Chapter 1391: Chapter 99: Reforging the Nation (26)_4

Next was Alder Felter.

“Alder Felter.” Colonel Skool did not accuse the soldiers of the United Provinces Army of murder or injury: “I accuse you and those behind you of the crime of ‘betraying the Alliance, contempt for the constitution’ for your trampling on the ‘Alliance Charter’, the ‘Republic of Palatu Charter’, and all justice and laws in the world.”

Similarly, three loud calls, and Alder Felter was taken away.

From start to finish, the army Major from the United Provinces kept his head down, facing everything numbly, like a walking corpse.

Finally, it was Gaspar Behrent’s turn.

“Gaspar Behrent.” Colonel Skool’s tone unusually carried a trace of sadness: “For being suspected of involvement in national division, suspected of subverting the republican regime, and suspected of organizing, planning, and executing armed rebellion… I accuse you of treason. Citizens, please make your judgment.”

This time, the voices from the jury were also somewhat hesitant.

People felt sympathy for this sincere and handsome Blue Rose officer, but in the previous discussions, Gaspar had clearly stated his position and attitude.

So it was still three calls in unison—though somewhat disorderly, declaring the Blue Rose officer guilty.

Gaspar Behrent held his head high and strode out of the Grand Council Hall.

Colonel Skool on the stage exchanged a glance with Colonel Gessa below; the most difficult part of the planned process of the Free People’s Assembly was already over.

Putting the “representatives” of the Red Rose, Blue Rose, and the United Provinces on trial brought significant risk to the assembly’s preparation because trying them also gave them the right to speak.

Fortunately, Colonel Skool successfully handled it.

Now, the four “guilty” verdicts were like four blades, completely severing the Newly Reclaimed Land’s government from the complex entanglements of Rainbow Creek and Kingsfort.

Next, it was time to go along with the flow, urging the free people to shout three times in passing the motion of “rebuilding the Republic” and then read the Charter of the New Republic.

Colonel Skool was following the pre-arranged procedure.

However, when it came to the section of reading the Charter of the New Republic, the atmosphere in the Grand Council Hall slowly cooled down.

As they listened to Colonel Skool on the judge’s bench loudly reciting the pre-drafted charter, even the free people of the Newly Reclaimed Land, who were inclined towards the military, couldn’t help but feel a sense of absurdity.

The free people’s disappointment and silence gradually set in; the emotions of shared hatred and anger previously aroused in the trial had evaporated.

Gerard Mitchell, Nandor Krellov, Richard from Blackwater Town, and hundreds of “free people” from the Newly Reclaimed Land listened silently to Colonel Skool’s voice.

What Colonel Skool was saying was no longer important.

What was important was that in this listening, the boundaries of the free people gradually disappeared, eventually converging into a colossal figure with an indistinct face.

This colossal figure breathed, but could only act on instinct.

And its instincts were so numb, sluggish, and passive that no external stimulus seemed able to awaken it.

Until a bored voice rang out among the tiered seats.

“Alas, all these tricks,” the owner of the voice yawned loudly, “just to shout three times for the piece of paper in your hands!”

On the judge’s bench, Colonel Skool was mechanically reading the script when he was interrupted by the sudden voice.

Colonel Skool was stunned for a moment, looking up toward the source of the voice, but found nothing.

“Why make it so complicated?” the voice spoke again: “What you’re best at is gathering a bunch of representatives to decide what you’ve already decided!”

On stage, Colonel Skool furrowed his brow, and below, Colonel Gessa also put on a stern face.

The one-eyed military police officer dashed to the Maplestone City seat area where the voice had come from, shouting angrily: “Who is speaking?”

“No need to look, I’m the one speaking!”

A figure stood up from the back rows of the Maplestone City seat area, walking down the steps, and the free people of Maplestone City on the steps made way for him.

Sitting in the front row of the Mont Blanc County seat area, Colonel Gessa’s pupils dilated sharply when he saw the figure’s face.

“You’ve tried the Blue Rose soldiers and the Red Rose soldiers, and even the Provincial Guy soldiers; how could it be justified without trying some politicians?”

The young man from the Maplestone City seat area laughed as he walked into the central speaking arena of the Grand Council Hall.

“I! Kai Morland! Permanent representative of the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province to Kingsfort! Three-term Great Council member!”

The young man stood at the trial stand, like a thunderbolt, awakening the free people at the entire convention:

“I voluntarily request to be tried!”