Chapter 1428 - 606: Imperial Court (2)

Chapter 1428: Chapter 606: Imperial Court (2)

The core of Brittania’s law is "Knights enjoy ownership of peasants, but also must bear the responsibility of protecting them."

The core of the Empire’s law is "Imperial people each perform their duties, fight to defend the nation!"

But clearly, under the supervision of the Lake Fairy, knights have upheld the Knightly Spirit for thousands of years, whereas the Empire adhered to this principle for nearly a thousand years before it collapsed spectacularly, leading to the well-known full-scale civil war during the Three Emperors Era, the Vampire War, and the subsequently famed Great Holy War.

After the Great Holy War, New Empire Emperor Savior Ludwig amended the Empire’s law, adding a clause: "Everyone has the right to receive compensation for their labor."

Today, Laine and company are observing a trial by an Imperial judge, where the subjects are citizens of the Empire who have broken the law.

A man is sentenced to twenty lashes and is required to compensate for losses due to theft and intentional injury.

A male noble, after heavy drinking, causes trouble on the streets and makes blasphemous remarks. He is sentenced to fifty lashes, but because he paid sufficient bail and a hefty fine, the sentence is commuted to being placed in a "pouch of guilt" and displayed for two hours without food throughout the day, drinking only clear water.

Several cultists are sentenced to death without bail, immediately executed for was found worshiping the Chaos Evil God. As the judgment is delivered, a few executioners step forward, swiftly carrying out the sentence, spilling blood everywhere, and then dragging the bodies away to be thoroughly burned by fire.

Laine and others watched a series of judgments. He asked the attendants sent by Emperor Carl Franz: "Now that we know how the Imperial Court functions in Brunswick, what about outside the cities?"

"It’s a circuit court, Lord Laine, Lady Surya," the Emperor’s attendants answered respectfully: "In cities, circuit judges are periodically dispatched, leading a team of guards to those rural areas without resident judges to adjudicate affairs, until a resident judge replaces the role of the circuit judge. But I must say, it’s not a good position."

"Not a good position?" Laine pondered briefly and asked further: "Why?"

"Too dangerous, Lord Laine." The attendant, somewhat sycophantically, quickly divulged what he knew to Laine: "Circuit judges must travel back and forth outdoors, convening circuit hearings in different places, even in Rick Territory. This is exceedingly dangerous work, as nobody knows what lurks within the Black Forest. And compared to the enormous risks and arduous travel, the salary of circuit judges is far from generous. They are often witnessed demanding rewards and offerings from local nobles and peasants, while those who provide food and funds may join the jury openly."

"Hmm~" Amelia snorted softly, saying nothing.

"How could it be like this!" Controlled by Surya, the Lake Fairy expressed discontent, habitually desiring to speak further, but the Goddess soon realized it was the Empire and instead snorted, changing her words: "So for many crimes, as long as enough fines are paid, forgiveness is possible?"

"Yes, excepting some unforgivable crimes, virtually all offenses can be offset or pardoned by paying hefty fines," the attendant promptly stated: "In fact, many of these fines are an important source of income for circuit judges."

"This is still better than always relying on village elders to resolve issues themselves," Laine smiled self-deprecatingly: "Who mostly becomes circuit judges?"

"Mostly, they’re lawyers who couldn’t make a name for themselves or unlucky ones who have offended local legal societies." The attendant continued: "There are also devout followers of Lady Justice, but undoubtedly if they get the chance, they all strive to return to the city."

Lady Justice is the informal name for Vanrena, the Goddess of Justice and Law. Vanrena concerns herself with true fairness, not the type that serves certain individuals within the law. She and her followers continually oppose tyranny and oppression. Just as Vanrena represents wisdom and education, her sect’s priests are more actively practicing Magic than the clergy of other Imperial religions.

However, fairness never equates to righteousness. The Justice Goddess Sect advocates for peasants who are owed wages or bullied by the powerful, seeking legal pay and justice from the nobility; still, they also penalize and suppress peasants breaking the law, despite grievances or innocence. The sect does not offer extra-legal leniency or indulgence, viewing punishments equally—while nobles can use hefty fines to avoid or lessen penalties, peasants who can’t afford it must face judgment, which Lady Justice also endorses.

The Empire is more open in this regard, exemplified by solving many issues with money. Generally, almost all charges can be resolved by paying fines. If not, it’s because the fine paid was insufficient. Deities treat both nobles and peasants equally, determined by whether one has money.

The Death God Moore Sect also operates this way. When Moore priests conduct a funeral, the more money given, the better the treatment the deceased receives. If only a few Copper Coins are provided, prayers are haphazardly recited, and cremation arranged. With two Silver Coins, one can be buried in a small mound; with two Gold Coins, the deceased gets a corner in Moore Garden; with twenty Gold Coins, a stone coffin is ensured. The more money given, the better the Moore Sect delivers. Often, the treatment the deceased receives hinges not on Moore priests, but—how much the deceased’s family is willing to spend.