it easy for me to explain it properly. Of course, I am not in the position to abide and enact a law within the Ratican city like the Pope, nor any position to be held in the office of the Cardinals. But I am the high prietess, one of the blessed female servants of God. Therefore, I can influence the situation at will because God is at my side all the time. And with all due respect, I have the authority to dismantle this local government if I wish to. Remember, Neue Fiona Village is still an unrecognized integral territory of Scily by the Union of Italian Mafia States or Mafic Council. I am the only acting symbol of your township, so watch your tone carefully. The chief is not even a made man, so you are nothing but an ordinary citizen if I remove you from your position,” Venus added blatantly.

”Hh-huh? Please calm down. I'm sorry, but isn't that a threat?” Chief Zamor worried. ”According to Mafia Civil Code of Article 10 Chapter 2, paragraph 14, the church has the right to intervene to the unrecognized town, states, and lawless society. Any representative with high authority should be liable to take action once [Mendacium] proves his innocence. But still, it is on her or his decision to respect their local law or abide by it. Unless as provided by law, the representative of the church shall remain silent at will if her/his life is in imminent danger or died under unknown circumstances,” Venus stated.

”W-w-what? Since when did that law create?” Elder Wamo demanded an answer. ”Seven hundred years ago,” Venus responded politely.

”Shit, this is not good, my brothers,” Elder Kilo muttered that only his brothers could hear.

”We can do this all tonight. It is a simple request, so there's nothing to lost. Unless you choose the wrong side, of course,” Venus provoked expressionlessly. ”I, I understand. I approve it now,” Chief Zamor slammed the hammer instantly.

'Venus? Is that you girl?' Hermes was impressed.

”Objection, chief. This person should never be here in the first place. Even she is the representative of the church, there is a law where it is stated that the church and our village's issues are separated from them,” Elder Wamo caterwauled. ”Defend it or not. It is already too late,” Chief Zamor saddened.

'Fuckin' useless prick!' The elders and Ilona chided.

”The church has no right to abide by your decision. She might be bluffing,” Elder Wamo denounced. ”Elder Wamo, you are wrong. Yes, the state and church are separate entities, but there is also a word 'unless otherwise provided by law' in the last paragraph, though. In Article 17, Chapter 8, paragraph 2, The church should defend the innocent who saved the representative from any harm. The relic proves his innocence without ringing a single bell, so stand down,” Venus justified.

”That's ridiculous. You only made it up to change the course of his decision. Your honor, this person has a deep affection for the suspect. That's why her request should be dishonored,” Elder Wamo nagged. ”Article 17, Chapter 8, paragraph 1, the representative shall be held liable to defend the right of the innocent until the end of their life. They are vowed to prove it as per the divine law of Almighty God. They are allowed to act as the suspect's witness and acting attorney at will,” Venus attested.

”High Priestess Venus, what do you mean?” asked Chief Zamor. ”I'll be his attorney in this case. First of all, your local branch neglects to provide him a public attorney. You condemn him and sentence him without following the national law of the Mafia Council. That is why I will do what I pleased,” Venus affirmed.

”Speaking of attorney, are you even a licensed attorney?” Elder Damaso queried. ”Yes, and here is my license. I passed the exam 8 years ago at the age of 7,” Venus pulled out her card to prove herself.

”U-unbelievable, you are bluffing!”

”For real? You're not convinced yet, huh. Lady Ylla, please show them the picture and my diploma too,” Venus instructed. ”Yes, milady,” Ylla replied nonchalantly.

”Please stand down, people. Lady Venus, you don't have to prove it. I am convinced now,” Chief Zamor gave in. ”Thank you, your honor,” Venus lowered her head, bent her body down, and lifted her skirt to express her gratitude.

”Your excellency and gentlemen, please stand down. No more argument. I already vote favorably with the Priestess. The trial is paused tonight. The council members shall take their time to review it personally. You have only one day to decide. The next hearing will be held in the same area at 6:00 in the evening. I hope everyone is satisfied. Does everyone object to my decision?” Chief Zamor queried. ”No,” everyone answered in unison.

”The... The... The case is... dismissed for tonight. We will resume it tomorrow,” Chief Zamor slammed the hammer and ended the trial tonight. ”Thank you very much,” Venus simpered at his decision.

'Fuck!' The three elders and Ilona condemned his decision inside their heads.

”Woah, this girl is cool. Date her, master. Or if you don't like it, I can act as her substitute. I'm a slime, you know. I can become an adult too!” the slime cheered. ”Shut the fuck up. Don't even do that,” Hermes muttered aside that only the two of them could hear.

”Sir Aljen, do you like my performance?” Venus's lips closed with his ears. Her smooth voice tickled him a bit. ”Yes, thank you for saving me,” Hermes bowed his head once respectfully.

The priestess tilted her head on the side, and her hand covered her smiling teeth.

”Did I impress you? Did you slowly fall in love with me now?” Venus quizzed. ”Unfortunately, no. Sorry, but that's the truth,” Hermes answered honestly.

*Cling*

'Shut the fuck up, you goddamn relic. This is really a biased item of the trial of injustice!'