Eagle’s Glory

After a series of confrontations and exchanges of interests behind the scenes, the "Assassination of the King of Rome" that had caused a stir in public opinion was finally put on the stage.

Although no one really cares about the truth on the political stage, and no one really cares about whether the King of Rome is really qualified to pursue the murderer at home because he was assassinated and injured abroad, everyone attaches great importance to this performance. The political opponents of the Duke of Orleans are gearing up, hoping to use this incident to completely crush the Duke's dream of the crown; while his allies are worried, fearing that the Duke will be confirmed and will be labeled a sinner, and then they themselves will be implicated and lose everything. .

Among the upper and lower houses, the House of Nobles is particularly serious about this case. The reason is not difficult to understand - most of the members of the House of Nobles are old nobles who followed the Bourbon royal family in exile abroad and then returned to China. They both hated the "betrayal" of the previous generation of Dukes of Orleans against the aristocratic class, and also hated the atrocities of this generation of Dukes in usurping the throne. Although they were forced to swallow the bitter fruit of the Bourbon dynasty's collapse again, they were willing to use any opportunity to thwart this abominable thing. The usurper will not let his wish come true.

After suggestions from several members, the House of Lords, which had always been slow to act, acted very proactively this time. The members quickly voted and organized a twelve-member house committee to deal with the matter specifically.

And today is the day when its trial begins.

Although it stands to reason that only twelve members who serve as committee members are required to be present to listen to politics, today the Luxembourg Palace was almost full. Not only were most of the normally invisible members of the assembly present, but many people also crowded in after hearing the news. Went to the solemn meeting hall to observe.

This crowded scene is completely different from the previous scenes of chaos and loud gunfire in Paris. The reason why people are so excited is not only because they can watch an unprecedented bustle, but also because people's minds are broken after the chaos.

The ostensibly legal approach to the dispute between the pretenders to the throne gives the impression that the country is returning to "normal."

After sufficient deliberation, people raised this case to a level it should not have been. In a vague way, it was even regarded as a "decisive game" between the two pretenders to the throne.

After all, now that most of the passion of the Revolution has been released, no one wants this country to fight another civil war over who will sit on the throne, and hundreds of thousands of heads will fall off.

Rather than saying that people care about "justice" or "truth," it is better to say that everyone is subconsciously willing to use a criminal case rather than a civil war to restore the country's past peace and order.

However, for the few people who know the inside story, they all know very well that the so-called political hearings and judgments are just demonstrations. The people who really decide the direction of the situation are

Everything has been decided behind the stage through camera obscurity.

After all, going through the motions with dignity and dignity is part of politics.

At eight o'clock exactly, the usually deserted assembly hall was already full of people, as noisy as a theater before the turmoil. But just after the clock struck the time, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

"Prosecutor de Villefort!" people exclaimed.

The door was reopened, and M. Gerard de Villefort entered just as the clock struck its last stroke. He was holding a stack of documents in his hand, and his originally serious face was almost ashen at the moment, but he still looked quite calm. He looked steadily and walked step by step to the center of the meeting hall.

At this moment, on the podium and around the auditorium, there were countless pairs of eyes staring at him.

Villefort knew that this was the most important performance in his life. Even if it was not for the reward of the King of Rome, nor for his own future, just accomplishing this important event would be enough for him to leave his name in history.

Because the elected investigation committee were all "neutral" members, no one greeted him or greeted him - even though some of them had dealt with Villefort many times and were well aware of his reputation.

"Mr. Gerard de Villefort." The interim chairman of the committee spoke. "I am very glad that you attended our hearing as a party. We all know what kind of position you hold and have heard of it. You have a reputation for impartiality in law enforcement, and some of us have even received legal help from you... But even so, I would like to remind you that the case you are involved in today is of a very special nature and involves the most noble people in our country. Several nobles, their reputations cannot be slandered or damaged for no reason, so I ask you again - can you guarantee that what you do is motivated only by justice and justice; can you guarantee that all your inferences and Are the conclusions within the scope permitted by law?”

"I have been practicing law for more than 20 years, sir. I know what are the red lines that cannot be crossed." Prosecutor Villefort raised his head towards the chairman on the stage with a strange calmness. "I dare to say what I said." Take responsibility for every sentence, every word written.”

If someone else had said this, everyone would probably be skeptical, but the reputation Villefort has accumulated through unremitting efforts over the past twenty years has produced enough persuasiveness in people's hearts at this moment, just by looking at it. Looking at his image at this moment, one cannot help but believe that he is indeed the incarnation of the law.

"Very good, please keep your promise in mind." The chairman nodded, and then picked up the document in his hand, "We have read the report you wrote on this case in detail. If Without taking any position, I admit that this is a very wonderful report, with detailed content and rigorous inferences... You also attached many testimonies and physical evidence to the report, and then used them to point to the Duke of Orleans. De Vere Prosecutor Fu, do you still stick to your conclusion?"

The pressure was like a mountain on Prosecutor Villefort. Although the Duke of Orleans was not present, he clearly felt like a thorn in his back, as if something dangerous was always staring at him.

Of course he knew what he was facing at this moment.

However, now that things have happened, is there still a way out?

He gritted his teeth secretly, and then looked ahead without fear with the most determined attitude, "Yes, even at this moment, I still firmly believe in my judgment. I think that even if the Duke of Orleans is not the mastermind, he must be deeply involved in this." Whether it is human or physical evidence, it is very unfavorable to him."

Although Prosecutor Villefort's words were not loud, they shook the entire chamber like a shock bomb. The people watching once again burst into amazing noises. Some people were cheering, and some were booing, but not only No matter what position they hold, they all understand that Prosecutor Villefort has launched a fierce attack on behalf of the King of Rome - this is the time for a showdown.

By now, most people have secretly believed Prosecutor Villefort's conclusion - after all, the King of Rome was not a fool. He could not have fabricated a non-existent piece of evidence out of thin air to attack his opponent. This was very unlikely. If he makes a profit, it will only be self-defeating and cause him to lose his original credibility.

Therefore, the Duke of Orleans should have been involved in this matter, it was just a matter of degree.

This idea spreads more and more widely, and has even become the tacit "conclusion" of most people. People's words are often terrible in the world, and most of their power comes from the inherent impressions in people's minds.

Of course, this inherent impression is not always wrong. It is a rough summary of people's experience. Even if you are just trying to catch the wind, occasionally you will hit the target.

"Silence!" The bailiffs responsible for maintaining order in the synagogue shouted one after another, suppressing the noisy noise.

Then, the chairman spoke again, "I understand, your conclusion is very clear. However, the Duke of Orleans has firmly denied such an accusation. He said that all this is slander and a conspiracy against him. He has never He has participated in the so-called assassination plot, let alone use this method to deal with his political opponents..."

A sarcastic smile appeared on Prosecutor Villefort's lips, "Sir, of course, we have seen the Duke of Orleans' methods. He will not use just one gun to deal with his political opponents, he will use many guns."

"Hahahaha!" Villefort's witty and pungent sarcasm not only made the congressmen and people in the audience burst into laughter, but even some people in the twelve-member committee on the rostrum couldn't help laughing.

Previously, he shot at the palace and forced the king to abdicate. Although the Duke of Orleans was only one step away from the crown, it also put him at a natural disadvantage in public opinion. At this time, Villefort's implicit ridicule was a reminder to the stage. Dear listeners - since the Duke of Orleans dared to openly send people to shoot at the king, why didn't he dare to secretly send people to shoot at the King of Rome? Of course he can do it.

As a well-known prosecutor, Villefort has handled countless cases and is very familiar with the lawyer's tricks. He easily eliminated most of the Duke's defense.

After the laughter gradually subsided, the chairman spoke again. "Obviously, your judgment and that of the Duke are diametrically opposed. You insist on the correctness of your judgment, so please answer another question - the Duke of Orleans believes that your father, the Marquis of Noirtier, is a well-known Bonaparte. Therefore, you are most likely to have been bewitched by your father, or tempted by the King of Rome, to attack the Duke in exchange for personal prosperity. Do you think his doubts are well-founded?"

"There is no basis for it!" Villefort answered loudly at once.

Before attending the hearing, Villefort had already deduced in his mind many questions and rebuttals that he might encounter, and this issue was his important weakness, so he had rehearsed it many times beforehand, and now he encountered the expected When attacked, he didn't panic at all.

He knew that the important thing about this kind of attack was not the fact, but the attitude. As long as he hesitated a little bit, many people would inevitably think "Maybe this is true."

Therefore, he must use the fastest speed and the strongest attitude to clear himself up and continue to maintain his authority.

Then, in front of everyone, he once again made an honest statement, "Yes, my father, the Marquis Noirtier, was indeed a follower of the empire, and he honorably stood his ground, even for decades. In the face of persecution and even pursuit, he never gave up or wavered for a moment. As a bystander, I respect his strength and persistence in his ideals - but I have never agreed with him politically. I have always been a royalist, and above the royal family, I stick to law and justice! For me, my father’s position is incompatible with mine. I have never approved of his actions, even more so. I have not collaborated with him on anything, and due to family reasons, I have not interacted with my father for many years. I even use my mother’s surname, which many people know.”

After saying these words of defense, Prosecutor Villefort raised his head again and looked at the committee members in front of him proudly, "Gentlemen, I am not standing here for personal gain, but for legal justice. I am standing here. To maintain law and order, I will not hesitate to face any danger. Of course, I do not need you to fully agree with my words. In fact, in the face of facts and justice, all words are insignificant! If what I say is all Facts, my accusations are also based on the truth, so what is the importance of my so-called position and thoughts? If the Duke of Orleans thinks that I am making slanderous remarks, he can refute the facts I have said one by one, instead of Attack me where I stand!”

Villefort's reputation accumulated over the years and his enthusiasm at this moment once again calmed the people on the stage. They whispered to each other, and some nodded frequently. Obviously, his words had moved these people.

"I think you have a point." After a moment, the chairman of the committee spoke again. "Then, let us analyze it based on the facts according to what you said - you mentioned a large number of documents and oral confessions in your report, and most of these things come from the person at this moment, that is, that person Ms. Di Florini, where is this woman now? Can she attend this hearing?"

This question put Villefort's originally high momentum at a slight disadvantage.

Because just before attending the hearing, he suddenly received news from Fontainebleau - Ms. Bianca was actually assassinated and seriously injured.

When he first heard the news, Villefort was shocked at first, and then angry. He was shocked because the Duke was so crazy, and angry because the palace was so lax, allowing such an important witness to be seriously injured and unconscious.

But now it was too late even if he was upset, he had to face reality.

"I'm sorry, sir. I originally planned to let this lady attend, but... there is unfortunate news. She was attacked by a group of people not long ago. These people planned to silence her, but she was He was seriously injured and unable to attend.”

He knew in his heart that saying this would definitely arouse suspicion, but he had to bite the bullet and say it.

"What?" There was another loud commotion, and people discovered that the incident had taken a bizarre turn again. This drama was really interesting.