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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 1602 Treason Against the Empire
Chapter 1602 Treason Against the Empire
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Magus Lovelace and Almansour walked in the front.Behind them, Adam and Nylian Feno walked side by side. The four of them ventured through the narrow passageway that led directly to the main platform above ground.
Headmaster Feno turned to the raven-haired youth beside him, his eyes swirling with emotions.
He's so young and yet, there's so much on his shoulders, he thought.
Adam, just what kind of trials did you face in the past few decades? Just what all did you have to go through?
How were you able to endure the anger and hatred directed toward you and still move forward?
Nylian glanced at the youth's upright posture, his slightly elevated chin, and his confident strides.
Are you not nervous at all? He wondered.
This is arguably the hardest trial of your life.
He lowered his gaze and noticed that the youth's fingers were slightly trembling and that he was constantly clenching and unclenching his fists.
Nylian smiled wryly.
Of course...
The Headmaster turned forward, then said in a low voice.
"Stay true to yourself, Adam," he began. "Speak from the bottom of your heart, and the people will listen to you."
Adam turned to him, slightly surprised. He glanced at the elf for a few short moments, then nodded with a smile.
"Yes, Headmaster."
The tunnel finally opened ahead, and a burst of blinding light flooded his vision. He squinted as he climbed the stairs and stepped forward, his eyes slowly adjusting after the dim passage.
Moments later, he emerged onto the main platform.
And what he saw shocked him...
Before him stretched a vast sea of people filling the entire square. Tens of thousands stared at him.
And then the noise hit.
A wave of boos and angry shouts rolled across the crowd, crashing into him like an avalanche.
Adam took in the vast crowd before him and felt a flicker of nervousness. Facing tens of thousands of hostile eyes was far more unsettling than he had expected. In truth, he would have much rather preferred standing against a Mana Seed Magus on the battlefield rather than convincing this many people that he had not committed the crimes they believed he had.
Still, he steadied himself and stepped forward, his back straight as an arrow. He turned to the viewing platforms on both sides of the square. There, he noticed several familiar faces from the Four Pillars. Anna and Valerian were also watching from a safe location. He even recognized a few people from the lands formerly known as the Southern Federation.
Adam then scanned the crowd directly in front of the viewing platform. All of them were residents of Ravenfell, the people who once looked up to him and adored him. Among them were also the students and faculty members of Saratoga Castle, all gazing at him with complicated emotions.
His pupils suddenly constricted when he saw his students - Arthur, Aiden, and Eleiney - in the crowd. They all glanced at him with tearful eyes filled with hope.
Thank goodness, they're fine, he mused, heaving a light sigh of relief.
He even saw many Magi of the Black Legion, all glaring at him. Among them were several of the very people who had stabbed him in the chest at the end of the Battle of Ravenfell.
Adam's eyes flashed with sorrow when he recalled that moment.
But he quickly strangled that emotion and stood upright. He would not show even a flicker of weakness, especially when standing in front of so many people.
He looked at the skies and noticed several tiny artifacts drifting through the air, shaped like flying worms. These were communication devices broadcasting the public hearing live, not only to the other quarters of Ravenfell, but also across all major cities in the Empire.
Nylian Feno stepped forward and raised a hand to silence the crowd.
"Before we begin, allow me to introduce the two distinguished Magi of the Empire who will oversee today's proceedings."
He paused briefly.
"Magus Lovelace, Duke of Acryon, will preside as the impartial judge of this hearing. It will be his responsibility to examine the evidence and bring the truth of the Battle of Ravenfell to light."
Then Nylian turned slightly and indicated to the other Magus.
"And assisting him is Magus Almansour, Court Magus of the Empire, who will serve as the master of ceremonies and guide the proceedings."
Nylian's gaze swept across the massive crowd.
"Let this hearing begin with clarity, order, and a commitment to the truth!"
He then stepped back, allowing the master of ceremonies to take over.
Almansour took a deep breath as he slowly raised his hands.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" He began loudly, his voice carrying across the entire square and beyond.
"My name is Almansour, and I have been given the honor to host the public hearing of..."
He then turned toward Adam, who was clad in a simple tunic and pants.
"...The Deceitful One!!"
The crowd erupted in boos, hurling insults and curses at the raven-haired
youth. If it weren't for the guards stationed around the platform, the rowdy mob would have most likely gotten on the stage and attacked him.
Adam silently endured all the insults thrown at him.
Meanwhile, Almansour glanced at him with narrowed eyes.
Constantine... though I want the truth to come to light, he thought.
That still doesn't diminish my dislike for you.
Yes, I shall remain impartial, but I will not go easy on you...
The master of ceremonies did not urge the crowd to calm down. Instead, he
allowed them to channel all of their bottled-up rage and frustration on the young man known as the Deceitful One.
Almost a minute later, when Almansour noticed that the crowd showed no signs of stopping, he couldn't help but intervene.
He raised a hand, an action that caused the crowd to gradually quiet down.
"I would like to thank every one of you for making time to witness this public hearing, Almansour said in his charming voice. "I know some of you have come
from faraway lands."
He paused for a moment, then spoke in an even louder voice.
"Now, let us get straight down to business! I will cut right to the chase!"
He pointed his finger at the Deceitful One and roared: "Adam Constantine, how do you plead to the charges of treason against the Empire and secretly working for the crown's enemies?"
