In Ark Simulator, why do I always get a tough start?

Chapter 14 The Trial: Still My Home Ground
The next day at noon, the city government court was already packed with people before the trial even began.

Inside the courtroom, reporters from various newspapers in Letania were already prepared to broadcast live to all the people of Letania the trial of the first man who might be convicted of treason since the Twin Queens ascended the throne.

The courtroom gallery was already full, with most of the people dressed in simple civilian clothes.

These people were ordinary citizens who had gone through the strike and demonstration with Chen Qi and came here out of conscience and courage after learning of Chen Qi's arrest, just to support Chen Qi.

These ordinary people came with a sense of almost sacrificing themselves for their country.

They knew that, given the impressive way the current Letanian government was operating, their presence here to support someone convicted of "treason" in court meant they would likely have a hard time leaving unscathed.

And indeed, things turned out exactly as they thought.

"His Excellency the Earl has decreed that the remnants of the 'Son of the Witch King' may not be incorrigible. Although no one attempted to break into the prison yesterday, they are very likely to come to court today to rescue the criminals!"

“All security checks must be thorough, and no remnants or armed individuals should be allowed to infiltrate the courthouse.”

"Once a suspicious person is spotted, regardless of their identity, arrest them immediately!"

Outside the courtroom, which was packed with civilians supporting Chen Qi and onlookers, a viscount actually "lowered himself" to take charge of security.

The well-equipped guards in front of him were clearly the private army of a nobleman.

And these are just the easiest defenses to breach.

"Hmm... Judging from the surrounding rhythms, they probably set up quite a few Originium Arts amplification devices around the courtroom."

"Moreover, there are several powerful sorcerers hiding nearby. They've anticipated your arrival to rescue people, so they've made thorough preparations."

In the audience, Gertrude, who was allowed to attend because of her innocence, pretended to stroll around, carefully surveying her surroundings. She then spoke with a mocking expression to Jian, who had infiltrated as a "guard":

"With this kind of formation, as soon as you make a move, they will completely suppress you. Do you really think you will succeed?"

"How will you know if you don't try?"

The mace, disguised, responded in an extremely calm voice:

"As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will go to save him. At worst, I will give up my life here."

"Is he that important to you?" Gertrude looked at the mace that remained so calm in the face of death, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

Gertrude, who had no faith and no awareness of sacrificing herself for ideals, could only think of one possibility and tentatively asked:
"Could it be that you've fallen in love with him?"

“…Hmph.” However, Jian scoffed dismissively at Gertrude’s words, offering no response.

Love? That simply doesn't capture how important that man was to her.

He found the value of his life.

Without his teachings and guidance, she probably would never have known the meaning of her life.

Now, I can be like him, dedicating myself to a goal, a cause. Such a death is a luxury that I, a wild child who once struggled to survive in the slums, could never have imagined.

He gave his life value, and now I'm exchanging my life for his. That's fair.

...At least, this is much better than losing him and reverting to being an animal that only survives on instinct.

Just as Jian and Gertrude were each lost in their own thoughts, the sound of the judge's gavel drew everyone's attention.

"Now, we are officially in court."

"Please have the bailiffs bring the suspect to the dock."

The judge's words brought everyone present to a standstill.

Countless eyes were fixed on the courthouse's only entrance reserved for prisoners, eager to catch a glimpse of the "hero" who, according to rumors, led a strike and march of thousands of civilians.

Finally, the heavy courtroom doors slowly opened.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, wearing handcuffs and leg irons, with one arm bruised, but still dressed in the clothes from the day of the riot, wearing the Iron Cross medal, and standing tall, Chen Qi finally appeared before them.

"Click-clack" XN
In an instant, countless flashes of light appeared, as if they wanted to illuminate Chen Qi from head to toe.

Almost immediately, Jian raised her head, and if Gertrude hadn't held her down in time, she seemed ready to make her move at that moment.

"Stop right there, you idiot."

“I can’t let him be sentenced,” Jian growled at Gertrude in a low voice.
"That way, even if he escapes, some cowards in the organization will back down for fear of being accused of treason."

"You seem to be reading all the time, but you don't actually have anything useful in your head," Gertrude couldn't help but scold.

"At this point, everything is a dead end. Whether he escapes or not, he will be convicted of treason."

"The only way he can save the organization now is to convince everyone in Letania who is watching the trial that he is not a traitor, but a warrior who is fighting for the interests of the common people."

"If he's lucky, he might get a lenient sentence from the judge and just go to jail, and the organization he's worked so hard to build might still be preserved."

"If you go to save him, he will only confirm that he is a traitor! You will be harming him!"

"Now, you stupid woman, sit down!"

At Gertrude's low growl, the mace's body trembled noticeably before it finally gritted its teeth and sat back down, unwilling to give up.

Looking at the woman beside him, whose brains were all muscles, Gertrude felt a wave of exhaustion.

She sensed that once the organization was separated from Qi, it wouldn't be long before it degenerated from a coup d'état organization into a rogue gang.

This woman, Jian, is definitely not capable of supporting the organization.

If all of this is within his expectations, then Qi will certainly not be sentenced to death, and he can manage Qi's organization during the years he is in prison.

Once he is released from prison, his prestige among the "Sons of the Witch King" will definitely surpass that of the founder.

At that time, this organization, which will eventually overthrow the Gemini Queens, will be the true controller.

If he is sentenced to death in court...

Then, I don't need to feel guilty. I can just take over the organization he organized for me and consider it a small compensation for my failed investment.

As Gertrude watched Chen Qi walk toward the dock, a wicked smile, as if she had already made up her mind, revealed herself.

Son of the Witch King?

This time, whatever you're planning, you'll inevitably be part of my plan.

In contrast to Gertrude, who harbored ulterior motives, there were many people in the courtroom who had ill intentions towards Chen Qi.

Among them, Count Dilov, who presided over the trial, was the most representative person.

"They've caused such a huge mess that even the Queen has taken notice. What a bunch of troublemakers!" Dilov thought viciously to himself.

"But this is the end. In this trial, I will ruin your reputation and wipe out your entire organization of troublemakers!"

"At that time, Her Majesty the Queen may pardon my crime and even reward me."

Count Dilov, sitting high above, looked at Chen Qi, who remained calm below the stage, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He immediately signaled to the judge to begin.

The judge nodded, struck the gavel, and said in a loud voice:

"This office is now officially accepting the case of the leader of the 'Son of the Witch King' for instigating strikes and demonstrations among the common people, which constitutes a treasonous coup."

"presiding judge."

However, before the judge could proceed with the procedure and inquire about Chen Qi's identity as the defendant and his place of origin, Dilov interrupted, saying:

"The sinner below the stage needs no further interrogation; everyone present knows his identity." "He is the leader of the illegal violent organization 'Son of the Witch King,' a traitor who instigated a rebellion among the common people!"

"As for more information, I don't think he will reveal it."

Dilov looked down at Chen Qi, and seeing that he remained silent as he had yesterday, a hint of malice rose in his heart. He said coldly:
"The Queen sent him to assist me in arresting his cronies. He was interrogated all day yesterday and given numerous opportunities to plead for leniency."

"But the sinner's head is as stubborn as stone. Even now, he still refuses to confess, let alone reveal any information about his organization!"

“If such a person, who is unforgivable and shows no remorse, were in my territory, I would kill him on the spot.”

The more Count Dilov thought about the humiliation he had suffered at Chen Qi's hands yesterday, the angrier he became, and his expression grew increasingly vicious.

The next second, under everyone's gaze, Dilov's tense expression relaxed, and even his voice overflowed with confidence.

"However, this ends here, sinner."

“You may be as stubborn as a stone, but the other twenty-odd accomplices who were arrested with you were also interrogated yesterday.”

"I don't believe they're all like you."

"Even with these witness testimonies, your treason can still be proven!"

Having said that, Dilov immediately turned his head and coldly said to one of the private soldiers guarding him not far away:

“Bring up the first witness.”

This time, Dilov was extremely confident, believing that few people could withstand the interrogation of the "Golden Law Guards".

Chen Qi was unharmed not only because he had taken all the blame upon himself early on, making Dilov feel there was no need for further interrogation.

The main reason was that Dilov had already stated that he would judge him based on legal principles in court, and therefore would not torture him with punishment.

But the others don't need to.

As long as they can be persuaded to speak, the people of the Queen's Voice will do anything. That's why Dilov dares to be so arrogant.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the private soldier did not leave. Instead, he stood there, looking bewildered.

"What are you still standing there for? Go quickly." Dilov, unaware of the private soldier's lapse in behavior, urged him again.

"Your Excellency, I am so sorry!"

However, under everyone's gaze, the private soldier knelt down in fear and trembling, answering in a shaking voice:
"The witness... is dead."

"died?!"

The private soldier's words immediately caused an uproar in the courtroom, and Dilov's momentary astonishment was captured on camera.

Meanwhile, the audience members couldn't help but discuss among themselves.

"How did the witness die?"

"Was he tortured to death?"

"Who knows what methods these people might use to convict Qi..."

"Silence! Silence!"

Seeing that the courtroom was getting out of control, the judge quickly struck the gavel again.

Dilov, realizing what was happening, immediately shared the same thought with the people in the audience, and his expression became increasingly grim.

This group of "Voices of the Queen"—relying on their status as the Queen's men—are so brazen! They tortured the witnesses they had finally managed to capture to death!
If it were a closed trial, that would be one thing, but knowing that the trial was being broadcast live throughout Letania, they still dared to torture and kill the witness.

Wouldn't doing this make the common people of Letania think that they would go to any lengths, even torture, to get Qi convicted?

But since things had come to this point, Dilov dared not speak out in anger. He immediately suppressed his rage, waved his hand, and said:
"Then call in the next witness!"

"Go back, go back to Lord Count."

However, the private soldier, who was quite frightened, swallowed hard and finally had no choice but to reveal a fact that shocked everyone.

"So, all the witnesses committed suicide after their interrogations yesterday."

"..."

Silence, a deathly silence, echoed in the courtroom. For a moment, everyone was unsure whether to feel pity or fear upon hearing the news.

But Dilov was the first to realize that the count was now finding it difficult to maintain his noble demeanor, and quickly pressed him for an answer:
"Are you sure they were all suicides?!"

"Absolutely true!" the private soldier said, almost in tears.
"The adults in charge of the interrogation did not use torture devices on them, but instead used a kind of Originium Arts that used music and rhythm to make the witnesses tell the truth themselves."

"But when the Originium Arts were activated, all 23 witnesses chose to commit suicide at the last moment!"

"They would rather commit suicide than confess. We were simply unable to stop them. Please forgive us, Your Excellency!"

"hiss--"

Suddenly, a gasp seemed to escape from someone in the courtroom; everyone was shocked by the private soldier's words.

If it were just one person who was completely devoted to Qi, that would be fine, since loyalty and courage can be found everywhere.

But all 23 people chose to die without hesitation, rather than reveal any information that would be detrimental to Qi.

What kind of inflammatory rhetoric is this? What kind of leadership charisma is needed to achieve this?

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

Dilov, of course, refused to believe such a horrific thing. In his desperation, he turned his gaze to Chen Qi, who was now standing with his eyes tightly closed, as if in mourning, and hysterically roared:
"First, it must be you! It was some Originium Arts of your people that controlled these people's minds!"

"—Haven't you made enough of a scene, Count?"

Finally, faced with Dilov's accusations, Chen Qi, who had remained silent for a day, finally spoke.

He slowly opened his eyes, and his calm and composed gaze sent a shiver down the spine of the flustered Dilov.

He had a strong premonition.

All her actions had been anticipated by the seemingly harmless man in front of her!
"I was bound by Originium Arts restraints for the entire night yesterday. Do you think I can ignore these restraints and let Originium Arts spread throughout the prison to control their minds?"

"If I, or someone who wants to save me, can do this, why don't I control your minds, make you commit suicide, and let me escape from prison with impunity?"

"But if you want to say that all those people are die-hard fans who have been brainwashed by me..."

As he spoke, Chen Qi's eyes were also fixed on Dilov.

At that moment, Dilov felt his heart pounding wildly, as if this man were staring directly into his conscience.

"You can go and check their files. They are just ordinary civilians."

"If you're going to say that even they betrayed Letania like I did, then tell me, didn't all the civilians who participated in this march, just like them, betray Letania?"

"Or... was it never us who betrayed Letania?"

Standing ramrod straight, Chen Qi, under the watchful eyes of everyone, laboriously raised his uninjured hand.

He pointed at Dilov, whose face was alternating between pale and purple, and questioned him forcefully in court:
"You are the ones who betrayed Letania, those who robbed them of their only hope and drove them to suicide."

“My Lord, please answer me now.”

"Who exactly should be convicted of treason?!"

*Sobbing* Please, dear readers, add this to your favorites and keep reading! I want to level up!
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(End of this chapter)