Crown of Silence

Chapter 436 Witness

In the silence, Bastian took out a photo from the stack of photos in his hand and held it up to Ye Qingxuan.

The photo showed a deserted village, with crooked stone pillars and rotten wood piled up in the dry wasteland to form several buildings that could be called houses.

The farmers with sallow complexions were dressed in ragged clothes, smoking cigarettes rolled from the leaves of certain plants, and their teeth were missing.

"Ye Qingxuan, do you still remember where this is?"

"Oz."

Ye Qingxuan replied: "The village closest to Auschwitz, the last supply point before entering Auschwitz, I have been there, I remember it.

Before he passed away, Samuel wanted to dig a well for them, and he even discussed borrowing money from me. "

"Did you agree?" Bastion asked.

Ye Qingxuan nodded.

"Congratulations, you can have this money left over."

Bastian said calmly: "They don't need any wells anymore."

He took out the second and third photos and placed them in front of Ye Qingxuan.

Devastated everywhere.

No village can be seen anymore. Those houses have been destroyed and the ground is in chaos. The entire village has disappeared. Dark children in the ruins are rummaging through the rags.

"Because you delayed the fighter plane, the aftermath of the war spread to the surrounding areas."

Bastian said: "Six towns, including Oz, are no longer habitable. They have lost the last of their land and are displaced.

The child you see is the last resident here. His mother has abandoned him and fled. The father was buried in the rubble and died of suffocation.

If the gate of heaven had been opened half an hour earlier, they would have survived. "

Ye Qingxuan was silent.

"Look at the next one."

The photo is of the broken cruise ship.

"A month ago, there was an attack on the Meeker. It was the earliest attack on Colt that we know of." Bastian's voice was like reading the news, unhurried, cold and objective:

"Sixteen people were slightly injured, one crew member was seriously injured, and a pregnant woman was frightened, had a miscarriage, and lost her child. Her family was broken up, and doctors diagnosed that she could not get pregnant again.

As a result, the shipping company to which the cruise ship belonged was saddled with a large amount of debt, had poor liquidity, and was acquired by another company. Two directors became bankrupt as a result.

The son of one of the directors had just been admitted to the First National University of Burgundy this year and dropped out of school. He could have been an actuary. "

"I object!"

Aldrich roared: "That has nothing to do with this case!"

"The objection is invalid." Judge Borja hammered: "Continue."

So, continue.

"Third portion."

Bastian pulled out another photo: "Baddes Hotel chain, due to an inexplicable disaster, six hundred employees lost their jobs. Most of them came from the slums. There is no other place except here."

"The fourth copy, Burgundy Railway Company..."

"The fifth copy, the precious metal exchange office of Asgard National Bank..."

Ye Qingxuan stared at the photo in silence, with veins popping up on the back of his hand.

"Also, this one..."

Bastion unfolded the photo in his hand: "Half a month ago, you launched an attack in front of the gate of the Holy City. Sixteen knights of the Witch's Hammer died as a result, as well as six musicians with a bright future.

These are their bodies...their families can't even distinguish their father and husband from the melted iron pieces and coke. A total of ninety-one innocent people suffered bereavement as a result.

Some of them are sitting in the seats behind you, and you can look back at them. "

Bastian stretched out his hand and pointed behind Ye Qingxuan:

"——Go and tell her that you are not guilty."

Ye Qingxuan lowered his head and looked back stiffly after a long time.

At the back of the auditorium, an old woman wearing a black veil lowered her head and huddled in the corner. Beside her, a fourteen-year-old girl hugged her mother and stared at Ye Qingxuan angrily. Her eyes were red, but she stubbornly refused to shed tears.

That look in his eyes was extremely familiar, like looking in the mirror and seeing himself seven years ago.

Ye Qingxuan looked at her blankly, and after a long time lowered his eyes.

Bastian looked at his increasingly pale face. There was no contempt or hostility in his eyes, and his expression was indifferent, as if he was waiting for his reply.

After a long time, Ye Qingxuan made a voice:

"Okay, let me take a look again?"

"OK."

Bastian raised his eyebrows slightly and handed all the photos in his hand to Ye Qingxuan. Seeing him carefully flipping through each one, the coldness and contempt in his heart grew stronger.

Everyone has weaknesses.

Everyone has.

Focusing on the heart - this is the strategy summarized by sixteen prosecutors after analyzing the cases for a month.

The weaknesses found by sixteen prosecutors who have sent countless vicious criminals, perverts and murderers to prison for decades.

It is also Ye Qingxuan's biggest weakness.

According to the psychic musician's profile of his personality, although this damn sinner's psychology and behavior appear to be extremely normal most of the time, he is actually a madman who is so paranoid in some aspects that it is difficult to reason.

Judging from his consistent behavior, he also has a strong sense of moral integrity and mission.

Moreover, he had strong sympathy and pity for people who suffered the same suffering as himself, even more than cherishing his own life.

Such people only care about their own ideas and thoughts.

To deal with such people, you cannot use coercion, because coercion will not be effective. There is no way to induce him, because there is nothing that can tempt him.

Any pain and suffering is nothing but spiritual food for him and will only make him stronger.

At this point, I have to admit that he is very strong, very strong... almost like a saint.

Unfortunately, saints also have their weaknesses.

Huge weakness…

Bastian sneered in his heart: If you think you are right, then let you see the evil consequences you have created and the sins caused by the ideas you pursue!

What you have to protect at all costs will create such a disaster in the end!

The saint falls when he discovers his original sin.

What will happen to you?

"Ye Qingxuan?"

Bastian stared at him: "Are you really at peace with yourself?"

"protest!"

Aldrich roared: "There is inducement in the prosecutor's words! Bastian, put away your despicable tricks! Stop tarnishing the law..."

"It's okay, Mr. Aldrich."

Ye Qingxuan lowered his head and made a sound.

Aldrich was stunned and looked back to see his profile.

Ye Qingxuan stared at the photos in his hands, focusing and carefully, looking at them one after another, not missing any detail. Looking at those crying faces, their expressions became sad.

His eyes were sad.

Aldrich felt cold all over.

He reached out and forcibly snatched the photos from Ye Qingxuan's hands, angrily tore them into pieces and threw them into the trash can.

Bastian didn't stop him, he just looked at him with mocking eyes.

"My client is not mentally stable and cannot be questioned." Aldridge interrupted: "Your honor, I request an adjournment!"

"I am not sleeply."

Ye Qingxuan lowered his head and said something that made Aldrich unbelievable, "I am also very lucky to see these photos."

Bastian smiled:

"So, what do you think?"

Ye Qingxuan was silent for a long time and then said:

"I'm very sorry."

Bastian took a step forward and stared at the young man, seeing the desolation and sadness in his eyes, and the tears in the corners of his eyes. It was like seeing the straw that broke the camel's back, and I felt ecstatic!

The breakthrough is open!

Just as expected.

His heart was overwhelmed by guilt!

No matter how much Angelo tries to stop him, as long as he induces him a little, no one can stop him from going to the gallows!

But the next moment, before Bastian's carefully prepared lines could be spoken, his expression froze on his face.

"——Because the person who makes these sacrifices and bears the price is not me."

etc!

Bastian was in a daze for a moment.

Something seems... not quite right!

Ye Qingxuan's voice continued to sound, full of sorrow but without any remorse:

"These days, I have been thinking: How great would it be if all the pain could be borne by me alone? Unfortunately, this is absolutely impossible."

The voice was full of sorrow, like a crocodile staring at the remains of its prey and shedding false tears.

What the hell are you talking about!

Bastian was stunned. He wanted to lift Ye Qingxuan's collar and roared: This is not what I want to hear!

But Ye Qingxuan looked at him with a relieved smile, as if he had been saved.

"Fortunately, they can still hate me, right?"

-

Bastian's pupils shrank, and cold sweat oozed from the back of his neck, as if he had glimpsed the true face of the monster.

This... madman!

His heart couldn't help but twitch, and he stared at the young man in front of him, but he didn't dare to look at those grateful eyes anymore, he just felt suffocated.

guessed wrong.

From the beginning, they guessed wrong.

This madman will never regret anything he does, nor does he feel that what he does is wrong. On the contrary, he felt that he was doing the right thing.

And this decisive attack that he and so many people had planned and prepared was just a regretful medicine to make up for the sorrow in his heart! Now that he has swallowed the medicine, it clicks, and he is still thanking himself!

Then he opened his mouth wide and told him: It tastes very good, I want more!

Thank you, Bastian.

You saved a monster...

At that moment, Bastian felt regretful and regretted his arrogance.

When dealing with such a freak, I actually still have ordinary people's senses and thoughts, and I think that the other person is a young man, so I take it lightly.

Musicians are inherently outliers who violate human ethics and common sense and step on the edge. Not to mention this genius who has received praise and admiration from countless powerful people. No, he is a genius among geniuses.

Also a freak among freaks.

He should do whatever it takes!

Give up those indifferent reservations and dignity, drag this monster to the gallows, and bury him completely!

At that moment, Bastian finally made up his mind.

He reached out, took out the handkerchief, wiped the grease from his nose, and carefully took a step back, no longer looking at Ye Qingxuan's eyes. He spoke, his voice trembling slightly:

"Your Majesty... We, on our side, apply for witnesses to appear."

"be opposed to!"

Aldrich raised his hand, "The witness is not on the list!"

“The circumstances are special and the amount of evidence is huge, so the omissions in the report are excusable.”

Judge Borja dropped the hammer: "The objection is invalid."

So Bastian finally calmed down and regained his composure.

It doesn’t matter, if the weight is not enough, you can add more!

Let me see the limit of your endurance, Ye Qingxuan...

And with the gradual footsteps in the corridor outside the door, the door opened.

Accompanied by guards, a young man wearing a white musician's dress walked in and stood on the witness seat. He raised his head and looked at Ye Qingxuan. His face was thin and his beard had not been shaved for a long time.

As if he hadn't slept well, his eyes were still bloodshot.

Ye Qingxuan was stunned.

"Miller?"

Miller looked at him coldly, as if looking at a sinner.

After a long time, he withdrew his gaze as if he hadn't heard anything.

It turned out to be Miller...

-

"Mac J. Miller."

Bastian stood beside him and said softly: "Tell everyone your identity."

"I am...a musician at Trinity College in the Holy City, the Francois faction of the Chant School, a participant in the trial a few months ago, and one of the survivors of the Auschwitz incident."

He paused, glanced at Ye Qingxuan, and said with a calm expression: "I am here today because I want to expose the true face of this sinner to everyone."

"oh?"

Bastian turned back and looked at the stunned Ye Qingxuan: "Have you had any contact with the suspect?"

"In Auschwitz, we were on the same team, and I served as the team doctor. My friend Samuel invited him to join the team, and I had no objection." Miller lowered his head: "This is the thing I regret most. "

"Is it?"

Bastian asked: "So, what do you think of the suspect?"

"Ye Qingxuan has never fulfilled his responsibilities as a musician. He has always been outside the group, preferring crooked things and pretending to be mysterious.

He was never enthusiastic about trials and even deliberately slowed down everyone's progress. No one knew what he was thinking. Therefore, no one trusts him. More people choose Colt. "

He paused and said in a low voice:

"...From the beginning, his relationship with the Romulans was unclear."

"Is there any evidence? Mr. Miller." Bastian said calmly: "The court is a place where evidence is discussed. It is difficult to establish the case based on your empty words alone."

“Any musician who has been to Auschwitz can attest to that.”

Miller said firmly: "I once saw him entering and leaving the tent of the Romulus elders, and had close contact with his daughter. Even the fact that he later deliberately delayed the military plane had something to do with that little girl. He was very concerned about that little girl. The little girl... He treated that little girl..."

He gritted his teeth and made a sound: "It seems that there is some kind of morbid emotion, otherwise..."

"Miller!"

A hoarse voice sounded.

Ye Qingxuan suddenly made a sound. The sound was sharp, like a lion roaring, and it stung everyone's eardrums. Miller's voice also paused, and his body stiffened.

"A warning and the suspect stays quiet."

Borja hammers: "No endless provocation of court order."

Ye Qingxuan lowered his head and held the half-height railing in front of him with both hands. His finger bones were white and veins were popping up.

"Elsa is dead, Miller."

He stared at Miller's back and said in a hoarse voice: "Don't let the dead be ashamed!"

Miller turned his back to him and fell silent.

Bastian's eyes lit up, almost beaming with joy.

The breakthrough was found!

But there's no rush, there's no need to corner him now.

A good hunter must be patient and tighten the noose little by little so that he has no place to hide! If you push him too far now, there may be an unpredictable backlash, so you have to take your time...

He resisted the urge and changed the question.

"As far as I know: among the charges you reported to the court, there is also the one that Ye Qingxuan is suspected of having contact with the black musician, right? As a personal experiencer of the black musician's attack, have you ever witnessed it with your own eyes?"

"That's right."

"I didn't think about it at the time, but I realized it later when I looked back," Miller said.

At that time, there were masters from various countries and elites from different schools in Auschwitz, but they were unable to fight back under the attack of the black musicians. There must be a spy among us...

Moreover, I once saw with my own eyes the special treatment he received among black musicians.

The Black Musician valued him very much, even more than everyone else... He even once led the Black Musician to a gathering place of survivors, luring them to attack, so as to lure more people to escape with him.

Later, I discovered that he had some kind of personal relationship with one of the black musicians named Naberish, and they called each other friends.

These are all things I have seen and heard with my own eyes and are absolutely untrue. "

There was dead silence in the courtroom.

"Naberish?"

Everyone looked at each other, as if they had heard of this name.

"Few people know Naberish's real name. Perhaps his title is more famous."

Bastian sneered, pulled out a thick stack of documents and distributed them to the judge and jury.

"Decades ago, the son of the White Eyes, the six-legged beast, the black musician who rose up like a miracle, is known as a once-in-a-century genius. Although it is not known why he disappeared later, there have been many terrorist attacks and more than 16 musicians in the Holy City His death was related to him, including three agents of the Silent Agency.

The last time he made a high-profile appearance was during the Romulus incident in Auschwitz. He fled because he saw that the situation was not good, and his body was not found in the subsequent cleanup.

But according to the investigation, he has obviously occupied a high-level position in the "Ode to Destruction" and may even be one of the planners of the Romulus incident! "

Ye Qingxuan didn't want to listen anymore.

What Miller said was more or less true, or a distortion of the facts.

Although there were many things that he had never seen with his own eyes, so what? Even if it was just a figment of the imagination, it was enough to have a strong negative impact on him.

Besides, the main reason for him to stand here was probably not against the judge and the jury, right?

Ye Qingxuan knew it in his heart.

This was against himself...

This was a warning.

Miller, it was just the beginning.

Those who wanted to kill him and send him to the gallows were telling him: Your former friends will stand here one by one, accuse you, make you infamous and defeated!

Ye Qingxuan closed his eyes.