Imperial Crown.

Chapter 390: Deep Prison
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……

"Hell"

Its full name is Esinhal Prison, located in the northeast of Minergal City and on the east side of the Royal High Court.

Here are held the worst prisoners from across the empire.

Its appearance looks like a pot cover, with only one floor above ground, but there are 1 floors underground.

There is an entire legion of soldiers patrolling day and night, and the guards in the prison are at least level 2 transcendents.

The side door quietly opened, and a mysterious man in a black robe walked in.

There were only a few beams and pillars under the gray dome, with magic torches burning quietly, and there was no dead corner in the empty hall.

Under the guidance of a jailer, the man in black robes passed through the side door, went down and stepped onto the deep stairs.

It was spacious and empty, and echoed with the screams of prisoners being tortured and the shouts that sounded like madness.

The most obvious dividing line between the floors is a thick metal door. I don’t know what material it is made of. It is dark and so heavy that it cannot be opened by human power.

With each level down, the noise decreased until it became completely silent.

The black-clad man's target is on the sixth underground floor.

Here, the protection is even better, with gargoyles or iron golems guarding every intersection waiting to be activated.

Every 10 meters in the corridor, there are heavy iron bars as barriers - all made of precious magic-sealing steel.

The man in black passed through 13 iron bars and finally found the cell he wanted to visit at the deepest part of the 6th floor.

The cell door, as thick as a wall, opened, revealing another wall inside. The guard stepped forward and pulled the chain, and the wall slowly rose, revealing half of a fence.

The mottled light shone into the dark cage, allowing the man in black robe to clearly see the environment inside the prison.

A bare stone bed, a stone table, a stone bench embedded in the ground, and a washbasin in the corner, that was all there was in the cell.

And right on the bed, there was a man lying.

His body was almost completely wrapped in chains, with only a few fingers still able to move.

His already stern face was now even thinner, with a thick stubble on his chin and his hair was as messy as seaweed, but it could not hide his sharp black eyes.

"Raven." The man in black robe called out the man's name in a low voice.

"Oh, it's been 17 days, and this is the first time someone has come to see me." Raven sat up and leaned against the wall:

"Long time no see, Duke Ferdinand."

Perhaps because he hadn't spoken for a long time, Raven's voice was a little hoarse.

Ferdinand took off his hood and waved his hand. The guards around him turned around and left, closing the door.

Seeing Raven's vicissitudes, Pei Dinan went straight to the point:
"You're in trouble."

"But I can help you."

Upon hearing this, Raven did not react.

He knew that since Ferdinand had risked coming to this deep prison, it must be for more than just saying these two nonsense.

Sure enough, Pei Dinan took a deep look at Raven and continued:

"…Your imprisonment this time was a joint effort between the new nobles and the Church of Light."

"Why?" Raven asked.

"For the Church of Light, killing their priests is a very reasonable excuse." Ferdinand revealed all the information he knew:

"Of course, the root cause is that you and Thomas are too close."

"Thomas has performed well in recent years and is highly regarded for being promoted to cardinal. There are only 12 cardinals, and if he wants to take the position, someone has to give way."

"But in that position, who would be willing to give up the power in their hands?"

Raven smiled. "So, convicting me is equivalent to convicting Thomas. At least it will add an indelible stain to his glorious achievements over the years."

"That's reasonable indeed."

"What about the new nobles? Duke Serafino was trying to win me over not long ago."

Pei Dinan sighed: "Those three families have always been together. Once the Irefond family and the Melodian family make a decision, Seraphinu will not be able to resist."

"As for the reason——

There is a vacant earl in the Nord Province, and someone needs to fill it. It is better to replace it with one of our own than an outsider; what's more, this can also gain the favor of the Church of Light."

"In the final analysis, it's all about profit." Raven smiled and said, "So, Duke Ferdinand, what do you want to gain from me by coming here?"

Ferdinand did not dislike Raven's straightforwardness:

"Join us and make the empire more glorious together."

But Raven's answer surprised Pei Dinan:
"Sorry, I can't accept that."

Ferdinand frowned, "Raven, being persistent and proud is certainly a good thing for a noble, but you must be aware of your situation."

"Indeed, public opinion is probably in your favor now, but this trial cannot be won by public opinion alone."

"It's not that the new nobles and the Church of Light are unprepared. Although they kept it a secret, we have also heard that they have collected quite strong evidence and witnesses."

"If this were not the case, the Supreme Court and the Grand Chancellor of the Noble Council would not have issued a warrant for your arrest."

"Now in the entire capital, we are the only ones who have the ability to get you out and help you escape punishment!"

At this moment, Raven was slightly moved.

But under Ferdinand's expectant gaze, Raven still shook his head slowly and firmly.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Duke. I know you are sincere, but I still can't agree to it."

"The capital is not my stage, and I don't want to participate in a war that doesn't belong to me."

Ferdinand did not try to persuade him a third time. He slowly stood up:

"I know this decision is not easy. I can understand if you don't agree now."

"5 days."

"I will come again in five days, and by then I hope to hear the answer I want."

The wall that had been raised gradually fell down, and the cell became dark again.

Raven pursed his lips.

To be fair, the conditions offered by Ferdinand were already generous enough.

But Raven still couldn't agree.

Human feelings are an invisible noose.

It’s just that some can be repaid, but some cannot be escaped.

As for something like a life-saving grace, when to repay it is not up to the person who was rescued to decide.

What's more, Raven was not without the confidence to escape.

Thinking of this, Raven closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

There was no sunlight in the prison, nor was there an alternation between day and night. Raven could only judge the time by the frequency of meal delivery.

Eat 2 meals a day, approximately 8 hours apart.

Soon, 10 meals passed and 5 days went by in a flash, but Ferdinand did not show up as promised.

This made Raven feel a little heavy in his heart. What on earth was going on outside?
20 meals, 30 meals, 40 meals...

New Year's Day of 1202 passed quietly.

Until Raven ate his 227th meal after entering prison, which was the 114th day after being imprisoned.

June 1202, 3 in the Guangming calendar.

The prison door that had not been opened for a long time finally opened, and the sunlight came in, shining on Raven's pale skin, and also made his pupils feel burning pain.

The guards carried Raven out of the prison, shaved his weed-like beard while he was in shackles, gave him a simple wash, and put him in a carriage to the venue of this trial.

Samuel Palace.

This is both the Supreme Court of the Empire and the place where the Imperial Congress is held.

Under the arch is a shield-shaped sculpture engraved with a crown, scepter and sword.

The crown represents the king, the scepter represents the law, and the sword represents the nobility.

Nobles and commoners who heard the news filled the streets, so much so that the cabinet had to mobilize more than 1 people to maintain order.

But when Raven left the silent and dark carriage and stepped down the steps in front of Samuel Palace, the scene was still boiling and almost out of control.

"Severely punish the traitor!! We can't let him get away with it!!"

"This is a shameless frame-up, a frame-up, a frame-up!!!"

"This madman who started a war for his own selfish interests doesn't even deserve to be hanged!"

"Release Baron Raven! Don't let the hero bleed and cry!!!"

There was almost no difference between accusations and praises, but Raven did not listen to them. He just raised his head and enjoyed the warm spring sunshine.

It feels so good to see the light of day again.

"Let's go, Baron Raven." An acquaintance came forward. It was the Duke of Witus who had arrested Raven before.

Raven said calmly, "Please lead the way. I have never been here before."

A strange look flashed in Witusi's eyes. Without saying anything more, he walked in front and cleared the way for Raven.

And Raven seemed like a tourist who came to visit, and even had the leisure to observe the decoration and layout of Samur Palace.

This building has a history of 800 years and is renovated every once in a while. Although the same materials are used, the differences between the old and new will eventually show differences in color and texture.

The marks on the wall are mottled like fingerprints of history.

This day will be another eye-catching page in history.

The participants, including the guards, may not have been conscious witnesses of history, but they could clearly feel the turbulent torrent hidden beneath the surface of the trial.

Everyone's face was filled with solemnity and tension.

Crunch... crash... rumble...

The gate with a scale carved on it opened in the middle, and Raven slowly walked into the gate, dragging the chain.

The venue was filled with thousands of people.

Most of them are nobles of various levels, and some are representatives of residents of all levels in the royal capital.

They had different expressions, some were excited, some were confused, and some were nervous, but they all remained absolutely quiet.

Raven also saw his own people in the crowd.

Weisdon had lost weight again. When he saw Raven, his face was filled with excitement. He obviously wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth in the silence.

The hyena's huge body seemed a little cramped in the chair. He wanted to stand up and rush to Raven, but was held firmly by Thor.

Julia smiled, but tears welled up in her eyes.

Raven had no time to respond. Under the guidance of the guards, he stood in the dock and faced the judges of the case.

On the towering platform, in the center, is the Chief Justice of the Empire, Dunlop, wearing a silver square crown. He is now 83 years old, with wrinkles on his face, and looks as withered as an old tree.

On Dunlop's left was the Empire's Prime Minister Hamilton, who sat quietly with his hands folded, his right hand pressing on his left hand to cover up the mutilation of his left hand.

Having been in a high position for a long time, he did not deliberately show his majesty, but his eyes, which were not the slightest bit cloudy, inexplicably made people tremble.

On Dunlop's right hand side is Duke Morenzo, one of the 12 cardinals of the Church of Light and the representative of the Church of Light in the royal capital.

Although he is 50 years old, there is not a single wrinkle on his face and he looks to be in his early 30s at most.

Behind the judgment seat is a golden semi-column as thick as the World Tree, firmly embedded in the wall. Sitting on the throne at the top is the current ruler of the empire, Keynes XVI!
"Ahem..." King Keynes XVI cleared his throat on the throne.

Justice Dunlop picked up the gavel.

Originally, if Dunlop took off his judge's robe, he would be just like an ordinary old man. But the moment he picked up the gavel, his whole person suddenly changed. His aura covered the entire courtroom, making everyone forget to breathe for a moment.

boom.

The gavel fell on the mat, and Dunlop said in a deep voice:

"Today, March 1202, 3, this court will hold a trial against Baron Raven Ota Griffith."

"I will make a judgment based on the principles of fairness and impartiality."

"Defendant, this court has noticed that you have not requested a defense attorney to defend you. Are you prepared to defend yourself, or will this court appoint an experienced defense attorney?"

"I am willing to defend myself," Raven said.

Dunlop nodded and turned to the other side: "Well, please ask the prosecution representative to take his seat."

The side door opened and a man walked in with a thick document in his hands.

The moment he stood at the prosecution seat on the right side of the courtroom, everyone gasped and there was a noisy discussion for a while, which lasted until Dunlop brought down the gavel.

"Marquis Anthony Vanya Edwards." Chief Justice Dunlop said:

"Are you ready to sue Baron Raven? Can you guarantee that all your subsequent accusations are based on facts?"

"Yes, sir." Anthony nodded seriously.

A cloud of gloom passed through Raven's heart.

Why is Anthony standing here?
Even though he and he usually don't get along, if his contributions to Eivor were to turn into sins, he, as the then Nord Governor, would not be able to escape being implicated!
Was it the new nobles who made the move, or was it the Church of Light who bought him off...

boom!
The judge's gavel rang, and Dunlop said:

"Now that everyone is ready, I hereby declare that, under the witness of the ancestors of the empire, this Supreme Trial officially begins!"

"Please allow the prosecution to speak."

Anthony smoothed the corner of his clothes, walked to the speaking seat leisurely under the gaze of Vesdon who wanted to eat him alive, took out a document, cleared his throat and said loudly:

"Today, I hereby accuse Raven Ota Griffith of five crimes!"

"First, Raven had the dirty nickname 'Little Bee' before he inherited the title. After he inherited the title, he did not change his old ways. He even raped others after his wife died. This is 'sex abuse'!"

"Second, Raven grew up in a slum with a bad environment. He developed bad habits that could not be washed away. His morals were corrupted and he ignored ethics. In order to inherit the title, he did not hesitate to kill his uncle with his own hands. This is 'parricide'!"

"Third, disobeying orders and launching a war without authorization, which caused the Empire to become hostile to its friendly neighboring city-states of Fitun and put it in a dilemma of fighting on two fronts, is 'treason'!"

"Fourth, during the war, the residents of the Principality of Eivor were wantonly slaughtered, causing rivers of blood and widespread resentment, which greatly damaged the reputation of the imperial nobility. This is 'brutal'!"

"Fifth, during the attack on Eivor, in order to stop his brutality, the priests of the Church of Light rose up in resistance, but were still brutally killed by him. This is 'blasphemy'!"

"Each of the above five charges is an unforgivable felony!"

"Therefore, I hereby propose to your Excellency the Judge that Raven's noble title be stripped away, the Griffith family's fiefdom be taken back, and Raven be
Punished by beheading!"

……

(End of this chapter)