The Iudex's day off

Chapter 109 - Laughter in the Courtroom

Neuvillette's POV

 I want to kill him.

 I want to rip him apart so badly that it physically pains me to hold my control over my form.

 But I can't.

 Not now.

 Not yet.

 Later.

 I will kill him later.

 In a way more painful than he would think it possible.

 But for now...

 "Mr. Traver and his organization are being charged with the crime of endangering the lives of the people of Fontaine. Mr Traver, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

 We locked eyes and he smiled slightly before putting on a pitiful expression.

 "Oh my, Monsieur, you wound me. How could I possibly be the leader of such a horrific organization? Have we not worked together for years? Do you not know my character? It pains me to see that your trust in me has faded to this point."

 And it pains me that I cannot rip you apart right this instant.

 "Do you have anything to say in your defense, Mr Traver?" I asked again.

 "I cannot defend myself against something I did not do. But please, do tell me what evidence you have of my involvement." He smiled.

 "Would the prosecution please reveal the evidence against the defendant and their organization?"

 "Of course, Your Honor. But before that, would you be so kind as to recount the sequence of events that have led to this trial once more? I fear that there are still some who do not fully understand even after the public announcement." Navia asked back.

 "Very well." 

 That was the plan to begin with after all.

 "A few months ago Lady Furina herself was approached by a man offering her a way to deal with the person causing her apparent frustration. This "way" turned out to be a bottle of Primordial Seawater."

 Gasps rang out inside the courtroom even though my exact words were posted in the Steambird two days ago.

 All eyes turned to Furina who nodded gravely.

 "Lady Furina purchased the bottle of water and brought it back for further testing. After it was confirmed to be water from the Primordial Sea, surveillance was immediately attached to the seller and all water he sold was confiscated or directly purchased by undercover members of the gardes or the Marechaussee Phantom.

 It was also around this time that a new series of disappearances started. The timing was deemed too coincidental and along with the regular investigation for such cases, an extra, deeply hidden investigation was launched as well.

 As the number of disappearances grew even though nothing the seller sold actually ended up in the hands of Fontainians, it was determined that he must not be the only one selling Primordial Seawater."

 "And you keep all of this a secret, Chief Justice?" Gerald interrupted.

 "It is not me who stands on trial, Mr Traver. I will not be questioned by you."

 "Oh please, Monsieur. I'm merely asking the question everyone wants to ask."

 And he was right.

 I could hear tens of voices murmuring about the exact same thing.