Chapter 114: Civil Case [4]

"I object!"

"I'm in the middle of a sentencing trial; what kind of rudeness is this?" Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"But I still have to say what I want to say. Isn't that why we have lawyers?"

Honestly, he was right. It was his duty to protect his client's interests until the end.

I nodded willingly, intending to hear at least a final argument.

"Okay, I'll give you time, but keep it short."

"It only took Mr. Asen six months to reach that level. From now on, he just needs to learn how to use the kiln and the firing time."

"So?"

"If he were given just a few months, he could make wonderful wavy bricks like Mr. Ryuker."

The audience stirred at the lawyer's shout.

When I heard it, it seemed quite refreshing. If they just wait a little bit, the brick factory would be back to normal.

Then, the nobles' hobbies could be resumed quickly.

'That's funny.'

That kind of low-level logic could be destroyed in one blow. I stared at the defendant with a blank expression.

"That know-how."

"Yes."

"Who will teach it to him?"

"Of course..." The lawyer glanced at the plaintiff's side.

There was only one person who had mastered Mr. Ryuker's techniques from start to finish.

Now there was no way to know the kiln temperature, the timing of removal, or the know-how thereafter, without going through Jansen Bandro, that is.

"The emotional rift has deepened to the point where it's a legal dispute, so should he just teach him the technique? I hope there's no knife fight or anything."

In reality, sibling conflicts were a common occurrence. What wouldn't people do for power and money? This is a dark fantasy world that is as savage as it gets.

Of course, in my opinion, Jansen wouldn't do that. It wasn't because he trusted his younger brother but to uphold his father's legacy.

Didn't he ask me to cover up Asen's mistake yesterday?

"If there is nothing more to say, I will now conclude the trial."

"Whew!"

A sigh of relief escaped from Asen's side.

Even though the stake was only 60%, he was able to maintain management rights. But the trial was not over yet.

I said, glaring at the defendant.

"Who did you say was the lawyer there?"

"Yes, Your Honor. This is Kenny Palmer."

"Please stand in the middle for a moment."

"Yes."

Kenny Palmer walked out, looking bewildered. It seemed like he was really uncomfortable with all the attention being focused on him.

But it was impossible to disobey.

Was this not my order as the Governor and Supreme Judge of this country? What kind of punishment would he get if he went against it?

"Do you know why I called you?"

"Oh, no."

"It's because of the lawyer's attitude. Who the hell said you should meddle in court? Why do you interfere during the opposing party's argument?"

This man appeared in court with an arrogant expression throughout, as if he thought they had already won, so there was no need to listen to anyone else.

That was the general impression I got. It seemed like others felt the same, too. I could hear voices of discontent bursting out here and there.

"That's right. I felt really uncomfortable when I saw that person."

"If it were me, I would never have entrusted him with a trial."

"There are even rumors that Mr. Jansen was lured into filing a lawsuit from the beginning."

"Really? Looks like he smelled money strongly."

As he was criticized by many people, Attorney Palmer's face turned red.

He was brazen enough to hold his head up high, but it seemed that he wasn't completely shameless. He must have had something to say, so he continued making excuses until the very end.

"It's a kind of trial strategy, deliberately making it seem advantageous..."

"Ha!"

A hollow laugh burst out involuntarily. Find more chapters on mvl

Is there a law of conservation of nonsense?

When people gather, there is bound to be at least one strange person among them.

Weren't there people like that in Earth too? The kind who shame victims into giving up on their trials as part of some twisted strategy.

I couldn't stand to see that kind of behavior in my courtroom.

"I'm not telling you to act ethically. But at least keep your dignity. Don't bring shame to the reputation of the legal profession."

"...Yes."

"You may go now; I have to pass sentence."

Attorney Palmer left the room with his shoulders slumped. I looked back and forth between Asen and Jansen. It was finally time for the trial over the inheritance of the Ryuker Brick Factory to come to an end.

"I sentence Asen Bandro to six months in prison for attempting to deceive the court by switching the artwork."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

A look of surprise appeared on Jansen's face. It seemed like he hadn't expected this outcome.

'I never said I would let it slide. Those who commit the crime of contempt should be punished with a hammer.'

Isn't that obvious?

***

The courtroom fell silent, the echo of the gavel still resonating like a final warning.

Jansen Bandro remained frozen, his usually stoic expression betraying a flicker of disbelief.

Asen, on the other hand, looked crushed—his shoulders sagging as if the weight of the sentence had already begun to press him down.

Asen's lawyer, Kenny Palmer, stood speechless, staring at his client as if expecting some last-minute reprieve, but none came.

The audience whispered among themselves, a mix of relief, judgment, and concealed satisfaction rippling through the room.

"Bailiff, take the defendant into custody," Able ordered, his voice calm yet authoritative. The guards moved quickly, securing Asen's wrists in iron shackles. The clanking sound was a harsh reminder of the trial's harsh reality—family ties meant nothing when weighed against deception and greed.

Jansen watched his younger brother being led away, his conflicted emotions visible for the first time.

He had wanted justice, not vengeance, but the line between the two had blurred throughout this ordeal. Was it truly justice when it felt so hollow?

Turning his gaze to the judge, Jansen cleared his throat. "Your Honor, I… I didn't expect it to end this way. He's my brother. He may have been wrong, but—"

Able raised a hand, silencing Jansen.

"This court does not punish on whim, Mr. Bandro. The verdict stands not to sever familial bonds but to remind all that the law is impartial. Your brother's actions were not just a slight against you—they were a slight against the integrity of this institution."

Jansen nodded slowly, understanding but not fully accepting. "What happens to the factory now?"

"The factory's operations will continue under your management," Able replied.

"However, it is crucial that you adhere to proper business practices. The reputation of Ryuker Brick Factory rests on your shoulders now. Honor your father's legacy, not just in name, but in the way you conduct your business."

Jansen exhaled, feeling the weight of responsibility more than ever. "I will. I promise."

Able's gaze softened, just a fraction. "See that you do."

With the trial concluded, the courtroom began to empty.

Nobles, commoners, and merchants alike filed out, their hushed conversations echoing through the grand hall.

Jansen remained, watching as Asen was escorted through a side door, disappearing from sight. It was a sobering image—the once-proud brothers now divided by bars and legalities.

As the room finally cleared, Jansen approached his lawyer, a man whose sharp mind had helped secure his victory. "Thank you for your efforts today."

The lawyer nodded, though his expression was solemn. "Victory comes at a cost, Mr. Bandro. It's best to remember that."

Jansen left the courtroom, stepping into the bustling streets where life continued as if nothing had changed. But for him, everything was different. He had won the trial, retained control of the family business, and upheld his father's legacy. Yet, the victory felt like a double-edged sword, cutting deeper than he had anticipated.

He paused, glancing up at the sky as if seeking answers from a place beyond his reach.

'What now?' he thought. With Asen gone, the brick factory was his alone. But the success of Ryuker Brick Factory would no longer be measured by bricks alone—it would be measured by how he navigated this uncertain future, balancing ambition with the heavy burden of brotherhood lost.

As Jansen walked away, he couldn't help but wonder if, in the pursuit of justice, he had lost something far more valuable: the trust of his family.

The factory chimneys in the distance puffed steadily, sending thin trails of smoke into the darkening sky, a silent testament to the enduring legacy of Ryuker and the complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and responsibility that bound the Bandro brothers.

For Jansen, the real trial had only just begun.

The days that followed the trial were a whirlwind of adjustments for Jansen.

Every corner of the Ryuker Brick Factory felt different, like the air had thickened with unspoken questions and wary glances from the workers. Asen's absence was palpable, a lingering shadow that stretched over every decision Jansen made.