noveldrama
Chapter 108 : Imperial judge
Chapter 108 : Imperial judge
A week has passed since our foray into the black market, and finally the time has come to tackle the safe we confiscated. Lysandra dove headfirst into the challenge, and with the help of the mana positions we had obtained previously, the process was significantly expedited. After approximately ten hours of intense work, she finally managed to unlock it.
As the safe door swung open wide, it revealed a series of meticulously organized documents. My eyes scanned the records eagerly, finding precise details about slave prices, commercial transactions, potential clients, and even VIP clients.
There were also detailed reports on the operation of the slave market in the city, including the origin of the slaves, the intermediaries involved, and the usual trade routes. With this evidence in our hands, we were prepared to completely dismantle the infamous slave market in the area.
In addition to these documents, we came across files related to exclusive slaves. However, an intriguing detail emerged: the names of the clients were hidden, they were anonymous.
After thoroughly reviewing all the documents, we discovered that some of them were related to the auction house itself. By carefully analyzing the sheets, we soon understood that the auction house served as a kind of front. While the products auctioned publicly had considerable value, a much darker market was conducted in the shadows: the buying and selling of slaves.
However, the auction never took place, as we have in our possession everything that was going to be sold this week.
Stealthily and discreetly, I deposited the incriminating documents along with all relevant evidence in the guild leader's office. At dawn the next day, the news spread like wildfire, causing a widespread uproar. The guild guards, alerted, headed determinedly to the auction house in the black market.
From the window, I watched with amazement and dismay as some families experienced a whirlwind of emotions, mixing tears of sadness and relief, likely distressed by the suffering of having their loved ones kidnapped.
After several hours of intense activity, guild members, armed with the information gathered from the documents, proceeded to carry out a series of arrests throughout the city. Like dominoes falling one after another, the implicated buyers were detained and taken to the guild dungeons to face justice. Meanwhile, slavery victims finally found the liberation and compensation they deserved.
Each of them received a compensation of 200 gold coins as an apology from the guild, a gesture intended to alleviate, to some extent, the pain and suffering they had endured. In the midst of this process, many families were able to reunite after years of forced separation, a reunion marked by tears of joy and gratitude.
The sudden disappearance of the elven leader left everyone stunned, immersed in a sea of conjecture and speculation. Rumors of his escape spread like wildfire in the city, fueling intrigue and mystery surrounding his escape. Despite efforts to track him down, the elven leader seemed to have evaporated into the darkness of the night, leaving no visible trace.
Reports of his escape were scarce and confusing, but it was expected that the authorities would soon locate him and bring him to justice.
Three days later, the arrival of imperial carriages marked a new twist in the events. Adorned with the emblems of the imperial city and the symbol of the Goddess Themis, the deity of justice, these vehicles announced the presence of the empire's most influential judges.
Known for their impartiality and rectitude, these magistrates represented the ultimate authority in matters of justice and fairness. Before taking office, each of them had sealed a lifelong pact before the emperor, committing to uphold the laws and ensure equality and justice for all citizens of the empire.
However, the most intriguing thing about these judges was their distinctive practice of wearing blindfolds when issuing their verdicts. This symbolic gesture, intended to underscore their impartiality and objectivity in decision-making, was said to be because justice is impartial no matter who you are, whether you are a noble or a commoner, everyone is equal in the eyes of justice.
The arrival of the imperial judges stirred up a great commotion among the city's inhabitants. From the windows, we watched with fascination as these representatives of justice walked with firm and majestic steps through the streets, wrapped in their cloaks adorned with the emblem of the Goddess Themis.
Their dark and elegant suits conferred an imposing presence, but it was the golden emblem on their chests that truly distinguished them: a balance, a symbol of impartiality and equity, and a sword, an instrument of justice and punishment.
This symbolism was well known throughout the city: the balance represented the objectivity with which all cases should be approached, regardless of the social position or status of the accused. On the other hand, the sword reminded of the coercive power of the law, reserved for those who violated the established norms.
It was a reminder for both the innocent and the guilty of the seriousness and authority with which these judges exercised their duty.
Among the crowd, one man stood out, the one who was to deliver the verdict of the guilty: with hair as black as night and eyes purple that seemed to penetrate the soul of those he looked at. His always imperturbable and serious countenance denoted vast experience and wisdom. Although his rank and position were not clearly defined, his presence commanded respect and admiration in equal measure.
It was evident that we were in the presence of one of the empire's most distinguished and respected judges, whose mere presence was enough to instill fear and reverence among the citizens.
On the fourth day of the trial, a large assembly was organized, the entire guild was present, the entrance was open to all the people of the city, even with the imperial judge, a wizard arrived, the wizard projected a large screen, as the hall was not so large not everyone could enter but by order of the judge, the wizard made this projection, curiosity got the best of me too so from my room window I could see perfectly, the affected families were in the room and also the other slaves who did not have families, the people outside are in total silence.
"Greetings to all citizens of the city, My name is Raguel Leyton, imperial judge, by order of the emperor, we will initiate the trial."
Watching attentively, I observed as he had his eyes covered with a golden mantle.