Chapter 7: Agareus’s Trickery
“Silence!”
Bang!
As the gavel slammed down, the bustling courtroom of the Magistrate’s Court fell into a hushed silence.
The Magistrate, sporting a silver wig and a black cloak, ensured all the members of the jury were present before leading them through the oath.
“I swear, as a reputable citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, that I shall participate in this trial according to the law, faithfully fulfill my jury duty, base my judgment on common sense and moral standards, and make a fair and impartial decision on the outcome of the case, upholding good social order and environment, based on my conscience.”
After the oath was recited, the Magistrate addressed the slightly nervous jury members.
“Gentlemen and ladies, many of you might be in this courtroom for the first time and have no prior knowledge of legal matters. But that’s alright, because your responsibility doesn’t require such things. You only need a fair heart, free from any personal biases.
All jury members were randomly selected from the vast population of London citizens, based on selection criteria. They have no criminal record, possess good reputation, and hold normal values.
Therefore, you only need to rely on your social experience and moral principles, based on the evidence presented in court, to decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.
Furthermore, I must make a fair and reasonable request: you should only consider the evidence presented in court, and not delve into specific legal provisions. I will guide and answer any legal questions you may have.
Now, do you understand?”
As the Magistrate mentioned, the twelve-member jury was diverse, with their occupations and educational backgrounds vastly different.
Among them were clerks from trading companies, skilled workers from factories, surgeons, housewives, and more. Most of them were participating in a court trial for the first time, feeling somewhat cramped and nervous in the solemn and quiet environment.
A woman, wearing a fashionable feathered hat and a ruffled, frilled waist-cincher dress, extended her gloved hand, slightly pressing it against her abdomen, and addressed the judge.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as the spokesperson for the jury, Your Honor.”
The judge responded with a smile, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Peel. To be honest, I was quite surprised to see your name on the jury list.”
Arthur, who was organizing files at the prosecution table, suddenly furrowed his brow upon hearing this.
Lady?
He was certain he hadn’t misheard the judge. The judge had used the word “Lady”.
This meant the woman who had just spoken was either of noble birth or had married into nobility.
Arthur slowed down his file organization, his mind becoming active.
While he was pondering how to utilize this unexpected factor, his peripheral vision caught sight of Agareus, perched atop the Magistrate’s head.
The red devil noticed the lady of noble standing as well.
He jumped onto the prosecution table, stepping on the Magistrate’s head and shoulders, pointed at the lady and grinned.
“Arthur, if you can get that lady’s soul, I’ll let you go see whales at sea.”
Arthur, taking advantage of the Magistrate’s exchange with Lady Peel, nonchalantly responded.
“You’re not obsessed with college student Elissa, you’re now after a married lady. Agareus, your taste changes too fast.”
“Oh, ten Elissas are no match for one such lady! Arthur, you’re still young, you don’t understand this kind of benefit.”
Arthur replied seriously, “Agareus, you better clarify what you mean. You talk like this, I’ll sue you.”
The red devil’s saliva dripped onto Arthur’s prosecution documents, “She exudes an aura of power, one bite will satisfy me for half a year. This is something that a young, inexperienced girl like Elissa can’t compare to.”
“You like power so much, why didn’t you choose a contracter with a prestigious family background? How could a poor guy like me fill your bottomless desires?”
“Humph! It’s not like I haven’t looked. When I followed King Solomon to conquer Jerusalem, your ancestors didn’t even know where they were.”
“My ancestors? My ancestors should have already completed the Second Crusade by then.”
“Second Crusade? You mean the Crusades? Arthur, where did you throw away all the history knowledge you learned in college? The Second Crusade was in the 12th century.”
Arthur knew he was talking to a brick wall, so he wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation. He asked instead,
“You still haven’t answered me. Why did you choose to sign a contract with me? There are countless scammers and robbers in London, why do you favor me so much?”
Agareus roared, “Do you think it’s easy to find someone in London without religious belief these days?
Even if you find one, they’re most likely uneducated, inexperienced, haven’t travelled far, immoral, uncivilized, cowardly, irritable, and stupid!
Arthur, don’t doubt your ability, you are the one I carefully selected.”
Arthur scratched the side of his face, “For a moment, I really don’t know if you’re praising me or insulting me. Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Agareus, do me a favor.”
“Do you a favor?”
Agareus glared with one eye, one big and one small, “Arthur, what do you think I am? A rag? You know to use me to wipe up urine after you pee, but you’re too lazy to even wash me when you don’t use me.”
“I know your power. If you can amplify the hidden desires in people’s hearts, you can definitely amplify Lady Peel’s empathy and maternal instincts.”
“Arthur, I haven’t agreed yet!”
“Time is running out, Agareus, you are my partner.”
“You promised to go see whales on the boat this morning, why didn’t you say so then?!”
Bang!
The gavel struck the table again.
The Magistrate solemnly announced, “Now I declare the London Security Court officially convenes to hear the case of Adam Evans for theft. Please have the prosecution read the indictment and present relevant evidence.”
Arthur composed himself, his face solemn, and began reading the document in his hand.
“Arthur Hastings, Constable of the Greenwich District of the Metropolitan Police of London, hereby represents the Metropolitan Police of Greater London in formally accusing the defendant, Adam Evans.
Defendant Adam Evans, 9 years old, male, residing at 27 Church Lane, St. Giles Parish, London.
On March 25th, around 3 pm, the victim, Nancy Lewis, attended a local parliamentary candidate’s speech event in the Greenwich District.
The event concluded around 4:30 pm. On her way home, Ms. Lewis discovered that her umbrella was missing and immediately sought help at the nearby police station…”
Agareus, seeing Arthur reading the indictment with a righteous face, spat on the ground with disdain.
“Damn it, you don’t even bother to look around! Whether it’s King Solomon, Dwarf Pippin, White-Robe Halfdan, or William the Conqueror, which one of them dared to treat me with such an attitude?”
He glanced at Lady Peel who was sitting beside him, then suddenly noticed a middle-aged man wearing a black top hat sitting in a corner of the audience.
“Oh! How could I forget about this one?”
Agareus rolled his eyes, chuckled, and rubbed his mischievous little finger, muttering to himself.
“Arthur, just watch. After this trial, we’ll see how you’re going to the sea.”
(End of Chapter)