Chapter 1382: Chapter 97: Rebuilding the Nation (24)_2

He put down the gavel and reopened the indictment, reading aloud in a steady and measured tone:

“On the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth of May, during the Battle of Wailing Valley, as the highest-ranking officer of the false parliament’s southern detachment forces, Major Alder Felter commanded five infantry battalions, two cavalry squadrons, and attached supply units—a total of about three thousand men—launching an offensive along the line of Maplestone City, Maiqiu Town, and Green Valley Town, intending to cut off the allied forces’ retreat.

“On May twenty-seventh, Alder Felter commanded the southern detachment of the false parliament’s army to reach Green Valley Town and engaged in battle with Iron Peak County Military, was repelled, and subsequently, Iron Peak County Military voluntarily withdrew from Green Valley Town;

“On May twenty-eighth, Alder Felter commanded the southern detachment of the false parliament’s army to occupy the undefended Green Valley Town;

“On May thirtieth, Alder Felter commanded the southern detachment of the false parliament’s army and again engaged the third and fourth light cavalry squadrons of Iron Peak County Military in Green Valley Town, suffering defeat;

“On the night of May thirtieth, Alder Felter commanded the southern detachment of the false parliament’s army to withdraw from Green Valley Town, was pursued by the third and fourth light cavalry squadrons of Iron Peak County Military, and was routed, with most of his troops captured;

“On June second, Alder Felter fled back to Maplestone City and subsequently occupied Maple Fort;

“On July second, Alder Felter surrendered to the allied forces.”

“Major Alder Felter.” Colonel Skul closed the indictment, looking down unemotionally at the defendant, who was also lowering his head: “The above is the reason for your eventual capture at Maple Fort. Do you have any objections to the aforementioned content?”

Major Felter pressed his lips tightly together, enduring the strange looks cast from all directions.

Even Colonel Nagy glanced at the Major with an odd expression when he heard the part about “the southern detachment being routed by a mere two squadrons of light cavalry.”

For a soldier, nothing could be more humiliating and cruel than such a “trial method.”

Confronted with cold yet accurate records, Major Felter no longer even had the strength to utter “no comment.”

…

[Iron Peak County Seating Area]

“Three thousand men, beaten by two squadrons? Two squadrons? Three hundred cavalry? And light cavalry at that?” Nandor found it unbelievable: “Did I hear that right?”

Gerard struggled to not let his expression show too much satisfaction, but the curved corners of his eyes betrayed old Dusack.

“The one who took care of him.” He cleared his throat: “Is my son.”

…

Major Felter remained silent.

After waiting for a moment, Colonel Skul ordered indifferently: “Clerk, record— the defendant has no objections to the circumstances leading to his capture at Maple Fort.”

The tiered seating erupted into laughter once again, with the officers laughing especially loudly.

“Skur Meklen, you’ve already won.” Colonel Nagy looked with distaste at the people in the tiers, warning them with a displeased expression: “There’s no need to humiliate us like this. Because sooner or later, you will also taste the bitterness of defeat.”

“I’m not humiliating you, Nagy Modachi.” Colonel Skul replied calmly: “I’m just stating the facts.”

The laughter in the tiered seating grew even louder, particularly from the officers’ seating area, which was utterly unrestrained.

“Silence!” Colonel Skul shouted angrily, grabbing the gavel and hammering it against the base vigorously.

As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over a candle, the grand ceremonial hall fell into instant silence. Those who had just been laughing awkwardly closed their mouths, though a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction rose within them.

“Nagy Giadachi, Alder Felter, do you think I’m humiliating you?” Colonel Skul stood up, his face stern as he looked down at the two: “This means that you still don’t understand where your guilt lies!”

“And you all!” Colonel Skul turned to look at the officers’ seating area, slamming his palm on the desk in frustration and anger: “You think I’m humiliating them? This means you also don’t understand where their guilt lies!”

The officers’ seating area and the freemen’s seating area were completely silent.

“You!” Colonel Skul casually pointed to a junior officer from Thunder Group County: “Stand up.”

The officer pointed out immediately stood up, but his face was full of confusion.

“Recite.” Colonel Skul commanded bluntly: “The inviolable ‘Alliance Charter’ signed by the Various Republics, Section Two, Article One.”

For an official military officer who had memorized the ‘Alliance Charter’ for ten years in military school, the seven sections and thirty-six articles were more familiar than his own birth date.

Although a little flustered, the officer pointed out instinctively recited: “Section Two, Article One, the assurance of the rights and powers of the people, the nation, and the alliance requires armed forces, which are established for the welfare of the entire people, and not for the benefit of individuals or groups entrusted with such power.”

Colonel Skul motioned for the officer to sit down, then pointed to another officer: “You, Section Two, Article Four.”

The second officer pointed out also recited fluently: “Section Two, Article Four, the use of armed forces within the alliance by the Armed Forces of the Various Republics is limited to the regions over which their respective republics have or claim jurisdiction.”

Then came the third officer: “You, Section Two, Article Eight.”

“Section Two, Article Eight, without the consent of the Alliance Council and Federation, the Various Republics shall not deploy armed forces to the Federation, nor shall they form agreements or treaties with the Federation.”

Finally, Colonel Skul pointed to a captain sitting in the front row of the Iron Peak County Sector: “Section Two, Article Ten.”