The Survival Rules of NPCs

Chapter 65: Court Hearing

"Lady Rain..."

In the courtroom break area, Yu Nu Wu Gua met the legendary president of Han Du City. At this moment, the man was wearing a tuxedo and delicate glasses, and was very refined. You would never guess that he was the ruthless character who had almost driven all the Chinese players in Milan Dier to their deaths.

Even now, only a small number of Chinese players are protected by the underground black market. Most of them come from rural areas and are suppressed to the point that they have almost no way out. As far as she knows, one-third of the thousands of members at the bottom of Han City are Chinese players who were forced to join.

"I apologize for the previous misunderstanding. We were simply seeking a cooperation opportunity. I know we've been competitors in the past, which caused some friction, but business is business. As you can see now, with the assistance of Han Du City, this lawsuit will be much easier to win. What do you think?"

Park Young-joon hadn't expected to personally visit this down-on-his-luck player. He hadn't planned to see him at all; in his eyes, he was just a pawn that could be discarded by nobles at any time and had no real significance. So, the first person he visited was Lady Eliza.

But to my surprise, I was kicked out before I could even see him!

He felt somewhat uncomfortable about having to personally meet such a minor character.

"I don't think so..." Rain Woman coldly glanced at the other person: "Chairman Park, is it? I've heard so much about you. You might be overestimating the effectiveness of your ridiculous news agency. A bunch of paparazzi stirring up scandals want to decide on a high-society lawsuit? You're overestimating yourselves!"

"Is that so?" Park Young-joon adjusted his delicate glasses, a cold glint in his gray pupils.

As a sociable journalist, few could verbally offend him, but this lowly Chinese player did it very quickly!

A bunch of paparazzi stirring up scandals? To say that Han Dushi is just a ridiculous news agency?

That despicable fellow really dares to say that!

Han Du's achievements are his greatest accomplishment and the source of his confidence. Yet now he is being looked down upon and insulted by someone who is nobody. Very well, he will make her understand that a lowly person cannot turn his life around by currying favor with some powerful people!

After Park Young-joon left, Rain Woman and her team arrived in front of Eliza. The court hearing was scheduled to begin in a quarter of an hour, and Eliza had naturally arrived early to wait. She had also heard the man's threat.

"Gone?"

"Let's go," Yu Nu Wu Gua nodded.

"Ignore him." Eliza's eyes were cold, clearly showing her strong dislike for that Han guy.

Yu Nu Wugua smiled slightly. This group of people relied too much on paparazzi methods. Indeed, the entertainment gossip news model is a game-changer in this era, which allowed Han Du to quickly gain a foothold. However, their over-reliance on this method has also limited their development.

A news agency that made its name through gossip and scandals—the more popular it becomes, the further it loses its original purpose. In the eyes of truly high-end people, it's just an entertainment product. No authoritative, high-status, or rational person would believe the serious content in this news agency. So when it seriously analyzes that Eliza, this northern woman, might be a spy, it's just something the lower class sees as entertainment. Few people with a bit of knowledge would take it seriously.

This group relied too much on this method and did not consider the dignity of the nobility at all. Lady Eliza's disgraceful history should be the most indelible shadow in her heart. After taking out what Eliza least wanted to be discussed and publicizing it, this group showed off their ability to spread information and then came to ask for a threatening cooperation.

Do you really think people don't have tempers?

If Eliza chooses to cooperate, it would be tantamount to admitting what Han Du had previously advertised. But if she cooperates with Han Du, what use will it be?

One second they're slandering, the next second they're turning around and helping each other?

What credibility can such a media outlet, which has no stance and changes its tune so easily, possibly have? And what value is there in cooperating with it?

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Courtroom No. 1 is specifically for handling disputes involving nobles and is of a much higher status than Courtroom No. 2. Those who can attend the hearings need to have a certain status. Rain Girl did not expect that Park Young-joon, who was not a nobleman, would be qualified to attend the hearings.

But what can he do here?

According to the rules, audience members are not allowed to speak freely; if they show contempt of court, they may even be sentenced to prison!

"Court is in session!"

The presiding judge of Courtyard No. 1 in Milandill is Ives Duron, a marquis, who is the highest-ranking presiding judge in all of Milandill. He has served in Milandill for more than 50 years, rising from the ninth presiding judge to his current position as chief judge. He carries considerable weight both in the capital and locally.

The fact that such a high-ranking figure personally presided over the trial demonstrates the seriousness that the Milandil leadership is taking this case!

"Based on the materials submitted by both sides, the points of contention are as follows: First: Regarding the question of Martin Luther's lineage, Martin Luther, as a noble viscount, did not register any extraordinary profession, yet he exhibited significant extraordinary fluctuations during Lady Eliza's childbirth. Second: The timing of Martin Luther's death is suspicious. Although Lady Eliza has many witnesses, they are all low-ranking warriors who could easily be coerced into giving false testimony under duress, making them unreliable. Third: Diplomatic disputes. The Beth Empire strongly demands the handover of Lady Eliza. Ignoring diplomatic warnings and allowing Lady Eliza to inherit the title could lead to unnecessary diplomatic conflicts. In conclusion, these are the disputes raised by the nobles who oppose Lady Eliza's succession to the title. The defense may now begin its presentation!"

Yu Nu Wugua stepped forward. As an intern scholar, it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous at all in a place like Courtroom No. 1 for the first time. But for some reason, when the crucial moment came, she found herself frighteningly calm, with not even a hint of disorder in her breathing.

"To question the legitimate wife of a nobleman is an insult to her. The child has been examined by several officials from the Ministry of Justice and it has been confirmed that there is no trace of shadow power affecting him; he is a perfectly healthy baby. As for the extraordinary disturbances that occurred on the night my client gave birth, they have nothing to do with her. Mr. Michel is a large businessman with businesses all over Milan and has many collections in his room. Sometimes, when he collects some ancient artifacts with mysterious histories, they may inadvertently release some extraordinary energy, which is quite normal. My client just happened to be living there, yet she was falsely accused of having an affair. This baseless rumor has caused my client great damage to her reputation and emotional distress."

"I will sue any media outlets that spread rumors!"

The judges in the seats had their eyes light up. This new face, though seemingly young, was quite shrewd. He clung tightly to the reputation of the nobility and provided some very compelling arguments.

So far, no shadow power has been detected in Eliza's newborn baby, but it is highly likely that the Michel villa may contain some kind of ancient artifact rich in extraordinary power.

Local nobles cannot be easily questioned by prosecutors in court. Such power cannot be used indiscriminately. This is the bottom line for local nobles. Unless you have enough evidence and the noble refuses to admit it, the prosecutor can only exercise legal authority over the noble with the approval of the presiding judge!

Now, the young lawyer's sharp arguments have refuted all the doubts. According to the rules, without new evidence, legal action cannot be taken against Eliza!

In the audience, Park Young-joon frowned slightly. He had only recently learned about Yu Nu Wugua's personal information, and now it seemed that she was indeed a talented person. To be able to perform so skillfully on her first formal court appearance, yet being suppressed by his own foolish subordinates without any purpose, was a mistake.

It seems we need to manage this situation better in the future. This kind of suppression based on jealousy is pointless. For such an outstanding Chinese player, making him a dog is the best course of action.

"Regarding the second point, the accusations are even more baseless!"

"All the warriors of Holy Stone City are willing to testify for Lady Eliza. They are also warriors who maintain the order of the Empire, and law-abiding citizens who uphold their duties day and night. Just because they are not of high enough status, you groundlessly accuse them of perjury. Is a person's character determined by their status? Is this the spirit of the rule of law you speak of?"

The prosecutors' faces immediately turned ashen. This young lawyer had spoken recklessly!

"As for the diplomatic crisis, that's even more laughable. I'm a law student, but I'm also well-versed in the history of Mirandil. This place was originally a barren land trampled by northern countries, but now it has become a shining pearl of the Rhine Empire, the second largest commercial city. Did it achieve this success by being weak and yielding to the Beth Empire?"

"If I'm not mistaken about history, everything Mirandil has today was earned by the first Duke and the current Duke of Os, leading hundreds of thousands of iron-blooded warriors in a bloody battle, right? Now that legendary figure from the battlefield is still alive, have the nobles of Mirandil already lost their backbone? To actually hand over a hero who exposed a northern conspiracy and saved the city because of a diplomatic crisis? Is this the spirit of the nobility today?"

"I have finished speaking, Your Honor!"

The entire courtroom fell silent. After a long while, the presiding judge cleared his throat and looked at the prosecution: "Do you have anything to say?"

The prosecutors looked extremely grim. They had already let the other side make all the boasts; what could they say now?

"But no matter what, with so many nobles dying in Holy Stone City, their professional livelihoods are not guaranteed, and the possibility of being threatened by Lady Eliza still exists, doesn't it?" The leading prosecutor, being experienced, immediately responded, "It's not about questioning the samurai's character, nor is it about their noble status. Our job as prosecutors is to question; it's our duty, and it's for the benefit of the Empire. In any case, at least for now, your certification doesn't seem very convincing!"

Eliza glanced at Yu Nu Wugua, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. Yu Nu Wugua had performed very well in court, and Eliza had anticipated this scene. Sure enough, the prosecution would use witness testimony to open the door to questioning. And her decision to let her persuade the presiding judge of Holy Stone City was an extremely wise one!

"We have new witnesses..." Yu Nu Wugua, who was well-prepared, was naturally full of confidence.

But Park Young-joon in the audience smiled slightly; he had just received the latest news.

Our own people have succeeded; Judge Osric should be dead by now!