422 Sudden Change (1/2)

”Objection! The prosecutor's witness is slandering without any evidence!”

Induced by Bastian, Miller continued no matter how Aldrich roared or retorted. He did not stop until he completely broke Ye Qingxuan's 'saintly disguise' and smeared on a layer of vile blackness.

He did not say anything afterward. There was nothing else to say.

”Thank you for your support of justice and the law.” Bastian patted his shoulder. ”I know that you are under great pressure to stand here. You've worked hard and can rest now.”

After a long while, Miller raised his head blankly, glanced at him, and let the guard lead him away. When he was at the door, he heard Ye Qingxuan's voice behind him.

”Miller.”

He paused but did not look back.

”I don't hate you,” Ye Qingxuan said quietly as he stared at his friend's back. ”I know how painful it is for you to stand here and can guess what has happened. It is because of me; it is my fault.”

Miller laughed emptily and walked away quickly with his head lowered. His figure was frail and hunched as if he was crushed by something.

Ye Qingxuan lowered his eyes sadly. Behind him, Bastian's lips curled up and the coldness in his eyes grew.

This was only the beginning. There was still a lot of time.

The first trial, retrial, third trial…he had many gifts prepared. Bit by bit, Ye Qingxuan would collapse psychologically. When he clearly understood how much pain he had brought to the people beside him, he would end things in his own cell without anyone's urging.

He tapped his finger lightly and smiled.

-

In the jury, Maxwell was expressionless. He glanced at Lancelot in the audience and nodded slightly. Lancelot looked down at his watch. He took a deep breath and made his decision.

He rose and left.

Soon, beside Aldrich, the student's aether ball shone. After studying it for a bit, he looked relieved and murmured something to Aldrich. His mouth opened soundlessly but his anger dissipated. Cruelty emerged in the old man's eyes as well as a chilling glint. Bastian froze. For some reason, he got a bad feeling.

”Your Honor!” Aldrich looked up and stated, ”We also request to call for a witness.”

”Objection! Wit…” Bastian reflexively tried to stop Aldrich but he trailed off halfway through. What could he protest? That the witness was not on the list and this broke the rules? He had broken the rule first earlier…If he tried to argue on this fact, he would not win anything.

Judge Borja could not support him either. He had allowed for Bastian's request earlier. If he stopped Anglo now, he would seem biased. Anglo could then target that and even say that the judge was keeping the court from being just. So how could he stop them?

The gears in Bastian's mind spun. Countless laws flashed past his mind and he suddenly raised his hand. ”Your Honor! I request that the witness's identity and credit are investigated before appearing to ensure credibility!” He paused and gazed at Aldrich meaningfully. ”After all, this is the Sacred Court. If the defender grabbed a random passerby because he was losing, it would be disgraceful!”

Bastian requested the court to check the witness's identity before appearing in court. He must have the advantage and never become passive! He did not know what evidence Anglo had but while the court was investigating the witness, he could have time to get ready. If he dragged things on purposely, the entire process could last up to thirty minutes.

Half an hour? For an examiner of the Amnesty Ministry, it was enough to check the witness's entire background and make the right preparations. At that time, Anglo would lose the advantage of suddenness and instead become passive.

Hearing this, Borja nodded slightly and raised the gavel but his actions froze.

”A random passerby?” Hoarse coughing traveled from outside the door. ”Is that what I am now?” The door was thrown open. An old man hobbled in with a cane. No guards stopped him; no one dared to stop him. As everyone looked in shock, Bastian froze and his expression stiffened as if he had seen a ghost.

After disappearing for half a month, the man seemed to have aged decades. He was even older than before—withered and decayed like a dead man who refused to stay in the coffin. He remained on this world because of his stubbornness and discontent, refusing to die.

Now, he wore the Church robe he had not worn in a long time. The black robe was lined with faint gold. He wore a black headpiece and old rosary beads were wrapped around his wrist. A holy emblem hung from it, swaying as he walked. It looked as if he was attending a solemn ceremony.