Lanse, former infantry second lieutenant of the Imperial Northern Legion.
During a battle 12 years ago, one of his eyes was accidentally stabbed out by a demon man, and half the flesh of his face was torn off.
He retired due to severe disability but had his severance pay embezzled by his superior.
Returning to his hometown of Lowen, he found his mother had been disemboweled by the Blood Race, her body already rotting with maggots, and the silverware that could have saved his life was looted from the house.
From then on, he turned to banditry and headed south.
Along the way, he robbed houses, murdered for money, and committed every evil.
He gathered a group of thugs and ruffians around him, causing trouble day and night along the coasts of Angres and the Great Inland Lake.
Lafeier had read this in Lanse’s diary.
If not for those 10 years of villainy, even if the reward were a four-cylinder steam engine or even attaining the title of Supreme Monarch, Lafeier would not have laid a hand on him.
Yet it was precisely those 10 years that turned one tragedy into countless tragedies.
Revenge should be directed at the wicked, not at society as a whole.
“Quiet.” Lafeier’s soft command silenced the area instantly. Even the mercenaries who opposed him found themselves unable to open their mouths, for some reason.
“Now, let us begin the trial of mercenary captain Lanse for his crimes.”
Trial? On what authority?
–The mercenaries glared resentfully at Lafeier.
Indeed, even without a trial, executing him directly would have been trivial.
But Lafeier also wanted to use this to establish authority over these mercenaries and pass judgment on these demons.
“I know you have doubts. Next, I will list Lanse’s crimes one by one.”
“First, dereliction of duty. As the defense force hired by the prison, Lanse, while receiving full wages and benefits, turned a blind eye to the sudden prison riot, constituting severe neglect of duty. This is the first crime.”
After speaking, Lafeier relaxed his pressure and then asked, “Lanse, do you plead guilty?”
“I—I don’t!” Lanse roared.
“Our duty is to guard against external enemies. A prisoner riot is a prison management issue; it has nothing to do with us!”
Hearing this, the guards became furious and started pointing at him, cursing:
“You bastard, how dare you say that!”
“Defense means covering all aspects. Are you saying the national army can only defend against the Blood Race and not suppress rebellions?”
“Oh ho, a reactionary freeze faction!”
…
Lafeier smiled and let the guards steer the issue toward political direction.
To deal with a scoundrel, you must use even more scoundrel-like methods.
Hearing these words, Lanse’s face turned pale.
Words like “colluding with the Black Party,” “reactionary,” “rebel”… one after another, heavy charges were slammed onto his head.
“Then…” After a while, Lafeier said, “I declare the charge of dereliction of duty valid. The defendant’s objection is overruled.”
“No, you!”
Liliya kicked Lanse in the back of his knee.
“Urgh!”
Lanse was kicked to his knees and glared viciously at Liliya.
“You bitch, I’ll make sure you die!”
“Defendant Lanse,” Lafeier said slowly, “may I take that as a threat against law enforcement personnel?”
“No, I… I didn’t!”
Lanse exclaimed. At some point, he had already accepted the fact that he was being tried.
“It seems a change in status also brings a change in mentality.”
Then Lafeier proceeded to the second charge:
“Second, sexual harassment. It is understood that the defendant Lanse and his subordinates repeatedly offended the prison guards with words or stole their private clothing. According to Imperial law, women working in special positions such as prison, funeral services, and hospitals have their purity and sanctity inviolable. Depending on severity, it can be treated as sexual assault or murder.”
“Lanse, do you have any objection?”
“I—” Before he could speak, Estina walked to the center of the hall.
“Sir, as the representative of the guards, I swear by the honor of the 27 guards present and my own that this charge is completely true. The defendant Lanse has indeed repeatedly committed blasphemous acts against the guards!”
“Very well, then this charge is valid.”
Estina indeed had a keen ability to read expressions; Lafeier only gave her a glance, and she immediately understood.
“What!”
Hearing Lafeier’s final verdict without giving him any chance to defend himself, how could Lanse not see what Lafeier was up to!
This guy never intended to have a proper trial; he came to kill him!
He looked up at Lafeier’s gentle face, and the seemingly harmless eyes suddenly seemed filled with knives!
“Then, the third charge: the defendant Lanse’s office contained a large amount of jewelry and valuables, far exceeding what his salary could afford. Therefore, we charge him with corruption, bribery, and embezzlement.”
This charge was not entirely baseless, but it was close to it.
Using “being wealthy” to infer corruption would have been a joke in a formal court.
Unfortunately, this was neither formal nor a court.
This was merely a show of authority and execution disguised as a “trial.”
The mercenaries were suffocating under the pressure, finding it hard even to open their mouths.
The guards, on the other hand, were smug, wearing expressions of amusement.
Lanse himself fell into endless rage, biting his lips until they bled, a large red flush spreading across his forehead.
After a moment of silence, “Since no one has any objection, this charge is valid.”
“Next, the fourth charge.”
“The defendant Lanse privately kept male half-breeds, violating the Imperial Half-Breed Management Regulations.”
Hearing this, the red on Lanse’s face rapidly faded, replaced by a pale complexion and sweat pouring down his forehead.
“I… I confess. Don’t say any more!”
Lafeier ignored Lanse’s pleas and continued:
“Furthermore, the defendant Lanse engaged in adultery with male half-breeds, an abomination, akin to a monster. Therefore, we charge Lanse with heresy and blasphemy.”
The hatred in Lanse’s eyes instantly turned into deep-seated fear.
“Lanse, do you have any objection?”
“No, it’s not like that, Warden. It’s not like that!”
Lafeier threw the book titled “Guide to Evaluating Half-Breeds” onto the ground. The open pages stabbed into Lanse’s heart like knives.
Estina curiously glanced at it and was immediately terrified, her face losing color.
“He actually committed adultery with half-breeds, and with males?”
“Disgusting, inhumane!”
“Tsk tsk, truly the face reflects the heart.”
…
The guards discussed Lanse’s crimes, but only Estina remained silent.
Gulp. She swallowed and murmured in a voice only she could hear:
“Adultery is already the lightest, most trivial issue.”
“This guy loves to watch… piece by piece… then eat…”
“Loves to hear their painful wails.”
“He’s no longer human. He’s a demon, a pure demon!”
…
On the platform in the center of the hall, facing the crowd below the steps.
Lafeier used his right foot to slightly push Lanse aside.
“Then I declare the charges of heresy and blasphemy both valid.”
As the words fell, the pressure made everyone involuntarily stiffen.