Chapter 1007: If There Were No Law, You Wouldn't Even Have the Chance to Argue

Ke'erwa, Huguang City, the residence of Grand Duke Aldridge, late at night.

Grand Duke Aldridge sat alone in his study, holding a glass of vintage wine in his hand.

Grand Duke Aldridge took a sip of the liquid and let out a soft hum.

"Hmph, Sheng Wolun... just a greenhorn who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, thinking he can control everything by relying on a few warships and a bunch of grunts? The waters of Ke'erwa run deep..."

Grand Duke Aldridge calculated his next steps in his mind.

Based on his understanding of the bureaucratic system, after a major event like the assassination of a Governor, the other side would have only a few reactions.

Either fly into a rage and retaliate regardless of the consequences, but that would trigger even greater turmoil.

Or use the incident as a pretext to demand greater benefits and concessions.

Or... just make a lot of noise but do little, eventually looking for a way to step down.

Aldridge leaned toward the latter two possibilities.

He had even outlined in his mind the scene of Sheng Wolun summoning him personally.

He could appear heartbroken, condemning the lawlessness of the "extremists," while "generously" promising to donate a large sum of funds for appeasement and reconstruction, and "proactively" making concessions on some minor policies in exchange for the preservation of his core interests.

"In the end, there will be a compromise... In this world, there is no one who cannot be swayed by interests; if there is, it's just that the price isn't high enough. Once the storm passes, then slowly... hmph."

Just as Grand Duke Aldridge was immersed in his fantasies, a low roar of engines erupted outside the residence!

Aldridge frowned and set down his wine glass in displeasure.

"What is going on outside? Who dares to make a racket in front of my residence?!"

No sooner had Grand Duke Aldridge finished speaking than a crashing sound came from the direction of the residence gate.

Immediately following that was the sound of rhythmic footsteps.

Interspersed were the terrified screams and shouts of servants.

"Who are you people?! This is the residence of Grand Duke Aldridge! You cannot..."

"By the authorization of Planetary Governor Sheng Wolun and the laws of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, we are executing an arrest task! Those who obstruct will be dealt with for interfering with official duties!"

The door to the study was pushed open from the outside with a "bang"!

Aldridge stood up from his chair, and the wine glass in his hand fell onto the carpet with a "clatter."

At the doorway stood a group of Vantria Noble Regiment soldiers wearing deep red uniforms!

Leading the team was none other than Lieutenant Eisenhart!

Aldridge pointed at the intruders and said in shock.

"You... you... Lieutenant Eisenhart! What is the meaning of this?! Trespassing in my private residence! Is this how you Vantria soldiers treat a planetary Grand Duke?! Is there no rule of law left!"

Lieutenant Eisenhart stepped forward, raising his right hand, which held an electronic arrest warrant clearly displaying Sheng Wolun's electronic signature authorization and the Double-Headed Eagle Emblem of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

"Aldridge, we are not trespassing. This is a legal arrest warrant personally signed by Planetary Governor Sheng Wolun, issued in accordance with the relevant clauses of the Xiuluo Basic Law and the Interim Regulations on the Governance of Newly Recovered Areas.

You, along with Sike, Lina, and others, are suspected of planning and instigating an assassination attempt against the Xiuluo Planetary Governor, conspiring to incite rebellion, and seriously interfering with the official duties of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; the evidence is conclusive!"

Aldridge waved his arms, his face turning red and his neck thick as he roared.

"Nonsense! Slander! This is naked slander! Evidence? What evidence do you have! Just based on the ramblings of those lowly assassins?

That was a confession extracted under torture! It is a frame-up! My Aldridge family has served Ke'erwa for generations and is highly respected; how can you allow such insults!"

Grand Duke Aldridge stared at Lieutenant Eisenhart and said angrily.

"I should be the one asking you, Lieutenant Eisenhart! Isn't your Vantria family known for upholding traditions and respecting noble etiquette?

Is this your 'noble demeanor'? Breaking in armed in the middle of the night to arrest a Grand Duke without any proof?

Your behavior itself is trampling on the law! I will file a complaint with your superiors! I will report your atrocities to the high command of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance!"

Lieutenant Eisenhart's eyes did not flicker in the slightest as he continued to speak.

"Aldridge, you seem to have misunderstood a few things."

Lieutenant Eisenhart lifted his chin slightly, his tone carrying the Vantrians' reverence for the Xiuluo Code.

"First, the loyalty and demeanor of the Vantria Noble Regiment are first dedicated to the will of the Emperor and the laws of Xiuluo, rather than to the so-called 'traditions' or 'nobility' of some planet. When the law conflicts with so-called 'noble privileges,' we stand on the side of the law without hesitation."

"Second,"

Lieutenant Eisenhart interrupted Aldridge's attempt to interject.

"Evidence? Of course we have evidence. And it is irrefutable, ironclad proof."

Lieutenant Eisenhart signaled to a Sintila officer beside him.

The Sintila officer stepped forward, holding a miniature player in his hand, and pressed the button.

【Sike: "... This time the assassination failed, but what about next time? Ke'erwa is so big, accidents can happen at any time! I don't believe he and his few garrison troops can guard against 'accidents' that are everywhere!"】

【Aldridge: "... We can show a posture of 'active cooperation,' and can even 'proactively' help him find a few irrelevant scapegoats to calm the situation. At the same time, we must unify our story, emphasizing that this assassination was the isolated act of certain extreme conservatives or old officers dissatisfied with the fall of the Fengqi Star Alliance..."】

【Lady Lina: "... The key is those two survivors! How much do they know? What if... what if they can't withstand the interrogation and give us up..."】

【Aldridge: "... Their families are in our hands. Besides, even if they said something, without conclusive evidence, what can that Sheng Wolun do to us? We are the nobles of Ke'erwa! We are the foundation of this land!"】

The audio continued to play, and Aldridge's complexion grew worse and worse.

This... how is this possible?! This was their most private conversation in a secret room! How could it... how could it fall into the hands of the other side?!

"No... this is impossible... this is forged! It's synthesized!"

Lieutenant Eisenhart signaled the Sintila officer to turn off the player and spoke.

"The authenticity of the audio has been verified by the strictest appraisal of the Sintila technical department. The source is clear and irrefutable. Aldridge, you conspired to assassinate the Imperial Governor and attempted to subvert the Imperial order; the evidence is conclusive. According to the law, you shall be sentenced to capital punishment."

Lieutenant Eisenhart paused and said mockingly.

"Additionally, Your Grace, you keep saying that we are trampling on the law.

But have you ever thought, if it weren't for the laws of Xiuluo restraining every warrior of the Emperor, requiring us to follow procedures, present evidence, and make arrests according to the law...

Do you think that you vermin, who hide in dark corners, playing with conspiracies and treating human life like grass, would even have the chance to stand here and bark about 'noble dignity' and 'legal procedure'?"

Grand Duke Aldridge took a step back, bumping into the desk and knocking over the decorations on it.

Yes... if it weren't for the fact that the other side still adheres to some "legal procedure," given the military force they displayed, they would have wiped these nobles and their mansions off the map the very moment the assassination occurred!

The reason they are still able to argue and quibble here is precisely because the very set of laws they are attempting to challenge and destroy is protecting their most basic "procedural rights"!

"Take him."

Lieutenant Eisenhart stopped wasting words and gave the order.

Two Wentuiliya soldiers stepped forward and twisted Aldridge's arms.

A pair of shackles "clack!" locked onto the hands that had once signed countless documents deciding the life and death of others.

Aldridge was dragged out of his study by the Wentuiliya soldiers.

The fireplace flames were still dancing, reflecting his instantly hunched back and the stain of wine on the carpet, as filthy as his own fate.