Chapter 256
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 256
Legal proceedings could drag out for a very long time for various reasons. Sometimes it just took a long time to read through piles of documents to find what was relevant, sometimes the courts were busy and could only see people irregularly. Sometimes one side or the other asked for extensions because they were busy with something, and sometimes they intentionally dragged things out in the hope that something would save them. Usually some piece of uncovered evidence.
The Adamant Chain couldnt be hoping for evidence, because they knew they were guilty of everything charged, and probably more than even Kohar couldnt find a way to prove or even tantalizingly suggest. They might be trying to come up with some more convincing falsified records, since shed figuratively torn apart everything theyd produced so far.
There was one thing they could be stalling for that would make a big difference. If, say, an army showed up in Sarton ready to fight and killed everyone involved while professing no connection to the Adamant Chain. But that wasnt something Kohar was related to. There were others already attempting to deal with those problems. If a big battle reached her, she would die. If it was stopped, she would continue doing her job.
Kohar was standing, giving another speech that combined evidence with flair. The first was somehow not good enough for some people, so she had to use both. For the last several years, because of severe malpractice on behalf of many slaving guilds including the Iron Ring Slavers and the Adamant Chain, detailed records have been required. I have here in front of me depositions from several dozen illegally enslaved individuals, before anyone could interrupt Kohar pushed forward, As well as individuals from the various towns where the Adamant Chains records claim to have been enslaved through legal means. We have reports of people enslaved for debts that werent theirs, as well as for debts that had been paid and those with illegal amounts of interest financed through subsidiaries of the Adamant Chain.
Kohar paused, looking around the room.
I am prepared to read all fifteen pages of that, and I will in a few moments, but next we have lists of people enslaved after being accused of a crime but without being convicted, or where they were convicted of crimes they were never accused of or tried for. And then there are all of the various locations where people were enslaved that dont exist. Ill start alphabetically. Agosbury, twelve individuals
Kohar wasnt going to let herself be interrupted easily, but when several figures burst through the doors she stopped. Guards tensed, including her allies from the Order. However, the figures just ran over to the representatives of the Adamant Chain, whispering.
Your honor, Izabel said to the presiding judge. We will have to postpone further proceedings. There is an active attack on the Thick Marble Group as we speak. She began to pick up the papers in front of her.
On what grounds would the proceedings be postponed? Kohar said, stopping her. What connection does that have to the matters at hand?
Izabel glared at her. You know on what grounds.
Do I? Kohar asked calmly. Perhaps you should state it for the court record.
Your people are part of that attack.
My people? Kohar asked. Who are my people? Do you mean my bodyguards, all of which are here with us in this very room? And you havent given a connection. Are we at risk here in this room? Does the Adamant Chain work with them?
This was Kohars job too. Either Izabel admitted a connection, which she could use to cause them no end of grief, or she was forced to continue with things as they had been going.
Izabel was trapped, looking up at the judge hoping he would make some sort of declaration. However, he was as much in Kohars pocket as the Adamant Chains, which basically said he was being paid to be basically neutral. A risky position, if the Adamant Chain had any chance of being structurally stable afterwards. He might have judged he was less likely to be killed in revenge by Kohars side both because they would win on the merits and they were generally more honorable. Though killing a corrupt judge would be within the Orders precepts, nobody was going to bring that up.
Judge Arron Sgro shook his head. If there is no danger to us here, and no connection between the Adamant Chain and the Thick Marble Ga- Group, then we shall continue from where we left off. I believe Kohar had the stand.
Anton nodded. Catarina?
Ive set up the formation, she said. I should be able to temporarily stop it and allow people to traverse the water in front of it. The footing will probably be unstable, but it will be better than treading water while trying to swing an axe.
Anton smiled slightly. Nobody was going to suddenly forget their positions. They had more people with them as well, mostly Spirit Building cultivators, though Anish was here along with two other Essence Collection cultivators from Glorious Flame Palace. There were even a few participants from the Frostmirror Sect, like Marsen.
Anton was only talking because he was nervous. There was no reason to be, they were in a good position, but he just had a bad feeling. It could have been that Ships Haven was just at their backs. Battles at their level could easily spill over to affect normal people. Even if nobody intentionally harmed civilians, it could happen.
No matter who claimed they could, cultivators couldnt predict the future. There were gut feelings that could turn out to be right, and perhaps cultivators were more in tune to the world as a whole and could make better guesses but there was still no way to actually know what would happen, even a few moments away.
But as the barge got closer, Anton managed to sense something. There were too many people on that barge. It wasnt the wrong one. He could feel the cultivators guarding it, a mix of several different sects. Thick Marble Gang, a couple of those who had gotten away or not been present for the attack. Some others he only half recognized. And another Heavenly Lion Sect? Theyd been keeping themselves hidden, but either they had some sort of plan or this was a lone agent who had joined up with people who had a similar lack of morals.
The cultivators werent the problem, though. It was the people. Normal, everyday, no-cultivation-at-all people. Maybe a hundred of them, chained to each other in and around the crates of goods.
Captive civilians on that barge! Anton called out to nearby. Others would pass the message on. Be careful how you attack!
That was the problem with what they were doing. If they were already going to wipe out as many slavers as they could, then those people and their allies would use whatever they could against them. And since they obviously didnt care about normal people but Anton and the others did it was pretty simple. What was Anton going to do for them adding onto their crimes, kill everyone twice? He thought about that, but didnt know how. Everheart probably did, but that didnt mean Anton actually wanted to.
Still, having to limit their attacks wasnt too bad. It would restrict some people, and they couldnt sink the barge- unless they could take out enough of the enemies before they did, so they could get in there and rescue the prisoners.
The real problem came when the attack began. Anton had no trouble firing his bow indiscriminately. Even if he added on a handful formed entirely of energy, he could unravel any Spirit Arrow that missed his target- or rather, any that was dodged since his attacks didnt just miss. Before it could get half a meter behind someone, any arrow would be gone. He wasnt going to hit the wrong target. And while it might have been stroking his own ego somewhat, Anton was a significant amount of their ranged capabilities. There was Alva, of course, and many others had their own methods, but Anton was the best among them.
Unfortunately, the others werent all quite as precise as Anton. Everyone still avoided hitting any of the people. They had that level of control. But a few spears and a bolt of lightning broke open some of the crates and barrels on board. The crates were mostly just ore, so at most they spilled out a few chunks of heavy material. The barrels, however, had a black liquid in them that happily spilled out into the river.
Anton didnt know exactly what it was, but he could sense danger as it began to flow past him. None of them were standing in the river- even when Catarina activated her formation they would simply be on top of it. But perhaps the danger wasnt to him, or any of them. As the black substance spread throughout the river, Anton thought of Ships Haven. Was this something intentional?
Alva! Anton called out to his granddaughter, who was riding Fuzz along the river, moving up and down past the barge as she took her shots. He gestured to the river and to the harbor below, and she immediately understood.
She turned Fuzz, darting towards the city. A few balls of fire were halfheartedly chucked after her, but she shot arrows into those that she couldnt dodge, causing them to explode before they got close.
Nobody knew what damage the poison would cause to the city, but if they could at least warn people ahead of time they could keep them from drinking the water. The long term effects would have to be dealt with later.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 256
Legal proceedings could drag out for a very long time for various reasons. Sometimes it just took a long time to read through piles of documents to find what was relevant, sometimes the courts were busy and could only see people irregularly. Sometimes one side or the other asked for extensions because they were busy with something, and sometimes they intentionally dragged things out in the hope that something would save them. Usually some piece of uncovered evidence.
The Adamant Chain couldnt be hoping for evidence, because they knew they were guilty of everything charged, and probably more than even Kohar couldnt find a way to prove or even tantalizingly suggest. They might be trying to come up with some more convincing falsified records, since shed figuratively torn apart everything theyd produced so far.
There was one thing they could be stalling for that would make a big difference. If, say, an army showed up in Sarton ready to fight and killed everyone involved while professing no connection to the Adamant Chain. But that wasnt something Kohar was related to. There were others already attempting to deal with those problems. If a big battle reached her, she would die. If it was stopped, she would continue doing her job.
Kohar was standing, giving another speech that combined evidence with flair. The first was somehow not good enough for some people, so she had to use both. For the last several years, because of severe malpractice on behalf of many slaving guilds including the Iron Ring Slavers and the Adamant Chain, detailed records have been required. I have here in front of me depositions from several dozen illegally enslaved individuals, before anyone could interrupt Kohar pushed forward, As well as individuals from the various towns where the Adamant Chains records claim to have been enslaved through legal means. We have reports of people enslaved for debts that werent theirs, as well as for debts that had been paid and those with illegal amounts of interest financed through subsidiaries of the Adamant Chain.
Kohar paused, looking around the room.
I am prepared to read all fifteen pages of that, and I will in a few moments, but next we have lists of people enslaved after being accused of a crime but without being convicted, or where they were convicted of crimes they were never accused of or tried for. And then there are all of the various locations where people were enslaved that dont exist. Ill start alphabetically. Agosbury, twelve individuals
Kohar wasnt going to let herself be interrupted easily, but when several figures burst through the doors she stopped. Guards tensed, including her allies from the Order. However, the figures just ran over to the representatives of the Adamant Chain, whispering.
Your honor, Izabel said to the presiding judge. We will have to postpone further proceedings. There is an active attack on the Thick Marble Group as we speak. She began to pick up the papers in front of her.
On what grounds would the proceedings be postponed? Kohar said, stopping her. What connection does that have to the matters at hand?
Izabel glared at her. You know on what grounds.
Do I? Kohar asked calmly. Perhaps you should state it for the court record.
Your people are part of that attack.
My people? Kohar asked. Who are my people? Do you mean my bodyguards, all of which are here with us in this very room? And you havent given a connection. Are we at risk here in this room? Does the Adamant Chain work with them?
This was Kohars job too. Either Izabel admitted a connection, which she could use to cause them no end of grief, or she was forced to continue with things as they had been going.
Izabel was trapped, looking up at the judge hoping he would make some sort of declaration. However, he was as much in Kohars pocket as the Adamant Chains, which basically said he was being paid to be basically neutral. A risky position, if the Adamant Chain had any chance of being structurally stable afterwards. He might have judged he was less likely to be killed in revenge by Kohars side both because they would win on the merits and they were generally more honorable. Though killing a corrupt judge would be within the Orders precepts, nobody was going to bring that up.
Judge Arron Sgro shook his head. If there is no danger to us here, and no connection between the Adamant Chain and the Thick Marble Ga- Group, then we shall continue from where we left off. I believe Kohar had the stand.
Anton nodded. Catarina?
Ive set up the formation, she said. I should be able to temporarily stop it and allow people to traverse the water in front of it. The footing will probably be unstable, but it will be better than treading water while trying to swing an axe.
Anton smiled slightly. Nobody was going to suddenly forget their positions. They had more people with them as well, mostly Spirit Building cultivators, though Anish was here along with two other Essence Collection cultivators from Glorious Flame Palace. There were even a few participants from the Frostmirror Sect, like Marsen.
Anton was only talking because he was nervous. There was no reason to be, they were in a good position, but he just had a bad feeling. It could have been that Ships Haven was just at their backs. Battles at their level could easily spill over to affect normal people. Even if nobody intentionally harmed civilians, it could happen.
No matter who claimed they could, cultivators couldnt predict the future. There were gut feelings that could turn out to be right, and perhaps cultivators were more in tune to the world as a whole and could make better guesses but there was still no way to actually know what would happen, even a few moments away.
But as the barge got closer, Anton managed to sense something. There were too many people on that barge. It wasnt the wrong one. He could feel the cultivators guarding it, a mix of several different sects. Thick Marble Gang, a couple of those who had gotten away or not been present for the attack. Some others he only half recognized. And another Heavenly Lion Sect? Theyd been keeping themselves hidden, but either they had some sort of plan or this was a lone agent who had joined up with people who had a similar lack of morals.
The cultivators werent the problem, though. It was the people. Normal, everyday, no-cultivation-at-all people. Maybe a hundred of them, chained to each other in and around the crates of goods.
Captive civilians on that barge! Anton called out to nearby. Others would pass the message on. Be careful how you attack!
That was the problem with what they were doing. If they were already going to wipe out as many slavers as they could, then those people and their allies would use whatever they could against them. And since they obviously didnt care about normal people but Anton and the others did it was pretty simple. What was Anton going to do for them adding onto their crimes, kill everyone twice? He thought about that, but didnt know how. Everheart probably did, but that didnt mean Anton actually wanted to.
Still, having to limit their attacks wasnt too bad. It would restrict some people, and they couldnt sink the barge- unless they could take out enough of the enemies before they did, so they could get in there and rescue the prisoners.
The real problem came when the attack began. Anton had no trouble firing his bow indiscriminately. Even if he added on a handful formed entirely of energy, he could unravel any Spirit Arrow that missed his target- or rather, any that was dodged since his attacks didnt just miss. Before it could get half a meter behind someone, any arrow would be gone. He wasnt going to hit the wrong target. And while it might have been stroking his own ego somewhat, Anton was a significant amount of their ranged capabilities. There was Alva, of course, and many others had their own methods, but Anton was the best among them.
Unfortunately, the others werent all quite as precise as Anton. Everyone still avoided hitting any of the people. They had that level of control. But a few spears and a bolt of lightning broke open some of the crates and barrels on board. The crates were mostly just ore, so at most they spilled out a few chunks of heavy material. The barrels, however, had a black liquid in them that happily spilled out into the river.
Anton didnt know exactly what it was, but he could sense danger as it began to flow past him. None of them were standing in the river- even when Catarina activated her formation they would simply be on top of it. But perhaps the danger wasnt to him, or any of them. As the black substance spread throughout the river, Anton thought of Ships Haven. Was this something intentional?
Alva! Anton called out to his granddaughter, who was riding Fuzz along the river, moving up and down past the barge as she took her shots. He gestured to the river and to the harbor below, and she immediately understood.
She turned Fuzz, darting towards the city. A few balls of fire were halfheartedly chucked after her, but she shot arrows into those that she couldnt dodge, causing them to explode before they got close.
Nobody knew what damage the poison would cause to the city, but if they could at least warn people ahead of time they could keep them from drinking the water. The long term effects would have to be dealt with later.
Chapter 256Legal proceedings could drag out for a very long time for various reasons. Sometimes it just took a long time to read through piles of documents to find what was relevant, sometimes the courts were busy and could only see people irregularly. Sometimes one side or the other asked for extensions because they were busy with something, and sometimes they intentionally dragged things out in the hope that something would save them. Usually some piece of uncovered evidence.The Adamant Chain couldnt be hoping for evidence, because they knew they were guilty of everything charged, and probably more than even Kohar couldnt find a way to prove or even tantalizingly suggest. They might be trying to come up with some more convincing falsified records, since shed figuratively torn apart everything theyd produced so far. There was one thing they could be stalling for that would make a big difference. If, say, an army showed up in Sarton ready to fight and killed everyone involved while professing no connection to the Adamant Chain. But that wasnt something Kohar was related to. There were others already attempting to deal with those problems. If a big battle reached her, she would die. If it was stopped, she would continue doing her job. Kohar was standing, giving another speech that combined evidence with flair. The first was somehow not good enough for some people, so she had to use both. For the last several years, because of severe malpractice on behalf of many slaving guilds including the Iron Ring Slavers and the Adamant Chain, detailed records have been required. I have here in front of me depositions from several dozen illegally enslaved individuals, before anyone could interrupt Kohar pushed forward, As well as individuals from the various towns where the Adamant Chains records claim to have been enslaved through legal means. We have reports of people enslaved for debts that werent theirs, as well as for debts that had been paid and those with illegal amounts of interest financed through subsidiaries of the Adamant Chain.Kohar paused, looking around the room.I am prepared to read all fifteen pages of that, and I will in a few moments, but next we have lists of people enslaved after being accused of a crime but without being convicted, or where they were convicted of crimes they were never accused of or tried for. And then there are all of the various locations where people were enslaved that dont exist. Ill start alphabetically. Agosbury, twelve individuals Kohar wasnt going to let herself be interrupted easily, but when several figures burst through the doors she stopped. Guards tensed, including her allies from the Order. However, the figures just ran over to the representatives of the Adamant Chain, whispering.Your honor, Izabel said to the presiding judge. We will have to postpone further proceedings. There is an active attack on the Thick Marble Group as we speak. She began to pick up the papers in front of her.On what grounds would the proceedings be postponed? Kohar said, stopping her. What connection does that have to the matters at hand?Izabel glared at her. You know on what grounds.Do I? Kohar asked calmly. Perhaps you should state it for the court record.Your people are part of that attack.My people? Kohar asked. Who are my people? Do you mean my bodyguards, all of which are here with us in this very room? And you havent given a connection. Are we at risk here in this room? Does the Adamant Chain work with them?This was Kohars job too. Either Izabel admitted a connection, which she could use to cause them no end of grief, or she was forced to continue with things as they had been going.Izabel was trapped, looking up at the judge hoping he would make some sort of declaration. However, he was as much in Kohars pocket as the Adamant Chains, which basically said he was being paid to be basically neutral. A risky position, if the Adamant Chain had any chance of being structurally stable afterwards. He might have judged he was less likely to be killed in revenge by Kohars side both because they would win on the merits and they were generally more honorable. Though killing a corrupt judge would be within the Orders precepts, nobody was going to bring that up. Judge Arron Sgro shook his head. If there is no danger to us here, and no connection between the Adamant Chain and the Thick Marble Ga- Group, then we shall continue from where we left off. I believe Kohar had the stand.Anton nodded. Catarina?Ive set up the formation, she said. I should be able to temporarily stop it and allow people to traverse the water in front of it. The footing will probably be unstable, but it will be better than treading water while trying to swing an axe.Anton smiled slightly. Nobody was going to suddenly forget their positions. They had more people with them as well, mostly Spirit Building cultivators, though Anish was here along with two other Essence Collection cultivators from Glorious Flame Palace. There were even a few participants from the Frostmirror Sect, like Marsen. Anton was only talking because he was nervous. There was no reason to be, they were in a good position, but he just had a bad feeling. It could have been that Ships Haven was just at their backs. Battles at their level could easily spill over to affect normal people. Even if nobody intentionally harmed civilians, it could happen.No matter who claimed they could, cultivators couldnt predict the future. There were gut feelings that could turn out to be right, and perhaps cultivators were more in tune to the world as a whole and could make better guesses but there was still no way to actually know what would happen, even a few moments away.But as the barge got closer, Anton managed to sense something. There were too many people on that barge. It wasnt the wrong one. He could feel the cultivators guarding it, a mix of several different sects. Thick Marble Gang, a couple of those who had gotten away or not been present for the attack. Some others he only half recognized. And another Heavenly Lion Sect? Theyd been keeping themselves hidden, but either they had some sort of plan or this was a lone agent who had joined up with people who had a similar lack of morals.The cultivators werent the problem, though. It was the people. Normal, everyday, no-cultivation-at-all people. Maybe a hundred of them, chained to each other in and around the crates of goods.Captive civilians on that barge! Anton called out to nearby. Others would pass the message on. Be careful how you attack!That was the problem with what they were doing. If they were already going to wipe out as many slavers as they could, then those people and their allies would use whatever they could against them. And since they obviously didnt care about normal people but Anton and the others did it was pretty simple. What was Anton going to do for them adding onto their crimes, kill everyone twice? He thought about that, but didnt know how. Everheart probably did, but that didnt mean Anton actually wanted to.Still, having to limit their attacks wasnt too bad. It would restrict some people, and they couldnt sink the barge- unless they could take out enough of the enemies before they did, so they could get in there and rescue the prisoners.The real problem came when the attack began. Anton had no trouble firing his bow indiscriminately. Even if he added on a handful formed entirely of energy, he could unravel any Spirit Arrow that missed his target- or rather, any that was dodged since his attacks didnt just miss. Before it could get half a meter behind someone, any arrow would be gone. He wasnt going to hit the wrong target. And while it might have been stroking his own ego somewhat, Anton was a significant amount of their ranged capabilities. There was Alva, of course, and many others had their own methods, but Anton was the best among them.Unfortunately, the others werent all quite as precise as Anton. Everyone still avoided hitting any of the people. They had that level of control. But a few spears and a bolt of lightning broke open some of the crates and barrels on board. The crates were mostly just ore, so at most they spilled out a few chunks of heavy material. The barrels, however, had a black liquid in them that happily spilled out into the river.Anton didnt know exactly what it was, but he could sense danger as it began to flow past him. None of them were standing in the river- even when Catarina activated her formation they would simply be on top of it. But perhaps the danger wasnt to him, or any of them. As the black substance spread throughout the river, Anton thought of Ships Haven. Was this something intentional?Alva! Anton called out to his granddaughter, who was riding Fuzz along the river, moving up and down past the barge as she took her shots. He gestured to the river and to the harbor below, and she immediately understood.She turned Fuzz, darting towards the city. A few balls of fire were halfheartedly chucked after her, but she shot arrows into those that she couldnt dodge, causing them to explode before they got close. Nobody knew what damage the poison would cause to the city, but if they could at least warn people ahead of time they could keep them from drinking the water. The long term effects would have to be dealt with later.
