Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2240

The Law Enforcement Division was granted full authority to conduct the trial as they saw fit, a power acknowledged and accepted by the Magus Alliance High Council.

For the pirate matter, the supreme judge summoned a wide array of witnesses, calling upon more than 100 individuals. These included citizens from multiple planets within the sector, the enforcers in charge of security, faction leaders, and even some members of the pirate crew themselves. The diverse range of testimonies provided a comprehensive view of the events and crimes committed.

The sentences handed down were severe. The Turtle Rock pirate's goods and assets were confiscated, and the pirate magus were sentenced to slavery under the authority of the Karat faction, to be distributed and utilized as they saw fit. However, these sentences did not apply to the three cosmos grand magus, who were deemed too powerful and dangerous to control as slaves. Their fate remained a significant concern due to their potential to cause further trouble.

The most infamous of the pirates, Khazrak One-Eyed, faced the harshest punishment. Found guilty of numerous heinous crimes, he was sentenced to death, both body and soul. As the sentence was pronounced, Khazrak laughed maniacally, his deranged cackles echoing through the courtroom, a chilling reminder of his ruthless nature.

Calypso the Heathen Goddess, who had fallen during the battle and had her soul seized, faced an even graver punishment. Her sentence involved 1,000 years of spirit torture, a torment designed to reflect the severity of her crimes.

Lorgand the Nine-Fingered, the notorious mercenary, was condemned to body destruction. His soul would be transferred into a new magus body, where he would be bound to serve Golden City for the next 500 years. This sentence was a testament to the value of his skills and extensive network, which were considered too useful to discard entirely.

Finally, it was time for the pirate king, Gaira D Reis, to face his judgment. Throughout the hearing, Gaira had remained silent, his demeanor calm and unreadable. When it was his turn to address the charges, he admitted to all the accusations with a quiet resignation. However, the Supreme judge's subsequent revelations took the courtroom by surprise.

The judge disclosed a shocking piece of history: the Karat faction, the esteemed founders of Golden City, had once been a pirate crew themselves. This revelation was a bombshell, shaking the foundations of the city's historical narrative. She revealed that, 10,000 years ago, Gaira D Reis had served as the first mate to Rosin Karat, patriarch of the Karat faction. This historical link between the pirate king and the Karat family was a well-kept secret, known only to Hassa Karat. Xavier Karat was learning about this connection for the first time.

The disclosure of this secret illuminated the reason why the Karat had never personally engaged in the eradication of the pirate king.

Although the revelation of such a sensitive secret to the public was initially met with shock and unease, Judge Candice's intention was to foster a deeper understanding among the people of Golden City. She encouraged the citizens to recognize and embrace their roots, acknowledging the transformative journey from their pirate origins to the establishment of the city's current prosperity. The judge's words were aimed at Gaira as well, presenting him with a stark choice: death or the acceptance of a slave mark. The options were as follows: Gaira could either join the military and serve on the frontlines for 1,000 years, or he could become a servant to the Karat faction for 2,000 years, carrying out their every command.

The decision was met with considerable concern. Gaira was a formidable opponent, having reached the peak of the Three Cosmos Grand Magus rank. Many feared that even the most stringent slave mark would be insufficient to restrain him once he achieved his breakthrough to the supreme realm. The prospect of Gaira potentially overpowering his constraints was a source of unease, yet no one dared to challenge the judge's decision.

Emery realized that the nature of the sentence hinted at a deeper secret regarding Gaira's identity and the Magus Alliance's valuation of strength. Gaira's response was both defiant and revealing. He glanced at the Karat brothers with a dismissive air and declared, "I will not serve under these two idiots… I choose the frontline." The courtroom buzzed with murmurs following Gaira's declaration.

Once the sentences for the pirates were pronounced, attention turned to the dispute between the four major factions: the Karat, the Qin, the Croft, and the Hauten. This matter was handled with greater confidentiality, as the hearing was restricted to a select group of thirty individuals, each chosen for their relevance and authority.

The Croft faction faced serious allegations, supported by both witness testimonies and tangible evidence. The charges against them were grave, and the evidence presented was damning, making their position precarious. In contrast, the Qin faction's involvement was contested solely through the Croft's own testimony, with no independent evidence directly linking them to the accused crimes. The disparity in the nature of the accusations set the stage for a complex and nuanced legal confrontation.

Emery was struck by the Supreme judge's approach to the questioning. Despite being fully aware of the facts, Judge Candice revealed only what was necessary to the public, carefully curating the information shared. By doing so, the judge maintained a controlled narrative, allowing the proceedings to focus on key elements without overwhelming or misguiding the audience.

Barry Croft, unable to mask his frustration, was compelled to accept a severe punishment for his faction's crimes. The Croft faction faced a staggering fine of 30 billion spirit stones, a sum that would strain their resources significantly. Additionally, they had their rights to various planetary resources within the sector revoked, further crippling their operations. As part of the sentence, they were also barred from holding any formal positions, including Barry's Senior council role, for the next 100 years. To compound their woes, the Croft faction was required to contribute three times the usual number of men to the frontline, a massive increase in their military obligations. This harsh sentence was expected to set back their progress in the sector by at least 300 years, a significant blow to their influence and capabilities.

The Qin faction, though not entirely exempt from repercussions, received a comparatively lighter sentence. They were fined 3 billion spirit stones and barred from holding any formal positions for the next cycle, which was 30 years. The Qin accepted this punishment with relative ease, viewing it as a mere slap on the wrist in comparison to the Croft's severe penalties. Just when Emery thought the proceedings were concluding, he was taken aback by the opening of another case. This new dispute involved himself and the Nephilim. Lady Ishtar entered the room with a confident stride, her entourage in tow. She greeted Emery with a wicked smile, signaling that the case was about to take a turn he hadn't anticipated.