422 Sudden Change (2/2)

Leaning on his cane, he moved slowly into the court. He walked to the witness stand under everyone's shocked scrutiny. He glanced at Bastian with disdain and finally to the pale Borja.

”Now, if anyone still doubts my identity and credibility, please feel free to come investigate me. If you think that my status as a bishop is not enough, what if we add the title 'Commander of the Witch Hammer'?”

The silence dragged on. Borja did not speak but his expression changed dramatically. After a long while, he took off his glasses and studied the old man at the witness stand.

”Father Michel, according to customs, I should bow to you. However, this is the Sacred Court. As the judge, I cannot lower myself to anyone. Please forgive me.” His voice was a bit raspy. ”Have you thought clearly what you are doing? Why are you here?!” The last word was practically an interrogation.

”Why?” In the witness stand, the dying old man coughed lightly. Hearing Borja's question, he looked up and smiled. ”Didn't I tell you? I am here as a witness.”

The director of the Ministry of Information, the archbishop of the Sacred City, the commander of the Witch Hammer—Michel Grey—had appeared in court!

There were finally surprised cries in the audience. As the commander of the Ministry of Information, Michel had been bedridden and had not appeared publicly in a long while. Other than a handful of people, no one could recognize him.

Those who did recognize him thought they were hallucinating.

The Ministry of Information! The director of the Ministry of Information! The director of the Ministry of Information was appearing as a witness for Anglo!

Was this a f*cking joke?!

”Is he crazy?” The low murmur of the audience could no longer be kept down, despite Borja's pounding of the gavel. People rose and left continuously to report this shocking news to their organizations. This was as bizarre as if Hyakume and the Sacred City suddenly held hands and became good friends!

The Ministry that had raised Colt as a hero, the Ministry that had kicked Ye Qingxuan into hell, the Ministry that had sacrificed so much to save Colt, the Ministry that had six musicians killed by Ye Qingxuan, the Ministry that had lost dozens of Witch Hammer members…The Ministry whose last bit of dignity was torn apart by Ye Qingxuan before the Sacred City gates… Michel had appeared as Ye Qingxuan's witness! Was he crazy?!

Even the jurors stared at each other blankly. Finally, they looked at Maxwell in shock. He just looked down at the doodles on his paper as if spacing out. He had already experienced this shock days ago.

That day, when he and Lancelot had realized that the one who had snuck into the Anglo embassy and walked into the office was Michel, he had thought he was hallucinating. He even thought that it was the Ecclesiastical Order's evil plot. He could not believe it.

This great card should be left to the end but he had not expected that the Ecclesiastical Order would do everything they could to kill Ye Qingxuan. Even Miller, who came from a renowned family in the Sacred City, was forced to bow under their pressure, let alone others…

If they dragged things on, the matter would only worsen. Maxwell and Lancelot were forced to show this card early. They would also have to pay greatly for it…

-

After the long silence, Borja said hoarsely, ”Because the Sacred Court does not have any precedents or related procedures, I did not prepare fully for this. It is my mistake and I will shoulder all responsibilities.” He pounded his gavel. ”Adjourn for thirty minutes.”

”No need.” Michel lowered his cloudy eyes and said, ”If I'm not wrong, you will receive an order from the Papal Chamber very soon.”

Three seconds later, a bell rang in the distance with an indifferent voice.

”Continue.”

The radiance of the holy emblem descended from the heavens onto the courtroom. It projected a long table with seven figures behind it. They were robed and their faces were stern. It was the Cardinals!

”Judge Borja,” one of the figures said, ”Under His Highness's order, the Cardinals will witness this event. There is no need for any concern. Please continue.”

Borja's expression changed. After a long while, he pounded his gavel and rasped out, ”Continue.”

Thus, Michel let out a relieved smile on the witness stand.

”Here, I surrender myself to the Sacred City.” He placed his headpiece beside himself, revealing his sparse white hair and ugly scalp. ”Everything Ye Qingxuan did was under my command. Because of his position, he was forced to help me. I am willing to take all responsibility and pay for my actions.”

The audience erupted!