Chapter 139 Verdict

Bai Ta Town hasn't held a town-wide public trial for nearly ten years, perhaps because those accused of heresy are mostly ignorant country men and women, and the charges are nothing more than vague allegations of disrespecting the gods, or associating with the devil, or having an affair. What's so good about such things that it's worth luring all the men, women, and children in the town - including the gentlemen - out like a flock of ducks to watch?

The trial was held in the town's only church, the Church of Light, where the Trial Association had beheaded priests, their heads seemingly floating in the blood. Now, the spiritual leader of this group of passionate and violent young people was about to be taken to a makeshift dock.

Cardinal Dante Matthews had already spread the word that the culprit had been apprehended. As long as the remaining "sinners" in this sin-ridden town prayed devoutly to the gods and confessed their crimes, the Inquisition would be willing to show leniency, forgive past offenses, and even release those already imprisoned.

So many people came to watch the trial that the church door was forced to be wide open to prevent the townspeople who were blocked outside by the judge from hearing any words.

This was a public trial. The first to be brought to the bench were the townspeople, who meekly and tearfully confessed their crimes, which had been committed after being bewitched by the devil. The inquisitors of the Inquisition were indeed very generous and pardoned them. They only needed to accept ten lashes and pay a certain amount of fine before they could return home.

The crowd gradually grew noisy and restless. But suddenly, a strange silence spread from the end of the crowd toward the church, like an infectious disease. A cold wind blew away the sweat on everyone's forehead, cooling the restlessness.

The young scholar appeared at the end of the crowd.

He looked like a pale, black shadow from history, standing in the crowd, moving toward the crowd, silently observing everything around him. Everyone thought he was looking at them with his smoky, mirror-like eyes, like a fusion of silver stars.

He even wore shackles on his feet, but nothing on his bare hands or neck. Perhaps those people thought he couldn't escape, so waving his fists or holding his head high was meaningless.

At some point, the number of crows in this town suddenly increased, as if the crows that had long since left the White Tower had returned. They circled in the same pale sky, making hoarse and ominous announcements.

Nova couldn't help but squint his eyes, trying to focus on those tiny black dots. He saw the students of White Tower University, they were crowded in the crowd, holding each other's hands tightly, and Adrian looked like he was about to cry.

He saw his teacher. The old man had become even older than the last time they parted, and his face was covered with wrinkles like marks on the dry earth.

He saw Miss Emilia Carleton, who was almost his "fiancée", wearing a black dress, with her hands clasped together, looking at him sadly and helplessly.

He also saw his former cousin Percy Brody in the crowd - what was this kid doing here? Nova, who had lost his glasses, carefully checked again - that boy wearing the head of the family ring and a few strands of black curly hair from his hood, the same style as the Brody family, who else could it be but his stupid cousin?

The moment their eyes met, the young man's face turned pale, and he moved his lips as if he wanted to say something. But his brother had already looked away expressionlessly, as if he didn't see him - or perhaps he didn't want to see him.

A gust of wind passed through the professor's fingertips, and someone slowly held his hand.

Nova was stunned for a moment, then regained his composure and forced himself to continue walking towards the blood-stained church. There was no one around him except the guards, but the warmth and strength of the fingers were real. As if not wanting him to leave, the person slowly inserted their fingers between his slightly open, bare fingers, gripping them tightly, as if eager to pull him into the safety of the unknown.

But the other party finally let go of his hand, and the wind parted as soon as it touched his forehead, as if someone was trying to carve a talisman.

The prisoners finally entered the Church of Light, but the doors, which had been wide open, were now slammed shut. The bewildered townspeople were blocked outside by the judges, lingering, unwilling to leave.

The only one truly involved in this trial was the Holy See.

The Radiant Church, having witnessed the theology professor's terrifying eloquence, was unwilling to risk public embarrassment before the townspeople, or even the risk of a riot sparked by a few words, just to ensure a so-called "fair trial." As for whether this would spark protests? Would the disorganized townspeople really dare to storm the Church of Light over such a trivial matter? Moreover, there were religious laws, a jury, a judge, and witnesses. Who could claim the proceedings were unfair?

This behavior is despicable but effective, but only this person can force the Holy See to this extent with just his words.

Percy Brody stood in the crowd, his face as pale as a dead man.

When he sent the letter, he was very nervous. He vaguely knew his brother's feelings for the old maid who was hunched over and moved clumsily. His brother had a strained relationship with his mother. When he was young, his aunt had said in anger, "You are an ungrateful person who treats Maggie better than me and is easily deceived by the small favors given by the servants."

But his brother's reply was brief. After a simple thank you, he simply asked him to protect Ironthorne and Mrs. Brody. Percy couldn't suppress his foreboding feeling, so he ignored his father's objections and scolding and ran to White Tower alone.

This was undoubtedly an extremely foolish choice. All the powerful eyes were focused on this place, and the small Brody family should not be involved in it - but he couldn't do it.

What family interests, what honor? Is Percy Brody going to stay under the wings of others all his life, burying his head in the sand cowardly, until one day he learns about his brother's death from the newspaper?

The publication of "Divine History" also caused a huge shock within the St. Bartholomew Magician College.

Many students at St. Bartholomew's School of Magicians were already readers of the Limin Daily, especially those who had attended its open classes. After all, they were all young people, many of whom would inevitably enter politics. Whether they were criticizing or mocking the newspaper, or sincerely agreeing with some of its views, this suddenly emerging newspaper still garnered considerable attention from readers who were not its intended target audience.

People began to ask Percy vaguely about his brother, and the label attached to him gradually changed from "a fool who voluntarily gave up the inheritance of the title" to "a controversial but thoughtful scholar."

Percy's heart was filled with complex emotions. Once again, his brother had undeniably crushed him in a realm he knew nothing about. The dark jealousy and pride that had haunted him since childhood, along with the uncontrollable subtle hatred and deep worry, gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. When he saw the "History of Gods," they ultimately transformed into immense fear.

He is crazy. Percy's mind is blank. The Church will never let his brother go. What on earth does that man want to do?

...Was everything the other party did before to protect him, the Brody family, and the Ironthorn Territory?

——But why do we continue to ignore him and exclude him? !

The day after the release of "Divine History," Percy heard that some classmates had nearly lost their minds due to the shock they received, causing their souls to vibrate. However, others quickly understood something, unexpectedly deepening their resonance and rapidly rising in rank.

The name "Nova" rang in his ears again—truly rang in his ears. Percy Brody came to his senses and saw several plainly dressed students, apparently from White Tower University, approaching the Judges to argue with them, angrily demanding they open the church doors. Since this was a town-wide public trial, they naturally had the right and freedom to participate.

But the judges didn't argue with them at all. With a command, rows of neatly aligned guns were pointed at the students and townspeople.

"Back off!" a judge shouted coldly, "Everything is under the will of light. You commoners should not waste the mercy of His Excellency Matthews!"

Seeing that the Judge had already released the light chain mercilessly and was about to swing it at the students, Percy's mind got hot, and when he reacted, he found that he had already cast a spell to block the crackling, deadly light chain.

"Excuse me, am I qualified to attend the trial at the Church of Light?"

Both the rescued student and the judge looked at the newcomer in astonishment, but the latter's expression was even gloomier.

The slender and tall uninvited guest lifted his hood, revealing a pale, delicate face that was clearly quite similar to the prisoner's.

"I'm Viscount Percy Brody," the black-haired boy said coldly. Only by listening carefully could one tell that his voice was trembling slightly with excitement. "Head of the Brody family, head of the second year class at St. Bartolomeo's School of Warlocks, greetings to you."

He repeated word for word, "Excuse me, am I qualified to enter the Church of Light for the trial?"

"…His Excellency Viscount Brody."

The judge came back to his senses and looked him up and down. Percy inexplicably saw a hint of mockery in his expression.

"I'm deeply sorry, but this is an order from His Eminence the Cardinal. This trial involves Vatican secrets, and outsiders are not allowed to observe the proceedings." The other party replied politely, but then suddenly revealed a slight sneer. "But the results should be soon, so there's no need to be too anxious."

Almost as soon as the other party finished speaking, the door of the Church of Light was suddenly opened again.

Amidst the startled black crows, Percy spotted his brother from afar. He stood calmly in the dock, the light filtering through the stained glass windows casting a vibrant, multicolored shadow on him. He stood in the long-dried sea of ​​blood beneath his feet, towering like the world's only island.

After a long and lengthy list of charges, the judge sitting on the podium struck the golden hammer and announced the verdict loudly.

His brother was officially declared a heretic by the Inquisition and sentenced to death for his serious blasphemy.