Eckhart II's decision did not surprise Victor... It's not that the situation is forced, but that the Imperial Cabinet knows their Emperor Majesty too well.

The emperor's orders are the law, and the emperor's words and deeds cannot be changed.

The supreme emperors of the Sackland Empire for the twelfth generation have been inactive, debauched, and famous.

But there are only two who have really achieved these two and are unswerving...... Brandon I, the "Sage" of the sixth generation, is the current Majesty Eckhart II.

Even the 10th Empress Charlotte, known as the "Dragon Empress" and known for her iron will and ruthlessness, had hesitated for a long, long time about whether to strip the Black Duke of her title......

After seeing Eckhart II leave, Victor walked towards the outside of the Celestial Dome, and before he could reach the second gate, he was stopped by Metternich, the Minister of the Seals, and invited to a drink in the side hall.

The justices hesitated, but finally agreed.

"If you want to drink something, I've got a new black malt from Lothair, a semi-sweet red grape from Eberten, and our native mead...... Does Lord Victor have a habit of making sake in your family?"

"Feel free to do so. Victor Theseus, who was a little helpless, sat down and glanced helplessly at Metternich, who was busy in front of the wine rack: "Our family does not have a manor or fief, and we don't drink a lot. ”

"Then let's try this bottle of Byrne's fine sweet grapes... In addition to the knights who are good at plagiarism, they can only get their hands on fine wine. Metternich curled the corners of his mouth slightly, skillfully opened the wine bottle, carefully filled two glasses, and some distressed did not forget to put the wine bottle back in its place.

Victor held the wine glass, the mellow color and fruity aroma made him feel the preciousness of the elixir in the glass even if he was not a good drinker.

"Lord Victor... Something seems wrong with you today. ”

An understated voice was heard, and Victor looked up, Metternich's cold, piercing eyes in view.

The Chancellor did not speak, nor did he ask how the other party had found out, and the Minister of the Seals, who had accepted his acquiescence, bowed slightly, and the smile on his face faded:

"I know what the reason is, but I must first warn you not to be taken advantage of by some people... The current situation is in a way very unfavorable to you. ”

Victor's eyes were closed, and the syrup in his glass was swaying slightly, looking like the skilful and leisurely posture of an old drinker.

But both of you know that it is definitely not.

Metternich's emotionless voice came again: "You have to be ready... I know that you are still regretting what happened back then, but now is definitely not the time to be rash, and you must not regret it now!"

"Should I still be honored?" Victor laughed at himself, "I was the last person to sign that motion." ”

"There's also my ......" Metternich was expressionless:

"If it was true, as the church says, to give the innocent people who died back then the justice they deserve, we should have died a hundred times a long time ago, but it doesn't help, believe me, Victor, it's good to be responsible, but sometimes... It makes no sense. ”

"In the court of the Imperial Trial, you are the embodiment of the laws of the empire and the will of the emperor, you can show a trace of pain to the deceased, but you must not blame yourself! You must abandon your humanity, your morality and mercy, even under the cry of countless witnesses!"

"Don't forget... Whether you like it or not, Lusak Corvo's life and death are burdened with the vendetta of the Holy Cross Church and wizards in the Imperial Capital for nearly a hundred years, and all you have to do is that you must not let either side control the process of this trial and turn it into a tool for them to achieve their goals!"

"If nothing else... Victor Hughes, the Imperial Judgment in Five Days... It is the pinnacle of your life, and it will also become the most shining moment of your life. ”

"Can you stick to the 'justice' in your heart, the 'imperial law' in your mind is sacrosanct, and how the annals of the empire will record the name 'Victor Theseus' will be opened on that day!"

Metternich took a sip of the wine and whispered in an almost seductive tone: "And after the Imperial Trial, His Majesty intends to promote you to be the new Imperial Chancellor of the Exchequer, in charge of the Imperial finances... And it is permanent. ”

"Chancellor of the Exchequer?!"

"Heartbeat?" Metternich's lips narrowed as he looked at the momentary consternation on the other man's face.

"No, because it's simply not possible. In just a moment, Victor regained his original serious expression: "It takes not only ability to get that position, but also connections and prestige... You know this better than I do, Mistress Metternich. ”

"What's more, how can Your Majesty allow someone he can't fully control to control the wealth of the empire?" he muttered in a low voice: "A person from a remote small aristocratic background who has not yet inherited the right to become a royal chief judge is already the pinnacle of my path. ”

"Victor, you are very smart and capable, and you have a great ......"

"I'm fifty years old, Mistress Metternich, not much younger than you, and the fact that the situation is like this just proves that I'm not smart enough. ”

The difficult conversation caused the two to fall silent, clinking glasses with each other and drinking them all.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Putting down his glass, Victor was ready to talk openly and honestly with the Lord Keeper of the Seals: "As you said, I will never take sides and be absolutely fair in the royal trial......!"

"If I want to find someone to explain, I will definitely not look for our Imperial Justice. Metternich smiled: "On the contrary, as I said... I'm here to help you. ”

Victor frowned.

"In order to be able to win in the royal trial, both the Holy Cross Church and the wizards' side will inevitably do their best, even using all kinds of dirty means to gain an advantage...... So my first piece of advice to you is to limit the number of witnesses. ”

"Limit the number of witnesses?"

"That's right, if you don't control the number of people, the whole trial will fall into endless chaos, and it is possible that you, the chief judge, will not be able to step down in public!"

"I've also been a judge, and I'm all too familiar with the tactics of certain 'court hooligans'... Instigating mobs to make trouble in the courtroom, and even rushing into guards and beating prisoners... All kinds of dirty and obscene methods, too many to count!"

Metternich shook his head, as if remembering something of the past: "Secondly, both sides will certainly send their own defenders to appeal on their behalf, and I don't think you can guess without me that Master Lussac Kovo's defender is ......"

"His Highness Brandon's Wizarding Advisor, Loren Turin. Victor bowed slightly: "There shouldn't be a second one besides him." ”

"I've heard that he's found a lot of evidence that is strong enough to clear Lussac Kovo's name. Metternich nodded slightly: "I also heard... He has offended many people in order to obtain this evidence. ”

Victor bowed his head in contemplation and did not comment.

"Of course, you don't have to worry too much... Then again, it doesn't seem strange that His Highness Brandon's wizarding advisors would do anything. The Minister of the Seals groaned and spoke softly, "As for the defender of the Charn family, it is the Holy Cross Church. ”

"Church?!"

Victor's pupils suddenly shot a cold light: "The inquisitor of the church... Cabinet Minister Tellers Lewfo is ready to defend the Charn family in person?!"

"Of course not—it is said that he himself had the will to do so, and he also wanted to save your face, but His Majesty refused... If a cabinet minister had been involved, the trial would have been nothing more than a one-sided massacre. ”

"What the hell is that ......?"

"Whoever this man is able to appear as a representative of the Holy Cross in place of the Church of the Church, proves that he must not be underestimated. ”

A strange gleam flashed in the corner of Metternich's eyes with a calm face:

"Remember, His Majesty is watching us......"

"Sitting on the throne of the Heavenly Dome Palace, looking down on us quietly......"