Iron Powder and Spellcaster

"Why was you captured at Maple Leaf Fort? And you were captured as the commander of Maple Leaf Fort?"

As soon as Colonel Skull said this, many free people in the Grand Council Hall were shocked - it turned out that the federal man in front of them was the "Red Rose Shield" who defended Maple Leaf Castle!

Since Maple Leaf Castle was not captured until July 2nd - that is, six days ago - many free men from other counties just caught up with the last moment before the red rose flag fell from the high wall of Maple Leaf Castle.

Therefore, even free men from other counties had some knowledge of the feats of the "Red Rose Shield".

However, at this moment, the people under the dome of the Grand Council Hall could not easily distinguish the haggard, zombie-like federal man on the trial bench from the "Red Rose Man" who was tenacious and resisted the "Blood Wolf" for nearly a month. Shield" linked together.

Even because Alder Felt left such a bad impression on the jurors, Winters' evaluation among the free men also declined slightly.

"The blood wolf has been blocked by this kind of thing for a month?" Someone secretly muttered: "It doesn't look very powerful."

More free people in the new land were shocked by the overlap of the two separate images of "United Province Man" and "Red Rose Shield".

It should be noted that the "Red Rose Shield" is currently the most famous commander of the Grand Council Army in the New Reclamation Land.

Because the early planning, gaming, and details of the battle in the Howling Valley were not known to outsiders.

Therefore, the public, which lacks information and military literacy, can only judge heroes through success or failure.

In view of the poor performance of others - Colonel Sanel Karoi, who made wildly successful reports before the war, was beaten down in one day when they really started fighting;

Major Sandel Capello, who comes from a distinguished family, was still trying to assure the gentry of Wargne County that everything was under control during the day. However, at night, the "Blood Wolf" came to visit him. Not only did he become a prisoner, but his ancestral sword also became his family's. spoils of war.

This made the Red Rose officer who stayed at Maple Leaf Castle the only commander of the Great Parliamentary Army who performed well in the eyes of the public in the new land - after all, everyone else was finished, and he was still there.

Therefore, out of the motive of competing with the "Communication" published by the "Rebels", some Maplestone City gentry who are loyal to the Great Council will vigorously praise the remnants of the Parliamentary Army outside the city to defend Maple Leaf Castle and face the The blood wolf attacks the unyielding feat.

As for why the Great Council Army was reduced to the situation where only the remaining defeated soldiers were trapped in Maple Leaf Castle, they withdrew in good faith.

According to them, it was precisely because of the constraints of the defenders of Maple Leaf Castle that the "rebels" were unable to establish new land and counterattack the King's Castle immediately.

The Tiefeng County Army's massive siege drills also inadvertently "sponsored" this understanding.

The story changed hands repeatedly, and the settings gradually increased.

I don't know when, someone gave the unknown commander of the Great Council Army who defended Maple Leaf Castle the nickname "Red Rose Shield".

Due to the authoritative nature given to "Newsletter", it is naturally easy to arouse the rebellious emotions of the audience. Compared with the news about "the righteous new land reclamation coalition forces defeated the puppet parliamentary army", the people of Palato were more willing to listen to a tragic story about besieging an isolated city.

As the story spread more and more, the name "Red Rose Shield" spread like wildfire and became a banner of the Great Council Army.

But at this moment, looking at the slender and lifeless Union Provincial man on the judgment seat, all free men who had heard of the "Red Rose Shield" were disappointed.

Especially a fellow from the province!

The gap between expectations and reality creates a strong sense of disillusionment in people's hearts - this is also the reaction Skoll Mecklund expected to see.

If it weren't for the purpose of tearing off the last fig leaf of the King's Castle, the officer of the United Provinces who was brought to trial today should be another artillery lieutenant colonel, not a mere infantry major.

Facing the silent Alder Felt, Colonel Skull asked again, driving the final nail in the coffin for the supporters of the Castles who were still harboring illusions:

"Why? An officer from the United Provinces will come to the new land and act as the 'Red Rose Shield'?"

Major Felt was confused by the colonel's question. What is the "Red Rose Shield"? The major knew nothing about it.

He glanced behind him because he wasn't even sure if the colonel was speaking to him.

But he remained silent and responded to the colonel's questions with silence.

Colonel Skull frowned and picked up the gavel.

At this moment, Colonel Nagy took the initiative to speak and came to the rescue of Major Felt.

"Colonel Skull Mecklen, can you tell me?" Colonel Nagy asked loudly without changing his face: "Why can't federal provincial officers appear in the new land?"

One stone stirs up a thousand waves, and Colonel Nagy's words caused an uproar among free men.

People were shocked at first, shocked that the dignified colonel commander could ask such nonsense;

Then there was anger, anger that Naji Modaqi, as a Plato, dared to ask such nonsense which was tantamount to treason;

The last thing that came to mind was confusion, because although no one wanted to see soldiers from other countries - even allies - set foot in Palato, there were indeed few people present who could explain clearly why federal provincial officers could not appear in Palato. Latu?

Colonel Scull was neither surprised, nor angry, nor confused.

After inducing Colonel Nagy to join the "confrontation", Colonel Scull immediately retracted his aggressive attitude towards the juniors of the United Provinces and restored his previous calmness and restraint.

He put down the gavel, reopened the indictment, and read out slowly:

"On May 28th and 29th, during the Battle of Wail Valley, Alder Felt, as the highest-ranking officer of the South Road Detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army, actually commanded six infantry brigades, a cavalry detachment and the attached baggage The troops, about 3,300 in total, launched an offensive along the lines of Maple Rock City, Maiqiu Town, and Green Valley Town, intending to cut off the coalition's retreat.

"On May 27, Alder Felt commanded the southern detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army to arrive at Green Valley Town. They fought with the Tiefeng County Army and were repulsed. The Tiefeng County Army then voluntarily withdrew from Green Valley Town;

“On May 28, Alder Felt commanded the southern detachment of the puppet parliamentary army to occupy the undefended town of Green Valley;

“On May 30, Alder Felt commanded the southern detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army to fight again with the 3rd and 4th Light Cavalry Squadrons of the Tiefeng County Army in Green Valley Town, and was defeated;

"On the evening of May 30th, Alder Felt commanded the South Road Detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army to withdraw from Green Valley Town. They were pursued by the 3rd and 4th Light Cavalry Squadrons of the Tiefeng County Army and were defeated. His troops Most were captured;

“On June 2, Alder Felt fled back to Maplestone City and then occupied Maple Leaf Castle;

"On July 2, Alder Felt surrendered to the Union forces."

"Major Alder Felt." Colonel Scull closed the indictment, looked down at the interrogator who also lowered his head, and asked without emotion: "The above is the reason why you were finally captured at Maple Leaf Fort. .Do you have any objections to the above content?”

Major Felt pursed his lips tightly and endured the strange looks from all directions.

Even Colonel Nagy glanced at the major with a strange look when he heard the part about "the South Road Detachment was defeated by just two squadrons of light cavalry."

For soldiers, there is no such "trial method" more humiliating and cruel.

Faced with the cold and accurate records, Major Felt no longer had the strength to say "no comment."

…

[Tiefeng County Seating Area]

"Three thousand three hundred people were defeated by two squadrons? Two squadrons? Three hundred cavalry? Or light cavalry?" Nandor was in disbelief: "Did I hear correctly?"

Gilad tried his best not to look too proud, but the crooked corners of his eyes betrayed old Dussac.

"Take care of him." He coughed lightly: "That's my son."

…

Major Felt was silent.

After waiting for a moment, Colonel Scull calmly ordered: "Clerk, record - the person under trial has no objection to the reasons why he was captured at Maple Leaf Castle."

The people on the steps burst into laughter again, and the officers laughed especially loudly.

"Skull Meklen, you have already won." Colonel Nagy looked at the people on the steps with disgust, and warned the younger generation with a sullen look on his face: "There is no need to humiliate us like this. Because sooner or later, you will also taste defeat. The taste of."

"I'm not humiliating you, Naji Modaki." Colonel Scull replied calmly: "I'm just stating the facts."

The laughter on the steps was even louder, especially the laughter coming from the officers’ seating area, which was simply unbridled.

"Quiet!" Colonel Scull shouted angrily, picked up the gavel, and struck the base hard.

Just like pouring a basin of cold water on a candle, the grand meeting hall suddenly fell silent. The person who was still laughing just now closed his mouth in a sullen manner, but confusion and dissatisfaction rose in his heart.

"Nagy Modach, Alder Felt, do you think I am humiliating you?" Colonel Scull stood up and looked down at the two of them with a stern face: "This means that you don't know your crimes now. Where!"

"And you!" Colonel Scull looked at the seats where the officers were sitting, frowned and slapped his palm on the table: "Do you think I am humiliating them? This means that you don't know what their crimes are. Place!"

There was silence in both the officers' and freemen's quarters.

"You!" Colonel Scull pointed at an official lieutenant from Leiqun County: "Stand up."

The lieutenant who was called immediately stood up, but his brows were full of confusion.

"Recite." Colonel Scull ordered bluntly: "The Sacred and Inviolable Charter of the Union Signed by the Republics, Section 2, Article 1."

For regular officers who have memorized the "Charter of the Union" for ten years in the military academy, Seven Sections and Thirty-Six Articles are something more familiar than the diary of their birth date.

Although he was a little panicked, the lieutenant who was called still read out instinctively: "Section 2, Article 1, the protection of the rights and powers of the people, the country and the alliance requires armed force. This force is for the well-being of all people, rather than being established by the interests of the individual or group subject to such power.”

Colonel Scull waved the lieutenant to sit down, and then nodded to another lieutenant: "You, Section 2, Article 4."

The second lieutenant who was called also recited it fluently: "Section 2, Article 4, the scope of the armed forces of the republics to use force within the territory of the Union is limited to the areas owned and claimed to have jurisdiction by the republics to which they belong. "

Then the third lieutenant: "You, Section 2, Article 8."

"Section 2, Article 8. Without the consent of the Alliance Parliament and the allies, the republics shall not send armed forces to the allies, nor may they conclude agreements or treaties with the allies."

Finally, Colonel Scull pointed to the captain sitting in the first row of the Tiefeng County sector: "Section 2, Article 10."

Winters stood up and replied sonorously: "Section 2, Article 10, Republics shall not go to war with allies unless they have been invaded or are in imminent danger!"

Colonel Scull solemnly listened to the lieutenants reciting the "Charter of the Alliance". From his expression, others could feel in a trance what a sacred mood the people who concluded the great alliance had when they wrote these words. .

"Alder Felt." Colonel Scull looked at Major Felt and asked with piercing eyes:

“Are you a soldier of the Plato Republic?

“Is the newly reclaimed land an area owned and claimed by the federal province?

“Did you get permission from the Alliance Council and the Plato Republic?

"Or has the United Provinces been invaded and is in imminent danger?

"Or is the United Provinces Republic already at war with the Plato Republic?"

Colonel Skull's tone became more severe with each sentence, hitting everyone's heart like a sledgehammer.

Although they were not asked by the colonel, people still held their breath subconsciously.

By the time the colonel asked the last words, the Great Council Hall was so quiet that one could hear the flapping of birds passing through the skylight.

Major Felt was speechless.

He also knew the "Charter of the Alliance" recited by the lieutenants by heart. But after more than ten years of wasted time and hardship, he had long regarded the Seven Sections and Thirty-Six Articles as empty words and nonsense.

When the transfer order to the Kings' Castle appeared in front of him, he regarded the transfer more as a step for promotion than the mission of 'defending the alliance' in Jason Cornelis's words, and agreed without hesitation.

Likewise, when faced with the opportunity to lead an independent army into the war, he immediately grasped it.

Guilt? Maybe a little, maybe not at all.

However, no matter how many reasons he had, he could not answer the colonel's question.

Therefore, he could only lower his head.

"Major Alder Felt." Colonel Scull put away his anger, sat back on the judge's chair, and launched a rigorous accusation: "As a serving soldier of the United Provinces, you commanded troops and participated in operations in Plato. Caused casualties and property damage.

"You, as well as the Federal Provincial Army Command who ordered you, and the instigators behind the Federal Provincial Army Command, as a whole endowed with public power, have in fact trampled on the relevant provisions of the Union Charter regarding the armed forces of the republics. .”

Colonel Scull asked coldly: "Are you still 'no comment'?"

"I..." Major Felt hesitated.

"Skull Mecklen!" Colonel Nagy yelled, interrupting Major Felt's thoughts: "Are you the only one who can memorize the Alliance Charter?!"

The attention of everyone in the big meeting hall was also attracted by Colonel Najib.

Colonel Nagy turned to the surrounding audience as if giving a public speech. He also picked up the "Charter of the Union" as a weapon: "Section 4, Article 4, the Union must safeguard the republican form of government and protect the republics from invasion by foreign enemies. , and shall, at the request of the parliaments or chief executives of the republics, assist the republics in suppressing civil strife."

Colonel Skull frowned.

"Major Alder Felt and other allied soldiers came to Plato at the request of the Grand Council to help quell the chaos..." Colonel Nagy deliberately emphasized the word "quell the chaos": "Why not? "

"Suppressing civil strife is the responsibility of the 'Union Army'." Colonel Scull immediately retorted: "It is not an excuse for the Union Provincial Army."

"Whether it is the United Provincial Army or the Palatine Army, they are originally part of the Alliance Army." Colonel Najib responded tit-for-tat: "Although they belong to different republics, the nature of the Alliance Army has not changed."

"Absurd! The Alliance Army has long been disbanded. How can the armed forces of the republics and the armed forces of the Alliance be confused?"

"There is no provision in the Charter of the Union that states that the armed forces of the republics cannot be the armed forces of the Union."

The two colonels, one sitting on the judge's bench and the other standing on the trial bench, were arguing with each other in a heated exchange of words, which dumbfounded the free people sitting on the steps.

…

In the Tiefeng County seating area, Nandor poked the people on both sides: "Uh... who won?"

"The one who stands has the upper hand." Richard from Blackwater watched the debate intently.

…

Perhaps thinking that continuing to argue about the definition of "Union Armed Forces" would be fruitless, Colonel Scull took the initiative to change: "You claim that Alder Felt came to Plato 'at request'. Who requested it?" ? And who approved it?"

When Colonel Naji saw Skull Mecklund retreating, he immediately pursued the victory and shouted: "Of course it is a request from the Grand Council! Approved by the Alliance Government!"

Colonel Skull asked sternly: "What evidence do you have to prove that the Puppet Parliament of the Kings Castle issued a request? And what evidence do you have to prove that the Alliance Government approved it?

Colonel Najib asked calmly: "Then what evidence do you have to prove that the Grand Council did not issue a request? The coalition government did not give approval?"

…

"The one who stands will win." Richard from Blackwater Town suddenly spoke again in the Tiefeng County seating area.

"Ah?" Nandor was shocked: "Isn't that guy making excuses?"

"This is a trial!" Richard said with certainty, stroking his beard, "As long as you can muddy the water, you have won."

…

Most of the discerning free people have already seen that Colonel Skull, who values ​​logic and rationality, was disgraced by Colonel Red Rose's haphazard strategy.

As Richard of Blackwater says, this is a trial, a trial that builds the basis of the legitimacy of the new regime.

What the party sitting on the judge's bench wants is a complete moral and legal victory, rather than simply destroying the person being judged physically.

If it was just for the latter, there would be no need to go to such great lengths, as a single executioner could handle the matter beautifully.

It was precisely in response to the enemy's core demands that Najib Modaki, who stood on the trial bench, launched a counterattack.

His way of counterattack is to tell a lie, a lie that everyone knows is false but cannot be falsified legally.

And use this lie as a starting point to drag all the judges who must be spotless into the cesspool.

As long as he achieves this, then even if Najib Modaki is sent to the gallows as soon as he walks out of the Grand Council Hall, he will still be victorious in death.

…

"Any resolution passed by the Great Council must be published in the Di'an newspaper and made public. You said that the Puppet Parliament of the Kings Castle issued a request, why is there no record in the recent Di'an newspaper?"

"The Dibao is sent out every quarter. If it is not in the previous issue of the Dibao, it does not mean that it is not in the next issue of the Dibao." Colonel Nagy answered fluently: "What's more, after the New Reclamation Army dispatched troops to suppress the New Reclamation Corps headquarters, , the kings’ castles will no longer send out newspapers to newly cultivated lands, right? How do you know what is in the latest issue of the newspaper?”

"You claimed that the Puppet Council of the Kings' Castle sent a request." Colonel Skull wiped the sweat from his forehead gently, and then started with the details: "When was the request sent?"

Colonel Nagy said with a smile: "I am old and can't remember the specific time."

"Can't remember the specific time?" Colonel Skull suddenly narrowed his eyes, caught the other party's fleeting flaw, and asked in a deep voice: "That means there is a specific time, but you can't remember it."

Colonel Nagy also became cautious: "I told you, I can't remember clearly."

"You should know the approximate time." Colonel Scull pressed forward step by step.

This time, Colonel Nagy did not answer immediately. He pondered for a long time and gave an answer that could never be falsified: "After March, before April."

Colonel Scull compared this time with his memory. After a moment, he sighed: "What a coincidence. The newspaper comes out every quarter, but December, January, and February are in the same issue, and March, April, and May are all in one issue." It's the first issue. You believe that I only have the last quarter's Dibao, so you say it is after March; there was a coup in Guitucheng on April 1st, and Alder Felt and others received the transfer order on April 3rd, so you Said it was before April.”

Colonel Najib responded lightly: "If what I said is false, it can be easily proven by looking for the second quarter newspaper."

"Stop pretending, Naji Modaki." Colonel Skull's eyes pierced into Colonel Naji's eyes: "After the second coup of the Kings Castle, the Di newspaper was completely stopped. In the second quarter, the Di newspaper There is no such thing as retribution.”

"So." Colonel Nagy laughed and unbuttoned his clothes, opened his arms, and exposed his chest to everyone present: "Why don't you just strike here with a sword, it will be much easier than doing this trial trick."

"Skull Mecklen." Colonel Nagy turned to look at his old classmate and said calmly: "When you put us on the trial bench, it was a gamble. The last time you and I played against each other, I lost. Yes. But this time..."

Colonel Najib was sure of victory: "You lost!"

Colonel Skull's face was expressionless.

The great meeting hall was silent, and the free people did not even dare to breathe, for fear of offending Colonel Skull and becoming a victim.

After a moment of silence, Skull Mecklen clapped.

"Ever since childhood school, you have been able to beat me every time." Colonel Scull took off his judge's mask and talked about the past with emotion. Then, he suddenly changed the subject: "But this time, you are the one who loses." twice."

Colonel Nagy was slightly startled, and the free people under the dome were equally astonished. Even many low-ranking officers were confused.

"I really can't find the newspaper that Nagy Modaki said." Colonel Scull said to the free people loudly: "But I have more conclusive evidence."

After that, he picked up the gavel and banged it hard, and ordered the military police: "Bring witnesses to court!"

Soon, the military police escorted the witnesses into the large meeting hall.

Only then did people discover that the witness mentioned by Colonel Scull was not one or two people, but two entire groups of prisoners, one long and one short.

The short team were all powerful young men. Although they were scrutinized by thousands of pairs of eyes, they showed no fear. They were just shackled and acted in a slightly awkward manner.

In the long group, there were men, women, and children. No one was shackled, only tied with ropes. Many people were frightened and cried as soon as they entered the door.

"Silence!" Colonel Scull warned calmly, scaring away the tears from the witnesses.

At this time, an exclamation broke out from the seats on the steps, as if someone recognized the identity of the "witness".

Then, there were exclamations one after another, followed by whispers. Obviously, the appearance of witnesses greatly stimulated the free people of the newly settled lands, making them urgently need more information.

"Silence!!!" Colonel Scull warned again.

This time, the Great Council fell into complete silence.

"Let me introduce the witnesses to you." Colonel Scull stood up, pointed at the shorter group of witnesses, and directly called out their names and identities: "Lieutenant Rainier Ball, John ·Second Lieutenant Felt, Second Lieutenant Axel Orange, Second Lieutenant Jan Cohen..."

The free people were first confused, then enlightened, then shocked, then overwhelmingly angry.

"Yes, they are all federal army officers." Colonel Scull opened the last layer of the veil in the hearts of all free people: "They secretly sneaked into the newly cultivated land, cooperated with those with evil intentions, and armed the gangsters and bandits in various counties. Waiting for an opportunity to cause trouble."

Colonel Scull pointed to the longer group of prisoners: "That group of witnesses are their collaborators. It seems that several gentlemen present have recognized their identities."

"And these spies and spies were sent to the new land in the late summer and early autumn of last year!" Colonel Scull turned to look at Alder Felt and Naji Modaki, and said sternly: "Far away Earlier than the Battle of the Howling Valley! Far earlier than the Maple Leaf Castle tragedy! Far earlier than the April 1st Kuitu City coup!”

Every time Colonel Skull said a word, he slammed the table hard and hit the hearts of everyone in the audience:

"Even before the new settlements sent troops into the new settlements! Earlier than the raids of the Herds of Tertun tribe! Earlier than every one of your lies!

"Long before we became enemies! You were already planning to attack us! You have even inserted daggers into the newly cultivated land!

“Whether it’s the Grand Council of the Kings’ Castles or the distant federal provincial government, you have never thought of using peaceful means to solve problems!

"Force is never your backup plan, but your first choice!

"From the very beginning, you planned to conquer the newly cultivated land by force! You came with swords and guns, and you showed no mercy or shame even if you killed them like rivers of blood."

Colonel Scull snapped the case and angrily shouted: "The evidence is irrefutable! What else do you have to say?!"

After a moment of silence, Najib laughed: "Winner or loser, we just lost."

Naji Modaq laughed and glanced around at the free men: "The winner is the winner and the loser is the loser! We just lost!"

"You and Sanel are indeed the same." Colonel Scull replied: "I can't imagine what it would be like if you won."

"Hang him! Hang him!" Familiar shouts rang out in the Great Council Hall again. The free men of the new land, who had recovered from the shock and shock, were even angrier than the previous time: "Hang them!"

"Quiet!" Colonel Scull raised his gavel high and slammed it on the base.

With a cracking sound, the hammer handle broke, sawdust flew out, and the hammer head flew to nowhere.

The shouts from the Grand Council Hall were like broken gavels, disappearing without end.

"Take them down." Colonel Scull waved his hand a little tiredly. He wiped his single eye, took a deep breath, and gave an order that was unexpected by all the free people in the audience: "Take them down." Group of persons on trial.”

…

In the Tiefeng County Sector, Nandor's mouth was dry: "Huh? Are you still going to be tried? Who else is going to be tried?"

Richard from Blackwater Town had three deep lines between his eyebrows, and he looked at Old Dussac in surprise.

"I don't know who to interrogate." Gilad shook his head at Richard, and then said to himself: "But I'm afraid this is the most difficult one."

…

Major Alder Felt and Colonel Nagy Modach were taken down by the military police.

A third group of interrogators was brought up.

There was only one person, wearing a school officer uniform, forty years old, handsome, with silver hair styled into a beautiful ponytail.

[Since the era in which the book is written did not have as complete a legal system as it does today (of course today's legal system is far from perfect), many crimes cannot be used, and many behaviors are not clearly criminalized]

[For example, the crime of endangering national security. Didn’t anyone endanger national security in the 16th and 17th centuries? ]

[Of course there is, but at that time the crimes were not classified carefully enough. It was possible to commit crimes endangering national security, and in the end they were executed for [treason] [major treason] or simply [murder]]

[It’s not that people in the past didn’t value procedural justice, but that the procedure itself was not mature enough, so it was easier to obtain justice as a result - let’s just say he was not hanged.jpg]

[So for Skull, it is easy to kill people, but achieving moral, procedural and legal victory is the most important]

[However, this also buried new conflicts, allowing the subsequent plot to unfold]

[Thanks to book friends for their collection, reading, subscription, recommendation votes, monthly votes, rewards and comments, thank you all]