Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1613 In Court

The old man pondered for a while: "Then, Miss Zhu Ling, may I consider that panda your pet? I don't know if the panda can listen in, but if you consider her your pet, it will be much easier."

Zhu Ling confirmed with Longlong's sister and nodded, "Okay."

"Alright, alright. Then please leave immediately, pets are not allowed here."

“I think they can bring them,” Victoria said, raising her hand.

"Well, it's still up to you then." The old man found a way out and backed down.

Helios himself supervised the trial, and he dared not make a single mistake. But since the emperor had spoken, any problems could be addressed to the emperor; he didn't need to take responsibility.

There were many other people sitting below, the audience seats were almost full. Even Karin, the librarian on duty at the front desk, was sitting below; she had taken the day off to come and see what was going on.

The old man could tell at a glance that half of the people sitting below were not Romans, and half of those who were not Romans were not even human.

He was numb. He chose to give Helios a direct look—Helios remained silent.

"Then silence means consent."

The old man made a decision: "Alright, our trial can officially begin. First, let's have the plaintiff explain their intentions."

Shangluo had Ms. Agatha read the indictment—the very content they had discussed with Hermanubis during the daytime negotiations.

Han Xingzhi suffered irreversible physical and mental damage due to the curse that he would never have enough to eat in his life. His injuries are very serious, combining psychological and physical harm, and he is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Based on this, Shangluo proposed—

"In summary, the course of this case is that Han Xingzhi bought a large amount of bread in Yaru. In order not to waste it and to avoid being cursed, he asked many people to help him eat it. However, during this process, someone vomited it out after leaving the country, and Amun-Zeus thus cast an incomprehensible and erroneous curse, causing irreversible consequences. My agent believes that the defendant, Amun-Zeus, should compensate him with a drachma—and apologize to him in person."

The old man was startled upon hearing this. Although he had long anticipated this outcome, the seriousness of the matter still terrified him.

It's nothing, just an apology.

The key is to apologize in person—because Amun-Zeus never showed himself to anyone from beginning to end.

Making him apologize in person is to bring him out of the shadows and into the public eye, out of everyone's view.

This was a change that could alter everything. Because if Amun-Zeus came before them, the three suns would meet—the triad would hold a meeting and openly plan for Rome's future.

If Amun-Zeus loses the case, he will have to come here to fulfill the court's judgment. The court itself has no power to bind the sun god, but Helios, the sun god overseeing this trial, can ensure that the outcome is carried out. If the other party fails to fulfill their responsibilities, Helios will inflict his punishment, forcibly bringing Amun-Zeus to the meeting.

In that case, the meeting of the three leaders can still be held. In other words, the only possibility for Amun-Zeus to avoid showing himself is to win the case.

"Let me summarize," Ms. Agatha began. "We believe that the ritual is not a one-sided task, but a sacred two-way contract. We ate the bread, thus fulfilling our obligation. For the other party to play word games over such a minor issue as 'eating' and 'swallowing' after we have already fulfilled our obligation tarnishes the sanctity of the ritual. This demonstrates a flaw in the ritual itself, because vomiting is an unavoidable event. This rule was flawed from its inception, therefore the defendant should bear full responsibility."

“I object,” Hermanubis interrupted her. “This is no small matter. Eating and swallowing are certainly not the same. The requirement to eat it all is very clear, and I believe I have fulfilled my obligation to explain.”

“I object. The phrase ‘eat all’ is ambiguous not only in Sinian but also in Latin. It is a fact that you have failed to fulfill your obligation to explain.”

“Then let’s change the subject,” Hermanubis began. “Let’s set aside the rules—vomiting up what you’ve eaten is an expulsion of the sacred bread that has entered your body, an offense against the ritual. Let’s not even talk about eating it all; just the matter of expelling the bread from your stomach is enough to warrant a curse.”

"Is there something wrong with your bread? If there's something wrong with your bread that caused someone to vomit, then isn't the problem with you?!"

“I object! This has nothing to do with bread.”

“Rejected.” The old man looked at Hermanubis. “Your burden of proof is on you. If you cannot confirm this here, then we will proceed to the fact-checking stage, formally collecting evidence of the bread and presenting it as evidence.”

“I object to your rejection. Because the bread in the ritual is pure, it is impossible for a defiled bread to be born from Aru—Aru simply cannot defile all of this.”

"Yes, your rebuttal is valid." The old man nodded. "That's a fact. I think the plaintiff still has to..."

"Wait a minute." Shang Luo stood up. "May I ask, Lord Hermanubis, what did you just say?"

“I said, the bread is clean, everyone knows that, that’s a fact.”

“Ah~~” Shangluo nodded, “Then can I ask a question based on this: if we believe that the bread is completely without fault, then is all of this due to the divine authority of Amun-Zeus?”

"of course."

"Then are you qualified to stand here on behalf of Amun-Zeus? Prove that you are! Otherwise, let him appear in court himself! Because we have now proven that this matter was entirely caused and executed by the divine power of Amun-Zeus. If you cannot represent Amun-Zeus, what are you doing standing here?"

"Hmm?" The old man sitting in the middle raised his head. "Defendant, what do you have to say about this? The plaintiff has questioned your identity. I think Lord Amon Zeus should have issued you some power of attorney, authorizing you to appear in court on his behalf. In that case, please submit your power of attorney."

"I do not have."

"No?! Ah, then you must have been the one who left from here? Then please leave. This court will be conducting a trial in absentia! Lord Amon Zeus, please apologize in person within three days!"

(End of this chapter)