Chapter 58: During the Trial

I was once again brought before the Elder Council, much like a courtroom drama from the last century. The seats were filled—nobles of all kinds, whether vampire or human, showed keen interest in this case.

This was precisely why Missouri was so afraid; he dreaded that the truth I might reveal would be guessed by the public, tarnishing his radiant image. He had long preached that the Black Coffin would redeem this apocalyptic world, and that he himself was the savior leading this salvation. He reveled in the adoration he received, but at the same time, he took pleasure in his dark little secrets.

Missouri bellowed, “Silence! Silence!” but the hall was already deathly quiet.

He continued, “Ichthys Longinus, you stand accused of murdering every officer at the Seventeenth Floor’s Maccabee Street Police Station, as well as ten slaughterhouse workers and two nobles on the Second Floor. Furthermore, you are charged with grave crimes including kidnapping, imprisonment, and slaughter of dark citizens and slaves...”

Typhon chuckled softly, Maxwell sighed, and Missouri cast a stern glance at them both, saying, “Do either of you object?”

Typhon replied, “Everything has its motive. Why would Colonel Longinus suddenly go on a rampage like a madman?”

Missouri said, “Perhaps he truly is mad.”

Typhon countered, “If he were an uncontrollable killer, why make the journey from the seventeenth floor to the second without harming a single soul along the way?”

Missouri said, “It is odd, but we have witnessed stranger and more brutal things, haven’t we?”

Michael stood up and said, “My lord, may I request that Colonel Longinus be allowed to defend himself?”

According to Missouri’s original plan, I should have been rendered speechless at this moment, allowing him to direct this farce. But now that he had not succeeded, what was I to say? How much should I reveal?

It was like bargaining in court; if I did not cross his line then and there, he might allow me to live a little longer—perhaps not for long—but I needed that time to gain more time.

I told them: I had received a lead from an informant and discovered that the Blood Pact gang was kidnapping dark citizens and smuggling slaves. I had gone to investigate, and during the process, I was obstructed by the gang’s mercenaries and ambushed by Sephiros and Modi, forcing me to kill them in self-defense. I also suspected that the police station massacre was an act of gang retaliation.

Missouri did not interrupt me as I spoke, which at least showed he had no immediate objection. In fact, after enduring his mental torment, I was able to detect subtle changes in his expression; he seemed quite pleased, at least momentarily relieved.

The key to all this lay with those peculiar, weak vampires—the baptized ones—whom he most wished to conceal. He hardly cared about Sephiros and Modi themselves. Perhaps he still wanted to kill me to avenge his subordinates, but as long as I did not mention the baptized, he could delay his retribution.

Typhon tapped her chin with the end of a pen, appearing both sharp and captivating. She asked, “Missouri, what is your opinion?”

Missouri said, “There appear to be no obvious flaws in the account.”

Typhon then asked, “Maxwell, what about you?”

Maxwell said, “It’s reasonable—far more reasonable than the madman narrative.”

Missouri ignored Maxwell’s pointed sarcasm and said, “Colonel, why didn’t you report the incident? As a decorated soldier of the Black Coffin, you must be familiar with the Rangers’ regulations.”

I said, “I was eager to save lives.”

Missouri said, “I know people like you—greedy, headstrong, arrogant, selfish—always wanting to claim all the credit and viewing everyone else as obstacles or burdens. You’re not really trying to save anyone; you just want everyone to know that your solo actions surpass those of a hundred or even a thousand.”

Michael spoke loudly, “Father, from what I know of Longinus, he may be somewhat greedy, but who isn’t? More often, he is cautious and self-preserving, never taking meaningless risks.”

Missouri sneered, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Michael said, “At heart, he is a brave knight willing to risk his life for justice.” He clapped his hands, and Jean Valence brought over some files. Michael continued, “Immediately after the incident, I ordered a search of Modi’s residence and found evidence of his dealings with the Blood Pact gang, proving he is the actual owner of the Second Floor’s ‘Fate’s Left’ slaughterhouse. This at least shows that the slaves found there were not imprisoned by Colonel Longinus! He was truly there to save them.”

If Michael had been any closer, I would have thrown myself into his arms.

Missouri’s eyes narrowed, his pupils dilated slightly—he was suppressing his rage. He said, “Michael, my son, tell me, when did you become a Ranger agent?”

Michael replied, “My innate romanticism has long drawn me to detective work. Longinus is my friend, and Modi was once under my command. I cannot tolerate my friend bearing the sins of my subordinate.”

I shouted, “Michael, when I have children, you shall be their godfather!”

Michael smiled faintly at me, but Missouri said, “You conducted an unauthorized search of a noble’s residence. Is there any other evidence?”

He feared that Michael knew about the weak vampires’ existence.

Michael said curiously, “No, did I overlook something?”

Missouri read the situation, knowing Michael was truthful—he was not the type to lie with a straight face. He said, “What about Sephiros? Have you found any evidence related to her?”

Michael said, “I do not know where Sephiros lives. Besides—even though my friendship with Le Gang is enduring—I do not wish to steal too much limelight from the Rangers.”

Missouri’s gaze swept over Le Gang, who showed no reaction, only occasionally exchanging looks with Missouri. Missouri sighed, but I sensed a note of satisfaction in that sigh. He firmly believed Le Gang had destroyed all traces of evidence at Sephiros’s residence on his behalf.

Bozhi—the bald priest—shouted, “But this mortal killed one of our own! Without trial! Without mercy! This is a disgrace, a brazen provocation against our divine authority!”

I shouted back, “They want to kill me! I cannot escape, so should I just let them?”

Judging by Bozhi’s expression, he seemed to think I should obediently let the vampire lords drain me dry.

Maxwell sighed, “Emotionally, I lean toward Sephiros and Modi being innocent, but in fact, that is unlikely. Modi and Sephiros are close friends; if one is involved, the other is hardly innocent.”

Norris said, “A mortal defeating two of our seventh and sixth generation brethren is indeed a grievous loss, but this man’s strength warrants our reevaluation.”

Cold sweat broke out across me: Were they intending to turn me into a vampire to replenish their numbers? But I had yet to raise a child with Lamia. Michael told me their kind lacked the common desires of humans; they only wished to feed on blood to satisfy two kinds of hunger simultaneously. Lamia had barely managed the surgery; I still wanted a few more years of happiness.

Missouri said, “In the Middle Ages, or even the early last century when law was weak, his slaughter of our kind would suffice to make him our enemy.”

Michael shouted, “But now we are within the Black Coffin, trying to rebuild the civilization of the last century! If all his actions were just and lawful, what crime has he committed?”

Missouri looked around and said, “Michael, I warn you, I am in no mood today. Do not mistake my favor for a shield to act recklessly!”

Michael said, “I am simply standing by my friend.”

Missouri struck his gavel and said, “Enough! I hereby sentence Michael Tiado to demotion for abuse of power and poor command. He is stripped of his marquis title and all corresponding positions within the Black Coffin, reduced to baron rank, and ordered to remain at home to reflect on his conduct.”

Michael was stunned, but after a moment, he smiled and said, “No price is too great to pay for friendship.”

I felt deep shame for having underestimated the value of his friendship all along. The Black Coffin’s elders did not oppose this; since Michael was his adopted son, they were glad to see Missouri cut off his own arm.

Missouri then turned his gaze to me. I knew my life was not in danger; he did not want to push me too far, and I did not want to provoke him either. He simply could not bear to forgo revenge.

He said, “Ichthys Longinus, for violating military regulations and killing Black Coffin nobles, I propose stripping you of your rank and office and expelling you from the Ranger corps.”

For a moment, I was at a loss, but then a surge of anger flared within me. I had rendered countless services to the Black Coffin—was it to be erased by a single word? Besides, those I killed were all villains!

Michael angrily said, “Father! Are you mad? Without moonlight as a weapon, only Ichthys can confront the sun-infected! He is indispensable to the Black Coffin.”

Maxwell said, “Missouri, for this we need the blood of the Larsen Banshee and the very special Nephalem. If you abandon him, our laboratory would gladly take him.”

The Magistrate closed his eyes briefly and said, “Very well, you have reminded me. I will temporarily demote Ichthys Longinus to sergeant. His final punishment must be decided collectively.”

Typhon sighed, “What a mess.” She rose and walked toward the exit. The Magistrate suddenly asked, “Lady Typhon, how is your daughter Bella lately? Why has she repeatedly missed noble banquets? She used to revel in them; she was always a social butterfly.”

Typhon pointed to Michael and said, “These children have all reached their rebellious phase; they are no longer quite so charming.”

Norris smiled, “Even within the Black Coffin, brethren are dying. This world is truly strange, isn’t it?”

Maxwell said, “There really is no shortage of trouble.”

Maxwell said, “This farce has gone on long enough; it’s time to stop, Missouri.”

Missouri’s expression turned cold, “What do you mean by that?”

Maxwell met his gaze evenly and said, “I don’t know much, but even if I knew more, I wouldn’t turn against you. You know that well yourself. So, let mercy prevail where it may. Though we are bloodthirsty beings, if we lose our humanity, we become beasts.”

With that, their words ended. No one spoke further. The six elders departed one after another, and the Rangers escorted me back to the prison.