The first week of the trial passed uneventfully; the only thing worth paying attention to was the growing resentment for the nobles, whose actions on full display didn't paint them in a good light. I was surprised that riots didn't happen, but people seemed to believe that the trial would bring them justice, making my and Empresses' plan a great success.
Now it was the defense's turn, and their strategy quickly became obvious. Deflection of the responsibility up the ladder, excusing mistakes with fear of the Witch King. While reasonable at first glance, the facts made those excuses look pathetic, like a teenager blaming his age for being unable to understand rules. The old foxes who could simultaneously face Ursus, Victoria, and Kazdel, now were afraid of the man who was declared dead? Laughable.
But that only showed that my disinterest in the trial was a good choice; focusing on those desperate fools would only waste my time. That time was better used on other matters, such as overseeing the progress of my construction.
This week, the work moved forward at a solid pace. All the groundwork was completed, with the work now taking place aboveground. To make construction more solid and better linked, I spend most of my time controlling the giant tree, intertwining the roots into intricate web underneath the whole complex. Now I use the same roots as the load-bearing parts of the buildings, their strength and magical conductivity far outclassing any material found on Terra.
Seeing me manipulate those roots, twisting them precisely into required shapes, made the architects' eyes shine, causing them to include this aspect in their final decorations. But the construction was on the right track; if this speed is kept, everything should be finished in around five more weeks.
Everything was going smoothly, then suddenly I found myself sitting with Alexandrina due to a letter she received. I looked at the three long pages covered in elegant but sharp script belonging to one of the heroes of Victoria, the Duke of Wellington. The contents of the letter were direct but careful, requesting a meeting between the heir of Victoria's Aslan dynasty and loyalists of the Draco lineage, called Dublinn.
-"What do you think?"-She asked me, her face without any ripples.
-"It's a good idea to meet, but not a great time to ally. In your current position, you are not equal to them. Depending on what they want, your situation will put you in a passive position. First we need to investigate that Dublinn and either create a faction following you, or make them weak enough so that they can't waste resources on opposing us."
-"I also thought so. I have some knowledge of Dublinn from before, but the information is at least half a year old, making it only a reference. They are a force undergoing intense schism between the army and common factions."
-"Hmmm... This is good for us, as it can give us time. Alexandrina, let me ask you something. What do you think of Infected?"
-"Not much of an opinion. They are just people caught up in some tragic circumstances."
-"Good. Give me a year or two, and I'll make you a faction of solid fighters and dedicated people, but they will be infected. Before that, let's make a name for you."
-"What is your idea?"
-"Siracusa. I'm about to take part in an intense game of chess, and I lack a queen on the board."
-"Are you going to oppose mafia?"
-"Not exactly. The plan is to create a path for common people not to get involved in the mafia. Laterano, due to neutrality has its hands tied, but were there to be a third force that ensures the rules are how they should be..."
-"So you need an enforcer?"
-"Exactly, I need someone who can bring things hidden in shadows to light so that the newly formed policing forces can act."
-"Sure, we can do that."-She accepted this in the name of her gang.
-"Remember to use this as your springboard, make a name as someone fighting for common people."
She nodded.
-"As for the meeting with Dublinn, arrange it in the next week or two here in Leithanien. Let's see if they are allies or just future enemies."
With that, my plans for the upcoming weeks got much busier. The response from the Duke of Wellington arrived the day later, agreeing to meet in ten days. Before that day arrived, I had Mostima gather as much information about them as possible, just in case. While I was waiting for the day of the meeting, everything continued without any more surprises.
Before the meeting with Dublin arrived, the end of the trial took place, forcing me to appear in the courtroom. After hearing all the evidence and listening to the defense, the judges took two days to deliver their judgement.
From around seven hundred separate defendants from over one hundred eighty noble households, four hundred were sentenced to death, with others receiving varying times of imprisonment. Less than thirty people were acquitted. This resulted in only five noble households not receiving any punishment, twenty something other were demoted, while the remaining one hundred fifty disappeared from the pages of history.
Adding the casualties during the incident, about 40% of all the nobles lost their lives or titles by being demoted to commoners, with almost half of noble households ceasing to exist. This percentage was even more tragic when looking only at the aristocrats with higher titles, as there were 80% of households that were either erased or demoted, with only 15% of the previous number of nobles remaining.
This was exactly what Empresses wanted, with such cleansing, the power landed in their hands without any issues, and even people supported their actions. When the verdict was read, even the Empress Hildegard was smiling, something she quickly tried to hide when I looked over.
The verdict now only needed signs from the Empresses and me as the forces standing behind the defense and prosecution. A step we added to make the international court appear more legitimate by requiring the heads of involved states to be witnesses and guarantors. With my signature on the paper, the trial officially ended.
The executions will happen after another week, giving the inmates time to prepare mentally. Meanwhile, I met with the judges for a farewell banquet.
-"That was interesting."-Pepe talked while piling food on her plate.-"While the incident and everything were horrific, the trial itself was something I'd like to take part in again."
-"There will be a chance. With this trial going smoothly, Old Man will definitely use it as part of his Summit of Nations."-I said while deciding which cake I should try.
-"The trial process needs some more work, but I also think that such an organization is worth creating."-Lin Qingyan nodded, one of the few people who ignore the food entirely.
-"If only I could watch such trials from home."-Sarasa sighed, lamenting the lack of a global network.
-"But to think that everything ended so quickly. It wasn't even a month."-Pepe sighed.-"I wanted to explore the city! Search for some hidden treasures!"
-"You are welcome to come to Zwillingstürme anytime."-Empress Lieselotte smiled at her.
-"I'll definitely will."
We talked about some unimportant subjects, enjoying the food and satisfaction of a job well done. To be honest, I hadn't spend enough time with them to develop any friendship, aside from Lin Qingyan, we hadn't even spoken one-on-one, so I didn't feel much about bidding them farewell. I knew that forces behind them sent them here as a form of showing them to me, but as both Pepe and Sarasa were noble heirs on their own, we considered this only a formality.
Lin Qingyan was the only person suffering because of the orders she received, so I found her shortly after the party so that we could talk properly.
-"Lord Eno."-She greeted me while siting opposite of me.
-"Lin Qingyan, let me be direct. What are your plans from now on?"
-"Eh?"-She looked surprised, not understanding my meaning.
-"I believe that you are aware of what will happen if you return to Yan without achieving your orders."-I told her directly.
She fell silent, her eyes showing pain and anger at the situation she found herself in.
-"I don't know. Most likely I'll go to some border province to work..."-She finally spoke after a moment.
-"I've written to the Emperor of Yan asking you to be my guide during my visit. This will buy you some time to make plans for your future."
She looked at me in surprise.
-"While this won't guarantee your position remains unchanged, at least you'll have a chance to do something. I hope you don't feel pressured and can take your time to decide what path you wish to follow. Even if Yan forces you out, I can help you in becoming core of the International Court."
-"You are truly a gentle person, Eno."-She sighed, her feelings in chaos.-"Thank you for your care."
-"I'm sorry for causing this situation."-I genuinely apologized to her.
-"It's not your fault."-She shook her head.-"To be honest, I'm happy that it was you, not some..."
She didn't finish, but didn't need to. Both of us know how some people with power and authority were. Even the current emperor of Yan had a harem of almost a hundred women, most of whom were 'gifts' from various nobles.
-"Lord Eno."-She looked at me seriously, as if coming to some decision.-"I'd like to try having a relationship with you. Not as a gift or lifeline, but a real relationship. My future is tied to you, but I want it to be on my rules, not just pity from you."
-"How do you imagine it?"
-"I'd like to stay by your side, to be your assistant, knight, whatever you think is more appropriate."
-"Are you sure?"-I asked her, genuinely surprised.-"By staying with me, your fate will be done deal. You'll be my prize for life, or if you leave, you'll be treated as a pariah; no matter who and how it's explained, you'll never clear your name, a woman who was sent away by Holy Son."
-"I'm aware. Painfully aware of this. But so what? I can't stand against whole of Yan, nor will I be saved by some kind of prince. No, maybe you are the price that is saving me."-She smiled sadly.-"I want to face my fate on my terms. I'll try to build a real relationship with you, I'll find a real place by your side."
-"If that's your decision, then I'll assure you that I'll never force you to do anything you don't want, I promise you. I'll respect you both as a woman and a professional by my side."
-"Then my decision is even more correct."-She extended her hand to me.-"Let's get along."
-"Sure. Just call me Eno from now on."-I shook her hand.
-"Then you should also just call me Qingyan."-She smiled.
-"I'll remember that, Secretary Qingyan."-I joked.
Both of us chuckled, two people brought together by the interests of powers behind us.
With Qingyan joining my entourage, Lemuen divided part of her responsibilities with her, mostly those tasks that didn't need Laterano representation. Meaning she truly became my secretary, taking care of my schedule and arranging matters I ordered.
She especially focused on the construction happening in Azure Dream. She became the other kind of foreman, coordinating all the workers so that everything moved smoothly. Her serious approach made everyone cooperative, quickly gaining the respect of everyone; even the Banshees treated her with regard.
With her taking care of that, I could focus on other things, such as meetings that were about to take place. First would be the meeting with Signora Sicilia arranged by Don Bellone. A secret talk to address Don Bellone's plans and our cooperation between Laterano and Siracusa.
The meeting place would be a small border village between Siracusa and Leithanien, a place that was absent from any map, a literal nowhere. I arrived there via teleport, with only Cellinia by my side. Signora Sicilia was already there, along with a Sankta priest and Don Bellone.
Both she and the priest greeted me politely, as believers of Lateran Church doctrine, they still held me in great esteem. This surprised me, as while I expected such a belief from the Sankta priest, I knew that while Signora Sicilia was a believer, she also renounced some elements of that faith.
-"It's an honor to meet you, Holy Son."
-"I'm also happy to see you, Miss Sicilia. Your actions in Siracusa showed me that there is a path forward for Laterano."
-"I don't dare to be an example for Son, my actions were motivated by self-interest and power."
-"Who doesn't have interests, and without power, nothing will change. But this isn't the place to discuss such matters. What does Miss Sicilia think of Don Bellone's idea?"
-"Idealistic. It would be impossible to achieve if the Laterano only followed Law, but with Son's appearance, it's possible. The question is, how to deal with dissenters."
-"With law. But we can give it a little assistance."
-"Oh?"
-"I have someone who needs to make a name for themselves, a name of someone standing up for common people."
-"You want them to be a symbol of resisting famiglias?"
-"No, the symbol of people. She won't lead a resistance or rebellion, but show people how to defend themselves with law, show that it's not famiglias that are in charge but the Siracusan government."
-"But don't forget that the Siracusan government is run by the same famiglias you want to oppose."
-"Miss Sicilia, if Laterano takes over the judiciary, and with your control over the federal government, mere Grey Hall can make some noise. Not to mention, with Don Bellone, it'll be easy to secure enough allies to deal with the opposition."
-"It would seem that Son investigated everything. I can agree to implement Don Bellone's plan, but I need three guarantees."
-"Please."
-"One: Laterano will not overstep. Second: the matters of famiglias will be left to me. Third: ..."-She looked at Cellinia.-"I want Cellinia Texas to be appointed as your representative in Siracusa."
-"As my Knight, she might not be accessible at all times."
-"I don't mind it. I just think that as someone who has lived through the darkest of Siracusa, she will be able to work to secure its best."
-"Cellinia?"-I turned to her.
-"I agree."-She nodded.-"But I work for Son, not Siracusa."
-"Of course."-Miss Sicilia smiled.
With this secret agreement in place, the Siracusa will usher in a new era. An even greater separation between commoners and famiglias, moving toward oligarchy with law for people and secret rules for famiglias. Laterano, meanwhile, will once again present itself as an impartial party striving to resolve conflicts. The questions whether trading parts of the freedom for safety is good or bad is nothing that concerns us. In our position, freedom was just another chip, a resource to be managed.
Few ever knew about this meeting, but its results would quickly be known around Terra. But that is something I'll need to worry about in the future; for now, we can only observe how everything will develop.