Shi Lang asked Nexalia for permission to directly examine Lieutenant Shunt. Since he was being projected as the villain then he would play the villain.
He walked from the center of the courtroom to stand in front of the accused and asked, “Mister Attorney, is there any way to ensure that what the examinee is about to say is the truth and nothing but the truth?”
The attorney nodded and said, “The shackles on his wrists ensure that anything he speaks of is the truth. It is a smart device with zero error.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Your Majesty, I would like to ask for a new pair of this truth detecting shackles.”
Everyone understood that being an outlander, Shi Lang did not trust their system, however, the faces of the three people changed slightly. They were the captain of the spaceport guard, responsible for detaining the accused in his facility for the night.
The second person was the accused himself, and the last person was the attorney of the accused. He reacted, “I object, Your Majesty. This action clearly stands in contempt of the fairness of the Neomonian Judicial system.”
Shi Lang smirked and replied, “Irrelevant. I am not a native, so it is obvious that I do not trust ‘you’, however, I asked for new shackles because I trust in Her Majesty. The ruler is the judge and her words are the justice. So, please do not accuse me of just anything that comes to your mind. ”
He stated his words calmly and the people nodded. The courtiers who supported the Queen nodded, the phrase, ‘The ruler is the judge and her words are the justice.’ had scored a good mark from them. While those who did not support the queen wanted to curse Shi Lang to death.
Nexalia spoke, “Overruled.” to the attorney who defended Lieutenant Shunt. Then she turned her gaze to the handmaiden beside her and said, “Get a new pair of shackles.”
The handmaiden nodded and reacted quickly then she left the courtroom. Everyone stood holding their breaths, the finance minister frowned and said, “What will a new shackle do? This person is just fooling with us.”
Shi Lang nodded slightly and said, “I can him questions twice, once with the shackles he is wearing and the second time when the new shackles arrive. What do you say to that, Your grace, Finance Minister Abbey.”
His words clearly stated that there was a big chance of difference in the answers. Shi Lang turned to face the Lieutenant and asked, “Please tell everyone, what transpired between us last night.”
That said he crossed his hands behind the back and waited for the man to speak. Shunt grit his teeth and spoke, “When you and that palace guard arrived at the spaceport, I guided you to your vessel. I wanted to enter the ship with you but you said that I am not qualified. I told you that it is Nestia and I will enter the ship. However, you bought up my rank and humiliated me.
I was angered and attacked. Then your guard protected you, and that was all. You say that I have disrespected you when you were the one to do that to me in the first place.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “You sure that you would like to stick with that statement? Next time I will be reciting everything word by word while you will be asked to answer only yes or no. Do you agree?”
The lieutenant was flustered he looked at his attorney who said, “You do not have to answer. He cannot change the truth.”
Shunt nodded and then Shi Lang said, “I would like to call my witness, Palace Guard Myrtle.”
Nexalia nodded and said, “Call the witness.”
Myrtle was wearing her palace armor when she walked inside the courtroom. She bowed to Nexalia and came to stand in front of Shi Lang. The handmaiden sent to get a new set of shackles had also come back. Nexalia personally checked the equipment and passed it to Shi Lang.
The young man thanked her before he put the shackles around Myrtle’s wrists. He asked, “Madam, I would like you to tell us what happened yesterday word by word.”
Myrtle nodded and said, “We boarded the carriage and then we came to the spaceport, where Lieutenant Shunt guided us to the ship, however, the ship had not been maintained and the hatch door was left open. You felt angry over this issue and asked the lieutenant to stand outside. However, he responded by stating that the spaceship was standing in Nestia, thus he had every right to go inside, at the same time he used the word ‘hole’ to describe the Terran empire…”
Myrtle took her time explaining everything to the people inside the courtroom. The more she spoke the uglier those who did not as the Queen became. After Myrtle stopped Shi Lang took off the shackles from her and walked over to Shunt.
He swapped the shackles on the hands of the lieutenant and then said, “Now I would like you to describe everything as it happened. If you want to add anything that Madam Myrtle may have missed, then please do.”
His composure was surely something that put half the court to shame. They did not expect this young man to be so calm and collected in front of all of them and act as if it was his home. He was shaming them, however, they could not stop it. Only the queen was capable of ruling the decision in the favor of the Neomonian soldier.
However, what they did not expect was when the shackles were being swapped Shunt suddenly smirked and said, “Long live the true king.”
Then he rushed to the nearest guard and grabbed his sword, before anyone could react, the sword plunged down his chest. Shi Lang moved quickly and stabbed his finger around the wound. Nexalia said, “Call the imperial physician.”
An old man stepped out of the crowd of courtiers and said, “I am present, Your Majesty. Please direct me.”
“See if this person is still alive.” commanded the queen, the cold radiated from her voice was enough to tame the opportunistic people in the court.
The old man walked to the man on the floor and said, “Sir, if you would allow me.”
Shi Lang nodded and stepped away from the lieutenant. When the old man checked his pulse, he shook his hand and said, “I apologize your majesty, but this man is dead already.”
Nexalia nodded and said, “The court is adjourned. Shusha Ace is free of every charge.”
The courtiers nodded and then left. Nexalia watched a few guards coming over to pick up the corpse when Shi Lang said, “Your Majesty, may I have a word with you.”
Nexalia was surprised and nodded. Shi Lang said, “One thing that has been cleared by all the facade is that the people in the empire have double opinions. Before attempting suicide Shunt said, ‘Long Live the true king.’
The true king could be your brother, Finance minister Abbey. It could be someone else as well. To investigate further, I would like to interrogate Shunt. Also, the secret place must be arranged sooner.”
Nexalia nodded but suddenly asked, “What do you mean by interrogating the dead?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “The anatomy of the Neomons is ninety-five percent similar to the Terrans. So, I only used a technique that forced the vitals of this guy to the lowest. He stabbed himself in the center of his chest, while his heart should be on the right side. Am I wrong?”
Nexalia gazed at the dead guard on the floor. Shi Lang snapped his fingers and Quinn stood up from her chair. She walked up to the dead man and mercilessly, stomped the heels of her shoes onto the soft thing between his legs. The sensation made the dead person shake like an animated object.
The palace guards saw this and were surprised. Shi Lang said, “Do not worry, he is harmless.”
Then he turned his head to Nexalia Neytiri and said, “The interrogation must be done soon and in secret. What do you think, Your Majesty?”
Nexalia nodded and said, “Ameris, lead them to my chambers, and make sure only the palace guards are present during the passage. Tell the servants to move away? Anyone tries to act smart, release them from the burden on their shoulders.”
In a nutshell, if any servant tried to act smart, they will be beheaded. Shi Lang did not care about this. If the spies around the Queen were smart, they would not try to enrage the already pissed tigress.
Shi Lang said, “Captain Ameris, I and the boys will carry this guy, please escort Athena and the ladies to our rooms first and regroup with us.”
Ameris was confused and Shi Lang said, “Amy, get me the tool kit.”
Darcx heard this and shivered. He could tell that something horrific was going to happen to this captive.
