ii

"Politics". In general, people use this term to describe all the struggles regarding power and rights.

The word has two etymologies: one for "individual" and one for "nation". From these two etymologies, two terms are derived to refer to the same profession. Those who engage in politics for personal gain are called "politicians". Those who engage in politics for the sake of the national interest are called "politicians". More often than not, the two are inseparable, and together they constitute the flesh and blood of the greatest and dirtiest cause of "politics".

It was the oldest profession - even older than "farmer", "merchant", "priest" and "magician". It was the most prominent profession of all—they took 80 percent of the history books. It was the most prevalent profession - probably the only one that would occur in all civilizations. In different civilizations, they are called "chiefs", "scholars", "nobles", "bishops", "ministers", ......

And in the United Provinces Republic, the second largest country in the civilized world, they are called "parliamentarians" or "spokesmen of the people's will." The Union Parliament theoretically has 180 seats, but currently only 127 members are in operation.

The successive disasters of the past month have crumbled the highest institutions of power in the republic. The first is the coup d'état at the beginning of the month, which was directly aimed at the ruling party's fundamental policy of "nurturing the economy of the South" over the years. What's even worse is that in the midst of this great chaos, there was a huge scandal of undead parliamentarians manipulating parliamentary votes! Although the coup army was eventually repulsed, the parliament became the laughing stock of the union republics and empires. The Juloks took the opportunity to turn their dissatisfaction with the current politics into the driving force behind the establishment of a separate government, and almost all the Juloks withdrew from the Coalition Assembly. The commander of the Southwest Army, Clad López, who had high hopes for a long time, also stood still for a long time, allowing the culprits of the coup d'état in Fort Forti to go unpunished......

However, it will all come to an end. Just this morning, almost all the members of the Republic received the top-secret message through various channels, and understood the reason why the commander of the Phartes, Vena Betsy, had called an emergency meeting. A person who can't even get this kind of information should not be qualified to represent at least 100,000 citizens at all.

"Fortiburg fell last night. Former Freikorn Field Marshal Radetz Govar was captured at midnight this morning at Fortiburg. ”

In this way, on December 25, which is designated as a statutory rest day, the huge stables of the Supreme Court were filled with the horses of the parliamentarians from seven o'clock in the morning. The square in front of the courthouse was as crowded as the parking lot in the same location in later generations, if not surpassed. The grooms and ninth-rate mages who do odd jobs here struggle to control all the horses, neighing, and manure so that these worldly things do not interfere with the sacred judgments of the court.

Three judges sat in the center of the courtroom, one supreme official, one reformist, and one conservative. Military personnel and politicians alike confidently sit in the positions of spokesmen, while their legal advisers cautiously hide in the assist seats. If there is any difference between the courts of this era and the courts of later generations, it is that every person who considers himself literate believes that he can understand the not complicated legal text.

"It's been a long time since there has been such a great trial. How long do you think it will take for treason to be debated?"

"I think it's going to be a protracted debate, because politics is involved. Didn't the last treason trial last time take nearly a year before the verdict came out?"

The legislators, who had gone to different political dinners last night, talked energetically and waited for the official news of the victory, while the arrival of Admiral Betsy and retired Field Marshal Fox, representing the military, made the greetings even more enthusiastic. The discussion continued until the black carriage stopped in the middle of the square.

The guards lined up in a neat formation to form a passage to the Supreme Court. The two passengers on top of the carriage followed the human wall to the entrance of the Supreme Court.

"General López has arrived! Radetz Govar has arrived!"

The entire courtroom fell silent, and only the neat footsteps of the army could be heard. Soldiers in blue uniforms and bailiffs in indigo uniforms guarded every possible defensive point, military mages with various detection equipment were busy scouting the surroundings, and Betsy's guards in green uniforms were immediately overwhelmed by the blue sea. With all eyes watched, Govar walked unhurriedly to the dock opposite, while Clad strode to the dock and sat down next to the retired field marshal of Conti Fox. After the judge signaled the audience to silence with a gavel, he was the first to stand up.

"Your Excellency, Honorable Judges, Distinguished Mr. Jurors. We are gathered here today to put an end to the recent catastrophe that threatened the Republic. Admiral Betsy and I achieved a small military victory, but a much greater political victory. But whether this victory can be translated into peace and tranquility in the end depends on the course and outcome of today's trial. Our great motherland has always prided itself on the impartial system of justice and freedom, which is also the mark that distinguishes us from the tyrannical empire. To this end, the military transferred the power of trial, which should have been the possession of military courts, to a grand jury composed of the best citizens of the Republic. That's the opinion of all of us. ”

Speaking of which, he paused for a moment to ask for everyone's opinions. He waited until Conti, Wiener, and the grand jury agreed.

"In accordance with the Free Army Code of Arms, we make the following charges against Mr. Radetz Govar, former Marshal of the Free Army and Chairman of the Joint Staff, on suspicion of causing disturbances in the troops, unauthorized movement of troops, and the use of unauthorized force against innocent civilians......"

Everyone waited for him to say that allegation. The accusation that is destined to appear.

“...... The above three articles. We hope that the judges will give a fair trial and that the grand jury will give a fair verdict on this. May the crossed sword of Lesado be with justice. ”

This summary is like throwing a glass of cold water into a boiling oil pan. If it weren't for the rule that "the jury cannot interfere in any way in the trial of the case", I am afraid that someone would have stood up from his position and questioned Clader directly. Someone had even stood up, but remembering that this was not a joint council, sat back down.

Why is there no treason?! Assembling heavy troops, armed subversion of the government - such a crime is not charged with treason?

The highest * officer looked quite surprised: "Uh...... Is there anything else you would like to add to these allegations?

Before Betsy could react, Conti Fox replied: "No." Please ask the defendant. ”

Hearing such a reply, the long-tested supreme official was a little overwhelmed for a while. Almost all the drafts he had prepared were overturned by the current situation, and fortunately, another * officer continued the trial.

"Uh...... Then we ask the defendant. Excuse me, defendant, do you plead guilty to these charges?"

Radetz glanced at the jury and replied categorically and without hesitation: "I confess that I have committed these crimes." ”

In addition to a glass of cold water, an extra stone was added to the oil pan of the Supreme Court. This time the people could not bear it any longer and began to make loud noises, and the judge on the right knocked on the table more than a dozen times before he could stop them. Who has ever seen a defendant who pleaded guilty after five minutes of trial?

"You mean...... You plead guilty, Mr. Govar?"

The judge carefully confirmed it again. In all his years as a judge, he had never seen a trial in which the original defendants reached consensus so quickly.

"Yes, I plead guilty. The former marshal calmly replied, "I do not intend to justify these crimes......

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the sound of heavy banging on the table. A voice slammed in, overpowering everything else.

"Wait a minute!"

"Flame General" Betsy finally reacted. His face had turned completely red from anger and shock. He understood that if he did not stop this trial, the trump card in his hand would be completely neutralized. It only takes him an hour...... He was able to wait for the witnesses he needed.

He cleared his throat and spoke in a loud voice: "I doubt Mr. Govar's guilty plea, and it is likely that some of the charges are not his. Judgment is for justice, not for narrow accountability or revenge. We cannot spare a sinner, but we cannot wronged a good person. We have good reason to believe that the two allegations, which caused a riot in the troops and the unauthorized movement of troops, are not entirely the responsibility of the accused......"

This time, it was not stone that was thrown into the oil pan, but iron. The pans in the auditorium and the jury were completely blown up, and everyone was chattering. If trials that are resolved in 10 minutes are occasionally seen, the prosecution has never seen a scene defending the accused. In the nearly 100-year history of a free nation, there has never been such a chaotic trial.

"Oh my God...... This trial was amazing. It will surely go down in history. ”

The highest official muttered to himself. He predicted the final outcome, but failed to predict the process.

*** ***

Anne tightened her legs tightly, pressed her hands to her knees, and sat cautiously on the edge of the stool, looking around like a lady without squinting. She's uncomfortable right now.

As a true great magician, she could easily count how many pairs of curious eyes of children there were. There were at least fourteen people peeping at them, in every window, in every hole in the wall. On the table in front of her were all the extravagant treats of the orphanage: real chocolate, the finest yogurt balls from the Empire, and even the recently new "Spellcaster's Drink", which was a fraudulent marketing ploy that was of course invested by her own pure gold consortium. Such a sumptuous reception made Anne feel that it was a waste to donate to this place before. But under the offensive of this innocent gaze, she had to try to maintain a little reserve in her face.

"Soleton, do you think this welcome is too grand......? It's not that you haven't been here before, are you so curious?"

"Because they like military uniforms?" Soleton guessed, but then denied, "No, these guys are used to seeing Clad's guards, and they can't ......"

"Also, what the hell did the nun and Mr. Fran do? Say they were changing clothes, why haven't they come back for so long?"

"I guess it's preparing food. ”

The two only talked for a few words, and then re-entered a state of coldness. In terms of their impressions of each other, it is also difficult to find any common topics. Fortunately, soon the nun's voice came from outside the house, breaking the deadlock.

"Don't look at it, everyone is gone, you see, you make the brothers and sisters inside dare not speak. Go play, good. ”

Appearing at the door were Viren and Zart, who were dressed in formal, heart-numbing clothes. The priests wore the most formal expensive black suits, while the nuns wore the robes worn by the priestesses only on festivals. They looked like they were going to a state dinner instead of preparing a home-cooked meal here, and their dress was completely out of place with the austere surroundings. The outfit immediately choked Anne and Soleton's greetings in their throats.

"Ms. Sefir. Zart spoke solemnly—even the title became formal," "Can you tell us about my family's unsuccessful Soleton and what happened to you while you're away from home?"

"Okay, okay. That one...... Let's start with Danica...... Oh, no, let's start with my identity. ”

Fine beads of sweat began to form on the blonde girl's forehead. She's not very good at lying, and she's not even better at improvising fictional stories — especially when the air is filled with an invisible element called "dignified." She couldn't figure out where the solemnity came from.

Why did the two men in front of her keep looking at her like interviewers? It reminded her of the days when she was looking for a job after graduating from high school in another era.

"I'm a reserve lieutenant in the Interlite Army. You should know that, right? The General Reserve, the Interrey Army, the Second Division, the one I was there...... Inauguration of the Ministry of Intelligence. About two weeks ago, a week after that incident, I went to ...... for some of the company's business A trip to Kengler. ”

The nervousness made her words sound a little confused. Soleton hurriedly added, "It's the Pure Gold Consortium." Miss Seffier was tasked with being a liaison officer, after all, the consortium had a strong military background. Because of the blockade, we met in the town halfway through. ”

"Hmm. Because of the commission of General López, after that we decided to go to Fortiburg. Two days after we arrived at Fortibourg, we came across the battle of last night, in which Soleton performed brilliantly and made a great contribution! So Clad decided to award him the rank of lieutenant in particular......"

Listening to Anne's preface and explanation, and even missing a large piece of important content, Soleton hurriedly poked her lightly with his finger, took over the topic and began to add.

"I was shocked to learn if she was an officer, or an officer related to Uncle Clad. She persuaded me to come back to serve my country, but Danika's differences with her father were too deep for her to do, so I went with Anne to Fortibourg. ”

Hearing this, Viren and Zart glanced at each other. Zart cleared his throat and continued, "So, you're on vacation now, when are you coming back?"

"Ah, there haven't been any major battles lately, so I won't be back for the time being......"

"Soleton, after seeing the bloodshed of the battlefield, was so stimulated that he decided to retire from the army......"

At this point, the two of them suddenly came back to their senses and stopped talking. The atmosphere in the room suddenly became very awkward.

"That's enough, Zach. You ask such a formal question, the girls are almost unable to react!" The nun jerked the elbow of the gentlemanly man beside her, stood up, and took Anne's arm, "Let's go, let's go get something to eat." The puff pastry berry biscuits I baked should be almost baked, so go try them first?"

"Wait, wait......"

The girl from the future struggled, but was dragged out of the room. She hadn't been pulled away so easily, but she was now sitting in a lady's position, without any resistance to outside forces.

"Don't look at me as a nun, my sweet tooth is pretty good. I don't dare to say anything else, the biscuits were the best in the entire grade of the seminary. ”

On the way to the kitchen, Vilen happily changed the subject. Sure enough, the topic managed to pique Anne's interest.

Rees Quilahia, a famous later gastronomic scientist, once said when looking back on the food of this era: "Food, was there anything that could be called food before the industrial age?"

She's not bragging—no one can underestimate the cooking skills of a foodie who has been cooking for his sister for more than a decade and living alone for a decade. In the world two hundred and fifty years later, there are at least three culinary contest medals in her cabinet.

"Is it a puff pastry berry biscuit? Sounds good, but I don't know if you pay attention to wheat flour, nun? Of course, the most important thing is the baking technique. Nuns, can you get the temperature and the time accurately? If anything, you shouldn't have been away for so long......"

Hearing Anne's challenging speech, the nun's fighting spirit also "soared" and burned.

"Oh, I'm afraid you're not as old as I have baked biscuits! ”

Anne smiled confidently: "I'm not really a big lady, and I will do what a slave can do." After all, I haven't been served much since I was born, and if the biscuits are so good that they hurt the nun's pride, wouldn't it?"

"Oh, I don't dare to say anything else in my kitchen, but there are quite a few different kinds of flour and butter. Then please begin, Miss Sefir. ”

Viren said as she pulled open the heavy wooden door to the kitchen. Anne walked in with her head held high, and looked at everything with her eyes.

"The hygiene is quite good, and all the necessities are quite complete. But I still have a question, where are the electric ovens, gas and faucets?"

Hearing these incomprehensible words, the nun was stunned. "What are you talking about? Is it a foreign spice?"

"I said electric ......," Anne reacted, hurriedly changing her words, "I said the oven...... Is it this big thing with coal burning underneath?"

"yes. I'm really sorry, but the financial situation of our welfare home is not good enough, and we can't afford to burn charcoal and firewood, so we have to use coal. ”

"Coal ......"

Repeating the word, Anne finally succeeded in making a gesture that "Miss Daughter" must have: she covered her forehead with her hand in a fainting motion. Fortunately, as the greatest magician of her time, she immediately reformulated her countermeasures.

"It doesn't matter. I still have magic ......."

Anne quickly uses analytical magic to pick out the flour she needs, and uses the pure water elemental and water spirits to help her finish the dough. Next, there is the most difficult step.

"Bet all my magic and supermagic skills, I'm going to re-emulate an electric oven with my own power!" she wiped her sweat and focused all her energy on the stove in front of her. "Detect the temperature, fire control, what else? I knew I should have prepared a skillful ......."

Her magic pulsed skillfully at her fingertips, and it was the sum total of two hundred and fifty years of magical skill—the world's most timeless culinary technique.