The Gods Decree - Chapter 254 Sir Mouse And Lady May Attorneys At Law 4

With this sudden revelation, Baro knew it was best he disperse of the claims as quickly as possible. Therefore his attention once more shifted to May,

He went directly on the offensive, “Miss Grace, it is easy to taint the image of the deceased when they are unable to defend themselves. Is this the level that you and your co-defendant have sunken? If so be the case then your true characters have once more been shown.”

“How about the living victims of your deceased ‘saint’? Would they be helpful Adjudicator Baro?” May seeing Baro cornered, of course, pressed on,

“If your questions are finished the defense would like to call to the stand, Tessa Gertrude.” As May spoke Baro gritted his teeth having lost control of proceedings. His previous momentum was now totally squandered. Who knew that these two would end up being such worthy adversaries?

He took his seating as May moved from the stand and a young girl approximately seventeen years of age made it through the doors. From her demeanor, it could be seen she was quite shaken up as she dared not have eye contact with any person beside May in the halls.

Seeing her frightened state May took the time to calm Tessa before any questions were asked of her,

‘It’s ok, simply focus on me and everything will be quite fine. Remember, you don’t have to take the stand if you’re not comfortable being a witness.” She uttered with an authentic smile. May knew what this girl had been through and if she didn’t wish to speak, there was by no means either her or Taf would force Tessa.

Tessa responded while holding May’s hand, “I must speak up for all my other sisters, you have been too kind in our lowest moments.”

Very well please tell the court what unfolded 74 days ago in the area so justly referred to as the swamps,” Inquired May.

“The night was cold from my recollection, A few of us sisters had pooled our funds in order to buy some beast meat in celebration of our recent sister Lisa, finally arriving at the third level of qi condensation realm. When suddenly the doors to our small living quarters were smashed inward and some men entered the room. By some miracle, they were kept a bay that night but one was very persisted, the deceased Darwin who went by the alias, The Deflowering prince.

Seeing us as objects lower dirt, he used another female to lure us, in the guise of some small remedial tasks with hefty wages to an undisclosed client. When we arrived that is when we were attacked…”

Tessa could go no further and as she spoke tears flooded down her cheeks while most felt as though their stomachs sank. This Darwin in his life was a predator through and through, deserving of the death bestowed. No wonder May said what she did so outrightly. If that man had not been put down immediately, who knew how many more lives would be destroyed. Also, where was the sect in all of this when a predator ran amock without being checked?

It goes without saying that Baro dared not question Tessa. He would give them the win in this regard and he was indeed outplayed. Yet he still held the advantage, Darwin was not the only one killed. Truth be told he would have a hard time proving they were the ones that led to his ultimate demise anyway. The evidence was flimsy at best, luckily for him, there was still Shinoda an even more promising disciple.

“I would like to call to the stand, Elder Mu.” Ideally, Baro would have wanted Alders to be his key witness but that was before realizing he was not dealing with mere teens but two shrewd beings. They would perhaps have used Alders altercation with Taf as grounds of ill will concentrated towards the pair. Therefore his next best option was the other authoritative figure at the scene.

When seeing he was the next key witness, Mu was actually delighted but showed a more placid demeanor on the outside.

“Elder Mu, please tell the tribunal what unfolded two nights prior when meeting upon the two defendants,” Uttered Baro.

Not wanting to waste such an advantageous position, Mu then spoke in detail what unfolded, “No problem, Adjudicator Baro. While doing our regular surveillance of the activities within the forest. Our attention was then shifted to a loud altercation. When taking a closer look we saw the defendant, Tafari mercilessness beating upon the deceased Shinoda. Suddenly he drew for a black Warhammer intending to kill Shinoda.

Realizing his intention and our inability to arrive in time my fellow elder, Alders shouted for him to stop. That’s when the defendant said in a cold voice, ‘I’m sorry I could hear you.’ After which he smashed down the Warhammer killing Shinoda on the spot”

“What a surprise, another time where the defendant has shown his true colors. This time, however,escalating to killing his fellow disciple. I’ll ask the defense, was Shinoda also an alleged rapist deserving of death?”Baro turned to look at the defense’s desk where Taf and May calmly sat. He knew they had successfully defended themselves against the charges of Darwin’s death, but how would they dig themselves out of this hole?

Once more Baro then turned his attention to the witness, Elder Mu, “After killing Shinoda was there any remorse shown by the defendant?”

“None whatsoever Adjudacator Baro, on the contrary, it was as though he just crushed an insignificant ant. He even went as far as threatening Alders with retribution if he dared pass his place,”Replied Elder Mu to the questioning. This time not only addressing Baro but the twelve judges.

By the looks in their eyes, it could be seen he was indeed successful. It could be seen without a doubt that Taf was not one that did not take well to authority.

“No further questions, your witness.” With Mu’s testimony, Baro ended his case, there was nothing left to prove as all his points were covered. There was simply no coming back for the two after the evidence which was stacked against them.

Seeing that Baro had finished his questioning neither Taf nor May rushed to further interrogate Elder Mu. After awhile Taf gingerly took to his feet making his way to the witness stand, “Elder Mu, I have been told your role within the forest is a medic, am I correct?”

“That is indeed the case,” Replied Mu.

“I’m guessing in your years of training you were taught about not only the development of the body but the mind as well in our growth stages?” Unsure of where this line of questioningwas leading up to Mu scuffed in his mind, yet replied, “Yes this is the most basic form of training required.”

Taf then furthered his questioning, “Very well, when would you say in the development cycle are cultivators said to be at their most irrational?”

“Well, that is quite easyteen..” Finally realizing what Taf was implying Mu hurried to stop himself. Even Baro cursed in his mind, he thought this case was buried, who knew Taf would now draw for this line of defense.

‘I’m sorry what was that you said?” Taf once more reiterated

“Teen but that doesn’t….” As Mu hurried to make a point Taf swiftly put an end to it, “Elder Mu, as a witness you have one simple task. I ask a question and you reply.” With Taf’s actions, if Mu had any doubt he would kill him after taking his position, they were now far removed.

“If I am not mistaken I recalling the mentioning of teen. Why is it that teens are viewed to be the most irrational?” Inquired Taf.

Though he truly had no desire to answer Elder Mu was left without an option replying, “a teen goes through multiple development stages whether it be puberty or their bodies that are now taking in an abundance of foreign qi.”

“…and what are the symptoms of puberty mixed with the abundance of foreign qi entering a developing teen’s body?” Taf squeezed further as he glimpsed an irritated Baro in his peripheral vision.

“Mood swings, erratic behaviors, depression, heightened sex drive, the list goes on and on.” Uttered Mu who wished he could somehow be removed from the stand. He had hoped to crush the two’s chances, not become their key witness.

Taf did see how uncomfortable Mu became but he continued nonetheless, “Elder Mu when would you say this is said to be at its peak in a teen?”

Mu replied, “Ages fifteen through seventeen.”

Taf then scratched his chin now staring at the audience who were indeed impressed with his act, “Let now ask, what would you say would be the circumstances if a teen’s cultivation was far above another of similar age group? Say for instance when the average cultivation is the 5th stage of qi condensation but this teen had strength rivaling a half- step lord?”

Refusing to play a further part in making Taf’s case Mu uttered, “I wouldn’t know.”

Haha!

Taf laughed uncaring of Mu seeming refusal, he then answered his own question, “Well, I would think dear ‘medic’ that this individual would be subject to three-four times the side-effects of an ordinary teen. Easily irritated, mode swings and tantrums would be but minor. Thus being misconstrued as defiant or cold-blooded as the prosecution has constantly reiterated. Would I be wrong in assuming this Elder Mu?

“No, you would not be.” A dejected Mu responded as he looked at Zander who could be said to less than happy. Yet what option did he have in the matter but to agree?

“With this, we the ‘teens’ duly rest our case. No further questions.” Ended Taf who now assessed the faces of all the judges. Though he did not know what their verdicts might be he was certain it was not as one-sided as before and with this an element of doubt. Which he all that he and May desired to accomplish.

“Was that my check or yours, I lost count?” Taf mentioned teasingly to Adjudicator Baro who incessantly cursed himself for underestimating the two. He couldn’t believe Taf’s use of the basic adolescent stage to make such a valid point.

Unedited Version

To be continued…

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