On the day of the hearing, Juricia, Stailor and Iliana were sitting in Stailor's car, With Juricia anxiously scrolling through the files and reviewing the evidence and rechecking the blood reports for Alisa which did show that Alisa was not a Vampire.
"I'm so anxious.. Why is the Jury of Luminae dissolved? Why is there no postponing.. Who'll be the judge.." Juricia said, as she closed the file, biting her thumb in anxiety.
"Calm down, Juricia. The Jury is dissolved so the new judge is from Melobranch's Court. They are known to be impartial." Iliana said, consoling Juricia while Stailor caressed her.
"Yeah. It's still a bit... Forget it." Juricia spoke in an anxious manner before calming down, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead.
Then suddenly, Three Cars rolled up to the Court House. From the car in the middle of the pack, stepped out a Young Man. His face was covered in a veil, the air around him was intense, commanding respect even when the three of them were far away. The man was dressed in a Classic Black Done with a Badge on his left shoulder, with an insignia of Emperor and a gold trinket hanging in his hands with the Symbol of Justifia.
"Ah, it looks like one of Supreme Judge Gerald's Apprentices. I've heard that they are an unbiased bunch.." Iliana said calmly, pointing towards the Judge, who was walking into the court as there was still some time left for the hearing to commence.
Juricia nodded as she watched the Judge walk into the Courthouse. She had calmed down a bit seeing someone who's famous for their neutrality. Afterall, This case was only stuck in this place because all the previous judges refused to undo the first judgement of this case.
"It'd be better to know who the judge exactly is.. But it's not like we can get that information. No matter how corrupt and biased the system may be, such information is never really out for the public." Juricia said calmly, leaning back on her seat and relaxing for the first time since morning.
"Alisa.. I will get you the justice you desire." Juricia spoke lightly, raising her hand to touch the roof of the car in a romantic manner. This made Stailor laugh internally while Iliana visibly chuckled.
"You don't need to be re-enacting that TV serial, Juricia. I think Alisa knows well enough." Iliana said with a smile on her lips. The entire scene of Juricia laying back on her seat and touching the roof like she was touching the stars and playing with fate got so funny that she and Stailor laughed their heart out at Juricia. Thankfully the car was soundproof so people outside couldn't hear anything.
After the laughs of Stailor and Iliana died down, Juricia sighed, finally speaking with a smile. "20 more minutes then we'll be facing the judge."
"Yeah.. Let me message Abel and Eluya real quick." Iliana said calmly as she leaned back in the backseat. The Shirt she was wearing today was a bit tight around her chest, though not uncomfortable. She had also sent her mirror selfie to Abel and Eluya.
The three of them were in a group chat and none of them ever used the Private chats because it's a hassle for them. In the group, there were two reactions towards Iliana's Selfie.
Eluya: 😶💓
Abel: 👍
These reactions were nothing less than Pure Comedy to Iliana. As usual, Eluya's responses were responsive and Abel's were dull.
Iliana: I expected better reactions tbh.
Eluya: Sent 1 Attachment
Iliana opened the image only to find Abel, Eluya and Arbor, the third person, gouging the eyes out of Uncouths.
Abel: We'll be home in 2 more days. Don't mind the bloodshed, you know how it goes for them.
Iliana: Yeah, the Uncouths. You gave me a 3 hour lecture about that last year.. How can I ever forget.
Eluya: 😂
Eluya: Oh and btw, I'm screwing Abel.
Abel: No, she's not.
Iliana: I know.. But I miss you two.
Eluya: You mean, 'Miss Abel'..😏
Abel: I can't find the eyebrow emoji.
Iliana: 🫣
Iliana: I'll talk to you two later. I have to head in the court now.
Eluya: 👍
Abel: Ok
Then Iliana put her phone into silent mode and sighed with a smile.
"We should go in." Juricia said, checking the files, her clothes, hair and lipstick one final time in the rear-view mirror before the three of them got out of the car.
Stailor made sure to lock the car before the three of them walked into the Court. As they made their way into the court room, the three of them could feel the air tense up, as if someone was overseeing this place. Something was forcing their body to act, they couldn't lie. Juricia felt this weighing her down but not by much, but for some of the other advocates there, they were breathing heavily, taking shorter steps and sweating profusely.
This feeling only intensified as they walked into the courtroom. In front of the judges table, there was plaintiff and defense table on the right and left, respectively. In the back of the room, a public gallery was lined up with rows of chairs, where the families of perpetrators were sitting. A few words simmered from behind, but all of them eventually died out as speaking was getting harder and harder by the second. The court room fell completely silent and everyone stood up reflexively as the announcement happened that the Judge was entering the courtroom.
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"Good morning everyone. Welcome to Luminae's High Court. I'm Judge Gerald and I'll be overseeing the hearings for a few days." Gerald said calmly as he sat down on the Judge's chair.
It's at this very moment that it became even harder to breathe. The New Judge wasn't just Supreme Judge Gerald's Disciple. It was Judge Gerald in flesh.
"The plaintiff may begin and the defense will follow." Gerald said calmly. His presence was weighing down on everyone present in the courtroom.
And for the defense, it wasn't very good. The Defense Attorney for the defendants was a very renowned defense attorney, for both Criminal and Civil Cases. And as of now, he was trembling, unable to stand or speak.
"Your Honor, members of the jury, today we are here to seek justice for the tragic and senseless loss of my client's family. A few years ago, Young Alisa Ranberr lost everything-her father, mother, sister and her maid that died protecting her-all brutally murdered in cold blood by members of an organized mob that held jealousy towards the Property that the Ranberr's held.
On the evening of 25 June, 2021, there gathered a mob of almost 50 people in front of Ranberr's Mansion. Evidence will show that this was planned and that the allegations that were put on the family are false. Because of the traumatic incident, Alisa Ranberr had to take shelter in the Black Market, where she remained hidden until she reached out to the EIA Detective Agency who investigated the crime scene and found evidence against the popular claim that 'Ranberr's were Vampires'.
At the conclusion, we will only ask one thing of you, Your Honour. We ask that Miss Alisa Ranberr's final wishes be fulfilled. She wishes for the court to allow her to sell all the properties that were squatted by the members of the mob and for Miss Alisa to be rewarded for her pain, and suffering that she suffered because of the cruel actions of the mob."
Judge Gerald nodded while noting down in his notebook, then he turned his attention to the defense, who at this point couldn't even talk. But by a miracle, The defense attorney stood up and spoke in a low voice. "We withdraw all defenses and counterclaims and consent to the entry of judgment in favor of the plaintiff."
"I see.. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now take a recess for 15 minutes. When we reconvene, I will deliver my judgment. Please return promptly at the designated time." Judge Gerald said calmly as he stood up and the people in the courtroom and public gallery stood up reflexively, watching the judge leave the room.
But for Iliana, she was more in awe unlike everyone else, who were shivering like it was mid-winter. Once the Judge left the courtroom, she turned to Juricia, whose face was white.
"I didn't mean to speak all of that.." Juricia said, while trembling as she sat down on her chair. There was a hint of respect towards Juge Gerald in her eyes, as he was her role model but experiencing his court in-person wasn't something she ever expected.
"I.. I couldn't say anything.. Just what was all that?" Said the defense lawyer as his hands shiver at the thought of standing in the court. As for the defendants, they were equally terrified, if not more. And for now, they could only wait for the Judgement to come officially, even though it was clear as day that the judgement was in the Plaintiff's favour.
And these 15 minutes passed quickly, as Judge Gerald came back to the courtroom. Once everybody was seated, he cleared his throat and started reading the document in his hand. "After reviewing all the evidence and considering the arguments presented by both sides, it is clear that the defendant is liable for the wrongful death of the plaintiff's family. The defendant's actions, as established during the trial, have caused significant harm to the plaintiff.
The defendant is ordered to make payment of 500,000 UD to the EIA Detective Agency within 30 days from the date of this order. Furthermore, the defendant is permanently enjoined from any further unlawful activity against the plaintiff or her property.
(Note: UD is the United Dollars. A currency that's valid in both Empire and Republic.)
This concludes the proceedings. The court is adjourned." Judge Gerald said as he hit the gavel, signifying the end of the trial.
The trial that was supposed to be a hellish landscape had turned into a walk in the park and ended as such. The very court where Iliana's plea for justice had been turned down multiple times in the past was now the place where she had won justice for the people she loved oh so dearly.
After Juricia, Stailor and Iliana left the courtroom, they sat down in the car. They finally sighed in relief followed by Juricia's chuckle.
"I'm tired.. Why was the air inside the court so different today?" Stailor said with a concerned look. Though he knew that he wasn't the only one who felt it when they were inside the courtroom.
"Oh, you don't know about it?" Juricia said, surprised that this wasn't common knowledge. "It is said that Judge Gerald was blessed by Justifia, The God of Justice. So as long as he is in court, you cannot lie, harm or deceive anyone."
"Wait? Seriously?" Stailor raised his eyebrows at this absurd claim but it wasn't absurd as he had experienced it himself.
"Seriously! Will you believe it if I said that Supreme Judge Gerald is 125 years old?" Juricia said, clapping lightly while smiling.
"I won't believe you. He looked so young." Stailor said, his eyes widened with surprise. "Just what kind of work do you have to do to be blessed by a God.. Well, it's hard to deny those claims once you've truly experienced them."
"Yeah.. Anyways, Iliana.. Iliana?" Juricia said as her attention went to Iliana, who was hiding her face behind her phone, typing on it and tears were flowing down her cheeks as she did so.
Juricia smiled to herself before looking at Stailor and speaking in a low voice. "Drive to the agency. We'll drop Iliana at her place before continuing with our day."
Stailor nodded as he started the car and began driving. Today was a very weird day for the three of them but it was a fruitful one. The drive to the Agency was a long one due to the traffic jam as people came to know about the fact that Judge Gerald is in Luminae. For the worshippers of Justifia, he was the closest one to their god so they drove for hours just to see him from a distance.
When Stailor turned on the radio, every channel was talking about it. Every single headline was 'Supreme Judge Gerald in the town of Luminae post-dissolution of the Jury system in Luminae.'
Some people were speculating, some were happy, some were devastated. And as for people who were behind the scenes, they were smiling for reasons yet to be ascertained.
"Master.." thought Omega, looking at the court from a distance.
"Sir.." thought Gerald, who could feel Omega looking out for him from a distance. His lips curled up in a smile as the two had the same goal. Meeting their guide and Superior, Abraxas, aka Abel.