The rookie prosecutor began garnering attention.
His progress in the judicial field surprised everyone, and there were rumors that during lunch one day, the esteemed Count Carmen, the highest-ranking figure in the Flondeck legal community, had mentioned Albert's name with admiration.
The courtroom was like a bullfighting arena, where he faced off against opponents, using his wit to gain the upper hand.
He liked to use a calm demeanor, a slightly humble tone, to make the interrogated relax their guard, and then suddenly become intense, pointing out their weaknesses ruthlessly, catching them off guard. Then with a sword-like reprimand, they would collapse under the shadow of despair.
One time, when the defendant appeared in people's sights, everyone was surprised and sucked in a breath of cold air.
He was a facially asymmetrical, inarticulate man who sat stupidly in the dock, drool constantly flowing and soaking a large part of his collar, his thin arms shaking unconsciously. His eyes, muddy and upturned, muttered incomprehensible words.
When the judge read out his charge of fraud, many people made sneering laughs.
Could a mentally disabled person do such a thing?
The lawyer presented a physician's testimony declaring his client to be a complete paraplegic unable to care for himself, and sympathetically said, "A person with a confused mind, surviving on meager bank interest, while some ludicrous businessman claims to have been cheated by him. Oh, this is so amusing, a person who made a fortune but whose intelligence is less than a fool!"
The courtroom erupted in laughter, and everyone looked jovially at the plaintiff, a fair, stout man with a good-sized tea shop in Flondeck.
He was now trying to wipe the sweat off his forehead, whispering, "He was pretending. When he talked to me about business, he was quite savvy."
No one believes the fat man's words, even the judge shows a sympathetic expression towards the defendant. Nine out of ten businessmen are cunning, and everyone thinks that this guy is attempting to seize the estate of a mentally disabled person.
Albert approached the swindler and asked him several questions. The swindler looked puzzled, twisting his fingers and shifting uncomfortably in his chair, and then gave answers that were both hilarious and absurd.
When Albert asked him what was sixteen plus twenty-four, he thought for a long time, and then shook his head vigorously.
The lawyer sighed beside him, saying, "See, if he had even a modicum of logical ability, he wouldn't have been wronged here."
Finally, Albert said helplessly, "Perhaps the patrol team should check the eyesight of their selected members."
The patrol knight who attended as a witness angrily stood up to protest, then red-facedly hid in the corner under the ridicule of the spectators.
As people thought this farce was coming to an end, Albert said to the judge, "The situation is clear. During the trial process, we should return the frozen funds to the defendant. Hmm, let me think, it's 200 gold coins." Albert thought of something and turned to ask the lawyer, "200? That's not a small amount."
The lawyer hesitated. He had not seen the specific amount of the deposit in the documents presented in court. But he dutifully explained, "This is the inheritance left by his father. By the Holy Light, if it weren't for this money, he would have starved to death on the streets."
Albert nodded, seemingly agreeing with the lawyer's argument. Then he took out a piece of paper and quickly wrote a few words with a quill pen, which appeared to be his signature on the verdict.
"Before announcing the result, it is more important to return the gold coins to the defendant to clarify the court's fairness. Otherwise, everyone may privately suspect that we have colluded with the dishonest businessman to embezzle his livelihood."
There was a warm applause in the courtroom, and everyone was satisfied with this fair decision.
The fat businessman was stunned, and he opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.
The judge also agreed with Albert's move, and he gestured for Albert to hand him the verdict. When the judge and prosecutor wrote their names at the same time, the arbitration would take effect immediately and could not be doubted.
Just at that moment, an anxious voice came, "It's 462 gold coins, you got it wrong!"
In an instant, all eyes were focused on the source of the voice. The defendant stood up and eloquently shouted, his previously contorted face returning to normal in the blink of an eye. Soon, he realized something was wrong and his entire body froze.
"Yes, it's 462 gold coins," Albert turned abruptly and walked in big strides towards the swindler, sneering, "Before we count your gold coins, should we discuss your intelligence problem?"
The swindler looked at the prosecutor in despair, sitting paralyzed with his head in his hands, breathing heavily and hoarsely muttering, "You...you are a devil who plays with people's hearts."
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As expected, in the early days of spring, Albert received the long-awaited promotion notice.
"Congratulations, young man," the presiding judge looked kindly at Albert, as if he were a beloved elder watching him grow up, "You are the honor of the Seventh Court."
"I hope to make you proud, just as you make me proud," Albert said gracefully with the usual praise that nobles use, hiding his joy.
According to regulations, probationary prosecutors in regional courts will serve for three months as assistant clerks in the First Noble Court. After that, he became a role that could stand alone.
Three months, just need to get through another three months.
More importantly, Albert's salary will be able to rent a spacious apartment with a balcony in the new district.
Three months, just need to get through another three months.
Albert will be able to bring Jenny and her grandmother over and live happily together.
The fragrance of fish soup wafts over the dining table, sharing the warmth of the fireplace with loved ones, and the feeling of someone waiting for you to come home. All of these are so eagerly anticipated.
Maybe get a dog?
Albert walked out of the Seventh Street Court, and the late winter weather was still cold. The excitement that had been accumulating in his heart was like a startled bird, jumping and chirping.
"Ah!" Albert shouted, unable to suppress his excitement and punched his fist.
On the street not far away, the cleaners who were busy cleaning the dirt and fallen branches looked inexplicably at him.
In the evening, the sunset was resisting the onset of night, flashing with dazzling colors. The moon quietly emerged from behind the clouds, and the line between day and night was clearly defined on the horizon.
Albert felt that everything in front of him was so beautiful.
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Spring has indeed arrived, as if overnight, the cold wind has started to become gentle. The stiff branches of the trees on the roadside are adorned with starry green, and pedestrians take off their bulky coats, looking more energetic.
The city center of Flondeck was bustling with life, the accumulated trash of winter having been cleaned up a few days ago.
The streets were clean and bright, shop windows were decorated with cheerful red posters. Shopkeepers were yelling, showcasing rare and exciting items that filled the shelves. Fresh tea leaves, eels caught from the deep sea, colorful glassware, and countless goods made it hard to take one's eyes away.
Of course, the best-selling items were still the festive decorations like colorful balls and funny masks.
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Regardless of poverty or wealth, everyone looks forward to the arrival of the first festival of the New Year: the Carnival.
A large number of circuses, wandering poets, and touring dance troupes have gathered and formed a long queue in front of the gates of Flondeck City.
Seductive dancers lean out of their carriage windows and blow kisses towards passing men, while colorful bells jingle on the raised snow-white arms.
"Remember to visit the Fairy Dance Troupe, be a good boy, I'll leave a spot for you in the tent." The ladies in tight-fitting clothes, showing off their full figures, flew their charming eyes and stuffed promotional brochures with beautiful patterns and the name of the dance troupe into the men's arms, teasingly stroking them at the same time.
The circuses deliberately pull back the canvas covering the cages of the beast, The wild beasts pace back and forth in the cages and occasionally roar at the onlookers, arousing people's curiosity and also causing children to scream.
Independent wandering poets, of course, do not have such a grand scene. They walk calmly in gorgeous costumes, only stopping to play a few notes and pose melancholy and wandering when they see beautiful noble ladies.
Flondeck's girls secretly follow their favorite poets, wanting to know which hotel they live in and exchanging information about where new handsome men have appeared.
Uninhibited and without a care, the people of Flondeck can revel continuously for seven days, the most anticipated time of the year.
However, for the Green Agate Street and the taverns with small rooms, the carnival is not a good day.
Their business will be sluggish, and they would rather end this unlucky week early.
Those performing dancing girls do not mind taking the audience who can afford it to their tents for an extra performance after the show ends. Of course, the more additional income, the better.
The temptation of the dance costume uniform and the graceful posture formed by long-term practice naturally have much greater allure.
Therefore, if you see a young and beautiful woman with heavy makeup raising her middle finger indecently towards the touring circus on the street, you can guess her identity.
"Flondeck is our territory, and all the bastards should go to hell." The local prostitute curses with enmity.
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"Flondeck is our territory, and all the bastards should go to hell."
The First Noble Court's chief prosecutor, Baron Camilo, slammed a thick stack of files on the table and spoke with an enthusiastic tone. The boisterous sound of his voice made the delicate glass ashtray on the table emit a buzzing sound.
Five lucky ones who were just recommended by the lower court are standing with respectful expressions, listening to their superiors' admonition.
In the luxurious office, the six-tiered carved redwood bookcase is packed full of legal books, and the top shelf requires a step stool to reach. If you search closely, you can even find precious first editions of famous books like "On the Sources of Law" and "Studies in Theology and Law."
The owner of the books is clearly not a scholarly gentleman wearing gold-rimmed glasses in one's imagination.
The chief prosecutor is short and stout, with a patchy head of hair resembling a huge whirlpool in the Mediterranean. His shiny bald head is as bright as a mirror, and his speech is rough, like an uncultured brute.
But if you underestimate him in court, you will suffer a great loss. As soon as a flaw is caught, the chief prosecutor is like a wild boar searching for food, exhaling feverish breaths and holding onto the prey fiercely yet cautiously, swallowing it whole until it disappears.
"I know exactly what kind of people you are. You've dealt with some trivial cases in the small court and you think you've mastered the tricks. You're proud and you think you can stay here for a while, wear the badge of a formal prosecutor, and then go back to the small court to continue playing unrealistic legal games."
Camilo took out the snuff box from his pocket, sniffed a handful of dark brown tobacco at his nose and pointed to the pile of files on the table.
"Scum, thugs, all sorts of trash can be found in here. They cleverly hide their evil deeds, trying to swagger out of prison. Your job for the next three months is to find any clues and send them to hell. This is not only your task, but also a tool for me to kick out the unqualified ones from the first court."
Albert breathed a sigh of relief only after carefully closing the thick gold-edged door.
He held the distributed files and scrutinized his colleagues who were both competitors and peers.
Each one of them is an elite who has been tempered in actual combat, especially one of them is a girl.
She has a stubborn look and short hair like a man, and her clothes are similar to men’s jackets. Occasionally, there is a hint of pride between her eyebrows. She is not particularly beautiful, but the intellectual light in her eyes gives her a unique charm.
Albert noticed the expensive light yellow silk scarf tied into a long bow under her neck, with a small golden sparrow brooch pinned to it.
"Let's get to know each other. I am Al Dunavan." A young man with an elegant voice and demeanor reached out his hand, but too many accessories on his clothes made him look a bit flamboyant.
"Dunavan? This name sounds very familiar." Another trainee prosecutor said with some confusion, "Oh, the head of the district court is also called Dunavan. This is a prestigious family in the Flondeck legal world."
"Oh, thank you for your compliment. He is my father." Al exaggeratedly shouted, "Of course, please believe that I am here not because of the relationship in my family, but because of my own ability."
The prosecutors were amused by his modest words and shook hands with each other in a friendly manner.
Only the girl hesitated for a moment, symbolically reaching out her hand wearing white silk gloves, and immediately withdrew it.
"I'm Penny, the top student of the Imperial Law School." The girl said proudly, then disdainfully raised her eyebrows, "I like victories, whether it is facing criminals in court, or standing out among a group of trainees."
"Oh, beautiful miss, is this a declaration of war?" Al bowed slightly, "Making a lady cry will damage my reputation."
Penny shrugged indifferently, raised her thumb and pointed downwards, and then left without saying a word.
"What an interesting girl, but the courtroom is not suitable for women. Their inexplicable emotions will always mess things up," Al laughed and continued, "Since we'll be working together for three months, why don't we gather together and discuss our tasks, criminal law, commercial law, noble law, everyone has their own strengths, as well as areas of law that are not so familiar."
Al paused and looked at Albert. "As for this one, everyone must know about the famous murder case that gave the top prosecutor a headache. The judgment was cunning to the extreme, but when someone assists you, some things become easier. Who knows what strange things are hidden in it..." He waved the case file in his hand and continued, "One's wisdom is ultimately no match for the power of the collective."
"Not only now, but also in the future, if everyone strives for the position of chief prosecutor or court president, our friendship will make the promotion path smoother. To put it inappropriately, even a sailor on the dock, on his own, may not be able to protect his salary in his pocket."
What an eloquent speaker, Albert thought as he watched Al speak endlessly.
He was not surprised by the alliance implied in Al 's words. Every profession has its own small circles, and having allies is always better than making enemies.
Two other interns from the second-tier court nodded in agreement. As rookies who were just promoted from a small local court, they couldn't help but crave for someone to share their inner anxiety when standing in the luxurious and magnificent trial hall.
Al hugged them enthusiastically and then extended his hand to Albert. "Will you join us too?"
After hesitating for a moment, Albert said, "In the art salon on Rose Square, some paintings are worth thousands of gold coins. The wealthy often compete with each other, as if whoever gets it will appear more tasteful. While other paintings, although still exquisite, only require a few silver coins. Why is that? Because the former is the cry of a true master's soul, while the latter is commissioned by an art workshop to a few poor painters who work together, like a production line, to produce a large number of paintings every day."
"Art is not determined by the number of people," Albert said as he left. "In my eyes, the law is also an art."
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Walking through the long corridor, covered with a fine brown carpet, Albert met Penny in the courtyard. She was sitting sideways on the pedestal of the fountain, playing with the ornamental fish in the pool with her fingers.
These fish are not afraid of human approach, following the movement of fingers up and down, trying to figure out whether the pale and slender thing is food.
Occasionally, the splashes of water splashed on Penny's temples and forehead as the fish jumped out of the water, and the previously serious girl laughed happily.
As the sunlight slanted, from afar, golden ripples spread across the water surface, and the golden light extended to the girl, as if draped in a gorgeous and brilliant armor.
Albert felt that the scene that only existed in sonnets or oil paintings had walked out of the text and left the picture frame, vividly appearing in reality.
Perhaps feeling Albert's gaze, Penny's smile faded, and she turned to look at him.
Winter returned to the girl's face, and she stood up straight, walked powerfully to Albert, and arrogantly said, "Finally, there are smart people. I thought you four poor fools would huddle together like destitute refugees, begging to use that weak warmth to resist the cold of the night."
"People who don't even have the courage to face challenges alone and rely on unstable alliances for hope will not have a future."
The girl's tongue was like a thorny rose. After her malicious comments, she reached out her hand towards Albert.
"This is a formal introduction. I am Penny Leinshman. I hope you are a good opponent, otherwise, three months will be too boring."
Leinshman? Albert finally realized the meaning of the Golden Sparrow Flower Brooch.
It was the emblem of the Leinshman family, which was known as the top aristocracy and had the title of the head of the aristocracy.
"The bloom of the Golden Sparrow Flower never ends." In the upper circles of the Castain Imperial City, such words often appeared on the lips of nobles with envy or jealousy.
After saying goodbye to Penny with not-so-proper aristocratic etiquette, Albert shrugged amusedly.
Whether it was a famous family or a Golden Sparrow Flower, it had nothing to do with him.
As long as he passed the assessment period smoothly and received satisfactory salary, Albert would be content.
He was not in the mood to play childish competitive games with a certain young lady.
Instead of thinking about these things, it was better to think about how to deal with the gift that Jenny would offer again tonight to celebrate her first report.
The little wildcat secretly revealed that she had just bought a new underwear, which was the most popular and erotic thing from the Far East called a bellyband.
"I'll definitely come four times tonight." On the way back, Albert encouraged himself with anticipation.