Section 48: Events Before the Great Debate (Part Two)

However, this profession has yet to be fully accepted by everyone. Although Landia acknowledges this occupation and permits its involvement in judicial matters, Warrenheit has imposed very strict regulations on its certification. One must first acquire extensive knowledge and pass several examinations specially established by the government, followed by the final lawyer qualification certification, before being allowed to practice law.

Overall, this profession currently demands a significant investment but yields modest returns, as people have not yet adapted to paying substantial fees to hire professional representatives, still preferring to appear in court themselves. Moreover, the qualification process for this emerging profession is exceedingly complex. As mentioned before, the Prime Minister issued a rare special directive to treat the certification of this new profession with utmost seriousness when it first appeared as a request to the government for courtroom participation rights. As a result, before the final lawyer qualification is granted, applicants must master astonishingly diverse knowledge. For instance, although lawyers are unlikely to use magic, they must acquire some magical knowledge akin to that of a magic apprentice.

Furthermore, it is said that Warrenheit is enforcing this certification model nationwide by state power. This is an era of transformation, where new developments can arise at any moment. Besides lawyers, there is also the emerging profession of detectives, originating from the Golden Hawthorn lineage. This role exists between the official and private spheres. Compared to bounty hunters originally present on the continent, who can undertake any task for a price—including solving cases—detectives focus solely on investigations. In a city teeming with wealth and trade, crime is inevitable. While the soldiers under the city government responsible for maintaining order are not afraid of combat, they are not adept at investigation and trial procedures. As laws grow increasingly complex, bounty hunters sometimes inadvertently break laws while fulfilling commissions.

Thus, professions like lawyers and detectives, which began privately but frequently collaborate with official institutions, have emerged. These roles are more specialized and clearly divided in their functions. Warrenheit persuaded everyone that from their inception, these professions would bear a deep governmental imprint. The reasoning is simple: these occupations must interact with Landian institutions, unlike bounty hunters, who operate within the territories of various guilds and agencies, where Warrenheit has no foothold and any attempt to intervene would provoke fierce backlash from those organizations.

After both parties took oaths and confirmed their readiness, the judge declared the trial open. The facts of the case were straightforward: the government was at fault for neglecting to investigate the mill owned by the miller. Had they done so and purchased the property for demolition as with other houses, the issue would not have arisen.

“Defendant, do you acknowledge the truth of the facts as stated by the plaintiff?” the judge asked the defendants—Crow and the lawyer named Leerben.

“Basically, yes,” Crow responded resignedly, silently cursing Warrenheit in his heart. He was merely cast to play a role in this farce but had yet to comprehend Warrenheit’s true intentions.

“And you, Lawyer Leerben?” the judge inquired.

Leerben rose slowly. “Your Honor, may I say a few words on behalf of my clients?”

“The court consents.”

Leerben scanned the courtroom. “First, since my clients are engaged with state affairs and cannot be present, they have entrusted Mr. Crow to represent them. However, Mr. Warrenheit attaches great importance to these charges and will exert every effort to arrive before this trial concludes, demonstrating respect for the law, the court, and the public.”

At that moment, a commotion arose outside the door, but Leerben continued unfazed. “As the hired representative, since my clients have acknowledged the facts as true, I will not dispute any judgment the court makes based on these facts and the law. Here, I must point out to the plaintiff, the court, and all present that although the lawsuit targets Prime Minister Warrenheit and the seven cabinet ministers, the responsibility actually lies solely with Mr. Warrenheit and the Minister of Internal Affairs who signed the documents. The other six ministers are unrelated to this case.”

The judge nodded slightly. Outside, the disturbance grew louder, as if someone important had arrived, stirring the crowd.

“Furthermore, even if this case is won, since Prime Minister Warrenheit and the Internal Affairs Minister represent the government, any compensation should be paid by the government, not in their personal capacities. As to whether these two have caused harm to the nation’s interests, they should answer to Parliament and laws concerning misconduct,” Leerben declared loudly.

The judge hesitated. “You mean that if their responsibility is pursued, it would be a separate case?”

“Correct. What we are handling now is a civil case to determine whether the government should compensate the miller, Your Honor.”

“I agree with your statement, Lawyer Leerben,” the judge said, nodding.

The commotion outside finally ceased, and the crowd parted to reveal Warrenheit entering the courtroom with a brisk step.

Some inside gasped, while others stood to oppose the lawyer’s remarks. They sympathized with Warrenheit, believing that as the government’s representative, he was innocent and that the negligence lay with those responsible for the investigation in that area.

“He’s here. What is he up to?” Lind muttered in confusion, watching Warrenheit intently. Though he could not yet discern the scheme, deep down he labeled it as such. The Prime Minister before him was far too cunning.

Warrenheit bowed deeply to the judge, then took the defendant’s seat and announced loudly, “I, Warrenheit, am present and hereby request to revoke the prior delegation granted to Mr. Crow and to represent another party, Minister of Internal Affairs Voltaire.”

The judge immediately consented, and Crow, relieved, stepped down. A spectator nearby rose to offer Crow a seat.

The judge recapped the prior proceedings to Warrenheit, who then stood. “I concur with the judge and Lawyer Leerben’s statements.”

“Very well. Since both parties acknowledge the plaintiff’s facts as true, this court rules in favor of the miller, Mr. Diderot. According to Article 56 of the Constitution, which protects citizens’ rights to inviolable private property, the government shall rebuild a mill of equal size on the original site for Mr. Diderot and compensate him for all damages resulting from the forced demolition, as well as cover the costs of this litigation. This judgment takes immediate effect and must commence execution within one week, with a one-month deadline for completion. Regarding any negligence or misconduct by government officials involved, this court will refer the matter to Parliament to decide whether to initiate a separate investigation into Mr. Warrenheit, Mr. Voltaire, and the relevant executors.”