Iron Powder and Spellcaster

The former government colonel laughed indifferently, rudely and nervously, as if he was sitting in the most expensive seat in the theater, enjoying a farce at close range, instead of being in the middle of a large chamber, being judged in full view of the public.

Anxiety and restlessness began to spread among the "free people". Although people remained silent, they were unconsciously changing their sitting postures frequently: unbuttoning their clothes, moving their buttocks, putting their left leg down and raising their right leg.

Colonel Sarnell's laughter was jarring to the ears of free men.

But the more arrogant and arrogant the latter is, the more uneasy they become.

However, Colonel Skull Mecklen remained unmoved and did not even give the slightest hint of stopping Saner.

He calmly and patiently waited for his old classmate to finish his performance.

"I want to know." Saner, who finally smiled happily, wiped his tears, but the corners of his mouth were still raised high: "What power summoned me here."

He looked around at the free men who had been summoned here and added politely: "Please note, gentlemen, that the 'power' I am talking about refers to legal power. You know, there are many illegal powers in the world... "

Speaking of this, Saner deliberately paused, his eyes fell on his old classmates on the judge's bench, and mocked: "It's like the rebels trying to separate one side."

Then, he turned around and looked to both sides, glanced at the people sitting on the stairs with a serious look, and issued an undisguised threat: "Another example, an illegal meeting gathered by rebels!"

The sharp gaze of the former "ruler" passed over the body, and the free people in the newly cultivated land suddenly felt a chill in their internal organs. Wherever Saner looked, free men lowered their heads to avoid him.

At this moment, Skull Mecklen spoke.

"This is a special trial court, established based on the rights of free men under the Charter of the Union." Colonel Scull's voice was calm and calm, sounding like a professor teaching knowledge in the classroom:

“Free men have the power to try all crimes jointly, and the right to use this power when necessary. This right and power can be traced back to the ancient republics, when those who committed serious crimes were surrendered to the citizens. Judgment by General Assembly. So the framers of the Charter of the Union also gave to free men the same powers and rights."

After clarifying the legal basis of this trial to the person on trial, and even more to the judge, Skool Mecklund looked at his old classmate and gave his final words of advice:

"Today, the free men of the New Land are gathered here, each of them a judge in this trial. Sarnell Karoi, heed your words, for your fate will no longer be determined by you or me - It’s a decision made jointly by everyone present.”

As Colonel Scull talked eloquently, the anxiety under the quiet appearance of the free man disappeared.

Most free people are familiar with the system of civil justice. Virtually every free man at one time or another participated in local judicial decisions. In newly reclaimed provinces where the "circuit court" only visited once a year, the freedmen group was the main force responsible for local judicial affairs.

But for free men from all over the province to come together to hold a trial - such a thing was simply unheard of.

The subject of the trial was not only a soldier, but also a senior officer - this was even more unimaginable in the past when the Legion ruled the newly cultivated land.

Realizing the symbolism this trial would convey, some free men could not help but feel their hearts swell.

But Sanel Karolyi scoffed.

"Come on!" Saner pointed at the judges in all directions and asked sternly: "What's a 'special court'? What's a 'citizens' assembly'? Of all the so-called 'free' people here, who is not their marionette?

"Skull Meklen, do you really want to tell me that it is not you, not Gesar Adonis, not Winters Montagne, nor me who decides my fate - but this Are they all clowns?"

Saner slapped the railing and leaned back and forth: "Joke! What a big joke!"

To the ears of the free men around him, Colonel Sarnell's laughter at this moment was more harsh than before.

Being humiliated in person over and over again, many free men still couldn't hide their resentment even though the legion's power was still there.

"Sanel Karoi." Colonel Scull ignored Sanel's question. He knocked on the gavel to signal the latter to be quiet, and asked calmly: "Do you need a defender?"

"Defender?" Saner held his head high, still laughing: "I don't need a defense! This is not a court! You have no right to try me!"

“Clerk, record——” Colonel Scull ordered expressionlessly: “The person under trial voluntarily waives the right to hire a defender.”

"Say what you say, but mark my words!" Sanel retorted: "I, Sanel Karoi, Colonel of the Army of the Republic of Plato, say - none of you have the right to judge me!"

The crowd on the steps was once again restless, but this time it was more angry and disgusted than the last time because of fear.

If the solemn atmosphere of the big meeting hall hadn't strangled people's throats, many free people would have cursed.

Colonel Skull banged his gavel, once again drawing everyone's attention to himself. No matter what Saner said, it could not prevent the colonel from moving forward with the trial process.

He took out a monocle, put it on his right eye, opened the indictment, and read aloud:

"This year - the 560th year of the Imperial Calendar, April 10th, early morning.

"Maple Leaf Castle, the headquarters of the New Reclamation Army, and Maple Stone City, the capital of the New Reclamation Province, were attacked.

"The attack ended with the loss of Fort Maple Leaf, the death of eighty-nine Corps of Reclamation personnel from General Kevin John Adams on down, and the wounding of one hundred and sixty-seven Corps of Reclamation personnel.

"It was later discovered that the attacker was the [New Reclamation Dispatch Army] who was considered a friendly force by the [New Reclamation Army]."

The free men listened in silence, although what Colonel Scull said was common knowledge. But this was the first time I heard someone describe the "Maplestone City Massacre" in written language without emotion.

"As the commander of the New Reclamation Expedition Force, Sanel Karoi." Colonel Scull's eyes moved away from the file and fell on Sanel, asking: "Did you lead the attack?" Planning, preparation and execution?”

Sanel laughed: "What the hell are you asking?"

"Be careful with your words, Sanel Karoi." Colonel Skull asked again: "Did you take any leading role in the planning, preparation, and execution of this attack?"

"Your Honor, you have confused me." Saner asked in a sinister tone: "What? Is it possible that besides me, there is another colonel in the New Reclamation Expeditionary Force?"

Colonel Skull ignored Saner's sarcasm and asked calmly for the third time: "Did you take charge of the planning, preparation and execution of this attack?"

"So what?" Saner was irritated and asked provocatively: "A wonderful and beautiful surprise attack, isn't it? Effortlessly, we took down the nest that you have worked so hard for thirty years!"

"Clerk, record -" Colonel Scull was noncommittal and ordered again: "The person under trial admitted that he took the lead in the planning, preparation and execution of the New Reclamation Army's attack on the New Reclamation Army."

Sanel crossed his arms and just sneered.

"Concerning the consequences of this attack - that is, eighty-nine New Reclamation Army personnel were directly killed, 167 New Reclamation Army personnel were injured, and Maple Leaf Castle and Maple Stone City were occupied by the New Reclamation Army. And caused subsequent larger casualties." Colonel Scull asked again: "Do you have any objection?"

"More massive casualties?" Saner's voice suddenly became deeper: "Are you talking about the battle in River Valley Village?"

Colonel Scull answered rigorously: "Including but not limited to what happened in Hehe Village, Jinghu County on May 28th and 29th, what is today known as the 'Battle of the Wailing River Valley', between the New Reclamation Corps and A battle between the troops dispatched to the new land."

"Okay, stop talking nonsense. Objection? I have no objection."

When it came to the Battle of River Valley Village, Sanel felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured on him, and his mood suddenly turned cold.

However, at the next moment, uncontrollable madness appeared in his eyes - the pain of the tragic defeat not only failed to extinguish his anger, but instead led him to a more pathological excitement.

Saner gritted his teeth and stared directly at Skull on the judge's bench: "Mass casualties? I only regret not being able to kill more! Otherwise, you will be the one sitting here to be judged!"

The audience was in an uproar.

"No, no! I will not engage in this trial trick!" Saner raised his fists and slammed them on the railing, making the shackles on his hands clatter.

He yelled angrily: "I will send you directly to the gallows! Let you die in pain!"

Stimulated by Saner's words, the free man became more and more restless.

The newly cultivated land has a dangerous environment, conservative folk customs, and tight relationships within the settlement. Almost every free man has relatives, friends, sons, nephews, and descendants who died in the Battle of the Howling Valley.

The name "Battle of the Howling River Valley" comes from the parents who went to the river valley village to find the remains of their beloved children after the war and wept on both sides of the Nameless River.

Hearing Saner's crazy words, even his relatives and friends who were actually free men serving in the Army of the Red Rose were filled with indignation.

Finally, an angry rebuke broke the silence.

"Murderer!" Someone shouted in grief: "Give me back my son!"

"Hang him!" Another cry rang out: "Let him pay with his life!"

Colonel Scull stopped the angry freedmen by banging his gavel.

He took off his monocle, and for the first time since the trial began, he stepped out of his role as judge and prosecutor and showed human emotions.

"You regret not killing more, those you have already killed..." Skull looked at his old classmates and asked with great restraint: "But they are all compatriots from the Galloping Horse Country, children of the new settlers, and mine. Subordinates, your juniors, how can you say such things?!"

"Compatriots? There are only enemies on the battlefield!" Saner seemed to have heard the most ridiculous words. He pointed at everyone under the dome and laughed: "You! The dead! The not dead! You guys! Rebellious party! Each of you deserves to die!"

Colonel Scull was silent for a moment and put on his monocle again: "Clerk, record - the person under trial has no objection to the conclusion of the consequences of the attack."

Sanel is still laughing.

"Sanel Karoi." Colonel Skull knocked the gavel and asked: "Before attacking the New Reclamation Corps, did you understand the possible consequences of your actions?"

"Consequences?" Saner said with a smile on his face, "It's nothing more than starting a war with you!"

"Since you have anticipated the consequences." Colonel Scull asked solemnly, "Why do you still launch an attack?"

"Why?" Sanel stared.

"You know that attacking Maple Leaf Castle is equivalent to starting a war in the new land, but you still insist on going your own way. Why?" Colonel Scull's voice resounded in the great meeting hall: "Until you kill the enemy, the new land army can't. They all regard you as an ally!"

"Friendly forces? Don't fool yourself!" Saner sneered: "Don't the New Reclamation Army only obey the orders of the New Reclamation Army? When did you become my friendly army?"

Colonel Scull asked: "If it's not a friendly force, why doesn't the New Reclamation Army attack you? If it's not a friendly force, why doesn't the New Reclamation Army expel you? If it's not a friendly force, why doesn't the New Reclamation Army provide you with everything it needs? It's not a friendly force, the New Reclamation Army Why did the Land Reclamation Corps want to leave its garrison in Jinghu County?"

"Disobey the orders of the Grand Council." Saner interrupted Scull: "You are the rebels. Adams is a henchman, swinging between the rebels and the Grand Council, dead. It’s not a pity.”

Colonel Skull shook his head, looked to the left and right, and said to all the free men: "No matter what the Grand Council thinks of General Adams, he at least blocked the fire of war ignited by Grove Magnus from the newly cultivated land. Outside. All the free men in the newly cultivated land can testify to this."

"Aye!" There was a sound of approval under the dome.

"You claimed that the New Reclamation Army did not obey the orders of the Grand Council." Colonel Scull cited scriptures and continued: "But from the beginning of its establishment, the New Reclamation Army was given the right to self-government. The New Reclamation Army faithfully fulfilled We have fulfilled our obligations under the honorable and inviolable Tord Agreement, but the Grand Council has no right to ask the Legion to pay more.”

Colonel Skull retorted to Sarnell unhurriedly:

"You claim that the New Reclamation Army disobeys the orders of the Grand Council, and therefore the New Reclamation Army is your enemy, so it is natural for you to attack the New Reclamation Army.

"But I want to ask you, which law is it that stipulates that the new reclamation army must obey the Grand Council and obey its orders?"

"Aye!!" The voices of approval came from all directions even louder.

Although many free people did not fully understand Colonel Skull's logic, the free people in the newly cultivated land were willing to applaud Colonel Skull as long as they could defeat this arrogant lackey of the Kings Castle.

"Even assuming that the reasons you claim are reasonable." Colonel Skull asked calmly:

"Then, please answer my last question - before deciding to use force to destroy the New Reclamation Army, did you and the Grand Council of the Kings' Castles behind you discuss taking peaceful measures to solve the problem? Have you ever tried Have you ever considered solving the problem through bloodless means? Have you ever considered using legal means to solve the problem?

"Have you ever thought about it, ever minded it, have you ever cared about it - what kind of price will the new settlers have to pay for your actions?"

"Please answer my question." Colonel Skull took off his glasses and looked at his old classmate who was loyal to Grove Magnus: "Sanel Karoi."

"Aye!!!" All the free men in the newly settled land applauded in unison.

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