Chapter 1387: Chapter 98: Reforging the Nation (25)_2

Colonel Skool remained neutral, continuing to inform of the rights: “Gaspar Belent, during this court hearing, you have the right to request recusal, demand witnesses to appear, refuse to answer irrelevant questions, defend yourself or appoint someone to defend you, participate in the trial debate, review trial records, and make a final statement. Did you understand?”

“Understood.” Gaspar Belent replied with a wry smile: “Very fair, isn’t it?”

“Do you wish to apply for recusal of any interested parties?” Colonel Skool asked.

Gaspar looked around and spread his hands: “The judges sitting in this hall are either my classmates, whose bones are connected to mine, or complete strangers—so no, I don’t request recusal.”

“Do you need to appoint someone to defend you?” Colonel Skool asked again.

“In this hall, the defender I trust the most is you, senior. But you are already seated with the judges.” Gaspar shook his head regretfully: “No, I choose to defend myself.”

“Now the indictment will be read.” After a brief preparation, Colonel Skool put on his monocle and opened the indictment: “Gaspar Belent, on May 12th of this year, you commanded four infantry battalions and two cavalry squadrons—totaling approximately 2,300 men, departing from Rainbow Creek’s controlled area, crossing the Ashen Stream River, and attacked and occupied Bazenaur, the capital of Mirror Lake County in the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province. Is this statement incorrect?”

Gaspar politely corrected: “Upon departure, my forces consisted of six infantry battalions and two Piaoqi squadrons. Some barges were intercepted, and we only had 2,300 men when we landed. As for the term ‘attack’ that you used, I cannot agree, because Bazenaur voluntarily changed its flag. This can be confirmed by Bazenaur’s mayor and my subordinate, Major Kalgan.”

“Voluntarily changed its flag?” Colonel Skool squinted his eyes: “Are you referring to the ‘voluntary’ change under the premise of high position and heavy bribes promised by Kalgan Frentz?”

“A ‘voluntary’ persuaded is still voluntary.” Gaspar feigned surprise, looking around at the freemen, justifying with confidence: “Otherwise, wouldn’t every man be a rapist?”

Low laughter erupted from the seats around the judge’s stand.

Colonel Skool frowned unhappily, but didn’t fall into the trap set by his junior, engaging in a semantic battle over the definition of “rape,” instead going straight to the point: “Since you admit that the forces occupying Bazenaur were under your command, answer me: What was your purpose in leading the troops to occupy Bazenaur?”

“What purpose?” Gaspar circled slightly, smilingly asking: “Military purpose or political purpose? Primary purpose or secondary purpose? Short-term purpose or long-term purpose? Fundamental purpose or superficial purpose?”

Colonel Skool’s face remained expressionless like a portrait: “This court has ample time; you can explain everything.”

“You’re still as humorous as ever.” Gaspar politely complimented first, then sat upright and seriously answered: “The military conference’s purpose in acquiring Bazenaur is simple: the downstream defensive line of the Ashen Stream River is hard to breach, so the military conference hopes to break through in the upstream area to initiate a new offensive. Bazenaur is the chosen breakthrough point and Bridgehead Fortress for the military conference.”

After a brief pause, giving listeners some time to digest, Gaspar Belent spoke again.

With a candid demeanor, he revealed the darker considerations of Rainbow Creek entirely: “Choosing Bazenaur also has another reason: The military conference believes that the death of General Kevin Adams is a godsend opportunity. After the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army relocated to Maplestone City, external defenses of the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province were greatly weakened, and internal tensions were mounting. If some external force is applied to break the balance, it could easily ignite a civil war in the Newly Reclaimed Lands. At that time, the military conference would have the chance to incorporate the New Reclamation Legion into its ranks.”

Gaspar nodded slightly: “So, the above were the objectives for which the military conference commanded me to lead my troops to the Newly Reclaimed Land.”

The great council hall fell silent; the over-honesty of the Blue Rose officers made the freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land somewhat uncomfortable.

“When making the decision to ignite civil war in the Newly Reclaimed Lands,” Colonel Skool removed his monocle, paused, and asked: “Did you consider the subsequent impacts?”

“Considered.” Gaspar answered bluntly: “If you can defeat the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army, it is naturally the best outcome, meaning the entire Newly Reclaimed Lands Province becomes an enemy of Kingsfort;

If you cannot defeat the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army, at least you weakened and constrained the forces from Kingsfort;

Meanwhile, as local stationed troops, your influence in various counties is deeply rooted and cannot be removed in the short term. Even if the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army wins the civil war in the Newly Reclaimed Lands, it only gains an unstable newly reclaimed land, from which it is hard to extract war resources.”

The Blue Rose colonel on the tribunal spoke clearly and logically, yet the freemen on the jury felt very uncomfortable.

This tone made them feel like pieces of meat on an abattoir’s chopping board, being scrutinized and pointed out by butchers and diners.

However, they couldn’t help but admire the colonel’s courage to speak the truth, as they’ve heard too much meaningless rhetoric, and it’s these stinging truths that evoke a sense of goodwill.

“What I mean is, did you consider.” Colonel Skool sighed: “What dragging the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province into civil war means for the New Reclamation Legion, its members, and the people of the Newly Reclaimed Land?”

Gaspar froze for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: “Don’t be so hypocritical, senior. If you consider that much, there’s no way to wage war, and you know this better than me.”

Colonel Skool didn’t retort, nor did he, like in previous trials, wield the moral stick to fiercely criticize the other party. He simply put his monocle back on, continuing to ask: “Who issued the ‘occupy Bazenaur’ order to you? Alpad Duyome?”

“It wasn’t an individual; it was the decision-making committee.” Gaspar clarified: “In fact, Marshal Alpad did not support the plan to dispatch troops to the Newly Reclaimed Land. But as a collective decision by the decision-making committee, he couldn’t veto it either.”

Colonel Skool chose his words carefully and asked: “So, the highest military authority of Rainbow Creek’s military conference is the ‘decision-making committee’ rather than Alpad Duyome holding all the power.”

Gaspar surveyed the surrounding freemen, calmly explaining: “We are soldiers, we obey orders, we respect authority, but this doesn’t mean the government we establish will answer to a single commander-like the military.”

Colonel Skool did not comment on this, instead he continued to ask: “If the highest ‘military’ authority of Rainbow Creek’s military conference is the decision-making committee, is the ‘highest authority’ also the decision-making committee?”

Gaspar did not respond as smoothly as before, a shallow wrinkle appeared on his brow: “I’m not quite sure what you mean, Your Honor.”

“My question is straightforward.” Colonel Skool patiently repeated: “Is the government established by the military conference—commonly known as the Third Republic of Paratu’s—highest authority also the ‘military conference decision-making committee’.”

The monocle on the colonel’s face reflected the light from the skylight, making his gaze unreadable.

Gaspar subconsciously smoothed his ponytail and asked leisurely: “Can you tell me what is a ‘highest authority’?”

The atmosphere began to shift subtly, even the most sluggish freemen vaguely sensed that the previously conversational Blue Rose colonel was evading questions, and the initiative in the dialogue was changing hands.

“If you don’t wish to answer, I can rephrase the question.” Colonel Skool set down the files, crossed his arms on the judge’s stand, locked his gaze on Gaspar Belent, enunciating each word clearly: “How does the government you speak of ‘establish laws, collect taxes, appoint officials, command armies, declare war and decide peace’?”

“Tell me, Gaspar Belent.” Colonel Skool slowly stood up, looking down at the defendant with great pressure, asking: “Who is ruling the government you speak of?”