Chapter 2, The Debut Performance

"Thank you for restoring justice for my father, but I curse you for having insulted his name." The young woman from Goethe said this to Franck as she left the courtroom, and then kissed the novice prosecutor. Franck could sense a hint of bitterness, the taste of the young woman's tears.

Sister Mamer disappeared at night, be careful that one day I might also vanish before your eyes. Until she was carried on Fulan's back, Anmei's mouth did not stop; this girl is like a noisy mouse when she throws a tantrum

Under the cover of night, Feidu cannot be considered a safe place, especially with the rumors of the Midnight Butcher. Although the news is tightly sealed, he, as a civil servant, has still heard some whispers.

According to the Code of Nobility, any lower-ranking noble who causes the death of a commoner may only enjoy immunity from death, to be replaced by a substantial compensation and long-term servitude

Subsequently, the lawyer summoned several witnesses, and he presented irrefutable evidence to confirm to everyone that the victim was indeed a genuine Goth who was not protected by the code. The lawyer even exclaimed, "If my client is guilty, does this absurd court and everyone present intend to ignore the majesty of Emperor Commodus and challenge the dignity of the crown"

The Church of Light, which reigns above all kings and lords, explicitly states in its doctrine: all bestial acts are prohibited

For a patient suffering from illness and pain, being able to get a good night's sleep is better than anything else

Today marks the first day he appears in court in the capacity of a prosecutor

"Madam, may I ask if you have any lineage from Goethe?" the lawyer inquired

"Alright, I'll give you a massage later, and then soak your feet in hot water." Fulan knew that if she didn't quickly change the subject, she would be subjected to endless chatter for the entire evening. "I changed the bed sheets today," Fulan hinted.

Resurrection and the soul ultimately belong to the realm of the gods; until his passing, this research made no progress whatsoever

Fulan instinctively reached into her pocket, finding only a set of keys that could serve as a weapon. This inconspicuous little object, when tightly gripped in her palm with the sharp end protruding between her fingers, was no less formidable than a clawed fist.

Just wait a little longer, the salary of a formal court official is three times that of an intern. By then, I will be able to rent a larger apartment and bring her and my grandmother over.

As for Fran's research instruments: a finely crafted balance, an alcohol burner, various glass test tubes, filters, and a clay pot for decocting herbs, these items consumed more than half of his savings

I am well aware that the young man is capable, but I did not expect him to be this outstanding. Baron Robert, with a beaming face, boasted to the senior prosecutors present, "He is nothing like a novice."

All evidence indicates that you possess one-half Gothic ancestry, and your father is a quintessential Gothic individual

Heavens, a magician! Fran has never seen such a mysterious person before

When Fulan stretched lazily and let out a big yawn, he finally realized that it was already too late

Merely speaking a few words with them is something to be proud of, akin to the value of a *picture* book.

If it were not for Grandma Anmei's serious illness requiring expensive medication, Fulan would truly prefer that the little wild cat not continue working in the bar

It was them, they are the ones who killed my father

Fulan remained silent, continuously writing something on the paper with her head lowered

It was not until the presiding judge inquired whether to declare the defendant not guilty and release him that Fran spoke his first words

It is well known that the late Emperor was a ruler who had a passion for painting and poetry. His emotional and artistic temperament led him to cherish all the vibrant aspects of the world. Not only did he implement generous tax relief policies for the populace, but he also issued proclamations to protect various endangered species within his territory. In the southern part of the empire, the Heavenly Bird, known for its splendid plumage and suitability for adornment on ladies' hats, has been able to repopulate from the brink of extinction, thanks to the protection afforded by this legislation.

This is also one of the hobbies bequeathed to him by his father

Baron Ross Silver, the presiding judge, is a lean and sprightly old man. Upon seeing Fran, he closed the large book spread out before him and gestured for him to close the door.

Night gently drew back the curtains, and the dim yellow light emanating from every household's window, along with the sounds of children playing at the dining table and the affectionate scolding of adults, intertwined in the alleys of Feidu, leaving Fulan feeling somewhat contemplative and bewildered

This is also the reason why the case was transferred to the third-tier court after being delayed for several months by the First Noble Court

And Fu Lan believed that he had also become one of the lambs

The deceased was ultimately a living being; how to render a reasonable judgment that upholds the integrity of the law while also preserving the dignity of the royal family is a perplexing issue for any judge

He took out his pocket watch; it was a quarter past five, and there was still a long time before Anmei finished work.

In a hurry, Fulan put on his coat and ran towards Green Agate Square, where he would wait for Anmei to pick him up every time she stayed overnight at the apartment

The hearing room was already filled with people, and many prominent figures had deigned to come to this dilapidated place. The two defendants stood in the dock, seemingly unconcerned, occasionally whispering to each other. The other lamb in the script, the presiding judge, was an elderly man nearing retirement, sitting in his position with little energy, announcing in a muffled voice, "The court is now in session"

"It was they who killed my father!" the girl shouted angrily, her beautiful gray eyes seeming to blaze with fire, her white teeth biting her lips until they bled. "Why do you not accuse the murderer, judge their crimes, and choose a good day for the gallows, yet concern yourselves with what bloodline my poor father belongs to?"

"It hurts." An Mei frowned, having just twisted her ankle. She stood on tiptoe, leaning against Fu Lan, complaining, "You liar, you said you would pick me up as soon as you closed, and now you only just arrived." As she spoke, she pinched Fu Lan's tender flesh at the waist a few times to vent her grievances.

Number 244, located at a corner of Horseshoe Street, is the site of the Seventh Street Court

Suddenly, Fulan yearned for Anmei's body warmth

Anesthesia soup is one such example

But the key point is that the victim, the elderly father of the girl, is not purely human, but a subspecies known as the Goths

Five years? Or ten years?

Anmei's complaints had vanished. After a while, she leaned close to her lover's ear and said angrily, "If you take care of breakfast tomorrow morning, we could do it three times, hmm, maybe even four times, if you can keep it up."

The black roof, a somewhat weathered two-story wooden house, is entwined with vines spiraling up the corners of the walls. In summer, the greenery covers most of the wall, but in this season, it has completely vanished. The withered brownish-yellow stems render the entire building desolate, with only the somewhat crudely crafted sculpture of the Just Saint Muthu in front of the door, reminding one that this is a solemn place

From the surface evidence, this appears to be a straightforward case of violent injury. Even with the defendant's noble status, it is difficult to evade the sanctions of the law

However, compared to the homeless individuals in the slums, they at least possess their own homes, which provide shelter from the wind and rain, and ensure that they do not freeze to death during cold spells.

This is a fine young man, but unfortunately, from now on, he must bid farewell to his position in the court; perhaps the severance pay can be calculated a bit more favorably for him. The presiding judge has already envisioned the outcome for Fran. "Prosecutor, I hope you can maintain your dignity and refrain from making absurd gestures in court." He gazed at Fran with a look of pity.

The young lady repeated this sentence while sipping

It is not uncommon for nobles to lose their titles due to favoring or indulging in orc slaves

After all, the substantial compensation stipulated by the code is an astronomical figure that is painful for ordinary noble families to bear

Only that bed is somewhat new, but the ceiling is bare, and no bed curtains have been installed. Such expensive fabric is still a luxury for Fran

An Mei sat on the ground, her hair damp, her small face twisted in fear, devoid of any color. When she finally recognized that the person who had knocked her down was Fu Lan, she desperately threw herself into his arms

The First Noble Court of the New District in the West City of Feidu, which Fulan visited, has a courtroom that is larger than the entire Seventh Street Court, capable of accommodating as many as 300 people

Although it is merely an ordinary third-level court, responsible only for trivial cases, it is nonetheless the first step in the undertaking of the Fulan事业

Since there is still time before the appointed hour, Fran decided to return and process the herbs first

The first lawsuit in Fu Lan's life was won splendidly

He said, "The merciful Saint George VII, the predecessor of the current sovereign, once added a provision to the code: prohibiting the slaughter of any rare animals"

"The defendant actually disregarded the late emperor's edict, slaughtering the precious Goths and such creatures as the - picture - book. Can you all tolerate such a crime?" Fulan exclaimed.

Thinking of the little wildcat waiting for her, Fran couldn't help but feel a bit anxious

The young masters, intoxicated by alcohol, beat and kicked the young lady's father until they were stopped by the patrol team; by that time, the poor old man had already breathed his last.

In an instant, Fulan was frightened by one of her own imaginations

In any country, wizards are as rare as oases in the desert

Puddles of water soaked the litter scattered in the streets, causing Fulan to stumble several times. As she approached the corner near Green Agate Square, Fulan collided forcefully with something soft, followed by a piercing scream.

However, there are several interesting discoveries in my father's experimental notes

By adding certain proportions of unique Eastern plants such as belladonna and thorn apple to well water and boiling them into a thick soup, one can induce a deep sleep after consumption

In the records of the patrol team, the number of individuals harmed by open manholes far exceeds the prey captured by the elusive butcher

Fulan thought to himself as he reached out to touch the sheepskin pouch at his waist. It was filled with various herbs from the Far East

The heating in the courtroom was quite warm. Fran took off her trench coat, wrapped it around a sheepskin bag, and stuffed it into the drawer of her desk. After nodding to a few court reporters who greeted her, she walked towards the judge's office

That is a madman who specifically prowls at night, killing indiscriminately. It is said that many patrol officers have changed their preference for meat after witnessing the bodies that have been ravaged by the butcher

Crossing the foyer and carefully ascending the creaking stairs, the thirty-ping room on the second floor is the home of Fran.

Perhaps it was a worker who cleans the drainage, who forgot to restore it. Fran thought, as he used his foot to move the manhole cover back into place, feeling somewhat angry about such irresponsible behavior

He knows that this is a trap, but he also understands that this is a tremendous opportunity

However, Fran discovered that the cover of the distant underground sewer had been lifted. He walked over and leaned down to look inside, but it was pitch black and nothing could be seen.

Perhaps one day, Fulan will enter the noble court to render a fair judgment on a significant case that even His Majesty the King must pay attention to

As time passes, although the Goethe people are no longer subjected to arbitrary arrests and killings as they were in earlier times, they are still regarded as a lowly class. The imperial law categorically denies non-human races the status of citizens entitled to rights; this is an unalterable ironclad rule. The founder of the Byron Empire, Komo I, who established this legal provision, is historically noted for being a staunch proponent of human supremacy.

The lawyers of the young delinquents were cross-examining the prosecution's witness, who was the young woman that had simultaneously lost her virginity and her father

The lawyer, who suddenly fell from heaven to hell, suddenly felt that admitting to the charge of murder seemed to be far less serious than the prosecutor's accusations.

"Someone has been following me." An Mei pointed behind her, her body feeling icy cold, trembling incessantly.

It is said that there is a mage in the noble court who is proficient in mental magic, capable of effortlessly extracting the truth from even the most stubborn and cunning individuals

"I swear, just now there was a shadow following behind me, and my eyelid keeps twitching." An Mei clutched Fu Lan's sleeve, peeking around cautiously. Once she confirmed that no one was there, she let out a big sigh of relief and explained, "You know, this has been very effective lately. Last time, I almost got hit by a flower pot blown off the third floor, and it was the twitching of my eyelid that reminded me to be careful."

Dressed in the black robe symbolizing judgment and solemnity, and wearing a light gray wig woven from horsehair, Fulan stood before the mirror, feeling quite impressive. "The stage is set; my first performance must not be ruined." As he pushed open the door leading to the courtroom, he silently prayed.

The charcoal fire in the fireplace burned brightly, and the family sat around the table, engaged in cheerful conversation. The aroma of butter spread on potatoes and fish soup wafted from the kitchen, making the little dog that was darting around at their feet restless. How long had it been since he last enjoyed such an atmosphere

Fulan's apartment is located on Third Street in the old district, where the old houses that existed when the city of Feidu was just beginning to prosper have long fallen into disrepair. The families that once thrived here have long since moved away, and the residents of the old district are mostly laborers and impoverished clerks

Since meeting Fran, An Mei has not gone to the small room with anyone else, but the drunken patrons do not mind giving a hard squeeze to the voluptuous parts of the barmaids as they pass by.

The oak dining table on the other side has also reached the end of its service life; the tenons and mortises of the base have long since become loose, and it begins to wobble with just a slight application of force

At first glance, a Gode person appears no different from an ordinary individual, typically possessing small scales in concealed areas of the body or slightly protruding bony spikes on the forehead

The furniture in the room is old, and the four-leaf floral carvings on the Baroque-style china cabinet in the corner have worn down to the point where the original shape is unrecognizable. The two-tiered shelves indicate that this is an antique passed down from my grandfather, as only a viscount is worthy of a two-tiered china cabinet

... ...

Uncertain whether it was due to the inclement weather or the excitement in his heart, Fran felt as if he were stepping on smooth wool felt beneath his feet, soft and airy

It was they who killed my father

In the courtroom, lawyers and prosecutors are forever like combatants in an arena, refusing to relent until they have thoroughly defeated one another

Even after giving her the keys to the apartment, this habit has continued.

The girl's hair made Fran's neck itch, and he suddenly felt that the road from Green Agate Square to home seemed a bit long

In my father's research, the wind plant must undergo more meticulous processing; otherwise, it becomes a poison potent enough to cause excruciating suffering.

The streets at night appear increasingly silent under the moonlight, empty and devoid of any suspicious individuals

I understand. Fulang nodded with confidence.

From beginning to end, Fu Lan remained silent. In the eyes of everyone present at the table, the inspector had already failed; a rookie completely shut down by the lawyer was destined to become a laughingstock in the legal community.

Thus, the young masters who are still in detention have become complacent and declare that in order to uphold the dignity of humanity and the emperor, they will make no compensation whatsoever

According to the defendant's statement, the Goths are considered unprotected lower beings. Heaven, what have you done? You actually raped an animal?" Furlan exclaimed dramatically, "Only heathens could commit such a filthy act. Light above, this will lead to the stake!"

"Waiting for the embrace of a beloved, longing to be welcomed back to the castle, is the inherent right of every girl." Anmei always gazed at Fulan with her green eyes, which flowed with laughter, her tone as gentle as a breeze brushing through the treetops.

Two young baronial heirs, recently intoxicated from their time at the bar, cornered a young lady in a narrow alley. They committed every act that scoundrels delight in: beating, abusing, and assaulting her.

The noisy courtroom suddenly fell silent, everyone was dumbfounded, as the rookie actually invoked animal protection laws in a criminal case

The girl's father rushed over upon hearing the news, and then, an even more tragic event occurred

"Sir Flair, what are your thoughts on the case you are responsible for?" The presiding judge adjusted the glasses perched on the bridge of his nose and inquired

"Do not worry, it may just be a hungry stray dog." Fran put the keys back in her pocket and wrapped Anmei in her coat. Seeing the girl unharmed, her heart, which had been racing intensely, finally began to calm down

Fulan has been studying the upcoming court case for a long time

Looking at the out-of-control young woman, the lawyer smiled with satisfaction, elegantly making a gesture to indicate the end of the questioning

Please answer my question, do you have Goethe's lineage

This anesthetic soup was also the only salvation for Anmei's grandmother during her unbearable pain, but due to its high cost, Fulan was unable to prepare it in large quantities

The rookie prosecutor, just starting out, could not be more fitting as a sacrificial victim

The Seventh Street Court, which was not qualified to adjudicate such cases, naturally became the scapegoat for those in power.

The death of his parents made his childhood end earlier than anyone else's

At that time, my father was almost madly researching herbal medicine, attempting to combine it with alchemy to create a potion of resurrection, so that his wife in the grave could once again possess warmth.

The moon emits a pale glow, while the cold wind weaves through the winding alleys, producing a sound reminiscent of sobbing. The houses with red bricks and broken tiles appear particularly desolate in the wind

In the classics of the Church of Light, the first Goth is the traitor Judas who betrayed the Son, and the bloodline of the betrayer is cursed, resulting in his descendants possessing inhuman characteristics

Sitting in the audience, the Bishop of the Feidu region, who was invited to attend, devoutly closed his eyes, made the sign of the cross on his chest, and murmured, "May the holy fire of all hells cleanse the sins of the wicked"